Category: Australian

Nominations for 2024 APRA & AMCOS Board elections now open

The 2024 APRA and AMCOS Annual General Meetings (AGMs) will be held on Tuesday 19 November. Voting for the election of directors to the APRA Board and AMCOS Board is conducted before the AGMs.

In accordance with the APRA and AMCOS Constitutions, nominations for director positions on the APRA Board and AMCOS Board must be received by the Company Secretary by close of business on Friday 20 September.

APRA Writers in Australia and New Zealand

If you’re an APRA writer in Australia or New Zealand, you could be eligible to nominate for a position on the APRA Board.

This year there are vacancies on the APRA Board for two writer directors to be elected by the Australian writer membership. This year there are no New Zealand writer directors up for re-election.

Australian Writer Directors Amanda Brown and Burkhard Dallwitz have both been in office for three successive annual terms since their last election and must retire, but are eligible to offer themselves for re-election if they so choose.

APRA Publishers

If you’re an APRA publisher, you could be eligible to nominate for a position on the APRA Board.

This year there are vacancies on the APRA Board for three publisher directors to be elected by the APRA publisher membership. Publisher Directors Linda Bosidis (Mushroom Music Publishing) and Simon Moor (Kobalt Music Group APAC) have both been in office for three successive annual terms since their last election and must retire.

In addition, because he is currently filling a Publisher Director casual vacancy on the APRA Board, the Constitution requires that Heath Johns (BMG Australia) must also retire from the Board this year.

Linda Bosidis, Heath Johns and Simon Moor are all eligible to offer themselves for re-election if they so choose.

AMCOS Members

If you’re an AMCOS member you could be eligible to nominate for a position on the AMCOS Board.

This year there are vacancies on the AMCOS Board for five directors to be elected by the AMCOS membership. Directors Linda Bosidis (Mushroom Music Publishing), Jane English (Wise Music Pty Ltd Australia, Aotearoa and Asia Pacific), Jaime Gough (Concord Music Publishing ANZ), and Peter Hebbes AM (Hebbes Music Group Pty Ltd) have been in office for three successive annual terms since their last election and must retire.

In addition, because he is currently filling a casual vacancy on the AMCOS Board, the Constitution requires that Craig Monagle (Warner Chappell Music Australia) must also retire from the Board this year.

Linda Bosidis, Jane English, Jaime Gough, Peter Hebbes and Craig Monagle are all eligible to offer themselves for re-election if they so choose.

The role of APRA and AMCOS board members

  • Provide insights and a longer-term strategic perspective to the Board, CEO and executive to help guide the organisation
  • Support the provision of membership, licensing and distribution services and advocacy on behalf of our broadly diverse APRA writer members
  • Shape messaging and communications with key stakeholders
  • Connect the organisation into important networks
  • Represent the organisation, uphold its brand reputation and values and promote its interests nationally and internationally
  • Oversee management implementation, objectives and performance
  • Provide non-executive leadership and set the strategic objectives of APRA AMCOS
  • Clearly articulate a risk appetite within which the Board expects management to operate
  • Build knowledge of the sector APRA AMCOS operates in, including with its partners and competitors
  • Actively contribute to scheduled Board meetings and other events
  • Approve operating budgets and major capital expenditure
  • Stay abreast of issues relating to the sector APRA AMCOS operates in.

More information

To discuss your eligibility to nominate for a position on the APRA or AMCOS Board, contact APRA and AMCOS’ Company Secretary Jonathan Carter by email at jcarter@apra.com.au

A formal AGM notification, including Board election nominee details and instructions on how to vote will be sent to all eligible voting members at least 30 days before the AGMs.

View the APRA and AMCOS Constitutions and governance statements

CBAA Multicultural Framework Review Report and Response

The Review and their recommendations have captured the vital role of ethnic and multicultural broadcasters in creating a welcoming Australia and enhancing a sense of belonging for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

The Review’s report Towards fairness: A multicultural Australia for all, recognises that representation of diverse cultures in the media is fundamental to a successful multicultural Australia.

