ABC Sydney’s Mornings presenter Sarah Macdonald has revealed on air that her contract won’t be renewed in the lead-up to an announcement of a major overhaul of ABC Radio on Thursday afternoon which will include the return of Fran Kelly to daily news.
“Well, here’s the news from me in terms of disappointment,” Macdonald said. “Listen, I’m not going to be on the radio with you next year, the ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings.”
“I am proud of what I’ve done. The ratings are up. I’ve broken lots of stories. Had the first interview with the new governor general. I got the premier of New South Wales to regularly take your calls. Led the election coverage, led the move to our Parramatta studios.”
Guardian Australia understands the ABC will unveil major changes to the Radio National schedule and style, after the release of a report delivered to the board last month.
Kelly, who left RN Breakfast three years ago after 17 years at the helm of the ABC’s flagship news program, will return to host The Radio National Hour from 6-7pm. The program will focus on the big news stories shaping our world.
She has been fronting RN’s Saturday Extra this year.
She was replaced at RN Breakfast by Patricia Karvelas, who is stepping down for a TV role at the end of the year.
ABC Radio has been earmarked as a priority by the ABC’s chair, Kim Williams, who decided it should be a stand-alone division and elevated to the executive.
Other changes at Radio National include current Drive host Andy Park moving to present the flagship current affairs program The World Today.
Marc Fennell will host a new global and Australian historical series and a landmark history show, while former BBC journalist Nick Bryant will host Saturday Extra.
Macdonald announced her own axing on her program, saying the decision had been made by management despite a lift in the ratings for her slot in a survey.
It is understood that the ABC veteran, who has hosted evenings as well as the Weekend Nightlife Show and was a federal political reporter on Triple J, had a one-year contract which has not been renewed.
Increases in share for Macdonald and James Valentine helped boost ABC Radio Sydney to their highest share result in two years.
The new radio schedule has been drawn up by Ben Latimer, who heads up the new audio division which houses the catchup radio and podcast service, ABC Listen.
The division includes capital city local radio stations, sport, music, audio on demand, Radio National, ABC Classic, ABC Jazz, Triple J, Triple J Unearthed, Triple J Hottest 100, Double J and ABC Country.
The news about Macdonad was received with shock by ABC staff, including the Media Watch host, Paul Barry, who said on X: “I can’t believe this. I’m hearing that #ABC has dumped Sarah MacDonald from ABC Sydney. IMHO she’s brilliant, one of the best things on radio. WTAF?”
The author and columnist Nikki Gemmell said the ABC had got it very wrong.
“Not renewing the contract of Sarah Macdonald on 702 mornings is an absolute travesty,” she said on X. “She’s beloved by her listeners, she’s lifted the ratings, the Fonz think she’s cool and the prime minister spills his secrets to her. Devastating news.”
“Why do so many of the old men of radio at the ABC seem to stay, and stay, and stay … but its blazingly capable, whip smart women are sidelined?”
Latimer said Macdonald was an “incredible broadcaster who has built a strong rapport with the ABC Radio Sydney audience over the last two years in Mornings and we wish her all the best.
“We will be making further announcements about our line-ups in the coming days.”
Other changes to the RN schedule include: Tim Burrowes and Vivienne Kelly will host a new program, MediaLand, examining the media landscape in Australia and abroad.
Lab Notes, presented by Belinda Smith, will cast a lens on fresh scientific discoveries.
Peter Martin hosts a new business program, The Economy, Stupid.
Jonathan Green hosts a food program Every Bite.
Tegan Taylor becomes the new host of Life Matters.
