Application dates for the first Low Power Open Narrowcast (LPON) licence allocation round for 2025 have been announced.
Applications open: 11 am, Monday 3 March 2025
Applications close: 11 am, Monday 17 March 2025
LPON licences are used for niche radio broadcasting services, such as tourist and racing information or religious programs. Find out more at Low power open narrowcasting licences | ACMA.
The Hit Network has unveiled its summer lineup for 2024, bringing fun, laughter, and Australia’s hottest playlist to listeners nationally. Launching Monday, 2 December, this energy-packed lineup guarantees good vibes all summer long.
This year’s lineup showcases some of the Hit Network’s most-loved personalities and entertaining shows, perfect for every summer moment — whether you’re on a road trip, relaxing at the beach with mates, or commuting to work.
From Monday, 2 December to Friday, 20 December, The Jimmy & Nath Show will light up Breakfast from 6-9am. Known for their cheeky antics and infectious energy, Jimmy Smith and Nath Roye will deliver their signature laugh-out-loud moments and get the day started on the right tune.
Afternoons will be given a boost with the return of the Hamish & Andy Podcast for Drive, airing weekdays from 4–6pm. Hamish Blake and Andy Lee’s iconic humour and unmatched chemistry will transform commutes into comedy gold. As Australia’s no.1 podcast, available on LiSTNR, Hamish & Andy has topped the Australian Podcast Ranker charts a record-breaking 26 times*.
Nights take a stylish turn with Lucy & Nikki, the dynamic duo from the Happy Hour Podcast, hosting Summer Nights from 6-9pm through 20 December. Their hilarious banter will keep the good vibes rolling well into the evening.
Amanda Lee, Head of Hit Metro Content and Content Director at 101.9 The Fox, said: “We’re excited to be giving our listeners a summer lineup of incredible shows and nonstop hits. From Jimmy and Nath’s cheeky morning antics to a Drive home with Hamish & Andy and setting the night off with Lucy & Nikki’s relatable humour, listeners are in for an unforgettable summer.”
With the biggest shows and the hottest playlist, the Hit Network is your go-to destination this summer. Tune in nationally or stream via LiSTNR to catch all the action.
*Source: Australian Podcast Ranker Top 200 Podcasts – October 2024
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, 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.
ABC Radio Sydney Weekend Mornings presenter Simon Marnie has announced he will finish with the ABC at the end of the year.
Simon started his career at 2UW in the 1980s where his love of radio really took hold.
In 1993 he joined the ABC in his first on air role as a presenter on triple j. He spent 10 years with the youth network but says, “it’s like being at Woodstock: if you can remember it, you probably weren’t there”.
Simon has also worked in Television conceiving and producing the SBS music show, nomad and reported on TVTV on the ABC.
Simon returned to ABC Radio in 1996, this time to ABC Radio Sydney where he has remained since.
Simon broke the news of the September 11 attacks to local radio across the nation and continued to broadcast for 15 hours across that night
He presented various programs on 702 ABC Radio Sydney including NightLife before landing his much-loved Weekend Mornings slot in 2000.
Since then, Simon has spent his weekends connecting city and country by sharing stories and broadcasting from communities across metropolitan and regional areas.
His programs enticed audiences with discussions about food, culture and the diversity of Sydney and NSW life and he has been recognised by some of the state’s leading chefs as a great supporter of Australian food and hospitality.
Simon continued to broadcast throughout COVID, setting up a studio in his sunroom throughout the peak of the pandemic.
Simon says, “Sydney weekends are about leisure, relaxing and fun and this city is one of the best in Australia – we cover as many events as possible to show the diversity of cultures, people and regions that make up the Greater Sydney Region.”
Simon has presented 100s of hours of Emergency Broadcasting for communities throughout NSW during floods, bushfires and other natural disasters.
He demonstrated his support for bushfire impacted communities from Bermagui to Nymboida by taking the program on the road for a series of live Road to Recovery broadcasts following the 2019/20 bushfire season.
Simon said: “While saddened to leave my colleagues and my treasured audience I am looking forward to the many opportunities that this opportunity will present. My parents had 2BL on every morning, it was such a rich part of my life and I’m eagerly awaiting the next stage. I will miss everyone very much”
ABC Director Audio Ben Latimer said “Our audience have loved easing into the weekends with Simon over the years and learning about what was happening in Sydney and beyond. I am sure many of our audience have discovered something new about where they live by listening to Simon on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
“I would like to thank Simon for his contribution to the program, and his dedication to bringing the audience the very best experiences from Sydney and across the state and his commitment to connecting with audiences in metro and regional areas.”
