2005: radioinfo's Year in Review January to April

2005: the year digital radio was formally introduced in Australia; the year Kerry Packer died; the year of terrorism and industrial relations reform; the year of podcasting; the year the last new FM licences went to air in Sydney and Melbourne. radioinfo has chronicled this year’s events day by day, publishing over 1,500 stories on events of interest to the radio industry. In our 2005 retrospective there is a lot to review, so much so that we have had to break this article into 3 parts.

The year was characterised by hype around commercial media companies as speculators, anticipating media law changes, sought quick returns and made share prices more volatile than usual. The anticipated changes did not happen. New Communications Minister Helen Coonan, like her predecessors, found there were more worms in the can than expected when she opened it. With the Prime Minister saying he would not ‘expend much political capital’ on changes to the cross media and foreign media ownership laws, the much anticipated freeing up of Australia’s media laws again slowed. Two factors may finally bring changes to media laws in 2006: the death of Kerry Packer, of one of the opponents of change; and the Howard Government’s new found control of both houses of Parliament.

Convergence and digitization were also big issues, with more stations developing strategies to integrate the digital revolution into their broadcast business plans. Smart radio companies, realising the importance of getting their signal into all sorts of newly converged devices, from mobile phones and blackberries to digital tvs, iPods and computers, have embraced digital radio as part of an integrated multi-platform strategy that also includes podcasting, internet streaming and telephony.

This year was the year the last new capital city FM licences went to air, unceremoniously recording poor numbers in their first survey with DMG promising better marketing of its Vega brand in 2006. DMG’s rival Austereo recovered somewhat in 2005 from the onslaught of the Nova stations, making gains with its Triple M network, but still waiting for the same recovery for its Today network stations.

Terrorism, industrial relations reform and racial unrest made the second half of 2005 a time of uncertainty, with many listeners seeking to make sense of the world by listening to news-talk radio stations. Most talk stations around the country enjoyed good survey numbers as a result of this trend, with commercial talk stations dominating in Sydney and Melbourne, and the ABC’s Local Radio network revelling in its best survey results for years. Community radio also benefited by its ability to espouse an alternate view and to build a sense of community, scoring good results in the sector’s own audience surveys, which showed a high appreciation of the alternative formatting offered by this sector.

In radio business affairs, Macquarie Bank floated its radio interests into an investment fund, the other Macquarie (Macquarie Radio Network 2GB/2CH) also floated, ARN made consistent profits, Austereo’s revenue share declined, and DMG’s revenue increased, and World Audio’s share price continued to drop.

The radio industry farewelled some friends who passed away this year, including Dolly Dyer, Campbell McComas, Claudia Wright, Grantley Dee, Tommy Vance, Paul Hester, Alex Hilling, Pete Ferrier, Graham Kennedy, Les Miller, Paul Bodington, Jim Iliffe, Peter Manolas, Troy Garner and others.

Here is how radioinfo’s year unfolded month by month from January to April, with links to each of the stories we covered. The other months are in the second and third parts of this article (see other story).

JANUARY

January was dominated by the radio industry’s coverage of the Asian Tsunami and related aid appeals. Also significant that month was the death of Austereo’s ‘Blue Planet’ logo as the network rebranded its Today stations in light of market changes and reformatted the Triple M network.

Other stories that month included lineup changes, the beginning of bleatings for media reform, growth of satellite radio in America, growth of Christian programming in Australia. Also Nova Brisbane’s impending launch publicity began, short-lived SEN’s Adelaide station launched, Triple J celebrated its 30th birthday, and the ABA (now ACMA) began a get-tough policy on community radio advertising breaches.

