Media expert weighs in on decision to cut Triple M’s The Rush Hour in Brisbane

An industry expert says the death of Brisbane-hosted drivetime commercial radio may make financial sense, but it has the potential to backfire spectacularly.

Brisbane's drivetime commercial airwaves are now dominated by syndicated shows from intersate following the axing of Triple M's Leisel Jones, Liam Flanagan, and Ben “Dobbo” Dobbin.

Brisbane’s last locally hosted drivetime commercial radio show has been axed, with Brisbane-based talent to be replaced by interstate counterparts.

In another blow to Brisbane’s radio landscape, Triple M’s parent company Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) revealed on Friday that as of 2025 the local station will syndicate the Marty Sheargold Show – based out of Melbourne – across the state.

The decision leaves current Brisbane hosts Leisel Jones, Liam Flanagan, and Ben “Dobbo” Dobbin without roles when the program wraps up next month.

“It’s very devastating news,” Jones said on air yesterday.

“It’s something that we’ve been really proud of here at the Rush Hour and what we’ve built and all about local stories.”

Ben Dobbin after returning to radio after a bad bike injury. Picture Instagram

Marty Sheargold

The decision to run The Marty Sheargold Show here comes despite the strong performance of The Rush Hour, which held a 10.1 per cent market share and secured third place in Brisbane’s drivetime slot, according to the latest GfK survey.

“We never thought the show would work as well as it did, and we were hoping to do this together for the next 10 years. For whatever reason, it’s not to be,” Dobbin said.

The decision is part of a wider shake-up of SCA scheduling, which will also see markets in NSW, SA and WA fed syndicated drivetime content.

Townsville presenters Annabelle Brett (A.B.) and Elliot Lovejoy were the most listened to rush-hour show in the region according to the 2024 radio ratings from Xtra Insights, but that didn’t save them from the chopping block.

Dr Ashley Jones, senior lecturer and program director of TV and radio broadcast at the University of Southern Queensland hit out at the changes.

“These are shortsighted decisions by organisations who focus on the bottom line rather than building and maintaining a strong connection with the audience,” he said.

“Radio is a mirror, it reflects what matters to us, the local community and issues that concern us. We want to talk about the local teams, hear from on air talent who know the market and are engaged with it.”

He said while syndication may be financially advantageous, it risks alienating the local audience.

Liam, Leisel Jones and Dobbo have been axed. Picture: Triple M

“Finance is a reality and in some cases some product networked is acceptable and understandable, but you cannot expect local people to support and engage with the majority of content coming from elsewhere,” he said.

“Of more recent times we have seen the disaster it was to try and take the Kyle and Jackie O show into Melbourne. Ratings are poor and there is no engagement. The departure from local in commercial radio in many was has opened the door to community radio to step up,” he said.

“Ignore your audience at your own peril.”

Brisbane’s 97.3 KIIS FM station also replays the Kyle & Jackie O breakfast show each week night.

The Triple M change comes amid a wave of high-profile exits in Brisbane radio this year, with 4BC terminating its long-running breakfast hosts Laurel Edwards, Gary Clare, and Mark Hine, while Nova 106.9’s Susie O’Neill announced her departure from The Ash, Luttsy, and Susie O’Neill Show after a decade.

In a statement, SCA’s chief content officer Dave Cameron thanked the outgoing Brisbane Rush Hour team.

“Leisel Jones, Ben Dobbin, and Liam Flanagan have been outstanding broadcasters … we thank them for their incredible contributions,” he said.

Originally published as Media expert weighs in on decision to cut Triple M’s The Rush Hour in Brisbane