ABC sacks veteran radio host Sarah Macdonald

A popular Sydney radio host has announced she’s been sacked live on-air today, prompting many to hit out at the station over the move.

Popular ABC Radio presenter Sarah Macdonald has been controversially dumped by the station, announcing on-air her contract hasn’t been renewed for 2025.

The veteran Australian journalist, who hosts Mornings in Sydney, told listeners Thursday that executives had made the decision despite her promising ratings in the timeslot.

“Well, here’s the news from me in terms of disappointment,” Macdonald began, announcing her own axing.

“Listen, I’m not going to be on the radio with you next year, the ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings.

“I am proud of what I’ve done. The ratings are up. I’ve broken lots of stories. Had the first interview with the new governor-general. I got the premier of New South Wales to regularly take your calls. Led the election coverage, led the move to our Parramatta studios.”

Sarah Macdonald has been with the ABC for much of her career.

Macdonald, 58, has been with the broadcaster for much of her career, scoring a cadetship at ABC Radio News in her twenties.

Several ABC staffers, including Media Watch host Paul Barry and dozens of listeners, reacted in shock over the abrupt news.

“I can’t believe this. I’m hearing that #ABC has dumped Sarah MacDonald from ABC Sydney. IMHO she’s brilliant, one of the best things on radio. WTAF?” Barry wrote on X.

Australian Story producer Lisa McGregor added, “In shock that @ABCaustralia has not renewed Sarah Macdonald’s contract on @ABC Radio Sydney. She’s lively, warm, informed, an excellent interviewer. She can do hard and soft news, pop culture & human stories. What on earth is the reason ABC? Bad decision.”

ABC Media Watch host Paul Barry was shocked to hear news of Macdonald’s sacking.

Macdonald began hosting Mornings in 2023.

Author Nikki Gemmell said, “An appalling decision by #abcradio to not renew the contract of Sarah Macdonald. Why do so many of the old men of radio at the ABC seem to stay, and stay, and stay … but its blazingly capable, whip smart women are sidelined?”

“ABC have got this very wrong. Sarah MacDonald is so good,” a listener chimed in.

“Seems a crazy decision given how much Sarah Macdonald has done to increase audience for ABC Sydney and how loved she is by that audience,” another wrote.

“Whoever it is at ABC radio who made the decision not to renew Sarah MacDonald’s contract should be sacked. An outstanding broadcaster. Many of us have followed her from JJJ days due to her excellence. Going to lose listeners,” a third noted.

Macdonald’s departure comes amid reports ABC Radio is set to undergo a raft of changes heading into the new year, with fellow ABC veteran Fran Kelly tipped to return to daily news after she departed from RN Breakfast in 2021.

Fran Kelly is poised to return to daily news at ABC Radio.

Following her cadetship, Macdonald went on to work as Triple J’s political correspondent in Canberra, and also featured on several of the network’s TV programs including Recovery, Race Around the World and Two Shot.

Following a stint living in India with her husband, ABC’s foreign correspondent Jonathan Harley, from 2000, Macdonald returned home to rejoin ABC Radio.

She has been the host of Mornings since January 2023.

Before that, Macdonald hosted the station’s Evenings program for three years.