With the 2016 programming year now fully underway, ABC Local Radio managers recently got together to plan priorities for the year ahead.
 
Chris Scaddan, the Acting Head of ABC Capital City Radio Group while Jeremy Millar is working on some special projects, has told radioinfo about some of the upcoming priorities.
 
“The Federal election will be huge for the ABC.  It will obviously be prominent across all ABC platforms, but Local Radio is where it becomes relevant to particular electorates, states and local issues. We like to think we offer more than the headlines.
 
“And of course the Olympics will be on in August.  ABC radio will be live from Rio, bringing the results, colour and drama as it happens.”

What are the big challenges facing ABC Local Radio this year? How are you going to overcome them?

“The digital audience is growing, and our audiences are faced with more and more options for information and entertainment. We are focusing on getting to where our audiences want to find us, and reaching audiences who may not necessarily know they’re looking for us.
 
“The ABC Radio Player app will continue to evolve and we’re focusing on its personalisation and shareability this year. We also want to be ready for the connected car.

“With a world of choice, there’s more call than ever for quality local radio. Our content will get more local and more relevant and our capital city stations will be the heart and soul of their cities.”
 
Local radio managers in several states will also focus particularly on their new on air personalities.
 
Wendy Harmer has joined ABC702 Sydney mornings, Ali Clarke is on mornings at ABC891 Adelaide, Clare Bowditch has joined ABC774 Melbourne on afternoons. In Perth, after 25 years Eoin Cameron has just announced his retirement, so there will be a new breakfast host for Perth listeners soon. Other new presenters across the network also include Christine Anu (Sydney), Jane Marwick (Perth) and Larissa Behrendt (national).