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ACRAs: Radio awards crown Kyle & Jackie O ‘Best On-Air Team’; Neil Mitchell wins Best Talk & Current Affairs
The Australian commercial radio industry was out in force to watch Kyle Sandilands and Jackie “O” Henderson be crowned Best On-Air Team (FM) at the 33rd annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards (the ACRAs), held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.
The KIIS 1065 breakfast stars have now won the award a record eight times and were also inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame for outstanding lifetime achievement and their contribution to radio, the community and charities over their career.
Melbourne’s Neil Mitchell, whose 3AW morning show continues to top the ratings after 35 years with the station, scooped the double with Best Talk Presenter and Best Current Affairs Presenter.
3AW breakfast team Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft picked up the Best On-Air Team (AM) accolade. This is the second win for the pair, but the first time they’ve been able to pick up the award in person following the return of the radio awards as a live event after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Managing director of Nine Radio, Tom Malone, said: “This is a record number of wins for the teams across 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR, and is testament to the incredible calibre of people we have both on and off air, who continue to set the news agenda and drive it forward every day – they’re the best in the business.
“I’m incredibly proud of all of our winners and nominees. They live and breathe our live and local strategy, which is clearly resonating with Australians. They work tirelessly to put our listeners first, provide them a safe and trusted source of information, and bring the very best news, sport, entertainment, weather, traffic and talk to our local communities across the country. Congrats!”
The ACRAs were presented at a gala event attended by 1,000 radio personalities and executives from around the country, hosted by WSFM stars Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones, with entertainment by Birds of Tokyo, First Nations singer songwriter Mitch Tambo and hip hop artist ILLY.
Kyle & Jackie O are the only team to have won Best On-Air Team eight times – in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013 when they were with 2Day FM and in 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2022 with KIIS. Other successful teams such as Hamish & Andy and Jonesy & Amanda have won three times.
The Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power also won Best Networked Program and Sandilands was awarded Best Entertainment Presenter.
ARN had 24 wins across 21 categories on the night. Other highlights for ARN’s metro stations include Mitch Churi from KIIS FM’s The Night Show who won Best Music Presenter; Jonesy & Amanda’s Time Traveller Podcast won Best Radio Show Podcast; WSFM’s Mike Byrne won Best Program Director; KIIS 1065’s Brad McNicol won Best Music Director.
In the regional markets, highlights include Brooke & Bob from Magic 93.1 Berri who took out Best On-Air Team Country & Provincial; Mix 104.9/Hot 100 Darwin’s Katie Woolfe won Best Talk Presenter, Best Current Affairs Presenter and the Brian White Award for Radio Journalism; and Dana Hamilton from Power 98.1FM in Musswellbrook won Best Entertainment Presenter.
Commenting on ARN’s results, Ciaran Davis, ARN chief executive officer, said: “On a night like this and in the face of such incredible success, I am reminded of the countless ways by which our teams connect with communities and clients through the live and local content they produce each day. It is gratifying to be recognised by our peers across the industry as the leaders in audio and as setting the bar for how listeners and advertisers can make the connections they need through our incredible medium. These well-deserved wins highlight the depth and breadth of our Audiosphere and reinforce our reputation for being the experts in audio.”
Winners of other major awards included Fitzy & Wippa (Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli) from NOVA Entertainment who won Best Syndicated Australian Program.
The Ben & Liam breakfast show on Nova 91.9 in Adelaide won Best Community Service Project (Metro) for “Ben & Liam’s Trapped”, raising awareness for mental health.
Other major winners included:
- Best Sports Presenter – James Brayshaw (Triple M Melbourne)
- Best Newcomer On-Air – Sofie Formica (4BC Brisbane)
- Best Original Podcast – Unbranded – Brenda, Call Me! hosted by Courtney Act & Vanity (Nova Podcasts)
- Best Digital Radio Station – RnB Fridays Radio (SCA)
- Best News Presenter Metro AM – Amie Meehan (2GB)
- Best News Presenter Metro FM – Heidi Tiltins (smoothfm 95.3)
- Brian White Award for Radio Journalism – Clinton Maynard (2GB).
SCA took out out 32 awards across its Hit and Triple M networks and LiSTNR, the most of any radio and audio network.
LiSTNR’s “Open Your Ears” won Best Marketing Campaign for 2022.
SCA chief content officer, Dave Cameron, said: “To win a total of 32 ACRA awards across such a large number of out Hit and Triple M stations and LiSTNR is a huge testament to our talented people at SCA. As the biggest audio content creation company in Australia, SCA is committed to producing premium local content and our awards demonstrate a range of outstanding talent and initiatives. I’d like to sincerely congratulate all the winners and all our people who helped along the way.”
