KIIS FM hosts announce they’re walking off the job early following brutal axing

by

Three popular hosts from KIIS FM announced they’re leaving their positions sooner than planned after being unexpectedly let go.

Brisbane breakfast radio hosts Kip Wightman, Corey Oates, and Robin Bailey revealed in October that they will be leaving their show before the year ends.

The three hosts announced this week that their show will end on Friday, even though their contract extends for two more weeks.

On Thursday, they posted a quick video to Instagram titled ‘2nd last show stitch-up’, letting fans know they’ll be leaving the show before their originally planned departure date of December 12th.

The unexpected announcement came as Kip and Corey shared their future plans: a podcast dedicated to the Brisbane Broncos, featuring NRL legend Sam Thaiday.

The Unofficial Broncos Podcast with Sammy, Oatsey and Kip is slated to launch in February 2026.

Speaking about the pair’s new appointment, Kip was quick to joke about their recent unemployment.

He explained in a statement that when the radio station announced “We’re making changes,” they initially assumed it just meant they were getting new furniture.

‘Turns out the “changes” were us leaving. So yeah, podcasting felt like a natural step down.’

Corey jokingly said he joined the podcast so his colleague at KIIS wouldn’t have to go through it by themselves.

‘Kip lost his job, and I thought, why should he suffer alone?’ he said. 

‘Besides, Sammy said he’d shout lunch if I joined, and I’m easily convinced.’

The announcement that these three were let go happened only a few months after Corey, a former star player for the Brisbane Broncos, joined the show following his retirement from professional rugby league last year.

ARN announced that the last episode of the show will air on December 12th.

A representative commended the hosts for their dedication, inventive approach, and efforts to engage the Brisbane audience.

The statement also noted their important contributions and said they will be honored soon.

The announcement of Craig ‘Lowie’ Low as their replacement in October surprised many people.

People familiar with the situation strongly criticized the appointment, with one source telling the Courier Mail the new hire was an inferior version of Kyle Sandilands.

The source expressed strong disappointment and disgust that the team would be replaced by someone they clearly disliked, saying it made them feel ill.

Sources reported the appointment surprised many in the industry, with some suggesting Low was only temporarily filling the role until radio stars Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson returned.

They added that the Sydney KIIS breakfast show would be nationalised within ‘three to six months’.

According to ARN’s head of audiences and content, Lauren Joyce, hiring Low is a key step in a broader effort to refresh the network.

According to her, the new show, hosted by Lowie, will make Brisbane mornings more lively, imaginative, and fast-paced.

This will capture the heart of KIIS FM – it’ll be energetic, bold, and perfectly reflect what our listeners want.

But, according to a source familiar with the situation, the network was actually aiming for a younger audience with the hiring of Low.

As a loyal listener, I’ve noticed something really strange. It feels like the station is completely overlooking women over 40 – we love them, and there are so many of us! An inside source confirmed my suspicions – they’re just not paying attention to a huge part of their audience.

Many radio stations already focus on younger listeners, but there’s a lack of options for those in that age group who still enjoy listening to the radio.

Read More

2025-11-27 04:34