Back in 2010

Radio News will return to the net in early 2010.

The Most Played Song in Australia for 2009

‘You Found Me’ from The Fray was the most played song on Australian radio in 2009.

Nielsen radio ratings survey 8

Survey 8 of the Nielsen radio ratings have been released today, the final survey for 2009. Check out the results for Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney here.

Murdoch takes 50% of DMG

Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT) today announced that Illyria will acquire 50 per cent of DMG Radio Australia and that Lachlan Murdoch will become chairman of the joint venture company.
DMG Radio Australia holds nine radio licences, including the national Nova FM network of stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth and the Vega FM stations in Sydney and Melbourne.

Cathy O’Connor, chief executive of DMG Radio Australia , said today that the new joint venture is ‘an exciting step forward for DMG Radio Australia ’.

Big Rex signing off from 3AW (AUDIO)

Rex Hunt has tonight pulled up anchor at 3AW and presented his final fishing show on the station. We have captured the audio of Rex signing off for the last time Listen

Macquarie Radio earnings set to rise 31%

Macquarie Radio Network Ltd, which owns Sydney radio stations 2GB and 2CH, says its performance this year was significantly better than 2008/09, and should lead to full-year earnings growth of 31 per cent.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for 2009/10 should be more than $8.5 million, compared with normalised EBITDA of $6.5 million in the prior year, chairman Russell Tate said at the firm's annual general meeting on Friday. Full story SMH

Around WA in 365 days

ABC Local Radio WA listeners have forwarded photos from all around the state for a chance to have their image in the inaugural 2010 WA calendar.
All ABC Local Radio stations got involved and Barry Nicholl's Regional Drive program really got his listeners snapping. The competition resulted in a mass of user generated content never before seen at Local Radio.

Coalition Still Seeks to Stack ABC Board

"The Coalition's response to government moves to legislate for a merit-based system for ABC and SBS board appointments is extremely disappointing,” said Glenys Stradijot, a spokesperson for Friends of the ABC (Vic).

Today, Senator Minchin announced the Coalition will seek two amendments to the National Broadcasting Amendment Bill - one to reduce the restriction on the appointment of former politicians and senior staff to the boards of the ABC and SBS to only 18 months after holding office, and the other to prevent the staff-elected director position being restored to the ABC Board.

Yibbida Yibbida! Hunt leaves 3AW for 3MMM

3AW's chief football caller Rex Hunt has accepted an offer from 3MMM which will see him calling AFL games for the station in 2010. After the 2009 AFL Grand Final Rex was informed by 3AW General Manager Shane Healy that he was being replaced as chief football caller but would be retained by the station to call Sunday afternoon games in 2010. Hunt has been replaced by Brian Taylor who has jumped ship from 3MMM. Listen to the audio of Shane Healy on 3AW's Sports Today discussing the events surrounding his decision to replace Rex Hunt.

Digital radio Christmas ad campaign begins

CRA RELEASE: The next phase in Commercial Radio Australia’s $10 million digital radio awareness campaign begins this week with a series of radio and online advertisements pitching a digital radio as the perfect gift for Christmas.

Going to air across more than 40 commercial radio stations in the five digital radio metropolitan markets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, the campaign will support all retailers selling digital radios and complement the extensive catalogue, in store promotion and radio advertising by larger retail outlets in the lead up to Christmas.

Julie Singleton Sunday nights on 2UE

Julie Singleton, the ex wife of 2GB supremo John Singleton, tonight begins a new program on 2UE. Julie, who was Singo's fifth wife, will present Legal Matters which will focus all things legal including divorce & family law, crime including drink-driving, car accidents, speeding offences, apprehended violence orders and other areas like wrongful dismissal, discrimination, buying and selling a home, tenancy problems! She has previously been a regular on the Tim Webster 2UE afternoon program. The new show takes the place of Sunday Night At The Movies, which was hosted by Dale Sinden and Simon Foster.

Nova’s new national nights are noice

Nights will sound different on the Nova Network next year with dmg Radio Australia announcing the arrival of two new national shows you’ll hear around Australia in 2010.

