On the dial: Smoothfm turns 2; SCA releases digital traffic; ABC boss responds to budget cuts
Smoothfm turns 2
This Wednesday it will be two years since smoothfm launched.
The Sydney and Melbourne station has a combined audience that has grown 93% since launch, with a current audience of over 1.2 million listeners and a 6.7% share in each market.
Paul Jackson, NOVA Entertainment Group Program Director, says, “We launched smoothfm two years ago with a unique music position playing the greatest songs and best artists regardless of their era or genre. With a focus on creating an easy place for our listeners to relax, smoothfm has been warmly received and our consistent growth is testament that we have created a radio station that plays the songs that our listeners love.”
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triple j take One Night Stand to Mildura
triple j’s annual One Night Stand was held in Mildura this weekend.
The free gig was attended by more than 17,000 locals and was enjoyed on triple j and ABC TV by many more around Australia.
triple j Unearthed winners WZRDKID opened the event and was followed by The Jungle Giants, Violent Soho, Dan Sultan, RÜFÜS and finishing up the gig was Illy.
triple j breakfast hosts Matt & Alex and Zan Rowe broadcast live from the One Night Stand with over 8 hours of coverage while listeners could watch videos, read blogs and flick through photo galleries on the triple j website and social media – uploaded as they happened.
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SCA releases digital traffic
Southern Cross Austereo has seen a 130% year-on-year increase in Australian monthly unique browsers for the past month.
Southern Cross Austereo Director of Digital and Innovation Clive Dickens says,
“Given the Easter holidays and Anzac Day impacted on domestic online consumption this month, we are particularly pleased with the results. At SCA we are very focused on social, mobile and video and to see us take over 50% share of Digital Metrics for the first time is a real milestone.”
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ABC boss responds to budget cuts
ABC Managing Director Mark Scott has appeared on Radio National breakfast with Ellen Fanning following the release of the budget.
Scott says, “Our concern is, if we find further efficiencies, they’re just swept off the table and that fundamentally could weaken the ABC as a viable public broadcaster of the digital era. So this is going to be a point of some debate and consultation with the communications minister in the months ahead.
“If you look at the evidence, nearly nine in 10 Australians say that the ABC today provides a valuable or very valuable service. Three quarters of the adult population watch, listen or log in every week. We have the overwhelming majority of children looking at our children’s programming every week. The Australian public is very happy with the ABC’s funding level, and the prospect that we’re going to rip millions more out and curtail the ABC’s ability to invest in the ABC’s future I think would not be greeted with support from the Australian people, and I’ll be making those arguments in Canberra.”
Watch the full chat here
Survey 1 released on Gold Coast
After a week delay of Survey 1 on the Gold Coast, the results have now been released.
Gold FM remains on top and has widened the gap to its main rivals. Hot Tomato have jumped Sea FM to come in second in the market with Sea FM third.
There’s a lot of movement at breakfast with the three top runners all changing position. Gold breakfast is now #1 (up from #2) followed by Hot Tomato while Sea FM drop from first to third.
Triple M Adelaide swaps breakfast and drive hosts
Triple M Adelaide is changing up its breakfast and drive shows. Dale Lewis and Nick Gill move out of breakfast and will swap with drive hosts Mark Ricciuto and Chris Dittmar. Jon Blake will remain on the breakfast show with Roo and Ditts.
“Cut these boys open and they bleed Adelaide,” Head of the Triple M Network Mike Fitzpatrick said. “If you’re not waking up listening to this show, you won’t know what’s happening in Adelaide. End of story. Roo knows everyone, hears everything and has a finger in every pie. Chris Dittmar, Australia’s most recognisable squash champion (yeah, right…), is a much loved broadcaster in his own right. It’s already a great show in afternoons and will be even better in Brekky.”
Southern Cross Austereo Head of Radio Content Craig Bruce said: “Roo & Ditts have proven over the years they’re a force to be reckoned with in drive, I can’t wait to hear what they’ll serve up for breakfast.”
Roo and Ditts will start on breakfast from Tuesday 3 June.
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RADIO TODAY – MOVES
Liam O’Connor is now SCA Sydney’s Agency Sales Manager. Four other appointments included Edward Povey, Jenna Smith, Alyce Ward and Daniel O’Callaghan.
Blake Phillips is now a Digital Executive Producer at SCA in charge of digital content in VIC, TAS, SA and WA.
Brett Wadleton is now a Digital Executive Producer at SCA in charge of digital content in NSW, ACT and QLD.
James Cole, a graduate from Perth’s Central Institute of Technology, has landed his first gig as an Account Manager at Real FM in Mudgee, NSW. –
JOBS
SCA has a vacancy for an Executive Producer at SEA FM on the Gold Coast. This role is a 6 month parental leave contract.
SCA has a vacancy for a General Sales Manager based in Orange
4BC has a vacancy for a Senior Content Producer
Triple M Brisbane has a vacancy for a Tactics Manager
Triple M Melbourne has a vacancy for a Head of Tactics
ZM in Auckland has a vacancy for a Breakfast Producer
Nova 106.9 in Brisbane are looking for an Integration Project Manager
Geelong’s K-Rock and Bay FM are looking for a Creative Writer/ Floater
ARN has a vacancy for a Senior Broadcast Engineer based in Sydney
ARN has a vacancy for Casual Street Crew in Sydney looking after KIIS1065, WSFM and The Edge
K-Rock has a vacancy for a Morning Personality in Geelong
Triple M Melbourne has a vacancy for a Tactics Manager
Grant Broadcasters has a vacancy for a Program & Content Director in Darwin
River 94.9 in Ipswich has a vacancy for an Account Manager
96FM in Perth has a vacancy for a Promotions and Marketing Manager
EON Broadcasting in Maroochydore has a vacancy for a Promotions Manager
C91.3 has a vacancy for a Commercial Producer