Feb 2007 Radio News

28 Feb 2007.Former Big Brother housemate Rachel Corbett is filling in on Perth's 92.9 FM with the breakfast team while Em is away.  

28 Feb 2007  Veteran 6IX  announcer Brian Lehman will now take on the role of PD as well as his current on air duties. 

28 Feb 2007.Magic 1278's recently semi retired Bill Howie has gone back to school, Uni to be exact, as a mature age student. Bill has not quit radio entirely, he now looks after Magic's Sunday mornings.

28 Feb 2007 Conflicting reports of when Melbourne's 3DB actually first went to air. Some sources suggest 19th Feb 1927 whilst others believe it to be today (28TH). Regardless the old girl would have been 80 years old this month. Happy Birthday 3DB.

28 Feb 2007 An emotional Ernie Sigley broke down in tears today while introducing his tribute to Billy Thorpe on his 3AW afternoon program. It was a 'take two' for Ernie who paid tribute to Thorpe by replaying an interview from a couple of years back.  

28 Feb 2007. Today tributes have been paid towards rock legend Billy Thorpe who sadly passed away from a heart attack early this morning. One Melbourne FM breakfast presenter must be suffering from a bad case of foot in mouth after adding his bit on air about Thorpe. The presenter in question seriously thought Thorpe would only ever be remembered for the 1970's signature 'Most people I know think that I'm crazy' and was amazed he never got tired of performing  his one big hit!' What made his statement worse was none of the other presenters took him to task on it.

Elsewhere across the FM dial GOLD 1043 delivered a fantastic mix of 'live' Thorpe classics and tributes in their drive program. Well worth the listen and well done GOLD.

27 Feb 2007.Well done to Stereo 974 for keeping radio rumors on their link page for the last three and a half years. At least someone had faith the site would return!

Bungee Jump ad wins siren award

 

A 30 second ad promoting a bungee jump ride, which was recorded live, has won the single and overall categories for round four of this year’s Siren Awards.  The ad, called F...k, was written for the company Bungee West, by Matt Dickson from Nova 93.7 in Perth.

Judges and previous round winners, Ant Keough and Grant Rutherford said the ad won the category because of its simplicity and truth. ‘The Bungee West “F…k” ad, out of all the spots, was the funniest, most insightful and bang on strategy,’ said Grant Rutherford.

Board & Management moves at Pacific Star Network

Pacific Star Network, parent company of Melbourne radio stations 1116 SEN and 1377 3MP has welcomed MR GEORGE BUSCHMAN to the Board of Directors, while MR BARRIE QUICK has been appointed the new title, Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Buschman initially joined Pacific Star as a consultant in November 2005 to oversee the integration of the SEN radio business with that of  3MP and continues to assist the company with strategic advice, programming, and recruitment.

Andrew Moffatt, Chairman Pacific Star Network, said 'With the AFL season approaching, this appointment adds to the strong calibre and experience of the existing Board and provides seasoned radio industry experience to support our continuing push to drive ratings and revenue for the benefit of shareholders.'

Jamie Dunn’s house fire

Hot 91FM breakfast presenter Jamie Dunn returned from a morning walk yesterday to find his house was on fire. While walking up his street he spotted the Fire Engines, Police and ambo's thinking to himself  it was actually his neighbours home that had smoke pouring out of it.

As he got closer he realised it was his house and the fire had been started by his 7 year old daughter who had been playing with matches.

Macquarie Radio holds informal talks

Macquarie Radio Network Ltd says it has had some informal talks with various parties concerning ownership of the company in the past six months.

"There have been some informal discussions with various parties, but not in a way that ever progressed anywhere," Macquarie Radio chairman Max Donnelly told journalists after the release of the company's first half results.

Mr Donnelly said he was not aware of whether the talks involved private equity groups.

"I'm not aware of any discussions (with private equity)," he said. The operator of Sydney radio stations 2GB and 2CH said it had appointed corporate advisers, Baron Partners Ltd, to look into possible corporate transaction opportunities ahead of the introduction of new media ownership laws.

5MMM featured station.

Adelaide's 5MMM is our featured station. Part of the Austereo Triple M network the station was once known as KAFM, following 1179 5KA converting to the FM band. Although the station nearly missed out on being part of the Triple M family with the 5MMM callsign belonging to a local community station at the time of Village Roadshow purchasing the station in 1993.