Stubbs for ABC Melbourne [31 Jan 2005]
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‘Love’ Still ‘Tough’, but Shorter [31 Jan 2005]
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International team for Filipino journalist murders [31 Jan 2005]
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Earnings Bonanza for DMG [31 Jan 2005]
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Merrick & Rosso do Brisbane [31 Jan 2005]
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BBC journalists ‘ignorant’ [31 Jan 2005]
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Radio helps WaveAid Tsunami Concert [30 Jan 2005]
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Hellier roving at Wedding [30 Jan 2005]
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Zemanek Agrees on 2UE Return [30 Jan 2005]
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PNG-Australia Media Development Deal [29 Jan 2005]
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Lowie replaces Higgo and Alexis [28 Jan 2005]
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2GB and 2CH close to public float [28 Jan 2005]
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Bob Carr bans late Happy New Year wishes on Nova [28 Jan 2005]
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Vision Radio Network’s 200th Station on air at Ayres Rock [28 Jan 2005]
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Grudge match for Sea FM breakfast crew in Rocky [28 Jan 2005]
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Geraldine Doogue’s RN Saturday breakfast not popular with everyone [28 Jan 2005]
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AFTRS Birthday Boy Oscar nominees available for radio interviews [28 Jan 2005]
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MRR ‘Local’ Assurance on Media Reforms [27 Jan 2005]
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Aussies poll well in triple j Hottest 100 [27 Jan 2005]
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2HD and 2UE Celebrate 80 Years [27 Jan 2005]
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WA community station breaches advertising guidelines [27 Jan 2005]
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NY Station song mocks Tsunami victims [27 Jan 2005]
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Grant Broadcasters to give Tens of Thousands to Tsunami Relief [26 Jan 2005]
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Triple J Hottest 100 Winner to be revealed [26 Jan 2005]
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ABC All Over Australia Day [26 Jan 2005]
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Nova 919’s OB for Eyre Peninsula bushfire victims [25 Jan 2005]
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2KY Tsunami Breakfast [25 Jan 2005]
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New Triple M Format, with Molloy shift change [25 Jan 2005]
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Power Tsunami Garage Sale nets $10 000 [25 Jan 2005]
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King Kyle Rules [25 Jan 2005]
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Best Radio Hosts’ Poll [25 Jan 2005]
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SEN Adelaide Launch Date and Big Names revealed [25 Jan 2005]
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Australia Day 2005 – Award Winners – EXCLUSIVE FREE AUDIO [25 Jan 2005]
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Merrick and Rosso’s Jolly Rogering [24 Jan 2005]
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Christian Radio Powers On [24 Jan 2005]
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League of their own [24 Jan 2005]
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Throsby back on air [24 Jan 2005]
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Jones and Laws Head to Head [22 Jan 2005]
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Voting Closes for Triple J Hottest 100 [22 Jan 2005]
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The Blue Planet is Dead, Long Live the Blue Spiral [21 Jan 2005]
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92.9 cash giveaway deceptive and misleading: Perth listener complains [21 Jan 2005]
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5SE under fire for plans to close newsroom [21 Jan 2005]
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Austereo appoints National Inventory Manager [20 Jan 2005]
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Tsunami Song Row Grows [20 Jan 2005]
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Elliott Scoop on Latham Downfall [20 Jan 2005]
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Tsunami Garage Sale Powers On [20 Jan 2005]
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Last analog tape manufacturer pulls the plug on professional recording tape [20 Jan 2005]
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Outcry over Triple J Tsunami Song [19 Jan 2005]
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Triple J’s ’30 Years in 30 Days’ Begins [19 Jan 2005]
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SEN Celebrates 1st Birthday – Adelaide Details Soon [19 Jan 2005]
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Radio ad revenue up 15% [18 Jan 2005]
