Macquarie Media’s Talking Lifestyle to be replaced with sports format
Talking Lifestyle is to shut down, Macquarie Media CEO Adam Lang confirmed to Mumbrella this morning.
The struggling format, which is heavily funded by branded content, will be replaced with a new sports format.
The news comes just three days after Macquarie Media extended its radio broadcast agreement with the Australian Rugby League Commission for an additional five years.
Mumbrella originally reported that Macquarie will broadcast games on Talking Lifestyle in Sydney and Brisbane, with the games now expected to be broadcast on the new sports format.
In Macquarie Media’s half yearly results, which were announced the same day as Lang’s appointment just two weeks ago, profits fell by 39%, despite a slight increase in revenue.
Following the results, Macquarie Media’s executive chairman Russell Tate hinted at a change, saying the station would be conducting an “operational review” of the Talking Lifestyle format.
“The ratings performance of these stations, particularly in Melbourne and Brisbane, has not met expectations in first half of FY18.
“The stations contributed around 7% of MML core radio revenues in HY18 and any format changes will not materially impact FY2018 earnings,” Tate said.
Lang also confirmed to Radio Info last week that the Talking Lifestyle format was ‘under review’.
In the final GfK radio ratings survey of 2017, Talking Lifestyle held the smallest overall share of any station in both Melbourne and Brisbane.
Following the survey’s results last December, Lang told Mumbrella there was a lot to be done.
“Brisbane and Sydney both went up a little, but we’re dealing at levels that we’re not yet satisfied with. So from our point of view we recognise some modest increases, but we really need to grow more than that and that’s all we want to do,” he said.
Talking Lifestyle was introduced on 2UE in Sydney and Magic in Melbourne and Brisbane in 2016.
The format was introduced a year after the Fairfax Media and Macquarie Radio Network merger, which resulted in the loss of 50 jobs at 2UE in 2015, along with the axing of the station’s news broadcasts.
Around the time of Talking Lifestyle’s launch, the format – which is largely funded by paid-for lifestyle content – was criticised by Media Watch for its heavy advertorial content.
It is not yet known if the station’s famous 2UE call sign will remain in Sydney following the shift to a sports format.
Nooooo!! I love listening to the Talking Lifestyle” station & I am from Melbourne! The guests, including their regulars, are very informative & interesting to listen to. If they must have sport, can’t they just have sport at a certain hour & still keep some of their higher rating talk back segments?
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Hi there, I was shocked to read in today’s paper, article written by Stephen Drill we will no longer get your wonderful program that I only discovered a few months ago. If I am home I have radio on all day for company and I must say I am hooked on the station. So much variety be it gardening, medical advice, your wonderful interviews with some very great people, pub quizzes, cooking, holidays, financial advice. It’s so more interesting than listening to “Neil”! Love listening to all the callers with their problems. There is no other station in Melbourne like yours. Please don’t leave us, am so sorry to see you go.
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So there’s the two Melbourne listeners.
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Understand the if the station not rating well but have really enjoyed listening to The MidLife Crisis Show guys! A great format for those of us not under 40 and sounds like a commercial FM station production…very different to the other “advertorials” on Talking Lifestyle. Are you listening Russell Tate????
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If that means another station dominated by rugby league and the overblown BS and vile culture that surrounds it is what Macquarie plans for content, expect a substantial flight of listeners to music stations and one or more of the ABC’s networks.
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This is what happens when the sales department are let loose with the keys to the programming cupboard. 100% of radio people predicted this would fail as spectacularly as it has.
The only people who didn’t listen nor take advice were management.
Will they be held accountable?
The minute Alan Jones quits their skills and credentials will be bared for all to see – like the overpaid management that came up with nothing when Myer got the shakes.
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I’m in the country so I tune into talking lifestyle for fun, talkback, laughs, information, intelligent conversation. Not everyone is interested in sport! Why are we force fed a diet of sport – be it football, cricket or horse racing. There are stations that do sport, there are also people that matter that don’t care about it.
For heavens sake give us a break
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A great new show has just been launched on Talking Lifestyle called The Mid Life Crisis Show. What an amazing fresh, entertaining, funny and totally relatable show for the middle aged demographic. What’s to become of them after only a few weeks of their first ever season? I hope 2UE management have the good sense to shift some of their winning shows over to 2GB before the place turns into a footy-fest. I for one will be following that show where ever it lands.
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No surprise here, the heavily biased sponsored content format was due to crash because it was so limiting. But a travesty to see the station go down the sports route, we have enough of that.
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Fewer listeners for Sport v Lifestyle.
