Steve Price not returning to radio gigs as Deb Knight tipped to take over

Radio host Steve Price will not be returning to airwaves on 2GB and 4BC next year, with reports the broadcaster has been “sacked”.

Radio host Steve Price will reportedly not be returning to the airwaves on 2GB and 4BC next year.

Price was reportedly “sacked” after not being able to agree to new terms with the station, 7 News and Michael Smith News have reported.

Price told the The Daily Telegraph that they just couldn’t come to an agreement.

“We just couldn’t agree to what I was going to do next year,” he said, adding that it was not his decision to leave,” Price said.

“Channel 9, the new owners, decided to go on a different direction, which just frees me up to do other things, like more of The Project.”

He said he was slightly “surprised” at the outcome but was not annoyed.

“I’m not annoyed, a little surprised, but not annoyed. It is a big world out there, I have got a big profile, a big brand. The world is my oyster.”

Speaking to the Telegraph from Sydney airport where he was bound for Japan to go skiiing, the broadcaster said:

“In the last 24 hours two of the best know names on 2GB, Ross Greenwood and I, have decided we are going to walk away. They will carry on.”

An email from Nine’s Managing Director for Radio, Tom Malone, said Price would not be returning to his afternoons slot on 2GB and 4BC in 2020.

“Steve has been a presenter on Macquarie Radio stations for almost 10 years, firstly on MTR in Melbourne before hosting Nights across the network, and finally Afternoons from earlier this year,” Mr Malone said.

“Unfortunately, Steve and I could not agree on the best way forward for 2020.

“I’d like to thank Steve for his terrific contribution to Macquarie Radio, and we wish him well for the future.”

Steve Price will not be returning to the airwaves next year. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

His departure comes after 2GB’s afternoons fell to second place in the radio survey and was very close to slipping to third.

Station insiders have told the The Daily Telegraph that Today Show host Deb Knight may be tipped to replace Price next year.

This seemed to be confirmed when Knight posted about Price’s departure on Twitter.

“I have some news. The best of both worlds for 2020 – radio and TV,” she wrote.

However the post has since been deleted.

On the Deb Knight suggestions, Price said: “She is very competent. She has had a hard year on the Today show so if she gets a new opportunity, that’s great for her.”

Today Show host Deb Knight has been tipped to take over from Price. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

Price has been a broadcaster for Macquarie Radio for almost ten years and replaced Chris Smith earlier this year who also recently left the organisation.

Smith walked out on 2GB in June after he was told he would be moving from his 12pm to 3pm slot to the night slot.

This is the latest shake-up for the radio broadcaster since it was taken over by Nine, with Ross Greenwood, CEO Adam Lang, program director Michael Thompson and sales director Mark Noakes also leaving the organisation.

Greenwood announced on Thursday that he would be stepping away from hosting Money News after ten years.

“I have just turned 60 and have been working non-stop for the past 40 years,” he said.

“This is a great time for me to stop and have a break from radio and then look at what my next steps are going forward.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with Macquarie Media, however eventually all things come to an end.”

Money News is set to return next year with a new host that is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.