“Inclusive media and representation has an immense influence on shaping national narratives. Done well, inclusive media and representation reflects the multicultural nature of Australian society through diverse representation in media [and] promotes accurate and positive portrayals of various cultures to combat stereotypes and prejudices.”

The Review states that community radio is essential to delivering culturally safe messaging and recognises community broadcasting “speaks to 25% of the Australian population but also advances community interests, broadcasts diverse stories, delivers broadcasting stations in-language, and provides an alternative to adverse narratives perpetuated by mainstream broadcasting stations.”

The Review recommends the Government consult community broadcasters more on policy and programs; commit more government funding, and provide greater access to Government Advertising campaigns for independent multicultural media.

The Government has committed to the Framework’s principles and will be guided by them in future policy-making.

CBAA and NEMBC made submissions, and appeared before hearing of the Review process. We will now work together, and with the Government, to turn these recommendations into action that provides better support for the vital activities of ethnic and multicultural community stations and broadcasters.

Authentic, effective – ANZ and Hendrick’s give voice to Power of Radio campaign

The experts behind some of Australia’s most loved and trusted brands have put their voices to a new series of radio ads, as Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) launches its Power of Radio campaign.

Created by Eardrum, the first phase of the campaign focuses on ANZ and Hendrick’s, taking a behind-the-scenes look at why their campaigns have used radio to talk directly to their consumer targets.

Jo Dick, chief commercial officer of Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), said the Power of Radio was created to support groundbreaking research that showed radio has the power to double a campaign’s effectiveness.

“We wanted to amplify the message that investing just 11% of a campaign budget in radio can double its impact, so we have collaborated with these trusted and respected brands to demonstrate the true Power of Radio in action,” Ms Dick said.

ANZ Head of Marketing (Commercial & Private Bank) Lucy Gribble said radio was a key element when advertising ANZ’s online business lending platform GoBiz: “We know small business owners are busy, time poor and on-the-go, so radio is a great avenue to reach them when they’re going about their normal day-to-day business. Additionally, business owners are such a broad audience that we like to use multiple channels to reach them.”

Marketing Manager on Hendrick’s Gin & Innovation at William Grant & Sons, Nathan James said the power of radio was in its timing: “We use radio to speak to consumers at the most appropriate time of day – ‘gin o’clock’. It was about owning the occasion, so radio was a natural channel to pick for us. It was important to us to use audio that captured our unique tone of voice and conveyed the feeling of refreshment.”

Ralph van Dijk, founding creative director at Eardrum, said: “The best endorsement for radio advertising are all the successful brands that regularly use the medium. During the making of the campaign, it was great to hear how these smart marketers have harnessed radio’s power to achieve a variety of marketing objectives. In fact, we had so much material, we could have made a campaign out of each advertiser.”

SBS names interim sales leadership as Adam Sadler steps down

SBS Director of Media Sales Adam Sadler has announced he will step down after a successful six and half year stint leading SBS Media.

Jane Palfreyman, SBS Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, will assume temporary leadership of SBS Media over the coming months, while SBS goes through a process to recruit a new Director of Media Sales.

“In recent years, the SBS Media team has made sure it always punches above its weight,” said Palfreyman. “A lot of that has been due to Sads and the SBS Media leadership team’s focus on crafting a successful strategy which put SBS On Demand at the heart of our commercial offering.

“I want to thank Sads for his significant contribution to the business going back 15 years. He leaves SBS Media in a very strong space with a world-class team delivering excellent outcomes for our clients.”

Over this period, Keiran Beasley, National Sales Manager – TV and Digital, Lee Callagher, National Manager – Operations and Digital Product, and Kate Young, National Manager – CulturalConnect will be elevated in their roles.

“We have a really strong leadership team at SBS Media and I look forward to working more closely with this exceptional team,” Palfreyman added.

