4BC: Paul Burt replaces Olympia Kwitowski
Brisbane-focused weekend show axed in favour of fishing and camping program.
Update: Audio of Olympia’s last break on Sunday, February 23, 2025
Nine Radio is set to replace 4BC’s Weekend Breakfast with Olympia Kwitowski program with a boating, fishing and camping program hosted by former Seven News weather presenter and outdoors lifestyle host Paul Burt.
Burt, whose Step Outside show is still available on Seven Plus, was sent packing from the TV News last year in a cost-cutting-driven purge that also claimed newsreader Sharyn Ghidella.
The move means weekend listeners on 4BC will get a solid three hours of specialist/sponsored content in the mornings, as, depending on the day, the new show will be followed by an hour supported by Harvey Norman or Chemist Warehouse.
The Weekends show from 9am has already been axed, replaced by a networked program from 2GB in Sydney.
The move is a blow to Kwitowski, who has worked hard to entertain a diverse but loyal audience for the program originally hosted by Bill McDonald (and, full disclosure, produced at that time by me).
While Kwitowski will still present traffic reports, it effectively means one less female voice on the station, which only has one other woman presenter, Afternoons host Sofie Formica.
I hope that 4BC finds a new on-air role for her, as fewer people have worked harder for the station and helped it gain traction with Brisbane audience since the decision to return to a “live and local” line-up.
Kwitowski is very switched into the city and has a lot to offer — as evidence by her popularity as a presenter of live events in and around Brisbane.
While ratings have been down in recent times, the Weekend Breakfast show and the now-defunct local Weekends program (see earlier disclosure) have punched above their weight compared to the (now very low) station average since their inception in 2021.
A media release announcing the change reads:
Outdoors and lifestyle expert Paul Burt joins 4BC’s live and local lineup in 2025 with Step Outside with Paul Burt on 4BC Weekends.
From Saturday, March 1, Paul will bring his expertise and passion for the great outdoors to 4BC listeners every Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 8am, showcasing the best of what South East Queensland has to offer.
Focused on all things camping, boating, fishing and outdoor adventures, Step Outside with Paul Burt will provide listeners with all the information they need to make the most of their weekends in the Sunshine State. Whether it’s advice on the best camping spots or where to catch the biggest fish, Paul will help inspire and equip listeners with the knowledge to tackle every outdoor adventure.
Paul Burt said, “I am looking forward to bringing local outdoors content to our listeners.
“Whatever the weather is doing, what the surf is doing, where the fish are biting, whether listeners are after gardening tips or if they want a good seafood recipe, I want to bring it all to the 4BC audience.”
4BC Content Manager Siobhain McDonnell said, “We are absolutely delighted to have Paul joining the 4BC team. Step Outside is a brilliant addition to our live and local lineup that celebrates all our city and local coastline has to offer.”
Step Outside with Paul Burt will air from 6am to 8am every Saturday and Sunday on Brisbane’s 4BC, commencing Saturday, March 1, 2025.
The release does not mention Kwitowski, whose final shows will be this weekend.
The move, apparently fuelled by commercial concerns, occurs against a backdrop of increased rumours that the Nine Radio stations are for sale.