Radio Today Tonight

 Jen Seyderhelm reveals the stories that resonated with you most this year. Radio Today: "My whole life is going to change." Kyle sets the record straight on his healthRatings First survey results for 2025 Hamish McLennan: "We've made a huge financial commitment to Kyle & Jackie O. We need to get payback on that" Triple M's Marty Sheargold offers public apology over comments on women's sport The price of a reckless pursuit Radioinfo: Vale Sam Bailey who stole hearts, including wife Jenny, through the ABC Robin, Kip & Corey Oates axed from KIIS 97.3 breakfast, replacement announced next week - Ratings survey 4 results 2025: Gold top in Melbourne, beats 3AW, Smooth tops Sydney, beats 2GB - Choosing to live life with life, not grog- Chris Smith takes on the Super Radio Network Morning Show in 2025 Ash Bradnam departs Nova 106.9 Brisbane breakfast  Publisher Steve Ahern gives Jen a breakdown of the numbers. Also , we hear from Simon Kennedy, President of The Australian Association of Voice Actors , who recently headed to Canberra to campaign for AI voice labelling to protect human voices sourced without permission. A reminder to submit your entries to the Australian Audio Awards https://mumbrella.com.au/audioawards  We are taking a break for the Christmas New Year holidays and will be back in your feeds next year. Happy Christmas from Jen, Sarah, Steve and Wendy.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jen Syderhelm wraps up the results from todays ratings survey.  Steve Ahern talks to programming heads of Ace, ARN, Nine Radio, Nova Entertainment and SCA.  More at https://radioinfo.com.au/news/radio-ratings-survey-7-weekly-listeners-up-to-12-4-million/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jen Seyderhelm tells you how to enter the new Australian Audio Awards and hears about the behind the scenes moves that led to the launch of the new awards. Steve Ahern's advice is to start thinking about your entry now. "While you're preparing your Christmas best-of tape, put aside some material to use in your audio entry." He also explained to Jen the behind the scenes preparation that led to the awards announcement: "We have thought about the importance of radio and podcasting to Australia, so part of the judging criteril will include impact and how your work has helped to build the Australian audio industry... These will be part of all the other judging criteria you would expect for an entry." Tim Burrowes said: "When Steve and I realised were were both working on similar ideas, it made sense to work together... the audio sector in Australia is collegiate, so we're glad to work together on creating a ceremony that Australia's audio industry deserves." Enter at https://mumbrella.com.au/audioawards Moredetails at: https://radiotoday.com.au/radioinfo-radiotoday-to-launch-new-awards-for-the-australian-audio-industry/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See all our coverage of the ARN Upfront announcements here. In this podcast Jen summarises the ARN changes and we speak to:  Chief Audience and Content Officer Lauren Joyce about the network changes and longer range plans for Kyle and Jackie O   Ben Campbell Director of Digital Strategies, Data and Digital takes a deep dive into iHeart’s new data partnerships and ad tech  Chief Operating Officer Michael Stephenson (pictured) talks with Steve Ahern about how partnerships will work to the best serve ARN advertisesrs. Smallzy was confirmed to be joining the KIIS network with The Smallzy Show which will air from 3-4pm weekdays and a night edition from 7-9pm. He will be heard on KIIS 1065, KIIS 1011, KIIS 97.3, KIIS 102.3 and KIIS DAB+ Perth from January 2026. This will mean the end of The Pick Up with Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne who previously hosted the early drive 3-4pm spot. It was already confirmed that their Life Uncut podcast would no longer be associated with ARN iHeart. Will and Woody will continue on Drive. ARN’s KIIS and GOLD networks are going fully national in 2026, in a move which brings Kyle & Jackie O to a new audience in Perth, via a new KIIS DAB+ station. Adelaide’s Mix102.3 will rebrand as KIIS 102.3. In consolidating the GOLD brand, Perth’s 96FM becomes GOLD96FM. Adelaide’s Cruise1323 evolves into GOLD1323, and new GOLD DAB+ stations will launch in Brisbane and Adelaide. Jonesy & Amanda will have a GOLD Network National Drive program with Steve Fitton also announcing that he is leaving his drive role with the network at the end of this year.  The new hosts of Mix 102.3, which will become KIIS 102.3, will be Ben and Liam (Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton) with Belle Jackson returning to her off air role as producer. The new host of KIIS 97.3 will be Lowie, Craig Low, returning to Australia and radio after a long period in the US.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week the Community Broadcasting annual conference was held in Hobart. Jen Seyderhelm reviews conference highlights and we hear from several conferecne speakers. The opening keynote was from Adrian Sargeant, Professor of Fundraising at the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy and Research Director at Philanthropy and Fundraising International. ABC Radio Sydney breakfast presenter and known force for change Craig Reucassel wrapped things up. He spoke to Steve Ahern. Then it was the Community Radio Awards and we’ll also hear from CBAA board member Dave Houchin from 3RRR wrapping proceedings up Finally the conference debuted the Community Radio Airplay Charts to further champion Australian music and acts. I caught up with CBAA Music director Andrew Khedoori about that and I’ll introduce you to the Community Radio Airplay Chart No 1, Tile Picture: CBAA CEO Jon BIssettSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.