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BY Sarah Patterson May 20, 2026
What's New March 4, 2026
“The show must go on.” Smallzy takes the reins on KIIS Breakfast after K & J Show implodes
Reporter
Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small has taken over KIIS Breakfast this morning following the spectacular implosion of the Kyle & Jackie O Show.
Straight out of the six o’clock news, Smallzy read out an official statement from ARN, confirming Jackie O Henderson’s decision to quit the show.
The statement detailed the bombshell news that Henderson has given notice that she can no longer continue to work with Kyle Sandilands on Breakfast and, as such, she has now officially departed the show.
Smallzy added via ARN’s statement that Sandilands has been given fourteen days to remedy a serious breach of contract in respect of the show, and will not be on air during that time. If that doesn’t happen, that contract will be terminated.
“You’ve officially heard it from us,” said Smallzy, who admits he’s as shocked as anyone by the news.
“There’s a saying in showbiz that the show must go on. You’re all back to work today. You’re waking up, living your life. My name is Smallzy. I am not here to replace either of them. I am just going to get us through …”
“I love radio, and as someone who has grown up listening to the Kyle & Jackie O Show, it is as much a shock to me as it would be to you hearing it.”
So, what’s next?
On the Game Changers Radio podcast, former SCA Content boss Craig Bruce said he doesn’t think ARN will want to move forward with a show centred around Sandilands.
“I think if they had to pick – and I don’t know whether that’s an option, whether they can come back to Jackie and go Hey, what can we do here? – they can drive a revenue model around Jackie, but I don’t think they can do that around Kyle. Maybe into Sydney, but certainly not into Melbourne.”
Come 2027, Bruce thinks there’s every chance that Henderson will be on Sydney’s 2DayFM.
Whatever the upshot, Bruce says Dave Cameron – who only this week officially started work as ARN’s Director of Content – Metro Radio – is on the winners’ list right now.
“Because he gets to build two shows,” Bruce explains. “One out Melbourne. So the first phone call he will make (will be to) Ryan Jon and Toni Lodge – or their manager Brad March – and they could name their price for KIIS Melbourne. And then I think the next phone call he will make will be to Nick Fordham, who manages Lu & Jarch. And I think they would be on a very short list of potential shows that could do KIIS Sydney next year.”
Image: ARN
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What's New
BY Sarah Patterson May 20, 2026
I might be wrong, but I imagine DC could make all the phone calls he wants, it still wont convince Toni and Ryan back into radio. Re: Lu and Jarch, I imagine they have a pretty solid contract with a non compete that wouldn’t allow them to jump ship before end of year, by which point SCA probably pulls the trigger on giving them 2day if they want it.
I would personally be surprised if they got either duo. Might be a couple of years of a heritage show until theres some regional talent ready…
It appears many in this discussion have overlooked a fundamental reality: Kyle remains the undisputed leader of Sydney’s breakfast radio. Dominance in that arena is not accidental. It is the result of sustained relevance, audience loyalty, and an ability to consistently command attention in a fiercely competitive market.
If Dave Cameron is serious about ensuring the station continues to win, as it did under Duncan Campbell’s leadership, then decisive action is required. Make a new contract. Not a routine extension, but a strategically constructed agreement that rewards performance, aligns incentives with ratings growth, and reflects the commercial value of market leadership. When expectations are clearly defined and excellence is tangibly rewarded, success becomes structured rather than hoped for.
At the same time, longevity in broadcasting demands evolution. A considered refresh of the on-air partnership, such as pairing Kyle with Sophie Monk, will reinvigorate the program while preserving its ratings strength and broad appeal. This pair are more aligned.
Sustained success is never accidental. It is engineered through clarity, courage, and strategic foresight.
If Ryan and Toni are really on the top of the list you’d want to do some serious market research to see if there is any recall with general radio listeners.
Podcast audiences and regular breakfast audiences are far apart, and you need huge profile if you are to make quick inroads into the Melbourne market. Last show to do it had Sam Pang, Jonathan Brown and Chrissie Swan- three instantly recognisable names.
My guess is the average 35-54 year old walking the street would never have heard of them… and that is almost an impossible build on the weakest radio brand in market.
An opportunity to mix up the talent pool! Give Mel Tracina a breakfast show on KIIS Melbourne! Hellooo!?!?
Agree with Good Debate. Toni and Ryan get a lot of love on this platform. The reality is Ryan didn’t dominate radio in Perth. Melbourne is going to be tougher again
Mad Fxxking Witches activist group played a significant role in KissFM down fall.
Focusing on advertises on the show hit hard on their financials.
Lesson? Don’t mess with a professional organised committed brief.
Knowing that the KIIS brand was so built around Kyle & Jackie O, is it completely outside the realms of possibility there could eventually be a reset of the whole network? Maybe not going back to the former Mix brand (which has now faded from the memory of Sydney, and probably also Melbourne) but still a new name for a new era.
Either way, I’d probably expect KIIS 1065 to go on a similar ratings trajectory to the one 2GB has been through since 2020: Still a reasonably strong performer, but nowhere near the highs of previous years.
As for who’s likely to replace K&JO: A case of wait and see. I’d assume their first preference would be for Kyle and a new female co-host, but if that option isn’t available, one wonders if ARN will attempt (with limited success, I’d imagine…) to lure back some of the talent made redundant in order to pay for the $200 Million duo’s salary!
Lu and Jarch?!
Did someone lose their minds!! ARN would lose even more coin
I’d rather listen to 2CH than Lu and Jarch, triple M can have that show
Not enough credit is given to Amanda Lee’s KJ Defence strategy in Melbourne. Mark mywords, Jackie O has seen it and only wants to work for Amanda.
K Watson, MFW had no impact at all with this. I’m sure they’re celebrating, but this was purely internal between Kyle and Jackie. Advertisers will always go with where the ears are, at the right price, with the right demo.
Lu and Lurch. When are people going to start using proper names? The audience aren’t stupid kids.
Fingers needed to be pointed at previous CEO and Group PD. Chairman needs to go. Today!
How this behaviour wasn’t addressed by them last year and in 2024 shows how weak minded they are.
Well done to new CEO and management.
I think it would be unfair to put Lu and Jarch into that slot when they’re still finding their feet on radio with Triple M. They have a lot of potential as a duo, they aren’t ready for Breakfast yet.