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.

Consumers have increased their consumption of radio via smart phones, smart speakers and podcasts in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
 
CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner said early figures showed there had been a lift in the number of Australians listening to radio via the industry’s RadioApp as well as a strong increase in podcast listening.
 

Commercial Radio Australia has called on Federal and State/Territory Governments to ensure radio broadcast operations and broadcast staff are exempt from any lockdowns due to the coronavirus crisis and are able to stay on air to provide essential information.
 
CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner said that CRA has contacted the office of the Prime Minister, Communications Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers today.
 

The ACMA has released its Future delivery of radio report, that lays out its

Creative agency The Monkeys is the overall winner of Round 5 of the 2020 Siren Awards and has taken top spot in the single category for the DrinkWise ad 'www.PeteGotPissed.com.au.'