Wendy Harmer and Christine Anu in amid ABC radio personnel changes
Harmer
Wendy Harmer, who ruled the radio airwaves in the 1990s as a breakfast co-host on 2DayFM before helping launch Vega for DMG and then moving into online publishing with The Hoopla, will return to radio with the ABC next year.
Harmer will replace departing 702 Sydney morning host Linda Mottram. She has been a regular sighting at the ABC’s Sydney studios filling in regularly for other announcers during holiday breaks.
Harmer taking on the morning slot is just one of a number of changes to the metro and national radio line-up announced by the ABC today.
Evenings presenter Dom Knight will leave his slot midway through next year as entertainer Christine Anu launches her radio career.
Knight and Anu will co-host the show until April before Knight steps down, although an ABC spokesperson said he would still be a feature at the broadcaster.
Respected journalist Ellen Fanning will also join the ABC, hosting the Life Matters show on RN.
The full details of the ABC announcement are below:
ABC Radio has announced key changes to its 2016 line-up which will further strengthen the close connection it has with audiences across Australia.
Michael Mason, ABC director radio, said “In 2016, ABC Radio will continue to broaden its appeal through new presenter appointments and content, which better reflect the communities and society it’s part of. It continues to be the destination for great ideas, classical and contemporary music and the place where Australians connect with their cities. ABC Radio will be the home of 2016’s big conversations and stories.”
“Amongst a number of key on-air appointments, I am excited to announce respected author and academic Larissa Behrendt will host Speaking Out, our Indigenous affairs program on 702 ABC Sydney and nationally on ABC Local Radio. And with the program extended to one hour, Larissa will have the opportunity to explore Indigenous news, politics and current affairs in much greater depth.”
702 ABC Sydney is welcoming two new presenters to the weekday line up in 2016. One of Australia’s best known radio hosts, Wendy Harmer will present the Mornings program and one of the country’s most successful Indigenous entertainers, Christine Anu will share the Evenings program with Dominic Knight, before taking up the reins on a full time basis from April 2016.
ABC local manager in Sydney Cath Dwyer said, “I am thrilled to have two fantastic women join the 702 ABC Sydney team. Wendy has had an extraordinary career to date, as a journalist, writer, radio host and entertainer. She’s incredibly smart and savvy and we’re looking forward to a lively program in 2016. Christine is a much loved singer, actor, spokesperson and role model. She’s a natural and we know audiences will warm to her infectious personality.”
ABC Classic FM
In 2016 Classic FM continues to be Australia’s home of classical music, curating the world’s most beautiful music for audiences of Classic FM & Classic 2, while introducing some new voices and a refreshed line-up.
Phillip Sametz will move from presenting the popular weekend programs Screen Sounds and Sunday Recital to Classic Breakfast.
Brisbane-based presenter and author Martin Buzacott will present Mornings.
Current Classic Breakfast presenter Julian Day moves to Afternoons from (Sun-Tues). Julian has been awarded the 2015 Fauvette Loureiro Memorial Artists Travel Scholarship and will have international travel opportunities throughout the year.
Popular Mornings presenter Christopher Lawrence moves to the Drive program.
Damien Beaumont will move from Afternoons to take over Weekend Mornings from Marian Arnold who recently retired.
New voices on the station include talented harpist Genevieve Lang who will replace Phillip Sametz on Sunday Recital and multi-talented Brisbane-based composer and conductor Gordon Hamilton, who will replace Phillip on Screen Sounds.
ABC RN
In 2016, RN will continue to set the agenda for the national conversation with specialist content and in-depth genre expertise across news, current affairs, arts & culture, religion, science, health and features, delivered on air, online and via its world-leading podcasts. Changes include:
Experienced journalist and broadcaster Ellen Fanning joins RN to present the ever-popular Life Matters (Mon-Wed), following Natasha Mitchell’s move to new opportunities at RN.
Cassie McCullagh will host Life Matters (Thurs-Fri) and present The TV Club (formerly The List), on Wednesdays. It’s a fresh look at TV, involving discussion, debate and lively analysis of new developments.
While RN says goodbye to the Media Report, the station will continue to discuss media issues in depth, with a network-wide focus on media stories – especially during RN Drive with Patricia Karvelas.
Former Media Report host Richard Aedy will host two new business programs: one focusing on topical business issues and the economy, and the other on the broader elements and challenges of leadership and innovation.
Perth-based Kirsti Melville will present Earshot (Mon-Thurs).
triple j
In 2016, triple j will continue to bring the best new, live and Australian music to its audience, across its three networks of triple j, triple j Unearthed and Double J. triple j will continue to cover the stories and issues that matter to young Australians.
triple j will introduce a new sex and relationships program on Sunday nights to replace Sunday Night Safran. The program host will be announced in the New Year.