These days the 5MMM on air team include John Blackman and Jane Riley, Sean Craig Murphy, Tony Martin, Spoonman amongst others http://www.mytriplem.com.au/

SEN sets new calling agenda

Sports radio station 1116 SEN today announced the team to broadcast its first season of AFLfootball.The SEN calling team will be led by some of the most respected names in the game

ANTHONY HUDSON, KEVIN BARTLETT, MATT GRANLAND, ANDREW MAHER, BRUCE EVA and MARK DORAN; DERMOTT BRERETON, BILLY BROWNLESS, TIM WATSON, DAVID SCHWARZ, NATHAN BUCKLEY, GRANT THOMAS, DANIEL HARFORD and LIAM PICKERING.
 The team will also include TIFFANY CHERRY and FRANCIS LEACH, along with MARK READINGS and SCOTT WATTERS in Perth and ANDREW JARMAN in Adelaide.

Fitzy admits to betting

Source Adelaide Confidential

EX-Swans and Crows player Ryan Fitzgerald became the latest player involved in the AFL betting scandal, saying on his Nova 919 breakfast show he had bet on football while playing.

“I’m going to admit to you now – I did it, when I was playing AFL. I bet against other teams. Not the team I was playing for, but I bet.”

Fitzgerald said he didn’t see a problem with players betting, provided it wasn’t on their club.

“Personally I think you can bet on other games, like I said, one player doesn’t change one thing.”

“(But) if you get busted betting on your team or against, especially against your team, that’s when you should be getting the hefty fines.”

The revelation comes on the back of an exclusive story in today’s Advertiser that several leading Crows players may be dragged into the AFL betting scandal.

The AFL is investigating a suspected syndicate wager Adelaide club champion Simon Goodwin made last season.

AFL investigators, led by former Victorian assistant police commissioner Allan Roberts, this week will ask Goodwin if a bet involving thousands of dollars was for a group of current and former Crows players.

If the league can substantiate this suspicion, the AFL betting scandal that has embarrassed four clubs will put several Crows at risk of suspension.

Their concern over the largest bet on Goodwin’s account is whether it was for a long-running syndicate of current and retired Crows players who regularly gamble, particularly on horse racing.

3AW celebrates 75 years

This Sunday 3AW’s Remember When program feature various former presenters to kick off their 75 years of broadcasting celebrations. John Blackman, Muriel Cooper, Mark Day and Derryn Hinch are amongst those who will recall their time at the station.

No doubt a good idea to run a tape over the program just in case there are any surprise snippets.

One wonders if the forgotten post breakfast program, (prior to the arrival of Ross Stevenson and co from 3AK) UPFRONT will be remembered? It was hosted by Barry Everingham, Bill Tuckey and Wanda Kingston and was an attempt to recapture the magic created on air years earlier by Norman Banks, Claudia Wright and Ormsby Wilkins.

Makin it through the night!

This week Paul Makin has been doing weekday mid-dawns on 2UE. Makin has more recently been the summer overnight fill in on rival 2GB.

Austereo says online bucks up

Austereo Group Ltd says its revenue from online areas is increasing and that the broadcaster is in a growth phase in developing content for its websites.

Austereo chief executive Michael Anderson said the commercial radio operator was not currently separating out the percentage of revenue it was earning from online activities.

“Certainly revenues are growing, but we don’t believe it’s appropriate at this point in time to separate (out online revenue),” Mr Anderson said.

Asked when Austereo’s online business would represent a material part of earnings, he said the company would prefer to discuss that at its annual results.

“We are in a growth phase in terms of developing content for our sites,” Mr Anderson said.

“As that unfolds, and as the business plan is developed with that in mind, we’ll be more clearly able to articulate … that trigger point in time.”

He said the company had recently relaunched a site for the Today Network, and expected to relaunch the Triple M network site midway through this year.

It is also close to finalising an agreement with Fairfax.

Earlier, Austereo said it had developed cross-platform campaigns for a range of clients that combined the company’s radio brands with its online sites and podcast offerings.

The owner of Sydney’s 2Day FM and Fox FM in Melbourne revealed a 0.3 per cent dip in first half net profit to $26.85 million.

But earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) from continuing operations climbed 4.3 per cent to $45.05 million.

