Commercial radio has called for measures to help it remain sustainable and allow it to work even more collaboratively with the live music industry, so that these key pillars of Australian culture can support each other.

Ciaran Davis, CEO of ARN and Chair of industry body Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), has given evidence to the Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts as it inquires into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry at a public hearing held in Sydney today.

“Commercial radio has a long history of supporting emerging and established Australian artists and contributes to their economic development through royalty payments, which amounted to nearly $40 million in 2023,” Mr Davis told the inquiry.

Radio is also a vital platform for promotion of local artists. In 2022, commercial radio played 2.7 million Australian songs and broadcast 160,000 hours of Australian music, with all networks and stations proactively involved and fiercely supportive.

“But like the music industry, radio is facing its own challenges – so to truly unlock the potential of radio supporting the live music industry, we need measures to ensure our industry can remain sustainable, thriving and innovative,” said Mr Davis.

“Radio and music should be working together and we want to work together. Research, promotion and events, as well as working to achieve prominence for Australian radio on connected devices – keeping Australian radio and Australian music free and accessible for all – is something that is in all of our interests.

“We look forward to a future that is collaborative, creative and sustains the unique Australian voices and music across our country, and we thank the committee for giving us the opportunity to be included in this important conversation.”

The acclaimed team behind the 9News podcast Hannah’s Story has earned three nominations in this year’s Australian Commercial Radio Awards.

Hannah’s Story has been nominated for Podcast of the Year, Best Documentary – Audio, and Best Podcast Producer for Jessica Lodge.

Launched jointly by 9News and 9Podcasts, Hannah’s Story, presented by 9News Queensland presenter, Melissa Downes, produced by Jessica Lodge, with sound editing by Adam Buncher, has captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and meticulous storytelling.

It delves into one of the worst acts of domestic violence Australia has ever seen – the day Hannah Clarke and her three children were set on fire and killed in their car in a quiet Brisbane street by their father, Hannah’s estranged husband, Rowan Baxter. Since launching in 2023, the podcast has dominated the Australian podcast charts, resonated globally, and received numerous national and international accolades.

The three ACRA nominations coincide with the release of the follow-up Downes-Lodge project, The Ultimate Sacrifice, which traces the harrowing events of December 12, 2022, when two Queensland Police officers were shot dead in a shocking ambush at Wieambilla.

With four episodes already released, this podcast explores the haunting question: how did a routine callout escalate into Queensland’s deadliest police shooting and Australia’s first Christian terrorist attack?

From Monday, July 29, The Ultimate Sacrifice will continue, following the four-week coronial inquest into the massacre. Listeners can expect unfolding evidence, testimonies, new details, previously unheard recordings, and crucial insights revealing the heroism and camaraderie displayed on that tragic day.

Melissa Downes said: “What an incredible honour it is for Hannah’s Story to be nominated at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards. The overwhelming response to and unwavering support for Hannah’s Story has been deeply moving. I am particularly proud to see Jess’s outstanding producing talent recognised on a national stage. The timing is especially meaningful as The Ultimate Sacrifice is currently topping the Australian podcasting charts.”

Jess Lodge said: “We’ve seen firsthand the power of this podcast in sparking community conversations about coercive control, particularly as it continues to serve as an invaluable educational resource. Receiving recognition within the audio industry is incredibly gratifying. We take immense pride in our storytelling, so it’s wonderful to see our podcasts being appreciated as much as we enjoyed creating them.”

Nine Radio Managing Director, Tom Malone, said: “This is further testament to the sensitive and powerful storytelling of Melissa, Jess and Adam. Their podcast has won audiences and awards around the world for its detailed and careful examination of coercive control, shining a light on scourge that must be confronted.

“Their latest podcast, The Ultimate Sacrifice, is further proof of their skill in telling harrowing stories with great care and sensitivity. On behalf of everyone at Nine, we are immensely proud of their purpose-driven journalism and consequent accomplishments.”

Hannah’s Story and The Ultimate Sacrifice are available wherever you get your podcasts.

Nine Radio and 9Podcasts have broken their own record with an astounding 41 finalist nominations across 20 categories in the 35th annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), announced today.

From breaking news to investigative journalism, storytelling, production, sports coverage, and diversity and inclusion (both on and off-air), these nominations highlight Nine Radio’s deep connection with its audiences and the triumph of its comprehensive audio strategy.

