It was the year that was — and here, in brief, is how I saw it.
Media
Sacked Channel Seven weekend weather presenter Paul Burt got his own blokey boating, camping and fishing show on radio 4BC — at the expense of a program that had more general appeal and was rating very well.
But Burt had to change the guest line-up quickly after video surfaced from his Step Outside television show where “Ranger Nick” Smalls advised viewers to “beat the egg like you beat the missus”. It was ugly stuff. The TV show disappeared from the airwaves and the catch-up service, while the radio show limps along.
But Burt wasn’t 4BC’s only problem. The station ends the year in the ratings basement, with Breakfast host Peter Fegan (whose programmed bottomed out at 3.6% audience share), Mornings host Bill MacDonald (whose ratings were the highest amonf the daytime line-up), and Wide World of Sports host Peter Psaltis exiting. Owner Nine Radio is up for sale, and it seems we can expect the station to have new ownership sometime in the new year. (More on that in future missives.)
Line-up changes were also on the agenda at KIIS 97.3 — although that didn’t play out the way the network intended — and Nova 106.9.
After months of relentless rumours that the Sydney-based Kyle & Jackie O Show would finally be networked into the 4000 postcodes, KIIS owner ARN Media pulled the trigger in October, axing the local trio of Robin Bailey, Kip Wightman and Corey Oates. The station announced that a “bold, new direction” was coming in 2026, headed by Craig “Lowie” Low. But the Sydney suits didn’t count on Brisbane people power, and a spectacular backflip ensued. This month, it was confirmed that Lowie was being bumped to a national night-time role and Robin, Kip and Corey were being reinstated in Breakfast for 2026. What happens next remains anyone’s guess.
At Nova, long-time Breakfast host Ash Bradnam discovered being number one in the ratings doesn’t guarantee job security. He was axed, co-host Nikki Osborne called it quits (after just one year in the job) and Nova announced the return of former star Susie O’Neill to join David “Luttsy” Lutteral and Nick Allen-Ducat on air next year.
Meanwhile in TV land, Andrew Lofthouse, the ultimate, unflappable professional, stepped away from the 9News desk, with Melissa Downes continuing solo for six months before being joined by Joel Dry. Meanwhile, at Seven, Max Futcher was joined by Sarah Greenhalgh, who returned from parental leave, while Futcher’s former co-presenter, Sharyn Ghidella, settled in behind the desk at Channel 10.
Transport
The “Metro” officially rolled out this year, and surprise, surprise, it still looks, smells and drives like a bus. Despite its “world-class city” aspirations, Brisbane only wanted to pay for a bendy bus but craved the cachet that’s associated with an underground rail system. The whole public transport system needs a rethink — including getting rid of confusing names like “Metro”, “Buz”, “CityGilder” and “Rocket” before …
The Games
This past year has provided us with a masterclass in procrastination of Olympic proportions. At a stage in proceedings where other host cities had dirt shifting and cranes swinging, we were still bickering about whether to have a fixer-upper stadium or a new build.
And when it was decided to go with the latter — breaking a pre-election promise by Premier David Crisafulli — the Victoria Park site was far from a universally popular choice. Even former fierce political rivals David Hinchliffe and Campbell Newman teamed up to oppose the decision.
The bottom line is that, now we are committed to them, Brisbane needs Olympics and Paralympics Games that won’t break the bank — and infrastructure that will serve us well not just in 2032, but in 2042, 2052 and beyond.
The arts
It’s been a challenging year for the arts — when has it not? — with several companies, particularly Queensland Ballet, severely feeling the pinch. But we have new management and some fresh thinking at QPAC — where the Glasshouse is set to open its doors — and the Brisbane Powerhouse, and an army of arts professionals (and enthusiastic amateurs) who work tirelessly to see that we are entertained.
What’s not to love about Brisbane?
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P.S.
It was also a big year for Mister Brisbane, with this newsletter gaining new subscribers (including some paid subscribers, thank you very much), achieving a record number of views and being quoted in print and on air. Yours truly also made appearances on 7News and ABC Brisbane, and in The Courier-Mail. Thank you for your support!
Disclosure: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Brett Debritz worked in mainstream media, including at the Sunday Mail and 4BC.