Category: Australian

The Hit Network Head of Hit Metro Content and Fox Content Director, Amanda Lee, today announced three new appointments to The Fox, further strengthening the content team for Melbourne’s biggest station.

One of Australia’s best announcers and operations executives, Brad Wood, joins The Fox as Afternoons Announcer and Operations Manager.

For the past seven years, Wood has worked with the Hit Network’s B105 Brisbane as the Workday announcer, accomplishing several no.1 ratings results in the role as well as contributing to the no. 1 station’s strategy and programming.

Gemma Prendergast joins The Fox as new Senior Producer for Breakfast show Fifi, Fev & Nick.

She joins The Fox from Nova 100, where she worked as Senior Producer on the Drive show for the past six years and prior to that was Assistant Producer and Digital Content Producer for various Nova networked shows.

The new Content Assistant for The Fox will be Emily Allen, who will also work across the Hit and Triple M networks. She was previously with ARN working as a Promotion & Event Specialist at Chilli FM and LAFM.

Hit Network Head of Hit Metro Content and Fox Content Director, Amanda Lee, said: “I am thrilled to announce some new faces to The Fox team who will continue to contribute to the success of the station and our shows. The Fox has incredible momentum in Melbourne and I’m sure that Brad, Gemma and Emily will be valuable additions to the team.”

Commenting on his appointment, Wood said: “I feel incredibly excited and grateful to come home to Melbourne and become the newest member of The Fox family! From listening in my bedroom, hassling Tracy & Matt and Barry Bissell for requests, to community radio in Melton where I tried to emulate that famous Fox magic, my lifelong dream has just come true. In my role I look forward to joining our team and building on our unmatched dedication to our city, Melbourne – the greatest city in the world!”

Prendergast said: “I’m truly beyond thrilled to be joining Melbourne’s very-own Fox FM and the Fifi, Fev & Nick team. The show is world-class and I’m beyond excited to work with the team to continue building on the incredible radio they produce on a daily basis. I’m chomping at the bit to get stuck into it and officially become a member of the iconic Fox family.”

Allen said: “I’m super keen to be starting in this exciting role and I can’t wait to meet everyone once I’ve made the leap across the Bass Strait!”

All appointments are effective immediately.

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 30 – 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 4.8 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.

 

Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) Chairman and ARN CEO, Ciaran Davis, today announced the appointment of Lizzie Young as the industry body’s new CEO. Young was most recently CEO APAC & Global Growth Officer of WeAre8.

Young is a media and technology executive with 25 years’ experience across multiple global markets and has worked on all media platforms in roles spanning commercial, content and operations.

Prior to WeAre8, Young held the position of Managing Director – Local Markets, Group Marketing and Commercial Partnerships at Nine where she had spent 12 years.

She has also spent over a decade in the audio industry, including 7 years at GWR Radio/GCap (now Global Radio) in the UK where she held various roles including Commercial Programming Controller and Head of Agency Sales and 4 years at Austereo in Brisbane and Sydney in various promotions, marketing and integration roles.

Young will commence her role at CRA on August 7, 2024.

PBS 106.7FM is seeking an Events Coordinator, who will run internal and external events for Naarm/Melbourne’s premiere music community radio station.

The successful applicant will be experienced in event management and promotion, and fluent in writing for online audiences and social media. They will be a good communicator, adept at juggling a multitude of tasks, whilst maintaining a focus on the bigger picture.

Ideally they will have established music industry connections, a passion for music and a good understanding of PBS and its position within the city’s musical landscape. This role will require the successful participant to work outside of office hours.

This role is permanent part-time (28 hours, four days / week), which is usually to be completed during the office hours from 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send applications addressing the selection criteria, a cover letter and CV with two referees (who won’t be contacted without applicant’s prior knowledge) to Kristen Paterson at kristen@pbsfm.org.au(link sends e-mail) by 9am Wednesday 10th July, 2024.

 

PBS 106.7FM acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin nation, the sovereign custodians of the land from which we broadcast. PBS pays our respects to Elders past and present, and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

People from Indigenous, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, members of the LGBTQI+ community, gender diverse people, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Nine’s podcast network, 9Podcasts, has leapt up Australian Podcast Ranker to take the No.5 spot for sales representation nationally, with 1,387,096 monthly listeners and 3,635,692 monthly downloads in May 2024. 

The Ben Fordham Live catch up podcast was Nine’s highest ranking podcast at No.29 on the Australian Top Podcast Ranker (up 3 positions in May), attracting more than 194,000 listeners and 388,000 downloads.

Over on the Australian-made podcast ranker, Nine’s new investigative journalism podcast, The Missing Campers Trial debuted at No.53; ACRA winning series Stories of Origin made a return to the top All Australian Made ranker at No.142, and Footy Classified jumped the most positions in the ranker across Nine’s stable, up 14 places this month.

