The commercial radio industry has raised concerns about Google and Facebook’s increasing monopolisation of the collection and control of customer data harvested from ads and content on digital platforms operated by radio stations.
 
In its submission to the Ad Tech Inquiry, Commercial Radio Australia urged the ACCC to look closely at any attempts by Google and Facebook to limit access to data in the ad tech chain, which would result in a concentration of data in the hands of the digital giants.

The 32^nd annual ACRA’s will go ahead later this year but in a different format to the traditional ceremony as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Commercial Radio Australia says changes have to be made due to Government restrictions on interstate travel and event size.
 
The event had been due to take place on the Gold Coast in October but now CRA is investigating the best format for this year, which may be as a virtual or online event.
 

Radio listeners are spending more time with radio throughout COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, listening on average for around 1 hour 46 minutes longer per week compared to the weeks prior to the lockdown.
 
This is according to a GfK analysis of ratings data collected during GfK’s Radio Ratings Survey 2 period and looking at a three-week timeframe before the initiation of Government restrictions compared to a three-week period during the lockdown.1
 
 

Advertising revenue for Australian metropolitan commercial radio stations fell by 12.4% in the March quarter to $159.404 million, compared to $182.025 million a year ago, according to figures compiled by Deloitte and released by Commercial Radio Australia.

Commercial Radio Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s relief package for Australian media, but said much more action was needed to address the severity of the impact of COVID-19 on radio broadcasters.

Australian audiences are turning to radio as a critical source of information, entertainment, and connection during the COVID-19 crisis.

 
According to audience listening figures compiled by GfK for Commercial Radio Australia, close to 3 in 4 Australians 18+ are listening to radio the same amount or more during the pandemic.
 
On the downside, 23% of people say they have decreased their in-car listening, while 18% in fact report listening to more than before, as social distancing requirements reduce travel via public transport.

The commercial radio industry has urged the Federal Government to put in place a crisis relief package to support broadcasters struggling with falling ad revenues.
 
Commercial Radio Australia canvassed a range of financial and regulatory measures with Communications Minister Paul Fletcher some weeks ago to ease the pressure on radio operators resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
 

CRA has announced a hold on metropolitan radio surveys after the release of survey 2 on April 16.