KIIS FM presenter Mitch Churi broke down last week as he confirmed he had been sacked from the network – and his dismissal has shaken the Australian radio industry.
The shock axing of the beloved radio star is said to have worried staff across ARN – who employed Churi at KIIS FM – and radio stars at rival networks too.
‘No one is safe. Mitch’s shows being cancelled is a stark reminder the industry is dying,’ an insider told Pedestrian.
‘If ARN’s only homegrown talent gets cut like this, there is zero hope for the future of the industry.’
Mitch declined to comment to Daily Mail Australia when contacted about the issue.
Former radio executive Craig Bruce said on his Game Changers Radio: Melbourne Radio Wars podcast: ‘You can understand it purely from a financial perspective.’
‘Let’s say Mitch is on $100,000 a year. ARN would be looking at that and going “okay, we have a breakfast show for the next 10 years on the KIIS network, so that’s locked in and we have a drive show…so why on earth would we spend any amount of money on a night talent if we’re not going to get a return on it?”‘
Bruce admitted: ‘If I was in that room, I would have voted for (Churi to be axed). I just can’t justify that wage right now on this current trajectory we’re on, which is a network that is going to have one or two shows and that’s it.’
Mitch, who has co-hosted The Pick Up drive time show alongside Laura and Brittany since 2019, became emotional on-air as he revealed the heartbreaking news to his co-stars.
‘Late last week I was informed by the powers that be that they have identified my role here as one that won’t be returning in 2025,’ Mitch began.
Mitch then revealed he was blindsided by the decision and he wished it had not come to this.
‘I just want to say it wasn’t my decision or my call. I really wanted to stay on the show with you two. I really wanted to stay with KIIS.’
Co-star Laura, 38, jumped in to say she and Brittany fully supported Mitch and wished him all the best for the future.
‘This is not what we want for the show. It’s a decision that has been made out of our control. Britt and I have to continue on doing the show without you and we are utterly devastated,’ Laura said.
‘You are not only our co-host, but also one of our best friends,’ Brittany chipped in.
Fortunately, Mitch will be able to properly farewell listeners as he will remain on air until the end of the year.
It comes amid several sackings of on-air talent at other popular radio networks.
ABC702 Mornings host Sarah Macdonald announced last week that she had been let go from the Sydney program after more than three decades working with the national broadcaster.
Now, Hamish Macdonald has been tipped to be the top contender to take over the popular morning breakfast show.
Sarah’s axing from ABC’s airwaves sparked an uproar from fans, and the talented presenter is said to be ‘devastated’ to have been let go amid a huge hosting shake-up at the network.
However, ABC boss Williams has since said he fully supported Sarah’s exit as the ABC looks to revitalise its radio division under audio director Ben Latimer.
‘Changes in media are part of life,’ he told the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday. ‘They are part of the programming fabric of all organisations.’
ABC staffers were shocked by the move when it was announced alongside a raft of sweeping changes at the taxpayer-funded service, greeting the news with a round of boos in their Sydney headquarters.
However, Williams was adamant Sarah, who is well-liked and highly regarded throughout the industry, was not fired – just that her job has been given to someone else.
‘It’s inaccurate to say that Sarah Macdonald has been sacked,’ he said.
‘Her role has not been renewed. They are different conceptually.
‘In a similar way, management has determined that it wishes to take that service in a different direction.
‘That decision is a management decision, and I fully support our management in making relevant decisions as to the direction and content of the services that the ABC provides.
‘So, yes, I do support that decision, I do support the notion of refreshment in the various services that the ABC offers.’
The ABC has reportedly been inundated with complaints since Sarah revealed she had been given the boot live on-air on her show last week.
‘Well, here’s the news from me in terms of disappointment,’ she told her listeners.
‘I’m not going to be on the radio with you next year, the ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings. I am proud of what I’ve done. The ratings are up.’
She is not the only ABC radio star who has been given the boot in recent days as Simon Marnie also confirmed he has been sacked from his long-running weekend show.
He took to Instagram on Thursday morning to share the ‘shock’ news that the network is cutting his role presenting the NSW Weekend Mornings programs.
The announcement has come as a huge surprise to his fans as he has worked with the national broadcaster for more than 25 years.
Simon is a fan favourite on the ABC’s Sydney weekend airwaves and fronts the Saturday morning slot from 6am until 12pm, as well as the Sunday show from 10am until 12pm.
Confirming his axing, he wrote in an emotional message: ‘After a week or so of speculation I can confirm that the ABC has looked at its Weekend Structure in 2025 and informed me they do not have a role for me in that structure.
‘This came as a shock and I am still processing what it means for me.
‘If you’re in Sydney on Sunday I’d love you to join me one last time for the Weekend Show Christmas Picnic Outside Broadcast at Jazz @ The House on the grounds of Government House.
‘Please come along. Sunday 1st Dec 10 – midday the broadcast. Jazz at the House all day.’
