Jobs lost as loved Mackay breakfast radio show axed
Jobs lost in Mackay as HIT cuts local morning show Sam and Rach For Breakfast
Mackay
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ONE of Mackay's leading breakfast radio shows has been axed.
Hit Mackay and the Whitsundays Sam and Rach For Breakfast is one of many regional shows to be cut by Southern Cross Austereo as it announces a national restructure.
Of the 50 Hit stations, over half now be without local breakfast shows.
The Daily Mercury understands Mackay-based hosts Sam Blacker and Rachel Zonta are among staff to lose their jobs.
The pair is known across the community for their lavish radio stunts including the virtual flashmob and extreme spray tan challenge.
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The show rated number one in the last XTRA Insights radio survey in September last year.
Survey results showed the station was the most listened to with 21.1 per cent of the market share and finished ahead of competitors Triple M and Star 101.9.
An internal email leaked to radio news site Radio Today reportedly told staffers to attend post-show meetings after their shifts today to discuss changes.
A statement from Southern Cross Austereo confirmed all regional Queensland sites would be replaced with the Cliffo and Gabi breakfast show with Guy Clifton and Gabi Elgood.
The show will be heard statewide and broadcast from Hit103.1 Townsville.
Hit Network stations across Australia will now be in line with Western Australia which has already adopted this approach.
SCA chief content officer Dave Cameron said the company adapted to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 environment.
He said the company was actively looking for redeployment opportunities some for some staff, but that others would be leaving.
The state-based shows will complement current breakfast shows in Newcastle, the Gold Coast and Hobart, which remain unchanged.
Mr Cameron said the company would return to local morning announcers across a some of the regional stations which were previously nationally networked.
The company's national Triple M network will continue broadcasting locally.
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