Entertainment

Perth's worst kept radio secret finally confirmed

Perth's worst kept radio secret has finally been confirmed

Radio 6PR has announced Channel Nine journalist Oliver Peterson as the replacement for Adam Shand as host of the Drive program after the Victorian returned to his home state late last year for family reasons.

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But there is one surprise with Peterson's arrival behind the mic... his new show will be called Perth Live, with a focus on breaking stories and interviews with the newsmakers of the day during the 3pm-6pm timeslot.

The presence of Peterson perched behind the mic comes at a time of massive on-air change for the talkback station, with the TV news reporter joined at 6PR by media gun Gareth Parker, who left The West Australian last week to take on the Mornings program, formerly headed up by veteran journalist Gary Adshead, from 8.30am to 12pm.

The young duo now form a strong broadcast team that includes Steve Mills and Basil Zempilas on Breakfast (5am to 8.30am), Sportsday with Karl Langdon and Paul Hasleby (6pm to 8pm) and the return of popular Simon Beaumont as host of Afternoons (12pm-3pm).

Peterson, 29, said he would bring a fresh approach to timeslot, with renewed focus on news that matters to 6PR listeners. 

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"Radio is a dynamic and exciting medium and I look forward to bringing the news and stories that impact the lives of our audience in Perth as it happens," he said.

Like former Prime Minister John Howard, Peterson is a self-confessed "cricket tragic" but told WAtoday he would remain close to the Nine family.

"The good thing is I will still be doing feature promo stories for Nine News Perth and A Current Affair, which is great," he said.

Nine Perth news director Shaun Menegola said he was delighted Peterson would continue with the station.

"Oliver will remain a familiar and trusted face on Nine News, compiling special reports as part of the team." Menegola said.

6PR commercial director Barrie Quick said the appointment of Peterson helped seal a fresh, new line-up for the station's audience in 2017. 

"Ollie has proved himself as one of the most accomplished young talents in the market and we're pleased to have him as part of the 6PR line up," Quick said.

Peterson has covered some of WA and South East Asia's biggest stories and scandals and was awarded the Ruby Hutchison Award by Consumer Protection for exposing on the ultrasound scammer who swindled dozens of expectant mothers while working for A Current Affair in 2014 .

His media career began almost a decade ago at 6PR's Sydney sister station 2UE before he made the move west with his now wife Amy in 2010 to join the ABC.

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