Southern Cross Austereo’s Hit Network axes 19 regional breakfast shows

Last week, Channel 10 announced at least 25 job cuts in response to the COVID-19 recession.

And now radio network Southern Cross Austereo is the latest media company to axe staff in order to stay afloat.

On Friday, Radio Today confirmed that 19 regional breakfast programs from the Hit Network were being shut down, leaving many communities without a local brekky team.

Restructure: Southern Cross Austereo is the latest media company to axe staff in order to stay afloat. Nineteen local breakfast programs from the Hit Network are being shut down and replaced by larger regional programs, such as Hit101.3 Central Coast’s Gawndy & Ash Pollard

Changes: The Gawndy & Ash Pollard breakfast show from Hit101.3 Central Coast will now be heard across most regional stations in New South Wales. Pictured: Ash Pollard

Changes: The Gawndy & Ash Pollard breakfast show from Hit101.3 Central Coast will now be heard across most regional stations in New South Wales. Pictured: Ash Pollard

According to the publication, the changes are set to begin from Monday, August 24, and were the result of a cost-cutting restructure. 

The affected breakfast shows will be replaced by syndicated broadcasts from larger regional stations.

The Gawndy & Ash Pollard breakfast show from Hit101.3 Central Coast will now be heard across most regional stations in New South Wales.

Statewide voices: In Victoria, the Tim & Jess breakfast show hosted by Tim Bolch and Jess Pantou (pictured) from Hit104.9 in Albury will air across all regional stations in the state

Statewide voices: In Victoria, the Tim & Jess breakfast show hosted by Tim Bolch and Jess Pantou (pictured) from Hit104.9 in Albury will air across all regional stations in the state

In Victoria, Hit104.9 Albury’s Tim & Jess breakfast show, hosted by Tim Bolch and Jess Pantou, will air across all regional stations in the state. 

Regional Queensland stations will now play the Cliffo & Gabi breakfast show, hosted by Guy Clifton and Gabi Elgood from Hit103.1 Townsville.

In South Australia, the SAFM Adelaide breakfast show, Bec, Cosi & Lehmo, hosted by Rebecca Morse, Andrew Costello and Anthony Lehmann, will play regionally. 

New faces: In South Australia, the SAFM Adelaide breakfast show, Bec, Cosi & Lehmo, hosted by Rebecca Morse, Andrew Costello and Anthony Lehmann, will play regionally

New faces: In South Australia, the SAFM Adelaide breakfast show, Bec, Cosi & Lehmo, hosted by Rebecca Morse, Andrew Costello and Anthony Lehmann, will play regionally

Western Australia has already adopted a statewide broadcast and will continue to air the Allan & Michelle breakfast show with Allan Aldsworth and Michelle Anderson.

The impacted radio hosts are reportedly being redeployed where possible, but some will be leaving the network.

It is yet to be confirmed how many employees are set to leave the business. 

Confirmed: SCA's content boss David Cameron (pictured) has said that the radio network has had to 'adapt' as a result of the pandemic

Confirmed: SCA’s content boss David Cameron (pictured) has said that the radio network has had to ‘adapt’ as a result of the pandemic

SCA’s content boss David Cameron said that the radio network has had to ‘adapt’ as a result of the pandemic. 

‘SCA has adapted to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 environment and will deliver a different programming model across our Hit regional network,’ he said. 

‘The changes will mean that unfortunately a number of our local breakfast shows will be impacted, and we would like to thank our dedicated and talented people who are affected today by this new approach.’ 

Hit hard: The news comes after at least 25 jobs were axed at Channel 10, with further departures to be announced in the coming weeks. The changes are expected to be effective from September 14. Studio 10 has been hit the worst, with outspoken panellist Kerri-Anne Kennerley (second from left) and journalist Natarsha Belling (left) being made redundant

Hit hard: The news comes after at least 25 jobs were axed at Channel 10, with further departures to be announced in the coming weeks. The changes are expected to be effective from September 14. Studio 10 has been hit the worst, with outspoken panellist Kerri-Anne Kennerley (second from left) and journalist Natarsha Belling (left) being made redundant

The news comes after at least 25 jobs were axed at Channel 10, with further departures to be announced in the coming weeks. The changes are expected to be effective from September 14.

Morning show Studio 10 has been hit the worst, with outspoken panellist Kerri-Anne Kennerley and journalist Natarsha Belling being made redundant. 

Other high profile presenters to be axed from the network include weather reporters Tim Bailey and Mike Larkan.  

Axed: Tim Bailey, who has worked at Channel 10 for three decades, will depart the company

Axed: Tim Bailey, who has worked at Channel 10 for three decades, will depart the company

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