Alan Jones signs new two-year contract with Macquarie Media

Alan Jones says it will be “business as usual” for at least another two years.

Alan Jones is set to sign a new contract with 2GB.

Radio’s $4 million-a-year man Alan Jones says it will be “business as usual” for at least another two years, after yesterday confirming a lucrative new deal with the network with which he has dominated the Sydney breakfast radio ratings for decades.

The Australian’s Media Diary yesterday broke the news online of Jones’s imminent deal with Macquarie Media, owner of 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR.

About five hours after the story broke, Macquarie formally announced the market-sensitive signing of Jones to the Australian Securities Exchange.

In an interview with The Australian late yesterday, Jones compared his own re-signing with Macquarie to the re-election of Scott Morrison, saying: “Like ScoMo, I just want to get back on the horse.”

He would not commit to staying on 2GB and Brisbane’s 4BC beyond the end of June 2021, when he will turn 80, a key marking point for the negotiations after Macquarie had originally wanted a one-year deal.

“It’s silly to commit beyond the two years,” he said. “Two years has always been on my mind. I’ve never been into biting off large lumps.”

Jones denied the deal was subject to any onerous conditions. “I wouldn’t be signing a contract I wasn’t happy with, and (Macquarie chairman) Russell Tate wouldn’t be signing a contract he wasn’t happy with. There was no arm twisting on any of this, but goodwill on both sides.”

Jones said he would hang on to his key staff, headed up by long-term senior producer Paul Christenson. “I’ve got a wonderful team; all up, they’ve been with me for a collective 135 years,” he said. “My staff don’t leave.”

He said he had always been philosophical about the outcome of the months-long ­negotiations. “It wouldn’t have been the end of the world, whatever happened. I’ve got other things that I can do. But for the listeners, it brings some sort of conclusion,” he said.

In yesterday’s ASX announcement, Mr Tate said he was happy Jones would continue to be an ­integral part of the Macquarie on-air team for at least another two years.

“With Alan’s current ratings share of the Sydney radio audience amongst the highest it has ever been, his dominance shows no sign of slowing down,” Mr Tate said.

Adman John Singleton had become particularly involved late in the negotiations, as he looks to sell his 32 per cent stake to ­Macquarie’s controlling shareholder, media giant Nine, for close to $100m. Nine chairman Peter Costello and chief executive Hugh Marks had made it known they wanted Jones signed, and that Singleton would get close to what he wanted for his Macquarie stake only if Jones was locked in.

Nine shares jumped 4c, or 2 per cent, to $2.03 yesterday. There have been protracted negotiationsabout Jones’s contract amid speculation 2GB morning announcer Ray Hadley had been offered the breakfast gig.