Abbie Chatfield Joins KIIS FM for a Week-Long Guest Role
Abbie Chatfield made her debut on KIIS FM this week, stepping into the breakfast radio slot left vacant after the cancellation of The Kyle and Jackie O Show. The 30-year-old podcaster was welcomed with open arms by the team, including Pete Deppeler, known as Intern Pete, who has been a long-time fixture at the station.
In photos and videos shared on Instagram, Abbie was seen cuddling and laughing with Pete during a comedic segment. These moments highlighted her quick integration into the KIIS FM family, despite the recent controversies surrounding the network following the departure of Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.
Abbie had previously stepped away from her own radio career in 2023 when she left Hot Nights with Abbie Chatfield on the Hit Network. Her new role on KIIS FM is a temporary one, as she will be serving as a guest co-host for a week while the network searches for permanent replacements for its former flagship duo.
Temporary Role Amid Legal Challenges
The move comes as ARN, the parent company of KIIS FM, continues to navigate legal challenges related to unfair dismissal claims by Kyle and Jackie. Despite the ongoing issues, the network has remained relatively quiet about its replacement plans. However, sources have indicated that discussions with potential candidates are already well underway.
Abbie’s stint follows that of Georgie Tunny, a popular Channel Ten star who recently sat in the KIIS breakfast chair alongside Mike Etheridge (Mike E). This series of guest appearances suggests that the network is actively seeking fresh talent to fill the void left by its departing stars.
Positive Ratings and Listener Growth
Despite the changes, KIIS FM has seen positive developments in terms of listener numbers. According to the latest GfK radio ratings survey, the show experienced a significant increase in listenership. In both Sydney and Melbourne, the number of listeners rose by 37,000 compared to the previous survey released in March.
Cumulative ratings figures show that 673,000 listeners tuned in to the show between February 8 and April 4. This is a notable increase from the 636,000 listeners recorded in the March survey, which covered the period from 18 January to 28 February.
Similarly, in Melbourne, the number of listeners grew from 403,000 to 440,000 over the same time frame. These results have reportedly left KIIS executives “hugely encouraged” about the station’s future direction.
