ARN axes long-time traffic deal as Vic Lorusso set to exit network in major radio shake-up

ARN is set to sever ties with its long-time traffic report provider in a significant shake-up that will see veteran broadcaster Vic Lorusso's role disappear from the network.

Sources have told Mediaweek that the Australian Radio Network (ARN) will end its multimillion-dollar contract with traffic report provider Global Traffic Network, with the broadcaster instead bringing traffic reporting in-house.

The move will also bring an end to the network's association with Lorusso, who has become one of Australian radio's most recognisable traffic voices while also serving as CEO of GTN.

Rather than outsourcing the service, ARN is expected to have traffic updates delivered by either an on-air announcer or newsreader as part of its regular programming.

If traffic reporting is absorbed into the newsroom, the move would bring ARN into line with rival Nova Entertainment, which already handles its traffic reports internally.

The reported restructure comes despite GTN's lucrative partnership with the broadcaster, with the company understood to have held a contract worth more than $10 million to provide traffic reports and sell advertising across ARN's radio stations.

Neither ARN nor GTN has issued an official statement on the reported changes.

The development marks another significant moment for Lorusso, who was appointed Global Chief Executive of GTN late last year, taking responsibility for the company's operations across four countries.

Founded in Australia in 1997, GTN delivers traffic, news, fuel, weather and entertainment content to almost 100 million people every week across its four international markets.

Lorusso has been one of the most recognisable voices across Australian radio and TV for 25 years. 

From the early 2000s, his unique voice has been a fixture in cars and living rooms across Sydney as he delivers live traffic reports from a chopper over the city. 

In August last year, it was reported that after more than two decades since he got his start at Australian Traffic Network, Lorusso has worked his way up the ladder and is the CEO of the company that gave him his big break.

Lorusso was offered the position of CEO at ATN in July 2023, and has since led the ASX-listed company through an incredibly successful rebrand.

He ran a team of 50 reporters nationwide and has expanded ATN from covering traffic to also delivering live updates on sports, weather and breaking news.

'I've always loved the business from day one,' he told Daily Mail in an exclusive interview.

'I've always tried to play a big part, more than on air, in the background. Sort of building out the business.'

But while Vic may have steered the company into incredible success since taking the top seat in 2023, he has clung to his roots with fiery passion. 

Lorusso was a fresh-faced teenager with a dream to become a rugby league commentator when he landed his job at ATN after a brief stint of work experience at 2GB radio. 

He was among the first to take to the skies with an innovative approach to traffic reports, guiding listeners through peak-hour chaos.

While some would say the rest is history, Lorusso revealed his decades-long career as a beloved chopper reporter almost stalled.  

'I remember I did my first couple of reports [for Mix Network, now KIIS] and thought, "This is so cool. I'm on radio and I'm 19 and everyone's listening,"' he recalled.

'I remember halfway through the shift, I got a call from the operations manager at the time and they said, "Vic, can you just slow it down? You're going really quick in the program."'

But the bad news didn't end there, as he was later told by the founder of ATN that Mix Network never wanted Vic back on their airwaves.