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| Hit 95.7 will not broadcast a local breakfast show from next week. Photo: Google Maps |
Hit has axed its Bunbury-based breakfast show in favour a networked program from Perth, The Bunbury Bulletin can reveal.
From Monday, the station will become the first in the South West not to produce a weekday breakfast program, instead relying on a new statewide show to be broadcast from the network’s studios in Subiaco.
Hit has announced former Triple M breakfast host Allan Aldworth will host the program, along with relocating Brisbane media personality Michelle Anderson.
Although the Bulletin has not received official confirmation of the decision to broadcast from Perth, Mr Aldworth all but confirmed the news when he announced his departure from Triple M.
“I’ve been given another opportunity and I’ll be moving on to Perth,” Mr Aldworth said. He finished up on the Bunbury station last week.
Although Hit’s South West breakfast show has been networked to other regional locations for more than 20 years, it is the first time Bunbury listeners will not be able to tune into a locally produced breakfast program.
In the last Bunbury radio survey conducted late last year, the station’s breakfast show was number one in the city. Close to 267 per cent of local listeners said it was their most listened to breakfast program, eight per cent ahead of closest rival Triple J.
The state‘s media union has expressed its disappointment at the decision. The Media, Entertainment and Art Alliance’s regional director Tiffany Venning said regional communities rely on local media to stay informed.
”The loss of any local content is alarming, but it is of particular concern in regional areas, especially in a state as large and diverse as WA,” she said.
”Any diminution in local content does a disservice to the communities they represent.
”Aside from any content listeners may categorise as straight news, it is the human interest stories that are also important to communities, and serve to both bring together and strengthen the bonds that flourish in such places.”
It is unclear exactly why the program was axed, though the recent expansion of the Hit Network to cover northern parts of the state and recent cost cutting measures are possible factors.
Departing breakfast host Jesse Watkins has moved to Melbourne to anchor the station’s early drive program.
The station’s parent company Southern Cross Austereo did not respond to the Bulletin’s questions at the time of publication.
