Price and Hadley ‘still mates’ after job swap

Nabbing a gig from a mate is never without its awkwardness but Steve Price says there’s no tension between him and Ray Hadley.

Nabbing a gig from a mate is never without its awkwardness. But Steve Price assures Confidential that there’s nothing but good vibes between he and his long-time pal and talkback colleague Ray Hadley in the wake of a deal that saw Price’s Southern Cross Austereo show replace Hadley’s syndication deal across Triple M’s regional networks.

The switch, which went into effect this week, sees Price’s Australia Today show (currently also streamed on the LiSTNR platform) broadcast from Mt Gambier to Maryborough – an area one might consider Hadley heartland.

Steve Price has a new national show that is available through the Triple M app. Picture: Mark Stewart

“There’s no personal animosity between stuff at all. I consider Ray to be one of the good guys left at 2GB,” said Price, who up until a year ago was also employed at the Channel 9-owned AM network.

“We texted (when it was announced) but we haven’t spoken directly about it.

“I guess I would not be exactly over the moon about losing those stations because he is a great champion of regional Australia.

“So it may not be something that will sit that easily with him initially but Southern Cross made a business decision – they had a contract with Nine that expired on June 30 and they decided to put their own talent in that slot and that’s just the way it goes.”

Ray Hadley will no longer be broadcast across Triple-M’s regional channels. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Price parted ways with Nine-owned Macquarie Media and 2GB just over 18 months ago after failing to reach an agreement on a proposed new timeslot for his show after Deb Knight was given his afternoon gig.

At the time it was reported new Macquarie boss Tom Malone informed Price of the network’s decision personally – a claim Price maintains is “not true”.

“I never had a face-to-face conversation with the CEO of Nine (radio) … I was actually called by my manager while I was standing in the foyer of the Commonwealth Bank buying some Japanese yen before going on my Christmas holiday,” Price told Confidential.

“Tom Malone never spoke to me directly about that … So in terms of how they treat people, I think it’s just pretty unacceptable. Would I ever work with them again? I don’t think so.”