ABC explains new 2024 line-up including decision to replace Stacey Lee and Nikolai Beilharz

ABC’s new radio boss admits he wasn’t prepared for the breakfast presenter’s resignation – but says a big change was already planned.

ABC’s new national radio boss admits the station was caught off-guard by former breakfast host Stacey Lee’s decision to switch to rival FIVEaa – but says a change was already in the works.

Ben Latimer, the network’s head of audio content, confirmed they had been planning to replace Lee and co-host Nikolai Beilharz in the critical timeslot, in favour of longtime ABC presenters Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller.

“It’s something we’d been working on for a while,” said Latimer of the move, which was officially revealed on November 17. It came just hours after FIVEaa announced it had poached Lee for the afternoons shift in 2024.

“We did have plans for Stacey next year so yes, it was a surprise. But breakfast (ratings) has dropped across the last couple of surveys and it’s against that rising trend we’re seeing elsewhere in the country on ABC.

“We want to be more competitive there, so that’s the big reason for the change.”

ABC Radio 2023 Adelaide Breakfast presenters, Stacey Lee and Nikolai Beilharz. Picture: Supplied by ABC

Latimer, Nova’s former head of programming, said Feldhoff and Schiller’s “magical” on-air chemistry would enhance ABC Adelaide’s new-look early-morning program and help connect with their 50-plus target audience.

“They just gel brilliantly and it’s sensational radio. It’s a mix of that news cred, having fun with the listeners but above all, just that chemistry they have. All of that I believe will make us more competitive in brekkie,” he said.

Lee and her former co-host will now go head-to-head in the same timeslot, as part of a raft of changes revealed by the ABC last week.

Beilharz will move to the afternoons shift, comedian Jason Chong will replace Peter Goers on evenings and veteran broadcaster Jo Laverty will move to Adelaide and present Drive.

“When we decided to make the change, we certainly didn’t imagine that Nik and Stace would end up on the same shift on rival stations,” said Latimer.

“I think it adds a bit of fun to the serious business of radio ratings next year.”

ABC announcer Julian Schiller. Picture: James Penlidis

ABC presenter Sonya Feldhoff.

Latimer said Goers, a 20-year radio veteran, would be impossible to replace, so the station was going in a “slightly different direction” with Fringe funnyman Chong.

“Jason’s natural style is very warm, very conversational. He’s going to bring a different voice perspective compared to Peter. He’s a really interesting guy: he’s a writer, he’s a comedian, he’s a filmmaker.

“He’s been filling in on ABC Adelaide for a while, the audience know him and like him.”

A longtime favourite with listeners, Spence Denny will also return in 2024 to host the Sunday mornings program.

In January 2022, the award-winning broadcaster had announced he was retiring, effective immediately, after 33 years on-air.

“He jumped at the opportunity, I think part of him has missed it,” Latimer said.

Just three months into the new role, Latimer said ABC Adelaide’s line-up changes were among the “most significant” made in several years – but much-needed to recapture their core audience.

“It’s a rejuvenation of ABC Adelaide radio,” he said.

“We’re listening to feedback, we’ve overhauled our music playlist with songs that are familiar and resonate with our audiences.

“It’ll be a fresh sound next year but with presenters that audiences know and love. It’s pretty exciting stuff.”