Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) today announced a benchmark new technology partnership between LiSTNR and Flightcast, one of the world’s most sophisticated, video-first podcast hosting platforms. The partnership will enhance LiSTNR’s distribution infrastructure and service the rapidly accelerating market demand for multi-platform video, audio and social podcast content.

The agreement cements LiSTNR as Flightcast’s largest global network partner, bringing Australia’s biggest podcast network onto a unified, purpose-built platform for the modern era of video and audio publishing.

The move comes as LiSTNR continues to solidify its commercial dominance, maintaining its position as Australia’s leading commercial sales representation podcast network and delivering consistent double-digit digital revenue growth. Driven by over 2.8 million Australian signed-in users, LiSTNR has rapidly expanded beyond traditional streaming into a fully integrated digital ecosystem.

Central to this commercial success is SCA’s continuous investment in market-leading Adtech innovation. Through the award-winning LiSTNR AdTech Hub and its AI-powered evolution Precision+, LiSTNR provides brands with unprecedented dynamic targeting, real-time optimisation, and privacy-first data matching. By pairing world-class content co-creation with cutting-edge advertising technology, LiSTNR consistently delivers market-leading ROI for commercial partners while giving creators unmatched monetisation scale.

Flightcast is a video-first podcast hosting, distribution, and analytics platform built for the way modern podcasts are created, consumed and monetised. Co-founded by Steven Bartlett (The Diary of a CEO) and Rox Codes (developer and creator-tech entrepreneur), Flightcast allows LiSTNR to put the exact technology behind world-leading shows, directly into the hands of LiSTNR creators. Built from the ground up to power modern video and social publishing, the video-first CMS eliminates fragmented workflows by uniting cross-platform distribution including LiSTNR, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify – with single-dashboard, AI-driven analytics. Simplifying distribution and analytics, Flightcast allows Australia’s top podcast talent to focus purely on creating compelling content and driving commercial growth.

Sam Cavanagh, Head of Content – LiSTNR Original Podcasts said: “LiSTNR is Australia’s largest investor in our local podcast industry. As podcasting continues to evolve towards video, getting Flightcast in the hands of our creators will help them unlock creativity and growth. This is a game-changer for our creators and the future of our network.”

John Kelly, Southern Cross Media Group’s Managing Director, Audio said: “Since launching our digital transformation in 2021, LiSTNR has led the market through continuous innovation across content, AdTech, and platform infrastructure. As podcasting expands beyond audio, we are positioning our network to lead the industry’s transition into video.

“Our partnership with Flightcast ensures our talent has access to market-leading technology. By providing a single platform for seamless video and audio distribution alongside unified data and analytics in one place, we are giving Australia’s best creators the exact tools they need to maximise their reach and commercial growth.”

“Australia is an incredibly important podcast market, and partnering with SCA marks a major step in Flightcast’s international growth as well as our first expansion of this scale in the region. Bringing more than 150 shows onto Flightcast, including the LISTNR network, is a huge vote of confidence in what we’ve built. SCA was looking for a partner that could move quickly, push the boundaries of what podcast technology can do, and deliver the depth of data and analytics needed to operate a major network at scale,” said Rox Codes, CEO and Co-Founder at Flightcast. “That’s exactly where we believe Flightcast stands apart. We’re building technology for where podcasting is going next, and we’re excited to work alongside a team like SCA that shares that ambition and is equally committed to innovation.”

This partnership with Flightcast reinforces LiSTNR’s position as Australia’s leading digital ecosystem, placing video and social engagement firmly at the forefront of modern podcasting. By continuously advancing its AdTech and publishing hubs, LiSTNR is empowering creators with market-leading tools to streamline multi-platform workflows, expand their audiences, and maximise commercial returns.

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About LiSTNR:

The LiSTNR digital audio app, offering free and compelling digital audio content including SCA’s FM, AM, and DAB+ radio stations, live AFL, NRL, and international cricket coverage, over 100 music playlists, local news and over  800 podcast titles from leading Australian and global creators. With more than 2.8 million signed-in users on the LiSTNR app and with a total LiSTNR Audience Network that reaches an estimated ten million* people each month.

*Triton Streaming Metrics, Triton Podcast Metrics, & Edison – July 2026

About Flightcast: 

Flightcast is a video-first podcast hosting, distribution and analytics platform built for the way modern podcasts are created, consumed and monetized. Founded by entrepreneur and The Diary of a CEO host Steven Bartlett and developer and creator-tech entrepreneur Rox Codes, Flightcast enables creators and media companies to publish and manage their content across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and RSS from a single platform. Its infrastructure is designed specifically for professional video podcasting, with support for 4K video, HLS streaming, large-scale storage and dynamic advertising, giving shows the flexibility to expand into video without sacrificing quality, existing monetization or control over their content.

