In a landmark move for Australian radio, The Christian O’Connell Show will launch nationally from 2026 – fulfilling a dream held since the UK broadcasting heavyweight first arrived on Australian airwaves.

This is the first time a commercial radio breakfast show will go live across the country and is a key part of ARN’s strategy to grow its national content footprint and deliver more premium shows to audiences across multiple platforms.

“This is a big moment for me, and for ARN,” said Christian O’Connell. “When I moved here seven years ago, I dreamed of building a national show – one that could connect with people all over Australia. A show from our corner of the dial where people can feel united wherever they are, bringing people together through shared stories, laughter, and something real.”

O’Connell, who hosted a #1 national breakfast show in the UK for over a decade and grew his audience to 2.5 million, has been a trailblazer in creating big impact. He is the only radio host in the world to have achieved number one ratings in two different countries and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most successful radio shows.

His Melbourne-based show on GOLD FM has stood apart for its vulnerability, irreverence, storytelling, laugh-out-loud funny moments and genuine sense of community. Now, that same spirit is set to reach listeners across Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, as well as regional Australia in the evenings, as ARN expands the GOLD Network.

“This isn’t a show about gossip or stunts. I want to offer something more: a real alternative in the mornings. Something built on heart, humour, and human connection – not noise,” he continued.

ARN’s Chief Audience & Content Officer, Lauren Joyce, added: “Christian is a rare talent with an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences. He’s already built one of the most successful shows in Melbourne, and we believe that’s just the beginning. At a time when the world feels increasingly divided, The Christian O’Connell Show offers a place where all Australians feel welcome and a true sense of belonging. It’s a show that delivers connection like no other.”

Beyond its on-air impact, the national rollout will also deliver fresh creative solutions for advertisers looking to cut through and connect with meaning. O’Connell has a proven history of doing just that – breaking commercial records and winning industry acclaim in both Australia and the UK for campaigns that served both client and listener.

“I have helped brands innovate with ideas that don’t just shout, they’ve mattered. I’m excited to bring that same creative thinking to national clients who want to stand out and make a difference.”

Despite the doubters early on, Christian O’Connell has carved out something rare in modern radio: a space where people feel seen and heard. From the emotional to the hilarious, from fatherhood to failure, his show is a daily reminder that life is messy – and that’s what makes it worth tuning in for.

“People said I’d never make it here. That an outsider wouldn’t connect. But I did. I’ve been tested many times, yet I’ve stayed true to who I am and what I do: real radio, for grown-ups, about real life – and bloody funny.”
O’Connell’s move to reach the entire country is more than a personal milestone; it signals a cultural shift.

“We’re living in a time of increasing isolation. After 27 years of doing breakfast radio, I believe more than ever in the power of shared voices and authentic connection. I’m here to help create that. And ARN are proving once again they’re not just adapting to radio’s future – they’re creating it.”

triple j’s Hottest 100 of Australian Songs brought multi-generational music lovers together for a journey through more than 50 years of the Australian songbook.

The record-breaking weekend across our platforms saw 3.13 million live stream starts on triple j and Double J’s digital streams on Saturday, in addition to an untold number listening to the countdown on broadcast.

There were over 50 million views across triple j’s TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channels over the weekend and more than 1.3 million reads on Hottest 100 of Australian Songs articles on the ABC.

The hotly debated list sparked conversations across the nation, with the triple j and Double J text lines receiving more than 17,000 texts on Saturday as people from across Australia and around the world listened along to see where their favourites landed on the countdown.

The countdown was the #1 Australian Google search on Saturday and the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs playlist already has over 100,000 saves on Spotify. 

Head of triple j and Double J Lachlan Macara said: “The Hottest 100 of Australian Songs brought people together across generations to celebrate the music we all know and love, with 2,655,826 votes counted, marking our 4th biggest ever, and the most amount of votes coming from our 18-29 year old demo.”

“Marking 50 years of triple j, our goal was to spark a big conversation about Australian music, and it absolutely delivered. We’re so lucky to have this incredible history, not just five decades of triple j, but the entire Australian songbook we get to work with.”

