Speculation of big changes to Mix 102.3’s breakfast radio show line-up

A major shake-up could be on the cards for one – and possibly two – of Adelaide’s top-rating breakfast shows, if radio industry rumours are to be believed.

Could a major shake-up be in the works for Mix 102.3’s breakfast show co-hosted by Erin Phillips and Mark Soderstrom?

That’s the word in Adelaide radio circles with speculation rampant that Crows AFLW superstar Phillips is looking to step away from the microphone after just one year in the role.

And who’s reportedly at the top of Mix’s wish list to replace her? None other than ABC Adelaide’s top-rating breakfast presenter, Ali Clarke.

The trio tried to shut down the rumours when contacted on Thursday, ahead of this morning’s final shows for the year before radio’s six-week summer break.

But Australian Radio Network, Mix’s parent company, refused to rule out any changes with a spokeswoman only saying there would be “nothing to announce on Friday”.

It’s understood Soderstrom, Phillips and Clarke are all contracted for 2022 at their respective stations.

Erin Phillips and Mark Soderstrom are Mix 102.3’s breakfast duo.

ABC radio breakfast presenter Ali Clarke. Picture: Mike Burton.

Phillips, a two-time premiership star with the Crows, told The Advertiser on Thursday she couldn’t be happier in the breakfast role.

“There’s no grey areas, I’m loving it. I’ll be at Mix next year unless I’m told otherwise,” she said.

Soderstrom declined to comment on the duo’s future but said he had a “great working relationship” with Phillips.

Clarke – wife of Crows AFLW coach Matthew – told The Advertiser she hadn’t been approached by Mix.

“I’ve got a contract in front of me from the ABC, and I haven’t got a contract from them (Mix). What does that tell you?”

It’s Phillips and Soderstrom’s first full year on-air together and after a strong start, the former top-rating FM breakfast pair have lost their magic in recent surveys, falling to fourth overall in the crucial time slot behind ABC891, FIVEaa and Triple M.

The last ratings survey of the year is set to drop on December 14.

A radio insider said Phillips and Soderstrom were a strange mix on the airwaves.

“With a show like that you need a ‘ying’ and ‘yang’ but it’s all ‘ying’ - they agree, agree, agree,” the insider said.

Erin Phillips and Mark Soderstrom are Mix 102.3’s breakfast duo.

ABC radio breakfast presenter Ali Clarke. Picture: Mike Burton.

At this stage, the only confirmed departure from the breakfast show is their producer of three years, Thom Lion, who was quietly let go last week.

It’s been a tumultuous year in more ways than one for the Erin and Soda Show.

The pair mysteriously went off-air for almost a month during ratings season in April, with the station claiming Soderstrom was “unwell” despite him continuing to present sport in his usual role on Channel 7.

Soon after, it was revealed Adelaide broadcasting veteran Mark Aiston was set to join Mix’s breakfast show as executive producer, days before the duo suddenly disappeared from the time slot.

The station even sent out a press release announcing the move before hastily retracting the statement.

Aiston confirmed he was poised to secure the EP position but said “things fell over right at the last moment”.

So what’s next for Mix 102.3? Stay tuned.