- Advertisement -

CONFIRMED: Staff Informed Macquarie Sports Radio Shows Axed

- Advertisement -

Latest

- Advertisement -

Share

  MSR Drive hosts David Schwarz and Mark Allen  image - Macquarie
MSR Drive hosts David Schwarz and Mark Allen image – Macquarie

Macquarie Media has this afternoon informed staff of a decision to axe all existing programming on its beleaguered network of sports radio stations as of this Friday.

Macquarie Sports Radio launched in April 2018, after a decision to move away from a shortlived ‘Talking Lifestyle’ format. However, the sports brand has so far failed to secure an audience.

Confirming the changes at Macquarie Sports Radio, the Chairman of Macquarie Media, Russell Tate, stated;

“Macquarie Media Limited today announced that development of its Macquarie Sports Radio stations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will be paused and reviewed over the summer months and that the current schedule of sport talk programs will cease as of 11pm, Friday 1 November.

“Over the coming months, Macquarie Sports Radio will continue live sport broadcasts including all scheduled Test Match, BBL, One-Day Internationals & International T20 Cricket matches as well as its English Premier League coverage. The stations will draw an increased amount of content from local and international partners, including Macquarie Media’s News Talk stations and Nine, and will continue to access Macquarie National News services for constantly updated sporting news.”

- Advertisement -


The changes at MSR comes as Nine is preparing to take majority ownership of the talk radio network which also features stations including 2GB, 3AW and 6PR.

Staff were informed of the decision to cut existing programming this afternoon, at this stage it is unclear how many staff will be effected by the cuts.

The sports stations initially launched with local breakfast shows in each market, however a mixture of low ratings and cost-cutting lead to a decision to move to a network breakfast show at the start of 2019.

Macquarie Sports Radio is broadcast on AM frequencies in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The service is also available in other markets via DAB+ and internet streaming.

The decision to reformat the dedicated sports station comes at the same time as the domestic cricket season is commencing. Macquarie holds significant Cricket broadcast rights for events including Big Bash, and Test Cricket.


- Advertisement -

Know more about this or another Australian media story?

Contact the team anonymously at TV Blackbox

Kevin Perry
Kevin Perryhttps://tvblackbox.com.au/author-kevin-perry/
Senior Editor and Co-Owner of the TV Blackbox website, Kevin Perry is an experienced media commentator focused on TV Production, Consumer Tech, SVOD & Sports Broadcasting. Media enquiries please Call or Text 0428-275-111
Comments

1 COMMENT

  1. Money wasted on cricket rights has now deprived a significant market of an outlet that has been sorely lacking. Macquarie Sports Radio has been a breath of fresh air and will be sadly missed. Poor management decisions & network wide cost cutting are to blame. Sky is not a competitor, this is just another poor managerial decision in a long line over the years. It is also a very clear indicator of what our new media ownership laws can & will do.

Comments are closed.

Join or social media

- Advertisement -

Podcasts

CAUTION: The Aus has the inside line on the new ABC Chair (allegedly)... | S09E09

Latest Stories

Advertisement