Radio Veteran Neil Mitchell ‘wouldn’t listen to Kyle in a fit’

Melbourne radio giant Neil Mitchell has warned Kyle Sandilands that the shock jock will face stiff competition in Melbourne.

Veteran Melbourne radio broadcaster Neil Mitchell has confessed he has no intention of ever tuning into The Kyle and Jackie O Show when it comes to Melbourne next year.

Sydney radio duo Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson signed their blockbuster new contracts live on-air on Wednesday morning.

Neil Mitchell has warned Kyle Sandilands he could struggle to be the ratings juggernaut he is in Sydney when his show reaches Melbourne. Picture from Jake Nowakowski.

The deal, worth a reported $200 million, will syndicate the show into Melbourne for the first time next year, at the expense of KIIS FM’s current Melbourne breakfast show, hosted by Jason Hawkins and Lauren Phillips.

Beloved radio broadcaster Mitchell shared his thoughts about the move on his 3AW show Mornings with Neil Mitchell on Thursday, and had some choice words for Sandilands. 

Mitchell shared that while he thinks Sandilands is an “effective” broadcaster, he wouldn’t choose to listen to the radio shock jock “in a fit”.

“He loves it, he understands it, he exploits it, he knows his audience and he’s an effective broadcaster but I wouldn’t listen to him in a fit,” said Mitchell.

“He’s not as successful as he claims he is, but he is successful, and you’ll certainly know he’s in town.”

Mitchell went on to suggest the Kyle and Jackie O Show will have a tough time trying to beat rival Ross Stevenson, who dominates Australia’s most competitive radio market, Melbourne, in the ratings.

Kyle Sandilands and his on- air partner Jackie “O” Henderson will be beamed into Melbourne next year to justify their $200 million ten-year deal. Picture from Instagram.

Mitchell continued: “Radio’s about competition. I think Ross Stevenson will see it all off. He’s a quiet genius in his own way and I think the industry underrates him, but the audience doesn’t. Kyle will try and steal audience anywhere, including Ross. In the end I know Ross Stevenson is going to deal with him.”

However, Mitchell went on to warn the likes of Stevenson that Sandilands should “not be underestimated”, adding: “I saw Kyle described as a grubby buffoon. Maybe that’s true, maybe he is. But he’s a very smart one. He’s a grubby buffoon that should not be underestimated.”

Sandilands announced the huge news this week live on-air.

“Melbourne listeners, you’ll hear us on KIIS 101.1 on the Melbourne FM,” Sandilands declared, without mentioning the fate of station’s current hosts, Jason Hawkins and Lauren Phillips, who have been axed. “We want to thank the listeners. Staff. All the clients. Even senior management, I’ll give a nod to. They actually did something brilliant.

Originally published as Radio Veteran Neil Mitchell ‘wouldn’t listen to Kyle in a fit’