SCA’s LiSTNR pushes into talkback with new Steve Price show

Former Editor & Content Director

LiSTNR – Southern Cross Austereo’s (SCA) digital audio offering – is pushing into new territory, with a new livestreamed Breakfast show fronted by former 2GB host, Steve Price.

Australia Today with Steve Price will debut tomorrow, and run from 7am to 10am (AEST) on weekdays.

The program will be co-hosted by newsreader Natarsha Belling, who already hosts LiSTNR’s daily news podcast, Your Morning Agenda. 

SCA’s LiSTNR has been pushing more and more into the daily podcast space – with the likes of Matt & Alex All Day Breakfast, The Briefing and Your Morning Agenda – however this is its first foray into livestreamed talk radio.

It said the new program would be “honest opinion” and “real talk”, highlights of which will be available as a podcast at the end of the broadcast.

Drawing on SCA’s journalists across 46 markets, the company said the podcast will talk directly to locals, live across the nation to get to the bottom of what matters most to Australians “and cut through corporate and political spin”.

Price said it was a privilege to be given the chance to launch a new show which will give “all Australians” the chance to have their say.

“Our rural neighbours have endured unfathomable hardship with bushfires and floods, the whole country has been impacted by COVID-19 and the issues rolling out of Parliament House right now have sparked a cultural reckoning,” he said.

“I know there are so many stories and issues impacting individuals and communities across the country not being told and we want to hear about them. Australia Today will open up national conversations around what’s in the news and happening in the world of politics and current affairs with balanced opinion, shaped by the common sense approach I pride myself on. We won’t be wedded to the left or right side of any issue but we will take a position and argue the case. You won’t ever hear us sitting on the fence.”

Belling, who has worked with Price before, said sometimes the duo will disagree, but they both love to chat.

“I’ve had the great pleasure of working with Steve before, he’s an excellent broadcaster with a great sense of humour… I cannot wait for the many great discussions and laughs ahead,” she said.

“I’m so thrilled to be part of this exciting new venture in delivering breaking news, but also dissecting and discussing the major issues that shape and change our lives. Born and raised in country NSW, I’m a passionate advocate for rural Australia. After recent events there are lots of Australians hurting right now from fires, floods and COVID devastated businesses. This program is about giving all Australians a voice,” she added.

SCA’s chief content officer, Dave Cameron, noted the significance of the new venture.

“We are thrilled to have secured a broadcaster and journalist of Steve’s calibre to lead our bold foray in to live streamed, daily news and talkback on LiSTNR. Steve isn’t afraid to call a spade a spade and cuts through so much of the propaganda Australians have to navigate when consuming their daily news; it’s the reason he dominated the AM airwaves for as long as he did,” he said.

Australia Today with Steve Price will give real people from across the country a voice and platform to be heard, unfiltered. Every single Australian can listen and contribute to this show wherever they are across the country exclusively via the LiSTNR app. We are excited to continue to make LiSTNR the ultimate audio destination for both live streaming and podcast premium content in Australia.”

Price left his Afternoons slot at Nine Radio’s 2GB and 4BC, and was replaced by Deb Knight, at the end of 2019.

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Mike Hammon
6 Apr 2021 - 2:58 pm

Surely the target audience for this AM style talkback format wouldn’t even understand what a “Listnr” is, let alone how to download, setup an account, call in? (in the app, or do they use the phone they are using to stream with to call?)

Who is making these decisions and how long until they end up like a normal SCA breakfast show and get taken out the back?

Simon Owens
6 Apr 2021 - 5:14 pm

This really is a BOLD decision.
I am a big fan of both Steve and Natarsha and seriously wish them all the best.

A great radio mind once told me that it’s one thing to produce a great program but the question that must be asked is “Where will your audience come from?”
Taking listeners away from the well established 3AW, 2GB, 4BC, 6PR, 5AA and the ABC is unlikely.

So the question is “Who is not being catered for? ”

Is there a business model for this? Has this kind of thing taken off anywhere in the world?

I really hope this works because if it does it opens so many potential doors for the radio industry. But I again ask, where is the audience coming from?

K Watson.
6 Apr 2021 - 5:24 pm

Price taken seriously?
One only has to watch his performance on channel 10’s The Project where fellow panelist mercilessly mock his “seriousness”.

Wolf
7 Apr 2021 - 8:25 am

Take a look at all the City Slickers knocking Price and thinking they know what Regional listeners like stick to your (Eastern Suburb Bubble) and if they don’t relate to you you think you know better. Price on 2GB killed his Time slot. SCA have made some great decisions in the past like who listens to 2Day FM anymore unless they are Pimpled Face. TRiple M was suppose to be the Blue Collar Rock Station but its full off 30 Year old know nothings.

Journo
10 May 2021 - 10:49 pm

@Mike Hammon, those old AM listener’s, are the same generation as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. We also saw the introduction of: TV, PC’s using DOS to operate them, then Windows, Mac’s, Beta/VHS, the internet, FM radio, IPods, Google, browsers, email, oh, and mobile phones, just to name a few.

The reason you enjoy the tech you have today is because we created most of it.

You’re welcome!

Clare Verngreen
10 Jun 2021 - 9:33 am

I am so happy to have discovered where Steve Price is broadcasting from, and I have a great breakfast program to listen to.
I live in Sydney and have been a 2gb listener for many years, especially Steve on his 8pm time slot. However the station that grappled with tough daily issues and gave no hole barred opinions has turned into an irrelevant news source. Two exceptions. The brilliant Michael McLaren on Overnights, and Luke Grant on Weekends.
Steve cuts to the chase. He is forthright and a great voice for common sense. A great line up of expert commentators add to the depth of his program. An added bonus it has given me a deeper understanding of the pain and chaos that Victorians have had to put up with thanks to a panicked government unable to cope with the Covid19 virus.

Clive Edmead
4 Jul 2022 - 2:10 pm

Can’t get the program anymore from this week on my expensive digital radio, who wants to tie up their computer all morning on listnr at home. I only need listnr when I am out.

Jobs

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