The 2023 Australian Commercial Radio & Audio (ACRA) Awards will shine bright with more entries, nine radio hosts, a lineup of Australian music talent and a celebration of 100 years of commercial radio.
The hosts for the 2023 ACRAs are Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman (Robin, Terry and Kip, KIIS 97.3 Brisbane, ARN) Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey (Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel, NOVA Entertainment) Jimmy Smith, Nath Roye and Loren Barry (The Jimmy & Nath Show and The Marty Sheargold Show, SCA) and Sofie Formica and Ray Hadley (4BC afternoons and The Ray Hadley Morning Show, Nine Radio)
Performing live will be Coodjinburra artist Budjerah and proud Gamilaraay man Mitch Tambo with more Australian music acts revealed soon.
Ford Ennals, CEO of CRA said.
“We are truly excited to be bringing some of Australia’s best acts to the ACRAs, which, like commercial radio across the nation, champions Australian music. Commercial radio plays 2.7 million Australian songs each year, and this year we’ve added the Gudinksi Award, or the Australian Music Champion Award, in addition to our existing Australian music-centred awards.”
The Gudinski Award is named in honour of the late Mushroom Records founder Michael Gudinski. Two further new awards which acknowledge those who have set the benchmarks of creativity and excellence for the commercial radio industry are the “Brenno” Award, named after radio legend John Brennan, awarded to the person who has made an outstanding contribution to commercial radio and the Best News Presenter FM Award which acknowledges the late Glenn Daniel’s 40-year career in broadcast journalism.
More than 1200 entries from across Australia have been received, up 15% from 2022, with 85 entries for the inaugural Individual Talent of the Year Award. Other new awards include Station of the Year, Podcast of the Year, Diversity and Inclusion, Best News Event Coverage and Podcast Host of the Year.
“The 34th ACRA Awards will celebrate 100 years commercial radio in Australia. And while we honour a century of music, news, entertainment and connection, we crown those who are ensuring commercial radio’s continued vibrancy and relevance across Australia,” Ford said.
Around 900 of the industry’s finest are expected to attend this year’s ACRAs, which will be held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on Saturday 14 October. Winners are announced across national, metropolitan, provincial and country areas. Tickets to the ACRAs go on sale in early September.