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.
