Brutal reason radio star Mitch Churi was sacked by KIIS FM

The industry was shocked recently when a popular host announced he’d been sacked. Now, an insider has revealed why he was let go.

Radio insiders have revealed the real reason popular radio host Mitch Churi was axed by KIIS FM.

The 28-year-old, who hosts The Night Show with Mitch Churi (7-10pm weeknights around Australia on the KIIS network) and The Pick Up(3-4pm weekdays on the KIIS network) announced on air last week that he had been told he would not be returning in 2025.

“I just want to say that it wasn’t my decision,” Churi said through tears on The Pick Up. “It wasn’t my call.

“I really wanted to stay on this show with the two of you (co-hosts Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne), and I wanted to stay on The Night Show and I wanted to stay at ARN and KIIS.”

The announcement shocked the industry, with many considering Churi to be Australia’s most promising broadcaster.

“He’s on the verge of being an absolute superstar,” former radio executive Irene Hulme said about Churi on the Game Changers Radio: Melbourne Radio Wars podcast.

“Mitch is the future. A talent who could redefine breakfast radio for the next generation. A contemporary broadcaster who is creative, genuine and relentless, with a youthful sound that our industry desperately needs to remain relevant.”

So why then did ARN, the company that owns KIIS FM, decide to let him go?

Firstly, night shows are fairly inconsequential to radio stations in terms of ratings. They’re mostly used as breeding grounds for future breakfast hosts, which is the most lucrative slot for stations.

But unfortunately for Churi, ARN signed a 10-year deal with Kyle and Jackie O in 2023 worth $200 million that will likely see their breakfast show networked Australia-wide on all KIIS stations in the coming years.

Mitch and Jackie O.

Mitch with Michelle Visage.

“You can understand it purely from a financial perspective,” Craig Bruce, host of the Game Changers Radio: Melbourne Radio Wars podcast, said.

“Let’s say Mitch is on $100,000 a year. ARN would be looking at that and going, ‘okay, we have a breakfast show for the next 10 years on the KIIS network, so that’s locked in. We have a drive show (Will and Woody) … so why on earth would we spend any amount of money on a nights talent if we’re not going to get a return on that money?’”

Mr Bruce, a former radio executive, said that “sadly” he would have made the same decision if he was one of the ARN bosses.

“If I was in that room, I would have voted for (Churi to be axed),” he said. “I just can’t justify that wage right now on this current trajectory that we’re on, which is a network that is going to have one or two shows and that’s it.”

Could Mitch and Mel replace Hughesy and co. on 2Day FM?

So far Churi hasn’t revealed what he plans to do next year, but many industry insiders have said they would be shocked if he wasn’t quickly snapped up by another radio network.

Game Changers co-host Irene Hulme suggested Churi would be a great candidate to replace Dave Hughes, Erin Molan and Ed Kavalee on 2Day FM breakfast in Sydney, after the trio were axed in August.

“If I was SCA (Southern Cross Austereo which owns 2Day FM), I would be hiring Mitch Churi and Mel Tracina and building the next great breakfast show for Sydney,” Ms Hulme said.

You can listen to the Game Changers podcast about Churi’s departure here