Ratings on the doorstep

This coming Tuesday the first radio survey for 2007 will be released. As usual we will have the results online sometime after 10am. Perth will follow later in the Morning. (EST)

New radio licence for Canberra

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has allocated a transmitter licence to ANC International Holdings Pty Ltd to provide a high powered open narrowcasting radio service in Canberra, ACT. The proposed service will operate on 1323 kHz on the AM band.

ANC International Holdings Pty Ltd bid $200,000 at an auction on 8 December 2006 after four applications were received for the licence.

‘The people of Canberra can look forward to the introduction of an additional open narrowcasting radio service in the near future,’ said Mr Giles Tanner , General Manager of ACMA’s Inputs to Industry Division.

ANC International Holdings Pty Ltd has paid the full amount owing for the licence after completing a form of acknowledgment which sets out the rights and obligations of the applicant in relation to the licence.

ANC International Holdings Pty Ltd must commence the new service by 21 June 2007, or such longer period of time as approved in writing by ACMA.

Marty and Fifi at Mardi Gra

Sydney’s Triple M breakfast hosts Fifi Box and Marty Sheargold will ride on their very own float at the upcoming Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gra next month.

Big month of birthdays

This month sees 3AW celebrate 75 years of broadcasting along with 2CH. Former Melbourne station 3DB would have reached the magical 80 year milestone on the 19th of February. Of course the licence of 3DB is still broadcasting today as MIX 101.1 (3TT FM) although it is highly unlikely MIX will acknowledge the event.

APN toasts $6.10 a share offer

From The Age today they report the latest developments surrounding the buyout of APN ( AUSTRALIAN RADIO NETWORK) by Independent News & Media. Full story follows:

VINTAGE director Ted Harris had time for one champagne on Sunday night to celebrate the increased offer he secured for APN News & Media, before hurrying home to watch the cricket.

But APN’s deputy chairman and head of the independent committee assessing the $3.8 billion bid from a consortium led by its major shareholder, Independent News & Media, may have popped the cork too soon.

John Sevior, head of equities at Perpetual Investments, which owns almost 15 per cent of APN, believes the revised $6.10-a-share offer is too low.

“On the basis of what’s out there, I don’t think the independent directors have done a flash job for shareholders,” Mr Sevior told The Age.

“This is a bid for full control of the company and (the consortium) are not paying a price that reflects that, especially given APN’s earnings profile.”

Mr Harris, for his part, believes he has secured a good price. He is quick to point out that before the consortium first approached the company last October, its shares were trading at $5.43.

Twice during the week he rebuffed the consortium, which is made up of Independent, Providence Equity Partners and Carlyle Group, before finally agreeing to recommend an offer of $6.10 a share over the weekend. (He rejected two offers of $6.05 and $6.08 on Tuesday and Wednesday.) After the second rebuff, he says the negotiations, which were being led on the other side by Tony O’Reilly’s son Gavin, almost broke down.

“My principle concern is that shareholders understand, if this offer is not voted by shareholders as acceptable, the price will fall away appreciably,” Mr Harris said yesterday.

Shares in APN closed down 7¢ at $5.98 yesterday as investors do believe there is a risk the offer will not pass a shareholder vote.

Under the proposed deal, Independent would reduce its holding in APN from more than 40 per cent to 35 per cent, taking up to $600 million off the table. Providence and Carlyle would own 37.5 per cent and 27.5 per cent respectively. The management team, including chief executive Brendan Hopkins, would be retained. Mr Harris said there had been no discussion of the make-up of the new board.

APN has agreed to pay the consortium a break fee of $27.5 million if it recommends or solicits another offer. But that is unlikely, as Independent has indicated it will not sell its shares into another offer.

APN publishes 24 daily newspapers including The New Zealand Herald and more than 90 non-daily titles.

It also owns 12 metropolitan radio stations in Australia, broadcasting the Mix and Classic Hits networks.

The company, which reports its results next week, said it estimated its 2006 earnings before interest, tax and depreciation would be $348 million, although that figure is unaudited.

2CH 75 candles

This week Sydney’s 2CH  will celebrate 75 years of broadcasting. The station which has a long connection to the Council of Churches first went to air in February 1932. The station derived their name from Church (2CH) In 1989 2CH was sold by the Churches to businessman John Singleton who has allowed them  to continue to have an imput to the station. 2CH is sister ststion to 2GB

In 2007 2CH is an easy listening format and boasts the legendary Bob Rogers amongst their on air talent. Happy birthday ‘2CH and here is to the next 75 yeears.