Simon is inviting audiences to join him one last time for the Weekend Show Christmas Picnic at Jazz @ The House at Government House in Sydney tomorrow, Sunday 1 December.
4BC will be the only radio station in Brisbane delivering live and local content in 2025, bringing together a powerhouse of expert broadcasters, dedicated to delivering the best locally-driven news, information and entertainment.
Peter Fegan will take the helm of 4BC Breakfast, providing a sharp focus on the issues that matter most to Brisbane. From 9.00am, Bill McDonald will lead 4BC Mornings, engaging with listeners across Brisbane and holding Queensland policy makers to account.
At midday, Sofie Formica brings her signature style to 4BC Afternoons, seamlessly blending local culture and human-interest stories with sharp insights into current affairs. While Gary Hardgrave takes over 4BC Drive, guiding listeners through their evening commute with commentary and analysis.
Rounding out the evening, Peter Psaltis anchors Wide World of Sports, offering in-depth coverage of the best in sport, expert analysis, and exclusive interviews with the biggest names in the industry.
4BC Content Manager, Siobhain McDonnell, said: “This lineup reflects 4BC’s unwavering commitment to delivering live and local content. Each host brings a deep-rooted understanding of Brisbane’s needs, and together, they will forge meaningful connections with our audience.
“Brisbane is experiencing unprecedented growth, and this team is ready to lead the conversations that matter most to our vibrant, evolving community. With our state-of-the-art studios set for 2025, 4BC is poised to deliver a gold-standard audio experience, ensuring the very best content no matter where our listeners are tuning in.”
4BC’s live and local Monday – Friday lineup features:
LISTEN TO 4BC HERE
LIKE 4BC on FACEBOOK
FOLLOW 4BC on X (TWITTER) and
Football legend and radio rising star, Jimmy Bartel will host Wide World of Sports, Thursday Night Footy and Friday Night Footy on Melbourne’s Number 1 Station – 3AW – in 2025.
The triple premiership player, Brownlow Medallist, Norm Smith Medallist and AFL Hall of Famer will headline the go to destination for the best footy insights and analysis, together with talkback debate and discussion in this new era of AFL.
Jimmy is already well loved by the 3AW audience, hosting Sunday AFL last year, filling in on breakfast with Mark Allen and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Very Special Kids.
Jimmy Bartel said: “I’m thrilled to take on this new role. Being part of the 3AW family has been incredibly rewarding. I can’t wait to engage with listeners, bring them the big stories, and celebrate everything that makes sport so special.”
Stephen Beers, 3AW Station Manager, said: “Jimmy Bartel has long been part of the 3AW family, and we’re thrilled to see him step into the hosting role for Wide World of Sport, along with Thursday Night Footy and Friday Night Footy. Jimmy’s deep understanding of sport, combined with his media savvy and natural connection with audiences, makes him the ideal choice. He’s also got a massive heart – and our listeners love him. We thank Sam McClure for his fantastic contributions and wish him all the best as he focuses on his role at The Age.”
Ash Earnshaw, Nine’s Director of Sales, Total Audio, said: “3AW now has the biggest and best platform for sports lovers and sports advertisers. Jimmy Bartel’s appointment strengthens an already iconic program and reinforces our position as the leading destination for AFL and Sport. Jimmy’s presence across both 3AW and Nine enhances the synergy of the Wide World of Sports brand, delivering exceptional opportunities for advertisers to connect with passionate and engaged audiences.”
Nine Entertainment (Nine) has today shared an Action Plan to accelerate, address and measure its cultural transformation, following a review into its culture by independent workplace firm, Intersection.
The Action Plan, which has been endorsed by Nine’s Board, is designed to deliver lasting change and outlines how the 22 recommendations will be sequenced, measured, and embedded across the organisation. It focuses Nine’s efforts into four priority areas: People and Culture; Leadership; Policy, Procedures and Governance; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Since releasing the Intersection Report in full in October, more than 60 per cent of the recommendations are complete or underway. Two additional commitments have also been identified and invested in to address and uplift Nine’s culture. This includes transitioning to a new, holistic Employee Wellbeing Provider and delivering a new leadership development program including 1:1 coaching to 200 of Nine’s leaders.
Today, Nine has announced it will conduct a cultural pulse check in two years, a year ahead of the recommended time frame. This will allow Nine to gain an understanding of its impact and progress, and refine the Action Plan if required. A more indepth review will be conducted in three years, in line with the recommendations.
To ensure Nine’s cultural transformation is led from the top, its senior leaders will have their remuneration and incentives connected to cultural-specific measurements and outcomes.