Fairfax has consistently and successfully made every decision to shrink the once great 2UE.
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The only time worth listening to sports broadcasting is Roy and HG..
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MELBOURNE ALREADY HAS SEN SYUDMEY & BRUSBANE DON’T HENCE SYDNEY & BRUSBANE NEED WHAT MELBOURNE HAS.
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Sad decision because it will presumably wipe out the brilliant John and Gary breakfast show.
Good humoured, light-hearted when possible, serious as required, intelligent. Topics not constrained by the blinkered politics-only policy of 2GB.
Oh well .. I’ll be off to ABC
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Bring back Magic 1278 in Melbourne.
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All sports? Isn’t that what killed 2KY? With MMM selling out all it’s best talents in favour of has-been footy players and 2GB already having the highest rating show all weekend based on sports, why does MacQuarie feel the need to pummel us more with it? Admitedly the Lifestyle format was a bit meh but there were a few flashes of brilliance in the later evenings. Why not throw some kerosene on that and see what happens?
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sports radio will work like a hole in the head. This will sink the ratings even further. A decent music format (magic wasn’t decent) is a smarter and more cost effective way to go. If talking sport was going to work … why does Ray Hadley avoid talking too much sport on the sister station on 2gb during weekdays? Because he and everyone else knows it won’t rate. Wake up Lang!
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we have so many sports channels. shame on you people this is an informative radio station, for us that want information, not all of us love sport. what are we going to listen to now there is no other informative lifestyle radio stations around. please consider.
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we have so many sports channels. shame on you people this is an informative radio station, for us that want information, not all of us love sport. what are we going to listen to now there is no other informative lifestyle radio stations around. please consider. I will say it again
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Melbourne can’t support a second SEN. But it might support a Magic (and it may draw listeners on digital nationally).
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Well the lifestyle format lasted longer than I expected. I don’t expect the sport format to last as long.
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Snap up John & Garry if you’re reading this from another network
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Should never have ditched the 2UE name, with the change in format from talkback to lifestyle. 80 years of proud 2UE history and listener loyalty was tossed aside on the advice of marketing consultants. Return to the old name 2UE and perhaps stop trying to cut costs by networking capital cities. It doesn’t work. Each city is different, especially with sport and ratings will go up with a return to local programmes.
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Such a shame, the concept was a good one having something totally different, aside from sport! Not everyone likes sport! So what do the listeners tune into now? What happens to the current presenters?
I guess it’s too late for everyone to express their objection to this change, we can only hope that this new format doesn’t cause another ratings disaster.
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Well, you have lost me with the transfer of George and Paul to a later spot on 2GB on weekends. It was a chance to escape gardening but even that is now shorter. If you have mainly Rugby league you will never get me back.
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A networked sports station won’t work. Melbourne and Sydney are totally different especially with football codes.
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Bring back DJs who knew the music artists and business. Play music that brings back memories for those who loved the 60″s 70″s and 80″s. Enough sport on already dedicated radio stations without wasting this station to it. Music is an important and helpful necessity for the mind and soul. Please bring radio back to the way it was in 30/40 years ago. No talkback and no personal input by DJs about themselves only about the artists and music
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Yes I agree, what a great station, I found it by accident via the I heart Radio app and love all the segments and shows they have in the mornings!! I hope they still keep those and move to sport later on in the day.
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I was so disappointed to hear I won’t be able to wake up to John and Garry, hear the financial news and health discussions during the day when my radio is always on tuned to Lifestyle. This is the only station with variety and not biased as the ABC. 2UE has been my station since arriving in Australia in 1969, I have searched for comparable content without success, the caller’s obviously feel the same with their many positive responses, is anyone listening to them or is it just about the bottom line? Sport is not for me I’m going to be so lost! What will happen to all the wonderful presenters? I hope they go to the opposition.
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😀 hahaha to true.
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I gave up after Macquarie decided to kill 2UE…..I only listened to George and Paul but once they were moved, I didnt follow. It was criminal to destroy a radio icon just to protect Jones and Hadley. The sport format will not rate – 2SM and 2KY do it and it gets noone listening.
The funny thing is 2GB will plummet when Jones finally retires – the ratings when he is not there says a lot. I was a 2UE loyalist but have been with smoothfm since the format change and wont go back
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Agree heartily with these comments. Why do we in Brisbane have to put up with the replacement of 2UE by 2GB? I have been a listener to 4BC for many years and have been prepared to endure the abundance of commercials that are a part of AM radio, just to receive the talkback. The news broadcasts (all three minutes thereof!) are also full of NSW content. If 882 will be “all sports”, how about transferring some (most?) of the sports content from 1116 across and replacing it with something which will return this once great station to what it once was before the takeover?