2007 Siren Awards

The winner of the 2007 Siren Awards for creative excellence in radio advertising will be announced at a gala breakfast in Melbourne on May 4 featuring renowned Australian comedy duo and top-rating radio personalities, Hamish and Andy.

Hamish and Andy, who began their careers on radio in Melbourne at Fox FM, now host a nationally syndicated drive time show on the Today Network. The duo will host the breakfast and also speak at the Sirens Masterclass, a creative seminar directly following the breakfast.

The Masterclass will also feature Dr Rebecca Huntley, a researcher and author with ten years experience in publishing, academia and politics, who recently published a book, The World According to Y: Inside the New Adult Generation. Huntley, who is also the Director of Research and author of the Ipsos Mackay Report, will talk about Generation Y and how to engage them.

Cannes Radio Lions judge for this year and creator of the award-winning Australian radio brand campaign, Ralph van Dijk of Eardrum Australia, will also talk at the Masterclass and run several interactive sessions on how to write world-class radio ads.  More high-profile speakers will be announced soon.

Chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner, said the annual Sirens breakfast and Masterclass provided a great opportunity to recognise the excellence in Australian radio advertising and also look at ways to further improve it.

As an industry we have tried to be creative in our own advertising campaign – recently launching the latest series of ads which feature one of the world’s funniest men, John Cleese. It is important to keep looking at radio creative, recognise its strengths and also focus on ways to keep improving it, Ms Warner said.

The winner of the 2007 Siren Awards will be chosen from the winners and highly commended of the five rounds of the Awards and will be judged by the Siren Creative Council - comprising leading creative directors from national advertising agencies. The 2007 winner will be automatically entered into the Cannes Radio Lions – to be held in June and will also win two tickets to attend the festival.

Last year’s Gold Siren Award winner was an ad for Bic Pens called Chicken Inseminator. The   advertisement, written by John Mescall, Rebecca Newman and Malcolm Chambers from Smart advertising agency in Melbourne, used comedy to promote the importance of using a failsafe pen. The same ad also won a Silver Siren for winning the overall single category.

Both the Sirens breakfast and Masterclass will be held at The Point Albert Park in Melbourne. Commercial Radio Australia is running the event in association with the Melbourne Advertising and Design Club (MACD). The breakfast will run from 7.30am to 9.30am and the Masterclass will follow the breakfast and includes lunch. Tickets are on sale now at $395 for the breakfast and Masterclass combined and $60 for breakfast only. An early bird discounted rate of $350 is available for those members of Commercial Radio Australia and MADC who book and pay before Thursday April 5. For a booking form and more information visit the Sirens website.

Triple j songwriter search

Australian singer Missy Higgins was discovered through triple j’s unearthed competition and now the youth radio station is looking for unsigned songwriters for a new contest.

The station has launched the Flesh It Out Unsigned Songwriter competition, following triple j’s success at exposing a plethora of talented musicians since the unearthed program began in 1995.

In the past triple j’s unearthed competition has unveiled some of Australia’s greatest solo artists and bands including Grinspoon, the Sick Puppies and Killing Heidi, plus six time ARIA award winner Higgins.

The Flesh It Out competition hopes to uncover some of Australia’s best solo or duo songwriters.

The winner of this latest initiative will be invited to attend a special music event, the Fuse Festival in Adelaide in March, to showcase their skills to industry experts, as well as have their song recorded.

They will also embark on an intimate workshop led by three of Australia’s top songwriters including Rob Hirst and Jim Moginie of legendary Aussie band Midnight Oil.

Aspiring songwriters should upload their chosen piece of music to triplejunearthed.com by midnight February 25.

The winner will be announced on March 7

Nova’s Kate, it’s a boy

Nova’s Kate Langbroek gave birth to a healthy baby boy last Saturday. Art Honore Langbroek Lewis weighed in at just over 8lb, with mother and bub doing fine. Former 2DAY FM/ FOX (Judith Lucy show etc) presenter Peter Helliar is now part of the breakfast team sitting along side Dave Huges.

Burgo back on TV

3MP breakfast presenter John Burgess popped up on Channel 7 presenting the Mid week Tattslotto draw this week. While on the subject of Burgo, it was reported this week that he still has the desire to return to TV to present a game show.

