Star power and the rise of radio’s Kaley-Jade Baker

Kaley-Jade Baker. Image supplied

Come survey day, let’s face it – any kind of gain is good news.

When staff at ARN’s Star FM in Mackay filed into the boardroom last week to find out the first Xtra Insights Survey results of 2025, the air was thick with anticipation.

But nobody could have predicted the incredible news that awaited the Star crew, including Kaley-Jade Baker, host of Afternoons with Kaley.

When management announced to the team that Star was #1, Kaley assumed it meant the #1 station overall, and the Breakfast show.

But no – it was right across the board.

“That was thrilling news for all of us,” Kaley tells Radio Today. “And I was absolutely over the moon.”

But wait, there’s more.

When it was revealed that Star Mornings host Keegan Brown had gone up 16.7 to 37.2 as the session most listened to, Kaley got confused.

“I’d never heard of anyone getting near a 30 share, let alone going over it,” she explains.

Then came the biggest shock of all.

“When they revealed the numbers for my Afternoon show, I don’t think I fully comprehended just how big they were until I saw them written down.”

Big is an understatement.

Kaley’s shift went gangbusters, up 19 points to 39.5, with a 94,000 leap in cume.

“There were a few tears after that!” Kaley admits.

When the overall result sank in, the whole room erupted.

“Honestly, it was the biggest buzz for everyone involved,” says Kaley.

She echoes Content Director Scott Linden’s sentiment that the result demonstrates the importance of localism.

“We all care so much about what we do,” says Kaley. “I think when you get results like that, it’s not just a sense of relief but also confirmation that we’re getting it right for Mackay and the Whitsundays.”

Kaley hails from New South Wales and spent her early childhood years in Dubbo before relocating to Brisbane at the age of 12. Even then, the coastal city further north was in her future.

“Funnily enough, I ended up in Mackay for a few years during high school,” she says.

Once the school years were done and dusted, Kaley moved back home to Brisbane. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do in terms of a career, but the decision was effectively made for her when she was headhunted to work in the university sector.

During her time as an Executive Assistant at the University of Southern Queensland, the student media department put out the call for a presenter.

“The staff knew someone who could talk underwater, so they asked me to jump in and help,” Kaley smiles.

One thing led to another, and Kaley ended up working in local radio for the ABC.

Eventually she moved into commercial radio. She’s since gone on to work at stations from the Riverland to the Shoalhaven.

“I always say I was dragged kicking and screaming into media, because it found me and gave me no other option,” Kaley says.

“I’m so grateful because it gave me a home. I never really understood the difference between a job and a career until I walked into a radio studio and just knew this is where I was meant to be.”

When you’ve got lush rainforests, pristine beaches and the Great Barrier Reef on your doorstep, having tropical Queensland as your home base is certainly no hardship.

But for Kaley, the best thing about living in Mackay – hands down – is the community spirit.

“When you live and work in a regional area, you realise how small a place can feel,” she says.

“That’s not to say it doesn’t come with its own challenges, but when one person falls, there’s always someone there to help pick you back up.”

When asked if there any particular mentors or people who’ve influenced her throughout her radio journey, Kaley is loathe to leave anyone out.

“This is such a hard question because anyone in radio knows how many people help shape you along the way,” she says.

“I’ve been lucky to have some of the best in the business in my corner, like the King of Brisbane Spencer Howson, the killer sports presenter and host Annabelle Brett, my former co-host turned Podcast Butler Sam Blacker and our new General Manager Leonie Leonard.

Kaley considers Leonard a driving force behind her success at Star.

“I honestly owe so much of this year’s result to Leonie. She backed me for who I am and gave me the space to do what I do best. These are the kinds of people you don’t want to let down.”

“As for who’s influenced me, I like to think I’m paving my own way in a lot of respects.”

“As a proud Black woman growing up and looking at TV, radio and media, there weren’t many people who looked like me.”

“So I thought: I’ve got this — for little Kaley.”

2025 is shaping up to be a bumper year for Kaley.

Next month – on August 18 – she makes her TV debut on Channel Nine’s Tipping Point, which just happens to be her grandma’s favourite game show.

“Big Brother has a new season coming up, so that would be cool too!” she enthuses.

“But right now, especially with all the job losses across the industry, I know how competitive it is for on-air gigs.”

“I’ll shoot my shot anyway: Hey there radio execs, looking for someone to join your next show opening? Get in touch. I’m definitely ready to see what comes my way next.”

*Images: ARN and LinkedIn