2SM’s Despina Priala and George Caralis plan to take on the big guns of Sydney radio

The new owners of 2SM have set their sights on some big names to take over the breakfast slot from the legendary ‘Golden Tonsils’ John Laws. See who they’ve approached.

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Sydney’s radio landscape needs to get ready for a seismic shock as one of the ratings minnows takes on the big fish.

Regional broadcaster 2SM has vowed to entice stars to its roster amid a plan to crash the metropolitan radio party.

The new leadership behind 2SM is seeking to fill two key timeslots following the departure of legendary host John Laws – who concluded his career last week after 71 years of broadcasting.

Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Telegraph, owners of the 2SM Super Radio Network, siblings Despina Priala and George Caralis, revealed they are planning to reintroduce a local Sydney breakfast show to 2SM and hire a top-quality broadcaster for their network morning show.

They also want to reintroduce local breakfast shows to their stations in Orange, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.

Despina Priala and George Caralis congratulate radio star John Laws at the end of his final show on 2SM. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The search for new talent has reportedly included talks with several high-profile media figures, some of whom are already on air at other Sydney radio stations, including at Smooth FM and 2GB.

It can be revealed Bill Caralis’ heirs, George and Despina, who took over the network following their parents’ recent passing, have approached former 2GB presenter Jason Morrison, ex-Sunrise host Mel Doyle and disgraced talk presenter Chris Smith.

“We want to be local. We want to make some changes. That’s taken a lot of work behind the scenes. It’s very exciting,” George Caralis said.

Jason Morrison, who has been presenting talkback shifts on the Triple M radio network, confirmed he met with executives at 2SM, but wouldn’t disclose anything further.

Chris Smith didn’t want to comment.

TV and radio personality Mel Doyle was also invited to meet 2SM executives.

Radio veteran Jason Morrison.

Melissa Doyle is also on 2SM’s wish list. Picture Matrix Media Group

“Despina and George are decent people, but to hire a respected and well-liked presenter to broadcast a high-quality radio show five days a week, 2SM will have to look at paying between $700k and $1 million,” Melissa Doyle’s agent James Erskine said.

“Of course he’s going to say that, but maybe he needs to buy a station and then work it out himself,” said Ms Priala.

Doyle and Erskine met with Ms Priala, Mr Caralis and new 2SM General Manager Graham Miles in Pyrmont in October. But Doyle won’t be hosting a show at 2SM in the new year.

“The days of ridiculous money are gone,” Ms Priala said.

The Sunday Telegraph can also revealed 2SM’s management approached Sky News host Erin Molan, but she won’t be heard on their radio network next year either.

Meanwhile, there are reports that 2GB and Nine presenter Deb Knight has been targeted. Smooth FM’s Ron Wilson has also been mentioned, but said “he’s totally focused on kicking arse at Smooth”.

2SM owners Bill and Pam Caralis died within three days of each other earlier this year.

Veteran broadcaster and Sky News host Steve Price has weighed in on the future of 2SM following the departure of John Laws.

Price, who formerly managed Melbourne’s 3AW programming and held talkback roles in both Sydney and Melbourne, advised 2SM to focus on its regional strengths rather than chasing after younger, urban listeners.

He cautioned against hiring high-profile names in talk radio, urging 2SM to avoid aiming for “the next John Laws or Ray Hadley” and instead to focus on finding announcers who would resonate with regional listeners.

Broadcaster Steve Price has offered some advice to the new owners of 2SM. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Among potential candidates, he identified Jason Morrison as well-suited for the role if he could adapt to a regional-focused approach, but he firmly advised against hiring broadcaster Chris Smith, citing his past controversies.

“They’d be crazy to touch Chris Smith. He’s been given too many chances already. A family-run radio network would be crazy to touch Chris Smith,” Price said.

Looking to the future of 2SM, Price emphasised the station’s unique strength: Its regional network that stretches along Australia’s east coast.

Mr Caralis says he’s not yet ready to reveal who will replace John Laws, but he and his sister have been busy meeting with talent.

“We’ve been negotiating with a variety of people … and we’ve spent some time honing in on who we think will be the right fit.

“And we’ve recently closed some deals; we can’t announce that.

“It won’t be done until January. And we want to maintain that confidentiality that we’ve promised them and that they’ve promised us,” Mr Caralis said.

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