The ABC has appointed Belinda Drew as Head of Marketing. Belinda joins the ABC from Droga5 (part of Accenture Song), where she was the Chief Client Officer ANZ.
Belinda joined The Monkeys, now known as Droga5, in 2020. Her leadership on some on Australia’s most iconic brands contributed to the agency being recognised multiple times as Agency of the Year across D&AD, Spikes Asia, One Show and as the #1 Australian agency at the Cannes Lions.
Prior to this, Belinda spent two decades leading major brands across Australia and North America at the world’s most celebrated creative agencies.
She has been recognised five times in five years in the B&T Women in Media Awards.
Milla McPhee: “This appointment reinforces our commitment to showcasing Australia’s creative excellence, not just in our content, but in our marketing as well. Belinda’s reputation for creative leadership and evidence-based marketing effectiveness will help us deepen the connection between the ABC and our audiences.”
In 2026 ABC Radio National will offer audiences more of what they love, including additional episodes of the acclaimed Global Roaming program and a refreshed schedule with regular appointment listening blocks for arts and science content.
In the new year, Global Roaming will welcome author and journalist Latika M Bourke and foreign affairs journalist Kylie Morris who will join existing presenters Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald presenting episodes every weekday.
Latika said: “The world order is changing before our eyes and understanding Australia’s place in this turmoil has never been more important.
“Radio National’s expansion of its already unmissable Global Roaming program is much-needed for our times and as The Nightly’s Writer-at-Large based in London, I’m excited and honoured to contribute to helping make sense of our rapidly shifting global order.”
In 2026, Radio National will double down on its commitment to the arts with a new and live, weekday Radio National Arts Hour airing from 10–11am. The hour will be anchored by an arts presenter from Monday to Thursday, presenting interviews and news focused on visual and performing arts. The program will then lead into a daily specialist arts program covering books, design, food, and film including:
The Screen Show with Jason di Rosso
Every Bite with Jonathan Green
The Book Show with Claire Nichols
And a new architecture and design program Anthony Burke’s By Design, presented by the much-loved host of ABC TV’s Grand Designs Australia, Grand Transformations, Restoration Australia and Culture By Design.
On Friday, the hour will be dedicated to The Bookshelf hosted by Kate Evans and Cassie McCullagh.
Following the decisions of presenters Daniel Browning and Michael Cathcart to step away from their roles, ABC Radio National will retire The Art Show and The Stage Show and Arts in 30.
After a wildly successful debut, the network’s ABC Radio National’s Top 100 Books countdown will return for another year. The 2025 Top 100 Books campaign brought together avid and occasional readers alike around the theme of “Top 100 Books of the 21st Century.” The results of the vote were celebrated over a wonderful two-day live broadcast in October. Next year’s theme will build on the success of year one and will be sure to ignite lots of debate!
For the scientifically inclined, Radio National’s stable of renowned science programming will feature each weekday with 1.30-2pm becoming the daily home for All In The Mind, What the Duck, Science Friction and the Science Show.
On Saturdays, The Science Show continues as a full-hour program, with Robyn Williams welcoming a co-presenter for the first time in the show’s history. After five decades of solo hosting, Robyn will be joined by Belinda Smith, an award-winning science journalist and presenter of Lab Notes.
In January 2026, Australia’s voice of science Dr Karl will co-present a new six-part series, The Challenger Legacy, alongside Walkley-nominated science reporter Fiona Pepper. The series explores the lessons of the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster, its impact on space exploration, and the big questions that still resonate as NASA prepares to launch astronauts back to the Moon early next year.
“The Challenger disaster was a tragedy, but it also reshaped how we think about engineering and risk. This series takes a deep look at the science behind the fateful mission and asks what NASA – and all of us – have learned from the disaster,” Dr Karl said.
Schedule changes in the new year see ABC Radio National Breakfast with Sally Sara shift to a 6am start.
News coverage will still begin at 5.30am with a mix of ABC News Daily and highlights from The Radio National Hour.
The Radio National Hour with Fran Kelly continues at 6pm each weeknight.
On weekends, The Music Show will move from the morning to afternoons.
The full Radio National schedule for 2026 can be found here.
About Latika M Bourke
Latika M Bourke is The Nightly’s Writer-at-Large in London, specialising in geopolitics.
She is a moderator and MC and Expert Associate at the Australian National University’s National Security College.
