ARN Cuts Traffic Deal as Lorusso Exits Network

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.

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From the early 2000s, his unique voice has been a fixture in cars and living rooms across  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 .