Michelle, Smallzy and James Kerley will broadcast nationally from 7 - 10pm weeknights across the Nova network, commencing 23 November, 2009. Michelle Anderson and Kent “Smallzy” Small have enjoyed unprecedented success as Nova Brisbane’s nights team since 2007. They will be joined by Nova Sydney’s James Kerley, one of the country’s brightest up and coming multi media stars.

NewsRadio proposed for Deni & Upper Murray

ACMA release: The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking written submissions from the public on proposals to make channels available for ABC NewsRadio services in Deniliquin and the Upper Murray region.

The ACMA is proposing to make channel capacity (100.9 MHz) available in Deniliquin and Upper Murray to allow the ABC to provide its NewsRadio service.

‘The proposed changes are part of the broader plan to extend these ABC services to all transmission areas of Australia with a population of 10,000 or more,’ said Chris Chapman, Chairman of the ACMA.

Gavin Miller to quit 96fm

96fm drive announcer Gavin Miller has decided to move on from the station at the end of the year. Gavin made a tongue in cheek posting on Twitter regarding his upcoming resignation which read “I have an announcement to make: I have resigned from 96fm, effective December 31st. My plan is to sell up, head east, and repair my career,.. and for the record the whole thing could not be more amicable. All good.”

Behind The Wheel clocks up 500

Joel Helmes this week produced Behind the Wheel episode number 500. He says when he started the concept two years ago he was afraid he would run out of motoring topics, instead he says the concept has grown to include a one hour weekly show, a Television program (which is in the pipeline) and a spin-off, Carsguide Radio. BTW is now heard across six states.

Good Charlotte ditch tastless radio stunt

The Good Charlotte boys Joel and Benji Madden have stormed out of a Melbourne radio station after taking offence to an interview segment about Britney Spears.

The normally laid-back twins began the interview with Fox 101.9 breakfast show hosts Jo Stanley and Matt Tilley by warning the pair that they were "pretty wrecked" after a big night out.

After answering a few preliminary questions, the Madden brothers were asked to play a game to test if they could sense what the other was feeling. Full story NineMSN

Nova 969 signals a change in breakfast radio

dmg Radio Australia has today announced that Nova 969’s Tim “Rosso” Ross and Kate Ritchie will not be returning to the station in 2010.

David Borean, general manager of Nova 969 said “Tim has played a big part in the station since it launched in 2001.

“We thank him for his contribution in helping shape what the station is today. This is the end of an era as Tim moves on to other personal projects.”

After two years with Nova 969, Kate Ritchie will be returning to her true love – acting – in 2010.

Vic Davies loses lung cancer battle

Vic Davies, who co-hosted the long-running Club Veg show, has died after a short battle with lung cancer. Davies, 55, passed away at 1.30pm (AEDT) yesterday, five months after being diagnosed with the disease.

He is best known for presenting the comedy music show, Club Veg, along with Mal Lees, which ran for 15 years on various radio stations in New South Wales. The segment featured song parodies and comic sketches, most of which were written by Davies.

He got his big break while working as a copywriter for radio ads, landing a gig on the ABC's youth station Triple J in 1984.

He and Lees moved to 2SM in 1987, and were poached by Triple M in 1989.

The station dropped the iconic show in 2002.

His family and a close friend, Rina Ferris, issued a statement today announcing his death.

"Vic was loved by many and we were honoured to call him our friend. We will always miss him and he will remain in our hearts forever," the statement said.

Industry announces digital radio report

CRA release: A new digital radio industry report - tracking who’s listening to the new technology, how many digital radios have been sold and the overall awareness of digital radio - will be released by Commercial Radio Australia in early 2010.

The industry report will provide a comprehensive market snapshot of digital radio and will include top line digital radio listening figures from Nielsen Radio Ratings, consumer research from Nielsen Panorama and Hoop Group, digital radio sales data from GfK and consumer survey information sourced from tracking studies on Commercial Radio Australia’s digitalradioplus website and facebook page.

Nielsen radio ratings survey 7

Survey 7 of the Nielsen radio ratings have been released today, one day early due to the Melbourne Cup public holiday. Check out the results for Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney here.