Nine’s Head of Podcasts and Digital Content, Mia Stern said: “The surge in listeners across 9Podcasts’ slate of programs is testament to Nine’s purpose – Australia Belongs Here – and our commitment to showcasing the richness and diversity of Australian news, stories and cultural moments like no other local media organisation can.”

This commitment was reinforced further this month with the 9Podcasts and 9News Queensland podcast collaboration, Hannah’s Story, taking home a prestigious Mid-Year Walkley Award for Excellence in Journalism.

Presenter Melissa Downes, producer Jessica Lodge, and editor Adam Buncher were awarded with the Our Watch Award for Excellence in Reporting on Violence Against Women for the compelling series, which has dominated the Australian podcast charts and resonated globally, earning numerous national and international accolades, including the Kennedy Award for Outstanding Podcast, the Spotlight category at the Australian Podcast Awards, and the Best Narrative Documentary podcast at the renowned New York Festival Radio Awards.

MAY 2024	DOWNLOADS	LISTENERS
News, Business, Finance	1.137M	456,000
True Crime	560,000	261,000
Nine Sport Podcasts	725,000	337,000
Nine Podcast Network*	4.1M	1.6M

Source: Australian Triton Podcast Ranker – Top Podcasts and Top Australian Made, May 1-31 2024, Downloads, Listeners.  *Includes podcast downloads and listeners across all territories/regions

Every day, nine Australians take their own life. On average, seven of those are men*.

In support of men’s mental health, on Monday 1 July microphones across Triple M’s 49 radio stations around Australia will stay switched off for the network’s annual No Talk Day, creating space for listeners to check-in with themselves and their mates. In a further strengthening of No Talk Day, this year Triple M has partnered with Lifeline to build awareness and encourage fundraising for this vital national service.

Now in its sixth year, No Talk Day will see Triple M pause all shows, announcers and ads, along with all news and traffic reports, between 6am and 6pm, as a reminder to make mental health a priority and encourage listeners to start a conversation for themselves or with someone they care about. If listeners don’t feel comfortable talking to someone close, they can always turn to Lifeline.

Shaun Gough, Triple M Melbourne Content Manager and joint founding No Talk Day advocate, understands it takes courage to talk about mental health.

“Triple M’s No Talk Day is an important opportunity to remind our listeners across the country it’s all right to not feel all right, to prioritise their own mental health and to start a conversation with someone they care about. We stop talking to encourage our audience to start talking,” he said.

“We know that of all the people in Australia who take their own lives, three in four are men*. But we also know that having a conversation matters and could possibly save a life.

“With Lifeline on board for No Talk Day this year, we hope to foster more conversations and encourage our listeners to reach out, either for themselves or someone they love.”

Dr Ally Nicolopoulos, Wellbeing Lead at Lifeline, reminds listeners that they can access support through Lifeline 24 hours a day in a way that feels most comfortable for them.

“At Lifeline, we understand that every Australian who listens to Triple M will have their own mental health journey and will have their own preferences on how to reach out for support. It’s okay if you don’t quite know what to say, or how to say it. The first step is just knowing that someone is there, and Lifeline is always here,” she said.

“At any time through the day or night you can call us on 13 11 14, chat with us online at lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat or send us a text on 0477 13 11 14. If you’re not ready to talk just yet, you can visit our Support Toolkit at lifeline.org.au/toolkit for a range of practical strategies and support options available to you in your own time.”

Triple M’s No Talk Day can be heard on Triple M’s 49 FM stations around the country on Monday 1 July and via the LiSTNR app.

Anytime is the best time to make mental health a priority. To access support from Lifeline, call 13 11 14 or go to lifeline.org.au/talk.

Source: *Lifeline

About Triple M: 

For more than 40 years, Triple M continues to be one of Australia’s best-known radio entertainment brands and the only radio network that provides its listeners with a unique combination of Greatest Hits, Sport and Comedy. With 49 stations across Australia, including six digital stations, Triple M 80s, Triple M Classic Rock, Triple M 2000s, Triple M Country, and Triple M 90s, Triple M has become known for playing Rock’s Greatest Hits, and its iconic talent and shows that get people talking.

The iconic brand entertains more than 4.6 million radio and on demand listeners each week and is home to some of Australia’s biggest sporting heroes, comedians and music gurus including Marty Sheargold, Mick Molloy, Mark Geyer, Gus Worland, Margaux Parker, Wendell Sailor, Ryan Girdler, Leisel Jones, James Brayshaw, Billy Brownless, Gorden Tallis, Greg Martin, Mark Ricciuto, Laura O’Callaghan, Chris Dittmar, Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt and Andrew Jarman to name just a few! All Triple M’s content is available live or on demand on the LiSTNR app.

About Lifeline:

Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service. They are a national charity providing anyone in Australia experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support. Lifeline creates new knowledge, advocates for life saving supports and develops evidence-based programs to keep Australians safe.