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Well.. my second comment here. The first was back when this started. I didn’t mind the format but it was rather skewed. A little too much in the ‘deaths door’ advertorials but mostly okay. Some good advice and info. Got a little samey and seldom mixed it up. The after midnight segment with the old and up coming music I thought was great. Loved hearing up n comers and some of the classic stuff in longish segments. Now it’s non stop repeats which I have often heard that day or close to. Tedious.. cost cutting, blah.
Sigh.. now I’m pondering, as I did from time to time, where to, as I am no sports fan. You get enough of that without even trying. I do agree somewhat with the State centric thing too, being in Sydney I do wonder how a traffic report or local news thing etc works in Melb or Bris.
Not looking forward to the radio station search, there is so little variation. As Australia is now a bland self centred whingeing nation, this is mine. Humour, creativity and imagination is nearly dead, lets beat what’s left with a stick and congratulate ourselves on making it cleaner and safer. Ack.
Kristina
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In Melbourne, there will be four AM stations under the control of the new alliance. 3AW, Talk Sport and two others. One of the other two is currently SEN, the other is Classic Rock Radio.
While there is certainly room for two stations in the group that sometimes broadcast sport (ie simultaneous AFL and NRL matches, and cricket vs A-League), there is probably not sufficient demand for two full time sport stations.
If the successful 3AW format is wished to be kept intact, then the two sport stations would be 3AW and Talk Sport. If they take the tack that the ABC does with digital radio, then all 3AW sport can be safely moved to Talk Sport – which provides a need for a different part-time supplementary sport station.
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If you want some insight into how a sports station networks between capital cities, consider that Melbourne’s SEN briefly expanded into Adelaide (leasing ARN’s 1323 AM frequency) soon after it initially launched in Melbourne. You wouldn’t think it would be too difficult to network sports content between two AFL loving cities, right? Yet SEN failed on that attempt and it most recently had to merge with another sports media organisation – Crocmedia – to sustain itself. Sport as a stand-alone format struggles at best, however much of an audience is there for it. So it is truly confusing for Macquarie to overcrowd Melbourne’s airwaves with another all sports station, wipe clean whatever is left of 2UE Sydney and stubbornly persist with not operating 4BH as a music option (in what I believe to be the most music-oriented of all the capital city markets). Even if you allow for the most basic operating concept of a national commercial station (a concept that has NEVER worked on previous attempts by 2UE and Triple M), is sport anymore the go-to option than lifestyle? I suspect it more likely viable 4BH would be better coupled with 2CH (easy classics) while 2UE and 3EE concentrate on being a companion news-talk-sport channel to the bigger talk stations 2GB and 3AW. The former network would have national news-angles and emphasis, the latter leaning towards local news-angles and emphasis. Sport can then be easily scheduled between two such networks (leaving all the minor sports stuff for a relatively niche SEN). The current format, Talking Lifestyle, has some damn fine content, yet the whole format has been a flawed concept, primarily because it has not so much been a complementary format to Macquarie’s other network as much as it has been subordinate to it. This thinking has sunk Magic and now appears to be sinking 2UE.
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GET RID OF THE BORING GARDEN SHOW BEEN ON TOO LONG AND WHO HAS TIME FOR A GARDEN THESE DAYS, ONLY RETIRED PEOPLE. YES, SPORT STATION GREAT.
PLEASE!!! WE WANT MORE OF GEORGE AND PAUL …INFORMATIVE , FUNNY, FACTUAL AND INTERESTING. TAKE AWAY BLOODY GARDENING SHOW AND KEEP GEORGE AND PAUL ON FROM 6AM… PLEASE
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I agree with many of the comments. I just love waking up To Garry and John in the mornings. So light and entertaining. I switched from 2 GB Because it a too heavy to listen to when you first wake up. Very upsetting if John and Garry go.
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So sad!!!! I have been a 2UE listener for 30 yrs (the old 2UE had the best format). I have radios in every room of my house tuned to Talking Lifestyle because I love the variety of programmes. john & Garry are a light-hearted start to the day, Tim is has great home / travel content, the rest of the afternoon & evening offers food, finance, tech, careers – no other station offers lifestyle segments. Clinton works really hard on weekend afternoon to give us a great variety also. Thanks goodness George and Paul were saved. 2GB already has too much sport, and presenters shout so much into the microphone I can almost feel them spitting on me. 2KY failed, so will this new station – what a waste of talent and segment experts. I am s-o-o-o-o angry. It’s the lefty ABC for me as I can’t stand being shouted at.
