{"id":2557,"date":"2026-05-18T20:29:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T10:29:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/?p=2557"},"modified":"2026-05-18T20:29:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T10:29:34","slug":"uncovering-community-radios-vital-role-in-the-australian-music-ecosystem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/2026\/05\/18\/uncovering-community-radios-vital-role-in-the-australian-music-ecosystem\/","title":{"rendered":"Uncovering community radio\u2019s vital role in the Australian music ecosystem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbaa.org.au\/community-broadcasting\/research-publications-redirect\/community-radio-australian-music\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New national research<\/a>&nbsp;has highlighted the significant cultural,&nbsp;social&nbsp;and economic contribution community radio makes to Australian music,&nbsp;artists&nbsp;and local music communities across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Launched today at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vmdo.com.au\/events\/music-data-insights-summit-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VMDO Music Data &amp; Insights Summit<\/a>, the report Community Radio and Australian Music: Building the Music Media Ecosystem&nbsp;examines&nbsp;the value and Social Return on Investment (SROI) of Australia\u2019s network of community radio music stations and their role within the broader Australian music ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The research found&nbsp;292&nbsp;community radio music stations contribute more than $153 million annually to the Australian music industries&nbsp;and&nbsp;generate&nbsp;returns of up to $5.55, with a median return of $2.47 across high-intensity stations&nbsp;for every dollar invested.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Delivered through the Australian Research Council Linkage Project Community Music Radio: Building the Music-Media Ecosystem (2023\u20132026), the research combines Social Return on Investment modelling with qualitative fieldwork conducted at stations across Australia.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>The report highlights the critical role community broadcasters play in:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>discovering and championing emerging Australian artists<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>supporting local live music scenes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>amplifying diverse Australian voices and genres<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>creating pathways for artists and broadcasters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>connecting audiences with local music and\u00a0culture\u00a0generating\u00a0income for\u00a0artists,\u00a0venue\u00a0and events\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Researchers worked with community broadcasters, artists, listener focus&nbsp;groups&nbsp;and industry stakeholders to better understand how stations contribute to artist development, music&nbsp;discovery&nbsp;and community connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The project included interviews and workshops with artists, broadcasters, music industry representatives and&nbsp;policy-makers, alongside case studies from stations across metropolitan,&nbsp;regional&nbsp;and remote Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Associate&nbsp;Professor Shane Homan&nbsp;said the findings confirmed what artists and audiences have understood for decades:&nbsp;\u201cThese stations provide critical first exposure for artists who are often overlooked elsewhere, while also creating direct economic benefits for the wider music industries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Community radio and Australian music by the numbers&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Community broadcasting&nbsp;remains&nbsp;one of Australia\u2019s most important platforms for Australian music and diverse voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key findings from the report and broader sector data include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Community radio music stations contribute more than $153 million annually to the Australian music industries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Up to $5.55 returned for every $1 invested (median return of $2.47 for the top 39 high-intensity\u00a0stations)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community\u00a0radio stations broadcast more than\u00a0390,000 hours\u00a0of Australian music annually.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community broadcasting reaches more than 5.39 million Australians every week.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The sector includes more than 500 community-owned and operated radio services across Australia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>62% of listeners say they listen to community radio to hear Australian music.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community broadcasting is powered by approximately 18,100 volunteers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Around two-thirds of the community broadcasting sector is made up of music-focused stations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Across\u00a0all\u00a0community\u00a0radio\u00a0stations,\u00a0the\u00a0sector\u00a0plays\u00a037%\u00a0Australian\u00a0music, exceeding\u00a0the\u00a025%\u00a0quota\u00a0required\u00a0under\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbaa.org.au\/community-broadcasting\/codes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the\u00a0Community\u00a0Radio\u00a0Broadcasting\u00a0Codes\u00a0of\u00a0Practice<\/a>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The report also reinforces the sector\u2019s&nbsp;important role&nbsp;in supporting music diversity and discoverability at a time when Australian artists face increasing challenges in reaching audiences through global digital platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As outlined in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/roadmap2033.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Roadmap 2033<\/a>, community broadcasting continues to play a critical role in amplifying Australian music,&nbsp;arts&nbsp;and creative industries, while strengthening local communities and media diversity across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Community Radio: Our National Sound&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The project also informed the development of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/community-broadcasting-association-of-australia\/community-radio-our-national\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Community Radio: Our National Sound<\/a>, a new podcast series featuring Australian musicians reflecting on the&nbsp;important role&nbsp;community radio has played in their careers and creative journeys.