Jones still yet to sign with Southern Cross Danielle Veldre
SOUTHERN Cross Broadcasting is still in talks with its highest rating, and arguably most influential talk back host Alan Jones over his contract which expires at the end of the year.
Jones’ nationally-syndicated program took a huge 17.8 share of the Sydney market in the last ACNielsen radio survey and is often consulted by politicians seeking to gauge the mood of the nation.
Southern Cross Broadcasting managing director Tony Bell refused to comment on the contractual negotiations with Jones. “Everybody’s speculating,” he said.
Industry rumour suggests Jones is being courted by John Singleton’s radio station 2GB.
The impact of Jones leaving the network could be disastrous for all of the stations which carry his weekday broadcasts, but Bell would not be drawn on the potential of Jones departing.
“We are not expecting him leave,” Bell said.
Meanwhile: Southern Cross Broadcasting’s television arm last week announced the closure of five regional news services. Southern Cross stations in Cairns, Townsville, Darwin, Alice Springs and Canberra.
The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) has launched an investigation into the adequacy of local news in regional areas following the Southern Cross announcement and other local closures in Canberra, Newcastle and Wollongong by Prime Television.
