ARIA Hall of Fame Announces ‘Historic First’ Broadcast Deal

The Australian Recording Industry Association’s special 40^th anniversary Hall of Fame event has a special broadcast home.

Presented Thursday, June 11 in Sydney, the special standalone event will air nationally on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation at 9.15pm AEST (5.15am ET), in what the trade body describes as an “historic first.” The show will then beam out Saturday, June 13 on the free-to-air television channel and digital live stream ABC Entertains and via the public broadcaster’s on-demand iView platform. Separately, show highlights and red carpet moments will be available across ARIA and ABC social channels.

As previously reported, the 2026 edition will break from tradition and induct six acts in total: Gurrumul, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait, The Living End and Vika & Linda. 

ARIA has inducted artists into its Hall since 1988. That first class featured Dame Joan Sutherland, Johnny O’Keefe, Slim Dusty, Col Joye, Vanda & Young and AC/DC. In 2005, the trade body created a standalone ceremony ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame, when multiple acts were elevated. It was televised, it resonated with music fans, but proved short-lived as the industry struggled in a post-digital download landscape.

For 2011, the Hall of Fame induction became a spot within the ARIA Music Awards, with two new inductees. Then, from 2012, just one act has been inducted each year at the ARIAs.

Since that first class, scores of Aussie legends have got the nod, from Cold Chisel, to Kylie Minogue, Yothu Yindi, Kasey Chambers, Olivia Newton John, INXS, Crowded House, Archie Roach, Missy Higgins, Tina Arena, and last year’s inductee, You Am I.

Also announced today, May 27, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait, The Living End, Vika & Linda, Kate-Miller Heidke, Dan Sultan and Mia Wray will perform career-defining hits at the ceremony, organizers say, while the late Gurrumul will be remembered with “a moving celebration” with family members.

Veteran broadcaster and music champion Myf Warhurst is host of the show, to be presented at Sydney’s Carriageworks on Gadigal land. “To be part of the 40th anniversary ARIA Hall of Fame is incredibly special,” Warhurst comments in a statement.

“These artists have shaped Australian culture, soundtracked generations and influenced how we see ourselves through music,” she continues. “From the power and emotion of Gurrumul, to the energy of Spiderbait and The Living End, and the iconic voices of Kate Ceberano, Jenny Morris and Vika & Linda, this is a line-up that truly reflects the depth and brilliance of Australian music. It’s going to be loud, joyful and full of unforgettable moments – exactly what the Hall of Fame should be.”

The ARIA Hall of Fame Special Event is supported by the NSW Government through Sound NSW, and assisted by the Australian Government through the Office for the Arts and Music Australia.

Meanwhile, the 2026 ARIA Awards in partnership with Spotify be presented Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion. The recording industry’s flagship ceremony will stream live on Paramount+ and returns to the free-to-air commercial broadcaster Network 10.