Weekends will see all regular presenters return, but with a couple of timeslot shuffles. Stacy Gougoulis will now host Weekend Breakfast; Gemma Pike returns for Weekend Lunch; Kyran Wheatley will host Weekend fternoons, where he will be joined by co-host Gen Fricker, who was a regular guest on his show in 2015.
Your favourite Saturday night party-starters – House Party hosted by KLP and Mix Up, hosted by a different resident DJ each month – will keep you dancing past midnight, followed up with a new late night program called The Kick On, hosted by Shantan Parameswaran aka Shantan Wantan Ichiban.
Full line-up releases will be available for all stations at the start of the new program year.
Source: ABC press release
Wendy Harmer doing ABC mornings???
Will the Black Thunders be rocking up to Parliament House for their live cross with the Premier?
I can accept Wendy Harmer in breakfast, afternoons or evenings – but in the traditional current affairs time spots of mornings or afternoon drive? No thanks.
Her background is a breakfast crew wild and wacky morning radio jock (which she was very good at). Her stints on Vega and shifts on 702 have always been light and fluffy.
I can’t see her making a mark in news and current affairs. Very confusing choice by the abc.
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Thanks Simon.
You may not be aware that I spent many years in political journalism – specialising in urban affairs, which makes me very well suited to the changing landscape in NSW politics and forthcoming council amalgamations.
My time at The Hoopla as Editor In Chief was marked by gathering great journalists ( have a read of the archive). Most of that alumni have now gone on to senior roles in online media.
I’m also now an op-ed writer for Fairfax – have been for some years.
You perception of my time on 702 and Vega is incorrect.
Not all “light and fluffy”, at all. Or is that just what you hear?
I have filled in for shifts in breakfast, mornings and drive in both Sydney and Melbourne on the ABC over the past few years.
I pride myself on being able to do both the lighter and heavier side of the daily offerings.
That’s why (I’m thinkin’), I may have been offered this gig and am thrilled to have it.
There are no commercial opportunties for me as a senior female broadcaster with some 20 years of experience.
Why don’t you give the show a listen next year and see if I can clear up that “confusion” for you.
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Best of luck – I will certainly give it a go.
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Excellent choice.
Now I will have something to listen to in the mornings.
Sure Wendy can do FM brekky ( and do it well i.e.: topped the ratings for years ) but she is also an intelligent woman with an interest in politics and social affairs.
I look forward to 2016 and listening to Wendy.
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I look forward to listening to Wendy on ABC 702 next year I know she is a very capable broadcaster. IMO she can handle serious news as well as the light stuff with a great deal of professionalism, something that has been sadly lacking in the 702 morning slot for many years.
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Wendy drops the mic with that reply.
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Another left wing mouth on the ABC, hmmmmmmm.
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Geoff, Michael: Wendy was a ripper in the mornings back in the 90’s. Her show was tight and punchy.
I just hope that she can find a Brad March in the ABC to tighten it up and not let it turn into another Vega experience.
She has now been put into the flagship show on 702 and you can’t forget that she was the flagship talent on vega when it launched.
Vega failed because there was no Brad March to keep it tight.
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and enjoy some old Wendy Harmer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMb3pILpsCk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp7fzbnT9jk
Wendy, please keep the new gig on 702 tight and punchy
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Given a choice I would rather Linda Mottram on the 702 morning program than Wendy Hamer any day of the week. That is not to say Hamer has no talent, obviously she has. Just not suited to a show requiring more than she has to offer. Regardless of what is written here we will all know if this is a good move in six months.
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From FM breakfast radio to ABC mornings? There’s no way Kyle, Uncle Doug, Merrick, Wippa or Rove could ever pull that off. But I reckon Wendy can do it. She’s the thinking man’s Alan Jones.
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About time this sassy, wonderful woman was back on our airwaves.
You now have a clear choice Sydney – a bloviated right-wing windbag who rants and raves and bullies his enemies and smart-mouths females in the PR industry or a competent, intelligent, respectful woman who gives her all to the betterment of the environment, the city and the country.
I know who I’d prefer.
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I would like to see Peter Moon join Wendy Harmer on ABC Mornings. I heard they were good friends on 2DayFM. 🙂
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If there is a second of Wendy Harmer getting some Wise Buddah imaging I’ll be there
http://www.wisebuddah.com/jing.....ingle/1750
excellent radio 🙂
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this is tellie/radio I love 🙂
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#sent?projector=1
Wendy, do this!
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Ummm – awkward !
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Wendy- there is no need to justify yourself. We know you are a journo who loves a joke and a jibe but has an ear for the argument on both sides. Thousands of us will be listening, including your old Hoopla subscribers. Can’t wait.
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