The bosses talk about the radio shake-up

The bosses in the Sydney / Melbourne radio shake-up recently spoke to the Financial Review. Here are their main points regarding all the changes in the 2 biggest markets in Australia.

SYDNEY

ARN chief executive Ciaran Davis (KIIS/WSFM)

“Overall it has been a significant investment, but to be able to turn it all around so quickly was great.”

He says $2 million would be spent on promoting Kyle & Jackie O in the first 3 months via TV, social media and on-street activation.

Davis, just like many others at ARN Sydney, worked through the holiday period to prepare for the launch of KIIS 1065. “I’ll take a break when we have the two top-rating Sydney breakfast shows,” he said.

Southern Cross chief content officer Guy Dobson (2Day FM/Triple M)

“The decision to change that show (Kyle & Jackie O) wasn’t ratings driven. It was a revenue decision and the signal has gone out that we’re open to integration. We might have had the ratings there last year but at times we were pretty close to being knocked off. We have to use every weapon in our arsenal to fight the good fight at the moment.”

When asked about Kyle's recent claims about what went down at 2Day FM, and calling Dobbo a “f–kwit”, he said, “I don’t want to dignify the bleating of a wounded narcissist with a comment.”

DMG's Chairman Lachlan Murdoch (Nova 96.9/smooth)

“It’s going to be fascinating in Sydney…with obviously the launch of KIIS and Kyle and Jackie O there and with what Austereo does. It’s going to be a really exciting radio market and we are going to continue to be scrappy and hungry.”

Fairfax Radio chief executive Adam Lang (2UE)

“With the conviction and the knowledge and the contact base they have, we’re feeling really good about the new breakfast line-up at 2UE. And as with all radio, you need success in breakfast and success for us is just around growing the audience. We’re not saying we’re going to be No. 1 straight away.”

Macquarie executive chairman Russell Tate (2GB)

“We’ve been the dominant ­station for many years now, so we’re focused on staying exactly that."

MELBOURNE

SCA's Guy Dobson on Triple M's The Hot Breakfast

“If there was someone who is going to benefit greatly from the breakfast changes in Melbourne, it would be Eddie. It’s a station on the improve and with all the turmoil, that consistency is just so powerful."

DMG chief executive Cathy O’Connor (Nova 100/smooth)

“I can’t see any downside for DMG coming from the change at other networks. Whether it leads to upside, I’m not sure if you can say, but we were well placed before the change.

“We are realistic about Meshel and Tommy but equally it is up against other new shows. That’s not a benefit that 2Day FM has in Sydney coming up against established players.”

Read more in the Financial Review (subscription maybe required)