Leading the charge are 2GB’s Ben Fordham, Ray Hadley and Chris O’Keefe and 3AW’s Neil Mitchell – all finalists for both Best Talk Presenter and Best Current Affairs Presenter. Tom Elliott is also nominated for Best Talk Presenter. Fordham and Hadley are also contenders for Individual Talent of the Year.

In a nod to the new talent Nine’s stations continue to develop and discover, 2GB’s Chris O’Keefe and 3AW’s Jacqui Felgate are in the running for Best New On-Air Talent.

It’s a big year for Sydney’s top station, 2GB, which is vying for Station of the Year, Content Manager Luke Davis for Best Content Director, with Fordham, Mark Levy and Will Bottom and Hadley also nominated for Best News Event Coverage for their reports on the Bondi Junction Attacks and the Sydney Car Pursuit, respectively.

In sport, the late David Morrow, Mark Levy, Anthony Hudson, and Shane McInnes are all nominated in the Best Sports Presenter category, while the Continuous Call Team’s coverage of 2023 NRL Grand Final is a finalist for Best Sports Event Coverage.

Nine Radio’s journalists dominate the Best News Presenter and Brian White awards, with David Armstrong, Gail Watson, Rhiannon Soliman-Marron, Ben Fordham, Clinton Maynard and Zac de Silva all finalists.

9Podcasts’ award-winning, critically acclaimed and hugely popular series, Hannah’s Story, adds to its accolades with nominations for Podcast of the Year, Best Documentary Audio, and Best Podcast Producer for Jess Lodge. Producers Sam Stove and Matty White also earned Best Podcast Producer nominations.

Nine Radio’s successful internship program was also nominated in the special category for Diversity and Inclusion.

Nine Radio Managing Director, Tom Malone, said: “This is an outstanding result for Nine’s radio stations and podcast teams. They are a dedicated group of professionals who strive for excellence in all they do. At the heart of their purpose is serving our listeners, as a destination for live and local content – always relevant, always on. These nominations are a huge testament to their hard work and commitment, and a wonderful reflection on them, and all of their colleagues who strive for excellence every day.”

See the full list of Nine nominees here.

The ACRA winners will be announced in Sydney on Saturday, October 12.

The spotlight is on as the finalists for the 35th Australian Commercial Radio & Audio (ACRA) Awards are revealed today, with the winners to be crowned at a night of celebration at The Star in Sydney on Saturday, 12 October.

“With 1159 entries this year, 361 finalists, and only 71 awards up for grabs the competition is fiercer than ever. The talent on display is truly special, and we are thrilled to see such a diverse array of voices ready to shine as showtime approaches,” said Jo Dick, Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) chief commercial officer.

The nominees for the highly anticipated ACRA for Best On Air Team (Metro) are last year’s winners Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller (Jonesy & Amanda, WSFM, ARN), 2022 Hall of Fame inductees Kyle Sandilands and Jackie Henderson (The Kyle and Jackie O Show, KIIS 1065, ARN), The Christian O’Connell Show (GOLD104.3, ARN), Jase & Lauren (Nova 100, NOVA Entertainment), Carrie & Tommy (3FOX, SCA), and Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie (Nova 96.9, NOVA Entertainment).

The Individual Talent of the Year Award has attracted the highest number of submissions across all categories. This year’s Metro finalists are Christian O’Connell (GOLD104.3, ARN), Ray Hadley (2GB, Nine Radio), “Ugly” Phil O’Neil (WSFM, ARN), Jackie Henderson (KIIS 1065, ARN), Fifi Box (3FOX, SCA), Kate Ritchie (Nova 96.9, NOVA Entertainment), and Ricki-Lee Coulter (Nova Network, NOVA Entertainment) and Ben Fordham (2GB, Nine Radio).

“It’s great to see the increased prominence of female finalists in this year’s Individual Talent of the Year lineup. These exceptional people are leading the charge and making a significant impact on the radio industry,” commented Ms Dick.

Battling it out for Station of the Year Award (Metro) are B105 Brisbane; GOLD104.3 Melbourne; 2GB Sydney; Triple M Adelaide; and 2023 winners KIIS 1065 Sydney. Non-metro contenders are: 1029 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast; 102.9 Triple M, Newcastle; 102.3 Triple M, Townsville; and defending champs Mix 106.3, Canberra.

