Macquarie Media launches first national program
Macquarie Media is launching its first national program, which will focus on news and current affairs.
Hosted by Justin Smith, Macquarie Weekly will run on Sunday across 2GB Sydney, 3AW Melbourne, 4BC Brisbane and 6PR Perth.
Smith is a journalist, broadcaster and producer, who also works as a columnist for the Herald Sun. He has worked in radio for close to two decades, starting out at 3AW in 2001. He also ran the drive time slot on 2UE in Sydney for almost two years.
About to go across Australia with Macquarie Weekly on @2GB873 @3AW693 @NewsTalk4BC @6PR
Coast to coast talkback 131 873 pic.twitter.com/0YiQkUkyn7
— Justin Smith (@justinsmithword) October 21, 2018
The new program will look at the news of the week through the eyes of presenters, journalists and listeners of Macquarie Radio, including issues led by Alan Jones, Ray Hadley, Ross Stevenson and John Burns.
Smith said the new program was “very exciting”.
“This is a truly national program, and every listener – and every radio station – has an equal stake. It’s wonderful to take talkback from someone on one side of the country and broadcast it to the other side, and to demonstrate the enormous breadth of content and opinion across the Macquarie Media network.”
Macquarie Media CEO, Adam Lang, said this was a first for the Macquarie Media network.
“Our presenters right around the country are the best at identifying a good story, and this program will now allow us to tell those stories to a national audience,” lang said.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re listening in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne – this program focuses on issues and topics that transcend state borders.”
The new program is the latest announcement from Macquarie Media, which this year axed its Talking Lifestyle format for sports-focused network, Macquarie Sports Radio. Fairfax Media, which has a 54.5% stake in Macquarie Media, is currently awaiting a merger with Nine.
Macquarie Weekly with Justin Smith – Every Sunday (all times are local – program airs live on each station)
- 2GB 873 Sydney: 7pm – 9pm
- 3AW 693 Melbourne: 7pm – 9pm
- 4BC 1116 Brisbane: 6pm – 8pm
- 6PR 882 Perth: 4pm – 6pm
I thought Owen Delaney (RIP) was the first person in the early 1980s to do a national current affairs program from 2GB. The program was relayed nationally. I won’t forget the “whip” arounds to the various radio stations’ news rooms. The program ran Mon-Fri (0000 – 0500).
I have heard Justin’s program. It’s great. But his program cannot claim to be the first national radio program on commercial radio based on current affairs.
Anthony of exciting Belfield
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