6PR jocks get talking

DESPITE recent speculation, news of WA media celebrity Basil Zempilas’s departure from radio station 6PR may have been exaggerated.

He hosts 6PR’s Baz and Barra breakfast show with fellow Channel 7 personality Adrian Barich.

Both presenters’ 6PR contracts expire in January but talks about an extension are under way.

“I expect to be at 6PR next year,” Mr Zempilas said.

He has also ruled out running for a seat at the Perth City Council next year.

Five seats, including the lord mayor’s chair, will be contested next May.

“Being on the Perth City Council has always been in the back of my mind. It’s just not something I’m about to do now,” Mr Zempilas said. “I won’t be putting my hand up for this May.”

6PR general manager Declan Kelly said the station was keen to keep the Baz and Barra format going.

“There were traumatic times a couple of years ago when [then general manager] Shane Healy made the change to replace Eoin Cameron with Baz and Barra,” he said.

“Times were tough over the first 18 months or so as they got used to their audience and their audience got used to them, but we’ve been delighted with the past three to four surveys.

“They’re pulling a 12.2 per cent share in their breakfast segment, which is above the station average.

“There is room for them to do better and get more of the AM-band breakfast market from the ABC.”