A new report has for the first time quantified the economic, social, and cultural heavy lifting undertaken by Australia’s community radio music stations to discover and nurture grassroots Australian talent.
The report, titled Community Radio and Australian Music: Building the music media ecosystem and available here, found that Australia’s community radio music stations generate an estimated $153 million in added value to the music industry annually, broadcasting more than double the volume of local music played by commercial networks.
The report’s lead author, Associate Professor Shane Homan from Monash University's School of Media, Film and Journalism, said the findings highlight the critical role of community radio at a time when global streaming algorithms are making it harder for Australian artists to be heard.
"Our findings prove that community radio is not just a broadcasting platform; it is the vital infrastructure holding up the broader Australian music industries,” Associate Professor Holman said.
“As digital streaming platforms dominate and local music struggles for visibility, these stations act as the ultimate champions for grassroots talent. They are the essential link connecting local artists with passionate audiences who are eager to discover new music and actually show up to support it."
You can find the full report here.
