CRA permanently cancels the Australian Commercial Radio Awards
Glory days: Samantha Jade performs at the 2019 ACRA awards
Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA) has permanently cancelled the Commercial Australian Radio Awards (ACRAs), citing their cost and a desire to funnel the money to other projects.
CRA confirmed the cancellation to Mumbrella this morning after members were sent an email informing them of the decision.
In a statement, CRA CEO Lizzie Young said the decision “was not taken lightly”.
“Our focus on long term sustainability across the industry needs to be our number one priority.
“After careful consideration in consultation with our Board and Members, we’re directing our resources into initiatives like Sound Start, CRA Audio ID and HEARD, and regulatory matters such as Radio Prominence where we can have the greatest impact supporting our industry’s future.
“Individual networks continue to celebrate the amazing work being done across our industry through their own recognition programs.
“This decision was not taken lightly, but I firmly believe radio has a bright and exciting future in Australia, and this positions us to build that future.”
The awards were cancelled for 2025 earlier in the year with the CRA citing the cost of its legal battle with music rightsholders (the PPCA) over royalties as a contributing factor. That temporary cancellation has now been made permananent.
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie Henderson picking up another ACRA in 2022
The awards began in 1989 as the RAWARDS and were subsquently rebranded the ACRAs. Some of the most recent recipients include Kyle Sandilands and Jackie Henderson, Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller, and Ben Fordham.
Really disappointing to see the ACRAs permanently cancelled. These awards have long been a benchmark of excellence for our industry, and that benchmark needs to remain an industry-wide standard—not something left to individual networks.
Beyond that, it doesn’t send the strongest signal to our commercial partners about the future of radio in Australia. Recognition and celebration of the great work we do are critical for morale, innovation, and confidence in the industry. Hopefully there’s a way to maintain a shared, industry-wide benchmark of excellence moving forward.
Radio industry has become a four cornered contest now ARN, SCA, 9, and Nova and it’s tedious and boring awards night.
Was a farce.. great networking yes.. but the awards? Utter nonsense.
If you’ve made it to cap city level, that should be reward enough. Better still, if you’re on the air at whatever level.. that’s amazing and I congratulate you.
It’s an honour and an incredible privilege to be on radio.. but if you crave recognition for that, then your heart truly isn’t in it.
Nominating yourself for an award is just an exercise in ego.
And it’s a subjective industry! What sounds great for some, may sound awful to others. For those who are sad of the ACRA’s demise.. Get a grip.
Well, the whole ‘Nominating yourself for an award’ thing… what a crock! That in itself was good reason to get rid of it.
Just a massive back slapping pissup.. good bloody riddance.
This is a smart and prudent move. It doesn’t mean that much to lose them. There are audio categories in other awards which I’m sure CRA will support.
No longer working in radio, but ACRAs were always a great night – particularly for regional and provincial talent to get the opportunity to be showcased among the wider industry.
Its a shame they are no longer.
@marissa if youd like a long boring Awards night, try the Logies – makes the ACRAs seem like speed dating!