ACMA report provides roadmap for the future of Aussie radio

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released a new report that lays out its priorities for the future delivery of radio.

The Future delivery of radio report outlines how the ACMA will prioritise the provision of spectrum to best assist broadcasters to serve the Australian community.

ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said the ACMA is focused on how Australia can get the most out of its valuable but limited broadcasting frequencies, particularly for FM and digital radio.

“Radio plays a critical role in providing news and informing communities in times of emergencies, as we saw during the bushfires and are seeing now with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said O’Loughlin.

“We know that the radio industry needs to evolve in response to new technology and changing audience preferences, and the spectrum that the ACMA manages is a key part of that evolution.

“We have worked with all parts of the radio sector to understand their views on the future delivery of radio. And in response we are prioritising the frequency planning options that will assist radio broadcasters to make the best choices about their future service delivery,” she said.

The ACMA priorities outlined in the report include the continued transitioning of commercial, community and national services in regional areas from AM to FM, further rollout of digital radio, coverage improvements for national, commercial and community broadcasting and support for trials of new types of broadcasting technology.

“These priorities will guide our work and we intend to consult further with the radio industry on a work program each year through our Five-Year Spectrum Outlook,” she said.

The Future Delivery of Radio Project was established by the ACMA to ask Australian broadcasters and audio content providers about emerging technologies, the impact on their businesses and the choices these create for the radio industry.