Troubled Southern Cross Austereo will restart advertising on 2Day FM from Thursday and pay at least $500,000 towards funds for the family of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from the profits.
The station has been without ads since Saturday, after the nurse apparently committed suicide after fielding a prank call from DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian, and passing it through to the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge’s personal nurse last week.
Today the company released a statement saying all profits from any ads between now and the end of the year, with a minimum of $500,000, will be paid to an “appropriate fund” to benefit the family.
It is estimated they have been losing around $100,000 a day because of the ad ban, but major backers Coles and Testra have said they will not advertise on the station again after the prank call.
A statement from CEO Rhys Holleran said: “We are very sorry for what has happened. It is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts continue to be with the family. We hope that by contributing to a memorial fund we can help to provide the Saldanha family with the support they need at this very difficult time.
“The company today reiterates that it is deeply saddened by this tragic and unforseen event and offers its condolences to the family of Jacintha Saldanha.”
