News

Meshel Laurie replacing Jane Hall on Kiis 101.1 with Chrissie Swan moving to her Nova seat

Meshel Laurie

Laurie: moving to Kiis

Australian Radio Network named Nova’s Meshel Laurie to replace Jane Hall in the struggling Kiis 101.1FM breakfast slot in Melbourne while Chrissie swan has been named as her replacement on Nova100.

Hall’s dumping was announced on Friday with ARN claiming she wanted to return to acting and that it would make an announcement about a replacement down the track however, media speculation over the weekend has forced ARN to confirm the appointment.

“As has been widely speculated this weekend, ARN are pleased to confirm that Meshel Laurie will be joining Matt Tilley as the new 2016 Breakfast host for Kiis 101.1 Melbourne,” said a spokeswoman.  

“Meshel fills the Breakfast co-host position with the departure of Jane Hall.”

Melbourne RatingsWhile its Sydney counterpart is regularly at the top of FM charts Kiis’s offering in Melbourne has struggled since it rebranded at the beginning of the year with ARN management telling Mumbrella last week that there would be change before year end.

Last week’s ratings survey had Kiis in Melbourne at sixth in the city in the FM charts, with national content director Duncan Campbell declaring: “We are disappointed with Kiis in Melbourne, we are number two with Gold but the Kiis101.1FM has failed to really perform to expectations this year.

“We have put in place plans that will unfold and execute as we get ready for 2016. I am confident that in 2016 KiisFM will perform much better than it has done.”

Chrissie Swan

Swan: returning to radio with Nova

Laurie was previously on Nova Entertainment’s Melbourne station Nova 100’s breakfast program with Tommy Little however, there are reports today that Swan is joining the show having been a regular on Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa show this year in Sydney. 

Swan was dumped as co-host of the then Mix Melbourne breakfast show with Jane Hall by ARN at the end of last year.

Louise Higgins, NOVA Entertainment COO said: “We are delighted that Chrissie Swan will be joining Nova 100 next year. Chrissie’s relatable style and quick wit makes her the perfect choice for breakfast and will put us in a strong position for success in 2016.”

Chrissie Swan said: “I have loved Nova since it first burst into Melbourne and it’s a dream come true. I’ve truly missed chatting to my beloved Melburnians on a daily basis and I can’t wait to get cracking in 2016. I’m back! And I could not be more excited.”

The changes come amid growing speculation in the industry about other programming changes including rumours Southern Cross Austereo may dump the Dan & Maz breakfast show, hosted by Dan Debuf and Maz Compton in favour of comedian Rove McManus. 

SCA’s breakfast program has failed to rate since the departure of the Kyle & Jackie O Show from the network.

Nic Christensen 

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