Alan Jones could be set to take on a lucrative new TV deal after negotiating $4million payout to retire from radio
- Veteran radio broadcaster Alan Jones will retire from 2GB airwaves this month
- Will focus on Sky News TV commitments, which are currently two nights a week
- Jones, 79, could double workload to four nights a week if he strikes a new deal
- Comes after sources claimed Jones' radio retirement was forced by Nine bosses
Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones looks set to step up his television screen time after he retires from radio later this month.
The controversial 2GB morning radio host, 79, announced his shock retirement last week after 35 years on the airwaves, citing advice from doctors.
He insisted it was his decision to step away from radio halfway through his $8 million two year contract due to health reasons.
Jones plans to focus on his existing Sky News television commitments, which could double from two nights a week to four if he can a strike a new deal, The Australian reported.
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Alan Jones (right) could double his his television workload when he finishes up with 2GB at the end of the month. He's pictured with Deborah Hutton (left) at a Foxtel launch event in 2019
He currently fronts two Sky News programs- Jones & Credlin on Tuesday nights, and Richo & Jones on Wednesdays.
It's understood Jones is keen to increase his prime time television appearances once he finishes up with 2GB at the end of May.
The Australian quashed media speculation that Jones' television time is limited to two nights a week until his contract with Nine officially ends July next year.
The nationwide coronavirus lockdown has seen Sky News viewer ratings surge in recent months as the number one Foxtel channel for 14 consecutive weeks.
But a dramatic decline in advertising has resulted in staff and weekend programming cuts, which could worsen under additional investment in Jones, TV Blackbox reported.
Broadcaster Alan Jones (pictured) is already a familiar face with Sky News prime-time viewers
Both Jones and Nine insist it was his decision to step away from the airwaves prematurely.
Jones told Sky News colleague Peta Credlin last week it was time to slow down.
'The body of work, the radio work, is extraordinary,' he said.
But sources at Nine claim Jones' departure has been in the pipeline at Nine for several months following a massive fallout from advertisers and public backlash over his controversial comments about New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last year.
They alleged Jones was forced into retirement and no longer had the support of the Nine board after his comments have cost network an estimated $20 million, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Alan Jones (pictured) insists it was his decision to step away from the airwaves but Nine sources claim otherwise, alleging he didn't have the support of the board
Nine acquired 2GB shortly after Jones faced widespread public backlash last August when he called Ms Ardern a 'çomplete clown' and urged Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison live on air to 'shove a sock down' her throat in response to her statements on climate change.
Jones later wrote to Ms Ardern to unconditionally apologise for the public slur.
'Prime Minister, I would like to assure you that I did not intend to suggest any violence towards you,' he wrote in an email sent to Ms Ardern.
Jones also issued a publicly apology on air while his then-employer Macquarie Radio warned he would be sacked if similar comments were made again.
More than 100 advertisers, including Coles, Big W, Commonwealth Bank, McDonald's and Bunnings cancelled their spending with 2GB in the wake of the saga, which reportedly cost an estimated $80,000 a day in lost revenue.
Sources claim Jones agreed to walk away on three strict conditions- that he would be paid out the rest of his contact, his team would be paid out or offered new jobs, and that his vacancy wouldn't be filled by 2GB colleague Ray Hadley, with whom he has a long ongoing feud with.
Alan Jones (pictured in March at the funeral of John Laws' wife Caroline) told his team last Monday before announcing the shock news to listeners the following day
