South Australia radio moves: Who’s hosting what in 2020
Who is going to be hosting your favourite radio shows in the New Year? We explore the ins and outs of South Australian radio.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Who is going to be hosting your favourite radio shows in the New Year? We explore the ins and outs of South Australian radio.
NOVA 919
In
Ben Harvey
Liam Stapleton
Out
Dylan Lewis
Hayley Pearson
Jarrod Walsh
Confidential’s verdict:
Former Fresh FM and national Triple J breakfast hosts Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton are SA radio’s prize recruits for 2020, replacing popular early morning duo Dylan Lewis and Hayley Pearson.
Confidential hears the station tried to lure them over a few years ago so they’ll be over the moon to have finally secured the young pair.
Lewis and Pearson were given quite the send-off by listeners, finishing a close second to Mix 102.3 on the FM dial in November’s radio ratings survey.
So there’s a strong platform for Harvey and Stapleton to build on and the network will be hoping they can hit the ground running when they debut next month.
FIVEaa
In
Tony Pilkington
Jarrod Walsh
Out
Jane Reilly
Alan Hickey
Confidential’s verdict:
It’s the end of an era in many ways with longtime presenter Jane Reilly and afternoons host Alan Hickey saying farewell at the end of 2019.
Having said that, radio icon Tony Pilkington, 75, will make a surprise return next year, taking over afternoons in his first permanent on-air role since 2010.
The move to bring back the Australian Radio Hall of Fame member might have shocked some but following KG Cunningham’s comeback in January at the ripe old age of 79, it’s clear the station values experience.
In contrast, the personable Walsh will add a youthful edge as anchor to FIVEaa’s drivetime sports show.
One of the state’s best known voices as MC at virtually every local sporting event, the former Nova mornings announcer will be well-known to listeners.
MIX 102.3
In
Erin Phillips
Alexis Kuchel
Out
John Bleby
Confidential’s verdict:
Is there anything Erin Phillips can’t do? The champion AFLW footballer and WNBA basketballer will try her hand at breakfast radio next month, filling for Jodie Oddy who is on maternity leave until at least April.
Adding arguably the state’s most popular athlete to the top-rating FM breakfast show in Adelaide would appear to be a slam dunk, and should continue the momentum generated by Jess Adamson’s successful pre-Christmas stint alongside regular co-host Mark Soderstrom.
Behind the scenes there’s also been some moves, with John Bleby, the breakfast show’s anchor and content manager, departing the program as part of a “restructure”.
Taking over as the show’s executive producer will be Alexis Kuchel, formerly known Alexis Savaidis.
A familiar face - and voice - thanks to previous announcing roles with the old SAFM and Triple M radio stations, Kuchel brings a wealth of knowledge, having worked as content director while she also helped re-launch stations in both Adelaide and Sydney.
TRIPLE M ADELAIDE
In
Bernie Vince
Out
Dale Lewis
Confidential’s verdict:
The Rush Hour drivetime show will receive a much-needed refresh thanks to former Crows star Bernie Vince, who will replace ex-Swan Dale Lewis on the new-look 5.30pm-7pm drivetime sports show.
Melbourne-based Vince is a beloved figure in Adelaide - at least among Crows fans - and has plenty of experience behind the microphone in various roles over the years.
It’ll be interesting to see how Vince manages his on-air workload - which includes a weekly TV footy show on Nine alongside Kane Cornes - with a full-time job as director of a real estate agency and as a father to baby son Harvey. Good luck to him.
SEN SA
In
Dominic Rinaldo and Travis Dodd
Dwayne Russell - new timeslot
Out
Josh Jenkins
Confidential’s verdict:
Dwayne Russell moves from the weekday 3-4pm slot to the prime afternoon 12pm-3.30pm shift in the major change to SEN SA’s daily programming next year.
Fox Sports commentator Russell can be polarising among sports fans but he knows his stuff and as a former SA boy, has his ear to the ground for all things Port and Crows.
This month, Cruise 1323 mornings announcer Dominic Rinaldo and former Adelaide United captain Travis Dodd kicked off a new weekly soccer show on Wednesdays at 5.30pm, which is a welcome addition to the schedule.
Ex-Crow Josh Jenkins was a regular guest on the breakfast show with Kane Cornes and Andrew Hayes, and there’s no word yet on who will replace him next year following his trade to Geelong.
It’s been a slow build for SA’s sports radio station but things are looking up in 2020.
ABC RADIO ADELAIDE
In
The Country Hour presented by Isabella Pittaway
More local content
Out
Myf Warhurst
Confidential’s verdict:
While there’s been significant change interstate, SA’s ABC Radio line-up will remain stable in 2020 with Ali Clarke, Jules Schiller, Peter Goers, David Bevan and Sonya Feldhoff all returning to the airwaves.
Popular Sydney presenter Warhurst, who hosted the 12.30pm-2pm timeslot (which was heard in SA), resigned earlier this month after two years with ABC Local Radio.
Her shift will be replaced by local content, with 30 minutes of The Country Hour from 12.30-1pm, followed by an extended afternoons show with Feldhoff from 1pm-3.30pm.
Former Spicks and Specks star Warhurst is a loss but having more locally produced content every day can never be a bad thing.