Day: March 6, 2025

HAMISH & ANDY RETURN FOR 2025 AS LiSTNR ANNOUNCES THE GOVERNMENT-MANDATED PODCAST BREAK IS OVER

Australia’s favourite podcast duo, LiSTNR’s Hamish & Andy, are officially back, after an exhausting summer of lobbying against the government-mandated podcast break. Their highly anticipated first episode of 2025 is packed with plenty of gusto, high excitement, and laugh-out-loud moments.

Now in their 22nd year with Southern Cross Austereo and LiSTNR, Hamish & Andy continue to dominate the podcasting world, with their signature humour and quick wit earning them the #1 spot on the Australian Podcast Ranker a record 31 times.* Joining Hamish & Andy is their long-time sidekick and show anchor, Jack Post.

Hamish & Andy kick off the season fresh from a very important business trip to New York where the boys have been busy launching their new pub ‘Old Mates’. Expect plenty of hilarious stories from the pub’s opening night, and celebrity spotting in NY (though Hamish’s celebrity spotting has been flagged ‘questionable’) and the signature Hamish & Andy antics listeners love from their first episode.

Hamish Blake and Andy Lee said: “We’ve been waiting in the wings, champing at the bit for our government-mandated break to be over; thankfully, this one felt lightning quick. We’re stoked to enter the eighth year of the Hamish & Andy podcast, and we promise plenty of gusto in 2025.”

LiSTNR Original Podcasts Head of Entertainment and Culture, Sam Cavanagh, said: “The government-mandated break is over. Hamish & Andy’s enduring success is a testament to their ability to connect and bring listeners along for the ride. Their podcast isn’t just entertainment – it’s a cultural staple, creating an incredible fan community that’s been counting down the days to their return.”

Listen to the first episode of 2025 here. New weekly episodes of Hamish & Andy are available on LiSTNR starting today, Thursday 5 March 2025.

Source: *Australian Podcast Ranker Top 200 Podcasts – October 2024

About LiSTNR:

LiSTNR is a curated and personalised, free app offering radio, podcasts, music, and news, creating a new audio destination for all Australians. Featuring a fun and intuitive onboarding process, LiSTNR delivers an audio destination that is built for individual listeners’ routines and preferences. Highly personalised, it provides listeners a new world of audio entertainment, with their own daily feed of audio and easy discovery of new content through curated recommendations. Available across a large array of devices including both iOS and Android, CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Assistant and Alexa and Android TV, LiSTNR enables a fantastic listening experience, anytime and anywhere. Open your Ears to a new world of audio – download the free app today. LiSTNR.com

TRIPLE M LOCKS IN PREMIER COMMENTARY TEAM FOR 2025 AFL SEASON FEATURING JAMES BRAYSHAW, KATE MCCARTHY, AND BRIAN TAYLOR

Triple M has unveiled its premier commentary lineup for the 2025 AFL Season with an epic roll call of footy legends, commentators and experts to take listeners through every mark, tackle, and goal. For more than 28 years, Triple M has been the go-to destination for AFL fans, delivering unmatched coverage, expert analysis, and giving fan’s the best call in the game.

Triple M’s commentary box will be stacked with footy royalty, bringing together some of the game’s sharpest minds and biggest personalities. The lineup features James Brayshaw, Kate McCarthy, Brian Taylor, Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas, Jason Dunstall, Erin Phillips, Mark Ricciuto, Mark ‘Howie’ Howard, Leigh Montagna, Isaac Smith, Steve ‘Stevie J’ Johnson, Abbey Holmes, Jude Bolton, Nathan Brown, Sarah Hosking, Shaun Burgoyne, Ruby Schleicher, Damien Barrett, Jay Clark, Bernie Vince, Xavier Ellis, Andrew Embley, and more. Joining the team in 2025 as a special commentator is St Kilda Football Club legend and Triple M Melbourne’s Mick in the Morning co-host, Nick Riewoldt. With a strong mix of premiership heroes and rising voices in the game, Triple M’s team will deliver unrivalled insights, sharp banter, and exclusive access to players for pre- and post-match interviews throughout the season.