Beyond hosting and distribution, Flightcast brings cross-platform performance data together in one place, helping creators understand how audiences discover, watch and engage with their content across formats. The platform combines unified analytics with AI-powered tools for tasks including clip generation, metadata optimization and data analysis, reducing the operational complexity of running and growing a modern podcast. Built to support everyone from independent creators to large media businesses, Flightcast’s goal is to provide the technology and infrastructure creators need as podcasting increasingly evolves from an audio-first medium into a multi-platform, video-driven industry.

Commercial radio reaches 12.8 million Australians weekly across the five metropolitan markets – up 308,000 listeners, or 2.5% year-on-year.1 Weekly metro audiences have now held above 12 million for four years.

All age demographics, including younger and older audiences, recorded increases for reach and time-spent listening (TSL). With total audience growth in Breakfast, Mornings and Afternoons, and steady delivery in Drive, more Australians are tuning in and listening for longer.

Lizzie Young, CEO of Commercial Radio & Audio, said: “Audiences grew across every age group this survey, and they’re listening longer than they were a year ago. Audiences have now held above 12 million for four years. That kind of breadth and consistency is increasingly rare, increasingly valuable, and it’s an enormous opportunity for brands. 

“The CRA Audio ID – the industry’s unified identity solution – enables brands to take advantage of this scale by optimising their campaigns to maximise cross network reach. The benefits of ensuring audio is in your campaign mix are clear from the work Mark Ritson presented at Cannes.”

In June, Professor Mark Ritson presented ‘Audio: the secret to profit and trust’ The findings proved campaigns with audio outperform those without on profit (+75%), trust (+81%), price insensitivity (+81%) and customer acquisition (+19%) – with an average uplift of 22% across 14 measures.2 

Despite challenging market conditions across FY26, CRA members grew digital audio revenue 9.2% year-on-year3, outpacing total digital audio market growth of 6.6%4, and now represent 31.2% of the category.3 

Total commercial radio revenue for the June quarter was $291.7 million: $160.7 million metro broadcast, $101.0 million regional broadcast and $30.0 million digital audio.3

For the full 2026 survey dates and historical data, visit: https://cra.au/metro-ratings

GfK Metro Survey 6, 2026 results will be released on Thursday 8 October 2026.

Sources:  1.    GfK Radio 360 Ratings, SMBAP S5 2026. All people 10+, Mon-Sun 12mn-12mn, Cume (000s), unless otherwise stated. All numbers refer to commercial radio results unless otherwise stated. Historical results available on request. Age Demographics: 10-17, 18-24, 25-39, 40-54, 55-64, 65+ 2.    The Secret to Profit and Trust: Audio, presented by Mark Ritson at Cannes Lions, 2026. Based on the Effie x System1 Databank (1,262 UK, Ireland, Europe and US campaigns, 2007 – 2023). 3.    CRA revenue results compiled by media analytics firm Milton Data. 4.    IAB Australia Internet Advertising Revenue Report (IARR), FY2026

Radio Ratings, Survey

Sydney, 1 September 2026

METRO MARKETS:

Sydney Radio 360 Survey 5, 2026

Melbourne Radio 360 Survey 5, 2026

Brisbane Radio 360 Survey 5, 2026

Adelaide Radio 360 Survey 5, 2026

Perth Radio 360 Survey 5, 2026

REGIONAL MARKETS:

Canberra Survey 2, 2026

Gold Coast Radio 360 Survey 2, 2026

Newcastle Survey 2, 2026

Archive:

Archive of Previous Surveys

The Pacific’s biggest music competition is back in 2026 with ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Break on the search for the Pacific and Timor-Leste’s best original talent. 

Kicking off on Friday 28 August, artists have until midnight on Wednesday 21 October to enter their original tracks with the winner receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to Australia to perform at WOMADelaide – Australia’s largest international music, arts and dance festival. 

ABC Radio Australia’s morning program Nesia Daily will reveal the winner of Pacific Break 2026 on air on Thursday 12 November 2026.

