Day: December 6, 2024

For the first time in a decade, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s international radio service – ABC Radio Australia – has returned to the island of Rarotonga on 91.5FM.

The establishment of the new FM transmission service marks the latest milestone in the continued expansion of ABC Radio Australia’s broadcast footprint, which has nearly doubled in the past two years.

ABC Radio Australia commemorated the historic new service in Rarotonga with assistance from the Australian High Commission in the Cook Islands, hosting a series of events including an official launch for Rarotonga’s cultural, political and business leaders and a public meet and greet with ABC Radio Australia’s Nesian Footy presenter Tinirau Arona, who has Cook Islander heritage and travelled to Rarotonga for the launch.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “We are thrilled to have ABC Radio Australia back on-air in Rarotonga, as part of our ongoing commitment to expand our FM transmission footprint. This year has been a tremendous period of growth for ABC Radio Australia, with the addition of nine new transmission locations across the Indo-Pacific region and we’re looking forward to welcoming additional locations in the coming months.”

Manager of Audio Output and Strategy Justine Kelly, who manages the ABC Radio Australia network, said: “After almost a decade off-air, we warmly welcome communities across Rarotonga to return to the ABC Radio Australia family. We invite new listeners to meet our incredible lineup of programs and presenters who bring high-quality content to our audiences every day and we look forward to connecting Rarotonga and the Cook Islands with stories from right across the Pacific.”

ABC Radio Australia will continue to expand to more locations across the Pacific region in coming months, with plans to launch its FM service in Kiribati, Marshall Islands and Buka, in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea.

WAYS TO LISTEN:

If you’re in Rarotonga, the Cook Islands, listen to ABC Radio Australia on 91.5FM.

In the Pa Enua, and elsewhere in the Pacific, there are multiple ways to listen to ABC Radio Australia – live via internet streaming or in your area through 24-hour FM stations, or catch up with full episodes on ABC Pacific online.

 

The Gold Coast will wake up to a brand-new breakfast show in 2025, when Leisel Jones and Liam Flanagan join Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt on 92.5 Triple M Gold from January 13. All three are natives of Queensland and Triple M Gold, with Leisel and Liam moving to breakfast from The Rush Hour.

Leisel, one of Australia’s most-celebrated swimmers and a nine-time Olympic medal winner, swapped the water for the airwaves in 2022 when she joined Liam to drive the Gold Coast home. A golden girl of the swimming pool, she was the youngest Sydney 2000 Olympic team member at just 15 years old. Over four Olympics, Leisel won nine medals, including individual gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. After retiring following the London Olympics in 2012, she released her best-selling memoir Body Lengths and worked as a commentator for the Tokyo Olympics.

Liam, a family man who lives locally with his Gold Coaster wife, has been with the Triple M Network for over a decade. His first gig was handing out icy cold cans of Coke as part of the street team, before moving on-air. Liam began on The Rush Hour when it launched in 2018 and is also part of Triple M Gold’s AFL coverage as a play-by-play caller and a regular sideline commentator for NRL games.

Alongside the familiar voice of AFL legend Spida, who remains steadfast after 12 incredible years with Triple M Gold, the much-loved local identities are ready to bring a familiar and funny mix of news, sport, comedy and banter to the breakfast slot next year.

Spida, an AFL fan favourite who played for the Sydney Swans, Hawthorn, and St. Kilda, is also a regular commentator on Triple M and small-screen presenter with his travel show, The Great Australian Doorstep, which he produces and co-hosts with his wife Sheree.

Leisel Jones said: “I’m so excited to return to the Coast where I spent many years cruising through Pac Fair, dining at the OG Hellenika at Nobby’s and swimming at Burleigh. The Goldie is where my heart feels at home and I’m looking forward to sharing my life (and bad dating stories) alongside my good mates, Liam and Spida. Let’s have some fun over your morning Weet-Bix!”

Liam Flanagan said: “I am beyond excited about ripping into the new year with Spida and Leisel. The Gold Coast gets up earlier than any other place on the planet, and there’s an energy in the mornings here that you can’t find anywhere else. To get the opportunity to reflect that energy every morning in the studio alongside two sporting greats is a pinch-me moment.”

Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt said: “I’m really looking forward to an exciting change that the Gold Coast needs in breakfast radio! New ideas, new fun and, as the longest continuous breakfast announcer on the Gold Coast, you know it will be absolutely local!”

