96FM breakfast hosts Carmen & Fitzi depart as Paul & Lise return to Perth radio
ARN’s 96FM breakfast show hosts Carmen Braidwood and Brad ‘Fitzi’ Fitzgerald have been removed from the station’s 2018 lineup.
Carmen and Fitzi will be replaced by former Perth radio hosts Nine news presenter Lisa Fernandez and Hobart’s Hit100.9FM’s Paul Hogan.
Hogan and Fernandez previously co-hosted Hit Network’s Perth 92.9FM breakfast show, before Fernandez left the show in 2013.
Following her departure, Fernandez joined Nine as a presenter. She will continue to work with the network in 2018.
Hogan began his career as a comedian and writer before moving to Triple M in a national on-air role.
Over the last four years, Hogan has worked with Hobart’s Hit network, co-hosting breakfast.
Duncan Campbell, ARN’s national content director thanked Carmen & Fitzi for their efforts.
“We would like to thank Carmen & Fitzi for their outstanding contribution to 96FM and the moments they’ve shared and laughs they have provided all of Perth over the past six years. Carmen & Fitzi are talented personalities and have been a great team and we wish them well for the future,” Campbell said.
In the sixth radio survey for 2018, Carmen & Fitzi’s breakfast show finished fifth on the FM bandwidth, down 0.6 ratings points to 8.2%.
Perth has seen a major shakeup in the last few weeks, with Hit’s Will McMahon & Woody Whitelaw taking over Kiis national drive, as Hughesy & Kate move to the Hit network. Their replacements are yet to be announced.
Commenting on the station’s ongoing strategy, Campbell added: “The focus is now firmly on our broader strategy to deliver the very best entertainment for Perth and continue to drive ratings growth.
“We plan to build on 96FM’s recent success in transforming its music position to focus on pop rock/modern rock, which has seen the station return to its music roots to deliver “better music and more of it” and this new Breakfast show along with our announcement last week of Will & Woody in drive marks the next phase of that strategy to reignite the heritage and strength of the 96FM brand in Perth.”
He said he was looking forward to bringing Paul & Lise back to Perth.
“They have a wonderful chemistry and their irreverent, fun, and nothing’s off limits style will bring a new energy to Perth Breakfast radio.”
Carmen & Fitzi’s show concludes today. Until 2018, breakfast show announcer Brad Pottinger will present a ‘music breakfast show’.
96fm’s roots were firmly established as “Album Rock Music” from the very beginning. They are now sadly, just another station in the pop music genre trying to convince us of the worth of their latest “wacky and fun breakfast duo”.
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I agree with David – this morning when I didnt hear the replay from the day before just after 5, I knew something was up, loved how they bounced off each other great way for me to start the day, changing to Buddha
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Sad day Perth, I guess the vending machine has gone as well, bad move 96….
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Not happy 96FM, you will now be just another teen station full of inspid lollypop music. You had a niche and provided great contemporary rock and classic hits from all eras and to disregard the tastes of your loyal listeners who have stood by you since you first came on to the airwaves is done at your own risk. To disregard Carmen and Fitzi is also a step in the wrong direction. You have lost me already and i wont be coming back. Too many great stations on Iheart radio without the ads and the accompanying BS that goes along with the soulless commercial stations these days. Sad to be going, but alas the last betrayal cut deep.
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I think this is a bad idea , i used to listen to this station only for them as they were great at what they did an made the show, the two yoy should get rid of are the twats in the arvo no one wants to listen to their crap they go on about. Half the time its not even appropriate wgen people have kids in there car.
20 year long time listener an know its time to move on i think…
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That’s it for me. I’m off to 94.5 and/or HeritageFm. Goodbye 96fm
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Carmen and Fitzy were the only one’s I never missed listening to. What’s the matter with you 96? You got rid of Alice Cooper for those twats Hughsy and Kate – Blackers – need I go on? You’ll be sorrrry.
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Another great East Coast decision for Perth, thank you Mr ARN’s NATIONAL content director. Yaaay, NAH!
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Absolutely shocked we will miss Carmen & fitzi love them in the morning ? bad move 96fm hope your not going to play all the teen crap music ????
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How sad that 96fm have to get rid if Carmen and Fitz. Guess i will just be listening to my cd’s whilst driving to work from now on.
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Oh my, how sad. I will miss their banter in the morninga driving to work. Guess i will just listen to my cd’s now. Bye 96fm
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Well 96, yourve done it again. First blackis. Then all that duff duff kids crap music. None of which you’re listeners liked. Now Carmen and Fitzi. What’s wrong with you 96. They were funny and great to listen to in the morning. 2016 all over again. Time to move on. Good luck. You’re going to need it. ???
