SCA priming Abbie Chatfield to take on Kyle, Jackie ‘O’ as breakfast radio saviour: insiders

Hot Nights could soon be Hot Breakfast with Abbie Chatfield, with insiders tipping the former Bachelor star is being primed by a radio giant to salvage its breakfast show.

Southern Cross Austereo is in “desperate” need of a radio wildcard, with industry speculation Abbie Chatfield could soon take on Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson in the all important breakfast market.

Well placed radio executives told The Daily Telegraph that SCA, parent company of station 2Day FM, is priming ‘It’ girl Chatfield to take over a breakfast slot in 2024 in a bid to salvage a decade-long ratings spiral.

“They’ll definitely make a play for Abbie in 2024,” the executive said.

“They were in discussions for next year,” but haven’t yet come up with the perfect on-air partner.

“She’ll want someone young, fresh, modern, relatable … like her.”

Industry insiders say Chatfield’s recent gig on The Masked Singer is part of a larger plan to turn her into a household name capable of beating Kyle and Jackie O in the ratings.

“She certainly could be the wildcard that they desperately need, after a decade of dismal ratings at 2Day FM. Abbie Chatfield is the best card they can play.”

SCA, the largest radio and TV broadcaster in Australia, has thrown “tens of millions” at new hosting combos to try and recapture the Kyle and Jackie O magic they lost in 2013.

Abbie Chatfield could soon be the hottest breakfast show on radio.

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O are at the top of their game.

Chatfield signed with the broadcaster in January to host the evening timeslot. It is understood the bigger plan is to train her up in the medium before launching her in breakfast.

While trumpeting their successes, SCA on Monday posted a disappointing financial result with net profits down 419 per cent, and a $153 million loss.

Blood is in the water, we’re told, as Chief Financial Officer Nick McKennie has resigned, and rumours swirl of job ads for a new CEO to replace Grant Blackley.

Abbie Chatfield and Konrad Bień-Stephen have split up. Picture: Supplied

Chatfield’s Instagram post after news of her break-up was made public.

Whether the foul-mouthed and full of opinions 27-year-old can take on the Kyle and Jackie O juggernaut, they said, “is about who they put her with, and what the chemistry is like, and how patient they are for it to bed in over two-three years”.

The signs of priming are there. The company has been putting its eggs into the ex reality star’s basket, billing her as the “big name podcast talent” at a recent promotional event for LiSTNR at the Rocks.

In August’s radio ratings, Kyle and Jackie O came in second behind 2GB’s Ben Fordham, with the popular radio duo reaching a 12.5 per cent share, down from the previous survey result.

In July, the fourth of eight annual radio ratings Kyle and Jackie O’s share was at 13.3 per cent at KIIS FM.

SCA is working “hand-in-hand” with TV management, the executive said, to turn her into a household name with gigs like judging The Masked Singer.

So whether you care for the details Chatfield’s love life or not, including her break-up from fellow Bachelor franchise alum Konrad Bień-Stephen, you’re likely to hear about it over your cornflakes instead of your nightcap.