More Gold Coast radio cuts fear, Southern Cross Austereo boss says no

RADIO insiders are tipping more local content cuts after Gold Coast Luke Bradnam’s afternoon show was axed — but a commercial radio boss vows it is “absolutely not” the case.

RADIO insiders are tipping more local content cuts after Gold Coast Luke Bradnam’s afternoon show was axed but a commercial radio boss vows it is “absolutely not” the case.

The Luke Bradnam Show on Triple M in Brisbane and the Gold Coast since February, 2017, ends December 7.

NEVER MISS A MINUTE WITH THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN APP

Radio industry insiders fear the axing of the Triple M Drive show starring Luke Bradnam and Ben Dobbin is the “thin end of the wedge” for local content. (AAP Image/Mark Calleja)

Melbourne-based national ‘Drive’ show Kennedy Molloy will replace it on local airwaves from 3pm to 6pm in a cost-cutting measure.

Gold Coast radio insiders say fears are running hot that Bradnam is “the thin end of the wedge” and more local cuts in favour of national syndication are on the cards.

Southern Cross Austereo executive general manager Queensland Damon Rielly. (AAP image, John Gass)

But Southern Cross Austereo Queensland boss Damon Rielly, whose company broadcasts Triple M hosed it down: “No way, absolutely not. We are very invested in local concepts and communities.

“Look at the Gold Coast – we are looking at both our stations, Gold FM and Sea, and making sure they have all the support and resources they need to be more local and more successful.”

Mr Rielly scoffed at a suggestion the Eddie McGuire breakfast show out of Melbourne could replace Gold Coast breakfast content.

There is no chance of Eddie McGuire being heard on Gold Coast airwaves at breakfast time, according to Southern Cross Austereo’s Queensland boss. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

“It’s a different proposition between Breakfast and Drive, it’s really important the way people start their day.

“No way are we going to be taking Eddie McGuire into the Gold Coast.”

On the Bradnam show decision, Mr Rielly said SCA had a big investment in its Kennedy Molloy show and “at the end of the day we are a commercial radio station which means things need to be financially viable and we are seeing good financial uplift nationally against

Richard Fowler, former Gold FM brekkie radio king who ditched his job after 3 decades to look after his mum in NZ has been back on air for community station 94.1FM - and he couldn’t be happier. Picture Glenn Hampson

our nationally benchmarked shows.

“But we’re not seeing the same on local Drive shows.”

Gary Field, CEO of Gold Coast’s 94.1 community station, said the cut to local content was “good for us but I don’t like seeing local talent missing out”.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR $3 A WEEK

Mr Field said he started 94.1 five years ago because more national content was going into commercial radio.

94.1 breakfast host Richard Fowler, who spent decades at the top of Coast commercial radio ratings, said he could not be happier now.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying 94.1. The added luxury is I get to come and go as I please.

I don’t even have a contract. I said I can do the job and you know I’ll do it well. As long as I can have as much time off as I want I’ll do it. I couldn’t do that at Gold FM.”