Today is a public holiday for about half of Australia, and a week until the 2024 Australian Commercial Radio Awards, and usually quiet on the radio front as a result. This makes for a good time to launch a platform, which is what Broad Radio have done today.
The app was released a couple of weeks ago, as well as the Morning Broads lineup featuring actor and director Michala Banas, Broad co-founder and former ARN breakfast radio presenter Jo Stanley and writer and broadcaster Marieke Hardy (main picture L-R).
Today was the launch proper of this on-demand radio, music and podcasts offering, highlighting women’s stories and lives.
The full line of rotating co-hosts and regular contributors also includes co-hosts Ella Hooper (singer-songwriter and Killing Heidi frontwoman), Nelly Thomas (multi-talented, award-winning Australian comedian, author and broadcaster), Shelley Ware (TV and radio presenter on both local and national AFL news shows, and education specialist), Rana Hussain (ABC TV Breakfast, ABC Radio, sports broadcaster, podcaster, diversity and inclusion leader), Mimi Kwa (best-selling author, podcaster, speaker and journalist), Brihony Dawson (TV presenter, sports commentator and presenter), Bev Killick (comedian) and Madeleine West (actor, podcaster and advocate).
Friday’s Drive show Fierce, a mix of music and conversation, is hosted by Tracee Hutchison, who is also the station’s music director and Leila Gurruwiwi hosts Yapas Yarnin’ weekly too, celebrating and sharing First Nations Women’s stories, knowledge and music.
Jo Stanley said:
“There is an exciting cultural shift taking media by storm worldwide. Women-led content is exploding, in everything from film to sport to social media and of course podcasts. Radio is the perfect next platform for exploring and celebrating women’s stories, perspectives and experiences, many of which are missing in mainstream media. Broad Radio will be an extension of the intelligent, insightful and innovative conversations that women are having with their friends, family, colleagues and, indeed, themselves. As we get older, there are some big real-life issues that we have to face, big decisions we have to make, big emotions to be felt and big laughs to be had. We know our audiences are eager to engage with this kind of content that will reflect their lives and aspirations.”
Michala Banas added:
“I’m so excited to be part of the Broad Radio team and family. Often, once you hit middle-age as a woman, you can start to become invisible in many ways, so to know that our voices are going to be heard and our stories shared is something I feel really privileged to be involved in.
I’m so thrilled to be working alongside the incredible Marieke Hardy on Broad Radio. Chatting with amazing mates about the things we really care about will be a bloody great way to spend a few hours. Broad Radio is a chance to open real and exciting conversations up in a way they haven’t been before – and I for one can not wait.”
Morning Broads broadcasts live on the Broad Radio app or online from 7am to 9am weekdays with it, and all other shows, available at any time afterwards on catch-up. You can download the Broad Radio app from Apple App Store or Google Play, stream by visiting Broad Radio or access Broad Live via Alexa.