“This was a moment to celebrate and it was also a powerful reminder of that unifying feeling of backing in our own. Our audience knows how important it is to get behind Australian music right now, and the message couldn’t be clearer: let’s keep shouting about it.”

The countdown continues with Double J rounding out the list this week with the Hottest 200 of Australian Songs announced across the week before the list is played in full this Saturday on Double J. triple j Unearthed are also pulling out the 100 Best Unearthed Discoveries as voted by listeners across 4 special programs this week.

As the proud official media partner of the Garma Festival, the country’s biggest gathering of First Nations politics and culture, the ABC will this weekend bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, stories and culture to all Australians.   

For 25 years at the Garma Festival, the Yothu Yindi Foundation has brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in north-east Arnhem Land through discussion forums, art, music, film, song, dance and exhibitions. 

Yothu Yindi Foundation CEO Denise Bowden said the ABC’s coverage of the event was comprehensive and vital, “The ABC shares the culture and conversations of Garma with a large national audience, which is so important in ensuring Yolngu voices continue to be heard, while giving Australians a better insight into the realities of life in remote Indigenous communities” she said. 

This year’s theme ‘Rom ga Waŋa Wataŋu’, or ‘The Law of the Land, Standing Firm’ acknowledges the achievements of the festival, paying tribute to the many Yolngu clan leaders over the years, whose legacy continues to be felt throughout the nation. 

2025 marks a key moment in Indigenous Politics. Three months on from the Australian Labor Party’s landslide election victory, all Australians will be watching the festival for an update from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the Government’s direction on Indigenous Affairs and policy. 

From Friday 1 August ABC News will deliver news, reporting and analysis from the Festival on all ABC NEWS platforms.    

The ABC has a long history as the media partner of the Festival. In this celebratory year the national public broadcaster’s partnership will be led by Director, First Nations Strategy Kelly Williams.   

 Ms Williams said: “The 25^th anniversary of Garma is an important milestone and one the ABC is celebrating with coverage led by senior Indigenous journalists whose careers have grown through covering this event.  It is a wonderful moment to have Bridget Brennan and Isabella Higgins leading the coverage around Indigenous affairs and Dan Bourchier doing live crosses into News Breakfast and other programs.”  

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks: “I’m really looking forward to attending such an important cultural event in support of both the partnership and the ABC’s truly impressive team of Indigenous on-air presenters and management executives in the work they do for the ABC.

“We have an important opportunity before us to strengthen the relationships we have with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and industry organisations in the telling of important First Nations stories across the ABC’s diverse range of media platforms, at a scale and with an impact that reaches as many Australians as possible.”  

The Garma Festival is held at Gulkula, about 40 kilometres from the town of Nhulunbuy in North-East Arnhem Land, a prominent ceremonial place for the Gumatj clan of the Yolŋu people.  

ABC NEWS coverage will be overseen by Head, International and Indigenous News  Suzanne Dredge and led from the Festival by a team of experienced Indigenous ABC journalists, producers, and technical specialists. 

SCA today announced the appointment of Matt Dickson as WA Commercial Strategy Leader, further strengthening the company’s presence and commercial capability in the region. This appointment is part of several recent senior leadership appointments as the business deepens its focus on the Western Australian market and commitment to delivering strong outcomes for local clients.

With over two decades of media and creative leadership experience, Dickson brings a deep understanding of commercial strategy and client-focused innovation. Reporting to WA SCA’s Head of Commercial, Megan Tuckey, he will drive commercial audio growth and revenue in the agency, direct and regional Western Australia market by developing market strategies, strengthening SCA’s portfolio of brands including LiSTNR, Mix94.5, and Triple M, and deepening market presence through client engagement, marketing and industry partnerships.

He will also lead product innovation and integrated campaigns, leveraging streaming audio and podcasting trends in collaboration with internal teams and external partners, to position WA SCA as the leading media publisher for advertising revenue.

