Game Changers Radio

ARN's Chief Audience and Content Officer Lauren Joyce has been made redundant, a move that has shocked the industry - we’ll tell you everything we think we know, along with as many intelligent guesses as we can get away with in this week’s episode.

Kyle was in full storytelling mode this week, revealing the now-infamous “ex-girlfriend” offer from 2DayFM and how a 10-year, $200 million pitch turned into the perfect storm that kept the biggest radio show in Australia right where it is. We break down the leverage, the metaphors ACMA probably won’t love, and what happens next.

Plus — SCA Head of Broadcast Content Matthew O’Reilly joins us to talk about their roadmap for 2026:
• Will Lu & Jarch go primetime next year?
• What’s the future for 2DayFM — reinvention, refresh, or full reset?
• And is a format change coming for SA-FM?

The radio chessboard is moving. We map out what’s coming next.

What a week for ARN.

Revenue and profit downgrades, ACMA’s heavy penalties for Kyle & Jackie O, and the looming impact on how the show can sound going forward — the hits just kept coming.  We unpack every twist in this cascading story.

Plus, NOVA’s Mel Tracina is making her case as Australia’s next radio and TV breakout star. Fresh off her Big Brother hosting debut, she joins us to talk career momentum and what’s next.

Our interview last week with ARN CEO Michael Stephenson and Chief Audience and Content Officer Lauren Joyce was our most talked about episode ever. This week we take one last look at ARN’s plans and messaging for 2026 and respond to your feedback on the conversation that almost went sideways.

Also this week - we’ll take our first look at how the radio network wars of 2026 might play out as KIIS and NOVA prepare to go head to head for the hearts and minds of Australians under 40.