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Ad Campaigns confirm ‘Game On’ [18 Jan 2005]
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Community Radio helps Tsunami Relief [18 Jan 2005]
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2005 Ratings Begin, with Listeners on the Rise [17 Jan 2005]
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Aussies top Radio’s Most Played [17 Jan 2005]
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Too Noisy for Nova Newsroom [15 Jan 2005]
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First Appointment for SEN Adelaide [14 Jan 2005]
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Tamworth Country Music Festival – John Williamson supports RADD [14 Jan 2005]
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Funeral for Campbell McComas [14 Jan 2005]
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Andrew Maher on SEN Morning Glory [14 Jan 2005]
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Early signs of media shake up [14 Jan 2005]
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Peter Burgham told ‘not to come back’ [13 Jan 2005]
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Dancing Derryn [13 Jan 2005]
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The Edge takes ‘western’ focus with New Breakfast Team [13 Jan 2005]
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Tsunami Appeal, Magda Szubanski and Adam Gilchrist – FREE AUDIO [13 Jan 2005]
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Sea FM Swells Tsunami Relief Efforts [12 Jan 2005]
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Nova 1069 makes first Brisbane Appointments [12 Jan 2005]
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CRA Drives Radio Tsunami Relief [12 Jan 2005]
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Radio’s continued Key Role in Tsunami Relief [11 Jan 2005]
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Mastercard Pulls Ads due to Tsunami [11 Jan 2005]
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Triple J for Broome? [11 Jan 2005]
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Writedowns to hit Media Hard [11 Jan 2005]
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Austereo to weave Magic on the Web [11 Jan 2005]
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Entries close for Siren Awards’ second round [11 Jan 2005]
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Scott Mayman seriously injured in USA [11 Jan 2005]
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Cricketers help radio support Tsunami appeals [10 Jan 2005]
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Campbell McComas Dies [10 Jan 2005]
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Some New Breakfast Line Ups Start and Big Names Return [10 Jan 2005]
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$20m+ from Tsunami Relief Concert, as Radio and TV Unite [09 Jan 2005]
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Radio Australia joins Nova, ARN and Triple M in tsunami simulcast [08 Jan 2005]
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Death of Radio Pioneer, Dolly Dyer [08 Jan 2005]
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Radio is History [07 Jan 2005]
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Christian radio programs grow in 2004 [07 Jan 2005]
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Tsunami plea spreads throughout the radio world [07 Jan 2005]
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Bevan to broadcast Classic FM breakfast from ABC 1233 studios in Newcastle [07 Jan 2005]
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Macca’s Localworks to raise money for Tsunami victims [06 Jan 2005]
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New Discrimination Complaint against Laws [06 Jan 2005]
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FIVEaa Hires 5DN Presenter [06 Jan 2005]
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Casey Kasem signs new long term deal to host American Top 20 [06 Jan 2005]
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Clear channel contestants get booby prize [06 Jan 2005]
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Satellite broadcasting’s strategic growth in 2004 [06 Jan 2005]
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NZ’s Radio Heritage Foundation launches web site [06 Jan 2005]
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Help raise funds for the Tsunami Victims – Download Red Cross CSA FREE Audio [05 Jan 2005]
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Flint: Reform Cross Media Laws – Now! [05 Jan 2005]
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BBC staff shown door [05 Jan 2005]
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Breakfast Line Up Changes Everywhere [04 Jan 2005]
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Brennan Defends ‘B’ Team [04 Jan 2005]
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Martyn wins ABC McGilvray Medal [03 Jan 2005]
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Man wins radio station car after two days’ kissing! [01 Jan 2005]
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radioinfo’s year that was: 2004 [31 Dec 2004]
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FEBRUARY

