Chris Smith to return to 2GB as weekends presenter and fill-in for Alan Jones
He was dumped from 2GB's afternoon show just six months ago but now under new station management, Chris Smith is back. The returned host revealed today when he’ll be on air and what his new show will sound like.
Confidential
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What a difference a couple of months — and new management — makes in radio land.
Chris Smith has been brought back into the fold at Macquarie Media Limited’s 2GB station less than six months after being axed from his afternoon shift at the market leading broadcaster.
Smith, 57, will return to 2GB and Brisbane station 4BC in 2020 as its new weekends presenter from January 18, as well as the go-to fill in for breakfast radio king Alan Jones.
The returned host said he was delighted to be back at the station, but said during a segment on-air this morning that he still had very big shoes to fill.
“It’s so good to come back, there’s so many positive things about Macquarie Media in 2020 … and I’m thrilled to be back in the family.”
He also gave a sneak peak into his vision for the program.
“There’ll be a bit of the old afternoon program, regular contributors, lots of entertainment – we’re gonna have a lot of fun – and when the news is hot everyone will get their news and current affairs as well.”
Since leaving radio in July, Smith was brought into the fold by Sky News and given his own TV show as host of both Chris Smith Tonight and Chris Smith & Friends.
“It’s a great thrill to be asked back and an honour to be tasked with filling in for the great Alan Jones once again in the prime breakfast shift,” he said in an official statement on Wednesday night.
“As for the weekends, bring it on. It’ll be a mix of breaking news, compelling issues, great lifestyle information and a stack of fun, with some of my great radio friends.”
Smith was spectacularly dumped in July when former Macquarie Media chief executive Adam Lang moved to replace him in the 12pm to 3pm weekday slot with Steve Price.
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Price of course was himself axed just a few days ago as new management, led by Tom Malone, at Macquarie freshened up the line-up with Deb Knight to step into that shift.
Ross Greenwood also last week was announced to have hung up his headphones at 2GB, replaced by business journalist Brooke Corte.
Macquarie head of content Greg Byrnes said Smith’s weekend show would be a mix of news, opinion, lifestyle and entertainment.
The show will run Saturday and Sunday morning’s from 9am starting January 18.
“I’m very pleased Chris is coming back to 2GB,” said Byrnes. “He’s loved by our listeners and knows how to create great radio. Chris’s weekend show will be a mix of news, opinion, lifestyle and entertainment.”