3AW’s Denis Walter leaves afternoon show after 11 years to host Nights
Denis Walter is leaving Nine-owned 3AW’s afternoon show after 11 years to take up the post at 3AW Nights.
The move means Melbourne audiences will hear a local voice in the slot, with Sydney-based John Stanley no longer being heard from 8pm in that market from next year. In August, Stanley took up the Nights hosting position across 3AW, Sydney’s 2GB and Brisbane’s 4BC.
Walter will start in the new role on 20 January
The Macquarie Media-owned station (now officially part of Nine) said the switch up will allow Walter to continue connecting with his existing audience, and attract new listeners to the slot.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the night with Melburnians, bringing them news and entertainment. I’m also looking forward to no morning peak-hour traffic,” Walter quipped.
He will commence in the new role from 20 January, with a new host for the afternoon slot to be announced in the coming weeks.
Stephen Beers, 3AW’s station manager who was made redundant in October, only to be re-hired two weeks later, said the decision illustrate’s the station’s local focus.
“Denis is one of Australia’s most respected talents. Today’s announcement that his famous voice will be broadcast on 3AW Nights reinforces our commitment to Melbourne as we continue to provide a strong local presence across all parts of the day,” Beers said.
Last week, John Burns, one half of the Ross and John breakfast program on 3AW, announced his retirement from the station. Along with further staffing changes, the station has recently got a new boss in Nine’s Tom Malone, after CEO Adam Lang exited, and 2GB and Macquarie Sports Radio are undergoing content reviews.
Brittney Rigby was Mumbrella's deputy managing editor - news and analysis. She left Mumbrella in April 2021.
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Ridiculous what a mistake your making or fill it with Tom at least these two fine men have talent and brains
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Bye bye 3AW. What a stupid mistake you are making
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What a big mistake 3aw moving Denis Walter to nights in 2020 bye bye 3aw
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Get rid of Darren James …He’s a joke he doesn’t know what he’s doing ..replace him someone that’s got a little bit of talent
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I can’t believe Dennis is leaving, he makes afternoon radio. 3aw your a bunch of idiots , you took away 1278 radio station and now Dennis. Who cares about night radio, not that many
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A shame for 3AW to replace Denis with Deedee.
Women don’t tend to be popular as presenters.
Remember Margaret Peacock. Women don’t last long.
I will not be tuning in.
Marg
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You have got to be kidding Darren James is the best on 3aw ,
Would have loved him to do the 12 to 3 time slot . By far .
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HUGE mistake moving Dennis out of the 12-3pm time slot!!! Not to take anything from DeeDee because she is lovely, but that time slot isn’t for her sorry. Wrong move.
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I’ve come back from holidays and can’t believe that Dennis has been removed to the night time! I left listening to ABC, after 15 years, because it progressively became so biased and non questioning of the squeeky wheel, left wingers and moved to 3AW despite being told by ABC that it is a ‘sensationalist’ station. So not true! Neil Mitchell and all the presenters present in a reasonable manner, unlike the ABC. Dee Dee with Gruby presented perfectly on the weekends. DeeDee just doesn’t fit a weekday timeslot of this important station. Dee Dee, love you, but not where you are. Dennis was perfect! Madness to move him. Now for the stead, relentless decline of 3AW!
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