Real reason popular radio duo were axed from breakfast show
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Radio shake-ups are nothing new, but the sudden removal of a long-running breakfast duo has stunned listeners across Australia and questioned the decision.
For years, their voices have been part of countless morning routines, making the change all the more surprising.
Now, attention is turning to what triggered the move and what it could signal for the future of breakfast radio.
For over two decades, Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones and Amanda Keller have been the friendly voices easing Sydney (and beyond) into the day.
But in a move that stunned both the hosts and their fans, ARN management decided to shuffle the deck, moving the pair from their prime breakfast slot to the more relaxed drive-time show.
The station itself didn’t even break the news, but rather by their long-time rival and ARN stablemate, Kyle Sandilands, who let the cat out of the bag live on air. Classic Kyle!
Jonesy admitted the change was a 'bitter pill to swallow,' especially after so many years of 3:20 am wake-ups and the fierce competition that comes with breakfast radio.
Initially, he was so shocked by the decision that he even considered taking the show to Triple M 'for free'—just to prove a point.
So, why did ARN make such a drastic change? The answer lies in the network’s decision to syndicate British DJ and comedian Christian O’Connell’s popular Melbourne breakfast show nationwide.
Management told Jonesy and Amanda they’d be given a 'network show,' but not the breakfast slot they’d assumed.
Instead, they were offered the drive-time slot, a move that left Jonesy 'taken aback.'
It’s a classic case of radio politics and the ever-changing media landscape. With networks looking to streamline costs and maximise audiences, even the most established stars aren’t immune to a shake-up.
Rumours have swirled for years about Jonesy and Amanda jumping ship to Triple M or 2Day FM, both owned by Southern Cross Austereo (SCA).
In fact, the duo have been courted by SCA for nearly a decade, with high-level meetings and plenty of 'what ifs.'
But, as one radio insider put it, 'SCA simply couldn’t afford them.' With reported salaries of $2.5 million for Amanda and $2 million for Jonesy, it’s no wonder the move never materialised, especially as Triple M opted for a more budget-friendly breakfast line-up.
Still, Jonesy was candid about the missed opportunity, saying, 'It has cost Triple M a lot of revenue not signing us all those years ago.' Ouch!
Despite the upheaval, it’s not all doom and gloom for the dynamic duo. They’re expected to keep their seven-figure salaries and will take their five-person production team to the new drive-time slot.
And while the early mornings might be a thing of the past, the chance to reach a national audience in a new time slot could open up fresh opportunities.
As Jonesy put it, 'The opportunity to be a national show is a big deal. I get where management says you can’t have two shows coming out of Sydney and into Melbourne. That would be crazy. I came around to it. It’s a bit of a head game, this business.'
If you’ve been following the radio industry, you’ll know that Jonesy and Amanda aren’t the only ones facing big changes.
The media landscape is shifting rapidly, with networks consolidating, budgets tightening, and new talent being given a shot.
It’s a reminder that even the most established names need to stay nimble and adapt to survive.
It’s not just radio feeling the heat. Over in the podcasting world, Mamamia founder Mia Freedman has announced she’s taking a break due to burnout after more than a decade at the helm.
She’s stepping back for a few months to focus on her mental health and creative projects—a move that’s sparked plenty of conversation about the pressures of being a public figure and running a media empire.
Meanwhile, Channel 7’s Angus Ross and his wife have sold their Randwick mansion just a year after buying it, sparking speculation about his fortunes (though insiders say he’s still very much in favour at Seven).
And in the world of TV, 60 Minutes reporter Adam Hegarty’s romantic history has been making headlines, with three office relationships behind him and his exes moving on to new chapters.
On a lighter note, cult classic Spaceballs is getting a sequel—and it’s being filmed right here in Sydney!
Casting is underway, with original stars Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, and Mel Brooks (at 99 years young!) set to return.
For those of us who’ve grown up with Jonesy and Amanda, the end of their breakfast reign is bittersweet. But as they gear up for their new drive-time adventure, there’s every chance they’ll bring the same warmth, wit, and chemistry to a whole new audience.
