News October 27, 2015

On The Dial: Hamish & Andy returns; Turnbull meets with CRA; Beats 1. The Verdict; Aus radio audience figures

The Return of Hamish & Andy. They’re Back but What Does it Mean?

Hamish & Andy are returning to Southern Cross Austereo stations 2day, Fox, hit92.9, hit107, hit105 and the regionals this week. In the metro markets that means there’s now a three way ratings battle in drive with Nova’s Kate, Tim and Marty and ARN’s Hughsey and Kate.

Since Hamish & Andy were on air full time* a few years ago they’ve had a highly successful television show on Nine which drew around a million viewers each week.

(* That's if you can call a 2 hour show ‘full time’ as Tony Martin always used to say 2 hours is a show, 3 hours is a shift!)

Hamish & Andy started at Fox in 2003 and went to national Today Network drive in 2006 and recorded record ratings.

Drive talent based shows started back with Martin Molloy who were heard on 54 stations from 1995 to 1998. Tony and Mick achieved a huge following, much deserved acclaim and record ratings.

Hamish & Andy have also recorded impressive record ratings in the past.

This time it's different. The landscape has changed. Last time the duo were on number 1 FM stations with a strong breakfast lead in from number 1 FM breakfast shows like Matt & Jo on Fox and Kyle & Jackie on 2day.

Turnbull meets with Commercial Radio Australia

The plans to allow media companies to have market reach beyond 75% look to be back on the agenda. In a private dinner last week, Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull met with media execs including CRA CEO Joan Warner and CRA Chairman and MRN COO Adam Lang.

The government looks like it will do an about face and revisit the current ownership laws, where owners cannot reach more than 75 per cent of the population and prevent one company from owning a TV signal, radio station and newspaper in the same market.

Up close with Florence

With sell-out shows in Melbourne and Sydney as well as headlining Splendour In The Grass – Florence + The Machine are killing it.

With Universal Music releasing Florence + The Machine’s third album “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”, KIIS Sydney and Melbourne, Channel [V] and Spotfiy have teamed up for an exclusive fan event to be held in a secret Sydney location on Friday July 24.

Beats 1. How does it measure up? The Verdict! What does it mean for radio?

Apple have finally launched Beats 1, the first worldwide radio station. To hear it you need to get the new Apple Music App included in iOS 8.4. Beats 1 is a component of Apple Music, Apple’s first on demand, subscription based music service for which they charge $11.99 a month (after a 3 month trial), however after the free trial Beats 1 can still be accessed free.

Unlike music streamers such as Pandora, Spotify and Rdio, Beats 1 is much closer to what we know as ‘traditional’ radio.

It's the newest, biggest radio station in the world that promises to “unite the world through music”.

It’s cleverly positioned as ‘Always on’. So does it live up to the hype?

Beats 1 is truly international and they promote that heavily with sweepers promoting that they are broadcasting from LA, NY and London. They also promote that they can be heard in over 100 countries, which is not of any great benefit to the listener, but it’s good for Apple!

Batting above the average

GfK’s latest AudienScope shows that Australian radio audiences have grown by 7% in the last five years. With 19% listening to more radio now than they were a year ago and how most stay with the same station across the day.

But the GfK AudienScope 1 for 2015 digs a little deeper. The Commercial Radio Australia backed quarterly research takes in a sample across the nation of 1250 people; this round it explores some of the key drivers in terms of talent, how radio is used across the day compared to other traditional media and how it’s used in conjunction with other activities.

“This report showcases radio’s unique ability to connect with audiences for longer periods of time. The loyalty between stations and their listeners contributes to an exceptional level of trust that extends to brands that advertise on radio”,said Joan Warner CEO of Commercial Radio Australia.

JOBS

Grant Broadcasters has a vacancy for an Imaging Producer in Geelong.

SCA has a vacancy for a Senior Digital Video Producer- Melbourne.

Triple M Brisbane has a vacancy for an Executive Producer for The Grill Team.

Triple M Brisbane is looking for an Announcer / Assistant Music Director

SCA has a vacancy for an Announcer / Promotions Assistant based in Dubbo.

Nova 93.7 Perth has a vacancy for a Creative Writer.

Sony Music has a vacancy for a Marketing Manager based in Sydney.

Chilli 90.1 FM has a vacancy for a Breakfast Personality.

Power FM Bega has a vacancy for a Breakfast Anchor and Music Director.

ARN has a vacancy for a Creative Writer based in Sydney.

6PR has a vacancy for a Morning Producer.