Triple j reveals 2020 on-air lineup after more departures

L-R: Avani Dias, Dave Woodhead, Lucy Smith, Bryce Mills

Australia’s national youth broadcaster triple j has announced a revamped lineup for 2020, with Lucy Smith, Dave Woodhead and Avani Dias stepping into key slots.

Smith, currently filling in on Breakfast, will replace Mornings host Linda Marigliano who departs triple j after over a decade.

25-year-old Smith has spent the past year filling in blanks on Mornings and Lunch.

Lucy Smith by Cole Bennetts

“I’m so unbelievably excited to spend each weekday flexing my music muscle and diving a little deeper into the tunes you’re hearing on triple j, plus the stories from the artists behind them,” says Smith.

“Mornings is a music lover’s haven, and it’s an honour to follow in the footsteps of two of my broadcast heroes Linda Marigliano and Zan Rowe.”

With listeners quick to bemoan this week’s departures, Rowe weighed in on Twitter, reminding listeners of triple j’s key bullseye.

Feeling like all the presenters who you grew up with are leaving triple j? I get it.

triple j is a youth station. Our very existence is about renewal. Constantly aiming to entertain and inform 18-24 year old Australians.

Older than that? @DoubleJRadio is tailor made for you.

— Zan Rowe (@zanrowe) November 19, 2019

Gen Fricker is another who will depart the station, and 21-year-old comedian Dave Woodhead has been announced as her replacement.

He’s been performing stand-up since he was 16 and recently had a stint on Breakfast during NAIDOC Week.

“I’m looking forward to joining the triple j fam, spinning the best tunes and playing ‘Treaty’ by Yothu Yindi at every possible opportunity,” he says.

With the departure of long-term Hack host Tom Tilley announced earlier this week, Avani Dias will become the new full-time host of triple j’s current affairs show.

Avani Dias by Cole Bennetts

Dias has worked on Hack as a reporter, is the host of Hack’s Friday Shakeup, and also spent time as a fill-in host for the program in the back end of 2019.

She was also a finalist for Young Journalist of the Year at the 2019 Walkley Awards.

“When I was a teenager, I’d write cheesy lines in my diary about how obsessed I was with triple j and wanting to be on the station,” she says.

“I’ve grown up with Hack. It’s guided me through life, taught me what I should know about the world, and in many ways made me the person I am today.

“So, you can imagine how proud and excited I amto be taking over the only show in Australia which always puts young people at the front and centre of every conversation.”

As previously announced, Weekend Arvos duo Sally & Erica will take over from Ben & Liam for Breakfast in 2020, with the latter pair moving to Nova Adelaide.

Stepping into the Weekend Arvos slot next year is Bryce Mills. The presenter got his start in community radio and has spent 2019 filling in on Mornings and Lunch.

He also has his own podcast God Is Dead and works on Channel 10’s The Bachelor Unpacked.