Brekky radio goes nuclear: Broncos legend, titans in ratings slide

A once dominant force in Brisbane breakfast radio is under intense pressure after it failed to make up ground on rivals in the latest ratings survey.

The breakfast radio wars have gone nuclear in Brisbane.

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A powerhouse of Brisbane breakfast radio is under mounting pressure after they failed to make up ground on rivals amid speculation they could be replaced by Kyle and Jackie O’s syndicated Sydney-based program.

KIIS 97.3 dipped 0.3 percentage points to 11.3 per cent market share, leaving the station fourth in the breakfast radio ratings behind B105, Triple M and Nova.

While only a slight dip, it comes just months after former Broncos winger Corey Oates joined longtime hosts Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman in a major on-air shake-up.

KIIS 97.3's new breakfast trio Kip Wightman, Robin Bailey, and Corey Oates, Milton. Picture: Liam Kidston

While it remains too early to draw a direct link between the drop and Oates’ arrival, industry experts suggest ARN’s notoriously data-driven executives won’t be taking the result lightly.

Adding to the pressure is longstanding speculation that if the KIIS breakfast show failed to win — or come close to winning — the first three surveys of 2025, it could be axed by mid-year.

Under that scenario, Kyle and Jackie O, who recently launched into new markets under ARN’s expansion strategy, would be brought in to replace the Brisbane-based line-up.

The B105 team of Stav, Abby and Matt continued their domination of Brisbane breakfast radio with 14.1 per cent of the market, followed by Triple M’s Marto Margaux and Dan on 12.2 per cent and Nova 106.9 on 12.1 per cent.

B105 Brisbane Stav, Abby & Matt hosts: Stav Davidson, Abby Coleman, Matty Acton. Photo: Supplied.

David Cameron, chief content officer of Southern Cross Austero, which owns B105 and Triple M, said it had been an outstanding start to the year for the broadcaster.

“A powerhouse duopoly that continues to dominate Brisbane,” Mr Cameron said.

Nova’s third-placed finish comes after the stations bold move to replace Susie O’Neill with Nikki Osborne.

Despite reservations among industry insiders, early signs are the move has been welcomed by loyal listeners.

Triple M Breakfast hosts Marto Margaux and Dan. Photo: Supplied.

Nova group programming director Brendan Taylor praised Brisbane audiences for giving Osborne a fair go.

“It’s a daunting prospect sliding behind the microphone for the first time,” Mr Taylor said. “Today’s numbers show that Brisbane listeners are always prepared to give someone a go. We couldn’t be happier for Nikki.”

Nova 106.9's Nikki Osborne. Photo: NOVA.

One of the biggest surprises this survey came from 4BC’s breakfast program, now hosted by Peter Fegan, which posted a 1.2-point jump — lifting the show from a lowly 3.3 per cent to a more respectable 4.5.

Fegan officially took the reins in late September, replacing long-running trio Laurel Edwards, Gary Clare and Mark Hine, who were axed mid-2024 as the station scrambled to revive its performance.

The latest numbers, while still placing the show behind all commercial rivals as well as ABC Brisbane and Triple J, offer a glimmer of hope for the talkback station after a difficult year.

While it’s too early to declare a turnaround, the uplift may signal Fegan’s straight-talking, no-nonsense approach is beginning to cut through with listeners — as the former Nine reporter finds his footing behind the mic.

4BC radio presenter Peter Fegan.

Triple J’s breakfast crew also experienced a positive upswing, improving by 1.1 per cent.

On the flip side, the biggest breakfast decline was felt by 4BH 1116, dropping 1.2 per cent, followed by 4RN, and KIIS 97.3.

Station-wide, Triple J saw the largest overall jump with a surprising 1.5 per cent increase, followed by ABC Brisbane, up 0.7 per cent.

However, 4BH 1116, with their “more music, less talk” strategy, endured a significant decline, losing 2.2 per cent, with B105 and Nova also recording modest station-wide drops of 0.9 and 0.8 per cent respectively.

In the cumulative audience battle — measuring the overall number of listeners tuning in — Nova has reclaimed its crown, boasting 704,000 listeners ahead of B105 which secured 622,000 listeners.

ABC Brisbane Breakfast hosts Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan. Photo: ABC.

Digital listeners have crowned ABC Brisbane and 4BH joint winners in overall streaming, each securing 10.2 per cent, closely followed by Triple J.

ABC Brisbane proved untouchable in breakfast streaming with a remarkable 17.2 per cent of the streaming market, more than seven points clear of 4BH with 9.8 per cent.