Mix 102.3’s Erin and Soda given the week off prompting jibe from rivals Nova
Mix 102.3’s breakfast duo Erin and Soda remained absent from the airwaves this morning, having first disappeared from the show without notice last Thursday, 25 March.
A music-based breakfast show once again aired on Mix 102.3, with a fill-in host promoting Jodie and Soda’s Easter Fun Fair by giving away free tickets.
The show was reportedly off last week due to Mark ‘Soda’ Soderstrom being ill, with an Australian Radio Network spokesperson telling The Advertiser the he was “unwell”.
The presenter would go on to appear on Seven News that evening, and he also made an appearance at his on-air partner Erin Phillips’ AFLW game over the weekend.
Now the network appears to have changed tact with their explanation over Erin and Soda’s absence.
ARN chief content officer Duncan Campbell has told Mumbrella that the pair, and their team, have been given “the week off”.
“It’s been a huge start to the year and the team behind Adelaide’s #1FM Breakfast Show need a break so I have made the decision to give them a well-deserved week off.
“Like all radio shows around the country, the team will be taking the scheduled survey break off air too.”
Erin Phillips took over from Soderstrom’s long-time co-host Jodie Oddy at the start of the year, with the new-look pair gaining 0.3 percentage points to hold a 10.9% share.
Oddy wasn’t able to explain her exit for legal reasons, but her departure came shortly after Richie Wright replaced Barry Keohane as the Mix Adelaide content director.
Mumbrella understands Erin and Soda’s absence is not to do with contract discussions, but ARN would not comment on speculation.
They are third overall behind ABC Adelaide and FIVEaa, but ahead of the competition on the FM dial.
Their absence last week prompted rival network Nova Entertainment to issue a press release, declaring that their breakfast team Ben and Liam are ‘Feeling Well’.
“In a market which has seen a number of breakfast personalities not ‘feeling well’ before midday, breakfast host Liam Stapleton said: ‘We’re both feeling quite fresh, got the flu jab last week actually.
“‘We’ve got a steady intake of fresh fruit, veg and gain. With that diet coupled with a light exercise routine we’re quite possibly the healthiest team in the game’.”
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