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>The series features conversations with Sarah Blasko, DOBBY,&nbsp;Mo&#8217;Ju, L-FRESH The LION, Bad\/\/Dreems, Body Type and Annie Hamilton, highlighting the unique relationship between Australian artists and community broadcasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>L-FRESH The LION&nbsp;said community radio delivered direct audience outcomes for emerging artists,&nbsp;\u201cif we&nbsp;went and did&nbsp;a live performance on air at a community radio station the day before the show, we were selling a minimum of 20 to 30 tickets the next night. And&nbsp;that\u2019s&nbsp;huge when&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;trying to break into new spaces,\u201d&nbsp;he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve&nbsp;had almost no commercial airplay.&nbsp;So&nbsp;my whole career has been built on community radio and ABC stations,\u201d said Sarah Blasko.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Acknowledgements&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This research was delivered through the Australian Research Council Linkage Project Community Music Radio: Building the Music-Media Ecosystem (2023\u20132026), led by researchers from&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.griffith.edu.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Griffith University<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.monash.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Monash University<\/a>&nbsp;and supported by organisations across the community broadcasting and Australian music sectors.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>This project would not have been possible without<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amrap.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">amrap.org.au<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apraamcos.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">APRA AMCOS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arc.gov.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australian Research Council<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbaa.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Community Broadcasting Association of Australia<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cbf.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Community Broadcasting Foundation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cmto.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Community Media Training Organisation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/creative.gov.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Creative Australia<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/firstnationsmedia.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">First Nations Media Australia<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/creative.gov.au\/music-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Music Australia<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musicnsw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MusicNSW<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;report&nbsp;provides further evidence to&nbsp;the importance&nbsp;of&nbsp;community radio&nbsp;to support new&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;acts&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;a&nbsp;success all&nbsp;stations&nbsp;can&nbsp;share in.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also acknowledge the contribution of participating stations and their staff, volunteers and listener communities, including&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fbi.radio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fbi.radio<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rhemafm.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rhema FM<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rrr.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Triple R<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/rtrfm.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RTRFM<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/4zzz.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4ZZZ<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/threedradio.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Three D Radio<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.edgeradio.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edge Radio<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.8ccc.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">8CCC<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pawmedia.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PAW Media<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ngaardamedia.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ngaarda<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ngaardamedia.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;Media<\/a>, alongside the artists, broadcasters, listener focus groups and industry representatives who contributed to the research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To find out more&nbsp;about the&nbsp;report&nbsp;please contact&nbsp;CBAA&nbsp;support at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:support@cbaa.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">support@cbaa.org.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com\/CBAA\/UploadedImages\/O27uQ5QRyKNIbDULz0BU_RTRFM%20In%20the%20Pines-L.png\" alt=\"smol fish, RTR In the Pines festival, 2023\" title=\"smol fish, RTR In the Pines festival, 2023\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>smol fish, RTR In the Pines festival, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New national research&nbsp;has highlighted the significant cultural,&nbsp;social&nbsp;and economic contribution community radio makes to Australian music,&nbsp;artists&nbsp;and local music communities across the country. Launched today at the&nbsp;VMDO Music Data &amp; Insights Summit, the report Community Radio and Australian Music: Building the Music Media Ecosystem&nbsp;examines&nbsp;the value and Social Return on Investment (SROI) of Australia\u2019s network of community radio &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/2026\/05\/18\/uncovering-community-radios-vital-role-in-the-australian-music-ecosystem\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Uncovering community radio\u2019s vital role in the Australian music ecosystem&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-australian"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2557"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2557\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2558,"href":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2557\/revisions\/2558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/radioindustrynews.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}