The ACRAs highlight Australia’s vibrant radio and audio industry, recognising outstanding talent across 39 categories, including news, talk, sport, music and entertainment.
Ford Ennals, the chief executive officer of awards organiser Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), said: “The ACRAs are about celebrating what makes radio such an enduring and influential medium. It has been 99 years since the first station began broadcasting in Australia, and radio’s bond with listeners today is stronger than ever. Congratulations to all the winners and the finalists on their amazing work.”
The ACRAs are peer judged, with entries received from 260 metropolitan and regional radio stations across Australia. Stations outside the metropolitan areas are well represented with more than 200 winners from country and provincial stations.
Kyle and Jackie O inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame
Sandilands and Henderson (The Kyle & Jackie O Show, KIIS 1065, Sydney) were also inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame on the night.
On air together for more than 22 years, the radio duo was honoured with the Hall of Fame accolade at the gala event. The award recognises outstanding lifetime achievement and contribution to the radio broadcasting industry.
Sandilands and Henderson are one of the most successful breakfast teams in the history of Australian radio. Their Sydney breakfast show has been number one FM station for 30 consecutive surveys on KIIS and is also syndicated as an “Hour of Power” across five metro stations and 21 regional stations, reaching 1.3 million people each week.
The duo began broadcasting together in 2000 on 2Day FM, where they enjoyed enormous success. The pair moved to KIIS in January 2014, breaking new ground by bringing their loyal listeners along with them, with their exciting mix of big stars, celebrity gossip, epic stunts, huge giveaways and heartfelt givebacks.
Ennals congratulated Sandilands and Henderson for being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“Kyle and Jackie O are one of the greatest teams in the history of modern radio. Their on-air chemistry, authenticity and deep connection with their audience has demonstrated the power of radio and made them two of Australia’s most recognisable and successful media personalities. Their show has also made an enormous contribution to the community through raising awareness and support for many worthy causes and charities.”
“Over the years their show has had many contributors and producers, who should also take pride in the news of their Commercial Radio Hall of Fame induction tonight,” he added.
Previous Hall of Fame inductees include Doug Mulray, Lee Simon, Ray Hadley, Amanda Keller and Cathy O’Connor.
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said “A big congratulations on being inducted into the Hall of Fame. I’ve had some great chats with both of you over the years. You’re certainly not afraid to ask me the hard questions! This is a well-deserved honour and I hope you’re celebrating in style.”
Delta Goodrem said, “Huge congratulations to Kyle and Jackie O for being an unforgettable and unmatched force in radio. I hope you both have a great night!”
Ed Sheeran said, “Congratulations on being inducted into the Radio Hall of fame. You guys deserve it. I have had some great times on your show and I hope you are having a good time tonight and getting purely stuck into the booze!”
John Legend, Amy Shark, John Laws, Guy Sebastian, Hugh Jackman, Miranda Kerr and Jared Leto were among other international and local celebrities to congratulate them on their achievement.
Over the course of their career, the Kyle & Jackie O Show has been a major contributor to Australian charities and good causes. These include R U OK?, The Sydney Children’s Hospital Toy Drive, Odyssey House, Zambi Wildlife Foundation, Exodus Foundation, Stepping Stone House, Miracle Babies Foundation, Animals Australia, Australian Red Cross, Red Nose Day and the Cancer Council.
Other career highlights and fast facts
• The Kyle & Jackie O Show are major supporters of the LGBTQIA community, speaking up over the years to change the conversation to celebrate pride and diversity.
• They supported gay marriage and held Australia’s first gay wedding with previous newsreader, Geoff Field.
• They run the annual Sydney Children’s Hospital Toy Drive.
• The duo support R U OK Day every year and take the station off air for 10 seconds every hour as an important reminder to reach out to a friend or family member and ask “R U OK?”
• They run a regular segment ‘Triple Zero Heroes’ which highlights the amazing work of our 000 operators and emergency service staff that have saved people’s lives.
