Radio Stations Weigh In On Local Content Quota Debate: 'There's Plenty Of Talent To Choose From'

The discussion around Australian FM commercial stations and streaming services needing to champion local content more has heated up in the last week. 

Recent research conducted by music industry veteran Chrissie Vincent concluded that radio listeners are not being exposed to new Australian music because FM commercial stations are failing to support it. 

"My research showed that during a typical week NOVA played a measly 7% Australian content, Fox FM just 11% and KIIS FM played 13% during a 24 hour period, with the stations making their quotas playing local artists from 10pm till midnight during the 'off-peak'," Vincent said.

Meanwhile, APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston has since called on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music to play "a minimum of 25 per cent Australian content on their own locally curated playlists", as ABC reports.

Conversely, triple j was found to be playing "a massive 49% Australian content".

Speaking to The Music, triple j Music Director Nick Findlay said showcasing Australian music is a "huge priority" for the youth broadcaster.

"We have a self-imposed quota of at least 40% local music, but regularly surpass that, averaging over 50% in 2017," Findlay said.

read more:

• 'With Commercial Airplay, We Can Be Career Artists': Aus Acts Confront Canberra On Radio Quotas

• New Research Proves Australian Commercial FM Radio Stations Aren't Supporting Local Acts

• There Are More Justin Bieber Songs In The ARIA Top 20 Than There Are Aus Artists

"2018 is looking very similar, as we’re treated to another incredibly strong year of Australian artists. So there’s plenty of talent out there to choose from! 

"Streaming services are an important form of music discovery and in fact our ‘triple j hitlist’ playlist is one of the most subscribed to on Spotify Australia, regularly championing Aussie music.

"But we welcome any further opportunities for local artists to gain exposure and widen their audience, whether that’s through streaming services, commercial radio or elsewhere."

In 2017, The Music reported the lack of Australian acts featured in local music charts; in August last year, there were more songs featuring pop star Justin Bieber in the top 20 of the ARIA Singles chart then there were any Aussie artists. 

Despite the poor results by stations like Fox FM, Vincent's research also found that fellow Southern Cross Austereo broadcaster Triple M was "the only FM station researched to hit the minimum of 25% content quota during a 24-hour period".

In a statement given to The Music, SCA Chief Executive Officer Guy Dobson said, "Triple M like all the SCA stations is completely committed to Australian music and artists".

The Music is awaiting comment from Spotify and Apple Music.