Radio Battlegrounds

After a challenging 2012, the lines have been drawn and the troops are in position for the 2013 radio year. Colin Delaney looks across the country at the old and new faces and the biggest fights on the cards in the battle for the ratings win.

2012 was a tumultuous year for Australia’s radio industry. Marred by several well-publicised incidents, the reputations and standing of talent, management and key brands in the space took a beating, as did the image of the medium as a whole.

But the stage is now set for the battle of 2013 after the ratings season begins on January 20 and those in the industry Encore spoke to are hopeful the coming 12 months will see a turnaround with a number of new additions to the talent lineup and the return of many industry veterans. UM CEO Mat Baxter believes one show in particular will be a major game changer for commercial FM – a one-hour program by a couple of relatively safe, audience-friendly sets of hands, Hamish & Andy.