Lehmo joins Wil on drive

As previously suggested here SA FM’s Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann will join Wil Anderson on the new Triple M drive set to launch this April. Lehmo currently presents breakfast on SA FM. (Milly, Lehmo and Louie)

Siriusly Sinatra, no seriously!

SIRIUS Satellite Radio will work with Frank Sinatra Enterprises to create a new radio channel dedicated to the music, time and spirit of Frank Sinatra.”Siriusly Sinatra”, a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, commercial-free channel, will air recordings covering Sinatra’s entire career, as well as other artists from the big band, swing and traditional pop genres.

In addition to featuring regular segments of Sinatra music, “Siriusly Sinatra” will also feature a weekly show hosted by Nancy Sinatra featuring rare live concert performances and special archived material.

SIRIUS and the Sinatra family will create “The Chairman’s Hour”, a show hosted by the deceased Sinatra himself - made possible by editing existing recordings of Sinatra’s spoken word and music.

The channel was unveiled today but the satellite radio service did not announced an official launch date.

While alive, Frank Sinatra received 13 GRAMMY® awards and holds the distinction of singing on the first Billboard No. 1 single, “I’ll Never Smile Again” from 1940 which sold 900,000 copies.

(Corey Deitz - Portions From a SIRIUS Satellite News Release)

Leach to run home!

Sports radio station 1116 SEN today announced respected broadcaster FRANCIS LEACH will return to host the station’s popular drive program, ‘The Run Home’. Leach will join former Melbourne champion and football commentator DAVID SCHWARZ from 4-7pm weekdays, commencing MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19. Leach, who was part of the original SEN team in 2004, has almost twenty years experience in radio with various roles at the ABC and more recently Vega. A self-confessed football tragic, Francis has spent a lifetime passionately following local and international sport.

ANTHONY HUDSON who has successfully hosted the program for the past three years, will now focus on heading up SEN’s football calling team and assisting the station with development and strategy as it embarkson its AFL match coverage. Barrie Quick, Chief Executive Officer, Radio SEN and 3MP said the station looks forward to Francis’ return.“Francis has always been held in high regard by everyone at 1116 SEN and we’re thrilled to have him back. Francis is an intelligent and instinctive broadcaster and his warm personality will be the perfect complement to David Scwharz’s enthusiastic style. We are excited at the pairing and look forward to seeing their on-air relationship evolve on ‘The Run Home’.
Leach is delighted at the prospect of returning to SEN and its all-sport format, “As a clinically-diagnosed ‘footy tragic’, my complete lack of on-field ability means that a professional playing career is out of the question. However, Radio SEN, with its unrivalled commitment to all things sport offers me the next best thing: if I can’tplay footy, at least I can bang on about it every afternoon with one of the game’s best. It’s no secret I’ve admired the work of David Schwarz over the years; and even though I couldn’t match him toe-to-toe on the paddock, the studio is a level playing field!”

Mr Quick also thanked Anthony Hudson for his work on the program. “Anthony has contributed immeasurably to the success of the drive program and the overall station. His extensive media experience and AFL knowledge will be a significant benefit in the execution of the station’s AFL broadcast strategy. With the addition of Francis to the team, SEN is in a great position to capitalise on our growing success. ”Having secured AFL broadcast rights for the next three years, and as Melbourne’s only 24-hour sports radio station, SEN is enjoying solid revenue growth and a reputation as the most well-credentialed sports station in Melbourne.

 With an already extensive catalogue of VFL, A-League Soccer, Basketball and Rugby League coverage and some of the country’s most respected on-air talent, SEN is well placed as it undertakes what will undoubtedly be its most rewarding year to date.

THE NEW RADIO 1116 SEN DAILY LINE-UP:6-9am Morning Glory with TIM WATSON, BILLY BROWNLESS & ANDREW MAHER 9am-12noonHungry for Sport with KEVIN BARTLETT 12-4pm The Good Oil with MARK DORAN 4-7pmThe Run Home with FRANCIS LEACH & DAVID SCHWARZ7-11pm (Mon-Thur) Beva After Dark with BRUCE EVA 11-12 The Day in Sport with MATT THOMPSON 12-6am World Sport Overnight with TONY SCHIBECI

Classic top 40 just Magic!

Magic 1278 is now presenting the Classic Top 40 each weeknight between 7.00pm and 10.00pm. Presented by Peter Van (Bill Howie has retired from Magic evenings) it is refreshing to hear the ‘radio hits’ once again.

