Philip Clark (radio presenter)
Philip Clark | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Need valid birth date: year, month, day Launceston, Tasmania, Australia |
| Occupation | Broadcaster |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Known for | Hosting Nightlife on ABC Local Radio, work at 2GB and ABC |
Philip Clark (born May 1956) is a prominent Australian broadcaster, recognized primarily for his contributions to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Sydney-based commercial station 2GB. Since 2016, he has been the host of the Monday through Thursday editions of Nightlife broadcast on the ABC Local Radio network.
Career
Originally from Launceston, Tasmania, Clark pursued studies in arts and law at the Australian National University located in Canberra, where he resided between 1974 and 1987. Following his graduation, he served as an aide to Labor senator John Button during the tenure of the Hawke government.
In 1986, Clark relocated to Sydney to engage in legal practice before transitioning to journalism in 1988 with The Sydney Morning Herald, where he reported on state politics and managed the Stay in Touch column. His radio career commenced in 1991 when he joined John Doyle’s afternoon show on Sydney’s ABC station 2BL, later taking on hosting duties for Evenings. By 1993, Clark was appointed as the presenter of Breakfast on 2BL.
Clark entered the commercial radio sector in 2001 at 2GB, initially anchoring the breakfast slot before shifting to the afternoon drive program in 2002. In 2005, ABC TV’s Media Watch scrutinized 2GB’s extensive reporting on the Schapelle Corby case, notably highlighting Clark’s interview with Mercedes Corby. After seven years hosting the drive program, he transitioned to 2GB’s evening show at the start of 2009 but was dismissed five months later.
Returning to ABC in 2014, Clark took over as host of Breakfast on 666 ABC Canberra, succeeding Ross Solly. Nearly three years later, in late 2016, he was appointed as one of Tony Delroy’s successors for ABC Local Radio’s national late-night program Nightlife. Clark currently presents Monday through Thursday broadcasts, while Sarah MacDonald handles Fridays to Sundays under a revamped seven-day schedule.
In addition to radio, Clark has appeared on television; he hosted over 170 episodes of ABC TV’s quiz show Flashback in 2000 and has been a frequent guest on both Meet the Press and Sunrise. In 1996, he served as the first-ever host of the annual Andrew Olle Media Lecture, which that year featured speaker David Williamson.