Jane Palfreyman, SBS Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer (centre), with some members of the SBS Media Sales leadership team (L-R): Lee Callagher, National Manager – Operations and Digital Product; Kevin Harris, Head of Operations and Trading; Kate Young, National Manager – CulturalConnect; Keiran Beasley, National Sales Manager – TV and Digital.

During his time leading SBS Media, Sadler has ensured the broadcaster was at the forefront of the commercial digital transformation strategy, shifting the digital business from a handheld to a programmatic operating model, that has significantly grown digital revenues over the past six years.

Sadler was instrumental in several innovative market initiatives during his tenure, including SBS On Demand’s opt-out for advertising in certain categories and SBS’s Beyond 3% initiative, which has helped grow media spend in the First Nations media sector.

“SBS Media has truly been a force in the market in recent years,” said Sadler. “We have shown how SBS is a force for good at the intersection of public and commercial media. We have led the market in the shift to digital video, but we have also led on other key areas such as responsible advertising and investment in First Nations media.

“The senior team is in a really strong position and now is the right time for me to move on to new challenges.”

 

ACMA Investigation report – Highland FM 107.1 Co-operative Limited (2WKT)

Investigation Report no. BI-674

Summary Licensee Highland FM Station Highland FM 107.1 Co-operative Limited Type of service Community Broadcasting

Relevant legislation Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA)

Subparagraph 9(2)(c)(i) of Schedule 2 [encourage participation in operations]

Decision The Licensee: Breached subparagraph 9(2)(c)(i) of Schedule 2 [encourage participation in operations]

Background

In June 2023, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) received a complaint about Highland FM 107.1 Co-operative Limited (Licensee). The complaint suggested that the Licensee may not be complying with the licence condition in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA) to encourage community participation in operations. On 20 July 2023, the ACMA commenced an investigation under the BSA into the Licensee’s compliance with the licence condition at subparagraph 9(2)(c)(i) of Schedule 2 to the BSA [encourage participation in operations]. The Licensee The Licensee has held a long-term community radio broadcasting licence to represent the general geographic area community interest in the Bowral RA1 licence area since 1987. The Licensee operates a community broadcasting service under Broadcasting Service Licence number 1651 with the on-air ID ‘107.1 Highland FM’. Assessment and submissions This investigation has considered the following information received by the ACMA: 

The June 2023 complaint about the Licensee. 

In November 2023, January 2024, and February 2024, from the Licensee: o Recent annual general meeting (AGM) and board meeting minutes. o A diagram of its organisational structure, showing its management committee, working committee, participation subcommittee, and programming subcommittee. o Numbers of members and volunteers for the last five years. o Strategies for encouraging the community to participate. o Recent membership decisions, including an explanation of how it expelled a member in the last two years. o Copies of its Rules of Highland FM 107.1 Co-operative Limited (Rules) and records of amendments to the Rules lodged with NSW Fair Trading since 2003. o An analysis of amendments to the Rules lodged with NSW Fair Trading since 2003. Other sources are identified in this report where relevant. 2 of 7 ACMA final investigation report — Highland FM 107.1 Co-operative Limited BI-674 Issue: Did the Licensee breach subparagraph 9(2)(c)(i) of Schedule 2 to the BSA [encourage participation in operations]? Relevant licence condition Schedule 2 Part 5 – Community broadcasting licences 9 Conditions applicable to services provided under community broadcasting licences (2) Each community broadcasting licence is also subject to the following conditions: […] (c) the licensee will encourage members of the community that it serves to participate in: (i) the operations of the licensee in providing the service or services […]

