Two of Nine’s investigative podcasts were recognised overnight at the New York Festival Radio Awards, with The Saints winning a Bronze statue in the narrative/documentary podcast category and Alva Beach: Death At The Door taking Silver in the same category before adding a Bronze in serialised podcasting.
The double result gives the broadcaster a clear showing at the radio awards 2026, and it comes with more than a million combined downloads across the two projects. Alva Beach: Death At The Door was presented by 60 Minutes journalist Adam Hegarty, with Jess Lodge producing and Matty White handling sound design and editing. The Saints was presented by A Current Affair’s Pippa Bradshaw, while Hannah Sterling handled sound design and editing.
The Saints examines the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs in Toowoomba, Queensland, while Alva Beach: Death At The Door examines the stabbing deaths of Corey Christensen and Tom Davy in Alva Beach, North Queensland. Christensen was 37 and the father of three children. Davy was 27.
The awards were presented by the internationally renowned New York Festival Radio Awards, and Nine says the two projects underscore the power of podcasting in investigative journalism. That point matters because both productions deal with cases that have drawn intense public scrutiny and continue to resonate well beyond their original reporting.
Hegarty said the story had stayed with him for a long time, and that he could not be prouder of the work done by Lodge, White and himself. He said he was also grateful for the recognition, and added that his thoughts and admiration were with the Davy and Christensen families. He said it took serious courage to share heartbreak and grievances when criticism was likely, and he hoped people would finally feel heard.
Bradshaw said she was deeply honoured to have The Saints and Elizabeth’s story recognised on a global stage, saying the award highlighted the real dangers of extreme belief and the importance of accountability. The Saints has also been shortlisted for best crime podcast at the upcoming 2026 Australian Audio Awards in Sydney, giving it another chance to add to a run that now stretches from domestic attention to international recognition.
For Nine, the result is more than a line on a trophy shelf. It is a sign that investigative audio can still cut through when it is built around rigorous reporting, careful storytelling and cases that have left families, and the wider public, still searching for answers.
