Caralis cruels chances 2HD again
15Oct08

For somebody who claims he wants his Newcastle radio stations to break the KO/NX dominance, Supernetwork owner Bill Caralis sure has a funny way of showing it.

Rumours have been circulating for weeks that 2HD program director Kev Kellaway had been stood aside from his role. At first I didn’t really believe it and had been too busy to dig around to find out more. But today it was confirmed that Kellaway was no longer calling the shots on air at 2HD.

He has been replaced by “super-sub” Guy Ashford who now plays more positions than Kurt Gidley does for the Knights…Sales Manager, sometime GM and now PD. (Will Guy be reading the technical manuals next to try and fix the transmission issues on NEWFM?)

Kellaway is now working solely as Agency Manager for 2HD/NEWFM and must be struggling to explain to clients why the only experienced program director at Sandgate is no longer having input with on-air matters.

Since Kellaway’s appointment as 2HD PD in 2004 he has admirably lifted and maintained the station’s ratings against much better resourced opposition, and despite a turnstile approach to announcers by his employer. In fact, I would go as far to suggest he was the main factor in 2HD hanging in the ratings race, while stablemate NEWFM plummeted.

Perhaps Caralis was so impressed by Ashford’s impassioned claim that “within 24 months we’ll (NEWFM) be on an even playing field with NX” after the last survey results, that he decided to let him weave the same unproven magic for 2HD as well.

Given the reported low morale amongst announcers, its more likely that 2HD will be on a level playing field with NEWFM within 24 months. Read into that what you will.

Popularity: 2%

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9 Responses to “Caralis cruels chances 2HD again”

I can’t believe anyone would even want to stay there. It must be such an embarrassment these days to admit you work at either station. NEWFM has been dropping in and out with technical issues for weeks, and now their website has totally disappeared. Sure thats an improvement on the previous site, but still pretty shabby. Did Bill forget to pay the hosting account again?

Comment by J Preston on October 15th, 2008

From what I hear it’s typical of Caralis and why anyone want to work under him is beyond me. The NewFM website certainly isn’t any loss but having listened to NewFM in the past few weeks, it has shown a marked improvement although the music sounds very similar to NXFM. Positives have to be the 105 minutes of ad free music at 9 a.m. and hearing the local newsreaders fulltime instead of that crap they relay from Sydney or wherever. I guess there is a glimmer of hope that NewFM will lift in the ratings but we’ll wait and see.

Comment by Peta Brownlow on October 22nd, 2008

very similar to NXFM. Do you mean kofm
nx is 90s and new mix new is 80s 90s today
new has a better sound

Comment by newfm fan on October 22nd, 2008

To say that NewFM has a better sound than KOFM or NXFM, NewFM fan must work at the station. Yes the music is okay but the re-cycled breakfast crew is more of a turn-off than a turn-on

Comment by Peta Brownlow on October 22nd, 2008

newfm fan how much are they paying you. the music has improved but could still do with more improvements…
their web site is looking good and about time….
but will it ever bet NX or KO, i don’t think so alot of people have given up on the station and lost all respect for it….

Comment by maree on October 24th, 2008

GIVE them time new dont have a bank account like nx/ko
at least thay have improved
at new105

Comment by newfm fan on October 24th, 2008

Dam darling have a look at this newfm have a new website and i see they have an announcers job going i might have to apply, i might be needing it

Comment by Dave Collins on October 25th, 2008

Newfm is sounding really good! The website looks great and their ratings were up 4.2% in their target 25-39 audience. (survey 3 2008)

Guy Ashford/the new team are doing a great job so if you want to bag someone then bag Caralis

Comment by Daniel on November 1st, 2008

to Bill Carrails
Sell Super Radio Network to MacQuarie Radio Network then Russell Tate can show you how to run a Radio Network and take care of yiur staff.

Comment by JASON FROM BORONIA VICTORIA on July 18th, 2010

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