Finding

The ACMA is of the view that the Licensee has breached subparagraph 9(2)(c)(i) of Schedule 2 to the BSA. Reasons Relevant information The complaint received by the ACMA raised concerns about a potential lack of community participation in the operations of the Licensee, particularly in decision-making. ‘[…] the operations of Highland FM 107.1 suffer from a lack of membership or community involvement in decision-making processes. Control and power are consolidated among a few individuals, hindering transparent, fair, and professional management of the station. […] There is a notable absence of programming and volunteer committees, […] regular Board and management meetings are lacking, meeting minutes are not shared with presenters and cooperative members, and there is insufficient reporting to the public and members.’ In 2023 and 2024, the Licensee submitted information to the ACMA about its operations, members, and volunteers, as set out under Assessment and submissions above. Relevant guidelines The ACMA’s Community Broadcasting Participation Guidelines provide that licensees may encourage participation in operations by having sound corporate governance practices and valuing and promoting membership and volunteering:1 1https://www.acma.gov.au/publications/2010-06/guide/community-broadcasting-participation-guidelines. 3 of 7 ACMA final investigation report — Highland FM 107.1 Co-operative Limited BI-674 Sound corporate governance practices Sound corporate governance practices include:  Measures to prevent the concentration of control in the hands of a few individuals.  Procedures for complying with regulatory requirements that apply to the service and its organisational structure, including obligations for companies and incorporated associations under relevant Federal, State and Territory legislation for holding meetings and lodging documents. Valuing and promoting membership and volunteering Valuing and promoting membership and volunteering include:  Offering a range of ways in which people can participate in the service.  Having open membership (meaning licensees may only refuse membership on the basis of specific, transparent, and reasonable criteria, and should have adequate grievance or review mechanisms). Analysis Corporate governance practices The information provided by the Licensee indicates that it has some appropriate practices to prevent the concentration of control. For example:  It has committees and subcommittees which give the community opportunities to participate in the decision-making of the service.  At its recent AGMs, the Licensee has reported to members about its finances and activities. However, the information provided by the Licensee shows that it does not have appropriate procedures for complying with regulatory requirements that apply to its organisational structure for holding meetings and lodging documents. Specifically:  The Rules specify that ‘Meetings of the Board […] must be held at least once every 3 months’. However, the board meeting minutes provided indicate that more than three months passed between board meetings on three occasions since June 2021.  The AGM minutes provided show that in 2022, the Licensee’s members voted to amend rule 50A of the Rules by special resolution. However, the Licensee submitted that it did not lodge the special resolution with NSW Fair Trading within the required timeframe. This meant that the decision by the members to amend the Rules was not registered and did not take effect. 4 of 7 ACMA final investigation report — Highland FM 107.1 Co-operative Limited BI-674 Valuing and promoting membership and volunteering The information provided by the Licensee indicates that it takes steps to promote membership and volunteering, such as inviting participation on-air, via social media, on its website, and at community events. The ACMA also notes that, since 2019, the Licensee’s member numbers have remained relatively stable, and its volunteer numbers have increased significantly. Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Members 812 63 59 61 66 Volunteers3 41 36 82 96 Over 120 However, the information provided also shows that in 2022, following consideration of a complaint about a member, the Licensee expelled the member in a way that was not compliant with its Rules. Rule Process set out in the Rules Process the Licensee submitted that it followed 50A(c) ‘The board may, by resolution, expel the member from the cooperative (in accordance with Rule 49) […]’. The board decided ‘that the correct action to take was to expel [member] from the membership of Highland FM 107.1 Co-operative Ltd.’ 49 ‘A member may be expelled from the co-operative by special resolution’ and ‘Expulsion of a member shall not be effective, until the special resolution expelling the member is registered.’4 The board did not propose a special resolution to expel the member or register any expulsion resolution with NSW Fair Trading. Expelling a member in a way that was not compliant with its own Rules was not consistent with the ACMA’s expectation for licensees to have open membership, which includes only refusing membership on the basis of transparent criteria. 2The Licensee submitted that the reduction in members between 2019 and 2020 may be attributed to record-keeping changes, as it decided to stop including members who had not paid their membership fees in its member numbers. 3The Licensee submitted that the volunteer numbers are estimates, as it does not keep a register of volunteers. 4Rule 65 of the Rules specifies that a special resolution ‘means a resolution of which notice has been given of the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution and which is passed either by two-thirds of the members who vote at a general meeting in person or by three quarters of the members who cast votes in a special postal ballot of members’. 5 of 7 ACMA final investigation report — Highland FM 107.1 Co-operative Limited BI-674

