Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O: Inside ARN’s plan B as radio insiders name KIIS FM’s predicted replacements

With the Kyle and Jackie O Show abruptly coming to an end, attention inside the radio industry has already shifted to the question ARN now faces: what comes next?

The collapse of one of Australia’s most powerful breakfast shows has left the network scrambling to weigh up its options, from the possibility of Kyle Sandilands returning to air, to the prospect of Jackie “O” Henderson hosting a different program, or an entirely new show replacing the long-running duo.

Right now, Sandilands’ future remains uncertain.

The host is serving the first of a 14-day suspension after ARN determined his conduct toward Henderson during the February 20 broadcast constituted “an act of misconduct”.

He has been told he must “remedy” the situation before he can return to the airwaves, but ARN has not publicly explained what that process would involve.

If Sandilands fails to satisfy the network’s requirements, the broadcaster has the option of terminating his contract entirely.

Such a move could reopen the door for Henderson to return to the KIIS FM breakfast slot in some form. ARN said this week it had “offered to Ms Henderson the possibility of an alternative show on the ARN network”.

However, with both scenarios still unresolved, industry insiders are already speculating about what a broader reset of the network’s breakfast programming could look like.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show had been broadcast across KIIS FM stations in both Sydney and Melbourne, but according to the Game Changers Radio podcast, ARN executives may now be leaning toward a return to city-specific programs in each market.

The idea would align with the philosophy of Dave Cameron, ARN’s newly appointed Director of Content for Metro Radio, who has previously expressed a preference for locally focused breakfast shows.

Toni and Ryan

One of the first names floated floated for a possible replacement, in particular for Melbourne, is a podcast duo Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon.

“The first phone call that he (Mr Cameron) will make will be to Ryan Jon and Toni Lodge,” former radio executive Craig Bruce said on the latest episode of Game Changers Radio.

The pair host the hugely popular Toni and Ryan podcast, which launched in 2021 and now attracts more than three million monthly downloads.

Their growing digital following was recognised last year when the show won the People’s Voice Award at the Webby Awards, widely regarded as the leading international honours recognising excellence on the internet.

Industry insiders believe the duo could be approached to anchor KIIS FM’s Melbourne breakfast slot if the network decides to abandon the national Kyle and Jackie O format.

Whether they would accept such an offer remains uncertain as the pair have publicly said they were happy remaining independent.

Despite that stance, Mr Bruce suggested the pair would hold enormous negotiating power if ARN came calling.

He said Toni and Ryan “could name their price for KIIS Melbourne”.

Will and Woody

Another potential option floated within the industry is radio duo Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw, better known to listeners as Will and Woody.

The pair currently host the national KIIS FM drive show and have built a strong following with their mix of comedy, stunts and listener interaction — a format that shares some similarities with the style that made The Kyle and Jackie O Show so successful.

Their existing relationship with ARN and experience broadcasting across multiple markets could make them a natural internal candidate if the network opts for a familiar voice to steady the breakfast slot.

While no move has been confirmed, industry observers say shifting Will and Woody into mornings could offer ARN a ready-made replacement while it rebuilds its flagship program.

Lu and Jarch

In Sydney, attention has also turned to another rising duo: Luisa Dal Din and Jack “Jarch” Archdale, better known to listeners as Lu and Jarch.

Before moving into traditional radio, the pair gained traction through their podcast We Mean Well, with clips from the show frequently going viral across media platforms.

“They would be on a very short list of potential shows that could do KIIS Sydney next year,” Mr Bruce said.

So, what happens next?

For now, ARN is relying on the temporary solution while it considers its next move.

Network personality Kent “Smallzy” Smalls has stepped in to host the KIIS FM breakfast program in both Sydney and Melbourne while the company determines Sandilands’ future and evaluation it longer-term plans.

Brooklyn Ross, who spent 12 years delivering news on The Kyle and Jackie O Show before it was taken off air, will continue providing news updates during Smallzy’s broadcast.

The arrangement is expected to remain in place while ARN decides what its Plan B for breakfast radio will ultimately look like.