It’s not hard to get negative press when making changes to radio shows – just ask Triple M after the cancellation of its Adelaide drive show. Or ask Kyle and Jackie O about feeling the media sting as they forge a path into Melbourne.
The Triple M Adelaide drive news dropped during a ratings break which is always helpful because the on-air team can’t dwell on their stand down.
The SCA brand targets male listeners around Australia in metro and regional markets.
It is just short of 12 months since ARN’s Ciaran Davis launched an audacious bid to take the brand off the hands of SCA. So confident of the deal closing was ARN that it signed Gold 104.3 breakfast host Christian O’Connell to a new deal with the idea he would broadcast into Sydney and Melbourne on the Triple M stations. That hasn’t happened but there is still speculation O’Connell will eventually appear in Sydney.
See also: Radio goes boom! ARN wants Triple M Network…will the SCA board play ball?
With SCA now piloting the Triple M brand the company is making some big decisions about where to next. There has been talk about the softening of the brand’s “rock” image.
There is also chatter about the breakfast shows in Sydney and Melbourne. SCA is unlikely to proceed with something similar to ARN’s networking plan. You’ve only got the look at the history of breakfast radio shows originating outside their target market to see the magnitude of that challenge. And there’s nothing wrong with the Triple M ratings in Brisbane and Adelaide breakfast.
Hughesy and Kate might be reunited for Triple M Melbourne breakfast. But from a distance, it’s hard to know just who’s pushing that barrow – Triple M or Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek.
Where networking is going to feature will be drive. Triple is heading toward having two national drive shows – one for AFL markets and the other for northern NRL states. The shows will also split across regional markets with JB and Billy creeping into AFL markets outside Victoria.
The latest shuffle in the introduction of networked drive dropped this week as Triple M Adelaide’s Rush Hour with Andrew Jarman, Bernie Vince and Greg Blewett found out they won’t be back on air next year. Not at SCA anyway.
On the way out: Triple M Adelaide Rush Hour
The headlines have ranged from “brutal axing” to “shock axing” to “footy and cricket greats left shattered”.
Replacing the trio will be Triple M Melbourne’s Rush Hour with James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless.
There has been no news yet about changes to the Sydney and Brisbane Triple M drive shows.
SCA presentations to advertisers
Meanwhile, SCA recently hosted industry insights breakfasts in Sydney and Melbourne, reinforcing its is the #1 home for the key 25-54 buying demographic to unlock the commercially critical audience that matters.
The ‘25-54 Unlocked’ events showcased both the Hit and Triple M brands.
Jimmy Smith and Nath Roye, aka Jimmy & Nath, current (and soon-to-be permanent?) hosts of 2DayFM’s Breakfast show, hosted the event in Sydney.
Triple M commentator and Footy Talk podcast host Jack Heverin hosted the Melbourne event.
SCA’s Jimmy & Nath, and Carrie & Tommy meet advertisers in Sydney and Melbourne
SCA chief content officer Dave Cameron moderated a Q&A session with Australia’s #1 drive show hosts Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little, discussing how they build connections with their loyal listeners.
Luke Minto, SCA national head of audio sales, and Victoria Young, SCA head of radio sales – Melbourne, delivered presentations with research about the importance of the key demo.
See also: Nine blows up 4BC Brisbane breakfast: Laurel, Gary and Mark out two years after 4KQ move