With the announcement of Hughesy and Kate’s defection to the rival Hit Network, ARN has today launched ‘the first phase of its transformative 2018 strategy’, with a new Drive show on the National KIIS Network and a new Breakfast show for Melbourne’s KIIS 101.1.
‘Will & Woody’ aka Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw will move to ARN’s KIIS Network in 2018 and drive audiences home across the country. Both from Melbourne, Will & Woody will bring their infectious personalities and humour, in a move designed to re-energise the all-important national Drive shift.
ARN also announces that ‘Jase & PJ’ aka Jason ‘Jase’ Hawkins and Polly ‘PJ’ Harding (pictured below) will be bringing their highly successful ‘Always Awkward’ brand of content and #1 show to KIIS 101.1 Breakfast in 2018. Their show will play a key role for KIIS 101.1 next year which strategically sets them apart from the rest of the Melbourne Breakfast market, offering a fresh approach for local audiences.
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As a result of these changes, Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes and Kate Langbroek will not return to the network in 2018. In addition, Matt Tilley and Meshel Laurie will also not be returning to KIIS 101.1, having informed ARN that they had decided not to renew their contracts with the network.
ARN National Content Director, Duncan Campbell said: “Today’s first phase of announcements is part of a new strategic direction that has been in the planning for 12 months and will see a re-energised and even more competitive ARN in 2018 and beyond.
“The signing of Will & Woody and Jase & PJ is an exciting coup for ARN given the talent was also courted by other networks. These changes not only enhance our national offering but also reinvents our approach for KIIS 101.1, marking a significant, bold step forward for Melbourne and the network overall.
“We’ll be sharing more details on the next phase of our strategy, developed to transform the network in 2018, in coming weeks.” ARN CEO, Rob Atkinson said: “These are really exciting times at ARN, as demonstrated by this first phase of announcements. We’re not only reinforcing our #1 network* position, but also confirming our commitment to further energise the ARN network by delivering the best-in-market talent, content, and commercial solution.”