Latika spent eight years in the Canberra press gallery and has worked for The Sydney Morning Herald, ABC and 2UE.
Latika hosts Latika Takes: The Podcast, whose guests have included Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Virgin co-founder Richard Branson, Retired US General and former CIA Director David Petraeus and more.
She regularly appears on the BBC, Sky UK, Monocle and Times Radio.
About Kylie Morris
Kylie Morris is an award-winning foreign correspondent and broadcaster who holds a Master’s in International Relations from the London School of Economics. She reported on the Trump presidency as Washington correspondent for Britain’s Channel Four News, where she helped break the Cambridge Analytica story, earning BAFTA, Emmy, and Peabody awards.
Kylie previously hosted More 4 News in London, worked as Asia correspondent, and reported for the BBC from Bangkok, Kabul, and Gaza, covering conflicts in Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Territories. She began her career with the ABC in Newcastle and reported for Radio National’s Background Briefing. Most recently, Kylie has been a presenter and producer for The Radio National Hour, alongside Fran Kelly.
Have in place, abide by, and regularly review constitution and key governance policiesEncourage community participation in operations
No breach of Code 2.1(a) of the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2025No breach of Code 2.1(b) of the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2025No breach of paragraph 9(2)(c)(i) of Schedule 2 to the BSA(ref. BI-750)
Hamish & Andy, Australia’s most successful podcast and radio duo, are unveiling their next big audio adventure: a new feed, Hamish & Andy Plus +,now available to stream on LiSTNR.
Hamish Blake said: “Everyone is doing ‘plus’ – Apple TV+, Disney+, 7PLUS – which naturally prompted the question: can we do one better? As it turns out, we can… by adding another plus.”
Hamish & Andy Plus + will house all the complimentary projects from the duo that sit outside the main podcast, giving listeners even more from the record-breaking team. The new podcast feed launches with their brand-new game show Quizmas Time with Hamish & Andy.
Hosted by longtime friend and trivia tragic Michael “Magic Mike (Not A Stripper)” Webb, Quizmas Timeinvites listeners to try and beat Hamish & Andy in a quiz the boys play together.
The series also features the classic “phone a friend” lifeline, with cameo assists Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, radio presenter Tim Lee, Charlie Pickering (via text message), Hamish’s mum, and Andy’s fiancée Rebecca Harding, who demonstrates her dedication by answering from the tarmac seconds before take-off (yes, Quizmas Time really is that important).
Hamish & Andy is Australia’s Number 1 podcast, topping the Australian Podcast Ranker a record 30 times and reaching 881,262 monthly listeners*. In a move that’s very in touch with the common man, Quizmas Time arrives just in time for road trips, backyard cricket breaks, and anyone keen to test their trivia skills.
Andy Lee said: “It’s taken months and months of legal research and policy review, but we’re incredibly relieved to have found a loophole in the government-mandated break so we can release our new podcast feed Hamish & Andy Plus +, with Quizmas Time series for listeners to enjoy over summer.”
Sam Cavanagh, Head of Content – LiSTNR Original Podcasts, said: “Hamish & Andy remain Australia’s most successful podcast creators. Their ability to reinvent formats while keeping their trademark humour at the centre is unmatched, and Hamish & Andy Plus + opens the door to even more possibilities. We’re very excited to kick off this new series with Quizmas Time.”
Source: *Australian Podcast Ranker Top 200 Podcasts – November 2025
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.
Sydney’s top rating radio station 2GB has unveiled its summer line up, ensuring listeners stay informed and entertained over the holiday period. It comes as 2GB prepares for a special end of year celebration at the new Cabravale Club Resort at Canley Vale this Thursday.
The summer line up, taking effect from Monday December 15, 2025, will be:
Overnights Midnight-5.30am: Phil O’Neil
Breakfast 5:30am-9.00am: James Willis (Christmas Day – Mark Levy 6am-10am)
Mornings 9.00am-Midday: Luke Grant
Afternoons Midday-3pm: Luke Bona / Lucy Zelic
Drive 3pm-6pm: Trent Nikolic
Wide World Of Sports 6pm-7pm: Adam Hawse / Mike Pearsall
Nights 7pm-Midnight: Bill Woods
Weekends: The Garden Clinic, Jason Morrison and The Two Murrays.
