ABC dumps Mornings presenter Sarah Macdonald
ABC Sydney’s Mornings presenter, Sarah Macdonald, has announced that her contract has not been renewed for 2025.
Macdonald revealed the news on air Thursday morning, speaking of her “disappointment” in the decision.
“Well, here’s the news from me in terms of disappointment,” Macdonald told her listeners.
UPDATE: ‘WTAF?’ – Confusion surrounds sacking of popular radio presenters
“Listen, I’m not going to be on the radio with you next year, the ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings.”
“I am proud of what I’ve done. The ratings are up. I’ve broken lots of stories. Had the first interview with the new governor general. I got the premier of New South Wales to regularly take your calls. Led the election coverage, led the move to our Parramatta studios.”
Media Watch host, Paul Barry, expressed his shock at MacDonald’s removal, tweeting: “I can’t believe this. I’m hearing that #ABC has dumped Sarah MacDonald from ABC Sydney.
“IMHO she’s brilliant, one of the best things on radio. WTAF?”
ABC’s director of audio Ben Latimer told Mumbrella: “Sarah is an incredible broadcaster who has built a strong rapport with the ABC Radio Sydney audience over the last two years in Mornings and we wish her all the best.
“We will be making further announcements about our line ups in the coming days.”
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Just when I thought I had the best in the mornings.
Shame on you ABC.
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I will not be listening to the ABC again as Sarah was a great talent a joy to listen to….the wrong person has gone
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I’ll really miss Sarah next year. She’s an incredibly experienced broadcaster,
Insightful and engaging. Is her contract not being renewed because her inclusion would mean not one (Chris Bath) but TWO (gasp) women in ABC Sydney’s weekday lineup?
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ABC SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THE DECISION TO SACK SARAH MAC. WHAT A POWERFUL WOMAN. WILL NEVER LISTEN TO ABC AGAIN AND PLAN TO CANCEL MY SHARES. SHAME ABC.
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So disappointed. Why oh why would the ABC do this? A talented intelligent woman. Devastated
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I have enjoyed Sarah, and I can’t understand why ABC has not renewed her contract. I am very upset.
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Why? Sarah was so interesting to listen to. ABC are making some strange decisions
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Sarah’s honest and intelligent commentary is delivered with intimate style and personality – just the way you want your radio broadcasting friends to sound when you listen hour after hour, day after day, year after year. If ABC’s plan is to dumb-down 702 Sydney, Sarah’s next move should be to RN.
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I like Sarah, but the reaction to her leaving feels over the top. I get that people want her to stay, but for how long—until she retires? Let’s be realistic: if everyone at the ABC got to stick around indefinitely, it would risk becoming an old people’s home!
Change is a natural part of radio and TV; it’s how the industry stays relevant. Honestly, I expected a little more media-savviness from Mumbrella on this—it’s just part of the gig. I’m actually curious to see who they’ll bring in next—this could be a great opportunity for fresh ideas and a new perspective.
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Ridiculous decision. Absolutely ridiculous.
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What a strange decision that will be regretted by those who made it. I cannot understand why such an exceptional presenter has been ‘let go’! Disappointing indeed ABC!
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Who on earth made this decision? Sarah is the best interviewer on the ABC. I certainly will not be listening to the ABC anymore! Ridiculous decision!
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Sarah was the best am presenter ABC has ever had shame on you.
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Terrible news – Sarah has such empathy and brilliance on radio – a truly excellent human xxx
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Sarah MacDonald is the absolute best v
Hamish MacDonald is not a substitute and never will. He failed on Qand A and will never match Sarah on morning radio
Sarah is intelligent, informed and presents facts and info in an easy digestible way.
Please reinstate her contract
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“Sarah is an incredible broadcaster who has built a strong rapport with the ABC Radio Sydney audience over the last two years in Mornings”, should have read “So ofcourse she has a valued position in her current time slot next year. To let her go would hace been a great loss to our radio station, and show signifigant disdain for the growing number of loyal listeners who will feel disenfranchised by her removal. “
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They should of dumped there breakfast annoncer he is boring,where Sarah was full of energy and she made the morning show.
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I am appalled at the dismissal of Sarah Macdonald. She is a very professional and skilled member of the ABC.
Her programs are lively, insightful , thought-provoking and above all interesting. She has wit and charm in abundance.
It is going to a drab from now on. Who wants this change, certainly not me? I am walking away from the ABC after more than 35 years being a faithful listener. Life won’t be the same.
Please reinstate Sarah.
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Shame, shame shame!!!!!!!
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Sarah is/was one of the best radio people ever and I am shocked, annoyed and totally peed off.
Adios ABC and shame on you.
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Sarah McDonald is the perfect fit for morning radio. Unless there is something going on that we’re not aware of, the decision not to renew her contract is bizarre to say the least. Sarah brightens up my day with her optimistic tone and brilliant commentary and interviews. I feel sorry for whoever replaces her as they will have enormous shoes to fill and will surely be a poor substitute.
I like many others will now be turning to other radio stations for my morning radio listening. I am truly angry at management for this completely baffling decision. Please consider reversing your decision ABC management!!!
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Crazy decision. Sarah is brilliant! So maybe the ABC really wants to be bought by NewsCorpse. Not impressed!
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This is a completely sh*t decision.
Only one of the best broadcasters in Australia.
Tuning out.
[Edited]
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An extraordinarily unwise decision. In the absence of explanation no-one can fathom this decision.
Perhaps management us the one who should be changed!
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Seriously!! Sarah is the asset the ABC needs.
I really enjoy her morning program, I will miss her professional, knowledgeable and cheerful personality.
Sarah’s replacement doesn’t posess any of these assets in my opinion.
