New talk station launches on iHeartRadio by AFTRS students

AFTRS Graduate Diploma in Radio students have launched their fourth and final broadcast of the year, this time opting for a talk format targeting younger listeners.

NEXT, which airs from today on Australian Radio Network’s iHeartRadio Australia platform, will run for two weeks with the positioning ‘more than music’.

The students, after researching the commercial radio market, identified a perceived lack of talk radio aimed at 25-39-year-old young professionals.

To fill this niche they’ve created NEXT, a combination talk/indie AC station purpose-built to cover the issues that matter to this diverse group of Australians.

NEXT content director Haylee Potts said one of the most exciting parts of popup station is the opportunity to work and collaborate with classmates in person.

“After doing two of our assessment broadcasts from home this year, it’s great to be live in the studios, making exciting new radio for Sydney’s young professional audience,” Potts said.

Head of radio Fyona Smith applauded the students for finding a viable gap in the market.

“NEXT is radio for the podcast generation. A unique format for young Australians. This is a chance to hear and see the work of the next generation of podcast and radio talent, producers, and content makers,” Smith said.

The station includes live and on-demand content covering news, current affairs, pop culture and entertainment.

The Graduate Diploma in Radio course at AFTRS prepares students for the ever-evolving radio and podcast industry by providing hands on, industry-focused learning.