The ABC is reported to have hired commercial radio executive Cherie Romaro as it moves to remedy slumping rating figures.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Romaro has been hired to provide external advice on improving local and regional radio stations such as ABC Sydney and ABC Melbourne. The ABC has experienced a dramatic drop in viewing figures since Covid-19.
Romaro was the first female music director at Radio 2SM and was most recently general manager at 2CH.
In response to the fall in listeners, ABC could shorten the length of interviews and change presenters and the music lineup.
Romaro is reported to have said that this is not a cost-cutting exercise.
“It is a challenge given the choice and crowded audio offerings audiences can access at their fingertips,” Romaro said. “My involvement is to give an external perspective and provide added value to be able to assess the entire audio offering nationally and define where ABC Radio can grow their audiences and re-connect with listeners who have left us.”
This follows news that ABC has begun an 8-week project set up to stop the steep decline in audience numbers.
The task group is reported to be being led by ABC’s head of corporate strategy Jeremy Millar. Millar is said to be speaking with presenters, employees, and radio managers across the country until April. The report will then be incorporated into ABC’s five-year plan.