Commercial Radio’s brand campaign continued in 2005, resulting in higher awareness of radio advertising and increased radio revenue in 2005. Alan Jones extended his show by one hour, putting him squarely against John Laws, who suffered a number of setbacks in 2005 including ill-health, declining ratings and the loss of Macquarie Regional RadioWorks stations. ARN began a new marketing campaign for its stations, which had mixed ratings success in 2005 but continued to pull in strong revenue.

In other stories during February: ABC Dig launched its third audio stream, recruiting began for a new ACMA Chairman and went on unsuccessfully all year, community radio received extra funding for transmission equipment, Mix FM Canberra was found to have breached the anachronistic election blackout, RAJAR moved a step closer towards introducing radio people-meters in the UK, Radio National budget cuts went on the ABC’s political agenda, ABC critic Janet Albrechtsen was appointed to the ABC Board, and survey one results were released.

Carlton Back Today [28 Feb 2005]
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New ABC Board Member Defends Appointment, as ALP buys in [28 Feb 2005]
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Nile Defends Laws and Price [28 Feb 2005]
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Radio Man to contest Latham Seat in By-Election [28 Feb 2005]
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Radio Self Help in Remote Rural Areas [28 Feb 2005]
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Cordeaux: Drink Drive Case [28 Feb 2005]
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Flint Defends Jones and Laws on Attard’s Sunday Profile [27 Feb 2005]
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4BC-4BH Grand Open Day [27 Feb 2005]
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No Cheek from Jackie O [27 Feb 2005]
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Revenue Down but Profit Up for Village Roadshow [26 Feb 2005]
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John Cain to reveal all on RN [26 Feb 2005]
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Janet Albrechtsen appointed to ABC Board [25 Feb 2005]
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Regional surveys: Dubbo, Gold Coast and Nationally [25 Feb 2005]
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Macquarie Regional Radio Works on the move [25 Feb 2005]
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End Looms for Doom and Gloom Groom [25 Feb 2005]
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Dial a radio station for music downloads: Patrick Joyce at Broadcasting Summit [25 Feb 2005]
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Talkback Radio Cracks Crime [25 Feb 2005]
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Audio News Release – National Talent Competions (National Youth Week) – FREE AUD [25 Feb 2005]
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Reporting Disasters and Wars – Sydney course this weekend [24 Feb 2005]
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Louise Barrett scores big PBL Job [24 Feb 2005]
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Southern Cross Bumper Profit Result [24 Feb 2005]
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Blackspot Help for another 13 Communities [24 Feb 2005]
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Applications Close for New Eden Licence [24 Feb 2005]
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Flint Defends Jones and Laws [24 Feb 2005]
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I hope we won’t still be waiting for digital radio this time next year: Warner [24 Feb 2005]
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New General Manager Appointment at Nova 100 Melbourne [23 Feb 2005]
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Survey 1 results open 2005 ratings year [23 Feb 2005]
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Jackie O’s Revenge, as 97.3 gets close to Paris [23 Feb 2005]
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Walkout threatened over Radio National staffing crisis [22 Feb 2005]
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APN kicks off Big Reporting Week for Radio [22 Feb 2005]
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Survey #1 Results out today [22 Feb 2005]
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2nd Nova Brisbane On Air Appointment [22 Feb 2005]
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Rod Stewart and Brett Lee join RADD [21 Feb 2005]
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Jono Coleman excited about new talk show and aiming to come back to Australia [20 Feb 2005]
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Kyle: Idol’s new ‘Nasty’ Judge [20 Feb 2005]
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Jones’ link to wronged ex-cop payout [20 Feb 2005]
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Amanda Keller – 5th Wiggle? [20 Feb 2005]
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Former Premiers reveal all [19 Feb 2005]
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Nova Brisbane launch soon [19 Feb 2005]
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Sleeping Radio Thief comes unstuck [19 Feb 2005]
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ABC of Bullying probed in Senate Estimates Hearings [18 Feb 2005]
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RN budget cuts probed in Senate Estimates [18 Feb 2005]
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Air Media has 40% regional commercial radio Rep Coverage [18 Feb 2005]
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US Indecency Legislation [18 Feb 2005]
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Siren 2 Winners [18 Feb 2005]
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Laws-Price Apology Ordered [17 Feb 2005]
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Nova Brisbane – First On Air Appointment [17 Feb 2005]
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Grant Broadcasters’ six figure Tsunami Aid [17 Feb 2005]
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Doomed Groom! [17 Feb 2005]
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Tell Us What You Want Entries Close [17 Feb 2005]
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10% Profit Jump for Austereo [17 Feb 2005]
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Enquiry panel proposes BBC Licence fees be scrapped [17 Feb 2005]
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RAJAR goes next step towards Radio People Meters in UK [17 Feb 2005]
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WaveAid Raises $2.3m [16 Feb 2005]
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Harvey Radio Ads stick the boot in [16 Feb 2005]
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Triple M Jumps Queue with INXS Auditions [16 Feb 2005]
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Rural Press: Predator? [15 Feb 2005]
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ABC Radio might have to Share Cricket [15 Feb 2005]
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NXFM Happy Staff are Leaving [15 Feb 2005]
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Nova’s Wedding Un-planners [15 Feb 2005]
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Community Radio Changes in SE NSW [15 Feb 2005]
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Improved Radio Services for Regional Victoria [15 Feb 2005]
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Radio Pair Trash PD’s House [15 Feb 2005]
