The Australian Radio Network (ARN) has confirmed the axing of Brisbane breakfast show Robin, Kip & Corey on KIIS 97.3, with the final broadcast scheduled for Friday, 12 December. The move ends months of speculation about the show's future, but the network has ruled out replacing it with a syndicated Kyle and Jackie O programme.
In an internal email seen by Mediaweek, ARN Chief Content Officer Lauren Joyce stated that the new show will be “bold, entertaining, and fast-moving, with a renewed focus on energy and music.” Crucially, she confirmed it will be “live and local,” meaning it will be produced and broadcast from Brisbane, not piped in from another market.
This decision puts to rest rumours that Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson would expand their KIIS network into Brisbane. Industry observers note that the duo's Sydney-based schedule makes a live Brisbane broadcast logistically difficult, and a simulcast would contradict ARN's stated direction.
According to the latest GfK radio survey, KIIS 97.3's breakfast share rose to 10% from 9.3%, outperforming other ARN stations such as KIIS 1065 Sydney (down from 15.3% to 13.6%) and Mix 102.3 Adelaide (down from 11.4% to 10.4%). Radio consultant Craig Bruce told Mediaweek that the axing appears less about performance and more about positioning, as ARN focuses on transformation in 2026.
ARN's metro ad revenue has fallen by $6 million (13%) in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to unpublished Guideline SMI data cited by The Sydney Morning Herald. The network's metro ad revenue share dropped from 28% to 24%, as competitors gained ground. Bruce suggested that any national rollout of Kyle and Jackie O is on hold while ARN works to stabilise its commercial performance.