Conclusion

The information provided indicates that the Licensee has in place some appropriate practices to prevent the concentration of control and takes steps to promote membership and volunteering to the community. However, it also indicates that the Licensee Does not have appropriate procedures for complying with regulatory requirements for holding meetings and lodging documents. Expelled a member in a way that was not consistent with the principles of open membership. Therefore, the ACMA’s view is that the Licensee breached subparagraph 9(2)(c)(i) of Schedule 2 to the BSA. 6 of 7 ACMA final investigation report — Highland FM 107.1 Co-operative Limited BI-674

THEY’RE GOING TO DO WHAT? CARRIE & TOMMY TEAM UP WITH HARD RATED TO CRUSH ‘LEMON’ PRODUCTS, INCLUDING A CAR!

To celebrate Hard Rated’s delicious lemon flavour, Hard Rated, Australia’s #1 alcoholic lemon premix, has partnered with the Hit Network and Australia’s #1 national Drive show, Carrie & Tommy, for a month-long partnership and show promotion.

Running from 8 July to 2 August, the centerpiece of the campaign is a custom-built Hard Rated hydraulic press that Carrie and Tommy will use to crush all sorts of products that they consider a ‘lemon’. Think a Zoodle Maker, calculator watches, and scented toilet paper.

Throughout the campaign, listeners will also share stories about their ‘lemon’ cars, culminating in an epic car yard stunt with a branded Hard Rated car crusher that will crush two listeners’ cars. The twist will be that whilst both cars wind-up crushed to smithereens, only the owner of one crushed car will walk away with a cool $50,000 prize.

The national campaign is a collaboration between SCA, PHD and Carlton & United Breweries and was created by The Studio, SCA’s in-house commercial creative team. As well as the final grand crushing of the ultimate lemon cars, the campaign is supported by a social media campaign and on-air promos and brand commercials across the Hit Network, which has Australia’s largest audience of 25-54 listeners*.

Hard Rated Marketing Manager Amy Pollock-Hall, said: “Our classic lemon taste is what’s made Hard Rated so popular with consumers, so when we were presented with the idea of celebrating our lemony taste by partnering with Carrie and Tommy to literally crush lemon cars, it felt like the perfect match.”

SCA Head of Client Services and Partnerships, Trevor Crook, said: “This campaign demonstrates our ability to offer clients an effective integration with our content and talent and we are excited to see it come to life over the next month. Carrie & Tommy will crush it.”

Carrie & Tommy Crush Lemons for Hard Rated:

Brand:                   Hard Rated

Client:                   CUB

Media Agency:       PHD

Creative:               The Studio at SCA

*Source: GFK Radio 360 Ratings, Total Radio. Survey #4 2024 – Metro (FM & DAB+), Cume Reach. Canberra,  Newcastle, Gold Coast Survey #1 2024 Mon-Sun 5:30-12mn Cume.  Bundaberg, Esperance, Toowoomba, Kalgoorlie, Bendigo #1 2021.  Karratha, Mt Gambier, Coffs Harbour, Griffith, Port Hedland Broome, Wagga Wagga, Central Qld, Orange, Bunbury, Atherton, Albury, Warragul #1 2022 (FM/AM) Mon-Sun ROS Cume.  Xtra Insights Survey #1 2023 Mon-Sun ROS, Cume Reach, Mt Isa, Kingaroy, Shepparton, Emerald, Mildura, Maryborough, Bendigo, Mackay, Bundaberg, Central Coast, Townsville, Cairns. Xtra Insights Survey #1 2024 Mon-Sun ROS, Cume Reach, Roma, Geraldton, Mt Gambier, Port Macquarie, Albany, Hobart, Wheatbelt, Dubbo. P25-54.

