Natalie Penfold replaces Brooklyn Ross on KIIS Breakfast

ARN has named Natalie Penfold as newsreader for KIIS 1065’s new Breakfast show, filling the role vacated by Brooklyn Ross following his move to Kyle Sandilands Live.

Penfold, currently executive producer of KIIS Breakfast, will move into the on-air role when the new Sydney breakfast show launches later this year.

READ MORE: The who's who of Kyle Sandilands new team

READ MORE: New Jackie O court filings reveal $3m share loan claim and ARN-ordered medical exam

From behind the scenes to behind the mic

Penfold said the appointment marked a new chapter after years working both on and off air.

“I’m so thrilled to be part of the next chapter of KIIS Breakfast. I love creating radio, both behind the scenes and behind the mic, and I’m incredibly proud of the experiences and opportunities I’ve had throughout my career. The chance to bring everything I’ve learned over the past 15 years into this new role is really exciting, and I can’t wait to be part of building something special for Sydney listeners.”

While Penfold brings extensive breakfast radio and content experience to the role, she has not worked as a breakfast radio journalist in recent years. The move into the newsreader’s chair will therefore involve learning on the job as she shifts from producing the show to delivering its news output on air.

It is also unclear whether Penfold will write and compile her own news bulletins, or whether her role will primarily involve reading bulletins prepared by another journalist or producer.

ARN’s announcement said Penfold would “deliver news and entertainment updates while playing an active role in the show’s daily conversations and content”, but did not detail how the newsroom side of the role would operate.

The distinction is significant in breakfast radio, where newsreaders have traditionally been responsible for sourcing, writing and updating bulletins throughout the morning alongside their on-air role.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Pete Deppeler (@petedeppeler)

KIIS rebuild continues

The appointment is another piece in ARN’s rebuild of KIIS Breakfast following the end of The Kyle & Jackie O Show.

Ross initially remained with ARN following Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson’s departure and became part of KIIS 1065’s interim Breakfast line-up alongside Mike E and a rotating roster of guest co-hosts.

He officially left ARN on 7 August to reunite with Sandilands on his independent subscription venture, Kyle Sandilands Live, which launched on 10 August.

Ross’s move also reunited him with several former Kyle & Jackie O Show staffers who joined Sandilands’ new operation, including former executive producer Pedro Cuccovillo Vitola, producer Josh Fox and audio producer Dean Royston.

ARN chief content officer Kerri Elstub said Penfold’s experience across production and broadcasting made her a strong fit for the new program.

“Nat is one of the most talented people in radio. She’s a brilliant producer, a confident broadcaster and has an exceptional understanding of what makes great Breakfast radio. She knows KIIS, she knows Sydney, and she knows how to connect with audiences. We’re building an exciting new Breakfast show, and Nat’s experience across production, content and broadcasting makes her a great fit for the role she’ll play.”

Nearly 15 years in radio

Penfold brings nearly 15 years of radio experience, including almost a decade with ARN.

She began her career at 2GB before joining Southern Cross Austereo, then ARN in 2017. Her career has spanned announcing, producing and operations, including hosting Drive on The Edge and producing breakfast radio for some of Sydney’s biggest shows.

Penfold has also been a regular on-air voice across the KIIS Network since 2019.

Her appointment adds another piece to ARN’s still-to-be-revealed KIIS Breakfast line-up, with further announcements expected ahead of the new show’s launch later this year.