3AW’s John Burns announces his retirement in 2020
Veteran radio presenter and one half of the Ross and John breakfast program on 3AW, John Burns, has announced his retirement from the station.
Burns will stay on until July 2020, holding down the fort before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and his 75th birthday that month.
The announcement was made on 3AW this morning, with Burns saying he’s had a great 20 years with the station.
“I’ve had 20 of the most fun and fruitful years of my life here and am looking forward to my next chapter with 3AW,” said Burns.
3AW’s returned station manager Stephen Beers called the breakfast show an ‘institution’.
“The Ross and John breakfast program is a Melbourne institution. Next year the pair will celebrate an incredible 20th year as an on-air partnership. This is a stunning achievement in any field and even more remarkable in the world of broadcast radio,” said Beers.
“We’re thrilled that Burnso has agreed to jump in the studio chair for one more year and we look forward to giving him a fitting send-off when the Olympics wrap up.”
Burns and his co-host Stevenson have spent 144 consecutive surveys as Melbourne’s number one breakfast show. As of GfK survey seven the duo held a 20.6% share. The show will return on January 13 in 2020.
A replacement for Burns will be announced in the new year.
3AW is operated by Macquarie Media, which is now owned by Nine. The radio business has undergone several changes in the last few months, including a new boss in Nine’s Tom Malone, following the exit of Adam Lang, staffing changes and content changes for some of its stations.
No real loss.
Burns would have spent less than 5% of the show actually talking. It was really the Ross and advertising show.
I’m not sure what Burns actually contributed to the program in terms of intellectual content.
Most likely Red Symons will step in and replace Burns.
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even maybe Darren James or Tony Moclair
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“John Burns announces his retirement in 2020.”
Actually, John Burns has announced his 2020 retirement in 2019.
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Sorry that Burnso will be stepping down.
His intellect and excellent general knowledge was appreciated although he did not speak a great lot. But sometimes Ross cuts across him a bit too readily not giving the acknowledgement deserved at times. (Understand that time constraints have to be observed).
I particularly loved his references to Hampton and St Mary’s PS. I live a couple of streets away from Holyrood St and frequently drive past ST M’s PS. I am also of his ‘era’ too. He has a couple of years on me. ?
Will miss you John.
Good luck!
Regards
Rhonda
Rhonda
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RED SYNMONS WHO IS FILLING IN FOR NEIL MITCHELL FOR ONE WEEK DURING THE SUMMER SAID HE IS OPEN TO A FULL-TIME SLOT AT 3AW… IN THE NEW YEAR RED SYMONS WILL BE ANNOUNCER AS JOHN BURNS’ REPL;ACMENT ON 3AW BREAKFAST WHEN JOHN BURBNS RETIRES FRIM 3AW BREAKFST I JULY 2020… HHEVER WTRITESTAT ARTICLE REMEMBER I SAID TIS ON DECEMBER 5R\TH 2019 AT 4.04PM
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enjoy Ross and John very much ,they bounce off each other thoroughly enjoy them
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That’s like asking ‘what did George and Ringo contribute to the Beatles?’
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Asking what John Burns contributes to the show is like asking what did George or Ringo add to The Beatles.
And as for Red Symons – no thanks.
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Great to hear that Red Symons is taking over from John Burns in July 2020.
Many I’ll informed punters were led astray early December 19 when they were falsely told that crime writer John Sylvester maybe stepping in.
Negotiations between JS and Macquarie network never took place but used to completely keep the sniffers off the scent!!
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