September’s results from the Australian Podcast Ranker, conducted by the Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA) in partnership with Triton Digital, reveals a growing cultural gap between AFL and NRL audiences.
Almost half (49.6%)of AFL fans consume sports podcasts, followed by the preferences of history at 32%, society and culture at 30.3% and news and technology at 30.2%.
37.7% of NRL fans listen to sports while their next preferences are music at 27.4%, technology at 25.3%, and business and comedy at 23.3%, according to Demos+ data.
Let’s Be Real, a new weekly podcast series from content creator, mum of five and businesswoman Emilee Hembrow launches through Nova Podcasts on Thursday November 6.
Offering an honest look at life; the highs, lows and messy middle of motherhood, entrepreneurship, and personal growth Emilee will share the realities of raising a family while pursuing ambitious dreams.
As one-third of the influential Hembrow sisters alongside Tammy and Amy, Emilee is co-founder of SSKIN, a Gold Coast-based skin and cosmetic clinic, and Selfish Supplements, a wellness brand celebrating strength, self-worth, and self-care.
9Podcasts has launched In The Good Books with Luke Bateman, a compelling new podcast hosted by the former NRL athlete, reality TV personality, and viral BookTok star, Luke Bateman. This series is not merely a book club; it’s an intimate journey of reinvention exploring how literature has transformed a life – from the high-pressure world of professional sport to finding purpose and community in fantasy worlds.
Luke Bateman brings his surprising and candid perspective to the mic, reflecting on a personal evolution that saw him move from hiding his reading habit to becoming a leading voice in the online literary sphere. The podcast examines how books across all genres – from gripping fantasy to insightful self-improvement guides – provide courage, connection, and a blueprint for a new chapter.
Each week, Bateman shares the classics and bestsellers that shaped his world and sits down with bestselling authors and fellow passionate bookworms to explore their own literary journeys, creating a welcoming and honest space for anyone who loves getting lost in a good story.
Luke Bateman said: “I’m overjoyed to share my new podcast, ‘In The Good Books’ with the world. It’s such a fulfilling and meaningful project for me, and to finally share it with everyone is scary but incredibly exciting! Hearing how books, stories and magic have touched people’s lives is so invigorating and I can’t wait to bring that to a wider audience.”
Nine’s Head of Podcasts, Richard Stansbury said: “We are very excited to welcome Luke Bateman to our growing slate of original podcasts with ‘In The Good Books’. Luke has built a huge and highly engaged community who share his passion for reading and quality books. We look forward to evolving that passion into a weekly podcast, packing listeners into Luke’s tractor and going on a ride from romance and fantasy to self improvement and thriller.”
IN THE GOOD BOOKS LAUNCHES TODAY WITH NEW EPISODES DROPPING EVERY WEDNESDAY ON APPLE PODCASTS & SPOTIFY
ARN’s iHeart is partnering with women’s lifestyle network Are Media to distribute and represent a range of premium podcasts, alongside cross-platform commercial opportunities for brands including WHO, ELLE, marie claire, Belle, Home Beautiful, The Australian Women’s Weekly and Gourmet Traveller.
ARN’s iHeart is also expanding its slate of iHeart Originals.
The first Original to launch is Love Island Australia: Officially Unpacked, premiering tomorrow in partnership with ITV Studios Australia and Nine.
As well, iHeart is teaming up with Making The Call to launch an Australian audio network dedicated entirely to women’s sports (iHeart Women’s Sports Network).
Australian comedian Lizzy Hoo is dusting off her podcast mic, partnering with podcast production house MIK MADEto relaunch Shituations as The Lizzy Hoo Show — a new weekly video series.
After nine episodes of Shituations, she’s stepping back up to the mic and in front of the camera for a new show that embraces life’s messiest moments.
The Lizzy Hoo Show is available on all podcast platforms from November 11, 2025.
LiSTNR has released a new branded podcast series, Beyond Tough, hosted by actor, author and former NRL player Matt Nable.
Beyond Tough flips the script on traditional notions of toughness, digging deeper and spotlighting the vulnerability behind some of Australia’s most iconic sporting figures.
Across five powerful episodes, Matt Nable sits down with AFL ruckman Brodie Grundy and former sporting greats – rugby league premiership winner Wade Graham, cricketer, vice-captain and now coach and commentator Brad Haddin, Olympic swimming great Cate Campbell OAM, and rugby league forward Aaron Woods, as these tough Aussie legends open up about the moments that truly tested them, both in competition and in life.
From Brodie Grundy admitting he “didn’t have love for the game” early in his AFL career, to Wade Graham revealing how the ASADA scandal rocked his life and family, Brad Haddin reflecting on his daughter’s cancer diagnosis to Cate Campbell reliving the moment her brother nearly died while she was at the London Olympics, and Aaron Woods speaking candidly about his struggles with anxiety – these are stories that redefine what it means to be “tough”.
Michael James, LiSTNR’s Head of Sport said: “LiSTNR is proud to partner with Volkswagen to bring listeners inspiring stories of resilience from some of Australia’s sporting legends. We all know their stats and big wins, but these stories dig deeper into the determination, the setbacks, and the strength it takes to bounce back stronger.”
All five episodes of Beyond Tough will be released on Monday, 10 November 2025. Listen for free exclusively on the LiSTNR app.
Fremantle AFL captain Alex Pearce, and former Triple J presenter Bridget Hustwaite, have launched new podcast Fan to Fan, discussing everything related to music. The first two episodes are now available on iHeart.