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Hi i’ve been listening to so many of the different presenters on 2UE for a number of years now and particularly love the health show with Dr Ross Walker, and the lifestyle show between 1 and 3pm each week day.
Also, my husband and I listen and love John and Gary when we can in the mornings, usually at 5am on my way to work. They are so uplifting and interesting, covering many down to earth and relatable topics.
AS a trained nurse and personal trainer, i’ve followed, supported and recommended to many clients Dr Ross Walker’s advice, and have heard the feedback from many callers of people’s lives being changed through his healthy lifestyle recommendations.
There is already another 24 hour sport station on that i keep totally avoid and think it’s such a waste of air space.
With this change i’ll be spending more time listening to ABC.
I hope you can reconsider your decision
Jeni
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I agree once the greatest station in Sydney and now Maqurie want another sports station as if we don’t have enough sport shame on you. Why don’t you sell the station and let somebody else make it the great station it can be again by having a mixture of music talkback and lifestyle shame shame shame
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Sad Sad Sad – Who wants more sport – Lifestyle suited a group that is not catered for – Will miss very much – ( no channel seems to want to look after my type of Australian )
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HELLO MY THIRD COMMENT HWEW I WILLBE LLOSYENING INTU MACQIUARIW SPORTS RADIO ON WEDNESDAY
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Well, that does it for me! I’m so angry & disappointed!
Although we listen to 2GB mostly, we always tuned in to 2UE on the weekends as did many others (as I recognise their names & voices.) We can’t stand the noise coming from the weekend footy presenters now it’s going to be on both stations! Ridiculous!! We won’t be listening to either. By the way, George & Paul could be on all day as they are entertaining & informative but they have even had to be cut! You’ve lost us! So sad.
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Sadly after listening to 2UE for more years than I care to remember, I now find I will have to go elsewhere, possibly 2SM, because Macquarie Media management just stinks, all they think about is their hip pockets & stuff the listeners as to what they want.
Just hope somebody out there who really cares, will rescue 2UE & show some insight into what people really want.
Wake up Macquarie Media & get up off your fat wallets, not everybody out there wants sport shoved down their necks 24/7.
Some of us do have a life other than sport.
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I have been a loyal 2UE listener for many, many years and have stuck by them during their many changes. I love John and Gary in the morning as they are lighthearted and entertaining as opposed to the stress and anguish caused by listening to 2GB. I am retiired so the radio is on all day when I am home. There are so many interesting programs to listen to within the Lifestyle format. This time 2UE have lost me altogether as I am not at all interested in listening to sport. A radio station dedicated to sport – good luck with that one.
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Real shame so many talented presenters, who loved what they did on radio, have lost their jobs as of today. Really enjoyed Jonno Coleman, a stalwart in the industry and very funny. Just hope their talents are recognised and picked up by other networks who may want to invest in talking about people’s lifestyles.
As a Melbourne listener I enjoyed the genuine lifestyle commentary. If I want to listen to sport I go to SEN. Good luck with transitioning us to your new sport channel!
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The best radio station in Melbourne never given a decent chance.
Fantastic programs. Had it on all day.
So much bloody sport on radio down here and just over it.
I have never met these people who listen to sport on the radio.
Back listening to spotify.
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My family have been tuned into 2UE since the Dagwood Sunday night snd the TOP 40 format was introduced then went on through the years Laws Jones Carlton the Admin always mucking around with the Station who wants to listen to repeats all night and now Sport 24 / 7 FM is looking good u guys are making a big mistake.
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Oh no , very disappointed … I miss the old 2ue … I never really enjoyed the change to talking Lifestyles but at least there was some good shows, like John and Gary in the mornings… Now 24 hours of sport ?? yuck !!!! Goodbye ?
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The new format won’t work. The 10 network tried it on ONE and it failed. I won’t be listening to 2GB either.
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After listening to George and Paul for more years than I care to remember their new time slot makes it almost impossible to listen to them apart from the odd hour here and there. I will not listen to the garden show and due to doing jobs around the house by the time I realise that it is time for the George and Paul show I have missed quite a bit of it.
As for sport???? I don’t think so. I even turn the sound off for the sports section on the TV news.
It is such a shame that a good radio station has been massacred by management.
2GB is not an option because I object to being shouted at by some presenters. The way they segue from one subject in to another irritates as it takes a second or two for the brain to realise what is going on. Inviting people to speak on the show then pushing them off for adverts is downright rude too. 2GB is so powerful ratings wise it seems NSW is run by 2GB not by politicians.
