ARN creates all-Aussie digital music station, iHeartAustralia

A new local iHeartRadio station will play Australian music 24/7.

iHeartAustralia has been created by the ARN team to spotlight local music and musicians during Ausmusic Month, taking place in November.

ARN said iHeartAustralia will feature a broad range of artists and genres - from established icons to the hottest emerging acts on the scene - in a bid to become a one-stop shop for local fans.

And with the 2021 ARIA Awards just around the corner, the station will also play host to exclusive interviews with nominees including Shane Nicholson, Ngaiire, Spacey Jane, Jolyon Petch, Genesis Owusu, Sam Fischer, Lime Cordiale and Ball Park Music. At launch, each hour on the station will reflect a different Awards category and showcase songs from its nominees.

iHeartRadio Australia's content director, Brett 'Nozz' Nossiter, said iHeartRadio is committed to supporting and celebrating great Australian music.

"The team are all passionate about Australian music, and I'm really pumped and proud of the station we have created," he said.

It's been a big month of music and moves for iHeart, ARN and its parent company HT&E.

On the first day of Ausmusic Month, ARN announced it had partnered with supermarket giant Woolworths to bring back a new and improved Woolworths Radio. The station will be heard in stores and online, and for Ausmusic Month made a commitment to spotlight local talent.

Then last week, ARN's parent company HT&E announced it was purchasing regional radio operator Grant Broadcasters, bringing its overall station count to 58 across 33 markets, as well as 46 DAB+ stations.

Outside of ARN, there have also been numerous businesses jumping on the Ausmusic Month bandwagon.

Online bank ME revealed its on-hold playlist would feature "10 new bangers" from local artists, while 7-Eleven committed to 100% Australian music for its in-store playlist throughout November. Woolworths Radio's rival, Coles Radio - programmed by NOVA Entertainment - also said it would ramp up the amount of Australian music it played.

Plus, TikTok created a local music hub and said it would host a raft of online performances from local artists.