NOVA Entertainment celebrated a successful night at the 2024 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), securing nine awards across the business.

As Queensland’s political landscape heats up, 4BC is set to present live coverage of Queensland Media Club’s Queensland Election Leaders’ Debate: Miles vs. Crisafulli on Wednesday, October 16.

Sofie Formica will host her 4BCAfternoons show live from the Brisbane Convention Centre, giving listeners exclusive access to the debate.

Enhancing the 4BC coverage, Mornings host Bill McDonald will be on site in the debate room, delivering real-time updates and insights. His immediate perspective will offer audiences a dynamic taste of the debate, keeping them up with minute-by-minute developments.

This debate is a critical moment in the lead-up to the State election on Saturday, October 26. It builds on the momentum from The Great Debate, the forum presented by 9News Queensland in collaboration with 4BC and the Brisbane Times. That forum allowed Queenslanders to engage directly with both candidates: Labor Premier Steven Miles and Liberal National Party Leader David Crisafulli. With Sofie Formica and a panel of experts asking incisive questions, the debate illuminated key issues and set the stage for the remainder of the campaign.

The Great Debate rated impressively, highlighting Nine’s strong news brand across the State while reflecting its commitment to providing essential insights for voters.

Leading up to the State election, 4BC will continue to offer extensive coverage in its live and local lineup, keeping listeners on the pulse as they decide their voting intentions on October 26.

Following the presentation of the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) at a gala event in Sydney on Saturday night, SCA congratulated its winners from the Triple M and Hit networks and LiSTNR who took home awards across multiple metro and regional categories.

2024 SCA ACRAS WINNERS:

• BEST ON AIR TEAM (PROVINCIAL): Flan, Ali & Spida; Sean Flanagan, Ali Plath, Spida Everitt, 92.5 Triple M Gold
• THE BRENNO / BEST NEW TALENT ON AIR – RADIO (PROVINCIAL): Andy ‘Tubes’ Taylor; 107.3 Triple M Hobart
• BEST NEW TALENT OFF AIR – RADIO (NON METRO): Leesa Singleton; 864 Triple M Toowoomba/Darling Downs, Toowoomba
• MOST CREATIVE STATION PROMOTION (METRO): Zooper Dooper Mission Space Freeze; Cam Busby, Sophie Hudson, Aaron Joseph, Melbourne
• PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (NON-METRO): Amelia Cutmore; 864 Triple M Toowoomba/Darling Downs
• BEST NEW TALENT – PODCAST (NATIONAL): Joey Watson; LiSTNR
• BEST IMAGING PRODUCER (METRO): David Konsky; Hit Network
• BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE (NON METRO): Ace Building Co; Chloe Burgess-Jones, David Horspool, Hit 101.3 / 107.7 Triple M, Gosford
• BEST LOCAL NEWS TEAM – (COUNTRY): Triple M Newcastle; David Dollin, Dan Flegg, Saskia Channing, 102.9 Triple M Newcastle, Newcastle
• BEST SPORTS PRESENTER (NON-METRO): Annabelle Brett; 102.3 Triple M Townsville, Townsville
• BEST DOCUMENTARY – AUDIO – (NATIONAL): Secrets We Keep – Shame, Lies and Family; Amelia Oberhardt, Ellen Leabeater, Jake Morcom, Nial Fernandes, LiSTNR
• BEST MUSIC FEATURE: Taylor Swift Triple M Versions; Andrew Very, David Konsky, Kalun Townsend, Triple M Network
• THE GUDINSKI – AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CHAMPION: Triple M Homegrown with Matty O; Matthew O’Gorman, Kalun Townsend, Andrew Very, Shaun Gough, Julia Di Gregorio, Triple M Network

SCA remains the undisputed home of the key 25-54 buying demographic, having maintained its position as Australia’s no.1 25-54 radio network* in the recent GfK Radio360 Metro Survey #6 2024 results. In addition, SCA’s Hit Network is no.1 for women 25-54 and its Triple M network is no.1 for men 25-54, confirming SCA as the outright leader in these commercially critical demographics.

SCA is focused on continuing its dominance across multiple metro markets, which includes The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick as Melbourne’s #1 FM Breakfast show and most listened to station, and B105 leading Brisbane airwaves as the city’s #1 station and with the #1 Breakfast show (Stav, Abby & Matt) and the #1 Drive show (Carrie & Tommy). Furthermore, Triple M Adelaide’s Breakfast Show, Roo, Dits & Loz, is streaks ahead in the Adelaide market and has been the #1 FM Breakfast Show for an incredible 16 straight wins.