About the Hit Network:

The Hit Network is Australia’s biggest radio network broadcasting across metro and regional markets with a unique collection of 50 FM and DAB+ stations. The Hit Network targets people aged 25 – 54, skews female and features a mood focused, ‘feel great’ pop music format alongside the most entertaining local breakfast and national drive shows. It is home to popular personalities including Carrie Bickmore, Tommy Little, Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola, Nick Cody, Ed Kavalee, Dave Hughes, Erin Molan, Abby Coleman, Matty Acton, Stav Davidson and many more.

The Hit Network entertains more than 6 million Aussie radio listeners across B105, 2Day, The Fox, SAFM, Mix94.5, Sea FM, 41 Hit stations plus DAB+ stations including Oldskool 90s Hits, Buddha Hits, Oldskool 80s Hits, RnB Fridays Radio and Dance Hits. All Hit Network’s content is also available live or on demand on the LiSTNR app.

SCA AND CRICKET AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCE NEW, SEVEN-YEAR BROADCAST AND DIGITAL AUDIO RIGHTS AGREEMENT FOR TRIPLE M AND LiSTNR

– Triple M and LiSTNR gear up for a sizzling summer of cricket

from 4 November –

Southern Cross Austereo’s Triple M and Cricket Australia today announced a new multi-year agreement that will see the Triple M Network retain the cricket’s exclusive FM metro broadcast rights, together with digital audio and metro DAB+ rights, for the next seven seasons through to 2030/31.

Under the agreement, SCA’s Triple M and LiSTNR will broadcast all the Australian men’s internationals games played in Australia, including Tests, One Day Internationals and T20 internationals, and this summer will, for the first time, add the three Australian women’s T20 international games against England to its coverage.

The matches broadcast will include highlights such as the Australian men’s team playing five tests against India this summer and five tests against England in The Ashes in the summer of 2025, plus the world-leading Australian women’s team competing in The Ashes against England this summer.

The first match to be broadcast on Triple M and LiSTNR will be on 4 November when the Australian men’s team takes on Pakistan in a One Day International at the MCG.

All games will be broadcast on Triple M stations in the five metro cities, and will also be available on LiSTNR, with the network’s entertaining cricket coverage and world-class commentary team delivering the best of cricket over the summer.

Additional cricket content will also be available via LiSTNR podcasts and on Triple M’s social media.

SCA CEO, John Kelly, said: “We are absolutely delighted to extend and expand our partnership with Cricket Australia for the next seven seasons. This year, for the first time, Triple M adds women’s international cricket to its broadcast coverage as the Australian women’s team seeks to retain its number one world ranking.

“The summer of cricket is a well-established Aussie tradition and Triple M and LiSTNR will bring listeners the best cricket coverage, with the network’s trademark irreverent banter, to entertain, inform and inspire audiences over summer.”

Kate Ingber, Cricket Australia Executive General Manager, Business and Legal Affairs, said: “We are delighted to extend and enhance our audio partnership with Southern Cross Austereo for a further seven years as we enter an exciting period for the game. Cricket is the sound of summer and we are fortunate to have partners who will provide such knowledgeable and passionate coverage.

“Thank you to everyone at Southern Cross Austereo for your tremendous support of cricket and for bringing cricket to millions of Australians.”

Triple M will announce its star-studded commentary team, including cricket legends and the nation’s best cricket commentators, before the season begins.

