Glen Lewis quits Metro FM

Metro FM DJ Glen Lewis and Tbo Touch. Picture: Supplied

Metro FM DJ Glen Lewis and Tbo Touch. Picture: Supplied

Published Mar 22, 2017

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After 22 years of prime-time radio, one of broadcasting’s biggest names, Glen Lewis, has allegedly quit Metro FM.

The Avenue breakfast show DJ is rumoured to be joining digital online station TOUCH HD, owned by former Metro FM drive-time host Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molefe.

Lewis, who joined the station in 1995, has been hosting the show alongside Unathi Msengana and Melanie Bala.

The resignation letter was allegedly handed in yesterday.

In June last year, Molefe left Metro FM after an alleged physical altercation with one of the drive-time show’s producers and also stated that he was unhappy with the way the broadcaster dealt with his suspension.

It was alleged that Molefe had cost the station R15 million sponsorship from Hyundai after refusing to rename his show after the car brand.

Molefe went on to join Gareth Cliff to form Touch Central.

Last week, he launched the TOUCH HD app as part of the reveal of the new name from Touch Central to Touch HD.

In a video posted on YouTube ahead of the official launch on Tuesday next week, Molefe explains how TOUCH HD will be “a platform that won’t confine listeners to time and space” and will be leading Africa with unsurpassed content.

The resignation comes at a time when radio stations reshuffle their line-ups to try to increase their listenership.

In October last year, Metro FM made headlines when it brought in new celebrity faces to add to its line-up to help increase ratings.

The 90% local music rule was met with difficulty from listeners, and the rule was then relaxed for the Sunday shows.

However, the Sunday Love Movement DJ line-up has since changed, with one of the former DJs, Paul Mtirara, moving to 702.

When asked whether Lewis had resigned, SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said he was not aware of it.

Meanwhile, Molefe has stated that he would be shaking up his digital station’s line-up.

“I can’t confirm or deny this, but I can tell you that we are going to change radio as you know it. We are bringing the country’s top talent to TOUCH HD. The contracts are signed.

“We will shock everyone,” he said when asked about Lewis’s resignation from Metro FM.

According to a source, Lewis will be hosting the morning show while Molefe will be doing the afternoon slot.

Also rumoured to be joining the team is radio veteran Tim Modise, who will be doing a business analysis show on the station.

His show, Executive Talk, is said to feature former president Kgalema Motlanthe as the first guest.

The two veteran radio hosts will allegedly be revealed as part of the line-up at the TOUCH HD launch next week.

Lewis could not be reached for confirmation on whether he has resigned from Metro FM.

The Star

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