Game Changers Radio

What a week for ARN. Revenue and profit downgrades, ACMA’s heavy penalties for Kyle & Jackie O, and the looming impact on how the show can sound going forward — the hits just kept coming.  We unpack every twist in this cascading story. Plus, NOVA’s Mel Tracina is making her case as Australia’s next radio and TV breakout star. Fresh off her Big Brother hosting debut, she joins us to talk career momentum and what’s next. Game Changers Radio is brought to you by RCS Cloud. With SelectorCloud and ZettaCloud, broadcast anywhere, anytime — all from your browser. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our interview last week with ARN CEO Michael Stephenson and Chief Audience and Content Officer Lauren Joyce was our most talked about episode ever. This week we take one last look at ARN’s plans and messaging for 2026 and respond to your feedback on the conversation that almost went sideways. Also this week - we’ll take our first look at how the radio network wars of 2026 might play out as KIIS and NOVA prepare to go head to head for the hearts and minds of Australians under 40. Game Changers Radio is brought to you by RCS Cloud. With SelectorCloud and ZettaCloud, broadcast anywhere, anytime — all from your browser. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ARN have unveiled their plans for 2026 and on this week's episode, we talk with CEO Michael Stephenson and Chief Audience & Content Officer, Lauren Joyce, about all their big moves - it’s a robust conversation with nothing off limits. Game Changers Radio is brought to you by RCS Cloud. With SelectorCloud and ZettaCloud, broadcast anywhere, anytime — all from your browser. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a look at the fall out from survey 6, yes it feels like forever ago but we have things to say, including how Nova’s cume drop in Melbourne had zero positive impact on Kyle & Jackie O’s audience. Can you have too many show producers? We discuss one of the key roles in every content team - the breakfast show EP, and what the best are doing to help their shows. Plus Craig gets a lesson in tech from an old colleague with a truly embarrassing story that is one for the ages. Game Changers Radio is brought to you by RCS Cloud. With SelectorCloud and ZettaCloud, broadcast anywhere, anytime — all from your browser. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is chemistry? And do you know if you have it with your co-host? Three of the biggest podcasters in Australia share their thoughts on how their chemistry has evolved and how they protect it. If you’re making audio content in a team, this is an interview you must hear. Game Changers Radio is brought to you by RCS Cloud. With SelectorCloud and ZettaCloud, broadcast anywhere, anytime — all from your browser. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The survey 6 GfK results are in. Is the KIIS format Kiistory? Jase & Lauren fall back to the pack and is the 2DAY experiment over? Game Changers Radio is brought to you by RCS Cloud. With SelectorCloud and ZettaCloud, broadcast anywhere, anytime — all from your browser. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode we take a collective deep breath after the madness of last week’s announcements which shocked Aussie radio.  Wade has some big questions for Craig and Irene, including the question of an appropriate penalty for Kyle & Jackie O’s code breaches. Triana Butler, our social media whiz kid, joins us to review the biggest 'Iron Chef' radio moment of 2025 - the release of the new Taylor Swift album. And we make some half hearted predictions for the survey 6 results which land next week. Game Changers Radio is brought to you by RCS Cloud. With SelectorCloud and ZettaCloud, broadcast anywhere, anytime — all from your browser. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A massive week in Aussie radio with CEO’s pulling the pin, billion dollar mergers, ACMA getting really mad at Kyle & Jackie O and much more. We’ll cover it all in this episode, as well as introduce you to the best next generational talent on Aussie radio, the amazing Katie Lamb from MMM Perth. Strap yourself in, this could be a bumpy ride. Changers Radio is brought to you by RCS Cloud. With SelectorCloud and ZettaCloud, broadcast anywhere, anytime — all from your browser. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southern Cross Austereo & Seven West Media have announced a possible blockbuster deal - but is it a merger or a takeover?  Media analyst Tim Burrowes (Mumbrella, Unmade) joins us to unpack the deal and its impact. Game Changers Radio is brought to you by RCS Cloud. With SelectorCloud and ZettaCloud, broadcast anywhere, anytime — all from your browser. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) have been cancelled and no one is happy about Australian radio’s best night of the year getting boned. We’ll discuss the whys and the fallout in this week’s episode. Plus we’ll revisit our old mates from the Melbourne radio wars and see which show won the week as the city prepares for its biggest event of the year - the AFL grand final. We’ll also check in with Bianca Dye, one of Aussie radio’s best presenters, who is about to star on TV in the series 'Golden Bachelor'. Game Changers Radio is brought to you by RCS Cloud. With SelectorCloud and ZettaCloud, broadcast anywhere, anytime — all from your browser. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, we discuss the decision from Nova to part ways with Ben, Liam & Belle and the possibility of this being the first of many big moves for the Nova network as they prepare for 2026. We also talk with the the winner of the AFL’s media presenter of the year award, Kane Cornes, about his remarkable career and how his approach to making headlines has made him one of the most talked about stars in AFL media. This episode of Game Changers Radio was brought to you by Meliora — trusted by radio and audio leaders around the world to build what's next. Meliora's sponsor message in this episode uses an Al-generated voice. