Gold 101.7 listeners in Sydney will be waking up with Christian O’Connell in 2026.
The announcement comes just days after the stations long-time Breakfast duo of Brendan ‘Jonesy’ Jones and Amanda Keller confirmed they will move to the drive slot next year.
The move will see O’Connell’s Melbourne-based show expand its footprint to audiences in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, with evening broadcasts planned for regional markets via the broader GOLD Network and DAB stations.
The shift forms part of ARN’s broader national content strategy, focused on scaling its successful local formats to broader markets, while aiming to offer advertisers increased consistency and reach across the country.
“This is a big moment for me, and for ARN,” said O’Connell. “When I moved here seven years ago, I dreamed of building a national show – one that could connect with people all over Australia. A show from our corner of the dial where people can feel united wherever they are, bringing people together through shared stories, laughter, and something real.”
A unique voice with international credentials
O’Connell’s career began in the UK, where he built a national breakfast show that topped ratings for more than a decade, attracting a peak audience of 2.5 million. After relocating to Australia, he joined GOLD104.3 in 2018, where his program has developed a loyal following, largely built around long-form storytelling, audience participation, and a focus on community engagement.
“This isn’t a show about gossip or stunts,” O’Connell said. “I want to offer something more: a real alternative in the mornings. Something built on heart, humour, and human connection – not noise.”
His Melbourne audience has grown steadily, with ARN attributing much of the success to the program’s consistent tone and format, one that places less emphasis on celebrity culture and more on everyday life.
Christian O’Connell and Alex Cullen
Audience growth and commercial opportunity
ARN’s Chief Audience & Content Officer, Lauren Joyce, said the decision to roll the show out nationally aligns with changing audience expectations and advertiser demand.
“Christian is a rare talent with an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences,” Joyce said. “He’s already built one of the most successful shows in Melbourne, and we believe that’s just the beginning. At a time when the world feels increasingly divided, The Christian O’Connell Show offers a place where all Australians feel welcome and a true sense of belonging. It’s a show that delivers connection like no other.”
In addition to its audience goals, the company is positioning the national rollout as an opportunity for advertisers seeking campaigns with stronger engagement and greater geographic reach. O’Connell has received industry recognition in both the UK and Australia for campaigns that combined storytelling with brand integration.
“I have helped brands innovate with ideas that don’t just shout, they’ve mattered,” he said. “I’m excited to bring that same creative thinking to national clients who want to stand out and make a difference.”
Staying true to format
Since launching in Melbourne, O’Connell has taken a different approach from many of his commercial radio peers. He often foregrounds personal stories and emotional topics, including parenting, mental health and personal setbacks, alongside comedy and listener call-ins.
“People said I’d never make it here. That an outsider wouldn’t connect. But I did. I’ve been tested many times, yet I’ve stayed true to who I am and what I do: real radio, for grown-ups, about real life – and bloody funny.”
With more than two decades in radio, O’Connell says the importance of connection remains central to his philosophy.
“We’re living in a time of increasing isolation. After 27 years of doing breakfast radio, I believe more than ever in the power of shared voices and authentic connection. I’m here to help create that. And ARN are proving once again they’re not just adapting to radio’s future – they’re creating it.”