2GB tells Ben Fordham to 'end his on-air friendship' with Gladys Berejiklian and 'fire up' at the NSW government - as network scrambles to win back listeners after falling from top spot in the ratings
2GB was knocked from the top spot in Sydney's breakfast radio ratings for the first time in almost 18 years last week.
And host Ben Fordham, 44, is reportedly facing mounting pressure to adopt a more 'combative' stance against NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, as network bosses scramble to win back listeners.
According to The Australian on Monday, senior Nine radio bosses staged an 'intervention' last Tuesday, just hours after 2GB lost the ratings war to KIIS FM's Kyle And Jackie O show.
No more Mr Nice Guy? 2GB bosses have reportedly told Ben Fordham (left) to 'end his on-air friendship' with Gladys Berejiklian (right) and take a more combative stance against the NSW government during his broadcasts - after the radio show was overtaken by KIIS FM's Kyle And Jackie O Show in last week's ratings
Fordham - who has supported Ms Berejiklian through a string of controversies in recent months including controversy surrounding her relationship with disgraced MP Daryl Maguire - was reportedly encouraged to take a more adversarial approach when discussing the NSW government on his show.
Share this article
'We're told their message to Fordham was unambiguous: the on-air love affair with Gladys had to end,' The Australian reported.
An insider meanwhile told the publication: 'You can't have a friendship with a Premier while you're holding her to account.'
'The on-air love affair with Gladys had to end': was reportedly encouraged to adopt a more 'combative' stance against the NSW government and its leader
Interestingly, Fordham began firing up at Ms Berejiklian just a day after the alleged intervention, scorching the leader for extending the state's Covid-19 lockdown measures during Wednesday and Thursday's broadcasts.
However, a Nine source has since assured The Australian that Fordham's outrage was in fact real, and that he was 'genuinely p**sed off' by the lockdown extension.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Nine for comment.
Lashing out: Interestingly, Fordham began firing up at Ms Berejiklian just a day after the alleged intervention, scorching the leader for extending the state's Covid-19 lockdown measures during Wednesday and Thursday's broadcasts. However, a Nine source has since assured The Australian that Fordham's outrage was in fact real
Irreplaceable? Fordham, who had the herculean task of replacing his predecessor, right-wing commentator Alan Jones (pictured) in May last year, has attracted a raft of online criticism since last week's radio ratings were announced
Fordham, who had the herculean task of replacing his predecessor, right-wing commentator Alan Jones, in May last year, has attracted a raft of online criticism since last week's radio ratings were announced.
Some critics have suggested that Fordham was losing listeners due to his perceived political leanings, with one Tweeting: '2GB sealed their fate when they swung to the left.'
'Go woke, go broke. Lost me a long time ago, Benny. Not prepared to make tough calls, like the man in the seat before you,' another Tweeted.
Another commenter described Fordham as 'a mad leftie' - which is bizarre given that his views are hardly left wing.
The criticism follows a report in The Australian that said 'a common refrain within the industry is that Fordham is 'too safe'' compared to Jones.
Savage: Some critics have suggested that Fordham was losing listeners due to his perceived political leanings, with one Tweeting: '2GB sealed their fate when they swung to the left'
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
