Australia’s wildest awards show axed for 2025

The radio industry is in shock following confirmation the annual ACRA awards, set to be held later this year, have been scrapped.

Australia’s radio industry has been dealt a massive blow with confirmation this year’s awards night, known as the ACRAs, have been scrapped.

In an internal memo obtained by news.com.au, Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) wrote: “Dear members, I’m writing to share that after careful consultation with our board of directors, we have made the decision to postpone the ACRAs for calendar year 2025.

“This decision allows us to review and refresh our award categories, judging process and event execution, and reallocate resources to address critical priorities including the significant cost pressures incurred from our ongoing legal matters with PPCA.

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“This was not an easy decision, but it is necessary as we navigate positioning our industry for the future.

“We appreciate your understanding and welcome your feedback as we reimagine how we recognise excellence in Australian audio,” the memo said.

The “ongoing legal matters with PPCA” refers to a dispute between CRA and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia, an organisation that represents the rights of recording artists and record labels in Australia.

The ACRAs are basically radio’s version of the Logies, but there’s one main difference … the ACRAs are 10 x more wild.

Radio stars take full advantage of the fact the ceremony isn’t televised and happily indulge in the open bar throughout the night.

Amanda Keller and Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones.

Jackie O.

“It gets loose,” Fitzy from Nova 96.9’s Fitzy and Wippa told news.com.au last year. “You sit down, you have a beautiful meal, but you are drinking the whole time and there are so many awards that you have to get through.

“It’s like throwing everything into a slow cooker at the start of the day, and at the end of the day when you get home from work it’s ready to burst!” Fitzy said.

“And towards the end, that’s when the heckling really starts,” his co-host, Wippa said.

The 35th annual ACRA awards were held in Sydney last October with Gold FM’s Jonesy and Amanda taking home the coveted Best On-Air Team Award, which is comparable to the Gold Logie.

It was a back-to-back win for the legendary duo who also won the award in 2023, 2019, 2014 and 2012.

Other big winners on the night included 2GB’s Ben Fordham who was named Individual Talent of the Year and Best Talk Presenter, while The Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power won Best Networked Show.

Originally published as Australia’s wildest awards show axed for 2025