KIIS FM presenter Mitch Churi broke down last week as he confirmed he had been sacked from the network – and his dismissal has significantly affected morale at ARN.
The shock axing of the beloved radio star is said to have shaken staff across ARN – formerly known as the Australian Radio Network which owns the KIIS stations – with many questioning just how secure their job at the network is.
‘Mitch being shown the door has shaken the whole company. I don’t think people quite grasp how integral he was to the company culture,’ an insider told Pedestrian.
‘No one is safe. Mitch’s shows being cancelled is a stark reminder the industry is dying.
‘If ARN’s only homegrown talent gets cut like this, there is zero hope for the future of the industry.’
They added that ARN may have made the tough decision to axe the well-paid star in order to source funds to pay for Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, who are on a $20 million 10-year contract.
KIIS FM presenter Mitch Churi broke down last week as he confirmed he had been sacked from the network – and his dismissal has significantly affected morale at ARN
Mitch declined to comment to Daily Mail Australia when contacted about the issue.
Earlier this week, another radio insider also said he believes ARN sacked Churi due to Kyle and Jackie O’s contract.
Former radio executive Craig Bruce said on his Game Changers Radio: Melbourne Radio Wars podcast: ‘You can understand it purely from a financial perspective.’
‘Let’s say Mitch is on $100,000 a year. ARN would be looking at that and going “okay, we have a breakfast show for the next 10 years on the KIIS network, so that’s locked in and we have a drive show…so why on earth would we spend any amount of money on a night talent if we’re not going to get a return on it?”‘
Bruce admitted: ‘If I was in that room, I would have voted for (Churi to be axed). I just can’t justify that wage right now on this current trajectory we’re on, which is a network that is going to have one or two shows and that’s it.’
Mitch, who has co-hosted The Pick Up drive time show alongside Laura and Brittany since 2019, became emotional on-air as he revealed the heartbreaking news to his co-stars.
‘Late last week I was informed by the powers that be that they have identified my role here as one that won’t be returning in 2025,’ Mitch began.
Mitch then revealed he was blindsided by the decision and he wished it had not come to this.
The 28-year-old, who has co-hosted The Pick Up drive time show alongside Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley since 2019, was axed last week leaving his former colleagues in shock
An insider said that ARN may have made the tough decision to axe Mitch in order to source funds to pay for the networks big stars Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson (pictured)
‘I just want to say it wasn’t my decision or my call. I really wanted to stay on the show with you two. I really wanted to stay with KIIS.’
Co-star Laura, 38, jumped in to say she and Brittany fully supported Mitch and wished him all the best for the future.
‘This is not what we want for the show. It’s a decision that has been made out of our control. Britt and I have to continue on doing the show without you and we are utterly devastated,’ Laura said.
‘You are not only our co-host, but also one of our best friends,’ Brittany chipped in.
Fortunately, Mitch will be able to properly farewell listeners as he will remain on air until the end of the year.