The ACMA welcomes the Federal Court judgement in its case against Phaze Broadcasting Pty Ltd (Phaze).

On 7 May 2024 the Federal Court published its judgement that Phaze contravened the Radiocommunications Act 1992. The Court found that Phaze was in possession of, and operated, unlicensed radiocommunications transmitters.

As a result, Phaze was required to forfeit three radiocommunications transmitters and was issued an injunction preventing it from carrying out further contraventions. It was also issued a fine of $8,000.

The ruling follows an investigation by the ACMA into allegations Phaze was breaching its low power open narrowcasting (LPON) licence by operating radiocommunications transmitters from an unlicensed address in Ballarat, Victoria.

Phaze has a number of LPON licences in the Ballarat area but was not operating at the locations specified on its licences. LPONs must be operated from the locations specified in the licence to minimise the risk of interfering with other radiocommunications devices.

In his judgement, Justice O’Callaghan found that a failure to comply with the licensing regime is harmful to the community of licensees who rely on the proper regulation of the spectrum for commercial purposes, as well as for defence, national security and other non-commercial purposes; and to the Australian community who rely on, and enjoy the benefits of, a well-managed spectrum.

An open narrowcasting service is a broadcasting service which by law must be limited in some way, such as being targeted to people in a particular location or who share a special interest.

A person operating an LPON service must do so only as authorised by their licence, which includes only transmitting from the location listed in their licence.

Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) chair Ciaran Davis:

“Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) welcomes the recommendation from the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, that the Copyright Legislation Amendment (Fair Pay for Radio Play) Bill 2023 not be passed by the Senate.

“This is good news for the 260 radio stations across Australia that CRA represents, as this Bill would have had dire consequences for our industry.

“Commercial radio provides an essential service to communities across Australia, delivering local content, news and information in a challenging economic and regulatory environment.

“CRA expects that the cap debate can now be put to rest, to allow radio to sustain itself as a critical part of Australia’s media landscape and cultural identity.

“If there is to be further analysis, the focus needs to be on where the money is going, as we remain concerned that multinational record giants are profiting at the expense of Australian artists and industries.”

The team behind 9News Queensland and 9Podcast’s critically acclaimed podcast Hannah’s Story celebrated another significant achievement at last night’s Walkley Foundation 2024 Mid-Year Celebration of Journalism.

They received the prestigious Our Watch Award for Excellence in Reporting on Violence Against Women. It adds to their other accolades for this groundbreaking production, which include the Kennedy Award for Outstanding Podcast, the Spotlight category at the Australian Podcast Awards, and the Best Narrative Documentary podcast at the renowned New York Festival Radio Awards.

Hannah’s Story, presented by 9News Queensland presenter Melissa Downes, produced by 9News Queensland producer Jessica Lodge, and edited by Adam Buncher of 9Podcasts, has become a beacon of impactful storytelling since its release in 2023.

Through six episodes, the podcast explored the tragic events involving Hannah Clarke and her children, shedding light on one of Australia’s most heartbreaking cases of domestic violence. Its compelling narrative has dominated the Australian podcast charts and resonated globally, earning numerous national and international accolades.

As the pioneering podcast from 9News, Hannah’s Story exemplifies the network’s commitment to investigative journalism beyond traditional formats. Its impact extends beyond recognition, playing a pivotal role in educational initiatives on coercive control. Integrated into programs by Queensland and Victoria Police, as well as Small Steps 4 Hannah, an advocacy effort led by Hannah Clarke’s parents, Sue and Lloyd, the podcast stands as a cornerstone in raising awareness and fostering conversations about identifying and understanding coercive control.

In a joint statement, Melissa Downes, Jessica Lodge and Adam Buncher said: “What a night! We are immensely grateful for the recognition received, which underscores the transformative power of storytelling in journalism.

“Hannah’s Story has taken on a life of its own, and we will forever be honoured to have been entrusted with sharing the Clarke family’s story, transforming tragedy into a narrative that offers support and education to others. It’s incredibly gratifying to see this podcast continue to make a meaningful impact and evolve into a lasting educational resource worldwide.”

Kylie Blucher, Managing Director of Nine Queensland, said: “Hannah’s Story is the podcast that keeps on giving. This latest award further underscores the transformative power of storytelling and reaffirms 9News Queensland’s role in connecting deeply with our community and beyond. It celebrates our team’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of our leading news bulletin and showcases our ability to attract and engage new audiences nationally and internationally. Melissa, Jess and Adam have every reason to be proud – and so do we.”

Mia Stern, Head of 9Podcasts, said: “Hannah’s Story continues to be deservedly recognised on a national and international stage with multiple awards under its belt. It has set the benchmark for 9News podcasts and paved the way for numerous new opportunities in our newsrooms nationwide, with multiple podcasts currently in development. On behalf of everyone at 9Podcasts, we are incredibly proud of our team and excited about what lies ahead.”