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we unpack the big takeaways from GfK Survey 5, including MMM’s strong results across multiple markets, Kyle & Jackie O’s continued improvement in Melbourne and 2DayFM’s ongoing ratings struggles: is there any format solution? Wade thinks he may have found one. Then, a conversation with Mitch Churi. After his shock departure from ARN, Mitch is back with a brand-new podcast,The Mitch Churi Chat Show. He opens up about the lowest points of the last year, how he rebuilt his confidence, and why he believes there’s plenty of room for his voice in the most crowded market of all — podcasting. This episode of Game Changers Radio was brought to you by Meliora — trusted by radio and audio leaders around the world to build what's next. Meliora's sponsor message in this episode uses an Al-generated voice. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Survey 5 GfK results are in, Kyle & Jackie O have a strong result, how strong, well, that depends on who you ask. This episode of Game Changers Radio was brought to you by Meliora — trusted by radio and audio leaders around the world to build what's next. Meliora's sponsor message in this episode uses an Al-generated voice. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we dive into one of the biggest questions in radio right now: are two-handers stronger than three-handers? With strong rumours of major Nova line-up changes for 2026, we unpack the financial and creative drivers behind the shift, and what do history’s best duos tell us about why they work so well? Also in this episode, ARN’s Upfront is happening on October 29. What will they reveal about their vision for 2026 and beyond? We explore what the next move could be for KIIS, whether Kyle should take the stage, and why this event will be pivotal for ARN’s story in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Melbourne. This episode of Game Changers Radio was brought to you by Meliora — trusted by radio and audio leaders around the world to build what's next. Meliora's sponsor message in this episode uses an Al-generated voice. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we ask the big question: can radio truly own a story that’s already broken the internet? Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce lit up the feeds—so what role should radio play when the world is already talking? We also break down the latest financial scorecards: momentum is clearly with SCA while ARN faces tougher headwinds. What’s driving the split and what does it mean for the future of both networks? Media analyst Tim Burrowes joins us to unpack the fallout. Plus, who deserves to be the next inductee into Radio’s Hall of Fame? This episode of Game Changers Radio was brought to you by Meliora — trusted by radio and audio leaders around the world to build what's next. Meliora's sponsor message in this episode uses an Al-generated voice. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Q&A time on the podcast, we have a bunch of great questions from our game changer listeners and on this week’s episode, we’ll get through all of them. Plus we talk about the new CRA campaign promoting the power of audio with Adam Ferrier, and finally Wade’s List is getting the support it so desperately needs with a special guest host, one of Australia’s biggest podcasters. Will they be able to save this segment that has been teetering on the brink for months? Find out by hitting play now. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we discuss the fallout from this week's big radio resignations - the moves are coming thick and fast as the jockeying begins for 2026.Also this week, we talk with UK media expert Matt Deegan about the latest data on Gen Z and Gen Alpha radio consumption. Thanks to Matt Deegan for joining us - you can find Matt at themediaclub.com Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the move that has been months in the making - Christian O’Connell is going national in 2026. What will this mean for Gold in Melbourne and Sydney? What are the opportunities for stations like Smooth and MMM? Also this week we talk to the legendary Clive Dickens about his new tech advisory firm Meliora and how AI will be at the forefront of new content opportunities in audio. Thanks to Clive Dickens for a thought provoking discussion.  Find out more about Meliora here. Email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we review the fall out from Triple J's Hottest 100, Wade and Irene loved it, Craig may have joined the fun police.  Also this week, we announce the winner of the Magnificent 7 - who is the best music announcer in Australia right now? You’ll meet them when you hit play on this episode. Subscribe free to Irene's Substack - go to 'Content This'  Thanks to the magnificently talented Tim Lee for joining us. Level up your announcing with the best in the business, go to radio101 You can email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we take one last look at the Survey 4 fallout, we unpack Matthew O'Reilly's first test  as top content boss for Southern Cross Austereo, and we explain why emotional connection - not clichés - should power music radio.  Plus: a cameo from the legendary Todd Campbell and a kiss cam controversy we didn’t ask for… You can email us at mail@gamechangersradio.com Game Changers Radio is edited by Abe’s Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.