3AW's Derryn Hinch has been dropped by the Fairfax-owned station, despite being one of Melbourne's highest-rating radio personalities.
Hinch's one-year contract will not be renewed at the end of the year, with the station saying it wanted to move in a new direction.
Fairfax said it hoped Hinch would continue to work within the Fairfax Radio network.
3AW general manager Shane Healy said: “Derryn has been part of the fabric of Melbourne's number one radio station for many years and we are immensely proud and grateful for his efforts over this time.
"However, like all branches of the media it is impossible to stand still in a world of ever-accelerating change.
"Radio has withstood the immense challenges of the digital revolution much better than any other traditional media but we, like print and television, cannot afford to stand still.”
The move will end Hinch's ten-year stretch with the station, in which time he has been one of the highest rating – albeit controversial – presenters in Melbourne.
Fairfax said in a statement: “In the past 10 years 3AW has stood behind the broadcaster through a series of controversies. Only last Friday 3AW gave the broadcaster the day off to fight in court a charge of failure to vote.”
He landed in hot water last year after he named sex offenders on air.
On Hinch's official website, Human Headline, the presenter wrote: “Sacked! And this time it applies to me. I was called in to the general manager’s office after my 3AW program finished tonight and was told my services were no longer required.
“I asked why and was told by the GM Shane Healy that they planned to ‘ take the station in a different direction’. Seeing my program is No. I on Melbourne I’m tempted to think that direction is down.
“I am in shock. Didn’t see it coming. But had heard five weeks ago that my occasional fill-in Tom Elliott had told people at Channel Ten that this was my last year and he was replacing me. Fairly prescient. I wish him luck.”
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