Few years back. I’d guess around 2019-2020? I wasn’t working for any of the impacted stations at the time, so I only vaguely knew it was happening.
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Digital audio less than 10% of commercial radio network revenue
The digital revolution might be here, but commercial radio networks are still overwhelmingly reliant on the old wireless to bring in the advertising dollars, with less than 10% of total revenue coming from digital audio.
This is according to Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), which has reported total radio revenue of $273.1 million for the September quarter.
Digital audio revenue rose by 12.1% year-on-year, to reach $26.7m. Metro radio revenue was $156.7m, while regional revenue brought in $89.8m.
As digital revenue still makes up a small slice over the overall pie, the double digit percentage jump wasn’t enough to arrest the 5% year-on-year drop in metro, and the 6% regional fall. Overall revenues dropped by 4% from the prior September quarter.
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Wasn’t sure where to put this, but I do this all the time when driving or surfing lava.net.au .
On the latter I use the search function on my internet browser and search for a random artist to see if any station is playing them (eg U2, Olivia Dean etc.).
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Does anyone know what the ABC “Radio Interchange” channels on the Optus sat are for?
One of them seems to have 702, the other something else (Radio National?) but is mono with the same audio on each channel just slightly out of sync.
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I have no clue (all I know is ABC uses satellite to do delivery to many Tx sites).
But on the out of sync thing - I heard a NewsRadio FM repeater with seemingly doubled up audio a month or two ago. Seemed very weird. Maybe they use left and right for two different air chains, and they’re supposed to switch automatically?
I did check it again with the cricket on.
The second channel of three had cricket (which I guess is still 702).
The third channel had cricket on both channels but not in sync.
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So an ‘interchange’ channel is usually for stations to share programming. Like how the commercial TV channels had satellite channels to feed stuff to affiliates, and Telstra DVN channels to feed stuff between one another (e.g. shared news gathering).
Again I don’t know what ABC does, but I’d wildly guess they are feeding certain programming out to each state-based MCR for relay. ABC has radio MCRs in at least a few capital cities for that state’s stations. Satellite interchange probably originates from Ultimo MCR. If it’s cricket, other ABC Locals would be taking that too on analog.
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This is a strange post to make 9 months after the fact. Looks like you’re the one who was offended and need to stir up trouble to feel like a big man.
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Following yesterday’s events at Bondi Beach, what did each Sydney radio station do?
Here’s what I’ve got so far:
- GOLD101.7 had COC on live instead of a pre-recorded welcome package
- 2GB had Ben Fordham come back from holidays. Mark Levy is back from holidays.
- 2MMM had Cat & Woodsy come back from holidays
- 2SM had Richard King networked from Newcastle, but had newsreader Dianne Coveney-Garland on-site at Bondi Beach crossing back. Chris Smith is live as usual.
- 2Day1041 had music instead of H&A podcast
- Nova96.9 had Mel & Matty (networked show), but covered the issue
What did smooth95.3 and KIIS1065 do today?
That is a very solid effort from Sydney commercial stations when in need. A big test especially for those opting to network content over Summer/into 2026.
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Copyright Tribunal rules over radio royalty rates
A two-year copyright battle between collection body PPCA and Commercial Radio and Audio over royalty rates has been decided, with both sides claiming victory.
This week, both parties learned a portion of Justice Helen Rofe’s initial decision, with the full Copyright Tribunal findings to be released in the New Year.
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BBC called. They want their name back.
Interesting logo with each letter of the word “sounds” overlapping each other.
https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2025/12/15/ard-to-relaunch-audiothek-as-ard-sounds-in-2026/
Seems for some reason my local SENTrack on 89.1 has been running very low power for the last few days. Normally comes in strong on the TEF, but now its barely audible at all. Driving past the TX site there is no RDS at all and still seems rather weak.
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Ok. So which stations are we expecting to switch formats/logos/etc. this evening/into 2026?
- 96FM to become GOLD96FM
- Mix102.3 to become KIIS1023 (and all KIIS stations to lose the point in their frequencies)
What else?
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Cruise 1323 will become Gold 1323 also
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Drove through the West Gate tunnels in Melbourne yesterday. It seems the tunnels rebroadcast all commercial and national (ABC/SBS) FMs, as well as 3RRR. None of the other community stations were seemingly rebroadcast.
Unsurprisingly, no DAB in the tunnels either. Didn’t have time to check AM.
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No PBS FM in the tunnels is a bit rough. This station is the sound of the Culture Capital.
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i think that’s the same as the Burnley tunnel. From memory, I think radio stations have to pay for the privilege of being re-broadcast in the tunnels, so that probably rules a lot of community stations out.
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WNAM 1280am serving the Neenah-Menasha, Wisconsin area is ceasing broadcasting after 78 years citing economic reasons
they go offair at 5pm Sydney time today and at the moment they are using old voice tracks and callers from the 60’s and 70’s to intro songs.. its quite a interesting listen
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Wasn’t there a period when ABC stations weren’t available in the CityLink tunnels because Transurban wanted the ABC to pay? I heard that a legal change was made to force them to do it.
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i don’t recall that but it would not surprise me. So the ABC ended up paying?