EON sports, the digital 24-7 sports radio network once backed by celebrity agent Glenn Wheatley, revealed on Friday that cost issues had necessitated an abrupt change of programming.
The network had been under considerable financial strain for some time and despite a change in ownership - Wheatley left the business months ago - it was unable to secure enough sponsorship to continue local programming.
EON, which was also the name of Wheatley's FM station in the 1980s, launched in July last year but finances quickly emerged as an issue, with some staff and contributors not paid.
Hosts found out about the changes while on air on Friday.
"Goodbye and good luck," EON said on its Twitter feed.
The network operates from studios built by Acquire Learning founder John Wall. Wall had said he contributed up to $3 million to help establish EON although it's understood this was closer to $1.5 million.
At the July launch, Wheatley, who manages John Farnham, said the Australia-wide network was ready to take on all challengers, including Melbourne's SEN.
EON had several prominent hosts, including former netballer Bianca Chatfield (who left months ago over payment issues), former Socceroo Josh Kennedy, racing identity Richie Callander and broadcasters Dan Lonergan and Cam Luke.
It had broadcast live NBL, EPL, A-League and FA Cup matches and last year had even been involved in discussions about securing at least one AFL match a weekend in a sub-licence deal. That bid failed - a considerable problem for a sports radio network in Melbourne.
EON had an agreement with United Kingdom company TalkSport, allowing it to be the only Australian radio broadcaster of live English Premier League matches.
While the popularity of digital radio is growing, it remains a struggle for proprietors to break even, let along turn a profit in a congested industry.