Dickson joins SCA from Nine Entertainment, where he served as Client Solutions Lead. He has also held senior roles at leading media organisations, including NOVA Entertainment and SCA, where he served as National Head of Creativity – The Studio. Known for delivering campaigns that deliver results and connect with audiences, his work has been recognised with numerous national and international awards, including from LIA, The One Show, and the New York Festivals. Returning to SCA, Dickson brings extensive media experience and a proven track record of driving strategic outcomes and delivering impactful, market-led solutions.

Matt Dickson said, “I’m thrilled to be returning to SCA at such an exciting time for audio. As the most capable full-funnel medium, audio offers incredible potential. I’m looking forward to getting out into market to help solve WA clients’ marketing challenges through SCA’s suite of assets. The opportunity to rejoin the WA SCA team was simply too good to pass up.”

Luke Minto, SCA’s National Head of Audio Sales, said: “The WA market is thriving for SCA, with a dominant 49.7% share of the 25–54 audience in Perth following Survey 4, and a 100% share of regional WA radio. This gives us a complete audience platform for brands to grow and connect across the state.

“Matt is a renowned audio evangelist, and his move to SCA is a brilliant step forward – not just
for the audio medium, but for WA clients, who now have access to globally recognised talent to partner with on their next campaign.”

Dickson’s appointment, alongside Megan Tuckey’s upcoming start as WA Head of Commercial, bringing 13 years of sales experience across digital, publishing, and broadcast media, underscores SCA’s continued investment in strengthening its Western Australia leadership. These additions follow the promotions of Robert Iannazzo to Executive General Manager – Adelaide and WA, and Remi Barley to General Manager and Head of Sales – WA Regional in December 2024, reinforcing SCA’s strategic commitment to expanding its presence and capabilities in the WA market.

Matt Dickson will report to Megan Tuckey, WA SCA’s Head of Commercial, and starts on September 1.

SCA are thrilled to announce the appointment of Justine Harvey as Head of Sales – Gold Coast. Justine brings with her a wealth of experience and a long, successful career in media sales particularly in the Radio and Audio space. Her background includes senior Sales Manager roles at both NOVA Entertainment and Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), and most recently, she was the Director of Brindle Media, based right here on the Gold Coast.

Justine said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to return to Southern Cross Austereo — the place where I began my media career 20 years ago. It’s a full-circle moment, and I couldn’t be more excited to lead a dynamic and talented team in a city I love. The Gold Coast is thriving with opportunity, and I’m excited to help our clients and partners grow in this progressive market.”

Blair Woodcock, Head of Regional Content & Gold Coast General Manager, said: “I’m extremely excited to welcome Justine back to the SCA fold. We believe she will help deliver strong results and be a huge asset to the Gold Coast team.”

A Current Affair, Australia’s most-watched daily current affairs program, has launched a new weekly podcast, That’s ACA, taking listeners and viewers behind the scenes of the show’s most talked-about stories.

Hosted by seasoned reporters Steve Marshall and Lizzie Pearl, That’s ACA offers a candid look into the world of television reporting. Each week, the hosts dissect the biggest stories, share their personal experiences on the road and talk to the program’s stable of reporters about the weird and wonderful assignments that capture the nation’s attention.

“There’s a saying in the ACA office, ‘that’s so ACA’,” explains co-host Steve Marshall.

“It’s those stories that are quintessentially Australian, that make you laugh, make you cry, that fire you up, or just make you shake your head and say… ‘Only in Australia’. This podcast is a celebration of those moments and a chance for our viewers to be part of the conversation.”

Co-host Lizzie Pearl adds, “Our viewers are so invested in these stories and we’re constantly asked what happens when the cameras are off. This podcast is our chance to finally pull back the curtain, share the hilarious or heartfelt moments that don’t make it to air and really celebrate the craft of storytelling with our audience and our colleagues.”

The podcast provides a new way for audiences to connect with the brand and its dedicated team of journalists.

“A Current Affair has been a staple in Australian living rooms for decades,” said Executive Producer, Amy McCarthy.

“That’s ACA is a natural evolution for the brand, allowing us to connect with our audience on a deeper level and on new platforms. It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase the incredible work and unique personalities of our reporting team, strengthening the bond we have with our viewers beyond the nightly broadcast.”