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I can’t believe it have they lost their mind. 96fm used to be a good rock station which most of the other stations disregarded for all the teen pop crap that sounds the same. Gene Simmons said rock was dying and with decisions like this maybe he is right. Canning Alice Coopers show was a slap in the face as it was the highest rating show in it’s time slot if I am not mistaken, go back to the foundation that made 96fm. And the others are right it is just another move to the East Coast shows that have no idea what WA is about. If Carmen & Fitzi move to another station guess where I will be going. 96fm had something that no other station had good rock music which is what Australia is known for good pub rock bands, AC/DC, INXS, COLD CHISEL, MIDNIGHT OIL & DIVYNALS just to name a few.
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So many bad moves over the years,this is just another one,but for me the final straw that broke the camels back ,have been listening to 2 stations during the day , now only 1 & it is NOT 96!.
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Bad move 96.1 l will be moving on as well.
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Anyone who thought these two had any say in 96 have rocks instead of brains upstairs. Between them and whoever had the idea of REAL GOLD should have been sacked months ago. TO turn on the radio and find out they had finally gone MADE MY DAY… Good bye to those two and the families they brought with them…. the CIARO, THE KIDS AND ALL THE OTHER CRAP THEY TALKED ABOUT EVERY SINGLE DAY….
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Bad decision
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Bad decision. I loved listening to Carmen and Fitzy on the way to work each day. I agree that a lot of what goes on air at 4 with Hughesy and Kate is inappropriate whilst having young children in the car.
I will not be listening to 96 anymore!!
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Bye 96fm you just lost me…
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What on earth made you think this was a good idea. Stupid move indeed. Lost me as a listener now. Only listened to 96fM for the morning show. Can you inform us where they have moved to so we can switch stations please
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Bad move 96. After years of being the only station I have on. Im finding something else. Well done to the east coast on thinking they can improve something and completely destroying it .
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This is terrible news, I have recently made the switch to 96 permanently and Carmen and Fitzy were one of the main reasons. I loved their energy.
I have been wondering where they are and just googled to find this horrible news. 96 could have at least given them a proper send off.
Turned off the other station [edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]. Looks like I’ll be switching again. What a sad day. I hope the ratings plummet.
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Disappointed you can just dump your broadcast crew and move on without a fairwell from the team, no explanation, just gone.
Carmen and Fitz are who we relate to every morning with issues and topics.
Hughesy and Kate are a fantastic team, who always make me laugh at the end of the day.
Shame 96FM that you didn’t have enough respect to ask your listeners for their opinion.
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Well 96 fm has just lost me as a brekkie show listener. They brightened my morning as I was driving around. Lisa Fernandez annoys the hell out of me on Channel 9 so I certainly won’t be listening to her drivel on the radio. Good luck Carmen and Fitzy bigger and better things for you hopefully.
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I totally agree
they done there best and I think 96FM
has lost it way..
good hosts gone…
So what now is it going to be teen channel.
Time to switch to 94.5 fm
96 fm your changed to music
but not the repeats same songs each day…
so how large is the music Library?
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Enjoyed Fitz and Carmen in the morning, as we are tradies listening to the station all day it was the music that needs expanding! Queen had more than 3 hits as did many other great Bands and you start feeling like Groundhog Day!
As Xmas approaches can we have some classic Xmas songs from Slade, Wizard and Mcartney and not just Maria Carey ?
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Shame they are just a scape goat for the idiot who started playing savage garden every 2 mins.
Nobody likes that rubbish, what happened to real rock n roll?
Remember the ols stickers “96FM Rocks the West Coast” You would hear bit of Zepplin, Hendrix, Doors etc along with modern rock ie: Foo fighters, Nirvana, good music, now it’s pretend rock for the snowflakes.
Miss you guys Carmen and Fitzy..
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Once again we screwed over by the east coast 96fm can get stuffed ruin a perfectly good show hope the perth businesses boycott using for advertising you’re going to hear 96fm in my work place
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Can’t believe what you’ve done 96FM. My husband and I go away for a week and we come back to NO Carmen and Fitzy. The same thing happened with Blackers. Can’t believe you are so short sighted. Selling out to the teeny boppers, what a huge mistake. Changing stations. You’ve lost another two loyal listeners. Shame on you. Wake up.
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https://m.facebook.com/groups/606274266430145
Sign up to show 96fm that we want them back on air together
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https://m.facebook.com/groups/606274266430145
Show them your not happy
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I listened to Carmen and Fitzy everyday. Very disappointed that they are gone. Heusy and Kate are the ones that need to go .they are not even funny. I guess I will have to find another station to listen to.
