Triple M dominates Brisbane’s airwaves in first radio survey of 2020

It was a year billed as the battle of the veterans with the return of Robin Bailey to 97.3, but the first radio survey of 2020 has thrown up a surprise frontrunner in Brisbane’s radio wars

UNDERDOGS Triple M have drawn first blood in the 2020 Brisbane radio wars.

In the first radio survey of the year, released today, Triple M became the River City’s most listened to station, Monday to Friday, with an 11.8 per cent share of the audience, while they also topped the breakfast, morning and afternoon time slots.

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Triple M's The Big Breakfast – Greg (Marto) Martin, Margaux Parker and Nick Cody – were equal number one with Hit 105 in the first radio survey of 2020

Despite a reshuffle that saw Robin Bailey return to 97.3 with her reinstated team of Terry Hansen and Bob Gallagher, her old stablemates at Triple M’s The Big Breakfast opened the year on top in breakfast, equalling Hit105’s Stav, Abby & Matt on 11.4 points.

Nova 106.9’s Ash, Kip, Luttsy & Susie, who topped seven out of eight surveys in 2019, dropped to third with an 11 per cent audience share.

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The return of Robin, Terry & Bob in 2020 hasn’t helped 97.3 FM, with the breakfast show falling 1.1 points to fourth spot and 10.1 per cent of the audience after ending 2019 on top with axed co-hosts Bianca Dye and Mike van Acker.

Hit 105’s Stav, Abby and Matt were equal number ones in breakfast in the first radio survey of 2020. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Having replaced Bailey in September in what is her first breakfast radio job, the result is a strong show of support for new addition Margaux Parker, who is competing against three rival FM breakfast teams made up of radio veterans.

“We’d like to thank Brisbane for wrapping their arms around Margaux and welcoming her to The Big Breakfast,” Triple M Content Director Scott Menz said.

“There’s been a steady increase in ratings since she joined Marto (Greg Martin) and Nick (Cody) in September 2019 and the show is going from strength to strength. The results today back up our absolute belief in this team, and in and our people, both on the air, and off. We are absolutely stoked with the result and I’m so proud of these guys.”

There was a swing away from 97.3 overall and in breakfast, with reinstated team Robin Bailey (centre), Terry Hansen and Bob Gallagher. Picture: Peter Wallis

Overall, Hit 105 came in second behind Triple M with 11.2 per cent of the audience, followed by Nova and 97.3, both on 10.9 per cent – which was a significant drop of 1.3 points for 97.3.

“In the very competitive market of Brisbane, we’re happy with the result for 97.3FM and our new Breakfast show of Robin, Terry & Bob, with ... only 0.4 per cent separating the positions of the top three FM stations,” ARN’s National Content Director Duncan Campbell said.

In the AM battle, 4KQ was the number one station overall with 7.9 per cent of the audience, followed by ABC Brisbane on 7.3 per cent and 4BC on 7 per cent.

ABC’s Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan topped AM breakfast, while 4KQ topped mornings ahead of Ray Hadley on 4BC.

While Nova continued to dominate in drive, 97.3 was a surprise second ahead of Dave Hughes and Ed Kavalee on Hit 105.

4KQ was the best of the AM options in afternoon and drive.