4BC confirms it will network Jones and Hadley, as station manager Frangi made redundant
Brisbane will soon be waking up to sounds of Sydney shock jocks Alan Jones and Ray Hadley, with newly merged Macquarie Radio today confirming it will network Radio 2GB’s morning line up from April 27.
The changes are part of major cost cutting regime that has seen more than 20 staff leave Brisbane talk station 4BC, with the latest departure to include general manager Anthony Frangi.
The newly merged Macquarie Radio, which brought together Sydney station 2GB with the wider Fairfax Radio network, has confirmed it will network 2GB’s top rating The Alan Jones Breakfast Show, Ray Hadley Mornings and Ross Greenwood’s Money News as well as 2UE’s Nights with Mike Jeffreys.
The only local weekday content on 4BC will be an Afternoons program hosted by Clare Blake and the Drive program with Ben Davis. “We are excited to bring some of the country’s best radio talent to 4BC listeners in Brisbane, with their unique form of talkback. Alan, Ray and Ross bring a wealth of experience to 4BC that I’m sure our listeners will enjoy. 4BC listeners will be able to join in talk back conversations with the new presenters to discuss the news and issues affecting Queensland,” chief operating officer Adam Lang said.
“This stellar line-up has been made possible by the business integration between Fairfax Radio Network and Macquarie Radio Network and our vision to build Australia’s number one information and entertainment radio network.”
Jones was networked onto the Brisbane station for a special one hour show during this year’s state election.
Macquarie Radio refused to comment on the departure of Frangi but it is understood his last day will be this Friday.
The changes come on the back of yesterday’s sacking of easy listening station production staff and on-air presenters at Magic 1278 and last Thursday’s closure the Radio 2UE newsroom and dumping of 2UE afternoons host Angela Catterns.
It is thought the departures across Fairfax Radio in programming, production and sales now exceed the originally flagged 50 staff, with more than 20 people going from Brisbane, 11 staff in the 2UE newsroom in Sydney, plus 15-20 staff in 2UE programming and sales, bringing the total to well over 40.
Once yesterday’s the Magic 1278 redundancies are factored in the total number of staff is around 60 at this stage.
Macquarie and Fairfax has refused to give a total number of redundancies resulting from the merger.
Nic Christensen
Nic Christensen is a former employee of both Macquarie Radio and Fairfax Radio.
Just what Queensland needs, more right wing extremists
User ID not verified.
They will work. Just like Rush Limbaugh in the United States. It will take 18 months.Just can’t see why they would keep Mike Jefferys.
User ID not verified.
And what about Daylight Saving?
User ID not verified.
Agree about Mike Jeffreys-what is with that ridiculous American accent!!!
User ID not verified.
What’s the bet Singo’s 2 Gillard Bashers now have Palaszczuk in their sights. What Jones and Hadley did to Gillard was a low point in Australian radio.
User ID not verified.
Many of these decisions will be reversed once Fairfax gains control in 12 months time and Russell Tate is gone.
2GB pushed for the merger because for all the fanfare and claims it makes as Australia;s number 1 station it makes a pittance in profits. 3AW is the jewel in the crown of the network not 2GB.
User ID not verified.
The strength of radio is it’s localism. Sydneysiders don’t want to hear about Brisbane issues, and Brisbane people don’t give a a toss about Sydney. It won’t work. Especially breakfast.
User ID not verified.
Does this mean we could soon be hearing Jones and Hadley on 3AW and 6PR as well? I doubt they’ll change 3AW’s morning lineup, it rates really well.
User ID not verified.
Jones’ cackle will now be a daily airwaves occurrence for Brisbanites – unless they have the good sense to avoid him.
User ID not verified.
It will flop!
User ID not verified.