Steve Price wins prize afternoon slot on 2GB after shake-up

Radio broadcaster Steve Price has claimed the prime afternoon spot on Macquarie Media’s major stations in a dramatic shake-up of the network’s lunchtime airwaves.

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Radio broadcaster Steve Price has claimed the prime afternoon spot on Macquarie Media’s major stations in a dramatic shake-up of the network’s lunchtime airwaves.

The veteran radioman, who has hosted the night show for seven years, will take control of the reins on Sydney’s 2GB and Brisbane’s 4BC in a bid to make the 1pm-3pm weekday timeslot newsier and lure younger listeners.

Steve Price with his Archibald Prize portrait by Christopher Malouf. Picture: Christopher Malouf

Supporters say the 64-year-old father’s down-to-earth style and broad appeal clinched the deal.

He says he is less conservative than his morning show contemporaries, Alan Jones and Ray Hadley.

Price’s new pay cheque comes with the proviso he lures in younger, more diverse listeners, from tradies to parents on the school run.

“The program is designed for listeners who want more — more news, more interviews, more opinion, more entertainment and more of the unpredictability, fun and passion that comes from a show where the open line for callers is always front and centre,” a statement issued by Macquarie Media Limited read.

Outgoing 2GB afternoons host Chris Smith with son Morgan, daughter Ashley and twin sons Henry and Aengus. Picture: Instagram/chrissmithradio

A former I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! star and panellist on The Project, Price will be joined by News Corp columnist and Sky News host Rita Panahi, who has been a staple on his night-time program.

The night show is aired on 56 stations but the afternoon program will be broadcast in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and some regional stations but not in Melbourne.

The signing comes amid tense discussions between 2GB chiefs and its previous afternoon broadcaster Chris Smith, who had been urged to swap to the evening slot, until negotiations broke down.

Mr Smith will officially tune out of Macquarie on July 31, leaving the night slot up for grabs.

Steve has enjoyed a stellar career spanning decades, from senior reporting and editing roles on newspapers to on-and-off air success at Australia’s talk stations 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 2UE.

He has claimed Australian radio program director of the year, best talk presenter and best current affairs presenter in the same year.

Listeners staged protests about the change to line up outside 2GB in past weeks. Picture: Matthew Benns

His program Nights with Steve Price has been heard nationally on 56 stations and survived 43 days in the African jungle on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

“So much happens post the frantic breakfast setting up of the day and I’m excited to follow Alan Jones and Ray Hadley, Australia’s two most successful talk stars,” Mr Price said of his new appointment.

“Afternoons will be a combination of opinion, talkback, breaking news and more — who doesn’t want to talk about their dream holiday or set of wheels, and trading blows with regular Rita Panahi is always great radio.”

MML chief executive officer Adam Lang welcomed the new afternoon host, saying: “News doesn’t stop breaking when you break for lunch — and with Steve Price behind the microphone, neither do we.

“For the last seven years Steve has been presenting our Nights program and he has achieved that extraordinarily rare feat of being No. 1 simultaneously in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

“We’ve seen how broad Steve Price’s appeal is — and now with The Steve Price Show to air from 12-3pm, a new audience can enjoy his down-to-earth style, from tradies on a worksite to parents doing the school pick-up.”