Nine Entertainment Acting CEO Matt Stanton said: “Nine’s Action Plan forms an important part of Nine2028, which is the acceleration of our strategy and encompasses our business and culture transformation. Spearheaded by the Board and management team, everyone at Nine is united by the need for change. The progress made over the past six weeks is reflective of our collective desire to move quickly and build a Nine we can all be proud of.
“Since the release of the Intersection Report, Nine has taken decisive action which will positively contribute to our cultural uplift. We’ve also spent a lot of time connecting and communicating with our people, reflecting on how we can learn from this difficult yet necessary process and make lasting change.
“While our commitments to embedding our Action Plan remain unwavering, our cultural transformation ambitions are broader than the 22 recommendations alone, and indeed broader than Nine itself. Of course, our unrelenting focus remains on addressing Nine’s cultural issues, however there is no denying the prevalence of poor behaviour in the media industry is unacceptable and change is required.
“As the largest employer in the industry we believe we can play an active role in shaping the cultural change required to create a safe, respectful and thriving industry. At the appropriate time, we look forward to engaging with our industry peers to address these issues,” Mr Stanton said.
Nine management will regularly report to the Board on the progress and outcomes of its Action Plan. The Action Plan can be viewed here.
ARN, one of Australia’s leading broadcast and on-demand audio companies, has partnered with Magellan AI to introduce a biannual list highlighting the top international direct response brands investing in Australia’s podcast industry.
Harnessing cutting-edge artificial intelligence, the report analyses thousands of episodes from over 400 of Australia’s most popular podcasts. It identifies the global direct response brands contributing to the growth of the Australian podcast landscape, showcasing those making the most significant investments.
The inaugural Top 5 International Advertisers list for H1 2024 features a diverse mix of brands across technology, finance, retail, and healthcare, with BetterHelp leading the pack as the highest investor in Australian podcast advertising.
Corey Layton, ARN’s Head of Digital Audio, said: “The support of these brands is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of podcasting in Australia. Their commitment to the medium demonstrates the growing value of podcasting as a platform for meaningful brand connections. By recognising these leaders, we aim to encourage even greater global investment and drive innovation within the Australian podcast industry. We’re thrilled to showcase their contributions at such an exciting time for audio.”
Magellan AI’s advanced technology “listens” to over 400 of the most popular podcasts in Australia, analysing the audio to detect ad placements, content, and narrator. Their proprietary spend model evaluates various factors such as ad load, placement, and dynamic insertion to accurately estimate advertiser spend. This approach also allows for cross-regional comparisons, ensuring the ads and investments are specifically attributed to the Australian market.
The Top 5 advertisers for H1 2024 are:
ARN is proud to announce that Fiona Ellis-Jones, Head of News & Information, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Maureen Kerridge AM Scholarship.
An experienced newsreader, journalist, and news executive, Fiona currently leads a large team of journalists across ARN’s network, including KIIS, Gold, Mix, CADA, ARN Regional, and iHeartRadio. She applied for the scholarship to further develop her leadership skills as she navigates the challenges of a rapidly evolving media landscape. With a strong background in journalism and management, Fiona is focused on adapting news distribution strategies for the digital era while ensuring content remains both relevant and commercially viable.
As part of the scholarship, Fiona will attend the Executive Leadership Development Program at Stanford University, saying: “I’m so grateful for the chance to study this course at Stanford, honouring Maureen Kerridge’s remarkable legacy and empowering more women to excel in leadership roles within the media industry. I’m excited to gain new perspectives, discover more about my leadership style, and make a meaningful impact on the future of news media in Australia.
“As a busy mother of four young children, I quite simply wouldn’t have had the opportunity to invest in my own development in this way without the support of CEW and the Kerridge Foundation,” she continued.
Recently honoured at the B&T Women in Media Awards, Fiona’s career in media spans over 15 years, including as a national newsreader for ABC TV and Radio. She later became the head of ABC’s Radio/Audio News division, overseeing news on Local Radio, NewsRadio, RN, Triple J, and all digital audio platforms. Prior to this, Fiona worked with Nine News Sydney as a producer and reporter. Her passion lies in local storytelling and transforming traditional broadcast news into on-demand formats that better serve today’s audiences.
Beyond her professional achievements, Fiona is a committed ambassador for the Red Nose Foundation, supporting bereaved parents and advocating to reduce stillbirth in Australia. As a mother of four young children and a daughter, Elizabeth, who was stillborn, Fiona’s advocacy is deeply personal. She also serves on the committee of Women in Media, Tasmania, and is based in Hobart.
