Emma Freedman hasn’t spent long on the unemployment queue after her shock departure from Channel Nine pre-Christmas, landing a nightly radio show with the Today network.
Freedman will team-up with Jules Lund who similarly faced an uncertain radio future after being dumped off the 2Day FM Breakfast slot – a show he co-hosted with Merrick Watts – in October.
The pair’s new hourly show is to be called The Scoopla and will air at 6pm across Today’s 31 stations nationally. The program will cover “the world of entertainment and pop”.
The 25-year-old Freedman – the daughter of famed horse trainer Lee Freedman – was mooted as a big talent for Nine, appearing as Weekend Today’s weather presenter as well as regular spots on Wide World of Sports. Freedman was unexpectedly terminated by Nine’s management in December in what was reported to be a cost-cutting measure.
Today, who, it could be argued, have struggled to get their on-air talent right since the surprise defection of stars Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O in late 2013, are banking on the affable duo of Freedman and Lund to resonate with its younger, female-skewed audience.
Head of Today Network Dave Cameron said: “Emma Freedman is an absolute knock-out new talent for radio, and combined with Jules Lund’s experience and passion for radio and social media this new daily show will continue to establish Today’s Hit Network and it’s phenomenal entertainment platform ‘Scoopla’ as the only go to destination for ‘what’s hot today’ for under 40 females.”
The Scoopla starts nationally on Monday 2nd February from 6pm.
