Hamish and Andy quitting Today Network’s drivetime show
Hamish & Andy are quitting their nationally syndicated Today Network drivetime show – the most listened to in Australia – the duo have announced.
However, they will continue to do a weekly podcast and show for the Austereo-owned network.
Hamish & Andy – Hamish Blake and Andy Lee – told their listeners during this afternoon’s show that the decision came so that they would have time to work on other projects.
The move does not come as a major shock as the industry was already aware that their contract was up for renewal. In June, Austereo boss Guy Dobson told the Mumbrella podcast that he was in talks to keep them in some form. And Ten programming boss David Mott has also made no secret of wanting to do more with the pair.
The weekly show could be the next step in an internationally syndicated radio show with the duo already heard in the UK and Middle East.
Hamish and Andy are also due to talk about their plans on tonight’s edition of The 7PM Project on Ten.
The pair make their announcement:
The Austereo announcement:
The Hamish & Andy show will be a little smaller in size but equally as tasty in 2011.
Hamish & Andy and Austereo announce today the boys will do a free weekly podcast that will air a 2-hour radio show once a week on the Today Network and syndicated stations. There is also the option left open to pop up and work on additional projects with Austereo throughout the year.
Hamish & Andy said: “The idea of giving up the show completely was never considered as it is the most fun in the world. In addition to that, the listeners create the show just as much as us, so if we were to stop, we’d have had to consult every one of them. That’s an expensive phone bill.”
“We’ve had a ball doing the show in its current form and thanks to everyone who’s listened, we’ve literally got to live our dreams. This decision is simply an evolution of that, and we’re really excited for the next chapter of our adventure, because we’re big believers in what Abraham Lincoln always said during the brief period he was a greengrocer, ‘keep it fresh’.”
The change will allow the duo the time and flexibility to develop projects and ideas that are simply not achievable alongside a 5-day a week radio schedule.
“Many ideas have been put on the backburner over the last 5 years as they couldn’t work in conjunction with daily radio. We thought 2011 was a good time to put some of those ideas on the front-burner,” Andy said.
“I’ve always wanted to do a life drawing of Andy every day for an entire year, so I could capture his changing body shape through all the seasons. 2011 could be the year,” added Hamish.
CEO Austereo, Guy Dobson said: “It’s great to have Hamish & Andy continuing to share the journey across the next two years. They are an integral part of the Austereo team. It’s going to continue to be awesome for the Today Network brand.”
I’ll miss the boys on the drive home every day! But if they’re heading into other projects, like more TV, I’m looking forward to that!
A big loss for Austereo. Despite all the hype about Kyle and Jackie O, Hamish and Andy were the real stars of the network. Ratings figures like theirs will be hard to come by in the future.
no no tassie enjoys the 5 days a week should be re thought !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOoOooooooooowwwwwwww.
Share price.
Bummer.
Your headline is completely inaccurate, they’re not quitting, they’re cutting back to once a week. Sensationalist for the sake of breaking the news.
Hi Sarah,
The headline says “quitting drivetime show”. That’s correct.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Maybe I’m out of the demo, but the lines in the press release just read so lame for such a popular duo. Abraham Lincoln…life drawing one day a year… I get their schtick, I really do, but come on, where is the comedy…
The headline is accurate – they are quitting the drive time show!
@Sarah L: The headline states that they’re quitting the drivetime show, which they are, and doing a once-a-week podcast instead. Ergo, the headline is in fact accurate.
@Meghan, they said on the radio that it will be a once a week radio show and the podcast will still be available. The headline is innacurate.
Cheers Dean!
Tim, my point is that with that headline and when you put on Twitter they’re “quitting” rather than pulling back (because they will still be on air once a week), it’s pretty damaging. And untrue!!
big shame dudes.. sure ull kill it.. ul b back tho..
can u make another best of cd already?!?!?.. like that gravey chip one.. funniest sht eva..
do it alreadyy!!!.
ur awesome.
worrrrd..
@Sarah L, don’t be dumb. H+A are quitting the drivetime show that they currently host. This is a fact – and also is the headline. They are pursuing other avenues, however not the drivetime show. Now jump off your high horse and stop complaining for the sake of complaining.
@Paul, they are not quitting the drivetime show they currently host, they are simply reformatting it. As stated today the program will be in ‘fun size’ for the next few years
A two-hour show once a week isn’t “reformatting” anything. They have finished in the drive-time slot. It clearly states that in the press release.
There seems to be a few Austereo people (@Matt) on here trying to wordsmith the fact that Hamish and Andy are leaving without actually saying the words. They know its going to have a massive impact on their ratings
Sounds like someone from Nova is a Little Upset that they didnt get a shot.. Ohhhhh Boooo…. (Johnno)
We’ll soon see how much they’re reformatting the share price.
Well, whatever they do, Andy better make sure he hangs onto Hamish like grim death.
Did we settle this? Is the headline accurate or not?
As an entirely independent arbiter (and author of the headline) I can confirm its accuracy.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Whilst they are no longer on Drive, Austereo will no doubt discover a new Drivetime talent – they’ve had a lot of experience in developing new drive shows – some work – H&A, Martin Molloy, The Shebang and Kyle and Jackie O…and then there are ones that didnt – Judith Lucy
No, sad news for us….
Best of luck with the other projects!
I’m going to miss mum (Andy) & dad (Hamish)
MK