New episodes of That’s ACA are released every Friday morning. The first three episodes are available now:

Episode 1: The Art of the Bounce
How A Current Affair reporters approach this signature move seen on the show. Plus people power – how viewers are literally saving lives. And can one story make all the difference? We also answer your curly questions.

Episode 2: Whistleblowers, Wine and Wins
Some of our biggest scoops come from people or whistleblowers who have the courage to stand up to the big guys. Plus, Lizzie’s rather tipsy long-lunch with a group of Nonnos. And stairway to heaven?…or hell? Justice for Bernice.

Episode 3: It’s Not Personal, It’s Strictly Business
Ally Langdon sits down with former American mobster and member of the Colombo crime family, Michael Franzese. He retired from the mob life in the mid nineties after a stint in jail and has since become a motivational speaker for youth, schools and prisons. He was in Australia recently and here is the full interview.

That’s ACA is available across all major podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube.

Listen/Watch Now:
Watch on YouTube: 
Listen on Spotify: 
Listen on Apple Podcasts: 

For more information and a full article on the new podcast, visit https://nine.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=769da63d542e4af279fedac5b&id=1332ebf98d&e=92ee0d390c

Southern Cross Austereo: #1 Network 10+ metro & #1 Network 25-54 metro

Triple M: #1 Network 25-54 Men – 20 surveys in a row

Triple M Brisbane: #1 station & #1 Breakfast

Triple M Adelaide: #1 Breakfast

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has further cemented its dominance as Australia’s leading commercial radio network, extending its market leadership for a 32nd consecutive survey in the highly coveted 25-54 demographic – the ‘Audience That Matters’. The latest GfK Radio Survey 4 results confirm SCA’s undeniable strength in this valued audience.

SCA is the undisputed number one radio network, with strong national growth across Triple M and Hit and an industry-leading 37% commercial share among 25–54s,  outperforming all commercial competitors by more than 13 share points.* This result further solidifies SCA’s position as Australia’s most influential and consistent audio network, driven by a dual-network strategy combined with the growing strength of LiSTNR’s total audio ecosystem.

All five metro Triple M Breakfast shows grew share, with significant gains in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth. In Brisbane, Triple M’s Marto, Margaux & Dan return to the top spot as the city’s Number 1 Breakfast with a 13.2% share, while the station claimed the Number 1 overall position on a 13.3% share. Roo, Ditts & Loz reclaimed the title as Adelaide’s Number 1 Breakfast show increasing to a 14.2% share, while Melbourne’s Mick in the Morning with Roo, Titus & Rosie saw strong share and audience growth, proving the strength of the show’s sport-meets-comedy content. Over in Perth, Xav & Katie delivered their strongest-ever result, rising to a 13.4% share and becoming the Number 2 Breakfast show in market.

The Rush Hour with JB & Billy posted the best Triple M Melbourne Drive result (4pm-6pm) in nearly two decades – 10.7% share, the highest in that timeslot since Survey 4, 2006 – and grew audience in Perth and Adelaide.

The Triple M network claimed the Number 1 station in the 25–54 demo in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, continuing its commanding run as the Number 1 network for Men 25–54 for a 20th consecutive survey. Triple M remains the most listened broadcaster nationally for both AFL (reaching 706,000 people 10+ across Melbourne, Adelaide & Perth) and NRL (reaching 415,000 people 10+ across Sydney and Brisbane).**

On the Hit Network, B105’s Stav, Abby & Matt continued their consistency, reinforcing Brisbane’s duopoly with a 13.1% share in Breakfast and growing to 407,000 listeners. In Melbourne, The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick maintained a strong 8.9% share in Breakfast, while 101.9 The Fox increased to 8.3% overall (10+, up 0.1).

John Kelly, SCA Chief Executive Officer, said: “Today’s Survey 4 results reaffirm SCA’s continued dominance in the key 25–54 demographic, delivering a commercial share of 37%* in the Audience That Matters – more than 13 share points ahead of our nearest competitor. For the first time, SCA claimed the number one position in three markets for 25–54s, with Triple M leading in Brisbane (19.1%), Adelaide (14.2%), and Perth (17.9%).

