Commercial Radio Australia chief executive Joan Warner has delivered a message to the industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic, reassuring there are contingency plans in place for the 260 commercial radio channels across the country.
As Australians start isolate and practice social distancing, Warner said all 260 commercial radio stations around Australia – including 220 in regional areas – have contingency plans and procedures in place to work with emergency and essential services organisations to ensure accurate and timely broadcasts as required.
Via a new Radio Alive newsletter, Warner said radio “has a more important role than ever” to keep audiences well-informed as the world grapples with the coronavirus outbreak.
She said: “Isolation policies, remote working, closures of community meeting places and rapidly changing circumstances mean listeners and businesses will rely on radio for information, entertainment and to stay in touch with breaking news relevant to their local area.”
While the radio boss said the “full impact of the coronavirus on ad spend and the media and marketing industries is uncertain”, it’s essential for governments and businesses to keep communicating with their customers during these challenging times. She said “radio remains an important and effective channel” to do that.
Warner added: “The industry will manage short term priorities but stay focused on our medium and longer term strategies to grow radio audiences and revenue through the development of podcasting, the introduction of hybrid measurement, the industry ad buying platform RadioMATRIX, DAB+ and voice tech.”