Axed KIIS973 breakfast show Robin, Kip and Corey to make shock return
Robin Bailey, Kip Wightman and Corey Oates will reunite on KIIS973 breakfast in 2026 after a bombshell backflip by the network.
Brisbane breakfast radio hosts Robin Bailey, Kip Wightman and Corey Oates will return to KIIS973 in 2026, after sustained listener backlash forced a rare reversal by Australian Radio Network.
ARN confirmed on Tuesday the hosts would reunite on KIIS973 breakfast from January 19, 2026, following overwhelming feedback from Brisbane listeners and strong audience engagement in recent radio surveys.
The trio were initally axed from their show in October.
“Brissy you did it! Thank you so much. We are coming back because of you and I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be back behind the mic with Kip and Corey again on KIIS973. A reversal like this is a first and I’m beyond excited for what it means for the Robin Kip & Corey show in 2026,” Bailey said.
Kip Wightman said the response from listeners showed the power of Brisbane audiences.
“How good is people power?! No one gets behind a team like Brisbane! Can’t wait to kick off 2026 back in the studio. I guess I’ll need to return all the office equipment I stole on the last day!” he said.
Corey Oates said the trio were looking forward to rejoining listeners each morning.
“We love starting the day with you Brisbane. Thanks for sticking with us, we’re grateful to be part of your mornings. We’ve got exciting plans for 2026 and can’t wait to be back with you from January 19,” Oates said.
Media analysts have said reversals of axed breakfast programs are uncommon in commercial radio once a show has been taken off air.
Radio industry expert Brett Debritz described the speed of the turnaround as unprecedented.
“I’ve not seen this quick a change before. I mean, people have come back, but not like this,” he said.
“There’s also a lot of questions about whether the whole production team will come back. A lot of people, just the three [hosts] were laid off a couple of weeks ago. It’s kind of brand new territory.”
KIIS Network head Derek “DB” Bargwanna said the feedback from Brisbane audiences had been clear.
“Brisbane listeners were clear about what they wanted, and we listened. Robin, Kip & Corey have a strong connection with this city, and the way things wrapped up meant the door was always open for us to reunite. We’re thrilled to welcome them back to breakfast in 2026,” he said.
It was also confirmed on Thursday that Wightman and Oates’ unofficial Broncos-themed podcast, announced after their axing in November, will still go ahead.
The project, published by podcast network Podshape, is set to launch in the new year and will feature former NRL star Sam Thaiday as the third host.
The show is titled The Unofficial Broncos Podcast with Sammy, Oatsey and Kip.
As part of KIIS973’s refreshed 2026 line-up, Craig “Lowie” Low will step into a new role hosting a national night show, Lowie Live, airing from 9pm to midnight across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
The announcement follows the axing of Robin, Kip & Corey by Australian Radio Network in late 2025, with the hosts choosing to wrap up their run a couple of weeks early in November, despite original plans to remain on air until mid-December.
At the time, ARN pointed to a new “bold” local breakfast direction for 2026, with Low slated to take over the Brisbane slot.
The comeback comes after a challenging period for the trio, who spoke candidly about the emotional impact of the decision. In November, Bailey shared on social media that the news had been difficult to process, describing the moment as confronting after years on Brisbane breakfast radio.
“Seven amazing, talented, kind and compassionate people lost their jobs last Thursday,” she posted to Instagram at the time.
“Our industry cares more about money than connection.”
Both shows will launch on January 19, 2026, and will be heard live on KIIS973 and via the iHeart app.
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