Five breakfast radio shows that could go national next year

Former Publisher

A number of insiders told Radio Today that one of the big three FM radio networks is planning to begin the “staggered” rollout of a national metro breakfast show next year.

If true, it’s a bold play by Australian radio standards and could trigger other network’s to make similar moves, especially if the guinea pig can draw a consistent share in multiple markets.

The big upside is, as you would expect, cost savings. One million-dollar lineup that sits in second or third place on the FM leaderboard is better than three to five shows each costing big bucks.

After the global pandemic subsides, It’s expected that budgets won’t be what they once were. Even when advertisers return en mass, it could take years for the media sector to fully recover.

Poll: Which are the best breakfast shows on Aussie radio right now?

On the world stage, national breakfast shows aren’t new. While much of the local content would be lost, some buyers and brands might see value in the national brand and reach.

Before arriving on Australian shores, Christian O’Connell was beamed across the United Kingdom on Virgin and then Absolute Radio, with consistent success in the radio ratings.

Outside of the commercial radio arena, Government-funded youth broadcaster triple j has also enjoyed success with national breakfast shows in years gone by.

If one of the programming chiefs from Australian Radio Network, Southern Cross Austereo or NOVA Entertainment did pull the trigger, which show would have the best shot?

From the KIIS, Pure Gold, Hit, Triple M and Nova networks, Radio Today picks the five lineups most likely to top executive’s lists for a national breakfast show in 2021 and beyond.


The KIIS Network

Options: Kyle & Jackie O (Sydney), Jase & PJ (Melbourne), Robin, Terry & Bob (Brisbane), Jodie & Soda (Adelaide) and Botica’s Brunch for Breakfast (Perth).

Radio Today’s top pick: Kyle & Jackie O

There really is no close second when it comes to Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.

Their consistent double-digit share remains unmatched. While the content and pace match that of the Sydney audience, their national profile and performance in Drive can’t be denied.


The Pure Gold Network

Options: Jonesy & Amanda (Sydney), Christian O’Connell (Melbourne), Laurel, Gary & Mark (Brisbane) and John Dean (Adelaide).

Radio Today’s top pick: Christian O’Connell

ARN’s Pure Gold Network is not starved for choice.

Brisbane’s lineup is an institution, as are their Sydney counterparts, with Keller having a national profile. But O’Connell has been-there-done-that and went national on nights last month.


The Hit Network

Options: Jamie Angel (Sydney), Fifi, Feb & Byron (Melbourne), Stav, Abby & Matt (Brisbane), Bec & Cosi (Adelaide) and Xavier, Jules & Pete (Perth).

Matt and Alex

Radio Today’s top pick: Matt & Alex

It’s the network everyone loves to talk about, because, 2DayFM.

The network as a whole has had its ups and downs in recent years. And while Fox and its lineup are a legacy brand, if SCA were to shake the tree, Radio Today would back a wildcard.


The Triple M Network

Options: Moonman In The Morning (Sydney), The Hot Breakfast (Melbourne), The Big Breakfast (Brisbane), Roo & Dits (Adelaide) and Clairsy, Matt & Kymba.

Radio Today’s top pick: Moonman In The Morning

Just like it’s sister network above, Triple M has experienced turbulence in most markets.

While Mcguire has the profile, he doesn’t have the numbers. If we’re placing bets ($5 max, please), Radio Today puts its fiver on Moonman. Good profile and a cracking show on the rise.


The Nova Network

Options: Fitzy & Wippa (Sydney), Chrissie, Sam & Browny (Melbourne), Ash, Kip & Luttsy (Brisbane), Ben & Liam (Adelaide) and Nathan, Nat & Shaun (Perth).

Radio Today’s top pick: Chrissie, Sam & Browny

Speaking of legacy breakfast shows, Nova has them in most markets save for Adelaide.

The conservative Nova might be least likely to flick the switch on local programs, but if push came to shove (no pun intended) it’s less likely to be from Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth.

Sydney’s Fitzy & Wippa have been consistent performances, but Chrissie, Sam & Browny delivers good cume and hosts with strong brands between them.


Now it’s your turn to play along at home. Let us know which Australian breakfast radio show you think could build a national audience in the comments section below!

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Recent comments (17)
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Nost R. Damus
7 May 2020 - 2:50 pm

I wholeheartedly encourage our radio management overlords to do such a rollout. Work for your paycheques and Teslas and prove to your shareholders you’re qualified that you’re top seed!

Then, hand the winnings on a silver platter to the little ones who don’t do it and keep it local.

The listener has the power in the end…

James Manley
7 May 2020 - 2:52 pm

Has this idea emerged because of the economic impacts of Coronavirus?

Mike
7 May 2020 - 4:00 pm

What a stupid, uninformed click bait article.

David Braidwood
7 May 2020 - 4:02 pm

Radio needs to be live! Hence a national show broadcast into Perth that is 3 hours old in summer time will not work.

