Mark Soderstrom to leave Mix 102.3 – here’s why

Mark “Soda” Soderstrom is no longer in the mix at Mix 102.3. Find out why he’s going and what he has to say about it.

Media personality Mark “Soda” Soderstrom has quit Mix 102.3 after eight years.

The decision comes after weeks of speculation that former ABC Adelaide breakfast presenter Ali Clarke is set to join the FM station.

“I’ve made the tough decision to finish up at Mix after eight great years,” Soderstrom said in a statement.

“It has been an enormous privilege to be invited into the cars, homes and workplaces of the station’s fantastic listeners and friends who I will miss dearly.

“I have been fortunate to have met some brilliant and inspiring people along the way and it is these relationships that I will cherish most about my time at Mix.”

Soderstrom, who is also a sports presenter and football commentator for 7 News Adelaide, is leaving the Erin & Soda for Breakfast show which he co-hosted with AFLW star Erin Phillips.

His exit follows a drop in the ratings for the show and the station.

Mark “Soda” Soderstrom with co-host Erin Phillips.

Mix had long been Adelaide’s favourite station and its breakfast show the top FM one in the crucial timeslot.

But by the final ratings for the year, released earlier this month, Mix had been replaced by AM station ABC Adelaide, and the Erin & Soda for Breakfast was the second most popular FM breakfast show behind Triple M.

Duncan Campbell from the Australian Radio Network, which owns Mix, said Soderstrom had made “an incredible contribution to Mix 102.3”.

“I’d like to thank him for valuable input that has seen Mix 102.3 enjoy great rating success in the competitive Adelaide market. He leaves with our best wishes,” he said.

ARN said an announcement on the new Mix 102.3 breakfast show’s line-up would be made soon, but confirmed Phillips would be in the line-up.

Radio insiders predict Clarke will lead the team.

In the final ratings survey for 2021, she was the number one breakfast presenter in Adelaide – a position she has held many times before.

Rumours of a shake up at Mix have been circulating for most 2021.

In March, Soderstrom and Phillips were not on the air for a week. Management said he was unwell but radio insiders and the public questioned this because he still appeared on Channel 7.