The Kyle & Jackie O Show also won the coveted Best On-Air Team award in the FM category. This takes the radio powerhouses to a record of eight wins in this category – in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013 when they were with 2Day FM and in 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2022 with KIIS.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS FOR 2022 ACRAs
Please note: Category Finalists are denoted with the following letters: Country>Provincial>Non-Metropolitan>Metropolitan>Syndication/Production Company
BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO FM
The Kyle & Jackie O Show; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson, KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, ARN
BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO AM
3AW Breakfast with Ross Stevenson & Russel Howcroft; Ross Stevenson & Russel Howcroft, 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Nine Radio
BEST ON-AIR TEAM COUNTRY AND PROVINCIAL
Brooke & Bob; Brooke Humble & Bob Lawry, Magic 93.1, Berri SA, ARN C
Tanya & Steve; Tanya Wilks & Steve Grahame, Triple M 102.9, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
BEST TALK PRESENTER
Adam Roche; 3WM, Horsham VIC, Ace Radio Broadcasters C
Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9/Hot 100, Darwin NT, ARN P
Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Nine Radio M
BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM
Country Today; Libby Price, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Tasmania Talks with Mike O’Loughlin; Mike O’Loughlin & Rhea Gillie, ARN P
Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson, ARN M
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER
Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9/Hot 100, Darwin NT, ARN NM
Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Nine Radio M
BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTER
Dana Hamilton; Power 98.1, Muswellbrook NSW, ARN C
Bianca Dye; 90.9 SeaFM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Kyle Sandilands; KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, ARN M
BEST MUSIC PRESENTER
Adam McGuire; Hit 97.9, Kalgoorlie WA, Southern Cross Austereo C
Al Dobie; Triple M 92.5, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Mitch Churi; KIIS Network, Sydney NSW, ARN M
BEST SPORTS PRESENTER
Blake Escott; 3NE, Wangaratta VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Jeremy Ryan; Triple M 102.9, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
James Brayshaw; Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST SYNDICATED AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM
Fitzy & Wippa; Ryan Fitzgerald & Michael Wipfli, NOVA Entertainment
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDY SEGMENT
Tracksuit Boys ‘Everybody’; Brad Blissett, Power FM, Bega Bay NSW, ARN C
Get Vaccinated; Nick Gill, Hit 106.9, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
Barb Scams the Scammer; Kate Langbroek, Monty Dimond & Yumi Stynes, KIIS Network, Sydney NSW, ARN M
BEST DIGITAL RADIO FORMAT
RnB Fridays Radio; SCA DAB+ Team, Southern Cross Austereo
BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR
Kayla Wilson; Mixx FM 101.3, Horsham VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Isabel Everett; Triple M, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
Sofie Formica; 4BC, Brisbane QLD, Nine Radio M
BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR RADIO JOURNALISM
Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin NT, ARN NM
Clinton Maynard; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Nine Radio M
BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
MHA Meals on Wheels; Blake Escott & Owen Godenzi, 3NE/Edge FM, Wangaratta VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Bianca, Dan & Ben’s Flood Watch; Bianca Dye, Dan Anstey & Ben Hannant, 90.9 SeaFM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Ben & Liam’s Trapped; Ben Harvey, Liam Stapleton, Ben Latimer, Jordan Marshall, Macey Gibbs, Nick Marwe, Belle Jackson, Cam Doyle, Josh McCabe, Lachlan Wiltshire, Adam Pope & Brodie Green, Nova 91.9, Adelaide SA, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST RADIO SHOW PODCAST
Jimmy & Nath; Jimmy Smith & Nath Roye, Hit 100.9, Hobart TAS, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Jonesy & Amanda’s Time Travellers Podcast; Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller, Millie Michael, Jenna Benson & Wayne Fox, WSFM, Sydney NSW, ARN M
BEST ORIGINAL PODCAST – BRANDED
Project Ari; The Project Ari Team, NOVA Entertainment
BEST ORIGINAL PODCAST – UNBRANDED
Brenda, Call Me!; Nova Podcasts, NOVA Entertainment
BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE
Raiders On Mix – Raiders v Titans Comeback Match; Chris Coleman, Phil Small, Nick Risteski & Adam Jansen, Mix 106.3, Canberra ACT, ARN/ SCA NM
Local AFL Grand Final Call & Cometti’s Final Call; The 92.9 Triple M Perth Team, 92.9 Triple M, Perth WA, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Mayoral Tribute; Andrew Johnston, 2QN, Deniliquin NSW, ACE Radio Broadcasters NM