JASON ANDREW TOPPIN
7 May 2020 - 4:14 pm

NINE RADIIO WILL SIGN FROM THE TRIPLEM , KIIS & NOVA NETWORKS MOONMAN, KYLE & JACKIE O’ & WIPA & FITZY TO 2GB TO3AW EDDIE MCQUIRE , CHRISSIE SWEAN, JONATHAN BRIWN, SAM PANG, & JASE & PJ(NOBODY MENTIONED THEM) , TO 4BC AS PRODUCERS OF ALAN JONES ASH, KIP, LUTSY, THE 4MMM BIG BREAKFAST TEAM NO ONE MEATIOO ALSO THE 973 BREAKFAST TEAM, FIVEAA WILL END UP WITH THE NOVA 919 TEAM , ROO & DITS FROM 5MMM AND THE MIX 1O2.3 BREAKFAST TEAM THAT NO ONE HAS SPOKE ABOUT ALSO, 6PR WILL END WITH SHAUN, NAT AND NATHAN AS WELL AS THE BREAKFAST TEAM AT 96FM THAT NO ONE HAS SPOEKEN ABIUT ALSO CLAIRSY, MATT & KYMBO AT 2UE 954M JAMIE ANGEL FROM 2DATYFF & JONESY AND AMANDA FROM WSFM AT MAGIC 1278 FIFI FEV AND BYRON FROM FOXFM & CHRISTIAN O’CONNELL FROM GOLD 104.3 AN 4BH STAV ABBY & MATT FROMN HIT 105 & LAUREN GARY & MARK FROM 4KQ CRUISE 1323 WILL BE RERANDED AS 5GT 1323 JOHN DEAN AND ALL OTHER CRUISE 1323 ANNOUNCERS WILL JOIN 5GT 1323 AS WILL BEC & COIS FROM HIT 1-7 AS WELL AS THEIR COLLEAGUES FROM HIT 107, NINE RADIO WILL BUY 612AM IN PERTH SIGN INA BLAKELEY ALL 6IX PEOPLE & XAVIER, JULES & PETE AS WELL AS EVERYONE FRIM HIT 92.9 TO 6GT.

James
7 May 2020 - 4:34 pm

‘National metro breakfast Show ‘- The forbidden dream every board and CEO of any commercial radio company dare note speak about out loud.

Damien
7 May 2020 - 5:21 pm

What’s more likely is that only breakfast will be local and 9am onwards will be networked.

Eyyyy
7 May 2020 - 5:48 pm

Most likely Jase and Pj to drive.. then KJ.. maybe.. but probably..

Peter
7 May 2020 - 5:59 pm

All you naysayers!! Macquarie Sports Radio had a national breakfast show and they did so well, just look at their numbers! Oh…. wait.

WHY ARE YOU YELLING
7 May 2020 - 6:00 pm

JAMES IM NOT AURE IF YOU’RE PASSIONATE OR JUST YELLING!

Rob
7 May 2020 - 10:34 pm

I know radio today none. Because Australia has 5 time zones in summer and 3 in winter so this is a very, very bad idea and the people who listen to the station that’s doing this will leave many listeners leaving in droves. I understand this works in the drive hour but not in the morning peak hour because many listeners what to listen to local story’s not what happening say Sydney. Plus unlike other countries in winter we have different winter sports interest as Sydney and Brisbane love rugby league but in Melbourne,ADELAIDE and Perth they like Australian rules football and I do not think any body from eg Perth want to hear an NRL story unlike in Sydney who don’t what to hear an AFL story and etc. I know COVID 19 is making these media companies loose so much money and need to make some savings to survive but doing national breakfast show especially during rating season is a bad Idea for reasons I’ve discussed above^.

David
8 May 2020 - 3:12 am

Jake you’ve turned Radio Today into the Daily Mail. What a load of rubbish.

Ollie
8 May 2020 - 12:19 pm

triple j Breakfast is the most listened to show in Australia in terms of reach. Clearly ‘success in years gone by’ and now.

Ollie
8 May 2020 - 12:28 pm

triple j Breakfast is the most listened to show in Australia in terms of reach. People like Rob on here talking like it’s crazy. Clearly ‘success in years gone by’ and now.

Broadcast Box
8 May 2020 - 7:59 pm

I think you’ve just made far too many CD’s jizz in their collective pants…

Adam
11 May 2020 - 5:49 am

Hey Ollie triple J doesn’t rate that well even though it has good reach which is thanks to government funding. Last time I looked Melbourne and Sydney rated 7th and 8th. For a network with zero ads
( commercial radio’s number one tune out ) it should rate number one.

Grant
11 May 2020 - 6:25 am

Two things missing here ‘ Once upon a time ‘ at start of the article and ‘ The End ‘ at the conclusion.

Jobs

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