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moved to 96fm again after 20 years as i got fed up with the crap on 94.5 when they changed staff.
96fm had a good thing with the change back to their old music format the only weak link in my mind was those clowns Jacki O and Kyle
guess i will be moving on again for good
sad for perth radio
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How sad and empty my mornings are now without Carmen and Fitzy to make me smile!! Pots – I bet you are pretty lonely too!!! I could relate to the stories they told us and I was always cracking up or ringing in to agree!! If you turn up somewhere else guys I will be there!!! VERY DISAPPOINTED 96FM!!!!!!!
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Thank god Hughes is going always switch the station on my way home. Can’t stand him. Pitty Carmen and Fitzy have gone, they are the best.
Looks like I will have to change the station on the way to work also. Bad move 96
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I’ve listened to 96fm back in the days of Bill Ali but I think it’s time to cross over to 94.5
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Bad move! I have been listening to Fitzi in the mornings ever since I moved to Australia in 2006, loved his sense of humour. I used to enjoy a regular morning giggle on my way to work, but now all that is gone. Going to be listening to CD’s or try find something else to listen to now. Cheers 96 Fm. ???
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I am really going to miss the morning crew, I loved to here them laugh and joke around. Very sad
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What a shame, looks like I will have to find another station
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absolutely pitiful 96fm you got rid of the best two people on the airwaves of all the radio stations in australia and replace them with eastern states people its a big downhill slide resulting in your own downfall and as for the absolute crap of hughsey and kate what an insult to the ears having that on air the laughter was so faked and not funny at all barf material all the way everybody should boycott 96fm until they bring back carmen and fitzi i will not be tuning in again good luck 96 you will need it big time
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absolutely pitiful 96fm you got rid of the best two people on the airwaves of all the radio stations in australia and replace them with eastern states people its a big downhill slide resulting in your own downfall and as for the absolute crap of hughsey and kate what an insult to the ears having that on air the laughter was so faked and not funny at all barf material all the way everybody should boycott 96fm until they bring back carmen and fitzi i will not be tuning in again good luck 96 you will need it big time
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I am with the rest of Perth 96.1 I am the new listener to 94.5 tut,tut 96.1 your just another pop station and I can’t stand sanderlands…..you didn’t have respect to ask your listeners GOODBYE
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Not impressed 96. Think I’ll swap to Nova.
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I have been a 96fm listener since the rest of them were still on am. I have put up with stupid programming changes, grinned and bared it though the ridiculous MMM era and all the rest including 2016’s teeny music debacle. I have listened as you got rid of some of the best presenters on perth radio. But to get rid of the only relatable people on brekkie radio has finally pushed me too far. I’m done with 96fm as are most listeners i know. Experience the change for the worse.
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What’s going on at 96 .carmen and Fitz was good.why the change Lisa rating was low at 92.9 won’t change here,looks like I need to find another station
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Well that’s it for me 96. I’ve been a listener since the day you started broadcasting in Perth. Still have an original 96FM Gold Pass. Steve Fetton, Gavin Miller, Diesel DeMello and now Fitzi, ALL GONE!!!
Now me , GONE !!!
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Very disappointed that you got rid of Carmen and Fitzi, have now changed back to 94.5 even though not a fan of their breakfast show. I only listen to Gavin Miller now on a Sunday. Shame you got rid of the Rock Report and Nights with Alice and bought in those clowns Hughesy and Kate and Kyle and Jackie O. Your ratings are going to plummet even further now.
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Not happy I really enjoyed The morning team with the 8.15 vending machine and used to listen to them every morning, have decided to turn to other radio stations very disappointed. Lana of Belmont
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I to agree with others loved Fitz and Carmel feel slightly betrayed , no warning just turned on the 96.1 radio and have no idea what has happened to them!! I enjoyed them much better than the arvo team, lost me 96.1
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Totally agree with all of the comments made, bring back Carmen and Fitzy on air together!! Having made the switch 96 and particularly enjoying their morning show because they are people people and you can easily relate to what they say and normal everyday stuff with their energy and humour- they are awesome. I really can’t believe or understand why you have done this 96 – does not make any sense…
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My best part of the day was always 96 fm beeakfast because of Carmen and Fitzi. You are so missed.
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Lets face it, the more this station keeps regurgitating ideas, the further they move down in ratings and listener numbers. Carmen & Fitzy were just another pair of a long list of sh!t hosts.
Heres an idea… p!ss them all off and play more music. I dont want people talking on my way to work. Only music!
