KIIS FM’s Dave Hughes replace Hamish and Andy at 2DayFM amid sweeping changes across FM radio
THE battle for ratings dominance has intensified as some of FM radio’s biggest names surprisingly switch stations next year, while some surprises have remained.
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THE battle for ratings dominance has intensified as some of FM radio’s biggest names switch stations next year.
In a surprise move, Hit Network announced it would be stealing KIIS FM’s drive team of Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek to replace radio kings Hamish Blake and Andy Lee on 2DayFM in 2018.
The Project buddies, Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little, are staying with the Hit Network and will host their national show from 3pm to 4.30pm next year with Hughesy and Kate then taking over from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
“We are delighted one of radio’s most enduring and hilarious duets, Hughesy and Kate, are joining our new Drive line-up for 2018,” the Hit Network’s head of content, Gemma Fordham said.
While the station acquired new talent for Drive, it is sticking with its incumbents for the coveted and highly competitive breakfast slot.
Host Em Rusciano confirmed to Confidential she’s returning in 2018 alongside Harley Breen.
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Speaking to promote the station’s successful RNB Fridays Live event, which takes place this Thursday and Friday nights at Qudos Bank Arena, Rusciano said that while the duo haven’t made big waves in the ratings after taking over from Rove McManus and Sam Frost, they’ve got a big following online.
“It takes a lot time to turn a big ship around but we are happy with all that and we love our team,” said Melbourne- based Rusciano, who will return to Sydney for the RNB event this week.
“If you have seven million people watching a video, you know you’re doing something right, so we are not worried about our message getting out there.”
Rusciano added that despite the competitiveness of radio, she will always support her competitors.
“I would never say anything about another breakfast show because I know how hard it is and I feel a lot of camaraderie with those guys — we are driving those lonely streets at 4am.”