Hadley guns for 2GB Breakfast slot amidst bullying allegations

Former Assistant Editor

As speculation over Alan Jones‘ future with 2GB continues to gain momentum, new reports suggest Ray Hadley is making a play for the Breakfast slot on 2GB.

Despite floating rumours that Karl Stefanovic and Ben Fordham were in the running, the Daily Telegraph reports that it’s now firming as a two-horse race between Hadley and Jones.

Hadley is believed to have signed a new deal with Macquarie at the end of 2018 worth $200,000 per month, but the emerging bullying accusations by former staffers including long-term panel operator Chris Bowen haven’t helped Hadley’s cause.

For his part, Jones has had his own slipups over the past few years. 2GB took a financial last year when the wealthy Wagner family successfully sued Jones and the broadcaster for defamation for comments made about the Lockyer Valley floods of 2011.

Jones then aired a controversial interview with Sydney Opera House boss Louise Herron that saw him deliver an on-air apology after being accused of misogyny and bullying, and has reportedly been disciplined by Macquarie Media since.

Despite this, Daily Telegraph reports that Nine could still prefer Jones with his impeccable ratings track record, and are keen to avoid a repeat of the ratings slump that followed Stefanovic’s departure from Today on the Nine Network.

Nine chair Peter Costello is reportedly offering Jones a contract worth $4.5 million, but an insider suggests that the network is “terrified” that they could lose both Jones and Hadley.

Following accusations of “16 years of intense bullying” by Bowen yesterday, Hadley responded on his 2GB mornings show that he was “I’m sorry for any hurt I’ve caused him”.

Taking to Facebook, Bowen swore he wouldn’t let his complaint go unchecked like it did when he first raised it with 2GB in 2008, and that he and others were ready to “go over everyone’s heads with the new owners. Channel 9.”

Comment Form

Your email address will not be published.

Recent comments (6)
Post new comment
Talk listener
26 Mar 2019 - 8:18 pm

Why would Nine be terrified of losing them both? Where are they going to go?

2ch and 2sm won’t pay them a fraction of what they are earning so both Jones and Hadley have no bargaining power in this situation. That was the whole point of the 2UE takeover- to create the monopoly. And Alan is getting to the end of his career from a health perspective.

They are both desperate for their platform on 2GB which gives them their power in Sydney so they will stay (even with a pay drop!)

Yes they would shift significant audience if they went somewhere else, but there is nowhere for them to go.

If they were both to disappear from the airwaves the audience would be angry and disappointed (for a while) but where is the 2GB audience going to go? Another advantage to Macquarie. There is no competitor for the audience, or their talent.

Pieter Verhoeven
26 Mar 2019 - 10:15 pm

I will refuse to listen if stevanovic or Hadley take over from Jones I can’t listen to country music early in the morning

Tess
28 Mar 2019 - 3:38 am

Alan Jones is 2GB. Hadley comes on after 9am news…my radio is switched off.

Pamela peterson
28 Mar 2019 - 8:15 am

I love Alan Jones he is the very best……

reza
28 Mar 2019 - 11:05 am

can someone confirm a $200,000 per month?

JASON ANDREW TOPPIN
29 Mar 2019 - 5:36 am

I LIKE BOTH ALAN JONES & RAY HADLEY.

Jobs

See all