Source:

* GfK Radio 360 Metro Survey #6 2024.  P10+/P25-54/M25-54/F25-54, Mon-Sun ROS/Mon-Fri 05.30-09.00/Mon-Fri 06.00-09.00/Mon-Fri 15.00-18.00/Mon-Fri 16.00-19.00. Total Radio. Market Share/Commercial Share/Cume Reach.

About Southern Cross Austereo

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) is one of Australia’s leading media companies and the home of LiSTNR, the Hit and Triple M networks and regional television stations, reaching more than 95% of the Australian population. The LiSTNR digital audio app hosts a library of free and compelling digital audio content available anytime, anywhere. It houses SCA’s 99 FM, AM and DAB+ radio stations, including AFL, NRL and international cricket coverage, 27 music genre stations, and over 600 podcasts from leading Australian and global creators, plus local news and information. With more than one million signed-in users, LiSTNR has something to entertain, inform, and inspire all Australians and helps advertisers to connect with highly engaged and addressable audiences. The LiSTNR digital audio sales network reaches over 8 million people a month. SCA owns 99 radio stations across FM, AM, and DAB+ radio under the Triple M and Hit network brands and provides national sales representation for 56 regional radio stations, with 8.8 million listeners across the Hit and Triple M networks nationally. www.southerncrossaustereo.com.au.

ABC winners at 2024 Rural Press Club of Victoria Awards

ABC journalists reporting on floods, fires, homelessness and a cold case disappearance were among the winners at the Victorian Rural Press Club’s Rural and Regional Journalism and Photography Awards.

The ABC had finalists in 15 of the 16 categories and won five awards, with many others commended and highly commended. The wins were for Young Journalist of the Year, Best Feature Story, Best News Audio and Visual and Most Innovative Journalism.

In a big year for regional news, including floods, fires, the tragic disappearance of Samantha Murphy and the Daylesford pub crash, the ABC’s regional bureaus showcased how valuable it is to connect with communities in their times of need across all platforms to keep audiences informed on the issues that matter while holding those in power to account.

Natasha Schapova was named the Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year, with the judges saying her three outstanding, well-crafted stories showcased her versatility and ability to take local issues to state and national audiences, triggering important reforms.

Natasha’s piece about an unfair land tax applied to a granny flat housing an elderly mother, led to the tax bill being cancelled. Her story  ‘Residents Vulnerable 3G Switch-off’, about concerns the 3G shutdown would cut off remote communities hit by bushfires, resulted in Telstra upgrading the local mobile phone tower.

Mim Hook took home two trophies, for Most Innovative Journalism for “Where is Marcia Ryan?” and Best News Story Audio for  “Floods and Fires in the same week”. The “Where is Marcia Ryan” series “showcases how innovative journalistic storytelling can breathe new life into an important local story”, the judges said. ” The series ultimately helped bring new information forward about a cold case disappearance and was responsible for encouraging police to reopen the case.”

The judges said Mim’s coverage of floods and fires was “a stunning reminder of the role of local broadcasting during emergencies, the value of local knowledge and the trust communities place in the ABC during these moments of crisis and recovery”.

Best Feature Story went to Josie Taylor, Emma D’Agostino and Danielle Bonica of ABC Central Victoria for ‘A Fine Balance’. The image-rich piece sheds light on how unaffordable housing is forcing families into a life of fine balance — juggling the extremes of homelessness and bushfire risk.

“While readers might be moved to tears, the team did not exploit nor sensationalise in their reporting,” the judges said. “It highlights the importance of contacts, connections with the community, and being given the time to truly dig deep into a story

Harrison Tippet from ABC News Geelong won Best News Story Visual for “Historic Decision” .  The report details how Robert Farquharson became the first person in Victoria to have his right to control the graves and memorials of his children removed.

Judges said  the story was told with great respect for the young victims, their family and the broader community, saying: “It was a genuine exclusive, packed with powerful interviews with members of the boys’ family.”

