The start of summer signals the end of the GfK regular radio surveys which means radio holidays start for many. While TV finished its official OzTAM survey a week ago, radio ratings end this weekend.
Ending today are many of the biggest FM shows around Australia as teams start their radio holidays.
Gold 104.3’s The Christian O’Connell Show went out with a memorable live performance with Gold’s Huggy channelling Rick Springfield in front of a crowd going crazy at the London Tavern in Richmond. During the show Christian O’Connell gave one lucky listener a trip to London to see Abba next year. Before the last show of the year ended O’Connell praised his co-hosts Jack Post (“the world’s greatest sidekick”) and Patrina Jones (“our secret weapon”).
Gold’s Jack Post and Christian O’Connell
Things were a little more restrained at Sydney’s ARN HQ that is the home to Kyle and Jackie O, Jonesy and Amanda plus Mike E and Emma. Jackie Henderson was shocked to realise this was the end of their eighth year at their “new” radio home. Remembering the year they switched from SCA or ARN, Sandilands recalled how it had “destroyed the careers of some so-called radio experts”. Later in the show Sandilands helped Santa take calls from listeners, an annual fixture on the KIIS calendar.
Jonesy and Amanda ended their year with a highlight reel and news they will have a fortnightly podcast dropping twice a week until they return in January.
Team Jonesy and Amanda earlier in 2021
WSFM’s Ugly Phil O’Neil will be hosting summer breakfast Live, playing some best bits of Jonesy and Amanda from 2021, and pulling Jonesy and Amanda’s Christmas Crackers…with a heap of Xmas cifts left behind by J&A.
Mitch Churi is filling in for summer breakfast across the KIIS Network.
KIIS FM’s drive duo Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw will take a break with the Best of Will & Woody entertaining listeners across the summer break.
3PM Pick Up with Kate Langbroek, Monty Dimond and Yumi Stynes will air until December 24 and then take a short summer break.
At SCA in Melbourne, Triple M will have a focus on the Ashes while Fox will be playing a Best Of program with 2021 highlights from Fifi, Fev and Nick.
AM radio’s Covid challenge
Covid news has proved a ratings magnet for AM stations in general. Covid continues to impact some stations more than ever. At Fiveaa David Penberthy and Will Goodings are broadcasting in isolation from their homes which will continue into their final 2021 week on air next week. After a recent close contact, Penberthy detailed some of the carnage caused by the isolation requirements for people who are double vaxxed. Amongst the cancellations is Fiveaa’s advertiser Christmas function next week.
Fiveaa’s David and Will
At Nine Radio, Neil Breen at 4BC is the first breakfast announcer to turn off the microphone from today. Breakfast at 2GB with Ben Fordham and at 3AW with Ross and Russ will be on air for one more week. At 6PR, Gareth Parker is staying on air for another fortnight.
The summer breakfast shows across the Nine Radio network include Chris Smith and John Stanley at different times at 2GB, Stephen Quartermain and Emily Power at 3AW, Spencer Howson at 4BC and Mark Gibson at 6PR.
One newcomer to the 2GB microphone of summer will be Nine’s Chris O’Keefe who is taking over drive from Jim Wilson.
Regional radio summer
At Hit Breakfast in Townsville, Cliffo and Gabi will wrap on December 17 and be back January 17.
On Triple M in Townsville, Pricey wraps up on Christmas Day with his annual Christmas Special and he returns too on January 17.