<p><strong>“It has to be one of the most exciting station launches in Australia.”</strong></p><p>That was the verdict from <strong>Disrupt Radio Founder</strong> and <strong>CEO Benjamin Roberts </strong>after its first week on air.</p>
The digital start-up burst out of the blocks, with <strong>Libbi Gorr</strong> presenting <strong>Enterprise Breakfast</strong> alongside guest host <strong>Sir Bob Geldof,</strong> and the legendary<strong> George Donikian </strong>reading half-hourly news updates.<p><img src="https://radiotoday.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Disrupt-1.png" alt="" width="475" height="490" /></p><p>On
 a mission to wake up and shake up businesses, it heralded the start of 
what the station promises to be a ground-breaking, rule defying, 
perception-challenging format.</p><p><strong>Radio Today</strong> caught up with Roberts, who says launch week was nothing short of incredible:</p><p>“The
 response has been overwhelmingly positive and the national publicity, 
largely driven by Sir Bob co-hosting Breakfast with Libbi, was 
unprecedented.”</p><p>“The pairing of Libbi with Bob was magic. A blend of chaos and charisma. Thought-provoking, informative and entertaining.”</p><p><img src="https://radiotoday.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Disrupt-3.png" alt="" width="610" height="409" /></p><p>Roberts says with her background in law, broadcasting and comedy, Gorr brings a depth of knowledge and sharp wit to the table.</p><p>“Bob,
 on the other hand, was never going to be the typical co-host everyone 
was expecting and that’s what made it so interesting and addictive to 
listen to.”</p><p>Roberts describes Geldof as a walking encyclopedia.</p><p>“For 10 days we experienced Bob the social entrepreneur, musician, activist and disruptive thinker. He arrived in <strong>Melbourne</strong> armed with program preparation and fully immersed himself in the station.”</p><p>“From
 AI technology, machine learning and mushrooms, space travel and 
conscious capitalism to green energy, environment, activism and music 
and entertainment – there was something for everyone.”</p><p><img src="https://radiotoday.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Disrupt-2.png" alt="" width="625" height="456" /></p><p><strong>Disrupt’s Head of Content Steve Kyte</strong> concurs, telling Radio Today “In all my years in media, I have never heard anything quite like it.”</p><p>“I needed a lie down and a large glass of red after the week ended.”</p><p>Roberts is also full of praise for Disrupt’s news presenters.</p><p>“Watching <strong>George Donikian</strong> and <strong>Debbie Disrupt</strong>, our beloved AI newsreader, co-operate has warmed our digital hearts.”</p><p>There were some initial hiccups – such as when Debbie insisted on pronouncing Melbourne as ‘Mel-born.’</p><p>“But
 George, being the gentleman and consummate professional he is, 
patiently guided her through the tricky pronunciation of Australian 
place names and they’ve become quite the dynamic duo,” says Roberts.</p><p>“It’s
 like witnessing an unusual friendship bloom between man and machine, a 
kind of ‘beauty and the bot’ situation, if you will.”</p><p>Roberts says Debbie has been working diligently to improve her diction and her efforts are reaping results.</p><p>“We can now proudly say she can pronounce ‘<strong>Woolloomooloo</strong>’ flawlessly – and if that’s not a sign of progress, we don’t know what is!”</p><p>Donikian tells <strong>Radio Today </strong>he’s loving the experience so far.</p><p>“It’s been exhilarating listening to Sir Bob regale us with story after story – both privately and on air – with Libbi Gorr.”</p><p>“It’s been a unique experience and opportunity for everyone involved at Disrupt Radio.”</p><p><img src="https://radiotoday.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Disrupt-4.png" alt="" width="620" height="415" /></p><p>Having flown in to help anchor the first week, Sir Bob makes way for a rotating cast of Breakfast co-hosts.</p><p>Roberts says hearing <strong>George McEnroe</strong>’s comeback through <strong>Moolah</strong> has been another highlight.</p><p>He says there’s also been plenty of interest in the women in business program <strong>Entrepreneur Her</strong> – hosted by <strong>Moana Hope.</strong></p><p>“She’s new to radio and an absolute powerhouse.”</p><p>Roberts says <strong>Startup Nation</strong> with <strong>Jules Lund</strong> is very tech and innovation focused, and feels like it’s always been there.</p><p>“Jules is a class act with enormous energy and the show will hopefully become a staple for the Startup community.”</p><p><strong>Joey</strong> was among the listeners to tune in for the launch and told Radio Today he liked what he heard:</p><p>“As a <strong>Gen X</strong>
 (as Libbi is) this station seems targeted at exactly my stage in life. 
It’s fun as well as informative (including short news breaks) and 
interperses the chat with great music: Niche yet still quite in the 
mainstream of things.”</p><p>“Hope it’s built to last. It has been a long while since we’ve really had a innovative new format on the radio.”</p><p><strong>JP</strong> was less enamoured with the concept, saying prior to its launch “I give it six months.”</p><p>Whether
 it’s your cup of tea or not, Disrupt’s arrival on the scene has 
certainly piqued the curiosity of its radio counterparts, with <strong>Nova 100</strong>‘s Brekky team of <strong>Ben, Liam &amp; Belle</strong> taking the mickey out of the station ahead of its launch.</p><p>But Roberts’ attitude is: bring it on.</p><p>“We’re loving the free plugs on the other stations.”</p><p>Roberts
 says mentions like that certainly helped with the launch and awareness 
of Disrupt Radio, especially in conjunction with its national TV 
coverage and billboards.</p><p>“Who would have thought an unrelated Talk format built on optimism and opportunity would create so much interest?”</p><p>“I
 guess audiences now have access to a new channel where they can learn 
and be inspired through progressive, future-focused talk and 
entrepreneurial thinking – or they can stick with being asked to call in
 and tell the Friday Drive show whether they wee or brush their teeth in
 the shower.”</p><p></p>