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9Podcasts has accelerated its growth in March, with the return of footy season driving strong listenership across its slate of premium sport podcasts including Six Tackles with Gus, The Billy Slater Podcast, Eddie and Jimmy, Real Footy, 3AW Football, the Continuous Call Team, Footy Classified, 100% Footy, and Freddy and the Eighth.

Six Tackles with Gus jumped a staggering 77 places in the Australian (Made) Top Podcast Ranker to land at number 93, with over 59,000 listeners, 93,000 downloads and 100,000 video views in March. And flagship AFL podcasts, Real Footy and 3AW Football returned with a bang, ranking at number 122 and 171, respectively.

Video is increasingly becoming the consumption pattern of choice for sports fans, with Eddie and Jimmy reaching a combined 56,000 downloads and video views, and the Billy Slater Podcast reaching a combined 67,000 downloads and video views in March – with more than half of the audience opting for video on 9Now and Youtube.

It’s not just footy exciting fans this year, as the Paris Olympic Games and Paralympic Games 2024 are fast approaching. To give listeners an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience of what it is like competing at the highest level on the world stage, The Road to Paris podcast launched in March. The 16-part podcast series features candid conversations with some of our greatest Olympians and Paralympians including Anna Meares, Kieran Perkins, Ellie Cole, Curtis McGrath, Andrew Gaze, and Ariarne Titmus as they discuss their own trials and triumphs, glory and heartache – all in the pursuit of Olympic excellence.

The sporting action doesn’t stop there, with Hamish McLachlan and Ross Stevenson delivering the very best in horse racing news, insight and banter each week in Two Each Way and the Wide World of Sports Updates  keeping listeners informed with a daily roundup of need-to-know sporting news.

MARCH 2024	DOWNLOADS	LISTENERS
Nine Sport Podcasts	585,024	252,516
Nine Podcast Network	3,319,812	1,259,684

Nine’s Head of Podcasts and Digital Content, Mia Stern said: “As we begin the countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the football season gains momentum, so does our connection with the hearts of fans. With each episode, we delve deeper into the drama, the triumphs, and the narratives that define Australian’s passion for sport.

“It’s clear our comprehensive sports content is cutting through with audiences, providing an unparalleled opportunity for advertisers to join the conversation. Brands that align themselves with our passionate listeners tap into a captive audience, where the authenticity of the message merges seamlessly with the passion for the game.”

Source: Australian Podcast Ranker – Top Podcasts Australian Made, March 1-31 2024, Downloads, Listeners. 

Nine’s live and local talk stations posted a significant double digit increase in streaming nationally in April 2024, galvanising Nine Radio as the destination for live audio listeners.  

Year on year data, verified by Triton, shows Nine’s talk stations volume of listening is up 20% nationally, with Sydney’s 2GB up even further with 27% growth, and Melbourne’s 3AW up 18%.

SESSION STARTS	TOTAL LISTENING HOURS
10.1M (up 7% YoY)	10.7M (up 20% YoY)

Nine’s catch up podcasts also reign supreme with on-demand audiences with Ben Fordham Live and the Ray Hadley Morning Show each posting listener growth of 44% YoY, while footy fans are continuing to flock to 3AW for the very best in AFL commentary, with 3AW Football catch up podcasts listeners up 17% YoY.

Nine Radio Head of Content, Greg Byrnes, said “These numbers highlight talk radio’s unequivocal dominance in live streaming and catch up and show our audience is only getting bigger.

“We know Australians turn to talk in times of crisis, and that’s been reinforced with recent breaking news events, but they also rely on us for entertainment, excitement and analysis. And with the footy in full swing and the Paris Olympic Games now just 72 days away, our streaming audience will be unprecedented.”

Nine’s Director of Sales, Total Audio, Ashley Earnshaw, said: “The future is bright for Nine Audio, with even greater audiences seeking out our content through our apps via connected devices and across our podcast content.

