What's New
BY Sarah Patterson June 18, 2026
What's New September 25, 2025
A magical night gone: ACRAs demise sends shockwaves through Australian radio industry
Reporter
It was that one night of the year when radio industry people of all different ages – from all different stations – got to dress up, catch up and support each other, often through challenging times.
A night where unbridled enthusiasm met experience. Where industry newcomers got to rub shoulders with their real-life radio heroes. Perhaps even be mentored by them.
The ACRAs were always about so much more than just the awards.
Today’s news that the Australian Commercial Radio Awards are being permanently cancelled due to financial considerations has sent shockwaves through the industry – across all generations – and understandably so.
As far as MIX FM Sunny Coast brekky presenter and former Rush Hour Queensland host Annabelle ‘A.B’ Brett’s concerned, it’s a massive oversight.
“I was fortunate enough to win my first ACRA last year, after years of yearning for one and for that I’ll be forever thankful of course, but those awards were about so much more than just the accolades!”
“It was about connecting with your peers who can be in Shepparton while you’re in Gladstone – sometimes your lifeline in a regional market. It was a chance for young and upcoming announcers to get one-on-one time with their heroes and letting your hair down after a long year. “
“We would have all paid more or had less of a snazzy event.”
“Hopefully someone comes to the table and fixes this!”
Former SCA Breakfast host Jason Bodger says “This is a particularly significant loss for regional radio talent, who already have so few opportunities to meet with their industry peers and role models.”
“In an environment where long hours, multiple roles and below-standard pay are the norm, nights like these offered a rare chance to celebrate the craft and feel part of something bigger.”
Gold 104.3 and Gold 101.7 Mornings host and previous ACRA nominee Dave ‘Higgo’ Higgins says says the awards will be sorely missed.
“The ACRAs (and RAWARDS if you’re old like me) were always a magical place for young announcers.”
“Sure, it’s a LONG night, but one where you could network and get inspired to keep chasing the dream. And as you got older, it was a great opportunity to reconnect with old mates, talk shop and hopefully take home the chocolates.”
Fellow ARN host and industry veteran Craig Huggins agrees.
“After 13 times as a Finalist as Best Metro Music Presenter I was sure the next one was my year!” says Huggy.
“It’s sad really, because for me it wasn’t just about the awards, it was the chance to catch up with old friends in an industry where we’re all over the country. Just putting my entry together each year made me reflect on the hard and creative work I’d done and be proud of it. I hope all jocks felt like that whether they qualified or not. I’ll just continue to polish my 1993 RAWARD!”
Kaley-Jade Baker – Afternoons host on Mackay’s Star FM – had long aspired to win an ACRA.
“It’s disappointing to see these awards being permanently cancelled as someone that has actually never been to an ACRAs. It’s always been one of my career goals to one day earn one of those awards myself.”
“I hope in the future there are other opportunities for cross-industry networking/socialising and broader recognition of all the hard work put in day in, day out by the people that work in it.”
“I’ve heard I’ll be missing out on one hell of a party.”
*Images: CRA and supplied
Is it too much of a stretch to suggest you convert the ACRAs from TV Week Logie-style pomp into a ‘magical’ new thing called a podcast series?
One episode per award category?
Would that not at least keep the prestige of the award & motivation for winning an ACRA going?
Anyone think of that before announcing this?
Being 2025 (podcasts galore), just sayin’, lol
It just sends the worst message to the industry. Someone needs to step up.
That is so disappointing. Everyone in radio already feels like we are entering a very invisible future and now they take away the one night we all felt a little bit special. I won an ACRA a loooong time ago for my on air music presentation, and whilst it was a shock, it really boosted my confidence as an announcer. Where will the next gen of radio announcers get that recognition? Bad call on their behalf.
In my opinion this decision is short-sighted and reinforces the argument of those who claim radio is in a death spiral. CRA can produce data proving its not until the cows come home, but in the eyes of the public (and advertisers) actions speak louder than words. How do our industry leaders think this will play to the advertising community when they shape their future strategies?
Yes, the ACRAS may have become too big and showy for our shrinking industry, but scaling them back would have been a more intelligent – and less damaging – choice. I fear this hand grenade will blow up in CRA’s face.
It’s time for audio awards that include commercial radio, the ABC, community radio and podcasters.
It’s interesting that judges have a quick piece of audio to make their decision. Looking back at who they considered the best in the industry is also interesting. Many quiet achievers are often overlooked at award shows.
Wow!! SAD DAY FOR OUR INDUSTRY!
Winning my first “Raward” (acra) back in 2000 for my night show around Oz on RG Capital changed the trajectory of my whole life because Dean Buchanan approached me after winning the award and that’s how I got the job at the very first NOVA back in 2001! My life was never the same!?
It’s such an incredible night for people to catch up and celebrate the talent & this amazing industry.
I really hope someone can come to the party and do something / some sort of night where we all get together & where hard working radio Talent gets celebrated- especially the new up-and-coming peeps That so rarely get an opportunity to be in a room full of such experienced peers ;(
I’m sad for our industry today
In an industry where reality and perception are often two very different things, cancelling this event does nothing to help perception with our clients. For me, it was also about more than the awards — I loved the chance to get dressed up, celebrate the craft, and reconnect with people I’ve shared this journey with. That’s something I’ll really miss
This is the nail in radio industry’s coffin.
Whilst I never won an ACRA myself, I would regularly attend just to support colleagues and some of my closest friends in the industry. It was also a chance to meet my heroes and the reasons why I got into radio.
Now, for someone just stating in radio, that’s all been taken away.
What does this say about where the industry is when the peak industry body can’t be bothered celebrating its people anymore?
Does anyone else really care about Sound Start, CRA Audio ID or HEARD? Or even how a fire can put audio out? No? Neither do I.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Some comments in this thread have been modified and some containing personal comments have not been published.
The cancellation of the ACRAs is more than just losing a night of celebration. To young people trying to build careers in radio, it’s a blunt signal that the industry has lost faith in itself. If radio cannot commit to backing its own talent for one night a year, why should the next generation commit their futures to it?
Right now, young people are staring down endless rejections, closed doors, and round after round of redundancies. Those who have invested tens of thousands of dollars in training are left wondering what for. More and more are walking away, retraining in other fields, and writing off years of passion and hard work because this industry has stopped giving them a reason to stay.
For many, the goal of an ACRA was never just the award. It was the belief that the work mattered, that there was a thriving industry worth striving to be recognised in. That belief is evaporating fast.
If radio wants a future, industry leaders need to prove it. That means real pathways for young people, investment in new voices, and the restoration of moments like the ACRAs that give us something to aim for. Without action, radio is telling the next generation loud and clear: don’t bother. And if nothing changes, many won’t.