Joe Hildebrand: FM radio is the Squid Game of the airways. Who will survive?

The world of FM radio hosting can be brutal with axings, walkouts, resignation bombshells and on-air censorship, Joe Hildebrand argues.

What on earth is happening on FM radio these days? It’s got a higher death rate than Squid Game.

First Nova Drive’s top-rating Kate, Tim and Marty became Kate, Tim and Joel, and now there’s speculation that Kate Ritchie might leave, too.

If so, can they at least replace her with Kate Langbroek so they don’t have to change the letterheads again?

Tim Blackwell, Kate Ritchie and Joel Creasey for the Kate, Tim and Joel Drive Show on Nova radio. Picture: Supplied

But that’s nothing compared with Nova’s Melbourne breakfast team, who just suddenly decided to quit en masse. It’s like the joint was bought by Patrick Stevedores.

And then there’s the question of where Carrie Bickmore might land now she’s left The Project.

Will the prestigious 2DayFM afternoon slot be enough to satisfy her star power? What if she goes on sabbatical again? Will Tommy Little have to team up with Lisa Wilkinson?

Host of The Project Carrie Bickmore.

Even the eternal industry stalwarts Kyle and Jackie O on KISS are doing walkouts now, the latest because Kyle’s interview with Alan Jones was sensationally censored. Say what you like about the old bloke, he still knows how to get cancelled.

Indeed, it is a funny old world when an AM host is suddenly too hot for FM. Maybe there’s a chance for DJ Joe yet.

Because it is a little known fact that, after a year of hosting Drive on Triple M, I, too, was once a victim of the FM radio wars.

Actually, now that I think about it, the fact that it was little known might have had something to do with the grounds for my departure.

But it still feels harsh — I didn’t even get any “speculation”. Where’s the Daily Mail when you need them?!?

But maybe that’s just the nature of FM radio: Live fast and die young. Or, in my case, live fast and pop up years later on AM radio. Perhaps you could call it the Reverse Alan.

I know it’s not quite rock and roll but I like it.