Alan Jones tops Sydney breakfast radio ratings for 226th time

2GB breakfast host Alan Jones has recorded a stunning 226th ratings win while Sydney AM stations enjoyed a rise in listener growth before surveys are put on hold due to coronavirus.

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Radio king Alan Jones has seen another cracking survey result, marking his 226th ratings win.

Jones’ 2GB breakfast show registered a jump of 3.1 per cent to a maintain his leading share of the Sydney breakfast market of 17.9 per cent.

Jones is way ahead of any competition, his nearest rival being ABC Sydney at 10.9 per cent (down 0.9).

It is the second GfK Radio Ratings survey of the year but the last for some time as the next three survey periods are on hold due to coronavirus. There are eight survey results in a year.

While news radio dominates the results, FM music stations have also had a good survey with listeners also tuning in to escape and be entertained.

Alan Jones topped the Sydney breakfast ratings once again. Picture: Adam Yip

Jones’ stablemate Ray Hadley also won in mornings, a week after the pair feuded on air over George Pell’s overturned conviction. Picture: James Gourley

Overall 2GB enjoyed a rise of 1.6 per cent to a lead of 14.8 per cent of the Sydney market, ahead of ABC Sydney at 9.6 per cent (up 0.7).

SmoothFM is the top FM station in Sydney overall with a share of 9.0 per cent, up 0.9 of a percentage point and just ahead of WSFM at 8.9 per cent (up 0.5) while KIIS rose 0.4 of a percentage point to an 8.5 per cent share.

For the 13th consecutive survey, KIIS duo Kyle and Jackie O are the number one FM breakfast show rising 0.3 per cent to 10.2 followed by ARN stablemates WSFM’s Jonesy and Amanda.

‘Poorly researched rubbish’: Hadley slams Jones over Pell

“AM radio enjoyed listener growth all around Australia,” commentator and Mediaweek editor James Manning said. “Alan Jones now has the highest metro breakfast share in any capital city while colleague Ray Hadley on 18.8 per cent has the highest metro share at any time across all markets.”

Hadley’s share increased by 1.3 per cent to the 18.8 per cent share, marking his 127th consecutive survey win. His closest competition came from SmoothFm at 9.8 per cent (up 1.9).

A battle in drive … ABC’s Richard Glover won the 4-7pm slot.

While 2GB’s Ben Fordham claimed number 1 from 3-6pm. Picture: John Feder

In the afternoon drive shift, Richard Glover on the ABC is the top show at 11.7 per cent, a rise of 2.6 per cent, followed by Ben Fordham on 2GB at 10.5 per cent (up 0.3). Both Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold on Nova 96.9 and Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw on KIIS scored a 9.0 per cent share of drive listeners.

The GfK survey shows 4pm to 7pm results but shows often cross over in different timeslots. Therefore Fordham has claimed victory for his 3pm to 6pm show with a share of 11.4 per cent.

“We are thrilled to be number one again,” Fordham told Confidential. “It is a vote of confidence from Sydney. We’ve got some tough competition but between 3pm and 6pm we’ve got our nose just in front.”

More generally, Fordham noted: “People want to know what is going on with the virus and we’ve stayed on air during the Easter holidays to keep everyone informed. There is a massive appetite for information surrounding coronavirus. Our strategy has been to have the most up to date info and make the show a politician-free-zone. People want to hear from the experts and they also want a few laughs. If you don’t laugh at a time like this, you’ll go mad.”

The shake-up of 2GB evenings at the end of last year has paid off with its multi-bag of sport, money and talkback shows scoring 18.1 per cent, an increase of 2.8 per cent.

Elsewhere, for the afternoon shift, starting at 12pm, smoothfm tied with Deb Knight on 2GB with both registering an 11.4 per cent share.

Originally published as Alan Jones tops Sydney breakfast radio ratings for 226th time