Robbie Buck announces he is leaving ABC Radio as Chris Bath set to take over Richard Glover Drive show
Robbie Buck is leaving the ABC after nearly three decades on the public broadcaster’s airwaves.
Buck is the latest high-profile ABC Radio presenter to announce he was leaving his role as a full-time broadcaster.
He informed listeners of his Songs & Stories show on Sunday night about the “sad moment”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I’m stepping back from the ABC somewhat, which is a big move for me. I have been here over 28 years as a constant employee, and it’s been such a privilege to have been a part of this organisation,” he said.
“I am hoping to still have a toe in the water here on the airwaves, and so I’m hoping to pop up from time to time, but it just seems like it’s the right time for me to step back.”
Buck was a popular host during the peak of ABC youth station Triple J’s popularity in the 2000s before transitioning to ABC 702 in 2009.
He replaced Adam Spencer as the 702 Breakfast host in 2014 before teaming up with Wendy Harmer for four years when they combined their Breakfast and Morning shows into one four hour program.
The pair ended their show in 2021 after a successful stint during which they were the second most popular show on Sydney’s morning airwaves.
Buck’s departure comes hot on the heels of the exits of Richard Glover, Sarah Macdonald and Simon Marnie.
Macdonald has not appeared on air for a week after telling her audience last month her contract had not been renewed by the ABC.
Buck said he would continue at the ABC in some form but that was unclear at this point as he urged his listeners not to abandon the station over the changes to personnel.
“There are, you know, some decisions that aren’t great, and there are some good decisions, and all that sort of stuff,” he said on air about the changes at the ABC.
“And I’m not going to comment on that right now. But I do want you to know that your support of the ABC, I think, is absolutely critical, and it’s probably the most critical time ever to have your support.”
Chris Bath, who has spent the majority of her career on TV but did host the ABC Radio Sydney Evenings show from 2017 to 2019, is set to replace Glover as the Drive presenter next year.
Meanwhile, on Radio National Sally Sara is replacing Patricia Karvelas as the Breakfast host.
Karvelas, who replaced long-term RN Breakfast host Fran Kelly in early 2022, said she was leaving to “lean into a new cross-platform role” after 10 years at RN.
The regarded political journalist will take on a new role covering national politics with the broadcaster, including a new role as anchor of the ABC’s News channel’s Afternoon Briefing, and hosting a new politics podcast Politics Now. She will also continue to host Q&A and The Party Room podcast and write for the ABC.
Sara, a two-time Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year, will lead a team of reporters to deliver RN Breakfast at a new starting time of 5.30 am, instead of 6am.
