Talent Watch
BY RadioToday Network November 28, 2023
Talent Watch October 26, 2020
Mike Hammond departs WSFM Sydney, replaced by Bill Weaver
Veteran broadcaster Mike Hammond has left WSFM Sydney, Radio Today can reveal.
Hammond joined the Australian Radio Network-owned station in 2018, where he has hosted Mornings since the departure of Ron E. Sparks in 2017. He finished up with the network last week.
Until a full-time replacement is confirmed, listeners will hear Bill Weaver after Jonesy & Amanda.
Radio Today reached out to ARN who confirmed Hammond’s departure, with group content director Duncan Campbell revealing Hammond made the decision for “family reasons”.
“I would like to thank Mike and wish him all the very best in the future. Until plans have been finalised, Bill Weaver will be hosting the morning show on WSFM,” Campbell said.
Hammond has hosted a variety of award-winning radio programs on stations across Australia.
His first major radio gig was anchoring Drive on 2SM in 1985, where he became the youngest ever drive-time announcer in the history of Sydney radio.
ARN named Mike Byrne as WSFM’s content director in January, replacing Scott Muller.
Byrne joined ARN from Southern Cross Austereo where he was most recently the group content director for SCA Newcastle. He had previously worked at Mix 106.5 and Gold 104.3.
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It appears ARN wants to get rid of middle aged white men
@Rob Sutton: You know nothing.
If this was SCA, for example, I would definitely agree this is a mission to get rid of white men
But I don’t think that type of culture exists at ARN
“get rid of middle aged white men”??…
I’m thinking Bill weaver is close to 60 these days, no?
Fair call WSFM! I wasn’t a fan of Mike Hammond myself actually! Good to hear Bill on the air!
Mike Hammond one of the truly great jocks he will be missed and ratings will plummet !
@Rob Sutton if you knew the real reason why he’s leaving, you’ll retract that stupid comment
I think the plan Is have a woman in this time slot who leans left. Focus less on revenue and more on gender issues
Mr. Wise, both the British Oxford and American Webster dictionaries define ‘middle aged’ as including people up to 65 years of age. It can also be an attitudinal reference. It’s also like you don’t need to be old to have a Masters degree. I hope this information is helpful.
What a funny little website this is.
Sure, it was a quote but in common parlance putting “family reasons” in isolation tends to imply something more sinister.
It would appear that this decision is genuinely related to family reasons; something of the most personal nature.
I wish Mike all the very best.
If It is ok with ARN, I would like to come into the station and count the number of men and women working in each department and see if they are actually reaching their gender targets
Dont see as a longer termer. He generally moves around. Mike is a good communicator and it showed when he replaced Ron E Sparx. To me the music needs to come through a few years and start playing more modern songs as well as the classics. Bill Weaver is good as well.
So many frightened people in this thread worrying about the white males! Just a heads up, this used to be and still kind of is what it is like for women and anyone of a minority going for a job in media. Knowing that you’re unlikely to get a gig because of that.
Dear Urgh,
First you say “this used to be” and then quickly qualify that with “and still kind of is” but then end with “you’re unlikely to”. So your assertion, such as it is, goes from ‘definitely’ to ‘possibly’ to ‘probably’. This is a crippling and defeatist attitude. I couldn’t care less who’s on air but I think they’re just looking for people who at least have a sound command of the English language and a good grasp of the meaning of words. Stop being so dramatic. You’re capable of such much better.
Mike is one of the nicest guys in radio and TV hands down. Will miss him on air. Energy and pizazz to the nines!
Forget white males, where are the indigenous people on ARN? Serious question.
Mike Hammond was great…
Unfortunately WSFM still have 10-12 minutes of commercials and news etc in one hit , I’m a serial radio flicker every hour…
Also when you guys changed your music u got rid of so much good music and kept a lot of crap..
In order to survive go look at these issues I just mentioned..
P.S. All DJ’s need to not share there political views as most of them are lefty’s and that’s a good way to get conservative/right wing voters to tune out permanently…
Cheers