SCA axes The Hot Breakfast with Eddie McGuire after more than a decade
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has called time on one of its longest-running breakfast shows, announcing that Triple M Melbourne’s The Hot Breakfast will finish up at the end of 2020.
The show, helmed by Eddie McGuire, launched in 2009, was one of multiple breakfast shows on the Triple M network to feature its ‘Grill Team’ format that emerged in the ’90s – merging sport, comedy and music with talkback.
Eddie McGuire and Luke Darcy of The Hot Breakfast
The Hot Breakfast featured McGuire and former Western Bulldogs player Luke Darcy through its entire run, as well as Mick Molloy between 2011 and 2017. Wil Anderson also had a stint on the show between 2017 and 2019.
The show also included former SBS sports broadcaster Mieke Buchan and comedian Tony Moclair at various points.
McGuire, who spent 32 years working at Triple M, said it had been a “true honour” to broadcast during such a difficult year for Melbourne.
“We found ourselves able to broadcast six hours a day and on weekends when COVID-19 hit. Whilst gruelling, it has also been a true honour and pleasure for us to be with Melbourne every step of the way and the most important year in our show’s history,” he said.
“Without listeners radio is nothing and we have enjoyed the immediate connection with them day-in-day-out and dominated our key target demos.”
“Those closest to me have always known that I continued with breakfast radio while my boys were at school and now my youngest has finished it’s time too for me to finish up a wonderful 11-year run with a 4.00am alarm.
“I plan to take some time to reflect and recharge with my family and after a good, long break have a look at what the next project for Triple M looks like in 2021, building on new ground we forged back in 2009.”
In recent years The Hot Breakfast most often rated between a 4% to 6% share of listening in the GfK radio ratings. As of the most recent survey, McGuire and Darcy held a 5.8% share.
The decision to call time on the show marks the end of an era for Triple M, with equivalent Sydney offering The Grill Team with Matty Johns having ended two years ago.
Former Hot Breakfast lineup with Mick Molloy
Darcy, who got his start in radio on the show 11 years ago, said the experience has been “epic”.
“The last 11 years has been the most enjoyable experience you could imagine. Sitting next to the man in the suit, Triple M royalty Rosie Walton and comedy giants Mick Molloy and Wil Anderson every morning has been the greatest gift,” he said.
“No media connects as intimately and as immediately to the public as live radio does, and it has been a joy to speak to the people of Melbourne every day and be part of their lives. The Hot Breakfast has taken us to two Olympic Games, four Super Bowls, The World Cup Soccer in Brazil and a life changing dawn service at ANZAC Cove in Gallipoli. It has been epic.”
SCA revealed that both McGuire and Darcy will remain with the network in other capacities in 2021, with the letter to stay on as part of the AFL footy call team.
Chief content officer Dave Cameron thanked the pair for their service. “I’d like to sincerely thank Eddie and Darcy for what has been a wonderful 11 years in the toughest spot in radio with Triple M Melbourne.
“The show forged new ground with news making radio alongside our strong sports, rock and comedy heritage and it’s been quite the ride. We are very grateful for the professionalism and loyalty Eddie and Darcy have shown to Triple M and our listeners.”
Having replaced its Sydney sister show The Grill Team with a personality and comedy-driven offering (led by Lawrence Mooney), SCA may look to follow suit in Melbourne and bring in a big name on the comedy circuit to lead its new show in 2021.
The Hot Breakfast will finish on Friday, November 27 with SCA revealing it will announce a replacement soon.
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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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