Ned and Josh said they were “astounded” by the response after they were suddenly axed from their Hit 104.7 breakfast slot. Photo: Supplied.
Canberrans will be able to listen to Ned Breward and Josh Torney once again starting today (6 December) as the former radio hosts launch their new daily podcast.
The announcement follows speculation about the duo’s plans after they were suddenly axed from Hit 104.7 in late October after hosting the station’s breakfast show for six years.
The Ned & Josh Podcast will be Canberra’s first daily podcast show, with five episodes a week set to be streamed.
While Ned and Josh have hosted radio shows in NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia, they said they are “not going anywhere” and will remain a fixture in the local media scene.
Josh said the opportunity to reframe their show for a new and expanded audience and on a new platform was “too good to resist”, particularly as the Australian podcast market continues to grow.
“We looked at some opportunities interstate, but in the end, we love Canberra and wanted to do something here,” he said.
“We’ve always loved the level of engagement and flexibility offered by the podcast format and it just feels like the right time to go all in on it.”
Australia has now overtaken the US as the biggest podcast-listening nation in the world, and those aged 18 to 34 are now equally likely to listen to a podcast as watch TV or listen to the radio.
This isn’t Ned and Josh’s first foray into the podcast world, though. The pair had recent success in the format with Ned & Josh Express from the US, which was a finalist in the 2023 Australian Commercial Radio Awards.
Ned said he was excited about stepping out of the confines of traditional media and flexing some more of the irreverent creativity the pair is well known for.
“In traditional media, you are shackled by a range of factors from time to competing interests, so we’re looking forward to having the opportunity to focus squarely on quality content,” he said.
“In the end, that focus will deliver a more engaging show delivered in a way that our audience can access when and how it suits them.”
Josh said the new show will stay true to the authenticity that has made them a successful on-air pair for almost a decade.
“The podcast will be the same energy and content make-up as the radio show, but with a whole new freedom for both us and the listeners,” he said.
“It’s a show completely on our terms and listened to on your terms – when you want it and wherever you want it.”
Ned and Josh’s shock departure from the Canberra airwaves was met with thousands of messages of support from fans and even a petition calling for their return.
The pair said they were “astounded” by the response.
“We’ve been able to develop a special connection with our listeners, and we look forward to being able to continue that relationship in a new place,” Ned said.
“We’ve also been blown away by the support of the local business community and look forward to announcing our foundation commercial partners in the coming weeks.”
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