Up to 50 jobs to go amid efficiencies in newly merged Macquarie and Fairfax Radio operation
Tate
The merger of Macquarie Radio Network and the Fairfax Radio network could see as many 50 jobs cut, with 2UE’s news broadcasts to cease as early as next week with the loss of 11 staff.
Staff at the newly merged entity were advised of the changes in a conference call yesterday by chairman Russell Tate, while Mumbrella understands Sydney station 2UE will cease broadcasting a separate news bulletin as early as next Thursday as its newsroom begins to merge with the 2GB newsroom, with redundancies coming from both sides.
Macquarie Radio Network (ASX: MRN) today refused to comment on the redundancies but it is understood that across sales at Radio 2UE and Radio 2GB 22 jobs will go, with another 15 or so jobs to be made redundant due to wider efficiencies such as back of house and finance, and the networking of programs.
Grant Broadcasters/Capital Radio would be the logical buyer of 2CH and they could incorporate it into their 2CA and 6IX Good Time Oldies stations.
Always sad to see more news jobs disappearing.
If 2CH is sold, let’s hope Grant Broadcasters buys it and not Clubs NSW, otherwise it will end up being another sports & talkback station. 2CH is only dedicated music station left on the AM band.
The smart money would be to have Grant, SCR et al buy the stations and finally offer a truly competitive progressive talkback alternative. Something the much neglected listeners has been denied for decades. But then, when have Oz radio owners ever made ‘smart’ decisions?
No real surprises, just new to radio, after the rest of the business world undertook it 20 years ago
And what’s the bet it’s the older staff who go, eh Tate?
“Progressive talkback alternative”, eh?
Like Air America, which went to the wall despite lacking a taxpayer-supported national broadcaster for competition.
Do that here and the ABC will eat your lunch, just as it it is doing to Fairfax, The Guardian and any other outfit trying to turn a dollar by preaching anti-market piffle to the community radio choir.
Actually, come to think of it, the ABC would probably like some left-canted, private-sector competition. it would be a dating agency for Aunty’s singles: Marry me and I’ll get you a job in the fact-check unit.