Vale Tim Bickerstaff

Veteran New Zealand radio broadcaster Tim Bickerstaff has passed away at home in Whitianga at the age of 67. It is understood Tim suffered a massive heart attack on Saturday (31 October) and his body was discovered by local children who had come knocking on Halloween Night.
Many would remember Tim from his time spent working at Melbourne station 3DB in the 1960's. He soon returned to New Zealand where he pioneered talkback on Sportsline with Geoff Sinclair on Radio 1 before moving onto more general talkback with his two-hour Radio Pacific show.

Govt Moves on ABC Board Supported by Friends of ABC

"Today the Government took a significant step to protect the independence of the ABC into the future", said Glenys Stradijot, a spokesperson for Friends of the ABC (Vic).

If adopted, the National Broadcasting Amendment Bill will usher in a process of appointments to the boards of the ABC and SBS that is merit-based and more transparent. It will restore the staff-elected director position to the ABC Board.

Ash Bradnam case adjourned

Ash Bradnam is doing it a little tough at the moment and at one stage today it got a little tougher. After failing to show up at Beenleigh Magistrates Court this morning on a drink-driving charge an arrest warrant was issued but later withdrawn. The case has been adjourned until November 12 on medical grounds.
Since he was pulled over on October the 8th it is understood the Nova radio star has sought treatment and has been staying at a rehabilitation clinic on the Gold Coast.

High noon at Highland FM

FORMER Highland FM community radio co-manager Graham Moir was elected to the Highlands Media Co-operative Ltd board at a heated annual general meeting on Monday night.
Mr Moir’s nomination was originally refused by the former board, which dismissed him from co-manager’s position in January. The board was forced to accept his nomination after it was found the station’s constitution did not allow it to reject it.

Also elected to the board on Monday were presenters Carolyn Beaumont and Zina Thompson and lawyer Tony Glenn. They join Nick Padol, Bobby Stuart and Luke Broadbent on the seven-member board. Full story

$6.66 an hour, wow!

4WK’s parent company has been fined $8500 for underpaying one of its staff at a rate of just $6.66 an hour.

The Federal Magistrate’s Court in Brisbane imposed the penalty against Amalgamated Marketing Pty Ltd, which trades under that name and as radio station 4WK, after being prosecuted by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The company admitted underpaying a full-time advertising consultant $15,000 over 19 months in 2006 and 2007. Full story The Chronical

mcm media renews contract with Austereo

Austereo has renewed its contract to receive programming from mcm entertainment group Ltd for a further two years.

The agreement ensures mcm media pty ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of mcm, continues to supply nationally syndicated radio programs, such as Take 40 Australia, to the Austereo radio network until December 2011.

Radio to broadcast bushfire warnings

CRA release: Chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner, today welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Victorian Government, making commercial radio stations official broadcasters of emergency services information.

“The MoU represents a useful complement to the Commercial Radio Code of Practice 8 which contains commercial broadcasters’ obligations in relation to the broadcasting of emergency services information,” Ms Warner said.

Saturday Siesta

Glenn Hampson is back on the airwaves 3-5pm every Saturday over summer with “Saturday Siesta” on 98.7 and 98.3 3RPP and on the web www.3rpp.com.au.
An irreverent look at the week that was,playing some of the vinyl that hasn’t seen the light of day for decades and sport updates. A very relaxed laid back summer show to get into the summer/holiday mood.

Hot30 Jelli

Austereo will launch a new digital radio station and an enhanced version of the Hot30 FM radio show that lets listeners to select the music as it goes to air. Austereo together with US company Jelli say this concept will allow listeners to select the music being played in real time. This will be via a new digital radio station called Hot30 Jelli and FM integration on the Today Network. Jelli is a multiplayer web-based game that lets listeners control the songs that go on the air.

