Gareth Parker, currently the host of 6PR’s breakfast program, is set to hang up his headphones.
Instead, Parker will become the director of news for Nine News in Perth.
Nine owns radio networks including 6PR, 3AW and 2GB, as well as the Nine television network, streaming service Stan and mastheads including The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
The multi-platform broadcast company said Parker’s radio replacement will be announced in due course.
Parker had mixed emotions about the news.
“I am going to miss the 6PR listeners terribly and it has been a great privilege to sit behind the mic for the past six years,” he said.
“I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to lead such a talented and hungry team at Nine News Perth as we bring the people of WA the stories that matter in news bulletins they trust.”
Darren Wick, Nine Network’s director of news and current affairs, welcomed Parker to the new role.
“Gareth is an outstanding journalist with a track record of breaking major stories. He is committed to getting to the heart of issues that matter for West Australians. We have a great team at Nine News that will flourish under his leadership,” he said.
Clive Bingwa, managing director of Nine Perth, added: “Gareth is WA born-and-bred. He is one of the state’s finest journalists and knows the local community better than anyone.
“We have delivered strong year-on-year audience growth in news across board, with Nine News WA First, our interactive 5pm bulletin, attracting new audiences and recording substantial year-on-year numbers leading into our flagship 6pm bulletin with Michael Thomson and rounded out with the national late bulletin produced from Perth Monday through to Thursday.
“It’s a privilege to have Gareth on board to continue the positive trajectory established by Michael Best.”
In the most recent radio ratings, 6PR had an audience share of 6.7%, up 0.5 from the prior survey.
Breakfast, as measured from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., had 8.6%, up 0.8.