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Shotgun Wedding for Valentine’s Day? [14 Feb 2005]
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Chris Smith begins plum Newsreading Role [14 Feb 2005]
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Andrew Maher on SEN Morning Glory [14 Feb 2005]
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Rumours fly over new DMG Stations [14 Feb 2005]
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PM puts Media Overhaul in Doubt [14 Feb 2005]
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The Top Ten from the ABC Classic fm Piano Countdown [14 Feb 2005]
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Attard interviews PM on Sunday Profile [13 Feb 2005]
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Hughes’ Pilot over the Moon [13 Feb 2005]
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First Step Cleared for new Super Regulator [13 Feb 2005]
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New Husband among Weird Responses to Promotion [13 Feb 2005]
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Triple M’s got balls when it comes to choosing music [12 Feb 2005]
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Mix Canberra breaches Election Blackout rules [12 Feb 2005]
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Kiss the Crew for Cash [12 Feb 2005]
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Classic FM Top 100 Winner Tonight [12 Feb 2005]
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Former Premiers Reveal All [12 Feb 2005]
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Carlton’s $1m Morning [11 Feb 2005]
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Chris Smith will give up changing nappies for new Channel 9 show [11 Feb 2005]
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New funding grants available for community radio transmitters [11 Feb 2005]
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Rural Press profit up by 39% [11 Feb 2005]
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Jeremy Millar’s programming thoughts for ARN in 2005 [11 Feb 2005]
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4TO announcer launches ten new radio careers amid increasing workload [11 Feb 2005]
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SYN FMers flatten opposition stations [11 Feb 2005]
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Robbie Williams scoops BBC Radio 2 Poll and Brit Awards [11 Feb 2005]
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Pirating Merrick & Rosso [11 Feb 2005]
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Movements at SA FM [11 Feb 2005]
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Coleman sacked from Heart London Breakfast [10 Feb 2005]
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Vale: 3AK presenter and singer, Grantley Dee [10 Feb 2005]
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Krazy Kevin’s Bahrain Tsunami fundraiser [10 Feb 2005]
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Radio industry revenue up in Los Angeles [10 Feb 2005]
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New York Sackings over Tsunami Song [10 Feb 2005]
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Tsunami tees off 2UE [10 Feb 2005]
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RN Detention Centre Doco [10 Feb 2005]
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Big Rural Press Profit Anticipated [10 Feb 2005]
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Conroy to stay on as Shadow Comms Minister [10 Feb 2005]
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Jono Coleman’s Change of Heart, moving to talk after sacking [10 Feb 2005]
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Radio Ad Revenue Jumps 9.6% [10 Feb 2005]
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Regional Radio Bureau Expands Network [09 Feb 2005]
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Chris Smith lands plum 9 Newsreading Role [09 Feb 2005]
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SMS technology used in live Paul Holmes TV Talk Show [09 Feb 2005]
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Recruiting starts for ACMA Chief [09 Feb 2005]
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Attard back on ABC [09 Feb 2005]
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ABC Radio wins Ashes Cricket [08 Feb 2005]
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FM103.2 ready to Cook up a Storm [08 Feb 2005]
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dig gets deeper with 3rd Stream: Country Music [08 Feb 2005]
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2GB: ‘Tell Us What You Want’ [08 Feb 2005]
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Kyle ‘Idol’ on Rumours [08 Feb 2005]
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Stubbs begins on ABC [07 Feb 2005]
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ABC Radio close to Ashes’ Cricket Rights [07 Feb 2005]
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Classic FM Top 100 [07 Feb 2005]
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Laws: ‘Ha!’ to Retirement [06 Feb 2005]
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Attempted Float Savings anger Hadley [06 Feb 2005]
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New 4BC-4BH Studios: Official opening and studio pictures [04 Feb 2005]
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Sad old men in grey cardigans couldn’t stop Double Jay: Marius Webb exclusive [04 Feb 2005]
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Former Premiers reveal all on Radio National [04 Feb 2005]
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Vale Claudia Wright [04 Feb 2005]
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Radio copyright royalties cap under review [04 Feb 2005]
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ARN’s new marketing campaigns signals strong start for Gold and Mix streams [04 Feb 2005]
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MRR targets Seven Stations it must Sell [03 Feb 2005]
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Surprise Government Approach to Cross Media Laws [03 Feb 2005]
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Community Radio for Mount Beauty, Victoria [03 Feb 2005]
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WA News’ Results [03 Feb 2005]
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Southern Cross and ABC win Commonwealth Games’ Rights [02 Feb 2005]
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Iraq Radio Braves All [02 Feb 2005]
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Community Radio Rural-Regional Conference [02 Feb 2005]
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New 4BC-4BH Facility Opens Tomorrow [02 Feb 2005]
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FM for all Launceston draws closer [02 Feb 2005]
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Crikey! Crikey sold for $1 million to Eric Beecher [02 Feb 2005]
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Liz Jackson to host Media Watch [02 Feb 2005]
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Jones-Laws face off [01 Feb 2005]
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Adelaide primed for SEN Launch [01 Feb 2005]
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New Radio Brand Campaign [01 Feb 2005]
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New Community Licence for Geelong [01 Feb 2005]
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MARCH