A new season of Hamish & Andy’s Remembering Project returns today with newly discovered memories pulled from the archives of Australia’s most successful radio and podcast duo. It has been more than 20 years since Hamish Blake and Andy Lee teamed-up behind the mics and much has changed. So, for 12 very special episodes, the pair have once again dug out their production notes from more than 2,500 shows to take a hilarious and sometimes confronting walk through the past.
For season six of Hamish & Andy’s Remembering Project, Blake and Lee go further back into their old recordings than they have ever gone before. In fact, for the very first time, they revisit and re-listen to their original demo tape, with both having very mixed feelings about hearing it.
In the season’s first episode the pair listen back to two incredible moments from their radio days. One is the first time that Jack Post (aka ‘Cackling Jack’) appears on the show and unsurprisingly, he is accused of weaselling! Plus, they revisit the blooper that they both agree is one of their favourite radio moments of all time!
This season also ‘remembers’ Blake and Lee’s epic adventure of taking a convertible car through a car wash, the birth of ‘Napkin Ninja’, Blake’s psychic dreaming ability and their final performance as a band. In some more poignant moments, Blake gets sentimental as they listen back to voicemails from his late Grandma Moosie, and the boys remember what a pivotal part of the radio show she played for many years.
Reflecting on the new season, Lee said: “This season is a rollercoaster of laughs and emotions. We were especially hesitant to listen to our first-ever demo tape because we honestly couldn’t remember how it would sound. It definitely made us question how we ever thought we could make a career out of radio!”
LiSTNR Original Podcasts Head of Entertainment & Culture, Sam Cavanagh, said: “Once again the boys have gone deep into the archives to pull out some absolutely legendary moments from more than 20 years of shows, but it doesn’t get better than hearing their very first demo tape. I think the boys’ reaction will surprise and delight people. New episodes of the Hamish & Andy podcast will return in 2025, but in the meantime, fans can join in as the boys reminisce on what helped forge their incredible partnership.”
LiSTNR’s Hamish & Andy is Australia’s no.1 podcast and has topped the Australian Podcast Ranker charts a record-breaking 26 times*.
Enjoy a trip down memory lane with Australia’s most successful radio and podcast duo. New episodes of Hamish & Andy’s Remembering Project drop every Thursday across the Government Mandated Break. The first episode of season six is available now on LiSTNR.
* Source: Australian Podcast Ranker Top 200 Podcasts – October 2024
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
– FEATURING BEAU RYAN, NATARSHA BELLING AND AARON WOODS –
The airwaves of 104.9 Triple M Sydney will light up from Monday 20 January 2025 when Beau Ryan, former professional NRL player and host of The Amazing Race Australia, makes his Breakfast radio debut alongside one of Australia’s most experienced and versatile news presenters, Natarsha Belling, and former West Tigers Captain, Aaron Woods, for an all-new Breakfast show, Triple M Breakfast with Beau, Tarsh & Woodsy. As Australia’s fastest-growing network over the past two years*, Triple M’s evolution continues, and the network is thrilled to be bringing together three fantastic local Sydney voices to engage and entertain Sydney listeners.
Since retiring from his elite NRL career, Beau Ryan has proven himself to be a standout media host and performer who has gained national recognition for his hosting duties of Channel 10’s The Amazing Race Australia and Top Gear Australia, amongst his many other television and radio appearances including on Triple M’s The Rush Hour. Whilst this will be Ryan’s first full-time radio gig, his mischievous sense of humour and bloke-next-door demeanour is the ideal fit for Triple M listeners.
No stranger to the Triple M audience, over the past two years Natarsha Belling has been a wonderful contributor to the Mick & MG in the Morning Breakfast show and will now help steer the Breakfast ship as co-host, whilst continuing to deliver the morning news for Triple M. Rounding out the show’s hosts is Aaron Woods, who has recently been an outstanding contributor to Triple M Sydney’s The Rush Hour. Current Triple M Sydney Breakfast show anchor, Cat Lynch, will also keep the mornings on track as the show’s anchor.
In further good news for Triple M Sydney, Laura Bouchet has been appointed to the role of Content Director. A multiple award-winning Executive Producer, with almost two decades of audio experience including six with Triple M, Bouchet’s expertise and passion for the medium will be an invaluable asset to the station’s announcers and producers, helping lead Triple M Sydney into a new era.
Beau Ryan said: “I’m so keen to start on Triple M Breakfast in 2025 with the fabulous Tarsh Belling and my good mate Aaron Woods. I grew up with Triple M; it was always on for every car trip and then, during my playing days, it got me through the long commute to training at the Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks. So now to be a part of the new Breakfast team is a wonderful full circle moment. I can’t wait to greet Sydneysiders with the new team in the new year. It’s a close-knit network with passionate listeners. Let’s f*#*en go!”
