Sacking bombshell as brekky heavyweights stage greatest fightback in Brisbane radio wars

A controversial host’s sacking has triggered a surge in popularity for a Brisbane favourite while a bold gamble by a breakfast radio heavyweight has helped it stage one of the most epic fightbacks in ratings history.

Brisbane-born comedian Nikki Osborne steps alongside Ash Bradnam and David "Luttsy" Lutteral for Nova. Photo: Nova Supplied

Triple M has soared to the top of Brisbane’s radio landscape in wake of the shock sacking of disgraced drive host Marty Sheargold while Nova 106.9 has reclaimed its breakfast crown after a bold gamble.

The SCA-owned Triple M has surged into the number one overall position, just weeks after giving Sheargold the boot in February over a string of vile, on-air comments about the Matildas and women’s sport.

His removal — initially seen as a damage-control exercise — appears to have accidentally reignited listener loyalty, particularly in the key drive slot, which jumped an eye-watering 3.2 points since last survey.

The new Triple M Rush Hour Queensland show, helmed by Ben “Dobbo” Dobbin and Elliott Lovejoy, only officially launched this week, but insiders are already saying Brisbane audiences have responded to the more locally driven feel of the newly launched show.

After spending over a year in the shadows of market leader B105, Nova’s breakfast team of Ash Bradnam, David “Luttsy” Lutteral and fiery newcomer Nikki Osborne has pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in recent history, jumping to number one in the fiercely contested breakfast slot with a 13.6 per cent share.

It’s the trio’s first number one finish since Survey 8, 2023, and confirmation that Nova’s controversial decision to replace beloved Olympian Susie O’Neill with the outspoken comedian has struck a chord with Brisbane audiences.

“We’re delighted with the Survey 2 results, and for the number one result for Nova 106.9’s Ash, Luttsy and Nikki Osborne Breakfast Show,” Nova Group Programming Director Brendan Taylor said.

“Given Nikki’s a newcomer to radio, we’re thrilled with how the show has settled in and how the city has embraced the new line-up, which is led so well by Ash and Luttsy – two of Brisbane’s most seasoned radio presenters.”

Osborne added: “I hate to quote Katy Perry but I feel super connected to love. And Brisbane. And space. In all seriousness I think all credit goes to Mitch Lewis, our new panel guy and his massive head.”

It’s not just market share that Nova has to celebrate.

The breakfast show also dominated in cumulative audience, with 423,000 weekly listeners, a staggering 36,000 ahead of its nearest competitor.

Former Triple M breakfast host Marty Sheargold. Picture: Supplied

And station-wide, Nova clawed its way to second overall, rising 1.1 points to an 11.7 per cent share, closing in fast on its longtime rivals.

The shift has not only helped wipe Sheargold’s stain from the network’s reputation but catapulted Triple M past both B105 and Nova, a feat few predicted this early in the year.

“Triple M’s return to Number 1 in Brisbane is a standout achievement and testament to the brand’s enduring local power,” SCA’s chief content officer Dave Cameron said.

Meanwhile, it was a bruising result for former powerhouse B105, which after nine straight surveys on top, plummeted to third place overall on 11.3 per cent, its worst ranking since 2023.

While its breakfast trio of Stav, Abby and Matt tied for second in breakfast share with 13.2 per cent, the blow of slipping two rungs down the ladder will no doubt sting for a station that had become accustomed to dominance.

Another winner this round was KIIS 97.3, which recorded the biggest growth across the board, rising 1.3 points to finish on 11.1 per cent overall, narrowing the gap with B105 to just 0.2 percentage points.

Its breakfast program also climbed to a 12 per cent share.

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

The strong result comes as a welcome turnaround after last survey period, when it looked like the station’s high-stakes shake-up — which saw former Broncos star Corey Oates join Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman on breakfast — may have fallen flat.

At the time, there was industry chatter that the trio could be on the chopping block by mid-year if ratings didn’t improve. But this week’s results have likely left ARN executives breathing a sigh of relief.

ARN content boss Duncan Campbell said the network was “thrilled” with the turnaround, citing strong gains across the day and dominance in the key 25–54 demographic.

Elsewhere, it was a mixed bag.

ABC Brisbane breakfast hosts Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan dipped slightly to a steady 7.9 per cent, while 4BC’s new breakfast host Peter Fegan continued his quiet redemption arc, climbing 0.7 points to 5.2 per cent.

Fegan’s straight-shooting style appears to be resonating after a long period of poor ratings under the station’s previous trio of Laurel, Gary and Mark.

Meanwhile, Triple J and 4BH copped the biggest breakfast losses of the survey, down 1.1 and 1.6 points respectively.

OVERALL WINNERS

Overall FM: Triple M, 12.9 per cent (+1)

Overall AM: 4BH, 8.1per cent (-1.3)

Breakfast: Nova106.9, 13.6 per cent (+1.5)

Mornings: Triple M, 13.8 per cent (+0.4)

Afternoons: Triple M, 14.7 per cent (+0.9)

Drive: Triple M, 12.9 per cent (+3.2)

BREAKFAST

1. Nova 106.9, 13.6 per cent (+1.5)

2. Triple M, 13.2 per cent (+1)

2. B105, 13.2 per cent (-0.9)

3. KIIS97.3, 12.0 per cent (+0.7)

4. 4BH 1116 8.5 per cent (-1.6)

6. ABC Brisbane, 7.9 per cent (-0.4)

(Source: GfK)