About SCA (Southern Cross Austereo)  

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) is one of Australia’s leading media companies reaching more than 95% of the Australian population through its radio, television, and digital assets. Under the Triple M and Hit network brands, SCA owns 154 stations across FM, AM, and DAB+ radio.  SCA also provides national sales representation for 56 regional radio stations. SCA broadcasts 96 free to air TV signals across regional Australia, reaching 3.6 million people a week, with Network 10 programming and advertising representation across Australia’s East Coast, Seven Network programming in Tasmania and Darwin, and Seven, Nine and Ten programming in Spencer Gulf. SCA also features Sky News Regional in 17 markets across regional Queensland, southern NSW, and Victoria. SCA has an exclusive national sales representation agreement with WIN in northern NSW (including the Gold Coast) and TDT (Tasmanian Digital Television). SCA operates LiSTNR, Australia’s free, personalised digital audio destination for consumers featuring radio, podcasts, music, news, and sport. SCA provides Australian sales representation for global open audio platform SoundCloud and Sonos Radio. SCA’s premium brands are supported by social media, live events and digital platforms that deliver national and local entertainment, news, and sport content. www.southerncrossaustereo.com.au

Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 1 live audio streaming snapshot

Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 1 live audio streaming snapshot

Listeners to Nine’s radio stations have surged more than 25% year-on-year as our Aussies took centerstage for the first day of Olympic competition.

Australia now dominates the medal table after a sensational opening day, with Grace Brown, Ariarne Titmus, and the women’s relay team striking gold. Nine Radio’s live streaming audience via apps and web were captivated by every moment of last night’s competition, as our team finished the day with an incredible three golds and two silvers in an historic start to the next two weeks of competition.

Managing Director of Nine Radio, Tom Malone said, “These are terrific first night results for Nine Radio. The team on the ground in Paris seemed to be everywhere, supported by the team back home in the David Morrow Olympics Studio, bringing our listeners all the action – live and immediate. Of course the stars are the Aussie athletes, and what a great first day of competition! Go Australia!”

Olympics Broadcast 2100-2300, 27 July 
Hours Listeners
09:00:00 PM Up 27%
10:00:00 PM Up 33%
11:00:00 PM Up 21%

Source: Triton Realtime metrics, listeners, Average, Olympics coverage 2100 27 July – 0700 28 July 2024, Nine Radio – 2GB, 3AW, 4BC, 6PR

Greens Urge Nine to only use Australian music in Olympics coverage

Ahead of the official start of the Paris Olympics, the Greens are urging broadcaster Nine to only use Australian music for winning moments in their television and social media coverage.

The Greens’ call follows the successful campaign by Australian musician Jack River during the Tokyo Olympics which saw Seven add more local tunes to their coverage, as well as the establishment of Our Soundtrack Our Stories group alongside ARIA, which lobbies broadcasters, ad agencies and businesses to play more Aussie music.

Greens Spokesperson for the Arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The Greens are urging Nine: Go for gold with Australian music.

“It’s great to see tracks by Jessica Mauboy and Tones and I selected for the team song and Nine’s promo video for the games, but Nine has an opportunity to go much further and give airtime to only Australian artists.

“Tones and I’s new track has already had more than one million streams demonstrating how significant the inclusion of Australian music is in these nationally significant moments for our homegrown artists.

“At a time when our artists are struggling after Covid lockdowns, festival cancellations and venue closures, and the cost-of-living crisis, all of our television and radio broadcasters can be doing so much more to support Australian music. But the Olympics is a big moment that shouldn’t go to waste.”

Australian Musician, Singer and Songwriter Jack River (Holly Rankin) said:

“Iconic Australian moments deserve to be tracked to iconic homegrown songs. Songs written by and for the next generation of Australians who are representing our country here and abroad.

“There are few moments where we stop to celebrate Australia and our people. I hope Nine can answer the call at this moment and soundtrack the Paris Olympics with great homegrown music.

“We have some of the best talent in the world; lets showcase it.”

ACMA extends consultation on proposal to remake the HPON allocation determination

Due to a technical error, stakeholders were initially unable to upload submissions to the consultation on remaking the high power open narrowcasting (HPON) allocation determination.

The issue has been resolved, and the ACMA have extended the cut-off date for submissions to COB, Friday 2 August 2024.