It’s not often radio hosts are sacked and then rehired weeks later – by the same station.
But that’s exactly what happened for KIIS97.3 Brisbane breakfast radio hosts Robin Bailey, Kip Wightman and former Broncos star Corey Oates, who were axed from their show in early October, only to be asked to return.
The decision to bring back the trio was driven by an overwhelming audience response, insisted ARN Media’s new chief executive, Michael Stephenson, who has been in the role for eight weeks.
Robin Bailey, Kip Wightman and Corey Oates on KIIS97.3.
“At the end of the day, we create and distribute content to attract audiences and the audience spoke, and I listened,” Stephenson told this masthead after this week’s announcement.
“We made a decision [in October] to go in a different direction. I don’t see that as a mistake – it was a different direction.”
But Stephenson conceded the audience backlash was swift and strong. “We heard the audience and changed our direction … we pivoted,” he said.
Michael Stephenson, ARN’s new chief executive, presenting to advertisers.Credit: ARN
Comedian and radio host Craig “Lowie” Low, who had been announced as the solo replacement for Robin, Kip and Corey in 2026, will instead host a national 9pm-midnight show Lowie Live.
“He is someone who can continue to attract a younger audience,” Stephenson said, adding the nightly show would become increasingly more digital and video-focused.
“I’m completely OK for us to adjust our strategy based on what the audiences’ demands are, and Brisbane audiences and consumers love those guys.
“In the survey results towards the end of the year their numbers were fantastic, and I have every expectation that will continue into 2026.”
In October, a tearful Bailey told listeners she was fearful about how she would earn a living after her breakfast radio program was axed, despite improving in the ratings.
“Kind of scary to think I don’t know how to make money, but I’ve just got to believe that something will happen, something good,” she said.
Then, this week, a large billboard over busy Milton Road in inner-Brisbane read: “Merry Xmas Brisbane. Robin, Kip & Corey are back, Jan 19.”
In an official statement from ARN Media, Bailey, Whiteman and Corey praised people power for the move.
“Brissy you did it! Thank you so much. We are coming back because of you and I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be back behind the mic with Kip and Corey again on KIIS973,” Bailey said.
“A reversal like this is a first and I’m beyond excited for what it means for the Robin Kip & Corey show in 2026.”
Wightman said: “How good is people power?! No one gets behind a team like Brisbane! Can’t wait to kick off 2026 back in the studio. I guess I’ll need to return all the office equipment I stole on the last day!”
The Robin, Kip & Corey Oates show leaped to fourth place in the latest radio ratings, increasing its audience share from 10 per cent to 11.2 per cent.
It beat Loretta Ryan and Craig Zonca on ABC local radio, whose audience share dropped from 10.1 per cent to 9.1 per cent.
However, they still trailed Nova106.9’s morning offering with Ash, Luttsy & Nikki Osborne, which commanded an overall audience share of 13.2 per cent, down a smidgen from its previous share of 13.4 per cent.
They were also beaten by Stav, Abby & Matt on B105 (11.7 per cent) and Marto, Margaux & Dan on Triple M (11.9 per cent).
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