Triple M Gold also thanks outgoing co-host Ali Plath for three years of early starts and great stories.

SCA Chief Content Officer, Dave Cameron, said: “The Triple M Network continues to have a steadfast approach to locally focused breakfast shows in 2025, hosted by much-loved local identities in each city that connect with local audiences and clients. The Gold Coast is no exception! We can’t wait for our listeners to experience Triple M Gold Breakfast with Leisel Jones, Liam and Spida in 2025. Radio on the Gold Coast won’t be the same after this terrific trio officially hits the on-air button. We would also like to thank the much-loved Ali Path for her incredible contribution to starting the day with 92.5 Triple M Gold listeners over the last three years, and we wish her all of the best.”

Backed by the Triple M Gold promise of Good Times and Greatest Hits, Gold Coast listeners can expect to begin their day with local laughs that reflect the local heartbeat of the city when 92.5 Triple M Gold Breakfast with Leisel Jones, Liam and Spida begins January 13, 5-9AM weekdays.

About Triple M: 

For more than 40 years, Triple M has continued to be one of Australia’s best-known radio entertainment brands and the only radio network that provides its listeners with a unique combination of Greatest Hits, Sport and Comedy. With 49 stations across Australia, including six digital stations, Triple M 80s, Triple M Classic Rock, Triple M 2000s, Triple M Country, and Triple M 90s, Triple M has become known for playing Rock’s Greatest Hits, and its iconic talent and shows that get people talking.

It was announced today that Nova 106.9 Brisbane breakfast radio host and Olympic legend, Susie O’Neill will be departing the Ash, Luttsy and Susie O’Neill breakfast show.

After more than 10 years co-hosting Nova’s flagship breakfast show, Susie confirmed on-air this morning that she has decided to step down.

Said Susie, “I do this with a very heavy heart, this decision wasn’t easy. Ash and Luttsy are like brothers to me, they brought me into their world a little over a decade ago and they have always been my biggest supporters. We have formed an incredible bond over the years, which made this decision even harder. I’m proud to call them my friends, as I am the entire Nova breaky team.

“It’s hard for me to articulate exactly why I’m leaving. I think turning 50 last year I realised I’m at a whole new stage in my life. Our kids have grown up and I just feel the next chapter will see me pursue other goals, both professionally and personally.

“I feel like I want to get back to the grass roots of sport, and to involve myself more in the wider community. And while it’s going to be an emotional final day on November 28 saying goodbye to everyone, including our listeners, I do know whatever this next chapter brings, that my Nova family won’t be far away.

“Nova has been amazing to me – a huge shout out to all of you who helped me navigate my way from the very beginning of my radio career, I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to front such an awesome show.

“Both on and off air, it’s been a privilege and honour to learn a whole new set of skills and for people to get to know me beyond the sporting world.

“And to our listeners, you are who I am going to miss the most – I’ve loved my time with you and nothing pleases me more than when one of you comes up and recount a story I have shared on air. You are the reason we get up at the crack of dawn, so thank you for the hundreds of wonderful memories.”

Susie’s on-air colleagues, Ash Bradnam and David “Luttsy” Lutteral have shared a studio with Susie since she joined the station as a casual sports reporter in 2013.

Said Ashley Bradnam, “As a cadet sports journalist at 4BC in the mid 1990s, I had the privilege of first interviewing Susie. Her unique combination of shyness, resilience, candour and her quirky nature immediately impressed me, establishing her as my favourite swimmer.

“When Susie later joined our radio team, she brought these same qualities to her on-air presence. Our audience quickly embraced her genuine charm, much as I had years earlier.

“Over the past 11 years I have watched on as Susie has developed into an outstanding broadcaster, an experience that has been one of the highlights of my career. We have shared countless moments of laughter and created lasting memories. As Susie kicks off the next phase of her career I am filled with pride in her accomplishments and excited to witness her future endeavors.

David “Luttsy” Lutteral added, “It’s been an incredible experience becoming great mates with Susie over the last decade. A wild adventure to say the very least and an opportunity I’ll cherish forever. Whilst I’ll obviously miss seeing her every day I also can’t wait to see the next chapters of her life. I know whatever is next for Suse is going to be fantastic. We will no doubt stay in touch but at the very least I will see her lighting the cauldron at Brisbane Stadium in 2032.”

