Day: April 17, 2025

ABC Podcasts reach three million listeners in record-breaking month

Over three million Australians listened to ABC podcasts in March, the highest ever monthly result for the national broadcaster. The ABC also had more titles in the top 200 than any other publisher.

In the leadup to the Federal election, listeners are turning to ABC News podcasts, with ABC News Top Stories growing its audience by 139k listeners and breaking through the one million monthly listeners mark for the first time. The podcast also maintained its No. 2 position in the Triton Podcast ranker.

ABC News Daily added 37k listeners month-on-month and rose one spot to No.9. Politics Now grew its audience by 76k and climbed 10 places to No.37.

AM increased its monthly audience by 79 per cent to over 100k, advancing 45 spots to No.78. Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald added 42k listeners and jumped up 35 spots to No.74. PM and The World Today both returned to the Top 200 for the first time since November.

Other ABC big movers were Health Report which added 21k listeners in March, moving up 22 places to No. 85. Roy and HG’s Bludging on the Blindside also added 14k listeners and rose 11 places to No.91.

ABC Director Audio Ben Latimer said: “Reaching over three million Australians in March is testament to the impact of the ABC’s podcasts. Whether it’s ABC News Top Stories, Health Report or Global Roaming, the result demonstrates that audiences turn to the ABC for trusted information and stories that reflect their lives and interests.”

ABC welcomes Professor Jackie Huggins as inaugural Elder-in-Residence

Professor Jackie Huggins AM FAHA has launched her tenure as the ABC’s inaugural Elder-in-Residence with an interview on ABC News Breakfast this morning and in an online feature by senior reporter Miriam Corowa.

Professor Huggins is a Bidjara and Birri-Gubba Juru woman and an eminent Australian with a distinguished career working across the community, government and non-government sectors and as an author and historian. In 2001 she became a Member of the Order of Australia for her work on reconciliation, social justice, literacy and women’s issues.

She also has a long history with the ABC, starting when she worked at the Toowong, Brisbane headquarters when she was just 16.

The Elder-in-Residence role was created last year in response to the Listen Loudly, Act Strongly report and is for a two-year term, with an option to renew. Professor Huggins will support First Nations employees and provide cultural guidance to the management and leadership teams across the ABC during the implementation of the report’s recommendations.

Professor Huggins described becoming the ABC’s Elder-in-Residence as “one of my highest badges of honour” and said the Listen Loudly, Act Strongly report had become a blueprint for other organisations to follow.

“My new role is something that I never imagined I would do when I started my employment at the ABC when I was 16 years of age,” she said.

“I have been a long-time audience member and contributor to the ABC. I look forward to deepening that connection through taking up the position of the ABC’s inaugural Elder-in-Residence and to meeting and yarning with people across the divisions and offices of our national broadcaster.

“I am also looking forward to working with the Director First Nations Strategy, the Bonner Committee and the ABC Leadership team in setting the stepping stones for the work ahead.”

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks welcomed Professor Huggins.

“With Professor Huggins, and under the leadership of Acting Director of First Nations Strategy Kelly Williams – and with so many other contributors around the ABC – we are well placed to act strongly,” he said.

“We must ensure our approach to addressing issues of racism and any form of inequity reaches into every part of the organisation. This is a priority for me in my new role as Managing Director.”

iHeart Reaches Record Audience As Australia’s #1 Podcast Publisher

iHeart continues its unprecedented run as Australia’s #1 Podcast Publisher, achieving its 59th  consecutive #1 ranking in the March Australian Podcast Ranker – and reaching a record 7.8 million listeners (+9%) and 24.7 million downloads (+10%).

This marks the biggest audience ever for ARN’s iHeart, as the network continues to scale both reach and engagement across its slate of premium content.

A standout performer this month is Stalked, the gripping true crime series from BBC Studios, which leapt 67 places to #8 overall, claiming the title of Australia’s #1 true crime podcast. Represented locally through iHeart’s partnership with BBC Studios, Stalked has resonated strongly with Australian listeners, driven by its urgent storytelling and real-life narrative.

