What's New
BY Sarah Patterson April 18, 2024
What's New April 17, 2024
Jonesy & Amanda relocate to North Sydney studios
Reporter
WSFM Breakfast duo Jonesy & Amanda have officially commenced broadcasting from ARN’s new state-of-the-art studios in North Sydney, marking the final phase of the company’s relocation.
After nearly two decades at Macquarie Park, this week is the first time Jonesy & Amanda have gone to air from their new headquarters in the purpose-built facilities at Coca-Cola Place.
To mark the occasion, the pair was joined in studio by long-time friend of the show Shannon Noll who performed his 2005 hit Lift, a nod to the year Jonesy & Amanda started broadcasting together.
Amanda says “Starting the day with our listeners is what breakfast radio is all about, and now we have a front-row seat to watch it all unfold. Crossing the Harbour Bridge to work every day feels like a dream, with views of the city’s iconic landmarks. After 19 years of broadcasting together, this new, high-tech studio feels like a big step forward for us.”
Jonesy adds “Broadcasting from our new studios feels fantastic. I remember as a kid visiting 2SM, not far from here, and gazing out at the Harbour Bridge, dreaming of doing this for a living. And now, here we are, living that dream, with that very same view in front of us. We’re excited to take our listeners on this journey and keep delivering the humor and genuine passion they love.”
Jonesy & Amanda’s move follows the relocation of Kyle & Jackie O last month, with ARN’s entire Sydney business now settled into the expansive new premises spanning three floors in the iconic building.
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What's New
BY Sarah Patterson April 18, 2024
Whatever happened to catering for Western Sydney the original declared aim of 2WS. Call sign change overdue.
@John Oh, cmon. Most people nowadays don’t see the correlation between WSFM and Western Sydney. Let it go…
I remembered when they were based in Seven Hills and they were 2WS representing Western Sydney. If they are not being based out west then change the name to Gold like their sister station in Melbourne. Also this breakfast team recent ratings had a big decline. I feel the station needs some new breakfast announcers. Phil O’Neill does an excellent job filling in. Ally Redondo from C91.3 would be ideal. They would make a great team.
Remember when Doug Mulray did drive on WS in the late 90s? 2WS were still at Seven Hills, but Uncle Doug used to say he was based at the “Seven Hills East studios”… which were actually the MIX1065 studios on the North Shore.
I think the western sydney roots left with Hans and Kayley… that’s a long, long time ago now.
Time to let it go.
@Craig You’ll be waiting a while for Ugly Phil and Ally Redondo on WSFM breakfast, because Jonesy & Amanda’s ratings went up during Survey #2. Still a couple of percentage points behind what appears to be a rising Nova, but WS have beaten ABC Sydney and (perhaps most importantly) Smooth again.
As for the whole “WS is no longer a Western Sydney station” thing, whoever originally made that decision two decades+ ago has probably long gone from ARN. I’m not saying this was a good or bad thing, but as Western Sydney has changed so much since 1978, I am fairly sure if 2WS still existed in its original format today, it probably would’ve had to become something like SWR FM 99.9 with off-peak specialist programming, etc.
Anyway…no doubt others will disagree, but I’d personally say Jonesy & Amanda is the best breakfast show currently on Sydney commercial radio. Commendable efforts are being made to appeal to younger listeners with things like TikTok Tucker, while other elements which have been part of the show for years and years (Eg: Magnificent 7, Gets My Goolies, various branding elements) remain intact.
Indeed, J&A/WSFM actually have a fairly young behind the scenes team who SCA would potentially benefit from poaching for a relaunched 2DayFM.