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96 FM brings Fred Botica and Lisa Shaw back to radio to replace ‘Paul & Lise’

After cancelling Paul Hogan and Lisa Fernandez’s ‘Paul & Lise’ breakfast show last week during the mid-year survey break, 96 FM has revealed its new breakfast hosts.

Veterans Fred Botica and Lisa Shaw will be returning to airwaves for Botica’s Bunch for Breakfast, which kicked off this morning.

Botica and Shaw had both previously retired from radio but are coming back to 96 FM

The duo were first on air together in 1997, with Botica beginning his career in 1986 as a voiceover artist for 96 FM and Seven. He then lead Mix 94.5’s breakfast team, which became Perth’s highest-rating breakfast show, and co-hosted Botica’s Bunch with Lisa Shaw from the late 90s.

The station axed Hogan and Fernandez’s breakfast show last week, as the pair were halfway through a three-year contract, with parent company ARN saying it was part of a review of the station’s strategy and direction.

In the most recent radio ratings survey, released on 4 June, 96 FM had a 7.1% share in breakfast, behind rivals Nova 93.7 (13.1%), Mix 94.5 (12.9%), and Hit 92.9 (8.3%).

Of the new show, 96 FM’s managing director Gary Roberts said: “It’s a massive coup for 96 FM, to have Botica’s Bunch back for Breakfast in Perth. Botica’s Bunch for Breakfast is a true reflection of the heritage of the 96 FM brand and will be complemented by a change in positioning for the station to ‘Real Music’.”

Botica retired from radio in 2014 and Shaw announced in November 2018 she wouldn’t be returning to airwaves in 2019, announcing her retirement from Mix 94.5’s The Rush Hour which she co-hosted with Pete Curulli.

Late last week, 96 FM announced it had poached program director Dan Underhill from rival Nova 93.7, sparking whispers that a rebrand could be on the cards for 96 FM.

Fred Botica said: “How could I say no to the opportunity to return on 96 FM with my partner-in-crime, Lisa? Listeners can look forward to the chemistry we have developed in the two decades we’ve worked together on-air, and some interesting new ideas and angles we have in store. Bring on Botica’s Bunch for Breakfast.”

Shaw said: “I’m so excited to be teaming up again with Fred for 96 FM’s Botica’s Bunch for Breakfast. As probably the biggest entertainment lover in Perth, I can’t wait to get back into that Breakfast hot seat and share everything that’s entertaining and important to our listeners.”

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