ARN’s Christian O’Connell to host national radio show
Australian Radio Network’s (ARN) Melbourne breakfast host will now be heard around the country on a new national radio show – The Christian O’Connell Show.
O’Connell will host the program from April 27 at 7pm on Gold FM in Melbourne, WSFM in Sydney, 97.3 FM in Brisbane, Mix 102.3 in Adelaide and 96 FM in Perth. He will also continue to host Melbourne’s number one FM breakfast show.
In Brisbane and Adelaide, O’Connell will replace one hour of Jase & PJ At Night, a syndicated program from duo Jason Hawkins and Polly ‘PJ’ Harding who host breakfast in Melbourne on ARN stablemate Kiis FM. In Perth, he will take one hour from Kendall Crake who hosts weeknights and weekends and in Melbourne and Sydney, it will replace one hour of music programming.
O’Connell tweeted several months ago that his show would be going national, but his comments were not confirmed by ARN.
The show goes NATIONAL from next week. Sorry Australia https://t.co/onYgxljgFH
— Christian O'Connell (@OC) April 21, 2020
On the launch of his new nights show O’Connell said: “I’m so lucky to be able to continue to build a new radio show here in Australia. It’s open to any free spirit who loves storytelling, and radio that’s inclusive and talks about all aspects of our lives. I aim to carry on making radio that’s about real people, rather than reality TV or showbiz gossip.
“Right now, we need spaces where we can support each other, through laughter, tears and hope. We are at a time when the power of radio to create connection and comfort is so vital and I hope that I can continue to remind our listeners just how special radio can be… even when hosted by a Brit like me.
“In Melbourne in just two years the show has become number one and that’s all thanks to the strong and supportive community of listeners who have really become part of the show, so to be able to offer that across Australia is a really exciting opportunity.”
ARN’s national content director Duncan Campbell said: “Christian’s ability to connect the community and engage listeners is unique and valuable and has resulted in some of the most creative, integrated client campaigns ever delivered. Listeners, more than ever, need content and talent that can be trusted and provide both assurance and entertainment. Christian’s quick-wit, relatable humour and compassion really resonate with listeners and the new show will amplify his community of passionate fans across the country.”
ARN’s CEO Ciaran Davis said: “ARN continues to invest in talent that will support our objective to define audio and remain the #1 national network. Christian is exceptional talent and delivers on incredible integrated campaigns that connect with audiences and produce tangible results for clients. This new national show not only extends Christian’s reach to new audiences it strengthens ARN’s commercial offering for our clients nationally across all of our broadcast, on-demand and digital assets.”
