Macquarie/Fairfax Radio merger described as ‘hostile takeover’ as 2UE axes Angela Catterns
Radio 2UE has dumped its afternoon presenter Angela Catterns as the newly merged management of Macquarie and Fairfax Radio seeks out cost savings and efficiencies from restructuring its operations.
Veteran presenter Catterns is understood to have been told of her axing minutes after coming off-air yesterday, tweeting shortly after: “Today was my last day @NewsTalk2UE – casualty of ‘merger’ w Macquarie. Sorry I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to loyal listeners!”
The Australian is also reporting that at Brisbane talk station 4BC chief operating officer of the merged Macquarie Radio Adam Lang is talking to staff about a major shake up with a number of key presenters including breakfast hosts Ian Skippen and Loretta Ryan mornings presenter Patrick Condren losing their jobs.
The axings comes on the back of Thursday closure of the Radio 2UE newsroom, after more than 90 years, with around a dozen reporters, including high profile breakfast newsreader Steve Blanda, being made redundant.
I guess the ratings of 2GB and 2UE made that assessment easy.
I am a 2UE listener and can report no adverse effects of having to listen to 2GB news reports – apart from the fact that I now love Tony Abbott.
Get ready for the news according to Singleton, Hadley and Jones.
I am very disappointed that Angela Catterns has gone. I don’t know one person who didn’t love her show.
I don’t mind Stuart Bocking or Justin Smith, but don’t want extended hours with them. May have to re-think what I listen to now. If I wanted to listen to Jones and Hadley I would tune into 2GB. Not keen on listening to their views via 2UE.
Sad to see Angela go. 2UE back to being an all-boys club.
Noticed numerous plugs for Newscorp by several 2GB presenters in recent times. Why go out of their way to promote the competition?
Why, unless it was voluntary, would you get rid of Steve Blanda? Madness.
Janine,
Here is one that didn’t “love” Angela.
I thought she was always very poorly prepared for interviews she did. “I did not know that” was her catch cry.
Sad news for the 178 people in Sydney who listen to 2ue. Now the collaroy retirement village will have to switch stations
Why would 2ue get rid of Angela Catterns – one of the best people, male or female in the radio world. What a mistake you have made.
Mumbrella is yet to report on the carnage today (Monday) at Magic 1278 in Melbourne.
Sad to see the only female daytime announcer amongst both UE/GB get the bullet. This is obviously a business decision, however Angela brought something to commercial radio apart from her gender.
Angela gone! It was lovely to have someone on air who was not aggressive and self important. It was so relaxing listening to her. I won’t be listening to either 2UE or 2GB. The adds were driving me mad anyway.
Back to the ABC!
angela a class act not a nagging shock jock
What the hell is going on.
Doesnt the management know that most of the listeners,especially the older ones dont like CHANGE.
Dont bother putting ads on because i wont be buying any of it
Maybe the management should go
Stuart Bocking is a star broadcaster, nice guy, honest, but sponsored by a law firm? Big big turnoff….
Spiro, you said everything that I was thinking. The presenters are great but just as you get to know them and start to develop a relationship with their broadcasting style they get the chop in the most unceremonious manner. You’re 100% correct Spiro, the management who makes these crazy decisions needs to be sorted out and quick!
Not happy with Angela leaving. Used to wait for her Column 8 discussion.
I was surprised not to hear Angela’s cheery voice on 2UE this afternoon. So disappointed that I won’t be able to listen to someone who was actually worth listening to. I definitely will be switching off the Macquarie network.
Wtf is 2UE thinking ?
2GB and 2UE are both painful to listen to. Catterns at least was informative, inquisitive and humorous. She wasn’t bombastic like her aggressive colleagues.
thanx Vicki
You said it a lot better than me.
Im just a dumb arse truckie.
Listeners like to stick with presenters,so if presenters go to another station,some listeners will go to.So what management has been doing in the last couple of years is actually making it worse for there ratings,not better
Totally agree with both of you, Spiro and Vicki.
I thought the lineup of presenters that 2ue had from 5am till midnight, was the most balanced and non bullying that I have seen.
Angela showed great empathy for people, something that this world needs a lot more of!
Pity the management didn’t show her the same!!
And don’t forget what happened to ALL the newsroom staff! Disgraceful!
Now I wait to see what else, the deal with the mad right wingers from 2GB will bring.
Very sad to see Angela axed in this take over but jobs kept for the boys. Sexism is alive and well…..not good at all.
While I’m very disappointed in the axing of 2ue news room ( the political reporters are leaps and bounds above the 2gb reporters ) Angela’s show was very lightweight, she wasn’t across her issues and I feel she needed a co presenter to liven the show up ( like when she teamed up with Wendy harmer ).
Angela was ok, but she needed to know when to stop giggling.
I remember this particular instance, she was interviewing an older guy, I think he was a veteran – he was clearly struggling due to health/mental illness, instead of respecting his situation and politely turning the interview down, Angela pushed on and on, then giggled him away before the interview faded to grey.
I am very sorry to see all those wonderful people go, especially Angela catterns. I Ithink Stuart Bocking is THE No. 1 of any station, much better than Alan Jones. He is so articulate and a joy to listen to. I wish he could teach some of the lady news readers some elocution – one in particular – they are not the best. Why on earth did Steve Blanda have to go? The only turnoff for me is the boring evening session on 2ue.
What a terrible shock to see all these wonderful people go, especially Angela catterns.
I think Stuart Bocking is the no. 1 of any station, he is so eloquent and well-informed, easy to listen to. It would be a blessing if he could give some of the lady newsreaders a lesson in elocution – one in particular! I can’t understand why Steve Blanda has to go.
Best of luck to all.
So very sad that Steve Blanda will no longer be heard reading the news……Good luck Steve in what ever you do in the future…..
Let’s hope the arrogance, bias and bile of 2GB’s Jones, Hadley & loyal disciple of both, Chris Smith, isn’t spewed over a moderate 2UE audience. Bring back Mike Carlton, the best in the business!
I will not be listening again to 2ue. With Angela Catterns gone there is no reason to listen so it’s back to 702 for me.
Stevo (13/04/2015) – What a dope! – I feel sorry for the 178 people you mentioned who will now be “brain-washed” by the garbage as mentioned by Lee Craddock (17/04/2015) – Lee you forgot Ben Fordham!
2UE was once a radio-active radio powerhouse. So sad management has driven it into the ground through a torrent of bad decisions. Management should have been axed a long time ago.
Just came home from holidays and can’t believe Steve Blanda won’t be reading the news any more. He was the best news presenter anywhere
Stuart Bocking and Justin smith are the best presenters on 2ue. Also of course George and Paul on weekends. Without them 2ue wouldn’t be worth listening to.
Where is Steve blanda now?