FAQs

We've collated the most commonly asked questions coming through via email and socials.

Is audience size considered in the judging process?

• We do not ask for any information on particular audience impact.
• You are welcome to include audience numbers, but it's not part of judging criteria.
• If the audience size has gone up as a result of something on a show then this could be good to include in the accompanying written statement.
• Unless the audience size is part of the narrative, it's not especially important.

Should I include guest/listener interactions within my entry? 

• If it is relevant to the quality of the entry, then definitely!
• If it's interaction that's not being covered on air, e.g. Facebook messages, then it may need to go into the written part of the entry.

Is it possible to be a judge if you're also entering the awards? 

• Yes, but not in the same category of course!
• We take a very careful view on conflicts of interest.

The rubric says entries must be unedited, what are the specific rules over this? For example, if an interview has a song in between two parts, can you edit this?

• Definitely edit out the song as we don't include any music in the entries.
• If you know that there's a great bit of the interview at the start and there's another great bit at the end, then count these as two clips of your possible ten.
• Please make sure there's a clear fade out for the first clip, then a gap, and then a clear fade in for the second bit.
• Do not edit the clip in a way that disguises the fact that it's two clips edited into one.

Do you provide feedback?

• Unfortunately, due to the many hundreds of entries we receive and the limited availability of our judges, we are unable to provide feedback to entrants.

Do you have to be a member to enter the ARIAS?

• Yes, you must be a member of The Radio Academy in order to enter a category. Memberships are available here: https://www.radioacademy.org/membership/

Is there a time limit on music in the entry? E.g. when fading in and out of links.

• There is no time limit on the amount of music in an entry, but the longer the music plays the less we are hearing your voice!
• A simple fade out/in a few seconds after the link has finished will suffice.

Does the entry need to be 15 minutes, or is this the maximum length?

• Please check the rubrics for the exact time limits on each category as they vary slightly.
• You are welcome to use as much or as little of the 15 minutes in your entry, but we suggest using the full time to showcase as much of your content as possible!

Do you offer any financial help for those struggling to pay for entries?

• We are partnering this year with the Podcasting, Seriously fund who give financial help towards entries for those underrepresented in the audio industry.
• More information is available here: https://www.podcastingseriously.com/fund

More questions?

If you have any questions about The ARIAS that aren't answered above, please email arias@radioacademy.org