3AW Story Time circa 2009

Listeners were given a special treat when John Blackman dropped by 3AW's Nightline to have a chat with Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady tonight. Just before the 9pm news Blackers and Bruce rekindled the magic of Story Time, a segment the duo used to present at 6.55am every morning on their former top rating 3AW breakfast show. Have a listen to all the old gang from all those years ago. Audio

Merrick & Rosso & Kate Dump the Kerplunk (audio)

This morning on Nova 969’s Merrick & Rosso & Kate Ritchie the dump button was dusted off and used, and the game Kerplunk was to blame!
Kerplunk – made it’s highly non-anticipated radio debut just after 6am this morning in their Bored Game Friday’s segment. During the tense game the guys had to use the dump button.

Out of the ashes

Access ABC: An extensive search through the ABC's Anzac Day picture archive has helped bring some comfort to two listeners who lost everything in the Black Saturday fires.

David Barton and his wife Jennifer lost their Marysville home and everything in it on February 7.

Among the countless things that went up in flames were precious keepsakes of their family's military history, including uniforms and war medals.

New translator services for 7LA and 7EX

The Australian Communications and Media Authority will make new FM frequencies available to commercial radio broadcasting services 7LA and 7EX in Launceston to improve reception in the central business district.

The ACMA has also decided to make a new high power open narrowcasting radio service available in Launceston, to operate on 1008 kHz on the AM band.

Vinnie exits Triple M

Triple M Melbourne’s Music Director Vinnie Shannon has departed the station. He can be contacted via email: vinkel1@bigpond.net.au

MCM ending Planet Rock

MCM is ceasing production of Planet Rock as of the 29th of November while American Top 40 will finish at the end of December. Take 40 is changing format on December 5, with MCM deciding that stations can only play it on Saturdays between 2-6pm. MCM wants a 12 month commitment to the show, however this could play havoc with stations that take live sport such as NRL and AFL during the winter months.

2SM classic archival audio

Have a listen to this classic 2SM sales promotion audio from 1979.

Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA

Follow this link to listen to loads of more audio from 2SM all those years ago.

Joel back at 4BC

Joel Helmes is about to hit the 4BC airwaves again. Joel will fill in for Walter Williams on weekend nights over Christmas and will co-host the breakfast show with Chris Adams on Christmas morning. He says he can’t wait to get back on the air at 4BC. Helmes Media Solutions operations will continue as normal.

Crocmedia AFL calls

Further to the recent article on Crocmedia and their entry into calling AFL games for regional radio we can now confirm that ACE radio, Grant Broadcasters and North East Broadcasters will be taking the commentary in 2010

Ash Bradnam has a drinking problem

Nova 106.9 morning presenter Ash Bradnam will take time off to deal with alcohol issues after being caught drink driving little more than an hour after finishing work. Bradnam was caught driving at 0.214 - more than four times the legal limit - at a service centre off the Pacific Motorway at 10.20am last Thursday, just 80 minutes after the end of his daily radio show with co-presenters Meshel and Tim.

Jackie O husband burnt

The husband of 2Day FM radio host Jackie O has been badly burnt in an accident on the couple's Southern Highlands property. Lee Henderson was flown by helicopter to Concord Hospital after the accident at the couple's home overlooking Kangaroo Valley on Saturday afternoon. In a rather ghoulish twist, photos of Henderson's burns and treatment by paramedics were posted on the 2Day FM website under the heading "Jackie Hubby Lee Gets Burnt". "Jackie's husband Lee was burnt over the weekend when a fire went wrong on the farm. He is being cared for in hospital and is doing well," the caption for the photos said. The pictures have since been removed.

Hamish and Andy win top honours second year in a row

Hamish and Andy, Austereo’s comic duo, have again won Best On-Air Team at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRA) announced this evening at a glittering ceremony at the Sydney Entertainment and Convention Centre. The program is the highest rating drivetime show nationally with an average audience of two million people each week.

Cathy O’Connor - new chair of CRA

CRA release: Chief executive officer of DMG Radio Australia, Cathy O’Connor was today elected as the new chair of the industry body, Commercial Radio Australia.Ms O’Connor will replace the outgoing chairman, Michael Anderson, chief executive officer of Austereo, who has announced he is leaving the radio industry next year.

