The news cycle drives more people to radio
With a news cycle over the last 3 months in Australia unlike any other I remember, with the prolonged drought, followed by out-of-control fires across the country, then some flooding and now the unprecedented panic that has risen out of the extremely sad outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), it would seem, Australians are turning to news sources for more news. Radio being an important brand-safe live news and information source has seen an increase in cumulative audience in many metro markets over the survey period of Jan 19 – Feb 29. Most notably; Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne all experienced increases in audience over the period.
Below is a more detailed breakdown by market :
2GB remains number one after 126 consecutive surveys
2GB starts the year off strong at number one overall in the Sydney market with an increase of 1.1 share points to 13.2. In fact, the station saw growth across every daypart with the most notable being a 3.7 share jump in Ray Hadley’s morning show.
Number one FM moves to ARN’s WSFM with a share increase of 0.9 points to 8.4. This was closely followed by its predecessor Smooth FM and KIIS FM who tied at 8.1. Smooth FM’s drop this survey was most likely attributed to drops throughout the day. We’ll watch the trend as the year progresses.
As always Alan Jones led the breakfast slot at 14.8 share points. The next closest rival in breakfast was KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O at a 9.9 share followed by Jonesy and Amanda on WSFM at 9.1. Nova 96.9 has the most listeners in Sydney growing 92,000 last survey to 1,123,000.
Looking at the DAB stations in Sydney, leading this market for all people 10+ is The Edge Digital with 153,000 people an increase of 50,000 on last survey followed by Coles Radio and WSFM 80’s both with 62,000 listeners.
3AW dives in Melbourne
3AW started the year with a 2.3 share dive to 13.3 which was most likely attributed to losses across older demos, and across the day. Despite this, the station still reigns as number one with its nearest competitor Gold 104.3 at 10.8, closely followed by SmoothFM 91.5 at 9.6.
Across the day, Breakfast was led by 3AW with 15.9 share points dropping 4.3 this book. Taking second place for the daypart was Gold 104.3 at 9.2 and Fox and Nova tied for third at 8.3.
Drive was a tight race with 3AW leading at 11.6, followed by Smooth 91.5 at 10.4 and Fox at 9.8. Gold had the most listeners of any station in this market seeing an increase of 97,000 to 1,182,000.
Triple M Leads in Brisbane
It’s always a close race to the top in Brissy and the year begins with Triple M taking number one spot at 11.3 followed closely by Nova 106.9FM, 97.3FM with 10.9 share points and Hit 105 with 10.8.
Triple M and Hit 105 tied for the number one Breakfast spot at 11.4 share points.
The station with the most listeners is Nova 106.9 with 625,000
Looking at DAB+ in Brisbane, the station with the highest audience numbers in Brisbane is 97.3 The 90s with 43,000 listeners, an increase of 5,000 on last survey.
Mix 102.3 retains number one in Adelaide
Mix 102.3 retained its number one spot for the first survey of the year, despite a one-point share loss to 12.6. There was no movement for NOVA 91.9, who keeps second place followed by Cruise1323 who increased its position by one share point to 10.6.
Mix leads all dayparts in this market except for drive, evenings and weekends.
Nova 93.7 takes number one in Perth
Nova 93.7 has taken the lead in the Perth market jumping 1.4 share points to 14.0 to start off the year with a bang. Its closest rivals are 96FM at 13.6 share and Mix 94.5 at 10.1.
I hope that the start of the year brings some positive new beginnings and that our insights across radio and all media are a source of great support and interest. I wish you well for a brilliant year of growth and positivity ahead.
Stay tuned throughout the year for more in depth analyses of what’s happening around the nation in commercial radio.
Source : GFK Survey 1, 2020
