He’s a superstar of Australian radio and an industry mover and shaker, but to millions of television viewers, Kyle Sandilands is the Australian Idol judge we love to hate. In his high profile role as controversial breakfast radio announcer on Sydney’s 2DAY FM, Kyle influences the tastes of a nation and it would be difficult to name an entertainment personality who has more influence, but this energetic and creative character continues to work behind the scenes to develop new Australian talent.
Considering Kyle’s early beginnings in Brisbane, Queensland, his meteoric rise through the ranks of radio announcers is an incredible story. At age 15, disillusioned by the divorce of his parents, Kyle left home and wandered the streets of Brisbane, seeking shelter behind supermarkets and in an abandoned horse float. It was an entire year living as an urchin but by the end of that defining time, the feisty teen had learnt great lessons and matured in an unforgiving environment. Ironically, it was during this time that Kyle was able to accept the traumatic decision that forced him to run. It Apparently ‘everything happens for a reason’ and after Kyle went to live with his Aunty in Townsville, he fell into his first radio job.
Spending several years in regional radio, Kyle began to chase the country’s best radio opportunities, moving constantly to take jobs in Perth, Darwin, Brisbane and Sydney as he emerged as the country’s leading breakfast show announcer. After teaming up with on-air partner, Jackie O, the Austereo National Hot 30 Countdown dominated night-time radio in every capital city for 3 years running. In early 2004 the unbeatable duo made their move to Austereo’s National Drive Time Show (4pm - 7pm) and then more recently to 2DAY FM’s Breakfast Show. Kyle also hosts the hot hits national weekly radio countdown, which is broadcast on 87 radio stations around Australia and he’s the host of MTV’s Total Request Live.
With so many radio and television commitments, you might expect Kyle to have a full schedule, but the dynamic Mr. Sandilands likes to keep himself busy, managing a variety of his own companies including King Kyle Records (his own independent record label), King Kyle Management and the Mad Angel Creative Group which is involved in TV and Film production, multimedia content and direct agency business.
With such a broad knowledge of the fickle music market and a passion for the local industry, Kyle Sandilands provides more than memorable one-liners; he’s the perfect representative of a cutthroat industry that demands world-class talent.
