Triple M has moved to shut down speculation it is planning to replace its Sydney breakfast team, Beau, Cat & Woodsy, with former Nova duo Merrick Watts and Tim Ross.
The show, hosted by Beau Ryan, Cat Lynch and Aaron Woods, launched in late 2024 as part of Southern Cross Austereo’s push to refresh the Triple M brand. Despite initial interest, the program has struggled to build momentum in Sydney’s competitive breakfast market.
Ratings performance and market context*
In the latest GfK Survey 4 radio ratings for 2025, Beau, Cat & Woodsy inched up by just 0.1 percentage point, moving from a 4.4% share to 4.5%. Its cumulative audience rose by 11,000 to 313,000.
By contrast, competitors remain well ahead. Kyle & Jackie O on KIIS 106.5 secured a 13.9% share, while Smooth FM recorded 9.2%. Over on AM, 2GB retained the crown as Sydney’s number one station overall, though it took a hit, dropping to an 11.8% share.
Speculation over Merrick and Rosso
A source told Mediaweek the former Nova duo had “absolutely spoken to Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) regarding a breakfast spot,” adding: “they would do well there if SCA can afford them.”
However, when approached by Mediaweek, an SCA spokesperson dismissed the suggestion: “Any speculation about changes to the Triple M Sydney breakfast lineup is categorically false. Triple M is fully committed to Beau, Cat & Woodsy.”
Previous Jonesy & Amanda rumours*
This is not the first time Triple M Sydney’s breakfast slot has been the subject of industry speculation.
Earlier this year, before their move to the Drive slot on WSFM (to make way for a networked Christian O’Connell show), Brendan ‘Jonesy’ Jones and Amanda Keller were tipped to take over the Triple M Sydney breakfast shift.
At the time, former SCA Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron categorically denied the claims, telling Mediaweek: “We are focused on bringing new faces and new voices through to re-energise the industry. We’ve had multiple competitor shows reaching out to us but we have our own strong plans in place.”
SCA’s talent development strategy*
The company has consistently emphasised its strategy of developing new on-air talent rather than relying on long-established names. The continued backing of Beau, Cat & Woodsy reflects that approach, even as the show works to lift its ratings performance against dominant rivals in Sydney.