Brisbane radio ratings: 4BC horror show amid axings, resignation as KIIS surges
4BC are in free fall after a tumultuous period for the station talent, while Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman have led a resurgence at KIIS.
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4BC has recorded its equal worst ratings result in six years just a month after axing its breakfast radio team and the resignation of its afternoon drive-time presenter.
The latest radio survey results saw 4BC’s overall audience share plummet to 4.6 per cent, matching its horror result from early September, the worst since 2019.
Meanwhile, KIIS 97.3 has surged to second place in the breakfast ratings, with Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman’s audience share up 1.6 per cent to 12.1 per cent, just behind B105 which secured its seventh straight win in the highly competitive timeslot.
Insiders attribute 4BC’s struggles to the axing of the station’s breakfast hosts Laurel Edwards, Gary Clare, and Mark Hine, who departed in late September after just two years at he station.
Meanwhile, 4BC’s Drive slot also saw change with Peter Gleeson stepping down as host to become CEO of the Greater Brisbane Greyhound Club (GBGC). Gleeson’s exit marked yet another transition at 4BC, with Gary Hardgrave stepping in to fill the position.
Insiders are optimistic that new breakfast host Peter Fegan, who joined the show on September 27, will attract listeners in future surveys as he settles into the role.
KIIS 97.3 – ranking fifth only one month ago – have attributed their jump to second to a long-term strategy.
“The team at KIIS 97.3 have been focused on executing the strategy all year and today we’re seeing the results of that work,” ARN’s Chief Content Officer Duncan Campbell said.
The surge marked a significant milestone for the station, which also scored the largest growth in Brisbane’s overall radio market, increasing its share by 0.8 per cent to 10.8 per cent.
B105, however, still holds a comfortable lead, marking its seventh consecutive win as Brisbane’s No. 1 station, with a strong 13.1 per cent market share.
With hosts Stav Davidson, Abby Coleman, and Matt Acton, the station’s breakfast program has remained unbeaten for over 11 months.
“We’re incredibly grateful for today’s #1 ratings result and all the overwhelming support and success our Brisbane audience has given us this year. That’s 7 from 7 for B105 and the Brekky show in 2024,” the trio said in a statement.
“B105’s reign shows no signs of slowing down.”
Fellow SCA station Triple M came in second overall with a 12.2 per cent share.
Meanwhile, 4BH, which stole the spotlight last survey by breaking into the top three, has held onto third place with an 11.1 per cent market share. However, it dropped to fourth in the breakfast rankings, with its share slipping by 0.4 per cent to 10.4 per cent.
Nova 106.9 maintained third place in breakfast with an 11.6 per cent share, unchanged from the previous period. It also recorded the highest cumulative audience in Brisbane, boasting 595,000 listeners.
However, the station is set for a major shift as Brisbane icon Susie O’Neill bids farewell to the breakfast show at the end of November, signalling a potential ratings shake-up in the new year.
“As we reflect on the wonderful moments with Susie in her final weeks on breakfast, we’re looking forward to giving her loyal listeners an opportunity to attend Susie’s final show and send her off in style,” Group Programming Director, Nova Network, Brendan Taylor said.
“The show will be broadcast live on Thursday, November 28 at an event called ‘Susie O’Chella’ at the iconic Brisbane location, Riverside Green at South Bank.”
The sharpest decline this survey was recorded by ABC Brisbane’s Breakfast with Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan, which dropped 1.4 per cent to a 7.4 per cent share, reflecting the mounting competition from commercial stations.
Streaming figures saw Triple M take the lead with 11.8 per cent of the streaming market share, followed closely by 4BH with 11.1 per cent and ABC Brisbane at 9.1 per cent.
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