Ben Fordham has signed a new five-year, multi-million dollar contract with 2GB, securing his position at the helm of the station's breakfast show into the next decade.
Fordham, 49, reached the agreement with the station's new owners, Arthur and Craig Laundy, who took over 2GB in January. Keeping Fordham on board was reportedly the Laundy brothers' top priority when they bought the station from Nine Entertainment.
"I've got a very special relationship with Arthur (Laundy)," Fordham told the Daily Telegraph on Thursday. "So naturally you don't want to let someone like that down. Looking into his eyes I could tell he didn't want me to go."
Neither Fordham nor 2GB have revealed the exact value of the new deal, but Fordham suggested it would surpass his previous contract, under which he was paid $1.5 million per year.
"It would be out of character for me to take a pay cut," Fordham said.
Fordham's history at 2GB
Fordham has been a fixture at 2GB for more than 16 years. He joined the station on the Drive shift in 2010 before taking over the breakfast slot in 2020, where he now hosts Ben Fordham Live.
Under his leadership, 2GB has dominated the Sydney breakfast radio ratings. Last month's ratings once again placed Ben Fordham Live at the top of the market, with a 14.8 per cent share.
Fordham told the Daily Telegraph he has no plans to retire soon and that he loves his job.
"I knew that I would miss this job about five minutes after finishing it," he told the publication. "Yes it's full on and it's unrelenting and it's all consuming, but I also bloody love it."
A shifting radio landscape
Fordham's new deal comes as the radio industry goes through turbulent times, with high-profile names such as Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson losing their positions earlier this year. Their broadcaster, ARN, cancelled KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O Show in June.
On Thursday, it was also announced that ARN has axed drive time duo Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw from its 2027 lineup. ARN chief content officer Kerri Elstub sent an email to staff on Thursday confirming the comedy duo would be leaving the network after eight years.
