Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has announced he will be returning to Australia’s media landscape with a new digital TV show – but you might not have heard him.
Listeners tuning into the announcement on Mr Jones' Facebook page on Friday had trouble hearing the stream, which had significant sound issues.
Footage from other media outlets confirmed the former Sky News host has signed with Australian Digital Holdings to launch a digital program that will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube and other platforms from Monday.
“What's the fabulous news, like everyone else can't hear it?” was one of the many comments about the announcement from viewers.
NSW One Nation MP Mark Latham and former prime minister Tony Abbott with Alan Jones during his final breakfast show for 2GB in 2020. Source: AAP
“Headphones and full volume,” another suggested.
Others questioned the placement of the camera.
“Seriously put the camera so [it's] facing him not in the corner of the room like it’s a security camera,” a viewer commented.
The program looks to give “the voiceless a voice,” with Mr Jones explaining that he was encouraged by his reach on his Facebook page.
“This is a pioneering initiative, this has never been done in Australia before,” he said.
“It is very much the tomorrow of media.”
The show will be filmed in a studio set-up with a television type broadcast in the evening, including two interviews and a comment.
He also confirmed a podcast will be available in the mornings.
“I will say things that sometimes other people would be scared of saying. I will be saying what Alan Jones thinks, I won’t be responding to legal advice,” said Mr Jones from the Sydney announcement.
Nationals MP George Christensen, who was in hot water this week for his appearance on a far-right conspiracy theorists’ digital show, welcomed the move.
“Very exciting stuff. New media is going to be the way forward. People are over fake news,” wrote Mr Christensen under the stream.
Mr Jones enjoyed a long and successful radio career before joining Sky News in 2013. His weeknight show was axed in November this year with Mr Jones citing audience numbers behind the cancellation in a Facebook post.
His statements on topics related to COVID-19 were among the videos pulled from YouTube in August when Sky News was barred for one week, with the platform citing concerns over misinformation.
