Adelaide radio: Will Ali be back in 2024? Read all the goss here

News that Stacey Lee’s joining FIVEaa isn’t the only change happening in Adelaide radio in 2024. Here’s what we know

Will 2024 be the year Austereo Radio Network buys Southern Cross Austereo? And what will it mean?

In October ARN launched a takeover bid for its rival SCA, but is yet to seal the deal.

Sources say it isn’t likely to – this side of Christmas.

But that’s not to say the takeover won’t happen next year. If, and when, it does, ARN – by law – could only operate two stations in Adelaide.

ARN currently owns Mix 102.3 and Cruise 1323, while SCA has Triple M and SAFM.

Industry insiders say ARN would have to hold onto Triple M, which is currently Adelaide’s No. 1 station.

The other obvious choice would be Mix, which is in second place.

Would Mix be rebranded as KIIS?

Who knows? But here’s what we can be certain of on the airwaves in 2024, along with some radio rumours:

FIVEaa’s David Penberthy and Will Goodings. Picture: Tait Schmaal

FIVEAA

Don’t expect to see a major shake-up at this AM talkback station. It’s operating on the ‘if it ain’t broke’ model and there’s only one change in the works.

As previously reported, the now former ABC breakfast presenter Stacey Lee is taking over the afternoon shift vacated by Jade Robran.

It sounds like there was no love lost between Lee and Aunty. While some announcers might stay to the end of the year before telling their bosses they’re leaving, Lee resigned earlier this month. She also shared her feelings on social media: “Some exciting news from me! I’ve resigned from the ABC after accepting a job as the Afternoons host on FIVEaa. I start in January and it can’t come sooner.”

Contacted by the Sunday Mail, FIVEaa station manager Craig Munn confirmed Lee’s impending arrival was the only change in programming. That means the station’s loyal listeners can look forward to hearing more from all their favourites, including breakfast duo David Penberthy and Will Goodings, who consistently do well in the ratings, and night time host Leith Forrest. The latter, who is a former Advertiser columnist, is blitzing his timeslot; in the most recent survey he was No. 1 in his timeslot with 17.4 share points.

FIVEaa recruit Stacey Lee. Picture: Supplied

FIVEaa’s Leith Forrest. Picture: Supplied

Nova 919’s breakfast presenters Jodie Oddy and Andrew Hayes. Picture: Emma Brasier

NOVA

Don’t expect to see a big shake-up at FIVEaa’s sister station Nova 919 either. Jodie Oddy and Andrew Hayes will be back for brekky

Triple M’s Mark Ricciuto, Laura “Loz” O'Callaghan and Chris Dittmar. Picture: Supplied

TRIPLE M

Why would you mess with the winning formula that is Mark ­Ricciuto, Chris Dittmar and Laura O’Callaghan? Roo, Ditts & Loz have been No. 1 for the past six surveys – even though they shared the top spot with FIVEaa in survey six – and O’Callaghan won the best new on-air talent at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards.

While industry sources tell us Dittmar isn’t locked in – because his contract is renewed on a yearly basis – the powers that be are unlikely to want to switch things up. Similarly, The Rush Hour with Bernie, Blewey & Jars talent, namely, good sports Bernie Vince, Greg Blewett and Andrew Jarman isn’t likely to change. In the most recent radio ratings, the show, which airs from 4pm to 6pm, helped the station win the drive timeslot, which runs until 7pm; Triple M recorded 14.1, two points ahead of its closest competitor Nova 919. And, as we have previously speculated, the station is unlikely to go anywhere when ARN seals the deal; the powers that be will surely only want to build on its success.

Triple M’s Andrew Jarman, Greg Blewett and Bernie Vince. Picture: Supplied

SAFM

Triple M’s sister station SAFM is a South Australian institution. Originally known as 5SSA, with the on-air call sign Double SAFM, it was Adelaide’s first FM station when it went to air on September 12, 1980 playing Sultans of Swing. It would be a shame to see it go. But we can confirm it will be business as usual in 2024 and that breakfast duo Rebecca “Bec” Morse and Mark “Soda” Soderstrom are returning to the airwaves.

MIX 102.3

When it was announced Sydney station KIIS 1065’s breakfast show – hosted by Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O – would be syndicated to Melbourne’s KIIS 101.1, it got tongues wagging in Adelaide. The question was being asked – “Will Mix 102.3 be rebadged under the KIIS banner and will Adelaide also get the Kyle & Jackie O show?”

Earlier this year Sandilands told News Corp: “Why would you have the biggest radio show of all time – ever – but only do it in Sydney?

“My bosses say people love it local, but they have got no ­f — king idea. That is such a 1970s mentality.

“If I was in charge, I’d put the biggest product they’ve got on air nationally.”

All that said (and speculated), the Sunday Mail can confirm nothing is set to change at Mix, with a spokeswoman saying the current line-ups are staying just as they are.

This means The Ali Clarke Breakfast Show – with its namesake, Max Burford, Shane Lowe and Eddie Bannon – will be back, along with its regular special guest star, Andrew “Cosi” Costello.

We can also expect to keep hearing local music guru Michelle Murphy on her program, which runs from 9am to 3pm and finished in second spot, behind Triple M, in the morning (9am to noon) and afternoon (noon to 4pm) timeslots in the most recent radio ratings survey.

Mix 102.3’s Max Burford and Ali Clarke. Picture: Supplied

CRUISE 1323

Focusing on music from the 1960s and 1970s and sport, Cruise 1323, on the AM band, is Mix’s sister station. A spokeswoman for both stations says it’s business as usual, meaning we shouldn’t expect to hear any changes in 2024.

ABC Adelaide’s Peter Goers and friends in Broken Hill. Picture: Supplied

ABC ADELAIDE

No newsflash here. We already know Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller are going to be presenting Aunty’s breakfast program in 2024. As for where current breakfast presenter Nikolai Beilharz will end up, it’s unlikely to be at another station. There’s Feldhoff’s arvo shift to fill, along with Schiller’s drive slot. And let’s not forget evenings, which is also up for grabs since Peter Goers announced he is moving on. The hot tip to replace Goers is Deb Tribe, who currently hosts Aunty’s SA Weekends. ABC Adelaide manager Graeme Bennett tells us the ABC will be announcing its 2024 line up next week: “Stand by, it’s very exciting”.

Listen out for: Kelly Golding is a name buzzing around in radio circles, where people are talking up her talent. She’s currently hosting Smooth FM Adelaide’s More Music Breakfast Show, but will she make the switch to another station such as the ABC? Erin Phillips’s contract with Mix – where she’s occasionally heard on The Ali Clarke Breakfast Show – is about to finish. Will she renew it, or take her name elsewhere?