Brisbane Radio Station Shakes Up Breakfast Slot
Brisbane radio station 4BC has announced a complete overhaul of its struggling breakfast show, following the abrupt departure of presenter Peter Fegan. Fegan, who held the coveted role for a mere 13 months, was let go in October after the programme's audience share plummeted to a dismal 3.6 per cent in the latest ratings survey.
New Duo to Take the Morning Reins
Management at the Nine-owned station is pinning its hopes on a fresh team to revive the crucial morning time slot. The newly christened 'Breakfast with Dean and Sofie' will be presented by the station's current Afternoons host, Sofie Formica, and former Triple M announcer, Dean Miller. The pair, described as 'proven crowdpleasers and long-time friends', are set to debut on January 19.
This move aims to bring listeners back by continuing with a talkback format, but with presenters who have a strong local following. Dean Miller is a well-known figure in Brisbane, not just for his radio work but also for hosting television shows like Seven's Creek to Coast and Queensland Weekender.
A Dream Job That Ended in Disappointment
The decision to axe Fegan came after a rapid and severe decline in ratings. Speaking to The Australian after his exit, Fegan expressed his devastation, stating, 'It's hard to describe, it feels like I've let everyone down – my listeners, my team, my boss and my station – everyone.' He described the feeling as 'crushing', though he remained proud of having landed what he called his 'dream job'.
Fegan had taken over the breakfast show in September 2024, replacing the previous trio of Laurel Edwards, Gary Clare, and Mark Hine. His predecessor's show had also seen a dramatic fall, finishing its run in last place with a 4.3 per cent audience share, despite a strong debut of 11.8 per cent on the Sunshine Coast in 2022.
In the interim, Luke Bradnam, Channel Nine Queensland's weekend weatherman, has been temporarily filling the breakfast slot for the past three weeks as the station worked on its permanent solution.
