Steve Price to take over Chris Smith’s afternoon 2GB slot
Steve Price will take over Chris Smith’s afternoon show from 15 July, after it was announced Smith would be leaving the station last week.
The Steve Price Show will broadcast from 12-3pm weekdays on Macquarie Radio’s 2GB, 4BC and network stations, but not in Melbourne, where Denis Walter will continue to host 3AW’s afternoon slot.
Conservative opinion columnist and Sky News host Rita Panahi will join Price daily, with weekly contributors including Today Show host Deborah Knight and sports journalist Erin Molan. The new afternoon show “promises to be a fast-paced, vibrant approach to the stories that matter to our listeners”, with hosts who, according to Macquarie, want “more of the unpredictability, fun and passion” of talkback radio.
“News doesn’t stop breaking when you break for lunch – and with Steve Price behind the microphone, neither do we. For the last seven years Steve has been presenting our Nights program, and he has achieved that extraordinarily rare feat of being number one simultaneously in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne,” said CEO Adam Lang.
“We’ve seen how broad Steve Price’s appeal is – and now with The Steve Price Show to air from 12-3pm, a new audience can enjoy his down-to-earth style, from tradies on a worksite to parents doing the school pickup.
“We also know how tough it is for so many businesses out there – and Steve has a track record of delivering terrific results for our clients.”
His current program, ‘Nights with Steve Price’, has been heard across 56 stations nationally, and he celebrates 10 years as a founding panellist of Ten’s The Project this month. In 2017, Price was also a contestant on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
“The nature of media in these digital times means there is no shutdown for all of us including talk radio. So much happens post the frantic breakfast setting up of the day and I’m excited to follow Alan Jones and Ray Hadley, Australia’s two most successful talk stars,” Price said of his new show.
“Afternoons will be a combination of opinion, talkback, breaking news and more – who doesn’t want to talk about their dream holiday or set of wheels, and trading blows with regular Rita Panahi is always great radio.”
The announcement comes after a tumultuous week for Macquarie Radio, with the Smith and 2GB break up followed by 3AW dropping football commentator Scott Cummings after he joked about sexual assault on his podcast.
Brittney Rigby was Mumbrella's deputy managing editor - news and analysis. She left Mumbrella in April 2021.
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It’s interesting to see what will happen to the ratings at 2GB with these presenter and time slot changes.
I would think many Chris Smith listeners would switch off and not listen to Steve Price. There is a marked difference in their styles.
At the same time as 2GB says Steve was a national success in his evening timeslot , so whoever steps into that evening timeslot is being handed a poison chalice and at the same time tasked with keeping up ratings.
I don’t think the night time audience will follow Steve Price to daytime.
Chris Smith I read had 90 winning surveys which apparently today is not enough in the fickle dog eat dog world of broadcast media.
I suspect these moves may yet prove to be a ratings disaster for 2GB. Let’s wait and see what happens.
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I totally agree with Jomac, Chris Smith was just a natural in my opinion i loved listening to him. Funny and serious which was entertaining. Also he has that jolly voice and he always made you feel a part of his show. As you can guess i am a fan . In my opinion he is going to missed and i can’t see why the listeners can’t have a vote or something, after all we are the ones who listen
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Very very disappointing what 2gb have done. I for 1 won’t be tuning in to this grub. Sorry to see you go Chris Smith. You have made a massive mistake.
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There is something else going on here. Chris Smith had a massive following his ratings were excellent as was his show. It’s was the refreshing difference from Hadley, Jones, Ben. It was everything they claim Steve Price is going to try and achieve. He was the perfect presenter for that time slot. Great guests and interviews. The show never felt stagnant quite the opposite. Chris Smith is in a class of his own. This will prove to be a huge ratings disaster for 2gb. Like I said somethings else is going on here…
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I’m one who won’t be listening to Mr Price… he has no appeal to me at all. Will looking forward to finding Chris Smith – hopefully on another radio station. It’s great pity those at 2GB have seen fit to upset its audience. The ABC is beginning to look good!
It’ll be inconvenient ’cause I like to listen to Mr. Jones early am and then maybe Hadley but he, too, is becoming dull’n boring not to mention rude to many of those folk who call him.
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Feel as do you hear Scott… I won’t be listening to this person either. That ‘person’ at 2GB has made a huge error and he deserves to be given the flick!
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No Steve Price for me – I too will be looking for Chris Smith
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Won’t be listening to Steve Price – sorry! Will be looking for another radio station.
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No Steve Price for me!
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TIO TGISE WHI SAY THEY WILL NIT LIISTEN TO STEVE PROCE ON 2GB IN THE AFYEWRNOONS AT 1PM TODAY CHANBGE TI MACQUARIE SPORTS RADIO 09954AM
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I cannot understand why they did this, unless Price had something to do with it he wanted out of night time Jones stayed so their plan backfired, Hadley stay at 9 and Price wanted a daytime gig, so they got rid of Smith, Smith had a young family was not good for him to do nights, Price doesn’t he could have stayed. This is my opinion I think Price caused a lot of the hassle. I don’t like him anyway never have, wont be listening no way.
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HI KATRINA EDWARDS
AT 5.30QM ON MONDAY CHANGE YIOUR RADIO TI MACQUARUE SPORTS RADIO 954AM FROM 2GB 873AM AND TRHOSE OTHER WHI SAY THEY WILL NIT LISTEN TI STEVVE PRICE ON AFTERNOONS AT 2GB CAN ALSO LISTEN TI MACQUARUE SPORTS RADIO 954AM
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Jason not that into to much sport thanks anyway, I just turn of from 9 to 3 and switch back to overnights with McLaren if anyone should be on days its MacLaren, and he should at least have the 8 till 12, best are Jones, MacLaren Grant and George and Paul the rest can take or leave gone of Hadley he is everywhere sick of him, Foredam can take or leave him his voice is terrible yells. Anyway no way for Price.
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With you hear Katrina.. maybe Mr. Smith will go to 2SM? That’d be more than interesting???
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tried to listen to steve price today. Never again. Just like sitting in a classroom with a cranky school teacher. Looks like 3aw for me
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There is always 2SM 1269 with a guy very similar to Chris Smith in the afternoon.
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I hate steve price and Ben Fordham leftards turn off after 12. 2gb will crash if they continue this way. I live in Melbourne hate 3aw switched to 2gb now switched that off after 12
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History will record this guy and his 2gb compatriots as keeping climate denial alive in this country. 2GBullshitting the battlers
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