Fans won’t miss a moment of action with Triple M’s iconic catalogue of footy shows, including The Thursday Rub kicking off a massive weekend of footy every week from 6pm. The Rush Hour with JB & Billy, The Midweek Rub, The Friday Huddle (now from 4pm), The Saturday Rub and The Sunday Rub all return in 2025.

SCA’s commitment to footy goes beyond live coverage, with must-listen podcasts available on LiSTNR, including Ben & Harry and The Howie Games, Australia’s #1 sports podcast. The Howie Games boasts an extensive back catalogue featuring Joel Selwood, Shane Crawford, Erin Phillips, Christian Petracca, and a treasure trove of AFL legends, with upcoming interviews including Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas and Brisbane premiership coach, Chris Fagan.

Triple M Footy continues to dominate AFL coverage, holding the top spot as the #1 AFL broadcaster in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth while growing audiences in Sydney and Brisbane. More than 700,000 footy fans tune in across the weekend, making Triple M the leading commercial AFL broadcaster in Australia.

SCA Head of Sports Content, Ewan Giles, said: “Triple M and AFL go hand in hand. No one delivers the game like Triple M – every tackle, every goal, and every big moment, all with the energy and banter that fans love. There’s no better place for footy fans to catch all the action.”

Triple M’s AFL coverage and dedicated footy shows are available on the Triple M Network and stream anytime, anywhere on LiSTNR.

About Triple M: 

For more than 40 years, Triple M continues to be one of Australia’s best-known radio entertainment brands and the only radio network that provides its listeners with a unique combination of Greatest Hits, Sport and Comedy. With 49 stations across Australia, including six digital stations, Triple M 80s, Triple M Classic Rock, Triple M 2000s, Triple M Country, and Triple M 90s, Triple M has become known for playing Rock’s Greatest Hits, and its iconic talent and shows that get people talking.

The iconic brand entertains more than 4.6 million radio and on demand listeners each week and is home to some of Australia’s biggest sporting heroes, comedians and music gurus including Mick Molloy, James Brayshaw, Billy Brownless, Nick Riewoldt, Beau Ryan, Aaron Woods, Leisel Jones, Dan Anstey, Margaux Parker, Greg Martin, Mark Ricciuto, Laura O’Callaghan, Chris Dittmar, Xavier Ellis, Katie Lamb, and Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt to name just a few! All Triple M’s content is available live or on demand on the LiSTNR app.

Satellite Service Feed Interruption – Action Required on 11 March 2025

Optus is making a second stage of changes to the VAST satellite service, affecting Community Radio Network (CRN), National Radio News (NRN), BBC World Service, and RPH feeds. Unlike the previous update (on 11 February 2025), this change requires action from stations that use these services on Tuesday 11 March. 

 

What You Need to Do: 

 

The change will cause Optus VAST certified Set Top Box receivers to default to another service audio feed channel. Each station will need to “re-select” the channel service feed on their receiver. 

 

At 10:15am AEDT on 11 March 2025 

Ensure your station is not actively using or broadcasting any live satellite audio feeds at 10:15am AEDT on Tuesday 11 March 2025. 

 

After 10:15am AEDT on 11 March 2025 

“Re-select” the wanted service feed channel on your VAST Set Top Box receiver at any time after 10:15am AEDT for these relevant channels:  

  • 629 BBC World Service 
  • 630 Community Radio Network – CRN 1 
  • 631 Community Radio Network – CRN 2 
  • 632 RPH Australia 

 

Note: these are listed as radio channels on the receivers, not television channels. 

Note: NRN bulletins will still be available via FTP. 

 

Troubleshooting & Support:  

 

If your station has trouble receiving any of the satellite feeds after 10:15am AEDT, you can: 

 

  1. Check that the VAST Set Top Box receiver is set to select the correct channel 
  1. Power-cycle your VAST Set Top Box receiver 
  1. Email us at crn@cbaa.org.au for further support 

 

These improvements are a step forward in ensuring a more stable and resilient satellite delivery system. We’re here to make sure they’re rolled out smoothly with minimal disruption to your stations – thank you for your action and attention to this important update.  

3AW announces star-studded coverage for 2025 AFL season

3AW announces star-studded coverage for 2025 AFL season

Melbourne’s leading station 3AW is set to deliver another season of unmatched AFL coverage in 2025. Returning to the commentary box are some of the game’s most respected voices and biggest names to deliver live expert analysis, play-by-play coverage, and in-depth discussions for footy fans.

