Liam Bartlett returns to Perth radio as talkback programs get a major shake-up
Veteran 60 Minutes journalist Liam Bartlett is returning to the airwaves as host of 6PR's Mornings show.
Gareth Parker will be the sole host of Breakfast show on 6PR and veteran journalist Liam Bartlett will take over the Morning show.Credit:Nine
Promising to "help keep our decision makers honest", Bartlett will take over the 9am timeslot from journalist Gareth Parker, who is moving to the Breakfast show as Basil Zempilas leaves the station and Steve Mills moves to afternoons.
News Talk 6PR 882 unveiled the new 2021 on-air lineup following recent ratings success, with Zempilas and Mills recording a market share of 11.3 per cent in the key 5am to 9am timeslot, the second highest across all stations behind only Nova 93.7 on 13.9 per cent.
Parker increased his market share to 10.2 per cent to lead the 9am-12pm timeslot on talkback in a positive year for the former print journalist.
Oliver Peterson will continue in the Drive shift and Simon Beaumont will host a new Saturday/Sunday Morning program.
Oliver Peterson will keep the Drive slot on 6PR while Steve 'Millsy' Mills will take over Afternoons from Simon Beaumont. Credit:Nine
6PR content manager Emily White said Bartlett had dominated the mornings time slot before and would also continue to break stories for 60 Minutes, and Parker would lead the the talk radio format through the next decade.
“His ability to break stories, analyse events and set the news agenda will be the driving force of a reshaped 6PR," she said.
“We are similarly delighted that Liam Bartlett is making his return to daily radio."
Parker said he wanted to set the agenda with big interviews and the most relevant breaking news, and also provide essential traffic and weather information to help people navigate the morning.
“The opportunity to rejoin the 6PR team and represent our Perth audience was just too good to
pass up,” Bartlett said. “To advocate on behalf of so many great listeners and help keep our
decision makers honest is what makes the ‘Morning Program’ so special and the reason I’m so
thrilled to be returning”.
Daile Cross manages the WAtoday newsroom.