Channel 9’s Chris O’Keefe to replace Jim Wilson on 2GB Drive show
The vacancy left on 2GB Drive has been filled following Jim Wilson’s announcement he was standing down. The newly-minted radio star can’t wait to “hit the hot seat”.
Confidential
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Nine’s state political reporter Chris O’Keefe has been announced as the new host of 2GB Drive.
O’Keefe will replace veteran reporter Jim Wilson who last week stood down from his high profile radio gig.
He is expected to start the new role after next year on January 9, giving him time to spend Christmas with his family and newborn son.
Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Monday, the newly-named host said he “cannot wait” to “hit the hot seat”, promising “there will be stuff you will hear on my program that you won’t hear anywhere else.”
He also noted his wife Yvonne Sampson, who is also TV reporter, was “incredibly supportive”.
In a statement, the young dad, who grew up in the St George area of Sydney, said he aware of the pressures that came with the role and was eager to continue its “legacy”.
“It‘s very rare to be given the chance to be a part of a radio station that has been broadcasting to our city for almost a century,” he said.
“My past experience behind the mic has shown me that radio is deeply personal, and it has to be.
“We have a one-on-one conversation with hundreds of thousands Sydneysiders at the same time they are juggling kids, battling traffic, or in their kitchens cooking dinner – that’s a serious privilege.”
Sports broadcaster Mark Levy, who regularly fills in during the absence of breakfast host Ray Hadley, was also considered to be in the running for the afternoon slot along with veteran journalist and Weekends host Chris Smith, 2GB Overnight show host Michael McLaren and regular Drive fill-in Luke Grant.
The news of Wilson’s departure last week came a day after he registered a 6.6 per cent audience share in the GfK radio ratings, which placed the show in sixth spot overall in drive.
It is a long way off the market leading ratings now-breakfast-host Fordham achieved before he moved out of the timeslot.
At the time Wilson took over, Fordham’s drive show was consistently number one in the 3pm to 6pm timeslot and regularly sat at around a 10 and 11 per cent share of the market.
Wilson has never been the number one position since taking on the drive shift, although his ratings have gone as high as a 9.2 per cent share.
On air, the 54-year-old told listeners: “By the way, this decision to leave was actually made late last week, it had nothing to do with yesterday’s survey and that is the honest truth and I am sorry that we weren’t able to have some more fun. But anyway, we crack on.”
Wilson jumped to radio after decades as the loveable sports presenter on Channel 7 in July 2020.
He will continue with Nine, returning to television covering sport.
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