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Love John and Garry and I will definitely not be listening to a sports program especially first thing in the morning. Best wishes to both of you guys for such a breath of fresh air in the morning not to mention the laughs and info you have given us all.
Best wishes to you both
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After listening to George and Paul for more years than I care to remember their new time slot makes it almost impossible to listen to them apart from the odd hour here and there. I will not listen to the garden show and due to doing jobs around the house by the time I realise that it is time for the George and Paul show I have missed quite a bit of it.
As for sport???? I don’t think so. I even turn the sound off for the sports section on the TV news.
It is such a shame that a good radio station has been massacred by management.
2GB is not an option because I object to being shouted at by some presenters. The way they segue from one subject in to another irritates as it takes a second or two for the brain to realise what is going on. Inviting people to speak on the show then pushing them off for adverts is downright rude too. 2GB is so powerful ratings wise it seems NSW is run by 2GB not by politicians.
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Hey Paul, you have your caps lock on or are you angry?
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Nooo!! Can’t imagine my early mornings without John and Gary. I will be waiting with much interest as to what will become of them. They fill a void in Breakfast Radio like no others.
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So sad but so predictable. Have a look at the great talent purged the last couple of years since Macquarie bought 2ue – Stuart Bocking, John and Gary breakfast, overnight shift with Mike Jeffries! Quality radio that many loved cast off in the name of strengthing the garbage on 2gb. It was designed to be killed off from day one of takeover i believe.
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I know where to find George and Paul on the weekend but where will I find John and Gary? I really hope they won’t be lost forever, they are so entertaining.
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Very disappointed. Love John and Garry, makes our morning. Back to ABC – 702.
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I am very upset and disappointed with the axing of 2UE I have been an avid listener since moving to Sydney 35 years ago. Loved their programs and light hearted and fun approaches but still keeping us in touch with the latest news. Not interested in full time Sport.
My radio was always on 2UE Very disappointed 2UE Management.
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My family loves sport but we dont want to be saturated with it.!!!!
The John and Gary morning show was balanced, entertaining and informative. To not recognize the value of these experienced professionals and replace them with more people talking sport is a demonstration that who is ever making these decisions has no understanding of what the listening public want.
The Lifestyle format needed time to grow. I was perplexed by it at first but now have it running all day and have found it to be refreshing and informative and different.
More sport is just that more sport!
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Hope you’re right Tyrone 🙂
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Totally agree. They have continued to be the last remaining “Jewel in the Crown” of 2UE.
I hope they find another platform quickly. They are the best
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What a dreadful shame to substitute Talking Lifestyles with sport. I never listen to sport so I don’t know what station I will listen to now as 2UE was the only station I have ever listened to. No more John and Gary who have been the best morning presenters ever or Tim or doctor Walker etc. Shame, shame, shame, please reconsider otherwise we will all turn into dumb sport tragics.
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Losing John and Garry would be a tragedy. The best radio pairing ever. The Sports format will be a disaster and we won’t be listening. Wake up Macquarie Mefia – you are throwing away gems.
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I could not believe what I heard today – the end of John and Gary ?! I was very disappointing with the Talking Lifestyle format much prefer the old 2UE general talk format. Noticed all political discussions seemed to be banned from the Talking Lifestyle station Why? politics is a major factor in our Lifestyle. A sports station ! no thanks, I never listen to 2KY for that reason. I will stop listening to 2UE entirely if it turns to 24hr sport. Sorry but will start listening more to ABC Sydney and 2CH from now on !
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RIP 2UE After being a loyal listener for over 30 years this is the last straw. Ive put up with all the stupid changes you have made over the years never jumped ship even when Jones and Hadleymoved over and when Stan had a short stint on 2GB. You always get rid of your fantastic broadcasters, e.g. Luke Bona.No wonder ratings are poor. Love you John and Gary! 2UE Has been a big part of my life Its sad to say Im moving on to a different network .???????????????
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DITTO Michelle 2 April
Couldnt have said it better!!! ?
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I agree but feel very sad about this. Clearly the people who run these radio stations don’t care about their listeners
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Agree- they’re fantastic
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Agree
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I am so disappointed to lose this station to sport. I love listening to talking lifestyle. I listen to it daily from the UK. It is such a great, informative show and the presenters are fabulous. Especially John and Gary and also George and Paul who recently left. It is a really entertaining station.
I will really miss it.
