Will 3AW afternoon slot be beamed to Victoria from Sydney amid cost cuts?

Melbourne radio station 3AW’s afternoon spot could be taken over by Sydney with Macquarie Media launching an investigation into who leaked the story. It comes amid rumours about the future of Denis Walter, Steve Price and Chris Smith.

Denis Walter’s future is in doubt at 3AW. Picture: Supplied

Melbourne’s 3AW has refused to hose down rumours that it’s local afternoon radio spot will be taken over by Sydney.

Macquarie Media CEO Adam Lang declined to comment as to if the shift-swap rumours were true and said comments made by 2GB host Chris Smith yesterday were by his own accord.

“What was said on air Chris said himself so I have no further comment to add,” Mr Lang told the Herald Sun this morning.

Smith broke down in tears on air on Wednesday after regular guest and Liberal senator Jim Molan wished him well.

Rumours about the future of Melbourne’s Denis Walter also circulated yesterday with unconfirmed reports the new Sydney-based program would be beamed into Victoria.

Chris Smith leaves 2GB yesterday. Picture: Monique Harmer

Mr Lang dismissed the talk as speculation.

“Nothing has even been said about Denis Walter, that’s just speculation so I have no further comment.

He said talks would continue to be held with staff, as always, about issues that could affect them.

Sydney’s 2GB switchboard was flooded with angry callers after The Daily Telegraph revealed plans to move night-time host Steve Price into Smith’s top-rating afternoon slot.

The shift swap is understood to be part of a cost-cutting measure.

Bosses at Macquarie Media launched a witch-hunt to find who had leaked the story.

Insiders said Smith was “collateral damage” from a decision by Macquarie Media’s new owners at Nine to insist on resigning Alan Jones for another two-year, $8 million contract.

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Steve Price also appears on The Project. Picture: Supplied

Radio host Alan Jones. Picture: AAP/Darren England

Macquarie bosses had promised morning show host Ray Hadley Jones’s coveted breakfast slot and told Steve Price he could have Hadley’s slot.

Once Jones was rehired they had nowhere to go.

Hadley was happy to wait for 78-year-old Jones to retire but Price is understood to have agitated for the move.

3AW have been contacted for comment.