Perth wants a Rock Radio station and in case this is a difficult concept to grasp I will spell it out… Much like 96 was originally and what MMM is trying to be, but get rid of the inane chatter, sexual innuendos and sh!t “hosts”.
It would be cheaper to operate, consider selling subscriptions (like a spotify, tunein or iheart radio but better) to the mobile app with no adverts.
Modern/classic/heavy will be just fine with adverts every half an hour or hour for 3-4 minutes. You can add traffic in the drive times, some weather too… BUT if they’re not playing more than 40 minutes of music, they’re talking too much!
Just my thoughts…
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I’ve been listening to 96fm since it first started, and since I moved
– first to the Pilbara, then down south- I’ve been streaming it every morning. No more- you’ve lost me 96.
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Agree with the main feel of the comments…we are treated like idiots! Nothing compared to how Carmen and Fitzi have been treated! 92.9, 93.7 and 94.5 have such crap music and though I DID think the “real gold” label was a bit exaggerated (too repetitive, artists singing same old songs) they were the best; though 1080 ain’t so bad. They talk about target audience blah blah, and if people prefer those other stations that are rating better than 96…I despair of what “music” is these days…
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Wow why take Carmen and fitzy off the morning show I guess 96fm wants to lose listeners, they have lost this one, the new dj’s have got big shoes to fill…
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Not going to listen anymore. Lise is a terrible decision for a host, her voice shots me but she is also a self righteous D rated “celebrity”. Well done 96fm you’ve lost a number of listeners by removing Carmen and Fitzi, I’d already turned off your afternoon show when you brought in Hughesy and Kate. Clearly you don’t care about your loyal listeners
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BAD MOVE will never listen to 96fm again !!!!!!!!!
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BAD MOVE will not listen to 96 fm again what a decision !!!!!!!!!!!!
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Fitzi and Carmen were the funniest most entertaining morning duo around. Terrible decision and one I hope you will reconsider, however until that time it is goodbye from me!
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So upset I absolutely loved Carmen and fitzi in the mornings, carnt believe 96fm have got rid of them they were the best bf crew in the mornings , I’ve being listening to 96 for years , nothing wrong with the bf hosts st all ,, definitely won’t b tuning in next year ??????
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Really stupid thing to do, I have gone from listening to 96 every morning on the way to work for years to listening to music off my phone.
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good bay 96fm you lost your best morning show peaple i’m changing
stations you bloody idiots
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Good bye 96 . After 40 plus years of listening to your station 🙁
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Totally agreeing with the previous comments, Carmen & Fitz were good in the mornings, I was annoyed when they just dumped Blackers, as for Kate and Hughesy, she has to be the most annoying voice on the radio I’ve ever heard. The music has improved this year since they dropped the Katy Perry genre, I hope they don’t go back to that crap or I will be gone like everyone else.
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Like so many others I loved listening to Carmen and Fitz. They put a smile in my face and that helped me get through the days. I also disliked Hughesy and Kate as they often resorted to sexual innuendo. I will now change my station, one I have listened to since before it went to 96fm. I hope you suffer the consequences of your decision especially doing this to them and their families just before Xmas. I hope Santa puts something as distasteful in your Xmas stockings, and it stinks as much as this decision. Heres to CD’s, and other music options.
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Will never listen to 96 again i only listened because of carmen and fitzzy
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Loved the morning drive to work listening to Carman and Fitzi. Hope you guys get into a local radio station or tv.
96.1 it is your own fault for the low rating by bringing in eastern state pre-recorded crap to WA. You lost me in the afternoon and now you have lost me forever.
I have been a loyal 96.1FM listener back when it was PMFM. I and many young and old will be tuning out on you.
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Bring back Fitzi…………my days are just awful without starting them off listening to him………….
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Because of my work, I just find out today that my all favourite morning duo dj`s is taken from air. They were the reason I listen to 96 FM. Always good start of the day. The last few days I was so confused when I listen in the morning to 96 fm after a few weeks being not able to listen. Your radio staion is very boring now. I miss the good story`s, jokes, games, the voices. I hope they both will find a new good career. Thank you guys for they great moments I had when I listing to you both in the morning. Missing you, …….
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Well 96fm just another east coast station now been listening for years and Carmen and Fitzy started my dad off well. Bye bye from me
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I really miss Carmen and Fitzy, they were like friends you listened to in the morning. They were just like us but on radio. I think its disgraceful the way 96fm treated them, i wish i had a chance to say goodbye better still I wish they were still air. You have lost another long time listener.
To Carmen and Fitzy thank you for the laughs and sharing your lives with us. You will be very missed and for the record you were the best breakfast crew ever.