Overseas during March, the Hutton Enquiry fallout threatened the BBC board of governors and in the US satellite broadcasters began talking to Apple about putting receivers into iPods and some large networks began downsizing. In Australia during March, World Audio reported more losses in a precursor to a bad year that would end with the company failing to secure a place in the first round of free to air digital radio spectrum.

In other stories: The ABA upheld some bias findings regarding ABC current affairs programs, 2GB signalled its intention to take the lead in digital radio innovation, Alan Jones was warned off by a corruption enquiry into a NSW shopping centre development which threatened to charge him with contempt, a play about Shock Jocks written by David Williamson opened in Sydney and continued longer than expected because of good audience response, David Flint launched his book Malice in Media Land, Fran Kelly began as Radio National breakfast presenter, John Singleton scaled back the float of Macquarie Radio Network, Southern Cross bought Satellite Music Australia, C91.3 breakfast presenter Mal Lees contested the Werriwa by-election, Austereo launched ringtone and podcast services, and Survey 2 was released.

NX/KO Production studio refit [31 Mar 2005]
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Launceston stations are going FM [31 Mar 2005]
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Electronic audience measurement likely by 2010: Warner [31 Mar 2005]
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Stations stung by cheque forgers [31 Mar 2005]
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ABC774’s Stubbs dismissive and dumb: ABC Friends [31 Mar 2005]
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Peter Clarke invites 100 listeners to join him for final ABC774 show [31 Mar 2005]
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Digital Radio trials extended [31 Mar 2005]
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SEN1116 to broadcast VFL games [31 Mar 2005]
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Mullumbimby and Sanctuary Point get new radio services [31 Mar 2005]
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ABC Radio launches DIG Country channel [31 Mar 2005]
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2SER School of Radio launched [31 Mar 2005]
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DMG criticises PPCA over broadcast fees cap stance [31 Mar 2005]
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Jono Coleman in secret negotiations with Show Radio [31 Mar 2005]
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Survey 2 released: 2GB top in Sydney, 3AW in Melbourne. 2Day breakfast up 2.5 [30 Mar 2005]
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PM Tony Blair calls to farewell Jono Coleman from Heart FM breakfast: AUDIO [29 Mar 2005]
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Future listeners will still love traditional radio: Arbitron study [29 Mar 2005]
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XM Satellite receivers to be standard in Hyundai cars [28 Mar 2005]
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Signing Off From Sunshine Coast [25 Mar 2005]
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Merrick and Rosso have a cow of a show [25 Mar 2005]
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Media Watch on 92.9’s competition complaint [25 Mar 2005]
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RN Media Report covers digital radio [25 Mar 2005]
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Jono Coleman – 2004 Sony Gold Radio Award Winner – leaves Heart FM [24 Mar 2005]
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PPCA submission on broadcast fees cap selective and misleading: Warner [24 Mar 2005]
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Counting continues for C91.3 Werriwa candidate [23 Mar 2005]
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Ugly Phil and Andrew Jeffries win UK awards [23 Mar 2005]
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DMG Sydney building works begin [23 Mar 2005]
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2GB’s Chris Smith wins Variety award [23 Mar 2005]
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Austereo launches ringtone and podcast services [23 Mar 2005]
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ACRA Award entries open [23 Mar 2005]
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Wendy Harmer on 2UE [23 Mar 2005]
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John Laws listener wins chance to meet Neil Diamond [23 Mar 2005]
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Nova 100’s Michelle Anderson show opens in Richmond this month [23 Mar 2005]
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Australian National Radio News to change name from next month [23 Mar 2005]
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Applications closing for Radio Copywriting course: Apply now [23 Mar 2005]
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PPCA opposes commercial radio’s views on broadcast fees cap [22 Mar 2005]
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Williamson play about Talk Radio opened [21 Mar 2005]
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Wendy Harmer tells The Bulletin she was dumped for being too old [21 Mar 2005]
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Commercial Radio argues against lifting music copyright fees cap [21 Mar 2005]
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56 Journalists killed worldwide in 2004 [20 Mar 2005]
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Parliamentary Enquiry wants to find out why Digital TV take up is too slow [20 Mar 2005]
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London’s Heart FM takes Michael Jackson songs off prime time [20 Mar 2005]
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C91.3 announcer contesting Werriwa By-Election today [19 Mar 2005]
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Digital Radio government meetings positive: Joan Warner [18 Mar 2005]
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Downpour as Show Radio goes to air on FM 100.5 [18 Mar 2005]
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Peter Thompson’s wisdom back on ABC Radio National [18 Mar 2005]
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Jay Goldman’s Extreme Challenge on River949 [18 Mar 2005]
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Children’s Hospitals benefit from Brisbane station promotions this Easter [18 Mar 2005]
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Naughty Rude Show back in business on SYN Melbourne [18 Mar 2005]
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Listeners switch stations more often during summer: SMS Survey [18 Mar 2005]
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DJs to pay damages for copyright breaches [18 Mar 2005]
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Radio copyright royalties cap [18 Mar 2005]
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Wedding of the Century (not!) [18 Mar 2005]
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Aust-NZ Cricket from today [18 Mar 2005]
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Southern Cross to buy Satellite Music Australia [17 Mar 2005]
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Sea FM Free Petrol no drop in the Ocean [17 Mar 2005]
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Berner Nude art entry? [17 Mar 2005]
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Digital Radio Tender from DCITA [17 Mar 2005]
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Dubbo Survey won by 2DU with STAR FM rocketing ahead in share [16 Mar 2005]
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First Gold Coast Survey to put HOT Tomato, Sea and Gold head to head to head [16 Mar 2005]
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Media Leaders Forum to Assess the impact of media ownership reform [16 Mar 2005]
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Radio Heavies Heavy Canberra on Digital Rollout [16 Mar 2005]
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Democrats: Stronger Powers for new Super Regulator [16 Mar 2005]
