Russel Howcroft has signed a multi-year deal to remain as the breakfast co-host of Nine Radio’s 3AW.
Howcroft first made the jump to radio in 2020, taking over from John Burns.
He has now signed to stay on alongside co-host Ross Stevenson for another four years.
Stephen Beers, manager of the Melbourne-based station, said the broadcaster is delighted to have Howcroft committed long-term.
“Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft have kept Melbourne informed and entertained through Melbourne’s hardest times, and together have set new records for listening that are unlikely to ever be surpassed,” he said.
The ratings records to which Beers refers include the duo’s 28.4% audience share in the breakfast slot in Survey 7 of 2020, their highest figure to date.
In the same survey, the show had an average cumulative audience of 701,000, the highest in the timeslot in Melbourne.
Since the inception of Howcroft and Stevenson’s show, it has boasted the highest share in the city’s breakfast slot.
From Survey 6 in 2020 to Survey 1 of this year, the duo also had the highest cumulative audience in the slot.
Numbers appear to have since normalised, however, with 3AW having a market-leading share of 15.7% in the most recent survey, and the breakfast show on 19.1%.
ARN’s Gold 104.3 now leads cumulative audience, however, with the station amassing 1.251 million to 3AW’s 792,000.
In breakfast, Nova’s “Chrissie, Sam and Browny” have the highest cume – 582,000 to 3AW’s 534,000.
Howcroft said: “I want to say thank you to 3AW and the Melbourne audience for the ongoing support – and of course the Breakfast team, who are a fabulous creative mix, led by the inimitable Ross Stevenson. What a joyful way for all of Melbourne to start the day.”
Stevenson added: “I’m thrilled Russ is continuing with 3AW Breakfast. It’s great to have such fun with him every morning.”
Howcroft also appears as a panellist and expert on ABC TV’s “Gruen”.