Entries Open for Australian Radio Awards to be held in Melbourne
With a bevvy of new on-air teams from around Australia competition has never been tougher for the coveted title of Best on Air Team at this year’s Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs).
Last year’s Best On Air Team (FM) was won by Kyle and Jackie O who’ve also won it in 2011, 2007 and 2006. In 2012, it was their (now) stable mates Jonesy and Amanda. What chance someone new will get a look in?
On the AM side, Best On Air Team was won last year and for a second time by Melbourne 3AW breakfast presenters Ross Stevenson and John Burns (2013, 2011).
Entries open today for the 26th annual ACRAs, which this year will return to Melbourne and be held for the first time at the Convention and Exhibition Centre on October 18.
In fact, there’ll be around 100 ACRAs handed out on the night in 34 categories in separate strands for Country, Provincial and Metro. But with so much talent competing for the heavy little microphones, snaring one won’t be easy.
As usual, the show’s put on by Commercial Radio Australia. The peak body’s CEO, Joan Warner says, “2014 is set to be an exciting ACRAs year with many changes in on-air team combinations and timeslots. We’re hoping we’ll have more entries than ever before.
“The ACRAs is a highlight of the radio industry’s annual calendar and always provides a great opportunity to celebrate the enormous talent within commercial radio around Australia,” said Ms Warner.
Other winners from last year’s Awards included: Nova’s Sydney breakfast team, Fitzy and Wippa for Best Networked Program for the Best of Fitzy & Wippa, Best Newcomer to radio went to Jane Hall, Mix 101.1 Melbourne presenter who co-hosts the breakfast show with Chrissie Swan, Best Current Affairs Presenter was won by 3AW presenter Neil Mitchell, Best Talk Presenter was won by 2GB’s Ray Hadley.
The ACRAs are peer judged with judging panels comprised of industry members across networks and associated industries.
Ms Warner said a feature of the Awards is the Hall of Fame, which acknowledges a lifelong commitment to the Australian radio industry. Last year’s inductee was founder of the Capital Radio Network, Kevin Blyton. Previous inductees have included Derryn Hinch, Neil Mitchell, John Laws, Tony Pilkington, Graham Mott, Frank Hyde, Rod Muir, Bob Rogers and Paul Thompson. Hall of Fame recipients are nominated by industry colleagues and decided by an industry wide executive judging committee.
Entries for this year’s Awards close on 23 May 2014.
Information about entering the Awards, categories and conditions of entry can be found at the website: www.commercialradio.com.au