RIP – A Shane Warne Tribute – SEN Remembers Shane Warne; Sam Thompson & Julian Bayard, SEN 116am, Melbourne VIC, Sports Entertainment Network M
BEST MUSIC SPECIAL
32 Years of Taylor Swift; Jess Scully, RealFM, Mudgee NSW, Super Radio Network C
30th Anniversary of Nevermind; Drew Chapman & Karina Bennett, Power 100, Townsville QLD, ARN P
MMM’s School of Rock with Jimmy Barnes; Andrew Very & Brendan Annakin, Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – STATION
Hit 100.9 The Off Season with Jimmy & Nath; Jimmy Smith & Nath Roye, Hit 100.9, Hobart TAS, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Kyle & Jackie O’s Get Vaxxed Baby!; Derek Bargwanna, Matthew Petherick, Sam Vallins & Kian Oliver, Sydney NSW, ARN M
BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – SALES
Menulog – Red Room; NOVA Entertainment, Nova 96.9 Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Open Your Ears with LiSTNR; SCA Marketing team, Southern Cross Austereo
BEST STATION PROMOTION
Moffee’s Phonebooth Bucks; Michael Moffett, 106.3 Triple M, Coffs Harbour NSW, SCA C
Newcastle’s Biggest Whirlpool; Taylah Smith, Claudia Mason, Nick Gill, Jess Farchione, Alex Ryan & Nick Allen-Ducat, Hit 106.9, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
Kyle and Jackie O’s Set You Up For Life; Kyle & Jackie O, The Kyle & Jackie O Breakfast Show, KIIS 1065 Content, KIIS 1065 Brand & Promotions, KIIS 1065 Digital & ARN Commercial Team, KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW ARN M
BEST SALES PROMOTION
Eumundi Brewery – Brewed by Eu; Ebony Parke & Josh Wilkinson (The Studio), 92.7 Mix FM, Maroochydore QLD, GSL Media Group NM
Stav, Abby & Matt Underwater Show; Nick Bartley, Stav Davidson, Abby Coleman, Matty Acton & Jack Ball, B105, Brisbane QLD, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC
Grace Garde; Hit 100.9, Hobart TAS, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Zach La Cava; Nova Network, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST SHOW PRODUCER – TALK/CURRENT AFFAIRS
Rhea Gillie; LAFM, Launceston TAS, ARN NM
Harnsle Joo; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Nine Radio M
BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Angela Frino; 2QN/Edge FM, Deniliquin NSW, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Rod Brice; 92.7 Mix FM, Maroochydore QLD, GSL Media Group P
Mike Byrne; WSFM, Sydney NSW, ARN M
BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR
Trent Towson; 90.9 SeaFM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Brad McNicol; KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, ARN M
BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR
Brooke Papamanolis; 92.7 Mix FM, Maroochydore QLD, GSL Media Group NM
Nick Bartley; B105, Brisbane QLD, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST NEWS PRESENTER COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL
Scott Leek; SCA Griffith, Griffith NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
Rod McLeod; 92.5 Triple M, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO AM
Amie Meehan; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Nine Radio
BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO FM
Heidi Tiltins; SmoothFM 95.3, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
ARN’s VPlayer; Bryan Amos, ARN, National AUS, ARN
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
Sophie Jackson; 3WM, Horsham VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Dan King; K Rock 95.5, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P
Daniel Pearson; Nova Network, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE
Coffs Coast Dental – Tooth Decay; Cameron Horn, Triple M, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
Live Bushfire Ready; Glen Styles & Marc Dwyer, Hit Network, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
Bushranger Power Equipment; Tony Byrne, Carly Nicolaides & Andrew Fritsch, Triple M, Brisbane QLD, SCA M
BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN
Suncoast Health & Fitness – Voice In Your Head; Selina Hynes & Matt Cancian, 91.9 SeaFM, Maroochydore QLD, GSL Media Group NM
Height 4 Hire; Tony Byrne & Andrew Fritsch, Triple M, Brisbane QLD, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON
Isabella Wells; Nine Radio
BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON
Caroline Lowe; Magic 899 & 5CC, Port Lincoln SA, ARN NM
Duncan Fosdike; Triple M & SAFM, Adelaide SA, Southern Cross Austereo M
BEST STATION SALES ACHIEVEMENT
GOLD FM98.3 & AM1071 Sales Team; Gold Central Victoria, Bendigo VIC, ARN NM
Melbourne Direct Sales Team; SEN 1116, Melbourne VIC, Sports Entertainment Network M
BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR
Nathan Bell; 3NE & Edge FM, Wangaratta VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Scott Gilchrist; Hit 104.7 & Mix 106.3, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA P
Spiro Christopoulos; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Nine Radio M
topics
ACRAsACRAs 2022Australian Commercial Radio AwardsFord EnnalsKiis 1065Kyle & Jackie ONeil Mitchellradioradio awards
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