A film crew has been busy at 2UE’s new home alongside 2GB at “Radio Central” based in Pyrmont in the same building as Nova and smoothfm.
The filming, we are reliably informed, is for the launch of the new and long overdue official format change to ‘Lifestyle Radio.’ Some evidence of that, such as Friday Drive’s The Great Escape (essentially a 4WD, caravan and camping show) is already on air.
The tentative start date for the new format, with a tentative positioner of ‘Live, Love, Learn,’ is September 1st.
In the meantime major line-up changes have been leaked ahead of any formal announcement from the station.
Gone will be Morning presenter Stuart Bocking. He is rumoured to be taking up the position of producer for Ray Hadley at 2GB which would revive the role he had with John Laws many years ago.
Bocking’s most likely successor in Mornings is tipped to be current Afternoon announcer Tim Webster, although Webster has hinted that he may not be the chosen one on facebook.
Drive show presenter Bill Woods will be leaving the station to join Foxtel starting with the Olympics coverage.
Luke Bona will vacate the Overnight shift for John Deeks but will be staying with 2UE temporarily, presumably until permanent replacements for Afternoons and Drive are announced.
2UE has been contacted for further comment.
See our earlier report here.
A lot of people have switched off 2UE . Management changes the announcers every few months. Announcers are too left leaning and don't really stand for anything. Rarely do they go beyond the call of duty and take up matters for listeners ( like Alan Jones). Most of them hate emails from listeners and do not respond ( delete them?). Although Mike Jeffreys is very good at responding to emails. It would be foolish to axe Mike Jeffreys - an asset to the station. Also it was foolish to axe Clive Robertson. I am not sure how this new partnership with 2GB is going to work? 2CH , 2GB and 2UE all seem to be one station. What 2UE needs to do is respect listeners more - they are too inward looking.
2UE breakfast is entertaining and informative. The 'Whisper' segment after the 7am news is a must listen. The rest of 2UE's lineup are low rent versions of 2GB's and not as smart as the ABC's. Macquarie News is getting worse. They miss so many stories. I have to go online to find out basic news. They've got the same resources as anyone with a smartphone, why can't they write tighter and smarter bulletins?