2GB finishes 2019 as nation’s top broadcaster
Despite huge behind-the-scenes changes, 2GB has finished the year as the top broadcaster, just days after parent company Macquarie Media announced Steve Price’s departure from the station.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Tropfest’s future up in air as February festival cancelled
- Nat Bass says she hasn’t ruled out new music for Rogue Traders
The decision to oust Steve Price from his 2GB afternoon radio shift has been validated in the latest radio ratings survey results.
The final GfK Radio Ratings survey of 2019 shows Price’s afternoon show dropped 0.6 percentage points to a share of 9.3 per cent of the market in that timeslot, behind smoothfm at 10.4 per cent.
The results come days after 2GB parent company Macquarie Media Limited announced Price’s departure from the station. He will be replaced by TV newsreader Deb Knight. In the four survey periods since taking the reins of the afternoon shift from Chris Smith in July, Price failed to win the ratings.
Macquarie also last week parted ways with veteran finance reporter Ross Greenwood with Brooke Corte to step into his shoes on 2GB in 2020.
Corte will host a shortened Money News show from 7pm to 8pm, where Greenwood previously hosted a two hour show.
Across all stations, 2GB finished the year as yet again the top broadcaster despite a drop of 1.2 percentage points to an overall share of 12.1 per cent.
That is well ahead of its nearest rivals, smoothfm at 9.3 per cent (steady), ABC Sydney at 8.9 per cent (up 0.8) and KIIS 106.5 at 8.8 per cent (down 0.2).
In all important breakfast, Alan Jones remains king of the airwaves with a strong 14.7 per cent share (down 1.4), well ahead of KIIS duo Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O at 11.4 per cent (up 0.2) and ABC Sydney at 10.5 per cent (up 0.8).
For mornings, Ray Hadley maintained his dominance at 13.8 per cent (down 0.3), ahead of his nearest rival being smoothfm at 10.1 per cent (down 0.1).
“It will be fascinating to see how audiences react to the recent changes at 2GB and the impact it could have on ratings in 2020,” industry commentator and Mediaweek editor James Manning said.
“The end of 2019 has seen massive change behind the scenes at all radio broadcasters, who have suffered significant revenue challenges.”
Earlier this month, Southern Cross Austereo, parent company of 2Day FM and Triple M, axed some 90 jobs across its radio network.
“The entire advertising and media sector is operating in a challenging and difficult market and Southern Cross Austereo has and is being equally affected,” SCA said in a statement on December 3.
“Management, with the support of the board, have conducted a comprehensive review of our workforce structure to provide an effective and efficient organisation for now and into the future.”
Meanwhile, the top station in drive is KIIS pairing Will and Woody at 9.6 per cent (down 0.1), followed by ABC Sydney at 9.3 (up 0.4), Nova’s Kate, Tim and Marty at 9.2 per cent (down 0.2) and 2GBs Ben Fordham at 8.5 per cent (down 1.3).
Originally published as 2GB finishes 2019 as nation’s top broadcaster