Nine Radio has completed its move to bring traffic reporting in-house, with reporters in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth and reports from the Department of Transport in Melbourne.
The decision came after the radio business ended its 25-year relationship with the Australian Traffic Network last month.
Nine’s head of content for radio, Greg Byrnes, said the decision was a ‘major step forward’ in the company’s commitment to ‘provide better content for listeners, reclaim inventory and create unique opportunities for advertisers’.
“The number and scheduling of reports will be consistent right across our Talk and Music networks. The increased frequency of reports means traffic will be a key programming ingredient and we’re confident the team will set a new standard in daily coverage and breaking news,” Byrnes said in an email to staff.
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The top of hour structure will change slightly as the new format takes place, giving Nine Radio the ability to harness all of its commercial inventory.
“I appreciate there’s a lot going on across the network, and often in trying circumstances (particularly in Melbourne). Thank you for your support and dedication, bring on Survey 6,” Byrnes concluded.
Nine Radio also announced over the weekend that it would be returning to regular programming on 3AW, with all shows currently on leave returning and all future leave plans temporarily suspended.
Melbourne station manager Stephen Beers said the return to regular programming would provide 3AW listeners with some ‘certainty’.
“Our listeners trust in 3AW to keep them reliably informed as developments rapidly evolve. In uncertain times, the voices of our regular presenters will be a source of security and certainty for them.”