ACRAs axed for good as Australian radio awards night scrapped

The Australian radio community is reeling after it was announced that the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) will be axed for good. The decision, announced by Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA), comes amid cost concerns and a push to focus on long-term sustainability across the industry.

CRA CEO Lizzie Young framed the move as a difficult but necessary step. “Our focus on long-term sustainability across the industry needs to be our number one priority,” she said in a statement. Continuing, Ms Young noted that axing the awards night would place the industry on a much firmer footing. “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,” she said. “Individual networks continue to celebrate the amazing work being done across our industry through their own recognition programs.”

The move follows an April 2025 CRA notice that the 2025 ACRA Awards would not proceed, a decision industry officials had hoped would be temporary with a return next year. In Friday’s statement, CRA reaffirmed its commitment to alternatives that support radio’s future and encouraged networks to highlight successes through their own programs while it concentrates on the newly prioritized initiatives and regulatory matters.

Industry observers noted that the cancellation shifts the onus for recognition onto individual networks, even as the sector grapples with broader structural and financial pressures. CRA’s leadership emphasized that the shift is about ensuring long-term viability and continued investment in programs designed to lift the industry as a whole. More details about ongoing and future efforts are expected to be announced in coming weeks.

The ACRAs have historically served as a high-profile gathering for Australian radio talent, with industry insiders assessing winners, craft achievements, and contributions across stations nationwide. The decision to discontinue the awards marks a notable departure from a tradition that once functioned as a primary national benchmark for the sector. While the ceremony will not be reintroduced in its current form, CRA says it will pursue other avenues to celebrate excellence and advance the industry’s goals through targeted initiatives and regulatory work.

As the radio landscape continues to evolve, the focus position of Sound Start, CRA Audio ID and HEARD, along with regulatory priorities like Radio Prominence, is intended to strengthen the industry’s infrastructure and public profile. Whether the new approach will meet the same degree of visibility as the ACRAs remains to be seen, but CRA authorities say the change is aimed at delivering sustainable benefits for stations, presenters, producers and audiences across Australia.