Virginia Trioli may miss out on inheriting show, as ABC looks to cut costs

One of the ABC’s most sought-after gigs looks like it will become a casualty of cost-cutting.

The ABC’s Virginia Trioli. Picture: David Geraghty

Virginia Trioli’s start date as a radio host was finally revealed last week as October 14. However, Media Diary is already hearing well-sourced speculation that Trioli may miss out on inheriting one of the shows her predecessor Jon Faine hosted on the ABC’s main Melbourne AM radio station.

For many years, in addition to his 8.30am to 11am show, Faine has also hosted a Melbourne-only version of The Conversation Hour, from 11am on weekdays. Faine’s Melbourne version of the show runs at the same time as Richard Fidler’s national version of ABC radio’s conversation show, which airs in every other capital city in Australia.

Departing ABC radio presenter Jon Faine.

But with the strong emphasis on cost savings at the ABC at the moment, Diary understands there is a strong chance the separate Melbourne version of the show will not continue beyond 2019.

Earlier this year, Faine’s biggest radio rival, 3AW’s Neil Mitchell, predicted the ABC would dump the Melbourne-only conversation program after Faine’s retirement.

Now Diary can confirm that the dedicated version of the show in Melbourne has been placed under review by ABC management.

The Conversation Hour’s Richard Fidler. Picture: AAP

While we’re told it will continue until the end of the year, ABC bosses will decide whether it continues in 2020.

We’re hearing the most logical outcome is for Melbourne to fall in line with the rest of Australia, with the ABC simply airing Fidler’s national conversation show.

But will Melbourne listeners kick up a fuss, if they think they’re losing their local version of the show?

Read Nick Tabakoff’s full Media Diary in the paper tomorrow or online.