CBAA launches Community Radio: Our National Sound podcast with DOBBY, Sarah Blasko, Mo’Ju and more!

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) has launched Community Radio: Our National Sound, a new podcast featuring some of Australia’s most respected artists speaking candidly about the vital role community radio has played in their careers and in sustaining Australian music culture.

Featuring Sarah Blasko, L-FRESH The LION, Mo’Ju, DOBBY, Bad//Dreems, Body Type and Annie Hamilton, the podcast accompanies the landmark national research project Community Music Radio: Building the Music-Media Ecosystem, which maps the enormous cultural, social and economic contribution of community music radio across Australia.

Led by Led by Associate Professor Shane Homan (Monash University), Professor Susan Forde (Griffith University) and Professor Heather M Anderson (Monash University) and conducted in partnership with the CBAA, the Community Broadcasting Foundation, Creative Australia and APRA AMCOS, together, the podcast and research paint a compelling picture of community radio as a critical discovery platform, career launchpad and cultural institution, one that remains essential to the future of Australian music.

The research reveals that community music radio is an extraordinary national resource hiding in plain sight:

Community music radio generated approximately $153.1 million in value-added to the Australian music economy

Every $1 invested in community music radio returns between $1.33 and $5.55 in socio-economic value

Approximately 1.3 million Australians buy tickets, merchandise or music after hearing artists on community radio

 62% of listeners say they listen to community radio to hear Australian music

More than 842,000 tracks from 10,000+ Australian artists were broadcast between October 2024 and January 2026

More than 390,960 hours of Australian music aired in 12 months

The findings also demonstrate the direct impact community radio has on Australian artists and audiences. In 2023, 27% of listeners discovered a new or emerging artist through community radio, 11% went on to buy a ticket to see that artist live and 16% financially supported artists through merchandise or music purchases.

Many stations significantly exceed the mandated 25% Australian music quota, with some implementing policies requiring at least 50% Australian music programming while prioritising diversity in artists, genres and voices.

Artists featured in the podcast describe community radio as an irreplaceable part of Australia’s music ecosystem.  Award-winning artist Sarah Blasko said community radio formed the foundation of her career, “I’ve had almost no commercial airplay. So my whole career has been built on community radio and ABC stations.”

The research also highlights the unique role of Indigenous community music stations, which make up one-third of the country’s most music-intensive stations and are deeply embedded in their communities through dedicated First Nations programming and artist support.

ARIA-winning rapper and drummer DOBBY highlighted the cultural significance of community radio for First Nations artists and audiences, “From a First Nations perspective, that is another link in the chain of black resistance and black representation.”

Community radio is where Australian artists don’t just debut; it’s where they develop. L-FRESH The LION described community radio as “the lifeblood of the music industry”, pointing to its role in artist development and audience building. “Community radio teaches you as an artist about those little nuances.”

The findings point to the need to revalue community radio within Australia’s music landscape and to strengthen support for the sector to ensure that younger artists and audiences continue to engage with local music culture.

Community Radio: Our National Sound is available now!

Stream on your preferred platform: linktr.ee/amrap.org.au

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