McNair Audience Research

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In 2008, the community broadcast sector commissioned the Independent research company – McNair Ingenuity Research, to conduct the third Community Radio National Listener Survey. McNair Ingenuity Research is a fully accredited Australian market and social research organisation with a long history of media research dating back to the first radio surveys held in the 1930s. Two previous surveys of this type and scale were held in 2004 and 2006.

The listener research was conducted by means of a telephone survey of a representative sample of 5000 Australians over the age of 15, across all Australian states and territories between May and June.

The 2008 survey results revealed that 57% of Australians (15+) listen to community radio every month, an increase of 10 percentage points since 2006. Community radio listeners are attracted by the specialist programs, local news and information, and the desire to support Australian artists. The results show the increasing relevance of community broadcasting to audiences across Australia.

These survey results were launched at Parliament House – Canberra, on 14 October by Mr Jason Clare MP, the Secretary of the Government's Caucus Committee, on behalf of Senator Stephen Conroy.

For the full survey results, click here