Adelaide’s 2024 breakfast radio teams reviewed: how your show fared
Summer holidays are over and early morning alarms have been reset for Adelaide’s breakfast radio hosts. The Advertiser channel-surfed this morning to assess the 2024 line-ups.
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The early morning alarms are back on for Adelaide’s breakfast radio hosts.
This year, two stations – Mix and ABC – have changed things up with a new look and fresh sound in the all-important timeslot.
After a huge shake-up in 2023, the status quo has been maintained elsewhere, as SAFM and Nova 919 give their brekkie teams an opportunity to gel and get to know their audience.
Meanwhile, at the top-rating AM and FM stations, FIVEaa and Triple M respectively, it’s more of the same winning formula in 2024.
So you don’t have to, The Advertiser channel-surfed this morning, listening to stations in 15-minute blocks, to see how the line-ups fared. Have your own say below.
MIX 102.3
Who: Ali Clarke and Max Burford
What: Max & Ali in the Morning
Show time: 6am – 9am
When we listened: 7.30am to 7.45am
Clarke might have lost top billing on Mix’s new-look morning show but make no mistake, this is still her brekkie program.
The sometimes polarising presenter takes control of the conversation and introduced the segment, about a mum who’s trying to get rid of her 28-year-old son’s belongings – including a beloved karate outfit.
A relaxed Burford chips in with a few quips here and there but understandably defers to his more experienced offsider and it all works reasonably well.
Mix made the tough call to lose popular anchor Shane Lowe from the show over the break and his absence would be felt by some listeners.
But the station’s new duo appear to be slowly gelling together, and while some of the banter sounded a little forced, that on-air rapport should improve over time.
The Verdict: Needs more time to find their feet but they might have found the right mix.
ABC 891
Who: Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller
What: Breakfast with Sonya and Jules
Show time: 6am – 9am
When we listened: 7.45am to 8am
ABC’s national radio boss raved about Schiller and Feldhoff’s on-air chemistry when he announced the duo were replacing Stacey Lee and Nikolai Beilharz in the breakfast timeslot late last year.
It’s only early days – and it was only a 15-min segment – but that comfortable connection was evident this morning.
Feldhoff’s dulcet tones are made for radio and the veteran led the way, as they put a call out for couples looking to renew their wedding vows next month at new Adelaide Fringe show, The Inflatable Church.
Schiller added a couple of bad dad jokes – “If two dogs get married, would they sign a pre-pup?” – which were a little cringe but it’s his shtick and would have hit the mark with the ABC audience.
The Verdict: It’s like listening to mum and dad on the radio – the new pairing sound like they’ve been on breakfast together for years.
NOVA 919
Who: Jodie Oddy and Andrew Hayes
What: Jodie & Hayesy
Show time: 6am-9am
When we listened: 8am-8.15am
There’s something very likeable about Hayesy, a former footy player and Seven sports presenter. He’s got a cheeky style which is easy to listen to, and he’s not afraid to throw a few gentle digs at his co-host, who sends a jab or two back.
Now entering their second year together, the duo have extended their brekkie offering to three hours in 2024, with Ben, Liam and Belle now broadcast from Melbourne between 5-6am.
In between various competitions and music, the pair discuss their children’s return to school, and debate Richard Branson’s reaction to tasting vegemite for the first time.
They’re still finding their rhythm together and there are no crazy laughs, but overall, it’s an entertaining 15 minutes of radio between two personalities who obviously enjoy each other’s company.
The Verdict: Some things to improve but already kicking some goals.
SAFM
Who: Rebecca ‘Bec’ Morse and Mark ‘Soda’ Soderstrom
What: Bec & Soda
Show time: 6am – 9am
When we listened: 8.15am – 8.30am
Morse and Soderstrom have been staples of the Adelaide media scene for a long time, but mostly as rivals – until last year.
Now embarking on a second serving of Bec & Soda, the pair know what they’re doing behind the mic, and easily mix with each other and their listeners.
This morning’s topic was brainfades and they shared some funny stories which were enhanced by the delivery from two seasoned professionals.
A year ago, rumours of supposed tension between the two were rife but none of that comes across on-air and their banter remains playful and engaging for listeners.
The Verdict: Bec and Soda finished fifth in the ratings at the end of the last year and should be given more time to further gel and build their audience.
TRIPLE M
Who: Mark Ricciuto, Chris Dittmar and Laura O’Callaghan
What: Roo, Ditts & Loz
Show time: 6am – 9am
When we listened: 8.30am – 8.45am
This trio is dominating Adelaide’s radio ratings for a reason: the chemistry and on-air mix between the hosts are spot on.
Callaghan’s addition to the show in late 2021 helped Roo and Ditts blossom, and you can hear as much from a short sports segment this morning.
Loz brings a different perspective to the brekkie show, and bounces well off her co-presenters, who know what they’re doing after almost a decade together on-air.
Nothing sounds forced – it’s all very natural between the three and it makes for great radio.
The Verdict: Why change a winning formula? Keeping it simple clearly works for Triple M.
FIVEaa
Who: David Penberthy and Will Goodings
What: David and Will
Show time: 6am – 9am
When we listened: 8.45am – 9am
FIVEaa’s longtime brekkie pairing are slowly winding up the show by this point of the morning, so perhaps it’s unfair to make too many judgments.
But even at this stage of the show, the hallmarks of their success still ring true.
Discussing a brain chip being implanted in a human for the first time, David and Will are clear, crisp and opinionated.
Goodings and former newspaper editor Penberthy converse easily and their rapport, which comes from years alongside each other, is hard to fabricate.
The Verdict: Expect more of the same in 2024 – and that’s a good thing.
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