ACRAs cancelled: Party’s over for Aussie radio stars

An annual awards show, considered to be one of the wildest nights on the Aussie showbiz calendar, has been axed by organisers.

One of Australia’s biggest awards shows has been axed.

Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA) has confirmed the industry’s annual awards, the ACRAs, won’t return due to cost issues.

“Our focus on long term sustainability across the industry needs to be our number one priority,” Lizzie Young, CEO at CRA, said in a statement.

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“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.”

Ms Young said the decision was not taken lightly, adding, “I firmly believe radio has a bright and exciting future in Australia, and this positions us to build that future.”

CRA had announced back in April that this year’s awards were cancelled, but industry insiders were hopeful the event would return in 2026.

Jackie O at the ACRAs. Picture: Supplied/CRA

Amanda Keller and Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones.

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Many radio stars have already expressed their shock at CRA’s decision.

“Couldn’t find ANY way around a yearly recognition moment for our industry? Great one CRA. What a mess,” The Hot Hits co-host, Nic Kelly, wrote on Instagram.

Nova’s Jermaine D’Vauz said he was “gutted”, with Fox FM’s Tim Lee slamming the decision as a “pathetic move”.

ABC host Kate Meade also expressed her sadness, writing, “This wasn’t just about the awards … This was about meeting our heroes, celebrating with colleagues and nurturing the next generation of audio makers.”

The radio awards began back in 1989 and grew to become one of the wildest nights in the Aussie showbiz calendar.

Guests paid upwards of $250 for a ticket, with radio networks typically covering the cost for any staff members who were nominated.

With no TV cameras and an open bar built into the ticket price, broadcasters from across Australia made the most of the night.

“It gets loose,” Fitzy from Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie told news.com.au last year.

Fitzy and Wippa in 2012. Picture: AAP

Kate, Tim and Marty.

“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!”

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

The big award on the night (the ACRAs’ equivalent of the Gold Logie) was Best On Air Team (metro).

The last team to win it was Gold FM’s Jonesy and Amanda who also won it the year before in 2023 and in 2019, 2014 and 2012.

Other serial winners included KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O, and Nova’s hugely popular former drive team, Kate, Tim and Marty.