'Devastated': Will & Woody to leave KIIS as ARN resets Drive lineup

Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw will leave KIIS at the end of 2026 as ARN prepares to overhaul its national Drive lineup.

The pair joined KIIS in 2019 and built a national audience across radio, digital content, social media, podcasts and live events.

In an email from ARN chief content officer Kerri Elstub to staff, seen by Mediaweek, Elstub wrote: “I wanted to share some news regarding Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw, who will depart KIIS at the end of 2026.”

Elstub praised the pair’s contribution to the network and the audience they had built since joining KIIS.

“Will & Woody have been an important part of the KIIS family for the past eight years and have made a huge contribution to the network. Since joining KIIS in 2019, they’ve built a loyal national audience and established themselves as one of Australia’s most innovative and engaging radio partnerships.”

Eight years with ARN

In a public statement issued by ARN, Elstub said Will & Woody had made a major contribution to the network.

“Will & Woody have been an important part of the KIIS family for the past eight years and have made a huge contribution to the network. They’ve brought their own unique energy, humour and personality to KIIS and we thank them for everything they’ve given the network over the years.

“We wish Will & Woody all the very best for the future and look forward to seeing what they do next. In the meantime, they still have plenty of great radio ahead of them before the end of the year, and we look forward to celebrating their contribution and giving them the send-off they deserve.”

Will & Woody respond

McMahon and Whitelaw said they were “devastated” that the show would not continue in 2027.

“We are devastated we won’t be continuing to do what we truly love next year and will sorely miss hearing the stories of everyone who contributed to the show. It was always the listeners who made the show, so we are deeply thankful to you all. We are also incredibly grateful to ARN for allowing us to live out our dream for the last 8 years... Guess we’ll now have to finally figure out how to make LinkedIn profiles.”

The pair will remain on air until the end of the year.

As for who will replace the pair? Multiple sources have told Mediaweek that Carrie Bickmore is tipped to leave SCA - and her current co-host Tommy Little - to take over the national Drive shift at ARN.

The network has constantly pushed back on Mediaweek's claims (but has not denied them), saying its refreshed approach to national Drive would complete the new KIIS lineup for 2027.

Standing by…