Short KIIS goodbye: Terry Hansen quits
Movement on the Brisbane radio dial — with even more to come?
Terry Hansen, who co-hosts breakfast on KIIS Brisbane (formerly 97.3FM) with Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman, is literally walking away from the microphone after quitting on air today.
Hansen (above, on right) says his early departure, without waiting until the end of the year, will allow him to enjoy a walking tour of Spain with his brother.
On his return, the actor, director and standup comic plans to pursue his lifelong passion for theatre.
The show will continue as Robin and Kip in the Morning, although the inevitable rumours are spreading — especially in the context of Kyle Sandilands’ desire to take his KIIS Sydney breakfast show to a national audience and the hostile bid KIIS parent company ARN has made for the competing Southern Cross Austereo network. (I’ve written about that here and here.)
ARN boss Duncan Campbell said in a media statement: “Terry has been an integral part of our breakfast show for nearly two decades. He’s not just a co-host; he’s a friend to us all.
“His unwavering commitment to our community, from Say No To Bullying Day, now a National Day of Action, to his role in making Day For Daniel a nationwide event, has been nothing short of exceptional. We’ll miss his warmth, his humour, and his big heart.”
It is, of course, no secret that the whole radio industry has been in turmoil over the past few years thanks to the challenges posed by streaming, podcasting, changed listener habits and stronger competition for advertiser dollars.
Regional stations have taken a big hit budget-wise, leading to the disappearance of local programs and talent, and there are suggestions that Brisbane will be next to see the effects of drastic cost-cutting.
For the moment, 4BC has been sailing against the wind, with more local programming than ever. Of course, that investment will have to pay for itself in a commercial sense, which means there is huge pressure on those shows to perform better in the ratings and attract advertisers.
Whatever happens, change will be the one constant in Brisbane radio going into 2024 and beyond. Don’t be surprised if there are more leaving announcements and line-up changes in the weeks and months to come.
P.S. As many readers will be remember, this is Hansen’s second break from 97.3 — he stepped away for personal reasons in 2018 but returned to the fold in 2020.
P.S. I’ll be at sea with limited internet access until November 4, so follow my socials — @debritz on X and @brettdebritz on Facebook, Instagram and Threads — for updates from me.