Neil Mitchell signs new two-year deal with 3AW and signals interest to stay on radio long term

Radio powerhouse Neil Mitchell has inked a new two-year deal with 3AW, warning listeners he could be on the airwaves for decades to come.

Neil Mitchell has inked a new radio deal with 3AW. Picture: Nicki Connolly

A reinvigorated Neil Mitchell has signed a new two-year deal with radio powerhouse 3AW and has warned he could be on the airwaves for another 20 years.

Mitchell, 69, negotiated the deal himself with Nine Radio, with the contract signed last week.

“I thought I’d stay just to upset those who support the cancel culture, they’ll want to cancel me one day,” he quipped.

“I haven’t been cancelled yet.”

On a more serious note Mitchell said the experience of broadcasting through last year’s lockdown and pandemic had reinforced the importance of talkback news radio.

“We were getting two to three emails a minute (to his show) and massive numbers of people asking us into their lives at one of the most challenging times in their lives and we were helping them, I think,” he said.

“I thought it was a privilege and you don’t walk away from that easily.

“On top of that, I really enjoy what I do. I love it. I wouldn’t have stayed half this time if I did not love it, but last year’s experiences made it particularly addictive.”

Mitchell, whose show is the dominant morning radio program in Melbourne, said the two year term was his choice.

“Nine offered me a longer contract and I said, ‘two years is enough and we can have a talk in 18 months’,” he said.

“I might go on for another 20, who knows. I have talked to them about a long term involvement with them even if I wasn’t on radio. They are a pretty good lot to work for.

“I don’t think I will ever retire.”