The competition for the Best Networked Show Award is fierce, with last year’s winners, The Kyle and Jackie O Hour of Power (KIIS Network, Sydney, ARN) up against Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie (Nova 96.9, NOVA Entertainment), Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel (Nova Network, NOVA Entertainment), The Christian O’Connell Show (GOLD104.3, ARN), The Jimmy & Nath Show (The Hit Network, SCA), and Jess & Ducko (Hit106.9, Newcastle, SCA).

The Podcast Host/s of the Year category is packed with standout talent. Finalists include Hamish & Andy (The Hamish & Andy Podcast, LiSTNR, SCA), Amelia Oberhardt (Secrets We Keep: Shame, Lies and Family, LiSTNR, SCA), Amanda Keller (Double A Chattery, iHeart, ARN), Christian McEwan (The Dragons Den, i98FM, WIN Network), Ant Middleton (Head Game, Nova Podcasts), and the dynamic duo Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne (Life Uncut, iHeart, ARN).

Last year’s Podcast Host of the Year, Abbie Chatfield, is a contender for the Podcast of the Year Award with It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield (LiSTNR, SCA). She will be up against Hamish & Andy (LiSTNR, SCA), Amelia Oberhardt’s Secrets We Keep: Shame, Lies and Family (LiSTNR, SCA), Crime Insiders (LiSTNR, SCA), and Hannah’s Story (9Podcasts, Nine Radio).

The finalists for Best News Event Coverage exemplify top-tier journalism, delivering breaking news that has a profound impact on our communities. The contenders include ARN’s MIX 104.9 for Alice Springs Chaos, Nine Radio’s 2GB for both Bondi Attacks and Sydney Car Pursuit, SCA’s Triple M Newcastle for Hunter Valley Bus Tragedy, SCA’s 102.3 Triple M Townsville for Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, and ARN News for Westfield Bondi Attack.

“Congratulations to all the finalists for their outstanding work and dedication. Their contributions are a significant part of what makes the Australian audio scene so exciting and dynamic,” said Jo Dick.

Tickets for the ACRAS will go on sale in early September. To be the first to know, make sure to head to the 2024 ACRA Awards page at www.acras.com.au.

For a full list of our finalists head to: ACRAs

Sunshine FM is the most listened-to radio station on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland*.  We are one of Australia’s most successful community broadcasters, serving a highly engaged 45+ audience that loves our mix of local information and hit music from the 50s to today.

We’re looking for an experienced daytime presenter.  Up to five hours a day at Award, Monday to Friday with potential for additional hours.  Being a not-for-profit community station, there is also a volunteer component because we all pitch in when needed.

You know your music, you like people and you only need a few minutes to get to the guts of a good interview.  You could be in the business now and ready to recalibrate your work-life balance or you may have left the business a while ago and are tempted by the thought of doing some real radio again.

If we’re a good fit, you’ll be working with a small team that strives to be the best we can be, every day.  You’ll love mentoring newcomers, working in our new facilities and living in one of the very best regional markets in Australia: beaches and rainforest at your doorstep, and a vibrant capital city just down the road.

Please send your demo reel and resume to secretary@sunshinefm.com.au and be sure to include music and talk elements.  More information about the station and our audience are on the website: sunshinefm.com.au or call station manager Chris Wordsworth on 0487 725 000.

We look forward to hearing from you.

*CBAA McNair National Listener Survey, Sunshine Coast, survey 1/2024

Sunshine FM is the most listened-to radio station on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland*.  We are one of Australia’s most successful community broadcasters, serving a highly engaged 45+ audience that loves our mix of local information and hit music from the 50s to today.

We’re looking for a production supervisor.  The role is full-time at Award rates and includes creating quality paid and community service content, imaging, scheduling and managing the playout system.  We’re currently using StationPlaylist.  Core IT and broadcast systems knowledge and experience would be an advantage.

Being a not-for-profit community station, there is also a volunteer component because we all pitch in when needed.

If we’re a good fit, you’ll be working with a small team that strives to be the best we can be, every day.  You’ll love mentoring newcomers, working in our new facilities and living in one of the very best regional markets in Australia: beaches and rainforest at your doorstep, and a vibrant capital city just down the road.

Please send your demo reel and resume to secretary@sunshinefm.com.au.  More information about the station and our audience are on the website: sunshinefm.com.au or call station manager Chris Wordsworth on 0487 725 000.

We look forward to hearing from you.

*CBAA McNair National Listener Survey, Sunshine Coast, survey 1/2024