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Wedding of the Century (not!) [16 Mar 2005]
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Star 1045 1st Birthday [16 Mar 2005]
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Radio Targets Banks for Bigger Ad Spend [15 Mar 2005]
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Triple M AFL Call Team [15 Mar 2005]
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Singleton opts to Scale Back Float [15 Mar 2005]
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Kelly begins on RN Breakfast [14 Mar 2005]
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Baghdad Backyard Cricket [14 Mar 2005]
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McAvaney to call Stawell Gift for SEN [14 Mar 2005]
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Hadley escapes Contempt – Laws has to Wait [12 Mar 2005]
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2GB Digital Radio First Kicks Off [12 Mar 2005]
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No ICAC Contempt Action against Jones [11 Mar 2005]
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ACMA Senate Enquiry wants more regulation and monitoring [11 Mar 2005]
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Hadley and Laws now in ICAC’s sights for contempt [11 Mar 2005]
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ABC launches second tv channel [11 Mar 2005]
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Brisbane community station 99.7 FM gets programming makeover [11 Mar 2005]
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Townsville gets more news from community station 4ttt [11 Mar 2005]
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4BC weekend sports show returns [11 Mar 2005]
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TEN tv network trials seriously short ad breaks [11 Mar 2005]
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Webber and Shoemaker in the Sea FM Cruiser [11 Mar 2005]
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ABC Friends keep up pressure over Radio National staff vacancies [11 Mar 2005]
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Survey shows radio’s importance during cyclones and disasters [11 Mar 2005]
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Radio Adelaide poaches SAFM presenter [11 Mar 2005]
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Nova Brisbane Launch Date: April 4 [10 Mar 2005]
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Alfie all at Sea with NRL [10 Mar 2005]
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Senate Committee ACMA Findings Due [10 Mar 2005]
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Cricket on SEN from today [10 Mar 2005]
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Vanstone can’t Wiggle out of this one – Molloy a close 2nd [10 Mar 2005]
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Barnsey and the Cops unite for RADD [10 Mar 2005]
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Gangsta rappers going too far for Hot 97 in USA [10 Mar 2005]
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King Kyle pushes Queen [09 Mar 2005]
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Flint ‘tell all’ Book Launch [09 Mar 2005]
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Williamson’s Radio Shock Jock Play [09 Mar 2005]
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Better Radio Services for Rockhampton/Gladstone [09 Mar 2005]
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Improved Radio Services for Wagga [09 Mar 2005]
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Macquarie Float nears [08 Mar 2005]
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More Cloak than Daggers [08 Mar 2005]
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SEA FM Cuts Ad Rates to counter Interest Rate Hike [08 Mar 2005]
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Stackpole Draws Stumps [08 Mar 2005]
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I am Woman – on Community Radio [08 Mar 2005]
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Jones’ On Air Apology to avert possible Contempt Charge [07 Mar 2005]
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Red left Red Faced – Price 12th [07 Mar 2005]
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Liz Jackson begins as Media Watch Host [07 Mar 2005]
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Charleville wins Community Licence [07 Mar 2005]
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New Strategic Austereo Sales Team [07 Mar 2005]
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SEN to Broadcast NZ Cricket tests [07 Mar 2005]
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Death of DJ, Tommy Vance [07 Mar 2005]
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Internet Overtakes Radio [07 Mar 2005]
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Jones’ Defamation Adjourned [06 Mar 2005]
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Siren Round 3 Closes [06 Mar 2005]
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4BC-4BH Annual Open Day? [06 Mar 2005]
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Shock Jock Shockwaves [05 Mar 2005]
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Jones may front Corruption Watchdog over Orange Grove comments [04 Mar 2005]
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Nova Perth’s Big Fact hunt [04 Mar 2005]
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World Audio reports Revenue Fall and $2.69 million loss [04 Mar 2005]
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Flint tells RN’s Media Report journalists are lefties [04 Mar 2005]
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23 submissions received by Senate Committee on formation of ACMA [04 Mar 2005]
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Barry Eaton launches two internet radio shows [04 Mar 2005]
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ABC Friends on RN budget cuts [04 Mar 2005]
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Hello Hello, who’s this then with Mike Carlton [04 Mar 2005]
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dmg coy on Courier-Mail’s citing of Brisbane on air line-up [04 Mar 2005]
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Car Bomb explodes during AFTRS course [03 Mar 2005]
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2GB Digital Radio First [03 Mar 2005]
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Rapper in court over Radio Station Shooting [03 Mar 2005]
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Marr-Flint Heated Debate on Cash for Comment [03 Mar 2005]
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Two Radio National Positions Filled [03 Mar 2005]
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Mottram disputes ABC ‘Bias’ Findings [03 Mar 2005]
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SE NSW Radio Changes [03 Mar 2005]
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Triple M goes Mobile [03 Mar 2005]
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BBC Governors face the chop [03 Mar 2005]
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US Satellite Radio Broadcasters talking to iPod about receivers [03 Mar 2005]
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US Radio Giants leave acquisition stage and starts selling off underperforming stations [03 Mar 2005]
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ABA Confirms ABC ‘Bias’ Findings [02 Mar 2005]
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ABC Chief Welcomes ABA Finding [02 Mar 2005]
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Aussies to be Car Voices [02 Mar 2005]
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Application Deadline for new Geelong Licence [02 Mar 2005]
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Mt Beauty Permanent Licence [02 Mar 2005]
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Austereo Web Hub up and running [01 Mar 2005]
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Streetradio.net Turns One [01 Mar 2005]
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ABC Radio loses Ashes Cricket Stranglehold [01 Mar 2005]
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APRIL

