Someone should launch a radio station with all the recently dumped ABC talent
“Change is never easy,” the ABC’s audio boss, Ben Latimer, said late last month as the broadcaster put some of its most talented and beloved radio personalities out to pasture.
The ABC’s recent decision to either reduce or remove a number of key broadcaster roles at its radio network “reflect[s] the need to revitalise our programming and bring a renewed mix of voices and perspectives” according to Latimer, who feels that “relying solely on what we’ve always done won’t help us connect with the new audiences we need.”
The ABC seems obsessed with connecting with a new audience.
Ignorant, ageist & paranoid!
Great idea, Nathan! What should we call it? How about Blue Rinse FM—cornering the over-75 demographic!
So Nathan Jolly.. you didn’t even give we Radeladians a thought. “SOMEONE” has been fiddling down here as well.
There are a bazillion radio for THE YOUNG ONE’S!!! I have been listening to MY LOCAL ABC since the early 80’s… I used to love my radio. Even purchased digital radios so that I wouldn’t have to listen to sport. Had one going in 3 rooms of my house.
I’m 80… I don’t want to listen to “children” who have little knowledge of history, with terrible voices and little ability to pronounce and enunciate and really bad grammar.
I also don’t want to hear a lot of music. This also can be heard on many stations that are specifically designed for younger listeners.
I want to continue to be educated and kept up to date about world affairs and hear what other 891 listeners have to say. Most have educated comments that are interesting. I don’t want to hear presenters from the Eat Coast. They truly don’t give a stuff about us and are ignorant about anywhere much else that their Capital Cities
I want to hear information about MY LOCAL STATE and Capital city ADELAIDE!!
I DON’T WANT TO LISTEN TO THE “OTHER” ADELAIDE COMMERCIAL TALK BACKK STATIONS…THEY ARE AWFUL!
So YES!! PLEASE SOMEONE SET UP A RADIO STATION THAT CATERS FOR THOSE OF US WHO THE ABC USED TO CATER FOR!!
Let’s call it disrupt radio, oh wait, no audience listened
What a shame Mumbrella doesn’t provide a ‘thumb down’ for readers to call out ignorant and ageist comments such as “Don’t think so” posted above. No, I’m not a member of that demographic – I’m 28 years old and a keen ad-free ABC listener.
Surely, sacking reliable workers for younger, cheaper replacements is discriminatory? It appears ageism is now part of recruitment policy at our national broadcaster. Doesn’t ABC’s Triple J already cater to younger audiences?
Great idea, Nathan! What should we call it? How about Blue Rinse FM—cornering the over-75 demographic!
Well, Mr Williams did work for News Corp….history repeating itself.
What a joke! Any and all former tax payer funded employees of the ABC should be retired permanently without any further payments from the public trough!
Who listens to radio anymore apart from taxi drivers waiting at RSL clubs with long socks and tiny shorts?
Enjoy your weekend! How long ago did Nathan write this? It’s Tuesday! Who says enjoy your weekend on a Tuesday?
Hi Ben, as per the date at the top of the piece, you can see this was published on Saturday morning. Hope that clarifies.
Thanks, Lauren – Mumbrella
There’s been zero discussion about putting ads on the ABC, so your handwringing is ridiculous.
Disrupt had an innovative format, in addition to using talent like Libbi Gorr. It turned out not enough listeners both knew the station existed and liked the format.
The idea of the ABC “going younger” is admirable. If it wants a music station with an older listenership than Triple J, there is Double J to invest in. If it wants a talk station that’s strong in the 30-50 age group, it could do what the commercial stations do and add more breakfast and drive talk to that station. It might also organise some metro FM licences for it.
A 40-65 year old targeted ABC Local Radio, instead of the 65+ focused one we have now could do more good for a greater number in Melbourne and Sydney where 3AW and 2GB are very strong, but would likely be a backward step in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
As much as I like NewsRadio and RN the way they are, each might be a better platform for creating a new national talk network for 40-65 year olds.