“Triple M’s strong results spanned all markets across the board. Highlights include all breakfast shows increasing share, Triple M Brisbane Number 1 overall and Roo, Ditts & Loz in Adelaide and Marto, Margaux & Dan in Brisbane both Number 1. The Hit Network also delivered significant growth in network share and cumulative audience, with Brisbane’s B105 and Perth’s Mix94.5 both the Number 2 stations in their respective markets.

“These results reflect SCA’s unwavering commitment to live, local and relevant content that truly connects with metro audiences across the country. I’m incredibly proud of everyone on our Content teams across all markets who deliver compelling entertainment to millions of Australians every day across the Hit and Triple Networks and LiSTNR.”

Seb Rennie, SCAChief Commercial Officer, said, “SCA leadership in the crucial 25–54 demographic has now extended across 32 consecutive surveys, underscoring the strength and consistency of our brands. Advertisers gain unrivaled access to P25–54 – the Audience That Matters and Australia’s most valuable consumer segment.

“With the combined reach of SCA’s Hit and Triple M networks, alongside our represented ACE metro stations, we hold a commanding 37% share of the metro P25–54 audience – a huge lead on our nearest competitor.

“Our continued success is fueled by innovation, a mix of well-established stars and fresh new voices, and consistently delivering impactful results across Australia’s leading audio ecosystem.”

Source: GfK Radio 360 Survey #4 Metro Ratings.  P10+/P25-54/M25-54/F25-54, Mon-Sun ROS/Mon-Fri 05.30-09.00/Mon-Fri 09.00-Midday/Mon-Fri Midday-16.00/Mon-Fri 16.00-19.00/Mon-Fri 16.00-18.00/Mon-Fri 15.00-18.00, Market Share %/Cume Reach (000’s)/Commercial Share %.

*Source: GfK Radio 360 Metro Survey #4 2025.  P25-54, Mon-Sun ROS, Commercial Share %, SCA + ACE Stations.

**AFL Source: Source: GfK Radio 360 Ratings. Metro Survey 4, 2025. Melbourne – Thursday 1800-2230, Friday 1800-2230, Saturday 1130-2230, Sunday 1300-1930. Adelaide – Thursday 1800-2200, Friday 1730-2200, Saturday 1100-2200, Sunday 1230-1900. Perth – Thursday 1600-2030, Friday 1600-2030, Saturday 0930-2030, Sunday 1100-1730. P10+ / P 10-69 / P25-54. Cume / Market Share %. NRL Source:  Source: GfK Radio 360 Ratings. Metro Survey 4, 2025. Sydney / Brisbane. – Thursday 1800-2200, Friday 1800-2000, Saturday 1200-1700, Sunday 1200-1600. P10+ / People 10-69 / People 25-54 . Cume Reach / Market Share %

 

About Southern Cross Austereo

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) is one of Australia’s leading media companies and the home of LiSTNR, as well as the Hit and Triple M networks. The LiSTNR digital audio app, offering free and compelling digital audio content including SCA’s FM, AM, and DAB+ radio stations, live AFL, NRL, and international cricket coverage, over 50 music playlists, local news and over 800 podcast titles from leading Australian and global creators. With more than 2.2 million signed-in users, the LiSTNR digital audio sales network reaches an estimated eight million people each month.

SCA owns 104 radio stations across FM, AM, and DAB+ radio under the Triple M and Hit network brands and provides national sales representation for 56 regional radio stations, with more than 9 million listeners across the Hit and Triple M networks nationally.

Audiences have been tuning into triple j ahead of the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs countdown this weekend.

In GfK survey 4, triple j recorded increases in overall share and TSL survey on survey and a 1.6% increase in reach year-on-year.

triple j Drive with Abby and Tyrone saw the biggest boost in the Sydney and Perth markets. In Sydney, where triple j recorded a 0.8% share increase, Abby and Tyrone were up 1.7% share to 5.6%.

