Carrie & Tommy confirmed for Hit Network Drive slot in 2021

Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little will be back on the Hit Network in 2021, adding an extra hour to their program.

The move by Southern Cross Austereo was widely anticipated after other talent shuffles this week.

In recent years, the Hit Network – including 2Day FM in Sydney, Fox FM in Melbourne and B105 in Brisbane – had Carrie & Tommy on from 3pm to 5pm, followed by Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes and Ed Kavalee with Hughesy & Ed from 5pm to 7pm.

Hughes and Kavalee, however, will be moving to Sydney Breakfast on 2Day FM alongside Erin Molan, which left the Hit Network with a vacancy between 5pm and 7pm.

The 6pm hour will be filled by a highlights package from The Morning Crew show with Hughes, Kavalee and Molan.

This left Hit with just one hour to fill, leading to speculation Bickmore and Little would cover it.

Head of the Hit Network Gemma Fordham said the broadcaster is delighted to offer more Carrie & Tommy in 2021.

“We are thrilled Carrie and Tommy are our national drive show for 2021,” she said. “When you listen to Carrie and Tommy, the most obvious and appealing thing is their genuine affection for each other. They are friends who enjoy opening up their mics to deliver a show that is full of life and charm, with just the right amount of provoking each other for the entertainment of others.

“We know our audiences love the show and want more, they have proven to be a ratings success for us, and the support from advertisers wanting to be part of the show is incredible.”

The 3pm hour has become key to radio networks keen on extracting more advertising dollars. Australian Radio Network’s KIIS yesterday announced it had lured Kate Langbroek back to Australian radio for its 3pm offering, The 3PM Pick Up. Langbroek will replace Bec Judd next year, putting to rest any speculation she would reunite with Hughes to revive the legacy Hughesy & Kate program.

The Hit Network noted that in addition to the 3pm hour, those driving home at 5pm will now be exposed to “some Bickmore and Little mirth-making magic”.

On this, Little said: “I am glad we are extending our show to 6pm because it means finally Dolly Parton can listen to us on her drive home from work.”

Bickmore said it was a privilege to return.

“2020 has been a strange old year but one of the greatest joys has been the chance to connect with our listeners and provide them with the opportunity for a couple of hours of escapism, great tunes and big laughs. We love that privilege and are really excited about returning in 2021 as the Hit Network’s drive show.”

In the most recent radio ratings survey, the Hit Network’s 2Day FM in Sydney had a 3.8% share in Drive (measured as 4pm to 7pm). Melbourne’s Fox FM was slightly higher with 5.7%, while Brisbane’s B105 was much higher on 12.9%. B105 is performing better than its Hit Network counterparts, boasting an overall 10.5% share, compared to 2Day’s 3.4% and Fox’s 5.2%.

Adelaide’s SAFM had a 10.1% share in Drive, higher than the station’s overall share of 8.4%, while Hit 92.9 in Perth had 10.4% from 4pm, ahead of the station’s overall 8.7% share.

Hit 92.9 in Perth will soon be transformed into SCA’s Triple M network, while its stablemate Mix 94.5 will join the Hit Network.

SCA still needs to announce the lineup for Triple M Breakfast in both Perth and Melbourne.