Station Manager, Greg Byrnes, said: “2GB never switches off. We’ve assembled a summer line-up our listeners know, trust, and can rely on to keep the conversation rolling. It’s often a busy and challenging time of year, bushfires have already hit hard, but Sydney knows it can rely on 2GB for up-to-the-minute news and information, along with reassurance and companionship”
“Christmas Day is always a highlight. We’ll be broadcasting carols live on Christmas Eve, followed by Mark Levy’s special Christmas Day program from 6am. We’ll then join the inspiring tradition of Reverend Bill Crews’ Christmas Day lunch live from the Exodus Foundation”
To mark the end of another successful year, 2GB’s daytime presenting team of Ben Fordham, Mark Levy, Michael McLaren and Clinton Maynard will head to Cabravale Club Resort in Canley Vale this Thursday for a special end-of-year broadcast.
Listeners are invited to join Ben and the team at Cabravale Club Resort from 7am. The daylong celebration will conclude with Clinton Maynard’s Sydney Now program at 6pm.
Mr Byrnes says “Before all the holidays begin we want to say thank you. On Thursday, the entire 2GB team will be at the new Cabravale Club Resort for a day of live radio, special guest, and giveaways. It’s our way of thanking all our loyal listeners for making 2GB Sydney’s top-rating radio station for another year. Come and say G’day!”
Curtin University student Kate Cleaver has been named the winner of the prestigious 2025 Brian White Scholarship, announced today by Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA).
Kate will embark on a four-week paid placement, gaining invaluable experience across the ARN, Nine Radio, NOVA Entertainment, and SCA newsrooms.
The scholarship recipient was chosen following an intensive workshop hosted by NOVA Entertainment for the four finalists. The workshop was conducted by leading commercial radio news figures, including Fiona Ellis-Jones (ARN), Penny Ghosn (2GB, Nine Radio), Michelle Stephenson (NOVA Entertainment), and Amy Goggins (SCA).
Finalists and judges pictured (L to R): Penny Ghosn (2GB, Nine Radio), Scarlett Coppola, Fem Snel, Kate Cleaver, Ella O’Neill, Michelle Stephenson (NOVA Entertainment), Fiona Ellis-Jones (ARN), and Amy Goggins (SCA)
Lizzie Young, CEO at CRA said: “The Brian White Scholarship, part of our Sound Start program, is our investment in the next generation of Australian commercial radio talent – a medium reaching 15 million* Australians weekly. Kate’s talent stood out, and we’re proud to support her hands-on experience across four major newsrooms.”
Kate Cleaver, 2025’s Brian White Scholarship recipient said: “I am beyond thrilled to get selected for the Brian White Scholarship, I can’t wait for the opportunity to immerse myself in commercial radio whilst getting to work alongside some of the best in the business.”
The annual Brian White Scholarship honours the legacy of radio legend Brian White, the first Australian commercial radio cadet journalist. White pioneered the news talk format and had a career spanning three influential decades.
2025 Finalists (L to R): Scarlett Coppola, Kate Cleaver, Fem Snel, Ella O’Neill.
Entries for the 2026 Brian White Scholarship will open mid next year. The competition is open to recent graduates or students in their final year of a relevant course such as Communications, Media, Journalism, and Radio.
The counters are polished and the stakes are high as three of Australia’s most entertaining celebrities prepare to face the machine in a special prime-time edition of Tipping Point, Sunday, December 14, at 7.00 pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Hosted by tennis legend Todd Woodbridge, in this charity showdown a trio of TV and radio heavyweights will battle it out for a $40,000 cash prize for their chosen causes.
Radio royalty and television presenter Kate Langbroek brings her trademark fearless humour to the game, hoping to secure a big win for My Room Children’s Charity.
Joining her is the “Crown Prince of Comedy”, Joel Creasey. The Nova Drive-time presenter is ready to unleash his quick wit on the machine in support of Breakthrough T1D.
Completing the lineup is stand-up sensation and Fox FM Breakfast host Nick Cody. Known for his no-nonsense comedy style, Nick is aiming to tip the counters over the edge in the favour of Foodbank.
Will they master the machine? Expect edge-of-your-seat drama and hilarity as these three stars take on Tipping Point’s riveting blend of chance and skill – Sunday, December 14, at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Triple M has revealed the six shows taking over national Breakfast for Pilot Week, a first-of-its-kind initiative offering entertaining personalities, fresh voices, and compelling storytellers the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.