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You are 100% right.2ue was an icon of Sydney radio and the talking lifestyle format was something different.It takes time for things to grow and adjusted.I am afraid this was not given the time to work.It looks like the station is aiming for a niche market which already has a choice with 2SM and 2KY.I will wait out the life of this sports format and then come back to 2UE when it comes back to what it was.
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You have said everything I wanted to say.I will just wait and see how long this new sports format will last.
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I may just come with you to 2SM.This station has experimented so many times but its format now has been stable for a while now and its reached success.2UE will learn its lesson but wouldn’t it have been better to learn from other’s mistakes?
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I am gutted talking lifestyle is being axed my morning will never be the same!I hate sports and will not be listening!Bloody ridiculous what are the big guns thinking!
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I am not amused that this wonderful successful lifestyle channel is being axed for boring sport!Who was the Clown who came up with this fool idea.Well,I shall be switching over to Allen Jones.What ain’t broke you don’t fix!Cheers,Helen.
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I absolutely love the Talking Lifestyle programs… more sport!!! Don’t we already have enough sports programs.. 2UE will loose more listeners than they will gain !!
Me for one!.!.
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Can’t believe this is the end of life style. It was so informative in all sorts of subjects . Especially enjoyed the great information given by Linda Ross . That’s the end of 2UE as far as we are concerned . There are other things in life than SPORT .
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It’s great to see you have an appreciation of great radio entertainment!
It’s a shame the experts making the (wrong) moves in Program planning are lacking insight that most of their listeners Aust. wide possess .
One could ask the Question, is it a plan to make UE the first Autonomous Station in Australia. Consisting of a big Computer being fed “garbage” 24/7 . There-by, only having some-one to switch to the back-up unit when it eventually transmits “Free air” .
You may have noticed this since the name change, when the techno-wizs’ were playing with frequency’s and solving a six second delay between AM and DAB problem.
2UE was off the Digital air for hours some very Early mornings.No real loss, music and replays of the previous days programs.
I wonder if the Commonwealth Games will be the litmus test? With a sprinkling of our favorite Presenters to give variety.
Time will tell. Vale; John Pierce and Andrew Harwood.
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100% agree. The change to lifestyle was a little different, and occasionally I’d switch to ABC, but it was still better then listening to 2GB. Isn’t there enough sport on 2GB, and now they are moving 2UE to 24×7 sport. I can’t stand listening to sport. More stories about meathead footy players, cheating cricket players, don’t need to hear about all these poor examples of sportsmanship. I’ll be going to the ABC full time, and George & Paul on the weekends.
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like everyone else i am disgusted,i will miss john and garry.
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Not Fairfax Darren, it’s Macquarie Media.
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Well done CEO! NOT!!!!
You and your “fun police” cronies have killed off some of the best radio personalities on Talking Lifestyle (2UE) – especially the fantastic duo John and Garry. I thought it was a horrible April fools joke, unfortunately not ?
My mornings will be drab & dreary from now on. Sports 24/7 pffff! You’ve lost my long term loyalty.
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Just to place this feedback into perspective, I am in my mid-30s, a regular listener of talk radio reverting to my formative years.
Despite the numerous programming/presenter changes in past years, 2UE was invaluable simply because it was an alternative not only to 2GB, but also to the ABC programs, which we can agree largely have a specific political/social agenda. 2UE offered a multitude of views, but most importantly, the weekday programs covered a variety of topics, whilst keeping a pulse on news.
Regarding 2GB, I have no specific criticism of Alan Jones or Ray Hadley – the reason why I am not a regular listener is that when you are listening over the course of a weekday, it’s the same talking points beaten onto the desk, the only difference being who is speaking. Even the callers blur into one another. George and Paul’s program is a welcome alternative because of the variety, however in their move to 2GB, my opinion is that the pace of the show has changed due to the numerous advertisements, and I often find myself tuning out, but that’s a separate matter.
I initially wasn’t interested in Talking Lifestyle because it sounded like a simulcast of the TVSN channel – wall to wall infomercials. They definitely improved the programming though by cutting down on the number of programs/presenters, and introducing variety within the lifestyle framework – I didn’t find discussion of retirement and cruises relevant, but the next segment regarding health or finances would be interesting enough to absorb, just like reading a newspaper.
As for Macquarie Sports Radio – like many others, I seldom tune into sport, and even then, mainly within a social context. That may be a personal view, however I’ve spoken to people who regularly follow a particular type/format/team, and even they aren’t interested enough to tune in 24/7 – when they do, they’re watching a game, rather than listening to discussion about it.