“Our dominance in digital audiences continues to create full funnel opportunities for brands to blend the reach of radio with data-led targeting capabilities, creating unparalleled impact and effectiveness for brands.”

Source: Triton Webcast Metrics Streaming, April 1-30 2024, TLH – Total Listening Hours, Nine Radio, Unless otherwise specified

Every family has its quirks. Whether it’s much-loved traditions, mortifying memories or bittersweet bumps in the road, families aren’t just bonded by blood but by the chaotic moments which colour the lineage. It’s something that no amount of fame can change. Just ask these two… 

The Apple and The Tree is a new podcast hosted by iconic Aussie father and son duo, Richard and Christian Wilkins, taking listeners behind the closed doors of some of Australia’s best known and well-loved families.

Some of the famous relos sitting down for a chat include father and son music legends Jimmy Barnes and David Campbell; popstar twins Jess and Lisa Origliasso (aka The Veronicas); the mega multi-hyphenate siblings Alli and Cody Simpson, and renowned cricketing brothers Brett and Shane Lee.

By challenging the idea of the ‘picture-perfect’ famous household, this podcast embraces the uniqueness of family through unfiltered, refreshingly real and relatable conversations. In each episode, Richard and Christian get personal with the familial duos, exploring their roots, family dynamics, quirks and values, with a good smattering of embarrassing stories along the way – after all, no one knows you quite like your family.

From dreadful dad jokes, to awkward conversations shared at the dinner table, The Apple and The Tree shows that no matter what level of fame you’ve attained, family relationships and dynamics remain the same.

Richard Wilkins said, “I’m so excited about this project. Everyone who knows me will acknowledge that my family is everything to me, and when Christian suggested that he and I should create a podcast where we talk to other family combinations, it was a total no-brainer! There will be plenty of tears and laughter and a whole lot of love as some of our favourite people join us on The Apple & The Tree.”

Christian Wilkins said, “Anyone that’s had the pleasure of working with my Dad knows that he’s the best in the business. For years growing up I’d be sitting in the corner as he interviews the world’s biggest stars and was always in awe of his professionalism, kindness and knowledge. Naturally I wanted to create an opportunity where I’d be able to work alongside him and experience the incredible passion he has for entertainment firsthand.”

“The only thing better than getting to do what you love, is getting to do it with the people you love too, and hopefully that’s exactly what we bring to people, from our home, too theirs (or their car, bus ride, workplace, gym or wherever else they listen to their podcasts.”

The Apple and The Tree launches tomorrow, Thursday 30 May, with episodes dropping every Thursday on  and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Even more listeners are tuning into 9Podcasts’ growing premium podcast slate, with Triton data from April 2024 revealing a 11% MoM uptick in listeners and a 5% rise in downloads – bolstering Nine’s commitment to delivering high-quality, entertaining and engaging content that resonates with Australians.

The surge in listeners  across Nine’s premium podcast content is underpinned by Nine’s strength in News and Sport, coupled with new programs in key areas of growth, including a renewed commitment to journalistic podcasts.

podcast – a production from the teams at 9News, The Age and 9Podcasts – has taken listeners inside the courtroom for the high-profile trial of Gregory Lynn, accused of murdering campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

Episodes have been released in real time, revealing every important detail as the evidence unfolds, examining key moments and bringing together the best in Nine’s journalism, audio and video collaboration to cover the unfathomable crimes on trial in Victoria’s highest court.

9Podcasts has also seen impressive growth in its lifestyle podcasts, offering diverse and engaging programs appealing to defined audiences including Prime Time with Bec Wilson —an empowering series that provides practical advice and inspiration for making the most of your middle years; Russel Howcroft’s AdMission, offering expert insights into the advertising and marketing industry; and Try Before You Die with Eliza and Liberty Pasche as they explore bucket-list experiences and daring activities, encouraging listeners to step outside their comfort zone.