The 3AW AFL 2025 line-up includes: 

  • Thursday Night Football: Jimmy Bartel and Matthew Richardson, with callers Anthony Hudson and Bruce Eva.
  • Friday Night Football: Jimmy Bartel and Matthew Lloyd, with callers Tim Lane and Matt Granland.
  • Saturday Footy Preview: Tim Lane, Caroline Wilson, and Leigh Matthews set the stage for the day’s action.
  • Saturday Early Game: Leigh Matthews and Joel Selwood, with callers Bruce Eva and Tony Leonard.
  • Saturday Twilight Game: Tony Shaw and Libby Birch, with callers Matt Granland and Shane McInnes.
  • Sunday Football: Tony Shaw and Matthew Richardson, with callers Bruce Eva and Matt Granland.

Adding to this year’s excitement, renowned journalist Laura Spurway will join the 3AW football team as the station’s first dedicated AFLW reporter, contributing to the Sunday coverage and appearing across all games.

Geelong champion Joel Selwood is joining the team rotating across all games. With his outstanding career as a player and captain, Joel brings all his footy knowledge fresh from the game to the 3AW team.

Additionally, Rory Sloane brings his wealth of experience to the broadcast team. Alongside his new role on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, Sloane will be rotating into 3AW’s coverage, taking a seat next to AFL legend Leigh Matthews.

Along with our commentary teams and callers we also are thrilled to have back the boundary reporters Jacqui Reed and Carlton AFLW vice captain Abbie McKay.

Fans can also look forward to the return of the Eddie and Jimmy podcast in 2025, which will be publishing three episodes per week, available to listen to on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and to watch on 9Now.

Luca Gonano, Head of 3AW Football, said: “With a team of AFL greats, seasoned broadcasters, fresh voices and innovation in the games future, 3AW is proud to continue its tradition of delivering the most  accurate, insightful and entertaining AFL coverage.”

Tune in for every key moment of the 2025 season, live on Melbourne’s own 3AW.

The Continuous Call Team returns for blockbuster 2025 NRL season

The Continuous Call Team returns for blockbuster 2025 NRL season

Sydney’s 2GB and Brisbane’s 4BC are set for another huge season of NRL action, with the iconic Continuous Call Team returning for their 39th year on air.

The 2025 coverage kicked off in style last weekend, broadcasting live from Las Vegas as the NRL season got underway. As always, fans can expect expert analysis, entertaining commentary, and the passion that has made the Continuous Call Team a listener favourite for decades.

Comprehensive Coverage Across the Weekend

Listeners can catch all the action across 2GB, 4BC, and network stations at the following times:

  • Fridays: 7:00pm–11:00pm (including full game call of the 8:00pm match)
  • Saturdays: 1:00pm–10:00pm (including full game calls of the 5:30pm and 7:35pm matches)
  • Sundays: 1:00pm–6:00pm (including full game call of the 4:00pm match)

The Continuous Call Team will also bring footy fans comprehensive coverage of every State of Origin and NRL and NRLW Finals matches.

A Star-Studded Line-Up for 2025

The Continuous Call Team welcomes a new addition in 2025, with one of rugby league’s most popular personalities, Mark Geyer OAM joining the roster. Geyer will appear alongside returning fan favourites Paul Gallen, Darryl Brohman, Mark Riddell, Josh Morris, Neil Breen, Allana Ferguson, and Jamie Soward.

Mark Levy continues as host and lead commentator for Friday nights and Saturday afternoons, with Mathew Thompson and Chris Warren returning to the commentary line-up.

In another exciting addition, Gavin Pitchford joins the team in 2025 as the Sunday afternoon host.

Nine Radio’s National Partnerships and Special Events Manager, Luke Davis said: “We are so excited to be back for another season of fun, frivolity and footy with the Continuous Call Team! It’s great to welcome in a couple of new voices alongside our much-loved team veterans as we bring Australia’s best rugby league coverage to our loyal listeners and partners. Our 39th year on air is shaping up as the best yet!”

With unmatched coverage and an all-star line-up, the Continuous Call Team remains the go-to destination for rugby league fans throughout the NRL season. Tune in on 2GB, 4BC, and network stations for every big moment.