News

ARN renews contracts for Kyle and Jackie O, Christian O’Connell, and Jonesy and Amanda

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson will be on air on Australian Radio Network’s (ARN) Kiis 106.5 in Sydney until at least 2024, with the media network renewing the duo’s contracts early.

The network has also retained the talent for its other key Sydney breakfast show, with Amanda Keller and Brendan ‘Jonesy’ Jones staying with WS FM until 2022 and beyond.

‘Kyle and Jackie O’ left 2Day FM in 2013

ARN also announced it will be sticking with its gamble of bringing the UK’s Christian O’Connell to Australia, with the broadcaster also signing on until 2022. O’Connell took over from the axed ‘Jo & Lehmo’ show which featured Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann and Jo Stanley on Gold FM in Melbourne last year.

There is no word yet on other talent within the ARN network, including ‘Jase & PJ’ (Jason Hawkins and Polly ‘PJ’ Harding), who front Kiis FM’s breakfast show in Melbourne, however Mumbrella understands their contracts are locked in until the end of 2020.

Sandilands and Henderson remain the number one FM breakfast show in Sydney after defecting to ARN from Sydney’s 2Day FM at the end of 2013.

In the most recent survey the duo had an 11.6% share, while Keller and Jones were second in FM on 8.2%.

News Corp has speculated the personalities will be paid upwards of $7m to $8m each per year.

O’Connell, meanwhile, is edging closer and closer to becoming the number one FM show in Melbourne, with a 1.5 point share gain in the most recent survey. He now sits on a 9.5% share, just behind the Fifi, Fev and Byron show on SCA’s Fox FM, which commands 9.6%.

Sandilands said sticking with Kiis made sense.

“Obviously Jackie and I decided to re-sign with ARN, we launched Kiis 1065 so we really feel like it’s our station. Plus our show keeps getting better every year. It’s a great time for us and for radio in Sydney,” he said.

Henderson said she was grateful to the radio network.

“Kyle and I truly love our listeners, our incredible guests, and have so much fun working together. Not many people get to go to work each day to share stories, laugh with their best friend, and create entertainment that hopefully makes our listeners’ day that little bit lighter – that isn’t lost on me. We’re so grateful to be able to continue this journey with ARN,” she said.

O’Connell said the past 16 months had been a challenge, but one which had paid off.

O’Connell is glad Melbourne has embraced him

“I came to Melbourne to try and build something new, and the way that this city has given me a chance as an outsider has been incredible. I’ve been humbled by the way they have given me not just their time in the morning but so regularly, their hearts,” he said.

“I’ve been doing breakfast radio for 21 years and the last 16 months have been the most intimidating, challenging but rewarding of my life. Melbourne is a place my family and I are proud to call home and that is all down to the awesome support our listeners have given me. It’s still very early days and I’m glad they are enjoying the ride because we’ve only just started.”

ARN’s national content director Duncan Campbell said he was pleased to re-sign some of Australia’s most-loved radio personalities.

“ARN have some of Australia’s favourite radio shows and we continue to invest in the best and most trusted talent to connect audiences with entertaining content and the best audio experiences available. Kyle, Jackie, Jonesy, Amanda, and Christian are some of Australia’s most-loved radio personalities and I am proud to say they, along with the strength of our broader network talent, are a big part of ARN’s plans for the future,” he said.

And Ciaran Davis, the managing director of both ARN and its holding company HT&E, said the contract renewals were part of ARN’s wider audio strategy.

“We’re excited to be announcing today that Christian, Jonesy & Amanda and Kyle & Jackie O will continue to have their home here at ARN until at least 2022 and beyond.

“ARN continue to lead the market in delivering the most complete and comprehensive Broadcast and On-demand all-in-one-place audio offering for our audience and clients.

“In defining audio, ARN is focused on delivering compelling content at a time when the importance of live and local content delivered by trusted on-air talent has never been greater. Our focus on the very best on-air talent is a key part of the strength of ARN’s offering across all channels and we’re committed to working together as we innovate our entertainment and business offering.”

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