APRIL 2024	DOWNLOADS	LISTENERS	HOURS
Nine Podcasts	3,494,613	1,397,560	1,569,389
MoM Change	+5%	+11%	+7%

Nine’s Head of Podcasts and Digital Content, Mia Stern said: “9Podcasts is committed to showcasing the richness and diversity of Australian stories, ensuring that our listeners have access to content that is not only entertaining but also reflective of their own experiences and culture.”

“We can see the positive impact this continues to have on our audience growth, as more listeners are discovering new programs and listening for longer each month, creating a rich and varied environment for marketers and advertisers.”

Source: Triton Podcast Metrics, April 1-30 2024, Downloads, Listeners, Unless otherwise specified

ARN’s iHeart today announced the highly anticipated return of Concealed with Art Simone for its third season. Hosted by the illustrious Art Simone, acclaimed drag queen and performer, the podcast delves into the captivating world of secret lives, uncovering the fascinating stories of everyday Australians.

Drawing from her own experience of leading a double life as a prominent drag queen and performer, Art Simone guides listeners through intriguing conversations and revelations that shed light on hidden facets of her guests’ lives. From quirky hobbies to clandestine professions, each episode offers a glimpse into the captivating world of concealment.

In the upcoming season that launches today, listeners can expect an eclectic line-up of guests, each with their own captivating secrets waiting to be unveiled. From a private investigator with a penchant for breaking and entering to the voice of the iconic Melbourne landmark Flinders Street Station, whose towering presence is matched only by the allure of his voice.

Art Simone said: “Strap in and strap on because we’re back for another season and I couldn’t be more excited to unveil a new batch of everyday Aussies with incredible stories to share. Through our connection of living double lives, I get to chat, laugh and bond with these individuals that forever cement the notion to never judge a book by its cover.”

ARN’s Head of Digital Audio Corey Layton said: “Art’s sparkle and Concealed’s unique format is what makes this podcast shine. This season is packed with Aussie’s concealing a unique double life that have to be heard to be believed.”

New episodes of Concealed with Art Simone season three will drop weekly every Tuesday and are available now on the iHeart app or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

ARN’s iHeart, Australia’s #1 podcast publisher, has announced an ad sales partnership in Australia with The Athletic, one of the world’s largest digital sports publishers. The alliance aims to radically expand the Australian sports podcast landscape, offering significant access and opportunities for advertisers to engage a previously untapped audience at scale.

The Athletic is renowned for its compelling storytelling and insightful analysis, offering listeners a unique perspective on the world of sports. From breaking news to exclusive interviews, The Athletics’ teams of journalists deliver content that resonates with sports fans through flagship podcasts including The Athletic FC Podcast, The Totally Football Show with James Richardson and No Dunks.

The deal reinforces ARN’s commitment to represent the best local and global podcasts that deliver a premium experience for listeners and brands. The Athletic content compliments the premium sports podcasts on iHeart including Dyl & Friends, F1: Beyond The Grid, The Final Word, The Footy with Broden Kelly, The Pool Room with Tony Armstrong, Two Good Sports and more.

Corey Layton, Head of Digital Audio said: “The passion Australian sports fans hold for The Athletics premium podcast slate is immense. Our teams are looking forward to opening up this far reaching opportunity to brands across Australia.”

The radio war in Melbourne is well and truly heating up following Kyle & Jackie O’s arrival into the market earlier this week. It only takes a quick stroll down the city streets to be inundated with brand marketing from all the major radio players, from billboards to bus shelters and even branded transportation vehicles.

To make their own mark on the city and to fight against the sold-out billboards, The Christian O’Connell Show decided to get a little creative and take their advertising to the literal trash of Melbourne with their ‘bin boards.’

On launching their bin boards, Christian O’Connell said, “We’ve been told there’s no more marketing money for this show this year. It’s all going towards Kyle and Jackie O. That’s fine. I’m thinking what are we actually going to do? Yesterday was my bin night and as I’m taking my big old bin out, I’m thinking this is the only thing that I can ask you for right now. This is what we’ve come down to, a kind of very smelly, dirty rebel alliance army.”

