The end of The Night Shift with Luke Bona came as a shock to the team behind it.
“Because we both sleep during the day, we both woke up to the news,” Triple M Sydney radio producer Tom Denham told Mediaweek. Southern Cross Australia’s (SCA) decision to axe the program marked the end of an era for the late-night radio show, which had built a loyal audience across Australia.
The decision was part of a round of redundancies announced by CEO John Kelly last week. Kelly sent staff an email on Thursday afternoon, informing them of further cost-cutting measures, including redundancies, as the media company continues to navigate challenging economic conditions.
Denham and Bona had a choice in how they handled the abrupt end. “We saw the writing on the wall,” he says. “We both intuitively thought – we could do this two ways. The right way was to go out admirably. The fact that they gave us that final show? What a gift. Not everyone gets that.”
For Bona, that final broadcast was invaluable. “For him to have that experience meant the world to him – to say goodbye to his listeners and contributors,” Denham says. “I think that will give him a lot of peace of mind.”
Luke Bona whose show The Night Shift on Triple M was axed.
The power of overnight radio
While breakfast and drive radio dominate the ratings conversation, overnight radio has a unique role in the audio landscape – one that goes beyond just entertainment.
“Night shift listeners are so reliant on you,” Denham explains. “It’s about fatigue management – these are people working long shifts, sometimes on their own, in nursing homes, trucks, or security guard premises. Being able to speak to those callers every night, getting a glimpse into their world – that’s what makes this kind of radio special.”
With The Night Shift now off the air, Denham wonders what happens next for its audience. “I do wonder where they’ll go – if they’ve just decided to turn off.”
For many, The Night Shift was more than just a radio show – it was a “lifeline”. “At that time of night, you need a good broadcaster, and Luke is such a good broadcaster,” Denham says.
What next?
Denham’s own future in radio remains undecided. “I’ve been given a few options,” he says. “I’m having some conversations with some really good people who care about what’s next.”
For now, he’s reflecting on what he describes as an incredible run. “We were just lucky to do this wonderful radio experiment for as long as we did. What an adventure we had.”
Pictured: The team behind Triple M’s The Night Shift