This year’s judging panel will be looking for authenticity and creativity across diverse genres, and includes Australian-based Fijian artist, label head and former Gang of Youths guitarist Joji Malani, Papua New Guinean-born Australian neo-soul star Ngaiire, WOMADelaide Associate Director Annette Tripodi and ABC Radio Australia music presenters Hau Lātūkefu (In The Fale) and Sose Fuamoli (Sista Sounds and On The Record). 

According to Malani, “I’m looking for artists who want to weave in their own stories and tell things to the world, to a global perspective but in a way that represents who they are, their culture, their family in the most authentic manner without trying to be like anything else. You can be influenced by things out there, but I’m interested in authenticity.”   

Fuamoli said, “Last year we saw a number of new genres represented, and I would love to see artists playing with form and style continue to feel confident in submitting. I’m looking for strong personalities, strong voices and strong storytelling!”

Learn more about the music industry leaders who will decide the 2026 Pacific Break winner and what they’re looking for this year here. 

HOW TO ENTER

Competition entries open at 9am AEST on Friday 28 August 2026 and will be open until 11:59pm AEST Wednesday 21 October 2026.

Submit your original track(s) in one of three ways;

1. 1.Complete the online entry form, available here.
2. 2.Get in touch with our Pacific Break team via WhatsApp (+61 447 310 986) and send through your songs and information
3. 3.Send an email with all your details to pacificbreak@abc.net.au, including your music files as an attachment.   

For more information about Pacific Break, including competition details and terms and conditions, visit www.abc.net.au/pacificbreak

There’s nothing quite like Triple M’s iconic footy call – and with an expanded 2026 AFL Finals Series, listeners will get more finals footy than ever before.

From the laughs booming around the commentary box to the unmistakable energy and passion of the call, Triple M will be the home of the 2026 AFL Finals, bringing listeners live coverage, big personalities, hilarious moments, and expert analysis throughout September.

With two wildcard finals added to the 2026 AFL Finals Series, ten teams will battle it out for premiership glory, giving footy fans even more opportunities to hear Triple M’s iconic call. Across the Finals Series, Triple M will bring together one of footy’s most recognisable commentary teams, including James Brayshaw, Brian Taylor, Kate McCarthy, Isaac Smith, Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas, Leigh Montagna, Steve Johnson, Nat Yoannidis and Ash Chua, among those calling the action throughout September.

(Pictured L-R: Jay Clark, Isaac Smith, Leigh Montagna, Mitch Cleary, Kate McCarthy, Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas, Abbey Holmes, Jack Heverin, and Brian Taylor / Photo credit: Corey Scicluna, Triple M)

Triple M enters the finals as the number one AFL audio broadcaster across Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth metro markets for People 10+, with more than 785,000 listeners tuning in across the weekend*, cementing Triple M as the home of footy.

Triple M’s coverage kicks off tonight with live and free coverage of the first wildcard final, before the network takes listeners through every major moment of the 2026 Finals Series.

The coverage extends beyond the field, with a catalogue of iconic footy shows accompanying Triple M’s famous call. The Thursday Rub, featuring Jack Heverin, Isaac Smith, Kate McCarthy and Jay Clark, gets the weekend underway from 6pm.

The Friday Huddle with Mark ‘Howie’ Howard, Jason Dunstall, Nathan Brown, and Damian Barrett follows from 4pm, while The Saturday Rub with James Brayshaw, Bernie Vince, Billy Brownless and Damian Barrett begins from 12pm. The Sunday Rub, featuring Leigh Montagna, Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas, Steve Johnson and Mitch Cleary, will recap the fallout from the weekend of finals footy from 12pm.

Alongside The Rush Hour with JB & Billy and Triple M’s local Breakfast shows in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, Triple M listeners will have no shortage of footy content throughout September.

Triple M listeners will also have the chance to get closer to the action. In Perth, 92.9 Triple M’s Quiz to the G will give one listener the chance to win a Grand Final package including flights, accommodation, and tickets, while 105.1 Triple M Melbourne will give listeners opportunities to win Finals tickets through Breakfast.

SCA Head of Sports Content – Audio, Ewan Giles, said: “There’s nothing quite like an iconic Triple M call of finals footy and this year there’s more of it than ever. We’ve got an outstanding team taking listeners through every big moment, with the trademark energy, humour, and analysis that makes Triple M the home of footy.”

Triple M’s AFL coverage and dedicated sports shows are available across the network and can be streamed free on LiSTNR.

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.  

Proposed legislation for a News Bargaining Incentive has now been finalised by the Federal Government, and is expected to be introduced into Parliament early in the Spring session. While the proposed legislation is a positive step for smaller, independent media outlets there are still opportunities for improvement to capture more community broadcasters.

