The Australian Radio Network (ARN) has begun another round of sweeping redundancies as part of a business overhaul aimed at streamlining operations and refocusing investment.
The cuts are part of a transformation strategy that also includes the offshoring of entire departments, including finance, media services, and technology.
Mediaweek understands the full number of redundancies will depend on discussions held over the coming months.
In a statement, Chief Executive Ciaran Davis called the decision difficult but necessary.
“ARN’s transformation program continues as we reshape our business to invest more deeply in the areas driving our future growth – content creation, cross-platform distribution, and advanced commercial solutions,” Davis said.
“As part of this, we are changing the composition of our team to become leaner and more efficient, which will involve the relocation of some roles and unfortunately, a reduction in headcount.
“This is a difficult decision and has not been taken lightly. We are deeply grateful for the contributions of those impacted and are committed to supporting them through this transition with care, respect, and practical assistance.”
The latest wave of cuts follows several months of downsizing.
Long-time Content Chief Duncan Campbell was shifted to a consultancy role late last year. Since then, Peter Whitehead, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, and several staff across sales, content and marketing have also departed.
Additional redundancies in the sales division were made earlier this month.
Ciaran Davis
Financial pressure, strategic shifts
As Calum Jaspan writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, the job losses come at a time of growing financial strain for the company, which has been hit by a soft advertising market and the fallout from its failed attempt to acquire rival broadcaster Southern Cross Media.
Adding to the pressure is the broadcaster’s high-stakes $200 million 10-year contract with Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.
One year in, the investment has yet to deliver in audience growth after being networked into Melbourne.
The company claims it hopes the transformation strategy will help balance the books and position the business for long-term growth, particularly under incoming leadership.
Kyle and Jackie O
Stephenson tipped to take the helm
In late 2024, ARN brought in former Nine chief sales officer Michael Stephenson as Chief Operating Officer.
Widely regarded as one of Australia’s most commercially savvy media executives, Stephenson is seen as the likely successor to Davis and is tasked with generating new revenue streams and reinvigorating the commercial side of the business.
“Michael is the right person at the right time,” Davis said at the time of his appointment, noting Stephenson’s deep experience in sales and operations.
“He brings a commercial and strategic mindset that will be invaluable as ARN evolves.”
Michael Stephenson
Sandilands threatens to exit Melbourne
Meanwhile, Sandilands added fuel to the fire with an on-air threat to pull his show out of Melbourne if ratings don’t improve on the same day these redundancies were announced. The Kyle and Jackie O Show, which launched in the Victorian capital in 2024, has struggled to gain traction despite modest recent growth in the first radio ratings survey of 2025.
“If we don’t rate better by the end of this year, I’m pulling the carpet out. I’ll just take the show off Melbourne,” Sandilands said during today’s broadcast.
Henderson responded cautiously, saying, “Settle down. Geez, you go from zero to a hundred quick.”
Their Sydney audience remains strong, with the show holding a 13.5% share, but Melbourne continues to be a work in progress, with Sandilands blaming audience taste and cultural differences for the slower uptake.