Full list of ABC winners, commended and highly commended

Media Outlet of the Year 

• Commended: ABC Gippsland

Journalist of the Year 

• Highly Commended: Lexie Jeuniewic, ABC Ballarat
• Commended: Else Kennedy, ABC Mildura-Swan Hill

Photographer of the Year

• Commended: Angus Mackintosh, ABC Wimmera

Ray Frawley Young Journalist of the Year

• Winner: Natasha Schapova, ABC Gippsland and now at ABC Geelong
• Commended: Faith Tabalujan, ABC Rural; Tamara Clark, ABC Mildura

Community Champion

• Commended: Rachael Lucas, ABC Gippsland

Best Local Photography 

• Commended: Anne Simmons, ABC Gippsland, “Admiring the organ chamber”

Best Breaking News Story

• Commended: Bec Symons, ABC Gippsland, “Familiar faces as a community grasps with fires and floods”, Jane McNaughton, Victorian Country Hour, “Avian Influenza”

Most Innovative Journalism 

• Winner: Mim Hook, ABC Gippsland, “Where is Marcia Ryan?
• Highly Commended: Jeremy Story Carter, ABC, “Kick in Hope”
• Commended: Natasha Schapova and Rachel Clayton, ABC News, “Artificial Reefs Slowing Erosion”

Best Sports Story 

• Commended: Jeremy Story Carter, ABC, “Wahgunyah, undefeated”; Harrison Tippet, ABC Geelong, “Ability City: Inclusive sport providing opportunities for participants and community in one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions”; Tim Lee, Landline, “Kicking new goals”

Best Feature Story 

• Winner: Josie Taylor, Emma D’Agostino and Danielle Bonica, ABC Central Victoria, “A fine balance”
• Commended: Rachael Lucas, ABC Gippsland, “Single older women living in converted tiny homes, cabins at caravan parks amid housing crisis”; Rochelle Kirkham, ABC Ballarat, “Guardian angels”

Best News Story – Visual 

• Winner: Harrison Tippet, ABC Geelong, “Historic Decision”
• Highly Commended: Shannon Schubert, ABC Central Victoria, Rochester Flood Anniversary
• Commended: Charmaine Manuel and Ashlee Aldridge, ABC News, “Mansfield’s fight to save its local hospital”; Natasha Schapova, ABC Gippsland, “3G Shutdown threatens remote communities”; Bec Symons, ABC Gippsland, “Briagolong Fires Ravages”

Best News Story – Audio 

• Winner: Mim Hook, ABC Gippsland, “Floods and fires in the same week”
• Highly Commended: Georgia Lenton-Williams, ABC Gippsland (RN Breakfast), “Mushroom meal cook charged over suspected poisoning deaths”
• Commended: Daniel Miles, ABC News, Safe Coalition seat gets behind the voice

Best News Story

• Commended: Else Kennedy and Francesco Salvo, ABC Rural, “Radiation fears, contentious business practices at the heart of proposed mineral sands mine hearing”

Best Agribusiness Story 

• Highly Commended: Jane McNaughton, ABC Victorian Country Hour, “Avian influenza”
• Commended: Meg Powell, ABC Tasmania, “Virtual fencing and the collar debate”

Best On-Farm Story 

• Commended: Faith Tabalujan, ABC Rural, “Elderberry pioneers”

Best Feature Story

• Commended: Rachael Lucas, ABC Gippsland “Single older women living in converted tiny homes, cabins at caravan parks amid housing crisis”; Rochelle Kirkham, ABC Ballarat “Guardian angels”

Best Sports Story                   

• Commended: Harrison Tippet ABC Geelong, “Ability City: Inclusive sport providing opportunities for participants and community in one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions”

Most Innovative Journalism

• Commended: Natasha Schapova and Rachel Clayton, ABC News “Artificial Reefs Slowing Erosion”

Best Breaking News               

• Commended: Bec Symons, ABC Gippsland “Familiar faces as a community grasps with fires and floods”; Jane McNaughton, Victorian Country Hour “Avian Influenza”

Community Champion

• Commended: Rachael Lucas ABC Gippsland

Young Journalist of the Year

• Commended: Faith Tabalujan, ABC Rural; Tamara Clark, ABC Mildura

Photographer of the Year   

• Commended: Angus Mackintosh ABC Wimmera now with Triple J

Journalist of the Year

• Highly Commended: Lexie Jeuniewic ABC Ballarat 
• Commended: Else Kennedy ABC Mildura Swan Hill

Media Outlet of the Year     

• Commended: ABC Gippsland