ARN Chief Connections Officer Lauren Joyce also added, “The Christian O’Connell Show is all about the listeners and our most successful marketing to date has been where we have involved them in the campaign.  This is yet another example of that.  By giving them the opportunity to be ‘bin-fluencers’, we’re turning their loyalty into advocacy and delivering a reminder of the show every time they go to the bin.”

Listeners of the show can register online here for their bins to be cleaned by The Bin Butlers and plastered with a sticker promoting GOLD104.3’s The Christian O’Connell Show.

The Christian O’Connell Show can be heard on GOLD104.3 from 6-9am or via the free iHeartRadio app here.

ARN is pleased to share that 2NM and Power FM from Upper Hunter Valley have won the Making Muswellbrook Award at the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Awards.

The Making Muswellbrook Award is one of 11 awards handed out on the evening and recognises a business or organisation which has excelled in the areas of promoting the positives, creating a sense of community pride, and which has effectively assisted in making Muswellbrook a great place to call home.

If there’s one thing you can say about the team at ARN’s 2NM and Power FM, is that they truly exemplify all of those qualities.

In just the past 12 months, the stations’ community involvement has included The Christmas Spectacular, Weekly Town OB’s, the Taking Care of Business Campaign, the Christmas Food and Toy Appeal, Friday Live promotion (supporting local musicians), Local Business Shout Outs, Community OB’s, plus their on-air and online community related content such as the Community Noticeboard, Community Calendar and their Local Jobs Board.

Of the exciting honour, General Manager Max Morris said, “Here at 2NM and Power FM, we don’t seek recognition; our motivation lies in actively improving the Upper Hunter and fostering community spirit. I am very proud what our small but mighty team has achieved, who all embrace this idea of Live and Local.

“We come to work each day and we want to give back to the community, whether it’s through offering free advertising for charities, sporting groups or small businesses or hosting one of our proudest endeavours, the Upper Hunter Christmas Spectacular, a free for all community event, which also includes our Christmas Food and Toy Appeal, that saw food and toys distributed to over 300 of the less fortunate families in the Upper Hunter. We look forward to continuing to service the Upper Hunter region and hopefully bring some joy to those who need it most.”

2NM can be heard on AM981 and Power FM on FM98.1 in the Hunter region or both can be streamed nationally via the free iHeart app.

Kyle & Jackie O have officially arrived in the garden state, vowing to end ‘boring radio’ and encouraging Melburnians to tune in and make up their own mind about what is Australia’s most listened to radio show.

The marketing campaign, which launched earlier this week, utilises sensationalised headlines and quotes from well-known media titles and personalities to showcase the existing perception of the brand and then challenges listeners to go beyond the click-bait and form their own opinion of the show.

Produced in-house, the high impact, heavy weight campaign is being supported across out-of-home, tv, social and of course Kyle & Jackie O’s medium of choice, radio, with the creative leaning into the iconic pink and purple KIIS branding and the sheer magnitude of the show.

On the campaign Lauren Joyce, ARN Chief Connections Officer said, “Every morning Kyle & Jackie O deliver a unique, loud and always entertaining show and that’s exactly what this campaign is. You don’t get to be Australia’s most successful radio show by pretending to be something you’re not.  Our plan was always to ‘own’ the headlines; and we’ve done that literally and figuratively.”

The ‘Kyle & Jackie O – Make Up Your Own Mind’ campaign began on Sunday 28 April. Kyle & Jackie O can be heard weekdays from 6-10am on KIIS 101.1 in Melbourne and KIIS 1065 in Sydney.

