Acast Launch: Toni and Ryan, Jack Laurence

A wrap of all the results for GfK radio ratings survey 1 for 2026, with Jen Seyderhelm and Steve Ahern.All the highlights, including Kyle and Jackie O, Gold FM's Christian O'Connell, Jonesy and Amanda, Nova's Ricki-Lee and Tim, 2Day's Nath and Emma, Triple M's Beau, Catt and Woodsy, 2GB's Ben Fordham, 3AW's Ross and Russ and more.We hear from Content Directors Greg Byrnes, Jon Vertigan, Peter Clay and Matthew O'Reilly for their take on the survey.See our reports here:https://radiotoday.com.au/first-radio-ratings-survey-results-for-2026/https://radiotoday.com.au/bob-still-the-builder-in-brisbane-breakfast/ https://radiotoday.com.au/jase-lauren-up-christian-down-and-better-news-for-2dayfm-in-survey-1-of-2026/ With Steve's analysis piece at https://radioinfo.com.au/news/radio-ratings-survey-1-analysis/   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 15 years in radio Jack lawrence left with an idea for a podcast and not much else. Now he makes a six figure salary and produces 6 podcasts that get tens of thousands of downloads per month.Steve Ahern spoke to Jack at the opening party for the new Acast Sydney studio last week.“I spent 15 years in radio. I started at SEAFM on the Gold Coast, I worked in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne. I worked on the Hughesy and Kate Drive show for 5 years. I spent a long time in radio, 15 years of my life. I was made redundant in Adelaide in 2016. So I ran around the traps… my last stint was at Today FM breakfast working on the Hughesy Ed and Erin show as their anchor.Jack started with one podcast and has now developed a suite of offerings, mostly in the crime genre. How does it feel?“Amazing! For me, it's about working for myself and the freedom that comes with that. The freedom to be able to tell the stories that I want to tell.“You know, I spent my radio career, always asking permission…and, you know, you have limitations, of course, with radio, versus podcasting. You don't have limitations [with podcasting].“I wanted to interview people with insane life stories. So I started the podcast where I speak to prisoners who are incarcerated in the United States… So it's freedom for me to tell the stories I want to tell, the content that I want to produce. And freedom to be able to do things with my family, like pick up my kids from school or go and see them doing stuff and not have to go to a content director can I have the afternoon off." Enter the Australian Audio Awards here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Toni & Ryan and Jack Lawrence got into podcasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our colleagues at Radio Today share this chat between Steve Ahern and Tim Burrowes with all you need to know about the Australian Audio Awards. Find out how to enter and hear about the judging criteria.Entry details at www.mumbrella.com.au/audioawards When your submisison is ready, enter here https://2026-aus-audio.awards-portal.com.au/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At today's National Press Clus address in Canberra, ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks focused on the "value and impact" of the national broadcaster and its importance for "a cohesive nation""We cannot take this Australia of ours for granted. We must continue investing in our Australian stories, in our Australian voices, in Australian creativity," he said.He looked beyond the ratings numbers to articulate the impact of radio across all its platforms Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fifty years ago today the Whitlam Labor government was dismissed by the Governor General John Kerr for its inability to pass the federal budget and guarantee supply. It is one fo the few reasons an Australian government can be dismissed from government by the monarch’s representative, the Governor General.Leigh Hatcher was a reporter for the Macquarie Radio Network that day. Radio was the first medium to break the news of the dismissal to the public after months of coverage of the Liberal dominated Senate not passing the budget bills and precipitating the ‘supply’ constitutional crisis.Leigh tells radioinfo’s Steve Ahern how it all unfolded on the day from the moment his cadet burst through the door of his small radio press gallery office shouting ‘Gough sacked!”Read more www.radioinfo.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the ARN upfronts a lot of the new initiatives announced depend on next level of sophistication of digital and advertising technology. ARN's Director of Digital Strategy, Data & Digital Ventures Ben Campbell talks to Steve Ahern to explain the Ad Tech behind the new initiatives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this radioinfo podcast Steve Ahern talk to the chief audience and content officer of the Australian Radio Network Lauren Joyce, about the ARN Upfronts. Lauren talks about the network and presenter changes ARN has put in place for 2026. Christian O’Connell is going national but Kyle and Jackie are not.The strategy to put Kyle and Jackie on DAB in Perth and whether that will change over time.Smallzy joins the KIIS network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this radioinfo podcast Steve Ahern talks to the new CEO of the Australian Radio Network, Michael Stephenson, about the ARN Upfronts. Michael talks about the partnenships ARN has put in place with Spotify, Youtube and others for advertising, creating local Australian content on the global iHeart platform, the ARN share price and how he plans to build on the heritage left by former CEO Ciaran Davis.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As podcasters all over Asia are scurrying to get their entries in for the 2025 Asia Podcast Awards before they close on 4th July, radioinfo's Steve Ahern got some tips on changing consumption trends in podcasting, the best approach to starting and promoting your new podcast and the business model that iHeart Australia is using for its podcast slate from Corey Layton, iHeart Australia’s Head of Digital. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.