Talking to Susie’s future, Nova Network’s Group Programming Director, Brendan Taylor said, “Susie has been an integral part of the Nova Brisbane broadcasting family for 11 years, so we fully support Susie’s decision to switch off the alarm and step away from the breakfast shift. We’re also really excited about what’s next for Susie. She’s a supremely talented broadcaster who brings excellence to everything she does, so we hope to continue to work with Susie in 2025 and beyond.”

NOVA Entertainment’s CEO, Peter Charlton, added, “Susie is an enormous talent who, alongside Ash and Luttsy, has built a unique connection with the Brisbane audience for over a decade. Seeing her transform from medal winner to consistent ratings winner has been an absolute pleasure and Susie will always be a part of the NOVA family.”

Susie will present her final Nova 106.9 breakfast show on Thursday, November 28. Nova 106.9’s breakfast show lineup for 2025 will be announced in due course.

Ash, Luttsy and Susie O’Neill airs weekdays from 6am on Nova 106.9 in Brisbane

Listeners can also stream the show live or catch up with the daily podcast by downloading the Nova Player

NOVA Entertainment has announced the launch of Lu & Jarch, an exciting new Saturday afternoon takeover on the Nova Network.

Hosted by self-confessed “washed up Tiktokkers” Jack Archdale and Luisa Dal Din, the new show will air nationally on Saturdays from 4 to 6 pm until the end of the year, bringing fresh voices and plenty of entertaining yarns to Australia’s favourite metro radio network.

The new addition to Nova’s weekend lineup offers a chance for hosts Luisa Dal Din known as ‘Lu,’ and Jack Archdale, or ‘Jarch,’ to connect with their dedicated audience across a new format, and for existing Nova listeners to discover their unique brand of humour. With both hosts having previously worked at NOVA Entertainment prior to their internet fame, the month-long takeover also forms a sort of ‘return home’ for the pair.

Ahead of the launch, Lu said: “Very excited to re-connect with the Nova team this December. Working with Fitzy & Wippa back in the day sparked my love for radio, to now taking over the airways with Jarch will be a lot of fun.”

Jarch added, “Stoked to be kicking off Lu & Jarch on Nova! It’s a bit surreal to be back at the old stomping ground and getting the chance to connect with the audience. Radio is such an awesome way to connect with people, and I can’t wait to bring some laughs, yarns, and a bit of chaos to the airwaves”

Brendan Taylor, Group Programming Director – Nova Network, said NOVA were thrilled to welcome Lou & Jarch to the lineup.

“As our key shows wind down for the year, we’re excited to hand the airwaves over to fresh talent like Lu and Jarch. This is a fantastic opportunity to cap off 2024 with an infusion of new energy and give these rising stars a platform to connect with our audience in a fun and engaging way. We can’t wait to see how listeners respond to their unique style and storytelling.”

Jack Archdale has skyrocketed to fame with his hilarious takes on Australian life, drawing from his experiences growing up in the small town of Walcha in regional New South Wales. Known for his uniquely Aussie skits and self-made characters, Jarch’s humour captures the quirky and relatable sides of rural culture, resonating deeply with audiences across the country. With over 360,000 followers, 6.6 million likes on TikTok and a dedicated following of 161,000 on Instagram, Jarch has built a loyal fan base that appreciates his authentic, unfiltered style.

Originally from New Zealand, Luisa Dal Din is a rising star in Australian media with a background in radio production, creative media, and social content creation. Her work on Fitzy & Wippa gave her a firsthand experience in the industry, and she quickly developed a voice of her own, drawing audiences with her relatable, insightful humour. Her social media following, which includes 352,000 followers on TikTok and 164,000 on Instagram, continues to grow as she engages fans with her honest and witty takes on everyday life and modern culture.

Lu & Jarch is available on the Nova Network, launching Saturday, November 23, airing weekly from 4 to 6pm. The show is available via broadcast and DAB+ radio, as well as via the Nova Player.

With over 3.6 million Australians tuning in every week around the country, Nova is Australia’s most listened-to metro network. The network is plugged into Australian cities, with stations including Nova 96.9 in Sydney, Nova 100 in Melbourne, Nova 106.9 in Brisbane, Nova 93.7 in Perth and Nova 919 in Adelaide. Nova is also home to Australia’s favourite announcers and freshest hits, including the country’s #1 national Drive show with Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel.

