ARN’s Erin Phillips & Soda mysteriously disappear from airwaves

The upheaval with ARN’s Breakfast programs appears to be continuing, this time with murmurs and confusion around its Adelaide Mix 102.3 show Erin Phillips & Soda In The Morning.

The show was mysteriously off air yesterday, with listeners instead hearing Shane Lowe hosting a music-based format.

No explanation was given on air for the absence, however the three-hour slot was peppered with adverts for Erin Phillips & Soda as well as its upcoming Family Fun Fair, due to take place from April 1 to 25.

During each talk break, Lowe would note that “Mix 102.3 Adelaide’s new way to wake up is with Erin Phillips & Soda In The Morning“.

A spokesperson from ARN told The Advertiser that the show was off-air as co-host Mark ‘Soda’ Soderstrom was unwell.

Listeners and observers were left confused, however, when Soderstrom appeared in his other regular posting on Thursday night, presenting the sport section on Channel 7 News.

‘Soda’ appearing live on Channel 7 News last night, despite ARN saying he was off sick

This morning the show was also off air, with the host still referencing Erin & Soda In The Morning, but noting that more music was exactly what listeners would want, and that’s what they would be getting.

The Breakfast slot at Mix 102.3 has been through a number of changes and challenges of late.

As 2019 drew to a close, anchor and Breakfast content manager of what was then the Jodie & Soda show, John Bleby, left as part of a restructure. Alexis Kuchel took over as executive producer, however it appears she exited by March.

While co-host Jodie Oddy was on maternity leave, Phillips stepped in to host the program alongside Soderstrom.

Oddy then returned, however in November she abruptly left the show after 13 years and over 80 survey wins. She was then permanently replaced by Phillips with ARN noting the show was going in a new direction.

New executive producer Geoff Watts also left the program to move into a position as brand activations director, forcing ARN to again recruit for an EP for the program.

In the most recent radio ratings survey, Mix 102.3 had a 10.9% share in Breakfast, leading the FM market.

ARN is also facing changes in Melbourne, with co-host Polly ‘PJ’ Harding departing the Jase & PJ show to return home to New Zealand. That program, too, has had a change in EP and various behind-the-scenes staff departures.

ARN has remained tight-lipped over who will replace Harding, with speculation growing it could be former Summer Breakfast host Lauren Phillips or recently returned radio stalwart Kate Langbroek, who currently appears on KIIS’ 3pm Pick Up program.

With uncertainty in Adelaide, some crystal ball gazers have gone so far as to suggest ARN could syndicate Sydney’s Kyle & Jackie O Show. 

ARN did not respond to enquiries by time of publication, however the story will be updated should they comment on the confusion.