Shocked Highland community reacts to MFR radio blow after Bauer Media axes the station’s final locally-based presenter
News that MFR is severing its on-air links to the Highlands with the scrapping of the last show broadcast from its Inverness base has sparked an outpouring of anger and sadness.
Communities have been left shocked by news that MFR's parent company Bauer Media is axeing Jodie at Breakfast's weekday morning shows from the end of next month.
The departure of Jodie McCluskey, who presents the show, means that every show broadcast on MFR from the start of 2025 will be produced and aired elsewhere in Scotland.
The move by Bauer was swift - coming just days after a new UK Media Act entered law which removed the need for commercial stations to broadcast local content - although local news bulletins and related content will be protected.
The controversial decision to axe Jodie and end Highland-specific programming has sparked a strong reaction online, with most expressing dismay at the announcement.
Those to respond included former members of the MFR team like Nicky Marr.
Responding to the sad news that Jodie will no longer be bringing joy to the airwaves in her 6am to 10am slot, Anne Gunn said: "So sorry to hear this, Jodie you are the only reason my toddler and I listen to the show every morning. I won't be listening once you [are] off air. You were the only local person left."
Geri Stocks agreed, saying: "Shame, was a good start to the day. We need something local please."
Libby Ross was another fan of Jodie's show. She said: "This is very sad and I have one child who will be very upset about this. She loves Jodie and the interaction she has with her audience, especially like school of the week and don’t panic and it’s always our firstborn voice to listen too!
"Just a shame that they can’t keep it localised!"
Others, meanwhile, also remarked on MFR's long-running trend for falling local content, with many Highland-based presenters having been axed in recent years as Bauer moved to centralise its content and save costs.
Derek Spence said: "I worked at MFR back when it was a proper local station including co presenting 'Out And About'.
"Remember the Lamb Bank, Charity Auction, OB's at the Black Isle Show, etc.? Great presenters like Titch, Gary, Brian Anderson, Andy Ross, Helen MacPherson et al. It was 'our' station.
"Bauer Media destroyed it. Just Robotic Radio aimed at 20-30 yrs now."
And David Ferguson added: "Very sad to hear of the demise of MFR, something that has been a big part of the local media scene for a long time but maybe taken for granted?"
Sea Wood, meanwhile, said: "There’s been nothing ‘local’ about MFR for well over a decade. The final nail. Once synonymous with Inverness and the Highlands, it lost its soul when Bauer got their hands on it."
Sean's sentiment about Bauer Media was shared by quite a few other comments.
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