What's New
BY Sarah Patterson May 2, 2024
What's New August 17, 2023
Abbie Chatfield quits radio
Reporter
Abbie Chatfield has taken to social media to announce she has quit radio, to focus on TV and podcasting instead.
In a video posted to Instagram, Chatfield says she was feeling emotionally drained from working across several different mediums.
“So, I quit radio! I wanted to do a video so it wasn’t a dramatic post.”
“I’ve been thinking about it pretty much all year, to be honest.”
Of radio, she says “I just wasn’t getting joy from that environment anymore.”
She admits it was a hard decision, but looks forward now to having a social life.
“Seeing my friends on a weeknight. Being able to have some time for myself.”
“I felt like radio wasn’t as direct as doing socials.
Chatfield will remain with LiSTNR – but is keen to work on other podcast projects and live tours.
She steps down as host of Hot Nights with Abbie Chatfield, heard across the Hit Network, after 18 months.
Chatfield joined the Hit Network’s evening show in January 2022 and has since been joined by Hit’s Jimmy and Nath on the show.
She will remain with SCA and concentrate on her podcast, It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield on LiSTNR.
Chatfield says “I am looking forward to continuing my relationship with LiSTNR into the future.”
SCA Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron says“For personal reasons, Abbie Chatfield has made the decision to step away from Hot Nights, her national radio show on the Hit Network. Abbie’s last show will be today.
“We are pleased to say that Abbie will remain with SCA, and we look forward to continuing to support the ongoing growth of her extraordinarily successful podcast, It’s a Lot with Abbie Chatfield, published on LiSTNR.”
An announcement regarding the Hit Network’s evening show will be made soon.
Bye Bye.
I’m sure SCA will dust off their talent pipeline to nurture their next host who actually has radio running through their blood.
I hope we have seen the end of reality TV contestants becoming radio announcers because they all sound dreadful on air
This has always been the recurring theme with these flash in the pan reality “stars”, they just don’t have the passion for it. They see radio as an easy way to make some money until they can land a gig doing something they actually want to do. Abbie isn’t the first one and, depressingly, she won’t be the last.
It was great hearing a strong female on HIT lets hope we see more female talent coming through
“I felt like radio wasn’t as direct as doing socials”
Radio people will this comment. Mostly because it’s true.
It’s also the reason people won’t go to Taree for $42,000 per year.
SCA have a great opportunity here to create a brand new, engaging, somewhat intelligent concept for night time radio. And in case that not too much to ask for, what about someone who isn’t a potty mouth (looking at you Nova).
Will they do it?
No great loss.
Another “ reality “ TV “ star “ bites the dust.
Bye princess.
There’s a lot of sexist comments on here, probably because shes a babe. Women in the comments ought to know better – if they really are women, she was good talent and she knew how to make noise. I’m sure the SCA Sydney beast just did her in as they do time and time again by making things that don’t matter VERY important. She was more relatable than the the time slot is to the key demo. So its a missed opportunity.. unless she was a massive pain in the butt.. ?
As a female who’s been through quite a lot in this industry over the last 30 years I think it’s a loss. Abbie is a huge talent!! she’s a boss! She’s unapologetic about having opinions that may not be always agreed with by “everybody” , but that’s what Radio is about!!! being yourself and making some noise!? Is it not? she’s funny she’s outspoken she’s smart as hell and sexy AF- and – she’s vulnerable and honest and we need more people like her on the radio. Just sayin. her podcast is brilliant. I wish I had had the freedom earlier in my career to be able to speak ao openly like her as that’s the style of communication I love too… She will do fantastic on TV and I don’t think she is going anywhere. The Australian media need people like her that are fresh in real… let’s support talent. Female and male.
These comments … wow … not a great reflection on our industry. When there’s a female on the air who’s opinionated and open about her emotions she’s apparently a “princess”, but if it’s a male doing it, he’s considered a strong personality like a Kyle Sandilands or a Mick Molloy.
Abbie Chatfield’s departure brings a sense of relief, as her frequent remarks about personal details like her own bodily experiences, such as the hardness of the hosts’ nipples, were often distracting and off-putting. This kind of oversharing seemed to detract from the show’s overall content and appeal. With Jimmy and Nath stepping in, the show stands a better chance of connecting with the desired demographic for Hit nights. Moreover, her exit paves the way for potential new talents to shine during Weekend Breakfast or even in a role like hosting Hit Late Nights from 10pm to 1am – a position that could benefit from a host who has truly earned their place.
Radio couldn’t keep Abby. Moan about vulgarity, influencers getting a leg up, whatever. The bottom line is that a talented, successful, high audience appeal talent has chosen a podcast, social media and TV opportunities, over a medium that’s struggling to remain relevant amongst the demo that Abby appeals to most.
Despite CRA’s quarterly insistence, younger audiences overwhelmingly don’t listen to the radio and they’re not going to have some mid life epiphany where they discover it. Non-radio streaming services have ~12M monthly users of whom around half stream daily. Radio isn’t getting that audience back. Abby is precisely what radio needs to attract new listeners and remain relevant. But instead, this comment section rejoices at the news, unaware they’re dancing on their own grave and irrelevance.
‘Radio running through their blood’ – nobody cares.