Veteran broadcaster Graeme Hughes has been abruptly removed from 2GB after 24 years hosting his Talkin’ Sport program, as the station announced significant changes to its weekend sports lineup. The decision was revealed on Thursday, when 2GB confirmed it would cut seven hours from its Continuous Call Team coverage each weekend as part of a broader shift toward enhancing “deeper digital engagement.”

Hughes, a former Canterbury Bulldogs and New South Wales rugby league player as well as a Sheffield Shield cricketer, arrived at the station’s Pyrmont studios Thursday afternoon only to learn just 20 minutes before airtime that his show had been canceled. His co-hosts received the news simultaneously, leaving no opportunity for the team to record a final broadcast or publicly thank listeners who had supported them for over two decades.

Reflecting on the sudden termination during a segment on 2SM's Chris Smith Show the following day, Hughes described the decision as disappointing. “We did 24 years, which is remarkable, and it would have been nice to round it out to 25,” he said. “I think it could have been delivered better, but unfortunately, that’s the way it is.”

The Talkin’ Sport program was known for its engaging discussions featuring co-hosts Brett Papworth, Gavin Robertson, Eric Grothe, and Mark Carroll. Since the announcement, Hughes and his colleagues have experienced a flood of messages from listeners, with their phones reportedly “running hot” as fans expressed support and regret over the show’s ending.

Hughes indicated there remains a possibility of reviving the program in a different format, such as a podcast. “We’ll have a look around,” he said, though he emphasized that what he will miss most is the daily connection with listeners, many of whom had become close personal friends over the years.

In addition to ending Hughes’ tenure, 2GB’s planned reduction of live weekend sports coverage marks a notable shift in the station’s programming strategy, emphasizing a transition toward increased digital content amid evolving media consumption habits. The station owners have framed the changes as efforts to engage audiences more deeply in digital spaces, though the move has resulted in significant cutbacks to established on-air talent and traditional broadcast time.