Australian Radio Network cuts breakfast hosts Mike Van Acker, Bianca Dye

Australian Radio Network is heading in a ‘different direction’ as it cuts two breakfast show hosts.

Robin Bailey most recently worked on Triple M Brisbane breakfast. Picture: AAP

Australian Radio Network has become the latest broadcaster to make changes to its programming, axing two of its breakfast show hosts, 97.3 Brisbane’s Mike Van Acker and Bianca Dye.

Van Acker, Dye and executive producer Liam Renton, will all depart the breakfast slot as ARN looks to take the show in a ‘different direction’. Co-host Bob Gallagher will remain with the network.

The announcement is part of a number of changes for ARN, which runs the KIIS and Pure Gold networks. A handful of redundancies have been made across content and sales while WS FM Sydney content director, Scott Muller, is also set to leave the business after two years.

“Scott Muller’s fixed-term contract as WS FM’s content director has come to an end and he will leave the business. ARN thanks Scott for his contribution to the station and for his achievements over the past two years,” an ARN spokeswoman said.

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“Separate to today’s Brisbane announcement, four people across ARN off-air positions in content and sales have left the business this week.”

While ARN would not disclose plans for the new year, The Australian understands radio personality Robin Bailey could return to the network. ARN said there was “no contract signed” currently with Bailey.

Dye, who replaced Bailey, will stay with ARN in a role that is yet to be announced.

The appointment of Bailey would mark her return to the network she was axed from after a decade in 2016. Bailey most recently worked on Triple M Brisbane breakfast, however quit the show in September to care for her husband, Sean Pickwell, who has since passed away.

ARN’s changes come at a tumultuous time for the wider media industry. Earlier this week rival Southern Cross Media Group announced a business restructure, which is expected to affect up to 90 jobs. Triple M program Australia by Night was axed as part of the changes.

Seven West Media is also undergoing a major restructure, axing programs including Sunday Night, Today Tonight, Sydney Weekender and Melbourne’s The Great Weekend.