Radio Today’s 15 Most-Read Articles of 2018

As another year draws to a close, the team at Radio Today would like to wish our readers and advertisers an enjoyable break over Christmas.

We thank you for your support throughout 2018 – one of our biggest years ever – and look forward to seeing you again in the new year.

So without further ado, here are Radio Today‘s 15 Most-Read Articles Of 2018.

15. Jase & PJ debut on KIIS101.1, address Matt & Meshel departure

ARN brought ZM Drive duo Jase & PJ across the ditch for KIIS FM Melbourne Brekky this year. On their first show, they received a swag of negative comments on social media, and Jase was forced to point out that he and PJ had nothing to do with the sacking of predecessors Matt & Meshel.

14. Is ‘Talking Lifestyle’ dead and buried?

In the early months of the year, speculation was rife that Macquarie Media was set to replace its Talking Lifestyle stations with a sports format. As it turned out, March 31 was the final date of Talking Lifestyle.

13. Here’s who you think could replace Em Rusciano on 2DayFM Breakfast

In May, 2DayFM Breakfast host Em Rusciano admitted she was “hurtling towards an implosion”. We ran a poll on who you thought could replace her, and you resoundingly voted for her eventual replacement, Ash London.

12. 2DayFM Breakfast staff reportedly refusing to work with Em Rusciano

In the months leading up to Em Rusciano’s departure from 2DayFM, reports emerged that staff were refusing to work with the star. She would eventually leave the station in early September.

11. Revealed: The Top 10 executive producers in metro FM radio right now

In June, Radio Today ran a poll asking our readers who you thought the best EPs in metro FM radio were. Using those responses, and in consultation with industry figures and representatives of the three major FM networks, we compiled the Top 10 – with KIIS FM’s Bruno Bouchet coming out at #1.

10. Revealed: Here are FM Radio’s Top 20 comedians as voted by you

Radio and comedians go together like bacon and eggs, and in March you voted for your Top 20 comedians on FM radio. Tony Martin came out on top, closely followed by Marty Sheargold and Dave Hughes.

9. 2DayFM switches music format to Adult Contemporary

In one of the earliest and biggest stories of the year, Sydney’s 2DayFM made the huge decision to overhaul its music strategy. Ditching its ‘Hits & Old School’ format for an Adult Contemporary music strategy branded as ‘More Music, More Variety’.

8. The Mother of All Radio Battles: Melbourne vs Sydney in 2018

Throughout the year Radio Today tracked the performance of SCA’s 2DayFM and ARN’s KIIS 101.1 –  each going into 2018 with new Breakfast shows and new Drive shows, and each trying to make up ground in their respective markets.

7.  Revealed: Here are FM Radio’s Top 20 funniest women as voted by you

In April this year, we asked you who you thought the funniest women in FM radio were. The poll received over 3,000 responses – the largest number of votes that any Radio Today poll has ever received. Your #1? Amanda Keller.

6. KIIS FM’s Intern Pete in hot water after cringeworthy radio stunt

‘Intern’ Pete Deppeler put in another solid, controversy-creating shift in 2018. In March he crashed cricketer Steve Smith‘s press conference after the Australian Captain had been found guilty of ball tampering. The public backlash was swift and ARN was forced to make a statement of apology.

5. Goodbye Talking Lifestyle; we hardly knew you

After running the format for just 18 months, following the merger of Fairfax Media and Macquarie Radio Network, Talking Lifestyle was officially axed at the end of March 2018.

4. Radio heavyweights show support for Blake Phillips amid sexual misconduct allegations

Following the decision by former SCA video producer Blake Phillips to go public with allegations of sexual misconduct during his time at the network, a number of radio personalities took to social media to show their support.

3.  Macquarie Sport Radio names new lineup

Macquarie Media officially launched Macquarie Sports Radio on April 3, revealing new branding and inaugural lineup (of which several personalities would depart before the year was out).

2. Who is Christian O’Connell (and why you need to know)?

With multiple sources tipping off Radio Today that Christian O’Connell was Australia-bound, way back in January, we rattled off some interesting facts about the UK presenter. He’s since made an impact on the ratings at Gold104.3 since arriving mid-way through the year.

1. Radio presenters and journalists among top jobs for psychopaths

An article published by Oxford research psychologist Dr Kevin Dutton earlier this year revealed that If you work in radio you are more likely to be subject to psychopathic behaviour from your co-workers. Clearly, something that many of you were able to relate to…