has delivered a blunt verdict on ARN's eye-watering $200million deal with axed radio stars and –'.
The veteran comedian, 55, exclusively told Daily Mail he was not surprised The Kyle and Jackie O Show was scrapped earlier this month, pointing to a rapidly changing media landscape.
'I don't wish anyone badly, but it is a tough time for the industry... and that is a massive contract to try to pay for,' Dave began.
The comic argued the deal was fundamentally unsustainable, insisting the money simply isn't there in modern radio,
'It is a tough one, I don't think the money is in the industry. It is a tricky one when the world is changing so much,' he added.
While Hughes acknowledged the duo's popularity, he questioned whether any talent could justify such a staggering salary in the current climate.
Dave Hughes has delivered a blunt verdict on ARN's eye-watering $200million deal with axed radio stars Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson
The veteran comedian, 55, exclusively told Daily Mail he was not surprised The Kyle and Jackie O Show was scrapped earlier this month, pointing to a rapidly changing media landscape
'Obviously they are popular and they can work. But can anyone command that sort of wage and keep a company afloat... You just want to make sure that everyone can get by,' he said.
He suggested the sheer size of the contract may have had broader consequences for the network, potentially limiting opportunities for other staff.
'You don't want a contract which means other people can't work. Whoever signed off on it is insane, basically,' he said.
'They did not read the tea leaves about what is going on in the industry, or the world. Everything is changing, you have to move with the times.'
Hughes also weighed in on former Triple M host Marty Sheargold, 54, and whether he could stage
'I have got no ill will towards him. I think he can bounce back, I don't write anyone off,' Dave said.
Dave has a new comedy show out called Cooked, which he will be performing at the upcoming Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals, where no topic is off-limits - tickets are available to purchase online.
The comedian
The Warrnambool-born comic argued the deal was fundamentally unsustainable, insisting the money simply isn't there in modern radio
Hughes also weighed in on former Triple M host Marty Sheargold, 54, and whether he could stage a comeback after his controversial exit in February following backlash over comments about The Matildas
