Jones’ 2GB show revenue drops by half, Hadley faces defamation suit

The result of an advertiser boycott is being keenly felt by Macquarie Media and 2GB Breakfast host Alan Jones, with his show reportedly losing half its revenue in recent months.

Brands including Koala Mattresses, Anytime Fitness, ME Bank, Snooze, Bing Lee, Amart, RSL Art Union, Bunnings, Big W, Mecrcedez Benz and Volkswagon withdrew their advertising from the show earlier this year, following comments Jones made about New Zealand PM Jacinta Ardern.

At the time, Jones called on Scott Morrison to “backhand” Ardern and “shove a sock down [her] throat”.

Now SMH reports that 2GB Breakfast has lost “about half” of its revenue since several companies pulled the pin. With the show reportedly bringing in around $12 million a year, the boycott could end being more costly than an original estimated $1 million.

Sources told SMH that it’s the biggest boycott Macquarie Media has ever experienced.

“Our challenge is to work with advertisers and show them how powerful radio and mass media is,” newly appointed managing director of Nine’s radio assets, Tom Malone, told Radio Today earlier this month.

Malone went on to say he is “confident to have those conversations with advertisers” who may have stopped advertising with Macquarie in recent months.

Meanwhile, Ray Haley continues to feel the fallout of comments he made earlier this year about Blue Mountains Council and its GM Rosemary Dillon.

The Australian reports that Dillon is individually suing Hadley for defamation, alleging that her character, reputation and business were affected by Hadley’s broadcast in May where he suggested she had lied about how the council handled an asbestos crisis.

The allegations follow the decision earlier this year by the Blue Mountains Council to sue Hadley for those same comments.

At the time, Hadley alleged there was a conflict of interest and impropriety over the appointment of two investigators – one to examine asbestos issues and the other to canvas allegations over the appointment of Mark Mulligan as a safety consultant at the council.

In the latest claim, obtained by News Corp, Hadley is alleged to have brought Dillon into “public disrepute, scandal, odium and contempt”.

A hearing is set to take place on December 5.