We are deeply saddened at the passing of beloved orator and songwoman Sēini ‘Sistanative’ Taumoepeau (1975–May 2024) at 48, known to many across Indigenous Australia and Oceania because of her dedication to extending the stories and narratives of Indigenous Oceania, Sēini began her career at just 13 years of age, working alongside her mother on ABC radio.

Sēini was born on Gadigal lands on the Eora Nation and spent her early childhood living with her grandparents and extended family in the Kingdom of Tonga, moving back to Gadigal lands at the age of eight. Feeling a close connection to place and community both in her ancestral homelands and those of her birth, after finishing her University studies Sēini travelled regularly to Ti Tree in the Northern Territory to teach in local schools and carried the skin name Napangardi.

She was one of the co-founders of the Pacific Wave Festival, a recurring event during the early 2000’s that provided one of the first platforms for members of the Pacific diaspora to share their contemporary culture. For many budding artists, it was this Festival and the opportunities that it provided to see themselves represented that sparked the ambition to follow this path.

Sēini first established a connection to QAGOMA in 2006 when the then Curator of Pacific Art, Maud Page invited her to present her ‘soulful lyrics’ independently and as part of Bounty 75 (with Airi Ingram (Drum Drum) and Si Fixion (The Bird)) for the opening weekend celebrations of the Gallery of Modern Art. In the program for this event Sistanative is described as a Tongan Diva — and she certainly could move a crowd. Though probably less well known Sēini was an equally passionate life-long learner, continuing to grow her expertise and practice across disciplines as diverse as contemporary music, media, arts, education and the metaphysical sciences. This diversity something Sēini insisted was who she is as an Indigenous woman.

I first met Sēini in 2014 when she was the master of ceremonies for the performances staged as part of the Contemporary Pacific Arts Festival at Footscray Arts Centre in Melbourne. Apparent from the moment that she first walked on the stage, Sēini was there to elevate and make space for the amazing community of creative talent that surrounded her from her sister Latai and lifelong friend Lisa Fala’afi to the members of West Papuan band Rise of the Morning Sun.

Sēini’s acted from a place of deep commitment to the struggles of Indigenous peoples worldwide and was as politically active in fighting for the recognition of the First peoples of Australia, West Papua, New Caledonia and, for many years, Palestine, as she has been for the rights of the peoples of Oceania in the face of climate change and ongoing imperialism.

In her role as presenter for the ABC’s Pacific Beat, Sēini travelled to Brisbane for the opening of ‘The 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’ (APT9) in 2018 providing one of only media platforms for Pacific artists to reach beyond the walls of the Gallery to engage a broader cross section of the Australian community. Sēini’s commitment to this community is perhaps best exemplified through Reading Oceania, a practice she streamed from her Marrickville loungeroom to provide spaces for her community of creative Oceanians to ingest knowledge, bearing witness to and confronting what she termed our collective indigenous vanishing.

Such was the importance of this practice and the community that it nurtured that it was curated into the NIRIN: 22nd Biennale of Sydney by Brook Andrew. In Venice a month ago, Sēini captured the hearts of hundreds singing LOTU: Kumi Hina (Pray/ER seeking Hina) as she led a procession through the lofty spaces of OceanSpace in Chiesa di San Lorenzo for the Vernissage opening of Re-stor(y)ing Oceania. It felt at once nurturing and challenging to mark time with Sistanative as she warmed the air and cold marble of this ancient church further with laughter, respect, careful thought and sharing as she guided us through — NATIVE GAZE — and what would be her last Reading Oceania.

At the time of her passing, Sēini was preparing to travel to Hawaii for the Festival of Pacific Arts and had been commissioned to bring back interviews and stories from her time with artists there for a number of media platforms.

We are proud to have had her insights, support and energy fill the spaces of these Galleries and, like many in her beloved community will miss her energy, integrity, honesty and generosity of spirit dearly.

Our deepest condolences to Sēini’s extended family and close friends.

Rest peacefully Sistanative.

Ruth McDougall is Curator, Pacific Art, QAGOMA