Inside the shock decision to axe Carrie & Tommy which prompted Bickmore to start talks with KIIS FM - as Little faces an uncertain future and Fifi Box could be next to go

Carrie Bickmore may be preparing for a major radio reinvention but the Daily Mail understands her discussions with rival network ARN began after her hugely popular show with Tommy Little was facing the axe.

After almost a decade on the air together, the hosts of the Carrie & Tommy show are calling time on the drivetime program, with the pair breaking the news to their fans on Wednesday.

The high-rating, long-running series, which is the third most-listened-to network radio program in Australia, is expected to wrap up by year's end.

While speculation has been mounting that Carrie, 45, is preparing to join KIIS FM's national Drive lineup, sources suggest the move was not necessarily part of a long-planned departure from Southern Cross Austereo.

Instead, industry insiders claim the former Project star began exploring opportunities with rival broadcasters after learning that the future of Carrie & Tommy was in jeopardy.

It's understood Carrie had been spotted visiting ARN's Melbourne offices in recent months, raising eyebrows among staff who questioned whether the television and radio personality was preparing to make a move.

However, despite growing speculation, the Daily Mail understands no official confirmation has been given that Carrie has signed a deal to join KIIS.

And while the possibility of a new national Drive show has been widely discussed within radio circles, questions remain about whether she would be joined by long-time co-host Tommy, 41, or embark on a solo venture.

Sources suggest Tommy is not currently expected to be part of any potential move to ARN.

However, there is speculation that some of the production staff who have worked closely with Carrie could eventually follow her to a new network.

The uncertainty surrounding Carrie's future comes amid claims that the decision to end Carrie & Tommy left members of the show's production team devastated.

The Daily Mail understands staff had spent weeks seeking clarity about the program's future, with growing frustration over what they perceived as a lack of communication from management.

Sources claim the team had been hopeful that new contracts would be offered, only to eventually learn that the show would not be continuing.

The decision reportedly came after a prolonged period of uncertainty, with staff left questioning what would happen to their roles.

It's understood there were also tensions surrounding the timing of the public announcement, with some team members wanting more time to process the news before it was made public.

The situation has reportedly left some staff feeling deeply disappointed by how the show's ending was handled.

For those who had spent years helping establish Carrie & Tommy as one of Australia's most recognisable radio partnerships, the sudden uncertainty has been particularly difficult.

And according to industry insiders, the situation could be symptomatic of much bigger changes taking place across Australian commercial radio.

Insiders suggest the recent merger between Southern Cross Austereo and the Seven West Media has created growing concerns about the future of expensive radio programming.

Some industry figures believe the combined business may be less willing to invest heavily in marquee radio personalities, particularly as broadcasters look for ways to reduce costs.

According to one source, television executives are increasingly focused on the financial realities of maintaining high-profile radio programs.

That could spell trouble for some of the biggest names in Australian radio, with industry speculation suggesting programs costing more than $1 million annually may face greater scrutiny.

While no broader programming cuts have been officially announced, the decision to end Carrie & Tommy has raised questions about whether other established shows could eventually face a similar fate.

Among the programs attracting industry attention is Melbourne's Fifi, Fev & Nick breakfast show.

The popular Hit Network program, fronted by Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola and Nick Cody, has been a longstanding fixture of Melbourne breakfast radio.

However, industry sources have raised concerns about the program's long-term future as SCA's new ownership structure takes shape.

One insider suggested that Melbourne breakfast could face significant changes within the next year, although there has been no confirmation that the program is being cancelled or that any decision has been made about its future.

The speculation comes at a time when commercial radio networks are facing increasing pressure to justify the cost of their biggest stars.

For Fifi, who has remained one of the Hit Network's most recognisable personalities, any potential changes would represent another major shake-up in Melbourne radio.

Meanwhile, Carrie appears to be considering her options as she prepares for life after Carrie & Tommy.

Her television profile remains one of her greatest assets, having spent more than a decade as a presenter on Network Ten's The Project.

Industry insiders believe that experience makes her an attractive prospect for rival broadcasters looking for a personality capable of working across both radio and television.

And with ARN's iHeartRadio platform continuing to develop its Australian content offering, Carrie could potentially find opportunities beyond traditional commercial radio.

As for her long-time co-star Tommy, sources suggest he has not been involved in the discussions surrounding Carrie's potential move, despite the pair building a loyal following through their successful on-air partnership.

Inside Mail broke the news that Carrie was eyeing an exit from SCA following the company's merger with Seven West Media.

Despite Carrie being popular with advertisers and listeners, apparently SCA is 'quite happy to let her go' to KIIS Drive.

Inside Mail was told that relations have cooled and there is 'no love lost there'.

Tommy's future is less clear, amid murmurs of a bidding war between KIIS and the Hit Network.

If he does end up staying with SCA, all signs point to pairing him with Loren Barry.

SCA wouldn't comment on the record, though a source cautioned that line-up speculation is rife at this time of year.