In Perth, triple j increased by 1.0% share to 6.1% with Abby and Tyrone adding 2.1% to their Drive share bringing them to 8.4%.

This survey period captured both the One Night Stand which was held in Busselton in regional WA and the launch of the triple j Hottest 100 of Australian Songs.

This mid-year celebration to coincide with triple j’s 50^th has been a massive hit with audiences across generations. Artists, sports stars, and even the PM have shared their votes, generating fierce discussion about what should make the list of the best Aussie songs of all time.

Head of triple j and Double J Lachlan Macara said: “This weekend’s Hottest 100 is set to be something really special, a huge celebration of local music that’s resonated with Australians across time. We couldn’t be prouder to bring it to life as part of triple j’s 50th celebrations. 

“The response has been incredible, with huge voting numbers helping to build an iconic Hottest 100 list of our favourite Australian songs. It’s going to be a real journey for music lovers and listeners, packed with moments to celebrate the rich legacy of music made right here at home.”

The votes have been tallied and the total vote number of 2,655,826 has made this triple j’s 4^th biggest countdown ever. triple j have also had 92 million views across all triple j video content during the same period across social platforms and YouTube.

The triple j Hottest 100 of Australian Songs is on this Saturday from 10am AEST on triple j. 

The ABC’s reach held steady with 4.585 million listeners each week across the five capital city markets and we remain the number one digital live streaming network with a 25.9% share.

Source: GfK Radio360 Ratings, SMBAP Survey 4 2025, Mon-Sun 12MN-12MN, Share %, Cume (000s), TSL (HH:MM), P10+, unless otherwise specified

ABC NEWS was again Australia’s top digital news provider in June with a monthly audience of 12 million people, according to the latest Ipsos iris data released today.    Average read time for the ABC NEWS website across the month was also the highest of the top 10 brands at 31 minutes.

The overall news digital audience was down in June after federal election coverage drove record audiences in May.

Big national news stories during the month included the disappearance of Queensland teenager Phoebe Bishop, coverage of the Erin Patterson “mushroom murder” trial and the second game of the 2025 NRL State of Origin series.

Major global news events included the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine, including the US air strikes on Iran, the LA protests, the Air India plane crash and the celebrity wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.

Source: Ipsos iris Online Audience Measurement Service, May-June 2025, Age 14+, PC/laptop/smartphone/tablet, Text only, News category (Excl. Weather & News Aggregators), Audience (000s, %), AVG MINS PP (00:00).

Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) has welcomed the latest GfK Survey 4 results, with commercial radio audiences reaching 12.5 million weekly listeners, up 111,000 year-on-year (YOY).

In-car listening continues its growth momentum, up 191,000 YOY to 10.4 million weekly listeners, reaching 83% of radio’s total weekly audience.

“Commercial radio now reaches 6.2 million Australians aged 25–54, up 123,000 compared to the same period last year. For advertisers targeting this valuable demographic, this growth reaffirms radio’s unmatched ability to deliver both the scale and engaged attention needed to drive real brand impact,” said Lizzie Young, CEO of CRA.  

“What sets commercial radio apart is being one of Australia’s most trusted mediums, and the only one that’s 100% locally owned. This means advertising investment directly funds the local media services that are essential for our communities,” added Young.  

Time spent listening (TSL) sees audiences tuning in for an average of 11 hours 49 minutes weekly, with workplace listening leading the way at 12 hours 41 minutes per week.

Commercial radio streaming audience remains strong at 3.3 million weekly:

• 10–24s increased TSL to 3h 17m
• 25–54s represent 1.6 million streaming listeners, with TSL averaging 3h22m weekly
• Streaming outside of home/car/work rose by 25,000 listeners to 795,000

For historical data and the 2025 metro survey schedule, visit: https://cra.au/metro-ratings

Source: GfK 360 Radio Ratings, SMBAP S4 2025, compared to S4 2024, All people 10+, Mon-Sun 12mn -12mn, Cume (000’s), unless otherwise stated. Weekly Time Spent Listening (hh). All numbers refer to commercial radio results unless otherwise stated.