News October 27, 2015

On The Dial: Audit threatens community radio; SCA appoint new CFO

Audit threatens community broadcasting

As part of the National Commission of Audit comes news the audit has identified community broadcasting for “abolition or merging” (section 8.8).

“The Commonwealth Government already provides over $1 billion per annum to the operation of the public broadcasters. There is a limited rationale for the Commonwealth to also subsidise community radio services. Continued government funding of this area does not meet the Report’s principles of good governance,” says the audit.

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia President Adrian Basso said the recommendation, if adopted, would put stations across the country at serious risk.

800 shows for My Generation

The MCM produced My Generation have celebrated on the weekend as Jonesy & Amanda presented the 800th show.

Jonesy : “My Gen is the best kick arse radio show – bar none!”

Amanda explains why the show is a success: “There’s no greater feeling than hearing a song you haven’t heard in a while that instantly takes you back to an incredible moment in your life – good, bad or ugly – it’s like a kick in the solar plexus.”

MCM Media’s Group Content Director Sam Thompson, says: “My Generation has continued to evolve over the last 15 years, staying fresh and relevant. The success of the show lies in its ability to reflect the music and big events of our time in a contemporary way.”

Fox let listeners in for Open Day

On Friday, Fox FM opened their doors to listeners for an open inspection during the drive show.

Breakfast host Dave Thornton along with Dan & Maz, Jo Stanley, Byron Cooke, Michael Beveridge and Hamish & Andy producer/jock Trav Roebuck showed 200+ listeners how a radio station works.

As well as a DJ set from Peking Duk on the Fox FM rooftop, listeners also gave feedback on the playlist and voiced promos.

Roadtrip Forever recognised internationally

Southern Cross Austereo is an international finalist at this year’s Facebook Studio Awards for its ‘Roadtrip Forever‘ campaign.

Created last year for Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission (TAC), the campaign is in the Facebook For Good category; given to work made for charitable causes or not-for-profit organisations.

Roadtrip Forever combined traditional storytelling with social media technology to send a powerful message to 18-25 year olds about the potentially life-threatening effects of speeding and distracted driving.

Vale Paul Ramsay

Paul Ramsay, the former Chairman and majority shareholder of Prime Media, died late last week in Bowral.

Ramsay had been admitted to hospital in Europe in a serious condition following a severe heart attack, and was flown back to Australia.

Along with his investment in Prime Media, which he sold in March, Ramsay was a highly regarded, and extremely successful, businessman and philanthropist with personal wealth of $3.7 billion.

Newcastle Survey 1: all commercial stations lose share

The first Newcastle survey result for 2014 has been released.

All commercial stations have lost overall share in this first survey under GfK with NXFM being the main station hit.

KOFM remain #1 in the market but went down 2.6 10+ to be on a 16.1%. ABC1233 move into 2nd from 4th, with triple j in 3rd and NXFM falling 6.4 to be 4th placed, on 10.3%.

SCA appoint new CFO

Southern Cross Media has announced the appointment of Peter Lewis as Chief Financial Officer, to commence on 16 June.

Lewis was with Seven West Media for the past 15 years in various CFO and COO roles within that broader group. More recently, he has led the Federal Government enquiry into the ABC and SBS.

CEO Rhys Holleran commented: “We are delighted to have appointed someone with Peter’s impeccable media and financial credentials to join the senior management team”

Canberra Survey 1 released

The first Canberra survey result for 2014 has been released, the first under GfK.

104.7 hold onto the #1 position for the 15th consecutive survey although dropped 1.0 overall. They are now only 1.6 in front of new second placers Mix 106.3. While the station remain #1 under 40 they only gained with 18-24’s (up 12.3) but lost some share 25+.

In the last survey with Nielsen, Scotty & Nige were 6 points clear of ABC666 at breakfast. In this first survey under GfK, Philip Clark has taken the lead at breakfast, now on 20.1%, 1.5 in front of 104.7.

Mix 94.5 Perth reveal new workday lineup

With Fred Botica leaving the station after 21 years this Friday, Mix Perth have reshuffled their lineup.

Tim Lordan is going back to drive with Lisa Shaw. Tim filled in from the beginning of the year while Fred was on long service leave.

This means across the workday, Ross Edwards will move from arvos to replace Tim in mornings.

Replacing Ross in 12pm-4pm will be Simone Heng. Simone started at Mix at the start of 2014 as a casual announcer after spending five years in Singapore & Dubai radio hosting the #1 English radio show on Virgin Radio in Dubai for almost four years.

MOVES

Tim Attiwill is now an Account Executive at Fresh 927 in Adelaide. Tim recently worked at Mix 102.3 and is an Australian Radio School graduate.

2012 AFTRS Graduate and former Mix 104.9 Darwin jock Nick Hose is now interning at WNYC New York.

Mark Santomartino is leaving his news post at 2XL and Snow FM to take up a gig in Ballarat.

After freelancing as EP of Rosso’s drive show on KIIS 1065 and Mix 101.1 for the past month, Nic McClure is now in the role fulltime.

JOBS

Grant Broadcasters has a vacancy for a Program & Content Director in Darwin.

Snow FM and 2XL in the Snowy Mountains are looking for a News Presenter.

River 949 in Ipswich is looking for a Music Director/Announcer.

SCA has a vacancy for a Promotions / Tactics Coordinator based in Hobart.

ARN has a vacancy for an Image Producer based in Canberra.

SCA has a vacancy for a Creative Writer to cover a 12 month parental leave contract based in Adelaide.