ABC Radio to reboot with new-look line-up

ABC Radio has added Chris Bath and former News Corp Australia CEO Kim Williams to its line-up.

ABC Radio has shaken up its presenter line-up, adding former Seven Network news presenter Chris Bath and former News Corp Australia chief executive Kim Williams, as well as extra duties for conservative commentator Tom Switzer.

The public broadcaster yesterday announced the changes to its line-up and content schedule amid widespread criticism of its left-leaning commentary and lack of balance, particularly throughout the US presidential election campaign.

Williams, who was dumped by The Australian’s publisher News Corp in 2013, will host What Keeps Me Awake?, which will feature “high-profile” Australians discussing what they believe are the key issues and themes within the daily news cycle, while Bath will join 702 Sydney’s statewide evening show.

Switzer will take over as host of Radio National’s Sunday Extra, replacing former Fairfax Media and Crikey editor Jonathan Green, and retain his current program Behind The Lines.

Many of the ABC’s high-profile radio and television presenters, including Insiders host Barrie Cassidy, PM host Mark Colvin and journalist Annabel Crabb, have expressed their disdain for the “nightmare” of a Donald Trump presidency and asked if there was an “off switch” for his campaign. Former prime minister Tony Abbott said this week the anti-Trump agenda reflected a public display of bias.

Sydney Institute executive ­director Gerard Henderson said the line-up changes would do ­little to balance ABC Radio’s left-wing slant.

“The ABC doesn’t have one conservative presenter, producer or reporter on any of its prominent television, radio or online outlets,” he said. “Putting Tom Switzer on Sunday Extra, in my view, doesn’t change that.”

Williams was overlooked for the ABC managing director role, replacing former boss Mark Scott, which eventually went to Michelle Guthrie in December.

Classic FM host Margaret Throsby, who has hosted the Midday program since 1994, will leave weekday radio to host a three-hour program on Saturday morning. Other additions to the ABC radio line-up include Australian soprano Greta Bradman, who will present music on Sunday mornings, and Triple J identity Sarah Macdonald.

Meanwhile, Ms Guthrie yesterday defended the public broadcaster’s decision to sign a deal with global streaming giant Netflix, after politicians and commercial networks slammed the move. Under the arrangement, the ABC will use some of the $1.1 billion in annual taxpayer funding it receives to finance around 60 per cent of the production costs of Netflix sci-fi drama Glitch.