Nine’s takeover of Macquarie Media has produced another casualty as Weekend Overnight host Alan Pearsall got the boot from 3AW last Thursday.
A host of the show for almost 30 years, Pearsall told the Herald Sun he did not get the chance to farewell his listeners.
He said: “I did ask whether I could do the weekend shift (to say goodbye), but they said they were going to find a little spot for me to say farewell,” he said. “I said that wasn’t going to be enough, so I left it be.”
Pearsall’s departure follows the recent axing of Macquarie Media CEO Adam Lang who was made redundant from his $800,000 a year role, as well as 3AW operations director Stephen Beers was also made redundant.
Macquarie Media formally became a part of Nine on Friday morning, and the change was addressed in a note to Macquarie employees from Nine CEO Hugh Marks.
Marks sent a note to all Macquarie employees on the “opportunity” ahead of the newly merged entity.
“We have a great opportunity to lead the news conversation in each city and better engage with our audiences – be they television viewers, print and online readers or now listeners via radio or online.”
He added: “We are confident that with the full backing of Nine we can continue to grow the radio business and will work to ensure that you have the support, infrastructure and clarity to be able to do what you do best.”
Marks will visiting 3AW offices in Melbourne on Wednesday to answer any questions and introduce Macquarie staff to Nine’s senior leadership team, including Tom Malone, Nine’s newly appointed MD of radio.
