Corey Oates’ radio gamble backfires? KIIS 97.3 breakfast team crashes in ratings
The latest radio ratings have delivered a possible fatal blow to an embattled breakfast team amid intensifying rumours they are on the chopping block.
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Brisbane’s breakfast radio wars are at boiling point with KIIS 97.3’s morning team of Robin, Kip and Corey Oates hit with another ratings setback.
The latest blow could prove fatal amid intensifying rumours they are on the chopping block to be replaced by Kyle and Jackie O.
The latest GfK survey, released Tuesday, shows KIIS 97.3’s breakfast show dropping to fourth place, with market share plummeting 1.4 points to 10.6 per cent.
This places them behind Triple M’s Marto, Margaux, and Dan, who also saw a decline, falling 1.5 points to 11.7 per cent.
The KIIS team now sits below their 2024 average of 11.03 per cent, raising questions about the decision to add Oates earlier this year.
Internal pressure has been mounting, with management demanding significant ratings improvements or a market-leading result by the end of the financial year to avoid replacement.
Industry insiders have speculated that if ratings don’t improve, KIIS 97.3’s local breakfast team could be replaced by ARN’s Sydney duo, Kyle and Jackie O, whose show has expanded nationally.
However, Kyle and Jackie O’s Brisbane performance has been modest, with their Hour of Power during drive time achieving only an 11 per cent market share, trailing Nova, B105, and Triple M despite a slight 0.2 per cent increase.
Nova 106.9’s breakfast team — Ash, Luttsy, and Nikki Osborne — continues to lead, securing the top spot for the second consecutive survey at 13.1 per cent market share, narrowly beating B105 by 0.1 per cent.
Osborne’s second consecutive win suggests her addition has resonated with listeners.
Nova Group programming director Brendan Taylor said the win gave the station confidence that the trio was connecting with their audience.
“It’s really impressive, especially with Nikki so new to radio,” he said.
“I’m genuinely so proud of her. Nikki brings something different, while also being fun and slightly inappropriate, which is really resonating with listeners.
“It also reflects the strength of Ash, Luttsy and Nikki as a team and the way they’ve created such a strong show so quickly.
“To also be the most listened-to station in Brisbane is a fantastic result for the entire team, both on-air and behind the scenes.”
Despite losing ground in breakfast, Triple M emerged as Brisbane’s most popular station overall, capturing a 12.8 per cent market share and winning four major timeslots — morning, afternoon, drive, and evening.
The local appeal of The Rush Hour with Dobbo & Elliott has revitalised Triple M’s drive slot, replacing the axed Marty Sheargold show.
SCA’s chief content officer, Dave Cameron, praised Triple M’s success.
“It’s great to see Brisbane retain the No. 1 position along with the all-new Rush Hour with Dobbo & Elliott also celebrating No. 1 in Drive,” he said.
In the AM market, Peter Feegan’s 4BC breakfast slot held steady at 5.2 per cent, while Gary Hardgrave boosted 4BC’s drive listenership by 2.2 points to 5.3 per cent, surpassing ABC Brisbane’s 4.3 per cent.
As the financial year ends, KIIS 97.3’s breakfast team faces a critical juncture, with all eyes on whether Brisbane listeners will support them or shift towards syndicated programming.
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