I thought over this post for a while, articulating my thoughts, but in summary, I am no longer tuned into 954AM for the same reason that I am not compelled to listen to SBS Arabic24 – it’s not relevant to me.
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Very, very disappointed to loose 2UE aka Talking Lifestyle, longtime listener going back to Lawsy. GB kept pinching all our our good presenters, loved listening to Luke years back on midnight to dawn when I couldn’t sleep at night,lots of lonely people out there,
I love my NRL but don’t need sport 24/7 – will have to find another station or stick with Escape to the Country on Fox!!
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I have been a listener of the original and authentic 2ue since Top 40 days and that is a long long time.It has been part of our life and part of the Sydney community for over 90 years.It has been the home of most of the top broadcasters at one time or other.It has been much more than just another radio station; more an icon of broadcasting in this city.
This is the reason people on this site are speaking out regarding the recent moves.
Living lifestyle was not perfect but had some good shows and many of the old 2ue shows were still on air and apparently rating well in Sydney..Modifications could have been made and more sport introduced rather than a complete change;again.
Now all shows from a great era have gone and so too has any evidence of the once great station.
I love some sport but 24 hours a day……..no way.Radio ratings in coming months will be very interesting.
So after 55 years of being a rusted on listener the dial has changed to a non Macquarie station.
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I loved listening to Dr Ross Walker’s show on Sunday evenings. It was so informative and helpful to anyone who wants to take care of their health. Sometimes, I would catchup with the show on podcasts but now even that is no longer available. I opened the website Talking Lifestyle and all I got was the boring Sport Radio. It is so sad that we’ve lost such a wonderful show. I certainly will not turn on the sport radio.
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I cannot believe that after all the years that I have listened to 2ue that it has now become a sports channel and all the wonderful people that I used to listen to are no longer there. I will also miss Ross Walker, Tim Webster, Suzy Yates and listening to Sharina on Sunday nights was the only thing that made doing my ironing bearable.
Sad days.
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Very sad to see all these shows go ?
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Shocked to see this go. I loved listening to all the informative interviews and the great presenters.
I certainly won’t be listening to the ‘sport replacement ‘.
Hopefully it will return soon.
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I have from this morning turned right off 2ue as I am not the least
bit interested in listening to sport 24/7 I didn’t mind talking
lifestyle & found some of it interesting but sport all the time no
thank you.
I have switched right OFF 2ue.now it’s all sports.
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I have turned right OFF 2ue now since being a sports station
24/7 I didn’t mind talking lifestyle but sport 24/7 not for me.
bye 2ue.
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No one will listen to sports all day. Was a great lifestyle station. Ratings will fall further. Sad to say that since 2UE sold off they haven’t really had the public interest in mind. I won’t listen to this station or Macquarie Radio again.
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I want be listening to sports 24/7
Macquarie Radio is just trying to take market share rather than provide entertainment to the listening audience.
I’ll turn off as they have drone e a disservice to the presenters and public
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So true
Well said
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This is my 2nd post. Tried 2UE today but lasted about 1/2 minute! You’ve totally lost me – can’t stand the screaming/’laughing’ on 2GB either so went to ABC but no thanks so put on my CDs. Wake up management, we don’t all live for sport & there are already too many stations doing it! Goodbye from me!
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I am deeply saddened to lose my beloved Talking Lifestyle to sport. I have been a very long time rusted-on 24/7 listener to 954 2ue and when it changed to Talking Lifestyle, I thought it was such an excellent idea to tap into the baby boomers market for the over 50’s. I am now feeling very lonely, like I have lost my best friend.
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I’m so disappointed to hear the new change.i need the station every day, I feel relaxed and knowledgeable specially on Linda’ s garden and all other topics. I wish it back.
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I have been enjoying Talking lifestyle format.
I am extremely upset with new changes .
Really silly to think we all like sport . What is wrong with you
I like some sport.. I hate continuous call silly nonsense.
and am now at a loss of a radio station to listen. Thinking 702 is my option have been listening to that latley
Please take notice of your listeners and give us some options
VERY DISSAPOINTED !!!
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Not more sport. Turning Talking Lifestyle radio into a sports’ channel is not only abominable for loyal listeners, but surely a bad business decision by bean counters. I listen in to the new sports radio on odd occasions – how much mileage can they get out of discussing the moveable roof on the Etihad stadium – and other stimulating topics. I explored the dial a bit in Sydney. 2RPH on AM 1224 is good for relaxing, and broadcasts the whole of the BBC World Service overnight.
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I totally agree.
