‘WTAF?’: Confusion surrounds sacking of popular radio presenters
A number of high-profile and popular radio presenters across Australia have been axed this week, which has been met with confusion and anger by listeners.
On Thursday morning, ABC Sydney’s Mornings presenter, Sarah Macdonald, made the shock announcement that the national broadcaster “decided not to renew my contract”; a decision which fans and fellow ABC host, Media Watch’s Paul Barry slammed.
“I can’t believe this,” Barry tweeted this week.
“IMHO she’s brilliant, one of the best things on radio. WTAF?”
Sarah Macdonald
Meanwhile over at Southern Cross Austereo, The Daily Telegraph has reported that beloved long-running Triple M host, Mark Geyer, has been dumped from his Sydney breakfast show this week. While the NRL legend is yet to publicly comment on the reports, he updated his employment status on Facebook on Thursday to “former locutor at Triple M Sydney 104.9”.
SCA declined to comment when contacted by Mumbrella this week.
The news comes just weeks after Geyer’s breakfast host, Mick Molly, confirmed he would be heading back to Melbourne breakfast in 2025, however, Geyer’s future on the network was not addressed at the time.
The Triple M social media handles have been littered with comments from fans asking about Geyer’s status, given that no public comment has been made.
Geyer first joined Triple M full time in 2009, when he fronted The Grill Team breakfast show, alongside Matty Johns and Gus Worland, who also announced last month that he would be leaving the network at the end of the year.
Mark Geyer
At ARN, KIIS presenter, Mitch Churi, also announced that he would be departing on air this week.
“So late last week, I was informed by the powers that be – they have identified my roles and roles that won’t be returning in 2025,” Churi said during The Night Show broadcast.
“So I just want to say that it wasn’t my decision. It wasn’t my call… and I wanted to stay on the night show and I wanted to stay at ARN and KIIS.”
Hughesy, Ed and Erin
The movements are the latest in a number of notable names revealing big announcements, which include the retirement of Ray Hadley and John Laws, as well as the departure of popular 6PR Perth hosts, Julie-ann Sprague and Tod Johnston.
Earlier this year, 2DayFM breakfast show, Hughesy, Ed and Erin, was abruptly ended mid-week, after four years in the slot, which SCA CEO, John Kelly, confirmed to Mumbrella was a network decision.
Related Content
SUBSCRIBE
Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.
thats alot of Gen Xers moved on and a couple of boomers retiring
the great reset. Pop Radio with music content needs to have more current voices on it.
Dave Hughes introducing Chappel Roan, Mark Geyer and Mick Molloy introducing anything other than pearl Jam…
every 10 years or so SCA stations etc try to modernise and appeal to younger audiences stealing from triple j etc (myf, merrick, rosso, kate langbroek etc). then they age out. rinse and repeat
At 89, John Laws is nearly a decade older than the oldest boomer.
Triple m powers that be are so obviously full of sh*t.
[Edited]
Might actually start listening to Triple M breakfast again
Have turned off to another station. Loved the 4pm drive home in adelaide now it’s gone so am I
Mick Molloy was never a good fit for Sydney.
Mark Guyer peaked soon after Matt Johns departed. A good bloke though.