Have you been a long-time listener of Jonesy and Amanda? How do you feel about the changes at Gold FM? Are you planning to tune in to their new drive-time show, or will you be switching stations? And what do you think about all the shake-ups happening in Aussie media? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read more: 'Thank you for all the laughs': Radio host shocks listeners and fans with her unexpected move
For years, their voices have been part of countless morning routines, making the change all the more surprising.
Now, attention is turning to what triggered the move and what it could signal for the future of breakfast radio.
For over two decades, Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones and Amanda Keller have been the friendly voices easing Sydney (and beyond) into the day.
But in a move that stunned both the hosts and their fans, ARN management decided to shuffle the deck, moving the pair from their prime breakfast slot to the more relaxed drive-time show.
The station itself didn’t even break the news, but rather by their long-time rival and ARN stablemate, Kyle Sandilands, who let the cat out of the bag live on air. Classic Kyle!
Jonesy and Amanda were shocked to be axed from their breakfast slot. Credit: @jonesyandamanda / Instagram
Jonesy admitted the change was a 'bitter pill to swallow,' especially after so many years of 3:20 am wake-ups and the fierce competition that comes with breakfast radio.
Initially, he was so shocked by the decision that he even considered taking the show to Triple M 'for free'—just to prove a point.
So, why did ARN make such a drastic change? The answer lies in the network’s decision to syndicate British DJ and comedian Christian O’Connell’s popular Melbourne breakfast show nationwide.
Management told Jonesy and Amanda they’d be given a 'network show,' but not the breakfast slot they’d assumed.
Instead, they were offered the drive-time slot, a move that left Jonesy 'taken aback.'
It’s a classic case of radio politics and the ever-changing media landscape. With networks looking to streamline costs and maximise audiences, even the most established stars aren’t immune to a shake-up.
Rumours have swirled for years about Jonesy and Amanda jumping ship to Triple M or 2Day FM, both owned by Southern Cross Austereo (SCA).
In fact, the duo have been courted by SCA for nearly a decade, with high-level meetings and plenty of 'what ifs.'
But, as one radio insider put it, 'SCA simply couldn’t afford them.' With reported salaries of $2.5 million for Amanda and $2 million for Jonesy, it’s no wonder the move never materialised, especially as Triple M opted for a more budget-friendly breakfast line-up.
Still, Jonesy was candid about the missed opportunity, saying, 'It has cost Triple M a lot of revenue not signing us all those years ago.' Ouch!
And while the early mornings might be a thing of the past, the chance to reach a national audience in a new time slot could open up fresh opportunities.
As Jonesy put it, 'The opportunity to be a national show is a big deal. I get where management says you can’t have two shows coming out of Sydney and into Melbourne. That would be crazy. I came around to it. It’s a bit of a head game, this business.'
If you’ve been following the radio industry, you’ll know that Jonesy and Amanda aren’t the only ones facing big changes.
The media landscape is shifting rapidly, with networks consolidating, budgets tightening, and new talent being given a shot.
It’s a reminder that even the most established names need to stay nimble and adapt to survive.
She’s stepping back for a few months to focus on her mental health and creative projects—a move that’s sparked plenty of conversation about the pressures of being a public figure and running a media empire.
Meanwhile, Channel 7’s Angus Ross and his wife have sold their Randwick mansion just a year after buying it, sparking speculation about his fortunes (though insiders say he’s still very much in favour at Seven).
And in the world of TV, 60 Minutes reporter Adam Hegarty’s romantic history has been making headlines, with three office relationships behind him and his exes moving on to new chapters.
On a lighter note, cult classic Spaceballs is getting a sequel—and it’s being filmed right here in Sydney!
For those of us who’ve grown up with Jonesy and Amanda, the end of their breakfast reign is bittersweet. But as they gear up for their new drive-time adventure, there’s every chance they’ll bring the same warmth, wit, and chemistry to a whole new audience.
Read more: 'Thank you for all the laughs': Radio host shocks listeners and fans with her unexpected move
