Neil Breen to replace Alan Jones on Brisbane radio 4BC

TV and newspaper journalist Neil Breen tapped to host 4BC’s breakfast program in Brisbane

Journalist Neil Breen, left, will replace Alan Jones in Brisbane. Picture: Renee Nowytarger.

Television and newspaper journalist Neil Breen has been tapped to host 4BC’s radio breakfast program in Brisbane, replacing veteran broadcaster Alan Jones, even though he has never had his own radio show.

4BC’s owner Nine Entertainment said Saturday morning that Breen is returning to his home town after working at its commercial TV network Nine as a sports journalist since late 2012. Prior to that, he worked at three newspapers owned by News Corp Australia, publisher of The Australian.

Nine’s appointment of Breen comes just days after Jones stunned his listeners by announcing his departure from radio after 35 years at the end of the month. A few minutes later, Nine announced that journalist Ben Fordham would take over 2GB’s popular radio breakfast show in Sydney.

Nine’s radio boss Tom Malone said the company is “thrilled that Breenie is returning to his home town with a dedicated local breakfast show for Brisbane on 4BC.”

“Local radio is an important part of any community and we know Neil is the perfect choice to provide Brisbane listeners with the very latest news and information.”

Breen is excited to be returning to Brisbane in the new radio role.

Alan Jones announced his retirement from radio. Picture: Kris Durston.

“I’ve loved my time in newspapers and TV, but for me radio has always been a huge passion. I’m so honoured to be taking the mantle from Alan Jones,” he said.

“Radio has an intimacy and a connection with its listeners like no other medium and my program will be focused on telling the story of Brisbane. And I want the people of Brisbane to tell us their stories, particularly as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19. I want it to be their show.”

Breen is currently a sports reporter for Nine after joining the network at the end of 2012 as executive producer of its breakfast TV show Today.

Prior to that, he was editor of Australia’s No 1 selling newspaper, The Sunday Telegraph for seven years. He was also sports editor at The Australian and The Courier-Mail.

Nine made no mention of Breen’s radio work in its media release on Saturday, but a spokesman told The Australian that he has filled in for 2GB hosts, including Ross Greenwood, who left last December, and others at night over the years.

Greenwood was replaced as host of Money News on 2GB by former Sky News host Brooke Corte shortly after Nine took full control Macquarie Media, which has subsequently been renamed Nine Radio.

The performance of Breen and Fordham, who is currently 2GB’s afternoon host, in their new radio hosting roles will be difficult to measure over the next couple of months, given there won’t be any official radio ratings surveys until late September. Surveys three, four and five were suspended at the start of April because of the coronavirus crisis.

Jones’ departure from 2GB after 35 years is expected to lead to a drop in advertising revenue for Nine, although ad bosses anticipate that Fordham will attract new brands and younger listeners.

However, the 79 year-old has also alienated some advertisers with some of his controversial comments, including last year’s offensive statements about New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Jones will call time on his long-radio career on May 29, with his successors making their debut on June 1.