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I’m a truck driver and listen to the radio all day on the road, was a loyal 96 listener and loved blackers, Carmen and Fitzi in the mornings, but didn’t listen one more minute of 96 after they blindside sacked Blackers!! Carmen and fitzi should have realised the writing was on the wall, you didn’t stand for your colleague and now you’re gone too.
Gotta laugh though at eastern states decisions for Perth, your station will just drop lower and lower!!
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Have been listening to 96 since it started. ‘Steely Dan’ singing ‘FM’. Living in the wheatbelt when, weather conditions permitting, it would stream in loud clear and rockin.
Not any more.
Just another nail in the coffin of what once was a truly WA based station with WA based interests and the best music.
The ‘Real Gold’ slogan!!! What a joke..another marketing disaster worthy of a spot on Gruen.
Goodbye 96
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Bad move.not a fan of lisa as she is not funny..will be listening elsewhere.
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Not happy i loved listening to Fitzy and Carmen in the morning. They would always give me a laugh on my way to work. I will be changing my station now to try and find a morning show that will give me a laugh in the morning like they did and I will not be listening to 96fm anymore. Plus the music has been shit too.
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I listened to 96fm from the first song that was broadcast and was a avid listener up until about the time that the station axed Blakers. After that the downhill slope just seemed to get steeper. The show had its moments but listening to the radio all day and with the number of times that the morning was rehashed….. Then when holiday time rolled around there was all of the “best of” and so the rehash continued. I noted on several occasions in the mornings in freeway traffic I could drive for nearly 20 K’s without a single song. I voted with my finger and changed to 94.5. Sorry to say Carmen and Fitzy good luck with you futures, remember you pasts and most importantly, you did it to yourselves
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Bad move 96.1! I moved to 96.1when l heard Blackers on air. Previously could not handle Fitzy – he was a dip. Some of Blackers must have rubbed off. Used to love Alice at Night. Absolutely hated Hughesy & Kate – always switched in the a’noon.
I listen to the radio for music – not the modern dance rubbish that should only be played in clubs. It all sounds the same.
Need good rock’n’roll
Grass roots Aussie stuff.
Looks like lm going to Coastal FM as l don’t want to listen to inane chatter
iPod for the car
Sad, sad day when Fitzy & Carmen left
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I use to listen to 94.5 then came over to 96fm with Blackers Fitzy and Carmen. You got rid of Blackers (Annoyed) but stuck with you because I thought I’d give Potts a go. It worked and then you give The 3 Musketeers the boot for a bimbo I could never handle years ago. Back at 94.5 again. Thought I’d pop over on social media to see if you had realised your mistake yet. Seems not. Happy hunting for your votes but I think you will fail.
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Listen to the new 96 breakfast show this morning, what the hell are you doing 96. The show is crap. Carmen and Fitzi were the back bone of 96 and Perth radio, main reason why I and many others listen from 6am onwards.
Can’t understand the silly decisions made over all industries ATM, there is enough poor WA people out work, this is just another example of very loyal employees getting the boot, especially in Fitzi case.
Get rid of the these two new twits, beg Carmen and Fitzi for forgiveness and put them back on the air.
You have lost another 20 year loyal listener!!!!
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hi I agree just listen to the new early morning show quite shock, fizz, and Carmen gone .not happy wont listen to 96fm again I love listen to these guys, its all about rating not about people.
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Why has everyone got to be a cool barista type? Just a normal show with regular hosts
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Bad Move,
Ya lost me as a listener
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Farewell Carmen and Fitzy. I loved your chemistry, the laughs you gave us. Things started going downhill when you started playing the 80’s music all the time but I stuck by, hoping it would change again. I can’t believe they axed you like they did.
Now I have nowhere to go, can’t stand any of the breakfast radio stations and hosts and the drive home after work group is just as bad.
As others have said, looks like it’s back to CDs.
Big shake up in Perth radio is right – all the listeners have switched.
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First you change your music to boring old stuff, and then you get rid of your best presenters……. whaaaat???
Sry, I won’t be listening to your breakfast show ?
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Have listened to 96fm for the last 14 years. Really miss Carmen and Fitzi in the morning and am struggling to keep on listening now so time to move over.
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96 FM Bring Back Carmen & Fitz PLEASE ! The Try Hards you have on in the morning are NOT FUNNY !
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Wow it happened that long ago and I didn’t notice!!
Not surprised, they spoke rubbish each day. 96 had Blackers which kept the other 2 listenable but once he left so did I.
1080 with Tim Gossage, great music and not so much rubbish spoken
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