Dee Dee Dunleavy to host Afternoons on Melbourne’s 3AW
Radio stalwart Dee Dee Dunleavy will host the Afternoons program on Melbourne’s 3AW from next year.
The appointment comes as current Afternoons host Denis Walter moves into the Nights slot.
Dunleavy starts in January 2020
Its the latest in a series of shake-ups across the Nine-owned Macquarie Media.
The Nights slot has been occupied by Sydney-based John Stanley, who presented across Sydney’s 2GB, Melbourne’s 3AW and Brisbane’s 6PR.
Stanley had replaced Steve Price in Melbourne, who moved to Afternoons in Sydney and Brisbane, after Chris Smith was ousted in July.
Price, however, didn’t last in the spot, and was let go earlier this month in favour of former Today show host Deb Knight.
Then in recent weeks, Smith returned to the station, which is now under the complete control of Nine and its radio boss Malone. Smith will be weekends presenter across 2GB and 4BC.
Dunleavy takes up the new role on 13 January next year. She currently hosts ‘The Weekend Break with Grubby and Dee Dee’ from 12pm to 5pm on weekends alongside long-time radio co-host Peter ‘Grubby’ Stubbs.
She was also part of the Fox FM Morning Crew in the 1980s and hosted the breakfast show on Gold FM with Stubbs from 2000. Australian Radio Network (ARN) axed the show in 2011.
Dunleavy said it was sad to be leaving her on-air partner of 32 years.
“Of course it’s sad leaving my on-air partner Grubby, but he has made it easy for me by being incredibly supportive and encouraging. Grubby has been my rock throughout our 32 years on air together, and we remain the best of friends. I’m thrilled that he’ll join me for a weekly catch-up on the show,” she said.
It is, however, her dream job.
“I am beyond excited to take on this new role. It’s my dream job. It’s a big task, taking over from Denis Walter, who has been loved by his audience over the last 11 years, but I’m up for the challenge,” she said.
“I’ll be keeping a close eye on breaking news across the afternoon, and I’m looking forward to having discussions on current affairs, and of course I’m always looking for a laugh, so I’ll make sure there’s plenty of fun, too. If I had to sum up the new show, I’d say it will be fun and informative.”
3AW’s recently returned station manager Stephen Beers said the show would be a treat for Melbourne radio fans.
“A generation of Melburnians has grown up listening to Dee Dee hosting some of the most successful radio programs this city has ever produced. We now invite them to join us in this latest chapter of our afternoon program as we embark on a new journey of entertaining and informing Melbourne,” he said.
In the most recent radio ratings survey, 3AW had a 13.5% share of listening during the afternoon slot. Overall, it’s the leading station in Melbourne with a 15.6% share. Its listener base is dominated by the older demographics, with the station commanding just a 0.4% share of 18 to 24 year olds, and 2.1% for 25 to 39s. It has 11.8% in the 40 to 54s (behind only Gold 104.3’s 17.6%), but dominated in 55 to 64s with 24.4%, and 65+ with 35.5%.
topics
3AW
Dee Dee Dunleavy
Denis Walter
Macquarie Media
Nine
Nine radio
radio
Stephen Beers
Tom Malone
SEE DEE WILL DO VERY WELL ON 3AW AFTERNOONS. ONE OF LIVINA NIXON OR EMILY POWER WILL REPLACE DEE DEE ON WEEKENDBREAK A MAN WHO CALLED INTO 3AW SAID THE YOUNG PEOPLE HE WORKS ALONGSIDE DO NOT KNOW WHERE AM RADIO IS N BUT IN 2020 THEY WILL BE SHOWN BY THEIR MORE SENIOR COLLEAGUE AND THEY WILL BE 3AW LISTENERS.
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