The 2025 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) have been officially put on hold, with Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) informing members of the decision via an internal memorandum.
In an email sent to members, peak industry body cited “significant cost pressures incurred from ongoing legal matters with the PPCA” as a key reason for pausing the annual celebration of commercial radio’s top talent.
The Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) is campaigning to lift the longstanding 1% royalty cap imposed by the Copyright Act 1968, which governs what radio broadcasters must pay for the use of sound recordings.
Best Networked Show – National: The Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power; KIIS Network Sydney, NSW, ARN at ACRA’s 2024, The Star Sydney
While past lobbying efforts have failed, the rapid growth of music streaming has shifted the landscape, and intensified the debate around what constitutes fair compensation for rights holders.
CRA has promised the ACRAs will return in 2026 with a refreshed format.
In the memo, the organisation outlined plans to “review and refresh” the awards’ categories, judging processes, and execution, with the aim to “reimagine” how the industry celebrates audio excellence.
CRA chief executive officer Lizzie Young
The pause follows a similar recalibration of CRA’s annual conference, which was once tied to the ACRAs but was restructured to focus on the advertising and media buying community.
That pivot led to the creation of the HEARD conference, which has since gained momentum among agency stakeholders.
In the memo, CRA acknowledged the difficulty of stepping back from one of the industry’s biggest nights: “The decision was not easy to make.”
However, the organisation emphasised the need to prioritise legal and strategic efforts that will shape the long-term sustainability of the sector.
In an email to Mediaweek the CRA would not confirm the reports, instead writing “We have no comment beyond the confidential communication we have sent to our Members.”
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