It was announced today that Nikki Osborne will be joining the Nova 106.9 Brisbane breakfast team as part of the brand new Ash, Luttsy & Nikki Osborne show, launching in 2025.

A popular Australian comedian, television presenter, actor and writer, Nikki will join long-standing Nova Brisbane breakfast announcers Ash Bradnam and David “Luttsy” Lutteral in the breakfast chair from Monday, January 20.

Said Nikki on her new role, “I have big flippers to fill but I’m confident Brisbane will warm to my ways. Sure, I get in trouble a bit, but I’ve got two big brothers in Ash and Luttsy and I have no doubt they’ll steer me even further off course! I love Brisbane. I grew up here and I look forward to having a good laugh with our listeners in this amazing city.”

Said Ash and Luttsy, “We’re excited to welcome Nikki aboard and join us for breakfast every morning. A Brissie local whose experience in the entertainment industry is second-to-none, we know Nikki will be an awesome addition to the team.”

Nova Network’s Group Programming Director, Brendan Taylor, added “We’re delighted to welcome Nikki to the Nova family. A proud Brisbane local, Nikki brings a wealth of experience and her infectious personality and comedic talent makes her a great fit for the show. We know our listeners will love spending time with Ash, Luttsy and Nikki in 2025.”

A highly regarded member of the Australian entertainment industry, Nikki’s experience as a sketch comedy veteran, writer, trained actor and stand-up comedian spans the past two decades.

A popular social media presence, Nikki’s characters like ‘Angry Aunt’ and the hugely popular ‘Bush Barbie’ have earned her a large following and tens of millions of views.

Nikki’s comedy credentials have earned her regular cast roles in sketch comedy television series including Mick Molly’s The Nation, Peter Helliar’s How to Stay Married and as narrator on the AACTA-nominated comedy series, Drunk History.

Nikki has appeared as a guest on television shows including Hughesy, We Have a Problem and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and competed in the 2024 season of Dancing with the Stars, making it through to the grand final.

She also hosted game show Quizmania and lifestyle show Find Me a Dream Home and as a trained actor, Nikki’s credits include starring as Delvene Delaney in the Paul Hogan miniseries Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story.

Nikki’s stand-up comedy credits include performing at the Sydney Opera House for four seasons of television stand-up series Just for Laughs. Her boundary-crossing live stand-up show Bad Barbie also received accolades both locally and internationally, and she performed the sold-out show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2023.

Ash, Luttsy & Nikki Osborne will air weekdays from 6am on Nova 106.9 in Brisbane from Monday, January 20

Listeners can also stream the show live or catch up with the daily podcast by downloading the Nova Player

It was announced today that Nova 106.9 Brisbane breakfast host Susie O’Neill is set to extend her longstanding relationship with NOVA Entertainment with a new role across the Nova Network in 2025.

The beloved co-host of the Ash, Luttsy and Susie O’Neill breakfast show for over 10 years recently announced that she had decided to step down from the show and is signing-off today, November 28.

In an exclusive audio agreement, Susie will remain within the NOVA Entertainment family, working on shows across the Nova Network as a guest presenter for both Breakfast and National shows next year.

Susie will also join the Nova Podcast Network, working alongside the podcast team to develop unique content for Nova’s 2025 podcast slate.

Said Susie about her new role, “It was such a hard decision to step away from the breakfast show and although my final day has been an emotional one, I’m really looking forward to starting this next chapter. This new opportunity in 2025 will allow me to remain with my Nova family while pursuing other goals, including getting back to the grass roots of sport and involving myself in the wider community.

“To be able to step into this new role across broadcast and podcasting, where I can connect with a broader audience while still being part of the community that I love, is a fantastic opportunity. Nova has been there from the beginning of my radio career, so this feels like a natural next step. Watch this space!”

Said Nova Network’s Group Programming Director, Brendan Taylor, “Susie has been an integral part of the Nova Brisbane broadcasting family for 11 years and we’re delighted she’ll remain with us in this new capacity next year. The unique relationship she has with her audience and commitment to excellence meant there was always going to be more to explore together. We know our listeners across Australia will love hearing Susie on Nova in 2025.”

Susie presents her final Nova 106.9 breakfast show alongside on-air colleagues Ash Bradnam and David “Luttsy” Lutteral today, Thursday, November 28.

The Ash, Luttsy & Nikki Osborne breakfast show launches on Monday, January 20, 2025.