After an overwhelming response, with standout applicants ranging from everyday Australians to well-known online creators and comedians, Triple M announced an extended lineup of six shows to broadcast across its metro markets from Monday, 15 December.
THE SIX PILOT WEEK SHOWS
Monday – Swag on the Beat: Jack Say & Isaac Gibbons
Best mates since high school, Melbourne duo Jack and Isaac bring their trademark quirk and absurdity to the Triple M. Swag on the Beat have built a loyal following of more than one million on TikTok and Instagram with their sketch comedy, and now they’re taking on a brand-new challenge: radio.
Tuesday – The MacPack: Jake, Joe & Riley McKenna
Perth brothers Jake, Joe, and Riley deliver high energy antics, stories, and sibling chemistry, resulting in undeniable radio gold. Avid sports fans and pop culture tragics, The MacPack offer a relatable and entertaining take on navigating life in your 20s.
Wednesday – Paddy & Maz: Paddy Gerrard & Maz Compton
From Triple M Central Coast 107.7 Breakfast show, Paddy & Maz are bringing feel-good radio to a national audience. Honest, warm and slightly unpredictable, Paddy has more than 20 years of local radio experience, while Maz made a return to radio in 2020 after time away from the mic.
Thursday – Jean, Pep & Tim: Jean Margaret, Mark Pepper & Tim Mountford
What happens when three strangers walk into a studio mid–life pivot? Meet Jean, Tim & Pep. Jean, a former lawyer chasing her radio dream; Tim is a prolific audio producer with years working behind the scenes in radio; and “Pep” is an everyday Aussie — a car salesman from St Albans who impressed Triple M with natural storytelling and self-deprecating humour. Selected individually and paired by the network, this trio promises curious, energetic and unpredictable Breakfast radio.
Friday – The Tag Team: Shaun Malseed, Hunter Smith & Harry Lloyd
Originating on Melbourne’s JOY FM, The Tag Team return to radio in a big way. With backgrounds in production, creative writing, television, and film, this trio tackle the biggest trends and stories with sharp humour and a fresh perspective, bringing an incredibly unique show to Triple M.
Saturday – Yeah Good: Max Price, Troy Kinne & Tom Siegert
Sketch comedy creators Max, Troy, and Tom bring their trademark irreverence and wit to the Triple M lineup. Tackling topics that don’t matter while attempting to solve problems that aren’t really problems, Yeah Good offers listeners a light-hearted escape to kick-start the weekend.
These six shows were selected from Triple M’s Top 10 finalists, by a panel of respected Content Directors around the country, each bringing years of experience. Other standout entries included Eliza and Liberty Paschke, Fergus Neal and Louis Phillips, Isaac Smith and Elliot Garnaut, and Steph de Sousa and Emily Tresidder. All ten shows collaborated with Triple M content directors and senior producers to develop and record their pilots, honing their craft while showcasing their chemistry, storytelling, and alignment with Triple M’s entertaining content.
Triple M — Australia’s #1 radio network for Men 25–54 for 23 consecutive national surveys — has a long history of discovering and developing new talent. Pilot Week continues that legacy, following the breakout success of Lu & Jarch and reinforcing the network’s commitment to discover and back fresh storytelling, personality-led content, and Australian creators from all walks of life.
Matthew O’Reilly, SCA Head of Broadcast Content, said: “Pilot Week has already been a huge success, offering a unique opportunity to discover fresh talent, with an incredible array of talent putting their hand up for a Triple M first. We were impressed by the diversity of applications, from everyday Aussies to internet favourites and experienced broadcasters, all with unique stories and ideas.
“While we initially intended to select five breakfast shows, the quality of the submissions was simply too strong to pass up the opportunity to showcase another great show. We’re excited for listeners to hear six very different Breakfast shows next week, each bringing their own personality, chemistry, and style, to Triple M.”
The six Pilot Week shows will air nationally across Triple M’s metro markets from 6am to 8am, and will be available to stream on LiSTNR, beginning Monday, 15 December.
About Triple M:
For more than 40 years, Triple M has been one of Australia’s most recognisable radio brands, providing listeners with a unique blend of Greatest Hits, Sport, and Comedy. With 49 stations nationwide – including six digital stations – Triple M is renowned for delivering music’s greatest hits, alongside iconic talent and standout shows that lead the way in sport and entertainment.
