Radio’s Greatest Newsreaders: The Present (AM)

What makes a ‘great’ newsreader? Is it a flawless delivery, warmth and authority? Is it the level of trust that a listener places in them? Is it all that and more?

Radio Today has consulted with key industry figures to list the ‘greats’ of the modern era. And much like the ACRAs, we’ve split the current greats list in two: AM and FM.

This week, we turn our attention to the standout readers, who can currently be heard on the AM band. They’re listed in no particular order.

Natalie Peters is a graduate of AFTRS and has worked at ARN in Sydney and can now be heard on 2GB and stations on the Macquarie Media Network. She is a finalist for Best News Presenter (AM) at the 2018 ACRAs.

It should be noted three of the four nominees in the AM category work in the 2GB newsroom: Amie Meehan, Erin Maher and Peters.

The fourth nominee is 3AW’s Gail Watson, who joined the Melbourne newsroom from 4BC in 2009. She was appointed 3AW news director in 2013.

Sandy Aloisi has spent much of her career in commercial radio. At 2UE she rose from newsreader to news director to eventually become program director. Aloisi moved to ABC News in 2010.

FIVEaa’s Anne Stone is one of the most respected news voices in Adelaide. She was named Best News Presenter at the 2015 and 2016 Commercial Radio Australia Awards.

For the past 15 years or so, David Armstrong has been 3AW’s breakfast newsreader. In 2017, he won the ACRA for Best News Presenter. His career began at 3UZ as an 18-year-old in 1987. He was also part of the Triple R/Fox FM Danger: Low Brow Comedy Show.

At the other end of the day at 3AW is drive reader Tony Tardio. Regarded as one of the best in the biz, Tardio was named “Possibly The Best Newsreader in Commercial Radio” after a public notice appeared in the Herald-Sun.

A special mention should also be made of Denis O’Kane, whose career has spanned decades and has seen him enjoy stints at 3XY, 2SM, 2GB, 2Day FM and now 3AW.

Special mention also to 3YB’s Lois Chislett. The long-serving newsreader has won a number of ACRAs for best news presenter and is again a nominee this year.

Next week, we turn our attention to the FM newsreaders. Some have enjoyed stellar careers on AM, while others have been ‘born and bred’ on FM.

Catch up Part One: Radio Today‘s Greatest Newsreaders of The Past, here.