In April Kyle and Jackie O interviewed a prostitute on prime time breakfast radio, the Pope died, and Prince Charles married Camilla. DMG won the right to trade mark the ‘Sounds Different’ positioning statement and the ABC’s Country Hour program turned 60.

In other stories: Nova Brisbane launched, Bill Caralis spent money on station upgrading, ABC NewsRadio got the go ahead (and money) for expansion, car park warfare flared between Merrick and Rosso and Ray Hadley, the government began a review of the ABC, World Audio’s Radio 2 signed up some big names for its national expansion and Tim Webster signed on as John Laws stand in.

Dumped Akermanis Show resumes on Triple M [30 Apr 2005]
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Arabic Stations Swamped over Sheik Rape Comments [30 Apr 2005]
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SWR Blacktown broadcast advertisements: ABA investigation [29 Apr 2005]
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Mix 102.3 Adelaide takes Coleman’s My Generation [29 Apr 2005]
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3MBS celebrates 30 years of broadcasting fine music to Melbourne [29 Apr 2005]
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Sea FM promotion features Big Brother-in-Law and 4 people in cupboards [29 Apr 2005]
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Scott Mayman returning to Australia [29 Apr 2005]
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Neil Diamond FM testing in Sydney on 95.3 [29 Apr 2005]
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Sydney Sports Star joins Koori Radio [29 Apr 2005]
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5 Radio Ladies in Sexiest 100 [29 Apr 2005]
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APN Takeover Interest Low, as Share Buyback announced [28 Apr 2005]
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Warwick Smith firms for ACMA Chief [28 Apr 2005]
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