Loss Of Star Pulls Plug On Shebang

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday August 6, 2008

Sue Javes Radio Writer

TRIPLE M has pulled the plug on its struggling breakfast comedy show, The Shebang, after another set of poor ratings figures.

The radio station's general manager, Helen Davies, announced yesterday the show would finish in November in light of the decision by Fifi Box to join Channel Seven's Sunrise.

Paul Murray would remain as part of the Monday to Friday line-up, but Marty Sheargold would leave to pursue other opportunities.

The decision to axe the program is no surprise. Sheargold and Box were successful drive-time hosts but the breakfast version of The Shebang has struggled to attract a solid following in its 18 months on air.

The decision coincides with a strong result from its rival station, Vega, which is finally making inroads into the Sydney market. In the latest Nielsen Media survey, Vega managed to come within a whisker of beating WS-FM and Triple M, with 412,000 people now regularly tuning in to the station.

The breakfast presenters Tony Squires, Mikey Robins and Rebecca Wilson are within one ratings point of beating The Shebang, as well as Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones on WS-FM and Todd McKenney and Sonia Kruger on MIX.

WS fell sharply in every shift, dropping from fifth to eighth.

The AM station 702 held on to second place, behind 2GB. Deborah Cameron increased her morning audience share to 10.4 per cent.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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