Natarsha Belling said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Beau and Woodsy for this exciting new Breakfast show. I can’t wait to wake up with Sydney and share all the day’s news, sport and crazy stories. Strap yourselves in Sydney – we are live and local and anything can happen!!!”
Aaron Woods said: “Honestly, I can’t bloody wait to join the Triple M Breakfast show, it’s like a dream come true. My whole family love Triple M and my Nan would always have it on the stereo at home. To work with my ex-teammate Beau Ryan will be awesome. We know he’s a lunatic and God only knows what he will be coming up with on-air. And then there’s Natarsha Belling, what a legend!”
SCA Chief Content Officer, Dave Cameron, said: “In 2025, the Triple M network will continue to have a steadfast approach to locally focussed Breakfast shows across the country, hosted by much-loved local identities in each city that can connect with local audiences and clients. Sydneysiders know their city to be Australia’s most exciting, and they deserve something just as exciting, fresh and locally relevant to wake up to, instead of the tired same-same approach of other Sydney stations.
“We’re hugely excited to welcome this brand-new Breakfast team in Beau Ryan, Tarsh Belling and Aaron Woods to deliver a hilarious, completely Sydney-focussed, sport-flavoured, and genuinely mischievous way for Sydney to wake up. Beau and Tarsh are already well-loved and experienced Sydney media talent, and Woodsy, who is fresh off the footy field, will bring added cheekiness to the show.
“104.9 Triple M Sydney will lead the charge on creating a new and different Breakfast approach in Australia’s biggest city, which is simply screaming out for something fresh and locally connected. It’s time!”
Mark Geyer, who co-hosted the 104.9 Triple M Breakfast show with Mick Molloy, will not return to the Breakfast show in 2025. Reflecting on Geyer’s time with Triple M, Dave Cameron said: “We wish to thank MG for his incredible 17-year contribution to Triple M across many shows and NRL calls. We sincerely hope he will be a part of the Triple M family again at some stage in the future, and we wish him all the best.”
Triple M Breakfast with Beau, Tarsh & Woodsy kicks off on 20 January 2025, from 6-9am weekdays on 104.9 Triple M Sydney and LiSTNR.
See the video of the 104.9 Triple M Breakfast announcement here.
Source: GfK Metro Surveys 6-8 2022/Surveys 1-8 2023/Surveys 1-6 2024. P10+, Mon-Sun ROS, Average Year Cume Reach (000’s).
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.
About Beau Ryan:
Beau Ryan is a loveable media performer with boundless energy. The former professional NRL player made 127 appearances for the Wests Tigers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and represented the Australian PM team in 2012, until an injury cut short his career. Ryan’s cheeky sense of humour and bloke-next-door demeanour saw him make a seamless transition into the shiny world of television, including regular appearances on Nine Network’s The Footy Show NRL and a stint as the show’s co-host. Ryan’s television career has continued to grow by leaps and bounds, with Ryan hosting five seasons of The Amazing Race Australia, joining the cast of Dancing With The Stars, jumping headfirst into jungle life on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, and as a regular co-host on Channel 10’s morning show Studio 10. Ryan is also a co-host of the iconic Top Gear Australia alongside Mighty Car Mods Blair ‘Moog’ Joscelyne and Australian Survivor’s Jonathan LaPaglia, on Channel 10/Paramount+.
About Natarsha Belling:
Natarsha Belling is one of Australia’s most experienced and versatile News presenters. For more than 30 years Belling has worked at Channel 10, Channel 7 and the ABC, delivering major stories that have shaped and changed Australians’ lives. Belling began her journalism career in rural NSW before joining the ABC where she presented her first international news bulletin at the age of just 21. In the ever-changing media landscape Belling continues to shine with her quick wit, passion for news and sense of humour, which have seen her diversify her skills in podcasting and co-hosting major radio and TV Breakfast shows. Belling is also a committed patron of a number of key charities including Vision Australia and The Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.
About Aaron Woods:
Aaron Woods is a former Australian rugby league forward who captained Wests Tigers and played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, St. George Illawarra Dragons and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. Debuting in 2011, Woods quickly gained recognition for his skill and work rate and represented NSW in State of Origin from 2013. After 14 years of playing. Woods announced the decision to retire from the NRL on Triple M. Off the field, Woods is thriving in media with Triple M, Fox Sports, and his LiSTNR Footy Talk podcast.