Hey Hey taken out of context

One of the very same radio stations who were quick to tear this weeks black face skit on Hey Hey's Red Faces to shreds were only last Friday promoting veteran entertainer Issi Dye who regularly dons the boot polish with his Al Jolson tribute show. Lawrence Money has written an article about Issi and his tribute show here

Crocmedia regional AFL radio deal

THE AFL has finalised new radio agreements for regional Australia with its existing partners, and added a new player into the market.
Existing broadcasters the ABC, 3AW, FIVEaa, 6PR, K-Rock and the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association (BIMA) have signed new deals, and the AFL’s focus on expanding football coverage throughout regional Australia has seen Crocmedia added to the roster. Read the entire article

Hearing voices in the still of the night

Peter Munro takes a look at overnight radio. She was calling from Tasmania and staying away from windows, so they wouldn't spy her. Outside, her dog was tethered to a wheelbarrow to keep it safe from tractor beams. Triple J's Dave Callan, host of The Graveyard Shift, turned up his levels but still struggled to hear her. ''Do you mind talking a bit louder?'' ''No, I can't,'' she whispered, ''because aliens are scanning the area for life forms.'' Read the entire article

Ed Phillips destinations

Harvey World Travel has teamed up with the Australian Radio Network Mix FM stations to bring listeners a new radio program called Destinations. Hosted by Ed Phillips the program will be heard in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide every Saturday morning between 9am -10am. There will be a different travel destination featured each week.

Hinch heading to the Edge, twice!

Derryn Hinch will this week broadcast his program 3AW drive from two different locations known as the Edge. On Tuesday he will be at The Eureka tower in Melbourne. Eureka Tower, a 300-metre (984 ft) skyscraper, features 'The Edge', which extends itself from the building to hang over the edge of the tower and add to the viewing experience. On Friday the program heads to Wangaratta for White balloon day where it will be broadcast from 3NE/Edge FM -out of The Edge FM studio.

Mix giving a little bait

This YouTube video making fun of Kyle Sandilands' fall from grace - and ratings plunge - appears as a promotion for Mix FM's new breakfast team of Mike Etheridge and Carmela Contarino, who have been named to replace the station's dumped duo of Sonia Kruger and Todd McKenney. How will Sandilands hit back?

vega 95.3fm serves up something unique for breakfast.

Vega 95.3fm has today announced that breakfast hosts Tony Squires and Mikey Robins will not be returning to the station next year.

A dedicated change towards a music-led format in Breakfast has seen the move away from the personality based show with Tony, Bec and Mikey. Rebecca Wilson had resigned earlier in the year.

Sinead Burgess wins Country artists scholarship

Rising country music star, Sinead Burgess has been awarded the 2009 Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) Scholarship for Breakthrough Country Artist. The scholarship is awarded in conjunction with the CMA (Country Music Association of America) Australian Advisory Group.

Chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said the scholarship was an important way for the commercial radio industry to support country music.

Robbie Buck leaving Triple J for 702

Robbie Buck is leaving Triple J breakfast to join 702 ABC Sydney where he will take over the evening slot. Robbie has enjoyed 11 years at Triple J across various shifts and is well respected for his music knowledge. The shift to ABC local radio will take place from January 2010 and as well as 702 ABC Sydney he will be heard across regional NSW and in Canberra through 666 ABC.

SportFM breached licence conditions

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that SportFM, the holder of a temporary community broadcasting licence in Fremantle, Western Australia, has breached its radio licence conditions by broadcasting advertisements and by exceeding the hourly sponsorship limit of five minutes.

Merrick & Rosso & Kate Ritchie go outdoors in "Australian first interactive billboard"

DMG Radio Australia will this week launch a four week outdoor campaign for
the Merrick & Rosso & Kate Ritchie brekkie show, featuring an “Australian-first
interactive billboard”…not really.
The ads, developed by Nova 969’s creative agency Three Drunk Monkeys, will
be featured on JCDecaux and AdShel transit sites from this week. A taxi back
version of the campaign will also launch in October.

Aussie stars to perform at Radio Awards

CRA release: The 21st annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) are shaping up to be great entertainment with Australian performers, Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian and Kisschasy all performing at the event in Sydney next month. As well, international star, Matt Nathanson will perform at this year’s ACRAs, which will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, October 10.