Nine Radio refreshes 6PR lineup moving Gareth Parker into breakfast
Gareth Parker will host a new breakfast show on Nine Radio’s 6PR Perth, in one of several changes to a refreshed on-air lineup announced for 2021.
The changes follow the recently announced departure of Basil Zempilas from the breakfast show, as he leaves radio to focus on being the newly-elected Lord Mayor of Perth.
6PR 2021 presenter lineup
Zempilas and co-host Steve Mills spent the past six years hosting 6PR breakfast, with the former having joined in 2014. Mills will now depart the slot for a new Afternoons show, ending a 16-year stint on the show.
In the most recent GfK radio rating survey, 6PR rated an 8.6% share, while Basil and Steve were equal second in the breakfast ratings with 11.1%.
Other changes see 60 Minutes journalist Liam Bartlett return to the station he left in 2006 to host mornings. Bartlett has also previously worked at 720 ABC Perth and 3SR in Shepparton.
Drive will continue to be hosted by Oliver Peterson, but there will be a new weekend mornings show hosted by Simon Beaumont.
Since taking over the operations of Macquarie Radio and rebranding the network, Nine Radio has now installed new breakfast shows at all four of its talkback stations, with Alan Jones and John Burns retiring in that time.
6PR content manager Emily White said Gareth Parker’s experience in the morning slot leaves him well placed to move into breakfast.
“We’re very excited about 6PR’s new on-air lineup. Gareth Parker is perfectly placed to lead our talk radio format through the next decade with his great style of broadcasting and journalism he has honed in the mornings slot,” she said.
“His ability to break stories, analyse events and set the news agenda will be the driving force of a reshaped 6PR.”
White said the changes make for “a formidable lineup seven days a week and delivers on our promise of the best live and local, news, sport, weather, traffic, information and entertainment.”
Of his new appointment, Parker said he’s excited for the “privilege and big responsibility” that comes with hosting breakfast.
“We want to set the agenda with the big interviews and the most relevant breaking news, but it’s also about that essential traffic and weather info that helps people navigate the morning, the latest in sport and entertainment while having those great talkback conversations and plenty of fun along the way,” he said.
Liam Bartlett added; “The opportunity to rejoin the 6PR team and represent our Perth audience was just too good to pass up.
“To advocate on behalf of so many great listeners and help keep our decision makers honest is what makes the ‘Morning Program’ so special and the reason I’m so thrilled to be returning.”
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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