There is a serious hole in the airwaves for music from the 50’s and 60’s for baby boomers and some of us gen X’s (like myself) who appreciate the music of those times.
I have been devastated ever since Magic and their music content was ripped off the dial.
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I’m disappointed with Talking Lifestyle being axed. Am I the only person in Australia, I’m in Melbourne, who doesn’t want to be bombarded with sport shows? Now, no matter which station I tune to at most times of the day, it’s all sport. I thoroughly enjoyed Talking Lifestyle because I was confident of receiving an all round life program without having to continually move from one station to another to avoid sport commentary.
Macquarie you’ve already got sports segments on most of the time via other stations.
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You have lost a loyal listener. First with the loss of the exemplary specialist who knows how to talk to everyday people- Dr Ross Walker. Now you do not come up as an option in DAB. Is there not already enough sport. Whether it be paid TV, free TV or radio live it apps. Why more sport?Macquarie you gave lost me as a client
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I was wondering why I couldn’t find 2UE on my digital radio. Very disappointed that Talking Lifestyle has gone. I go to the footy but I don’t want to hear about it 24/7. Life would be pretty dull if it was all about sport all the time.
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Sport all weekend on two radio stations!! Obviously thousands of people who don’t like sport are considered unimportant.
Up and down the dial there is nothing to replace the great programs on Talking Lifestyle. Interested to see the next ratings for these radio stations.
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I am extremely disappointed with the new line for 2…ue. Not even going to spell it properly. There is nothing on the radio and surprisingly not all of NSW or whoever you were broadcasting to wants to listen to sprort all day yes sprort because it is just a rort trying to recruit advertising instead of just for once people thinking about the listeners these days.
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I listen to the radio every day while I work, yes I work 7 days a week. I loved talking lifestyle, I miss my gardening tips, cooking, health, geeky stuff, cleaning tips and just normal conversations. The only time I changed stations was on Friday afternoon the camping show which couldn’t hold my interest. I am so lost without this station. I tried to listen to sport, but I have no idea what they are talking about, especially the AFL. Looking for another talkback station that doesn’t repeat itself with every presenter. Yes I mean 2GB. Help is there such a station?
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Without Sharina’s Psychic Encounters on a Sunday night I have lost my cosmic direction, muddled up all my crystals and lost half of my Chinese coins, to say nothing of my total lack of fung shui now !
Seriously, what a dumb move.
Sport is EVERYWHERE !!!
A good management team would have picked the eyes out of presenters currently available and built a great stable runner to 2GB and the venerable 2CH but no, they picked stupid sport instead.
Like Hadley says, Porche driving middle aged fools with ponytails running the promotions, but now a slow demise of a once great radio station.
They had some great segments not that long ago before the first remodelling, and now we will not hear the likes of Pete Graham on a Saturday night (sorry Ray, you’re a good bloke but C & W doesnt do it for me), the Doc on Sunday and all of the alternatives to ‘the other station’ through the course of weekdays. Even George and Paul have been nipped and tucked!
Vale 2UE
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What a shame I have only recently discovered 2UE Life, only to find it gone a couple of weeks later. Not interested in sport will not listen again!
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I am devastated that 2UE has changed it’s programming to sport. I have listened to this station for over18year’s, I loved it’s diversity and the characters that would call in. I started listening when Prue was on air then Stan etc. I did not like the other stations they where too political. Now I have nothing to listen too.
Who the F wants to listen 24/7 to people talking about sport.
A big F you !
I hope you’re ratings are so bad that it fails.
For someone that started listening to talk back radio so young it’s really devastated me.
Thanks
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I was really upset when 2UE stopped their talk back format. I don’t like the presenters on 2GB in the mornings and don’t like the music stations either. I don’t sleep very well so I found the talk back format really helped. You didn’t feel so alone.
I then started to realise how much I enjoyed the talking Lifestyle format. Instead of listening to random people calling in you actually learned about things in a very diverse format.
I now have turned 2UE off altogether as I hate listening to all the sport now. I don’t hate sport but prefer it in little bits like part of the news on TV. I don’t listen to any radio in my car or elsewhere. Why didn’t 2UE advertise the change to Lifestyle more to build up the ratings and maybe people like me would come back and listen to it.
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I was really enjoying the life style station it was my favorite statuon.
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‘Talking Lifestyle’ was a great radio station. My daughter never used to listen to AM radio but she loved listening to this too. How many sporting radio programmes do we need? We have sports on TV, now we have sports on radio. What is this world coming too? Bring back ‘Talking Lifestyle’. It was worth listening to the radio.
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