SCA reveals local market drive programming to replace national Mick Molloy show
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has unveiled its drive line up on Triple M, shortly after its national presenter, Mick Molloy quit the channel last week.
Triple M is shifting to an all-local show strategy, in its Rush Hour Drive shows, in a commitment to a “the best and most relevant content for audiences”, putting forward “already-well known” hosts, alongside existing Triple M names in each local market.
The new Triple M Sydney drive show features Gus, Jude and Wendell, with the trio moving their ‘Deadset Legends’ show from Saturday mornings, with the name changing to The Rush Hour. The show features ex-Wallabies player and four time NRL champion, Wendell Sailor, two-time premiership Sydney Swans player, Jude Bolton and Gus Worland.
The Rush Hour in Sydney
The Melbourne lineup, which airs across the Victoria and also in Tasmanian capital Hobart, features James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless, moving their slow from early evening to drive, in their 11th year as a pairing. Brayshaw is a known voice of sports in Australia, being an on-air personality for over two decades, as well as presenting the AFL and Cricket on Network Seven. Brownless is a former All-Australian forward for the Geelong Cats.
The Adelaide show will feature former AFL players Andrew Jarman and Bernie Vince, alongside former Australian cricketer, Greg Blewett, moving their established show forward from the usual 6pm timeslot, into the 4pm drive slot.
In Perth, the new program brings together current Hit Breakfast host and comedian, Michelle Anderson with former West Coast Eagles premiership winner, Andrew Embley for the Embers and Michelle show on Triple M Perth. Anderson returns to Triple M having previously been a co-host in Brisbane.
The Triple M Melbourne line up
SCA’s chief content officer, Dave Cameron said that the “new and refreshing approach” highlights the ongoing focus of creating more localised, state-based content for our audiences.
“Triple M’s new national drive strategy reflects the ever-increasing demand for local entertainment and sport presented by the best talent in each market under the well-known Rush Hour brand. SCA is already Australia’s biggest audio content creator, and we’re looking forward to creating even more amazing, local content across the country in 2022.”
Molloy’s national drive show fell 1.2% to a 5.1% share overall in Melbourne this week, with the last survey of the year coming next month set to prove whether listeners will give him a positive send off. Things were more positive in Sydney where the show experienced a rise of 0.7% to a 6.8% share overall.
The network will be hoping to see an uptick in overall market share with the new lineup, as FM stations have largely taken a hit in the most recent surveys.
The drive show on Triple M Brisbane is yet to be announced. All shows will also be available also on the LiSTNR app.
Head of Triple M Network and LiSTNR sport, Mike Fitzpatrick, said: “We’ve built a sensational line-up of sporting legends and exceptional broadcasters for Triple M Drive next year. We’re excited to be taking this leap forward in local formats to answer the cry for more local passion, served up in the distinct Triple M style.”
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Calum Jaspan was news editor at Mumbrella, based in Melbourne. He was also the producer and host of the Mumbrellacast. He left Mumbrella in May 2023.
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