Reaching more than 4.9 million radio and on-demand listeners each week, Triple M is home to some of the country’s most respected sporting legends, beloved comedians, and music personalities, including Mick Molloy, James Brayshaw, Billy Brownless, Luisa Dal Din, and Jack Archdale – to only name a few! Triple M’s content is available live or on demand on the LiSTNR app.
Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) has reported total radio revenue of $273.1 million for Q3 2025, down 4% year-on-year (YOY).
Digital audio revenue grew 12.1% to $26.7 million, while metro broadcast revenue totalled $156.7 million (-5% YOY) and regional revenue delivered $89.8 million (-6% YOY).
Broadcast revenue was impacted by soft market conditions but the local commercial industry’s digital performance (+12.1%) outpaced the broader market’s growth of 3.5%.
CRA members now hold 33% of the $82 million sector (up from 30% market share in Q3 2024), according to the latest IAB Australia Internet Advertising Revenue Report for the quarter ending September 2025.
Lizzie Young, CEO of Commercial Radio & Audio, said: “The advertising market has been challenging, but the digital audio growth we’re seeing validates our long-term strategy. Advertisers want efficiency and accountability. They need simplified access to premium inventory that delivers effective outcomes. That’s exactly what we’ve built.”
“The launch of CRA Audio ID in November is tangible evidence on how we’re delivering on that need: a unified cross-network identity solution enabling brands to plan, buy and optimise premium digital inventory across ARN, Nine, Nova Entertainment and Southern Cross Austereo in one simplified workflow.
“It’s also why our Power of Audio campaign matters now more than ever. When budgets are under pressure, we know for a fact that audio delivers: research shows just 11% of media spend allocated to radio can double campaign effectiveness, coupled with creative fluency brands can even double the double. For brands navigating uncertainty, that’s not a nice-to-have – it’s a competitive advantage.”
Source: CRA revenue results were compiled by media analytics firm Milton Data. Broadcast revenue includes metro and regional advertising, while digital audio encom
The Country Hour, Australia’s longest-running radio program, will soon mark a major milestone. On 3 December it will be 80 years since the program first aired in 1945, with presenter Dick Snedden welcoming listeners to “a program for the farm families of Australia”.
Initially The Country Hour was a way to communicate farming information to a generation of new farmers, many of them soldier settlers who had been sent to the country to make a new life.
Today its seven state and territory editions continue to provide a unique and valuable service, reporting the news and reflecting the voices and views from regional and rural Australia,
From this weekend special coverage across the ABC will build up to the anniversary and continue into 2026 with the theme “Celebrating 80 years of telling rural stories”.
Among the special content:
This weekend, a Landline special presented by Warwick Long on ABC NEWS Channel and ABC iview will tell the story of The Country Hour’s rich history and current rural reporters explain how it remains relevant today
On Wednesday 26 November: Victorian Country Hour presenter Warwick Long and Queensland Rural Lead Kallee Buchanan will host a special national Country Hour Outside Broadcast from Parliament House in Canberra, where the program’s anniversary will also be marked at the ABC’s annual Parliamentary Showcase
The ABC web homepage will link to dedicated Country Hour content on the rural page
On the anniversary on Wednesday 3 December Country Hour OBs will air in every state and territory to celebrate the milestone and News Breakfast will cross to four Country Hour presenters on location in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory. A special segment will run nationally on the 7PM News and the ABC NEWS Channel focusing on intergenerational farming families who have listened to and benefited from The Country Hour over the decades
ABC Director, News Justin Stevens: “The Country Hour exemplifies the ABC’s deep and enduring connection with rural and regional Australia, which remains integral to our service and purpose.
“The program’s seven editions cover every aspect of country life, reporting on and breaking stories that have huge impacts for rural Australia and our whole nation.”
The ABC has around 600 employees working and living in rural and regional Australia across 56 locations and produces more than 800 hours of unique regional radio every week. In addition, our dedicated Emergency Broadcasting service operates around the clock when lives and property are under threat.
Other dedicated rural and regional programming includes Landline, Australia Wide and 16 editions of the Rural Report.
The Country Hour is broadcast on all regional ABC Local Radio stations from midday to 1pm each weekday and streamed on the ABC listen app,
Join the celebration and explore 80 years of rural storytelling at abc.net.au/rural.
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