Leach back at 1116 SEN

Francis Leach has returned to 1116 SEN and will co-host drive (The Run Home) with David Schwarz. Leach left SEN joining Vega FM when they launched but the love of sport (read AFL) has lured him back. 

Day on Simson Sale

The Australian’s Mark Day gives an honest spin on the details surrounding the sale of Stuart Simson’s five easy listening radio stations. Read the entire story

FORMER Productivity Commissioner Stuart Simson has sold his five regional radio stations ahead of a report from the Australian Communications and Media Authority on the legality of his ownership.
Simson’s Elmie Investments purchased the stations in Cairns, Mackay, Bendigo, Mildura and Bunbury in 2005 after Macquarie Regional Radioworks, an arm of Macquarie Bank, bought the regional operations of Bermuda-based billionaire Reg Grundy’s RGC Radio.
MRR had earlier bought the regional operations of DMG Radio, and the RGC acquisition meant it was in potential breach of the “two stations to a market” rule in the five markets.

The stations were originally owned by AMI Radio, formerly associated with Griffith radio and TV identity Ray Gamble.

The ACMA inquiry, announced in February last year, was aimed at probing possible breaches of ownership rules relating to the control of the licences.

It is understood Elmie had a $9 million funding arrangement with ANZ, secured by a guarantee from a Macquarie Bank subsidiary.

ACMA’s terms of reference called for an investigation into whether Macquarie Bank or any of its subsidiaries or any other related person or associate was in a position to exercise control of the Elmie licences.

It also asked whether any offences had been committed in relation to the Elmie licences, whether Elmie remained a suitable licensee and what action, if any, should be taken as a result of ACMA’s findings.

It is understood the inquiry, conducted by ACMA staff, was completed late last year and findings unfavourable to Elmie and Macquarie Bank were made in a draft report prepared for ACMA members to consider.

And in what ACMA described as “following the requirements of natural justice”, a copy of the draft report was given to Elmie’s legal representatives.

Reports circulated last week that Mr Simson was endeavouring to sell his stations and although he refused to comment, he did say he had not seen the ACMA report. On Thursday, Prime TV announced it had bought 4EL Cairns and 4AA Mackay for an undisclosed sum.

This purchase is not conditional on media cross-ownership laws changing.

Prime does not broadcast in far north Queensland.

Janet Cameron’s Grant Broadcasters picked up 3CV in central Victoria and 3MA Mildura, to add to her existing Victorian holdings in Ballarat and Geelong.

She now controls 21 licences, making her the third largest regional operator in the nation, after MRR and Bill Caralis’s Superstation network of 32 signals in NSW and Queensland.
West Australian Newspapers bought 6EL Bunbury to add to its Red FM and Sprit FM holdings, which broadcast to regional Western Australia.

The sales end Mr Simson’s brief career as a media owner.

A former managing director of The Age and member of the Productivity Commission’s far-sighted 1999 broadcasting review, he resigned as chairman of advertising company Emitch to take on his radio ownership role.

He was bitterly critical of last year’s media reforms, saying their effects fell unfairly on regional radio.

Mr Simson denied the sales were related to the ACMA report.

“It was a commercially sensible thing to do and had nothing to do with ACMA,” he said.

He would not say if he had sold the stations at a profit or loss.

Source The Australian

Wogan is no Bogan

BBC Radio 2 breakfast presenter Sir Terry Wogan has been honoured in his home city of Limerick with a lifetime achievement award from the Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.68 year old Wogan began his career on RTE as well as hosting chat programmes for the BBC, the voice of the Eurovision Song Contest, hosting Children in Need every year, his popular Radio 2 breakfast show and recently receiving a knighthood from the Queen.

Mckew mirrors Delahuntly

ABC radio presenter Virginia Trioli will replace political aspirant Maxine McKew as the Friday night host on ABC TV’s Lateline program. Mckew has joined the Labor party and is expected to be fasttracked into a safe seat prior to the next  federal election.

3AW and Magic join appeal

Southern Cross radio stations 3AW and Magic 1278 are now the official partners of  The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal along with Channel 7 Melbourne and The Herald Sun. 3AW and Magic replace Mix 101.1 (born out of 3DB) who have had a connection to the traditional Good Friday Appeal dating back to 1942. This years appeal is on April 6.