Bad move ABC.
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ABC is seeking a younger audience … Sarah M is only preaching to the converted … new conversions needed to make ABC’s future intact … well done ABC Management !! … but will be very difficult to do …
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Bloody brilliant ABC, you just got rid of your best announcer. From Double J to 702 a person who can be listened to and enjoyed.
Only one good thing comes out of this: you made your bed, you suffer the consequences!
Hold your head high Sarah!
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Unbelievable. One of the greats. I am 83 and have been listening to the ABC since I was about three listening to Kindergarten of the the Aor. This has destroyed my confidence in AUNTY. What were they thinking.
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So looked forward to listening to Sarah’s bright starts to my day. Why is the ABC not renewing her contract? Please explain.
She will be greatly missed!
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You absolute boffins. Great ratings and you dump Sarah. Maybe back to nights Sarah that would be great .!!!
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What a bad decision Sara was a joy informative compassionate and loyal I can’t say that about the ABC
They use then ditch Simon Marnie Michael Pavelich have been told as well Disgusted.
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Appalling decision by ABC management who are obviously out of touch with their audience. Sarah is a joy to listen to and she is very entertaining but is also a great interviewer. She will be greatly missed. This is a very bad decision!!!!
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Have already emailed ABC
Of course no reply. What else would you expect..
Once again Sarah thank you for all the great hours of listening. Your family out there will all miss you so terribly.Good Luck
Kazz from Karuah xxx
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What is happening to Abc radio and TV
No longer watch The Breakfast Show. Presenters are always chopping and changing. It was excellent when Lisa Miller and Micheal were presenters. I think Emma is very good. Always changing channels now. The other stations seem to have their presenters. Forget the younger population they just don’t watch ABC
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Rally around ABC fans, we should boycott the ‘mornings’ regardless of who sits in Sarah’s chair, and try to crash the ratings.
How dare you !!!, You didn’t even bother to ask us, BIG MISTAKE..
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A fabulous presenter, just tell us why!!!
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Seems like the A.B.C. , IS going down the gurgler judging by how things are shaping up. The likes of promoting an inept wrong personality as host of flagship Q + A , and dumping Sarah , ????. Go figure!.
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Been listening to ANC radio for 30+ years
I am appalled at the managements decision regarding Sarah next year.
She is one of the most erudite kind and engaging authentic broadcaster I’ve heard.
Losing Richard is devastating now Sarah.
Craig is a great environmentalist but us nit up to scratch as a broadcaster is my opinion.
Reinstate Sarah- methinks this is an ageous male decision.
What’s the real agenda here. The people deserve to know.
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What? We’re losing this gifted, archetypal Sydney girl? Crazy, risky, destabilising decision ABC – especially after losing Richard Glover. These gutless, faceless assassins forcing an announcer to air their own dismissal. Why do business managers rule the public service, the ABC, our universities now? How is it that ignorant business managers are the arbiters of culture?
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So disappointed and I do not want to listen ABC mornings any more.
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I cannot believe that Sarah Mcdonald has been sacked
She is by far the the best broadcaster at the ABC
The ABC should man up and reverse the decision
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Absolutely devastated by this awful news! Absolutely appalling treatment by ABC Radio management of this highly competent and most entertaining broadcaster.
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Appalling!!!!!!
Unreasonable!!!!!!!
Stand up and say why ABC.
Just when I thought morning Radio was refreshing, honest, innovative and informative…
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I spend a good deal of time defending the ABC to those that just don’t get the privilege we are endowed with by having such an excellent ‘public broadcaster’. Not many nations get it so good. That said the decision to exit Sarah MacDonald needs to be explained. This is a woefully inept management decision by those who clearly don’t know what an asset Sarah is. Her interpersonal skills are so apparent to everyone except the I’ll equiped office dwellers who made this call. Sarah is the asset, they’re the liability. I would say it’s shameful.
Les.
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Why???
Sarah had been amazing!
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Devastating news – what are the management thinking?
What can we do about it?
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Anicca Sarah
Maybe it’s the right thing for you even though you will obviously be missed your fans.
Maybe it’s time for another dip in Dhamma at the beautiful Vipassana meditation centre Dhamma Bhumi and let a possible new pathway show itself to you. I look forward to meeting you one day Sarah. Metta, Jacquie
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This decision compounded by the equally terrible decision to discontinue Simon Marne is really making me question the integrity, ethics and business acumen at the ABC. It seems to be happy losing some its most valued broadcasters. And in the process, destroying its culture. IMO very bad management decisions like this mark the disintegration of an organisation.
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ABC 702’s decision to let Sarah Macdonald go is a huge mistake. Her sharp wit, insightful interviews, and warm personality made her a standout host. This move shows a real lack of understanding of what listeners want. #BringBackSarah
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I’m devastated that Sarah Mac will no longer be on the ABC Morning show!
She is articulate and insightful with a wonderful presence on the air waves!
I can’t understand this decision!
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Without great broadcasters how can the ABC possibly function?
While I support the move to Parramatta has this come at the expense of your most valuable resource – the presenters?
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The ABC needs a refresh. People come and go—that’s how media works. Not sure how this is even a story? Oh right, silly me—no one at the ABC should ever lose their job!
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Appalling decision by ABC management who are obviously out of touch with their audience. Sarah is a joy to listen to and she is very entertaining but is also a great interviewer. She will be greatly missed. This is a very bad decision!!!!
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Seems like the A.B.C., IS going down the gurgler in light of many disjointed decisions. Promoting an inept, comical person as host for Q + A , ?? , and dumping Sarah , etc. , just for starters. re they trying to be like the commercial stations, ?? , which is not what they are, or should ever be.
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