‘I am always up and down and decide at the last minute’: Mitchell

Melbourne radio king Neil Mitchell is in “considerable discussions” with 3AW about his role with the station next year.

Neil Mitchell is in discussions about his role at 3AW in 2024. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Melbourne radio’s news breaking king Neil Mitchell is in discussions with 3AW about his role with the station next year.

Mitchell, who sits high above the morning radio pack with his show’s soaring ratings, rolled over his contract with AW at the end of June and is already looking at next year and what it may bring.

“As usual we (he and AW) are in considerable discussions at the moment,” Mitchell said when asked if he would be continuing on with his show unchanged in 2024.

“I am always up and down and decide at the last minute.”

Mitchell is no stranger to speculation about how long he will remain in the Mornings chair. Questions brew each time his contract comes into play or a change is made.

Mitchell has respect and clout as a Melbourne radio news breaker. Picture: Nicki Connolly

With the respect and clout he has, at each point the decision is his and his alone.

Mitchell has been the host of 3AW’s Mornings program since 1990 - a mere 33 years at the forefront of news and as a voice for Melburnians.

He branched out this year, launching a podcast. The latest episode features a fascinating chat between Mitchell and Avi Yemini.

AW is flush with an abundance of on air talent and should Mitchell decide to reign in his commitments next year, Drive host Tom Elliott shapes as a sound successor.

Interest in Mitchell’s plans for 2024 seem to have stemmed from moves being made elsewhere in the AW schedule. It is like a game of radio presenter chess.

The afternoon host is still to be announced for 2024 following the departure of Dee Dee Dunleavy mid-year.

Ex-Seven newsreader Jacqui Felgate has impressed in the shift, as have Jimmy Bartel, Heidi Murphy, Tony Moclair and Elise Elliott.

With her sound nose for news Felgate would also be equally at home in a harder news focused shift.