 

 

Ouch! parting words

More than a few raised eyebrowls after a departing regional announcer delivered a verbal spray as to what he thought of the station and company he had been working for! Hope it won’t back fire on him at his new gig. Word is the audio might already be doing the rounds.

Dermie back on SEN

Dermott Brereton will be part of 1116 SEN’s AFL coverage when it kicks off this year. Dermie was part of the original on air team when SEN launched on the 19th of January 2004 but quit the station to join Triple M over a pay dispute with the former owners of SEN. He has parted company with Triple M where he also co-hosted Dead Set Legends, a Saturday morning sports show.

Zemanek’s Beast is back

(Source Sunday Telegraph)

Despite an ongoing struggle with a debilitating form of brain cancer, former radio shock-jock Stan Zemanek has not lost his fighting spirit.

Returning to the public forum today with a new series of the TV panel show Beauty And The Beast, Zemanek has vowed to maintain the opinionated outbursts that have punctuated his career and led to the program’s success.

“When we recorded the first show, everyone was on tenterhooks and worried about how the audience would react to me and how I would react to them just tiptoeing around me,'’ Zemanek told The Sunday Telegraph.

“After the first segment, I thought this isn’t right, and so during the second segment I just gave it to them with both barrels and you could see their faces light up. They knew then they could have a go at me and not worry about it.'’

Zemanek was diagnosed and subsequently operated on for an aggressive brain tumour last May.

In December, he ended his radio commitments with 2UE, after 17 years hosting his own nightly program.

At the time, Zemanek said he was hanging up his microphone to concentrate on his health and to spend time with his wife, Marcella, and his family.

While the nightly radio slot proved too difficult during cancer treatment, Zemanek said his return to television had proved the best form of therapy.

“Doing the program has been really good for me,'’ Zemanek said. “The doctor said I could go one of two ways: either I put my feet up for six months and hope to get through it, or to do what I’ve been doing all my life, which is working hard.

“I’m not working the 16 hours a day that I was working before but, by doing the show, I’m concentrating and doing something I love, allowing me to forget about everything else.

“I forget about questioning whether I’ll live tomorrow and die the next day.'’

Despite their often volatile on-screen relationship, Zemanek’s Beauty And The Beast colleagues, Jeanne Little and Prue MacSween, welcomed his return.

“There is no show without Stan,'’ Little said.

1071am and 1467am in new hands

Like their sister stations across the country, in Perth and Qld, 1071 (the former 3CV) and 1467 (once the frequency of 3MA)  have been sold by Elmie Investments Pty Ltd. The Victorian licences have been bought by Grant Broadcasters. This deal will see Grant’s coverage across regional Victoria increase with a foothold via 1071 into the Bendigo market. The Mildura station known as 3ML has enormous potential for Grant’s regional activities.

Red dusting off the gong

ABC 774 breakfast presenter Red Symons will be a judge on the new Seven network program ‘Australia’s Got Talent’. Red is no stranger to being a judge on a talent show having cut the mustard on long running Hey Hey It’s Saturday segment Red Faces.

Red said today ‘It will be a refreshing change to do a talent show that is genuinely looking for excellence, rather than enduring a group of guys who are on a dare from their mates at the pub!’
‘It’s not like I haven’t done this sort of thing before. It’s just like falling off a horse, shooting it and turning it into glue’

Australia’s Got Talent will search for the freshest undiscovered talent in the country and will be hosted by Grant Denyer.

58 years over and out

You may not think being host of a Polka music show on Radio is that important, but, sometimes, people just deserve a little credit. From playfuls.com: “Bronislaw Hudela, host of a weekly New York-area radio program since 1948, has died at 88 after an illness, his family said. Hudela had hosted ‘Polkatime Sunday’ on radio station WKNY-AM in Kingston, N.Y., since April 1948, The (Kingston) Daily Freeman reported Tuesday… His lively program, in which he read all the commercials himself, is believed to be one of the longest-running programs with the same host in U.S. radio history…”

Source Corey Deitz

Prime buys 4EL & 4AA

Prime Television has bought two new radio stations in Cairns and Mackay from Elmie Investments Pty Ltd. Prime chief executive Warwick Syphers said the acquisition of the two  Easy Listening stations - 4EL AM846 in Cairns, and 4AA Radio Ten26 in Mackay - was part of a long term strategy to develop the broadcaster’s regional business in high growth markets.

The two stations were once part of the Easy Listening Network