Fox FM’s Matt & Jo show to end as Sandilands Nova rumours circulate
The Melbourne and Sydney commercial radio markets appear set for a radical shakeup, with major breakfast slots set to shift.
This morning, Southern Cross Austereo announced that its Fox FM Melbourne breakfast duo of Matt Tilley and Jo Stanley would be stepping down “to embrace new opportunities”.
The duo were the number one FM commercial show for much of their time on air before being overtaken by Nova’s Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek and by Triple M’s Hot Breakfast with Eddie McGuire. It has already been announced that the Hughesy & Kate Show is also coming to an end.
Meanwhile, in Sydney, The Daily Telegraph is reporting rumours that Kyle Sandilands could shift from his number one FM show on SCA’s 2Day FM to Nova. Nova categorically denies the rumour. According to The Tele, the move could push Nova’s current morning hosts Fitzy & Wippa – Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli – back to the national drivetime slot.
Current Nova drive presenters Meshel Laurie, Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold would then move to fill the Nova Melbourne slot left by Hughesy & Kate, suggested The Tele.
Many within the radio industry see The Tele’s story as being very convenient timing for Sandilands’ management as they try to secure a pay rise for him. The paper also reports denials from Sandilands that the rumour is orchestrated by his management in order to secure a better deal at 2Day FM where his contract is up for renewal.
Paul Jackson, DMG Radio’s group programme director said in a statement to Mumbrella: “There is absolutely no truth to the rumour that the Nova Network is talking to Kyle Sandilands in any capacity.”
Sydney and Melbourne are the biggest radio markets while breakfast is the key slot of the daym where advertiser dollars are concentrated.
The announcement from Fox FM:
FOX FM’s long-time celebrated radio duo Matt Tilley and Jo Stanley today announced that after ten sensational years together on air at Melbourne’s number 1 FM radio station, they have decided to leave behind their daily 5am call of duty to embrace new opportunities in 2014.
Matt and Jo along with their show anchor, Troy Ellis, will soon wrap up their record-breaking breakfast show on a high having broken countless news stories across Melbourne, raised millions of dollars for charities and delighted listeners with constant laughs whilst creating the most successful FM Breakfast radio show that Melbourne has ever seen – claiming number 1 FM breakfast spot for six consecutive years!
The pair has led the way for FOX FM which continues to dominate as the city’s powerhouse in radio.
The Matt and Jo Show will be on air until the end of the year and will go off with a bang!
Jo Stanley said, “It has been an absolute privilege to be a part of the Matt and Jo Show for the last 10 years. I’ve loved my on air brothers, Matt and Troy, and thank them for tolerating my moments of crazy in amongst my moments of creativity.
I’ve loved our off air team, who have all supported us through thick and thin. And I’ve loved our listeners, who have made me laugh, cry and grow as a person more than I could have ever dreamed possible at the start of this journey. But together we’ve made this decision because, after a decade, it’s time for new challenges”.
My creative drive is greater than it’s ever been. I can’t wait to start ticking the boxes of the half-finished projects and grand ideas I’ve had clogging up my to-do list. It’s a sad end of an amazing chapter of my life, but a very exciting beginning!”
Matt Tilley said, “Jo’s quote pretty much covers it all. No doubt it has been a privilege for her and Troy and the fabulous Adam to work with me. And yes, I have tolerated a lot. Being a genius who thinks he’s always right and enjoys talking over people is a gift that I am thankful for, but nonetheless it is a challenge to share that gift with lesser types each day. Do I see myself having a future in AM talkback radio – whatever would give you that idea?!?!”
Show Anchor, Troy Ellis, “Anchoring the Matt and Jo Show has been an incredible privilege, I’ve loved every single minute of it! We’re an incredibly close little team, Matt and Jo are like family to me and I’m going to miss seeing them every morning. But the time has come for me to move on, and explore other challenges and opportunities and I’m already looking forward to that. It’s been an amazing ride and 20 years at the Fox has flashed by in what seems like minutes. I am thankful to have been part of the juggernaut for as long as I have…and I want to thank our listeners for allowing us into their daily lives. I will miss you all!”
FOX FM Content Director, Dave Cameron said, “It’s been an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with such a successful and amazing team that has been relentless in its pursuit of entertainment excellence, making it the most successful FM breakfast show in Melbourne over the last decade”.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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Nova would be mad to hire Kyle. He’s a spent force in their (and Today’s) demographic. His next move will be to talk radio, maybe some sort of online gig, or out of radio altogether.
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Sandilands to 2UE?
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I can’t see it happening. Sandilands is getting too old for youth radio. I suspect Sandilands is spinning this rumour to get more from SCA onto his contract.
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“Here’s some we prepared earlier,” said the program director as he handed the glowingly positive quotes to the blubbering talent
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