See all our coverage of the ARN Upfront announcements here.

In this podcast Jen summarises the ARN changes and we speak to: 

• Chief Audience and Content Officer Lauren Joyce about the network changes and longer range plans for Kyle and Jackie O  

• Ben Campbell Director of Digital Strategies, Data and Digital takes a deep dive into iHeart’s new data partnerships and ad tech 
• Chief Operating Officer Michael Stephenson (pictured) talks with Steve Ahern about how partnerships will work to the best serve ARN advertisesrs.

Smallzy was confirmed to be joining the KIIS network with The Smallzy Show which will air from 3-4pm weekdays and a night edition from 7-9pm. He will be heard on KIIS 1065, KIIS 1011, KIIS 97.3, KIIS 102.3 and KIIS DAB+ Perth from January 2026. This will mean the end of The Pick Up with Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne who previously hosted the early drive 3-4pm spot. It was already confirmed that their Life Uncut podcast would no longer be associated with ARN iHeart. Will and Woody will continue on Drive.

ARN’s KIIS and GOLD networks are going fully national in 2026, in a move which brings Kyle & Jackie O to a new audience in Perth, via a new KIIS DAB+ station. Adelaide’s Mix102.3 will rebrand as KIIS 102.3.

In consolidating the GOLD brand, Perth’s 96FM becomes GOLD96FM. Adelaide’s Cruise1323 evolves into GOLD1323, and new GOLD DAB+ stations will launch in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Jonesy & Amanda will have a GOLD Network National Drive program with Steve Fitton also announcing that he is leaving his drive role with the network at the end of this year. 

The new hosts of Mix 102.3, which will become KIIS 102.3, will be Ben and Liam (Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton) with Belle Jackson returning to her off air role as producer.

The new host of KIIS 97.3 will be Lowie, Craig Low, returning to Australia and radio after a long period in the US.

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