The podcast follows 25-year-old Hannah Mossman Moore, who is digitally hunted by an anonymous predator weaponising her personal data. In a desperate bid for answers, she joins forces with investigative journalist – and former stepmother – Carole Cadwalladr to uncover the truth behind a campaign of psychological terror. Together, they unravel a global web of deception that law enforcement failed to stop.

Louise La Grange, BBC Studios’ SVP, BBC Audio, Digital News & Streaming, said: “We are delighted to see BBC Studios’ produced podcast Stalked connect so deeply with Australian audiences. It is an affecting example of how BBC Audio’s groundbreaking storytelling can start conversations and strongly engage listeners. It is a further example of our successful ongoing partnership with iHeart to bring these important stories to listeners in Australia.”

ARN’s Head of Digital Audio Corey Layton added: “With more Australians listening than ever before, iHeart’s record results reflect the power of combining world-class storytelling with unrivalled scale. From global hits like Stalked to the most loved local titles, we’re delivering premium audio experiences that cut through – creating enormous opportunity not just for brands looking to connect with engaged audiences, but for ARN as Australia’s podcasting powerhouse.”

iHeart dominated the March Ranker with 47 titles in the Top 200, showcasing the depth and breadth of its podcast slate. Standout performers included Life Uncut at #10 (Australia’s #1 Relationship Podcast), The Kyle & Jackie O Show at #14 (the #1 radio show podcast), and The Daily Aus at #20.

Also featured in the Top 50: BBC’s Global News Podcast (#32), Stuff You Should Know (#33), On Purpose with Jay Shetty (#36), Smosh Reads Reddit Stories (debuting at #45), She’s On The Money (#47), and Dyl & Friends, which jumped 38 spots to round out the Top 50.

Subscriber, Volunteer and Social Media Manager, RTRFM, Mount Lawley WA

Full job description

The Subscriber, Volunteer and Social Media Manager is responsible for facilitating engagement with listeners, subscribers and businesses – across all channels, including social media – to drive subscriptions and donations for major fundraising campaigns, in collaboration with the General Manager and RTRFM staff. They are also responsible for the administration, training and support of office volunteers.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Engaging previous subscribers to encourage them to renew via phone and email, and update their details, reminding them of benefits.
  • Collaborating on themes for subscriber drives.
  • Recruiting volunteers for Radiothon and other related subscriber drives.
  • Helping the sponsorship team source and secure prizes, including the management of the gift distribution.
  • Manage the publishing schedule for RTRFM’s social media channels and coordinate daily posts to ensure cohesive messaging.
  • Coordinate ‘listener-get-subscriber’ campaigns.
  • Serve as ambassador to subscribers who contributed more than $300.
  • Creating and executing a communications strategy to retain connection with subscribers all year round.
  • Creating subscriber ‘profiles’ through improved data collection and segmenting, allowing for more targeted fundraising as needed.
  • Recruiting office volunteers as needed, and responding to volunteer queries and requests/conducting interviews.
  • Training and supporting office volunteers.
  • Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
  • Establish/monitor procedures for record keeping (may include business tools); ensure filing systems are maintained and current.
  • Ensure security, integrity and confidentiality of data.
  • Participate in administrative tasks shared by all RTRFM staff (answering phones, welcoming guests, processing at POS).

Selection Criteria:

Essential

Excellent organisational and time management skills; ability to meet deadlines in fast-paced working environment.

  • Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Suite, as well as Canva and Meta.
  • Ability to work in a team and independently.

Preferable

  • Extensive knowledge of community radio, and in particular RTRFM.
  • Experience working in a volunteer or community organisation, managing a team or related activities.

Please note: RTRFM is located on the first level of 642 Beaufort St in Mount Lawley. Successful applicants will need to get Working With Children checks completed (RTRFM will cover the expense). Also, there is an expectation that the successful applicant can work full-time hours (37.5 per week) during our major fundraising campaign, Radiothon (August to September).

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: $35,100.00 – $46,800.00 per year

Expected hours: 22.5 – 30 per week

Work Authorisation:

  • Australia (Required)

Work Location: In person

Application Deadline: 05/05/2025
Expected Start Date: 19/05/2025

Apply Here