Following is a media release issued by Democracy Counts featuring quotes from CBAA’s Head of Advocacy and Communications Reece Kinnane and the Local and Independent News Association’s Executive Director Claire Stuchbery.

CBAA Media contact:

Reece Kinnane, Head of Advocacy and Communications, CBAA

reece.kinnane@cbaa.org.au  | +61 420 525 526
 

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MEDIA RELEASE

News Bargaining Incentive marks a new chapter for democracy in the digital age

21.08.26

The passage of legislation that will see global tech giants help fund Australian journalism is a positive step to foster Australians’ access to factual news and information.

Key points:

• The News Media Bargaining Bill 2026 and associated News Journalism Payments Bill 2026 passed the Senate yesterday afternoon
• Democracy advocates and representatives of local and independent media successfully pushed for some changes to encourage the benefits flow beyond the big media companies
• However, they say more should be done to strengthen media diversity, including supporting news publishers serving regional towns, special interest, and CALD communities

Claire Stuchbery, Executive Director of the Local and Independent News Association, said:

“Ensuring the sustainability and diversity of Australian newsrooms, big and small, is crucial for the health of democracy.

“It is vital that the stories that impact the places where we live and work are amplified. This is how we understand and navigate our own communities.

“The News Media Bargaining legislation recognises the immense public value of news and the people who produce it.

“We’re pleased to have successfully argued for amendments to more equitably support newsrooms right across the media ecosystem.

“We will continue to work with the government on further measures needed to support a growing local and independent media industry.”

Reece Kinnane, of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, said:

“Australia is leading the way through innovative reforms to tackle the damaging social impacts of the digital age.

“This package will strengthen Australian media and secure the supply of diverse public interest journalism on major digital platforms.

“We continue to hold concerns that many community media outlets will fall through the cracks in the NBI’s design and urge the Government to remain vigilant in monitoring the impact of the scheme on outlets that miss out.

“We expect large media companies will be the main beneficiaries and therefore ask the Government to continue its proactive approach to media reform with policy and funded-programs that target new support to small, independent media outlets.”

Media enquiries: Iona Salter, 0413 185 634

Democracy Counts is a growing alliance of organisations and Australians who care about the way democracy functions in Australia. Partners include the Centre for Public Integrity, Digital Rights Watch, the Local and Independent News Association, Sentiment and the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom. The campaign is powered McKinnon, an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empower better governments for a stronger Australia.

Community radio is the backbone of new Australian music. Now, community radio has been backed to continue and grow their great work for new Australian music with a significant new investment from Music Australia.

450 community radio stations are powered by up to 18,000 volunteers who love sharing Australian music with more than 5 million listeners every week. Between them, stations broadcast over 390,000 hours of Australian music a year — more than any other media in the country.

The recent Community Music Radio: Building the Music-Media Ecosystem (2023–2026) study by Monash University and Griffith University found community radio generates an estimated $38.9 million in airplay value each year, plus a further $14.7 million in flow-on ticket, merchandise and music sales for Australian artists.

New grants to grow your station’s music impact

Music Australia is backing stations to build on this work, with $1.71 million in small grants now available through the new Community Radio Hubs program.

The grants are designed for stations with a strong track record of supporting local musicians and promoting new Australian music. Successful stations will use the funding to deliver six music development events or activities, giving local artists more opportunities and audiences more ways to discover new Australian music.

Up to 35 stations can receive funding, helping grow their role as local music hubs and strengthening connections between artists, audiences, live music venues and the wider community.

How to apply

Community Radio Hubs is supported by Music Australia and delivered in partnership with the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF). If your station has a strong track record of championing new Australian music and local acts, you can apply for a grant through the CBF Grants Portal.

With 2026 comes another round of finalist announcements for the CBAA Community Broadcasting Awards, this year taking place at the CBAA Conference awards gala in Geelong on Saturday 24 October.

We’ll be posting finalist announcements on the CBAA Facebook page throughout next week according to the schedule below, and we’ll post a full list of finalists on our website on Friday 4 September, noting that the following three categories will be announced on the night: 

• Community Broadcasting Honour Roll 

• Tony Staley Award 

• Michael Law Award 

If you’re attending the conference make sure you’re registered for the Gala Dinner to see the awards in person, it’s a separate registration and cost so check in with ICMS at cbaaconf@icms.com.au if you didn’t opt in during registration.

And whether you’re among the finalists or not we’d like to thank you for your entry and wish you all the best for future awards seasons! 

