The appointments mark a significant reset for ARN in Melbourne, after its decision to replace a local breakfast team with the Sydney-based Kyle & Jackie O Show failed to deliver the ratings result the network had sought.
TV Blackbox understands London and Garnaut will form the new on-air partnership, combining London’s extensive commercial radio experience with Garnaut’s background across fashion, television and podcasting.
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TV Blackbox can also confirm London’s husband, Adrian Brine, will join KIIS Melbourne as Content Director.
Their arrival comes at a critical time for KIIS 101.1.
Melbourne is one of the most competitive radio markets in the country, with high-quality, established breakfast shows fighting for audiences across the dial.
In November 2023, ARN signed Kyle Sandilands and Jackie Henderson to a landmark 10-year, $200 million contract, before making the strategic decision to syndicate their Sydney-based Kyle & Jackie O Show into Melbourne.
To make way for the program, KIIS 101.1 axed its local breakfast team of Jase Hawkins, Lauren Phillips and Clint Stanaway.
Kyle & Jackie O launched in Melbourne in April 2024, but the gamble did not produce the expected result.
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The program recorded breakfast shares of about 5 to 5.6 per cent, leaving KIIS 101.1 in the lower tier of the city’s commercial FM breakfast market.
The decision became even more costly when Nova 100 moved quickly to sign the displaced KIIS team.
Jase, Lauren & Clint has since become the No.1 FM Breakfast show in Melbourne, after recording a share of more than 10.8 per cent.
The reversal left ARN watching the local team it removed become the FM market leader at a rival station.
The broader Melbourne breakfast landscape has also shifted, with Fox FM, once a dominant player in the market, sliding backwards.
Against that backdrop, London and Garnaut will be tasked with establishing a new identity for KIIS 101.1 Breakfast in a market where local connection has proved particularly valuable.
The appointment also answers speculation about London’s next move after it emerged on Monday she and Brine were leaving MediaWorks in New Zealand to return to Australia.
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London has hosted Drive on The Edge for the past nine months, after previously spending a year hosting nights on fellow MediaWorks station More FM.
Brine has served as Group Content Director for The Edge, Mai and George.
Confirming their departure, MediaWorks CEO Wendy Palmer revealed London had secured another opportunity in Australia, but stopped short of naming her destination.
“Whilst we are sad to be saying goodbye to Ash and Adrian, we are very proud of all they have done during their time at MediaWorks and wish them both well for their next adventure.
Congratulations to Ash on a very exciting opportunity in Australia – we will leave it with her to tell you about that in due course.”
London brings more than a decade of broadcasting experience to the new partnership.
She spent five years hosting the nationally syndicated Ash London LIVE across the Southern Cross Austereo Hit Network, and previously co-hosted 2Day FM’s Sydney Breakfast program Grant, Ed & Ash.
Her other radio credits include Take 40 Australia and the Shazam Top 20.
London first came to national prominence on television as co-host of Network 10’s music program The Loop alongside Scott Tweedie.
She has since appeared on Have You Been Paying Attention?, The Cheap Seats and Game of Games, and co-hosted MTV’s TRL Australia.
Her music credentials include interviews with Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, red-carpet hosting for the ARIA Awardsand serving on the Australian Eurovision Jury. She also hosts the podcasts Hopeless Romantics and New Mum, Who Dis?.
Garnaut’s appointment is the less conventional half of the pairing.
The fashion stylist and commentator, who is in his mid-30s, has styled Australian media personalities including Carrie Bickmore, Andy Lee, and Karl Stefanovic.
For four years, he served as the Official Stylist and brand ambassador for Chadstone – The Fashion Capital, working as a media spokesperson and event host.
His television work includes appearances on Channel 7’s Sunrise and The Morning Show, while he regularly presents red-carpet specials and style segments on 7Bravo.
Garnaut has also provided fashion commentary for Network 10 and events including the Logies.
More recently, he has moved into audio as co-host of No Utes in the Valet alongside former AFL player Isaac Smith, who won three premierships with Hawthorn and another with Geelong.
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