triple j has announced several key changes for its programming in 2024, including the extension of three daily shows and the cancellation of another, following a tumultuous period of staff turnover that included the departure of long-serving music director Richard Kingsmill.
Good Nights, the long-serving programme that took over from Super Request in 2011, has been axed from its 6-to-9pm weekday timeslot. No formal explanation was given as to why the show was cut, but a statement from triple j noted that Latifa Tee (who took over hosting the show from Bridget Hustwaite in 2022) will remain with the station to present specialty dance/electronica programme The Nudge on Friday nights as well as co-hosting House Party on Saturday nights with Shantan Wantan Ichiban.
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Good Nights will not be replaced. Instead, the gaps in the schedule will be filled by the extension of three programmes. Firstly, Lunch (hosted by David Woodhead) will add an additional half hour, taking it through to 3:30pm. Secondly, Drive (hosted by Tyrone Pryor and Abby Butler) will go for an additional hour from 6pm to 7pm, broken up every day by Hack at 5:30pm. Finally, all-Australian music programme Home & Hosed (hosted by Ash McGregor) will move up to 7pm and go for two hours.
Kingsmill’s departure from the station earlier this month was accompanied by the departure of Head of Music & Creative Development Meagan Loader and presenter Jess Perkins within the same week. Hustwaite criticised the station and the ABC following the revelation that Kingsmill did not retire from the station but was made redundant.
“You need someone with experience, knowledge and his work ethic? Unmatched. Good luck filling that void. Good luck,” she said at the time. “I just think it is truly disgusting. The lack of acknowledgement, the no send-off. He wouldn’t have wanted a send-off anyway. But for a man who has been there for over three decades? Come on.”