Day	Category	Time (AEDT)
Monday 31/08/26	Best Program: Music	10am
	Best Program:  New	12pm
	Best Program: News & Current Affairs	2pm
	Best Program: Talks	4pm
Tuesday 1/09/26	Excellence in Special Events & Outside Broadcasting	10am
	Excellence in Fundraising	12pm
	Small Station of the Year	2pm
	Excellence in Production	4pm
Wednesday 2/09/26	Excellence in Australian Music	10am
	Excellence in Community Engagement	12pm
	Excellence in Disability Content & Engagement	2pm
	Excellence in Sponsorship	4pm
Thursday 3/09/26	Excellence in Indigenous Content & Engagement	10am
	Excellence in Multicultural Content & Engagement	12pm
	Outstanding Presenter	2pm
	Outstanding Presenter News & Current Affairs	4pm
	The Troy Garner Award – Best Program: Sports	6pm
Friday 04/09/26	Outstanding Technical Contribution	10am
	The Jane Brownrigg Award – Outstanding Volunteer Contribution	12pm
	Outstanding Youth Contribution	2pm
	Outstanding Station Leadership	4pm

Following an investigation, we issued Nathan Rose Pty Ltd with an infringement notice: https://acma.cmail19.com/t/d-l-wwdjlk-tlhiuitutu-r/ under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 on 29 May 2026.
We issued the infringement notice on finding reasonable grounds to believe Nathan Rose Pty Ltd engaged in the unauthorised operation of an FM transmitter in the low power open narrowcasting (LPON) band on 9 July 2025, in contravention of subsection 46(3) of the Radiocommunications Act.
The evidence gathered in the investigation indicates Nathan Rose Pty Ltd operated the transmitter at a location that was not authorised under a licence.
LPON licensees must only operate LPON stations as authorised by their licence. For more information about the operation of LPON stations, please see our LPON licence conditions guide: https://acma.cmail19.com/t/d-l-wwdjlk-tlhiuitutu-y/. 

Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), in partnership with Triton Digital, has released the July results for the Australian Podcast Ranker. The Ranker is the country’s only official, third-party verified podcast measurement system, governed by a cross-industry Steering Committee and backed by strong collaboration across commercial, independent, and non-commercial publishers. It sets the benchmark for podcast data in Australia.

Lizzie Young, CEO of CRA said: “When a majority (55%) of Australians are consuming podcasts every month, consistent and verified measurement is essential.¹ The Ranker gives publishers, agencies and brands the trusted, independent data that turns a growing medium into a confident investment.”

Who’s Listening, What’s Trending?

Black Friday is Australia’s biggest retail fortnight, and podcast listeners are the audience brands need to reach before it begins. More than half of podcast listeners bought something online in the last month. 61% of Society & Culture listeners purchased clothing or fashion items. For home and hardware brands, 40% of True Crime listeners and 37% of News listeners visited a hardware store last month. Looking ahead, 31% of Health & Fitness listeners, 29% of Comedy listeners and 30% of True Crime listeners are planning a furniture purchase in the next 12 months. These audiences aren’t waiting for Black Friday to start thinking about spending. They’re already listening and planning their next purchase. The only question is whether your brand is in their ears before the deals drop.²

Australian Podcast Ranker top five genres July 2026
Genre		Monthly Listeners
1	News	4,514,628
2	Society & Culture	3,827,849
3	Sports	3,463,908
4	True Crime	2,551,911
5	Comedy	2,513,162

Australian Podcast Ranker top five podcasts July 2026
Podcast		Producer	Monthly Listeners
1	Mamamia Out Loud	Mamamia	950,673
2	Hamish & Andy	LiSTNR (SCA)	878,712
3	ABC News Top Stories	Australian Broadcasting Corporation	468,815
4	News24 Update	News Corp Australia	458,272
5	Conversations	Australian Broadcasting Corporation	391,694

Sources: 1. The Infinite Dial 2026, Edison Research. Data referring to Australians aged 10+ unless otherwise stated.  2. Triton Digital Demos+ Australian Survey Data (Q3’24 – Q2’26). All percentages represent composition of each genre’s monthly P18+ podcast audience.

About the Australian Podcast Ranker: The Australian Podcast Ranker is a monthly snapshot of the top 300 podcasts listened to by Australians, and the top 300 Australian podcasts. The Australian Podcast Ranker is an industry initiative commissioned by CRA and published by Triton Digital. Results comply with IAB Podcast Measurement Technical Guidelines.