It’s been a whirlwind two days for West Australian journalist Carrie Bickmore following the announcement that she would be leaving The Project after more than a decade.
Yesterday, the hottest rumour going around was that Bickmore would be jumping ship to join Network Ten’s rival Channel Nine.
There were two jobs that Bickmore was rumoured to be taking up, either as Today host, meaning Allison Langdon would be getting the boot, or as A Current Affairs host, for retiring Tracy Grimshaw.
That rumour has been put to rest with Today show executive producer Steve Burling tweeting that it was not true.
But now, TV expert Rob McKnight has come up with a new theory as to where Bickmore will be heading next.
“I don’t think she’s going to ACA. Channel Nine has been pretty emphatic that it will be someone promoted internally. Although things can change from day to day,” he said on the TV Blackbox podcast.
McKnight’s theory is that Bickmore would move into breakfast radio.
The 41-year-old currently hosts the Hit Network’s drive show, which airs on Mix 94.5 here in Perth, alongside comedian Tommy Little, who occasionally appears on The Project.
“We need to consider… [Bickmore is] earning, what, a million dollars for her afternoon [radio] show per year? The question is, is [Bickmore] priming to take over the Sydney breakfast radio show?”
“[The current show is] rating like crap. I have already heard whispers she’s being offered $2 million a year to do the Sydney radio show with Tommy Little… television doesn’t have the kind of money that radio does.”
At the moment, Bickmore’s show competes with Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey on NOVA FM, and KISS FM’s Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw, former Perth boys.
However, moving to Sydney breakfast radio would mean Bickmore would be competing against the big guns that are Kyle Sandilands and Ben Fordham—who both rate high.
McKnight admits that Bickmore might not rate with Sydney audiences as she does with Melbourne audiences, as she’s considered a Melbourne personality.
The broadcast journalist announced on Tuesday night’s episode of The Project that she would be leaving her position as host after 13 years.
“It’s been the hardest decision of my professional life but it’s time for a new challenge and my next chapter,” she said through tears.
“I am going to miss my best mates on the desk and our wonderful viewers so much. The show has been a second home to me and I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone involved in it.”
Despite everyone presuming she would be remaining in the public eye, Bickmore did allude that she wanted to spend more time with her family.
“I look forward to more family dinners and watching the show with my pj’s on and a wine in hand,” she said on Instagram.
“I’ll say more about the amazing people I work with when it’s time to say my final goodbye… but for now I will enjoy every show I have left until the end of the year.”
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