ABC head of audio content material Ben Latimer prepared for GfK report card on programming modifications

Ben Latimer has been working as ABC head of audio content material because the finish of July 2023. The first radio scores knowledge for 2024 can be launched tomorrow and can be utilized by some to evaluate his success to date.

Although scores are vital to the ABC, it’s simply one of many measures it makes use of to evaluate success. One factor Latimer received’t be doing is eight post-survey discussions a 12 months with Mediaweek about each little bump within the viewers knowledge.

We took the chance of a pre-survey wrap of how he’s discovered the function to date.

New ABC native radio reveals this 12 months embody Mark Gibson in Perth (left) and Sonya and Jules in Adelaide

Latimer famous the broadcaster didn’t have an incumbent director of radio he changed. He was appointed not too lengthy after his boss Chris Oliver-Taylor, ABC chief content material officer, arrived to deliver totally different ABC content material heads collectively.

As a part of that, radio was rebranded as audio bringing collectively on-demand and podcasts. Other content material heads embody head of display, Jennifer Collins.

“One of the modifications is how audio, display and digital are actually speaking extra to one another,” Latimer instructed Mediaweek.

As Latimer settled into his function, he seemed on the inner construction to resolve what different programming assist was wanted. “The groups had been so huge that I wanted a chance to pay attention after which construct out the construction.”

Mike Fitzpatrick was a latest rent as head of the capital metropolis community and sport. Still to be stuffed inside ABC audio are the roles of head of on-demand content material and likewise head of music. Ben Latimer mentioned: “They are the ultimate two positions within the audio govt group. Both are actually vital roles.”

Scrutiny throughout change

There have been a lot of minor modifications on the broadcaster in the course of the previous few months along with breakfast present appointments. They embody the Sydney departures of Josh Szeps and the arrival and even faster departure of Antoinette Lattouf.

Commenting normally on protection of the broadcaster in that point, Latimer mentioned: “There is numerous scrutiny on the ABC and rightfully so. The focus for me to date has been native radio, Triple J and on-demand podcasts.”

Craig Reucassel hosts native radio Sydney breakfast

Ben Latimer on native radio in 2024

Latimer definitely made his presence felt earlier than the tip of final 12 months with breakfast shake-ups at three of the 5 mainland metro native radio reveals. “We put Craig Reucassel into Sydney, teamed Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller for Adelaide, and Mark Gibson bought breakfast in Perth. It was definitely probably the most change in breakfast for a while.

“We additionally made modifications to our playlist and adjusted the on-air imagery. Early indications from audiences have been very constructive. One a part of the technique has been to get the presenters out into the group with exterior broadcasts to start out the 12 months.

“ABC Listen app dwell streams for native radio have hit file highs. There has been a give attention to the core viewers and super-serving them.

Sammy J hosts native radio Melbourne breakfast

“There has been vital upheaval [in radio] exterior of the ABC in some markets. It takes some time for audiences to settle right into a relationship with a selected program or presenter.”

When requested about extra music being part of some native radio dayparts, Latimer indicated there had been a refresh of tunes.

“We added about 1,000 new songs to the database as a part of a tailor-made music playlist for our 45+ viewers. We had been trying to ensure we had loads of acquainted artists. Music on our discuss community actually types a small a part of the listening expertise.

“It does differ although. On common our metro market stations are taking part in about 1.5 songs an hour throughout the day. Perth and Brisbane are markets that play extra music. Maybe two or three an hour.”

Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan host native radio Brisbane breakfast

Former Triple M boss Mike Fitzpatrick arrives

Of the second appointment of a former industrial radio programmer, Ben Latimer defined: “It’s a brand new function. Sport is a large driver to the ABC Listen app from a streaming standpoint. We will now combine sport extra into our native radio community. He will even mattress in all of the modifications we’ve made to the assorted metro native radio groups.”

Radio National

On-demand is the expansion space. Latimer: “What we’re seeing with RN is much less appointment-driven linear listening, aside from breakfast with Patricia Karvelas. There is a large urge for food for RN specialist content material within the podcasts enviornment.”

Triple J

At the time of Fitzpatrick’s appointment, Latimer additionally introduced Phoebe Bennett as the brand new content material director for Triple J and Double J.

“More than 70% of the two.35m The Hottest 100 votes this 12 months had been from below 30-year-olds. But we are able to get caught up speaking numbers with Triple J. That actually diminishes Triple J which is main the best way as a multi-brand multi-platform providing.

“The Hottest 100 although is a superb reminder of Triple J’s place within the Australian music scene.”

Triple J breakfast hosts Bryce and Concetta

ABC Listen app

As the recognition of the app continues to develop, Latimer mentioned they are going to proceed to make use of the platform for simple entry to sporting occasions. “We used it for the Australian Open in January and it labored rather well for us. We will even proceed to co-host ARL, NRL, cricket and particular occasion streams.”

Podcasts are an enormous a part of the app expertise, with Latimer overseeing the arrival of ABC Podcasts on the Australian Podcast Ranker final 12 months. He acknowledged that a part of the job with the ABC Listen app is to additional educate listeners who is probably not aware of consuming all their audio by means of an app of the advantages related to the change of behavior.

“It’s nice to lastly be within the Podcast Ranker. We are the third-largest Australian podcast writer. The knowledge we’re getting again is invaluable to us.”

Payment cap for music rights

The MEAA and Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA) have each made submissions to the Senate inquiry into the Private Member’s Bill Fair Pay for Radio Play forward of public hearings.

If the invoice passes, it will consequence within the removing of the cap on charges all radio stations pay to the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) to play music.

PPCA’s shareholders are three multinational file labels – Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music, and Warner Music.

The ABC additionally pays for the rights to play music on its stations.

When requested concerning the ABC stance on the scale of the fee ABC Radio makes to the music copyright holders, Latimer mentioned: “ABC performs a crucial function in supporting Australian music. The fee needs to be thought of within the broader contribution to the Australian music sector.

“We pay thousands and thousands of {dollars} annually to make use of music and sound recordings throughout our platforms. We additionally assist music in different methods. Initiatives that fund, fee and file Australian music. Removing the radio cap will lead to a rise within the licence price paid by us. That will influence our funds and should have an effect on ABC actions.”

State of tech at ABC

Latimer got here to the ABC after most lately working for Nova Entertainment. A broadcaster with typically wonderful studio services. How did he discover the ABC services?

“The ABC is main in numerous areas from a tech perspective. There had been definitely no surprises that we do have improve tasks on the go. There is an enormous purchasing listing of issues our groups are engaged on.

“The transfer of the Sydney radio HQ to Parramatta is likely one of the main infrastructure builds. There are some enormous tasks and various them.”

See additionally: ABC appoints industrial radio sharpshooter Ben Latimer as head of audio content material

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March 12, 2024 at 10:28PM