Nova closes gap in Brisbane radio war

THE latest Nielsen radio ratings are out and the team celebrating the most is NOVA 106.9FM.

GOING UP: Nova breakfast crew, Tim, Meshel and Marty.

THE latest Nielsen radio ratings are out and the team celebrating the most is NOVA 106.9FM.

The station's breakfast crew overtook their FM rivals B105 and 97.3FM in the crucial morning slot to take second place behind a dominant Spencer Howson on ABC 612.

Spencer retained his No.1 position in the early period, despite a drop of 0.9 points in market share by session.

NOVA is also breathing down B105's neck overall, again overtaking 97.3FM to come in just behind the top spot in the Monday to Friday ratings.

Last period they took third spot after overtaking Triple M and station managers will hope to continue their momentum into the new year.

However, B105 dominated the local FM airwaves for much of the year and will hope that trend continues in 2011. Insiders will be watching closely if the loss of the popular duo of Hamish and Andy from a five-day drive presence will affect B105's figures.

The ratings figures can be (and usually are) spun and re-spun and argued over for days after their release, and wise heads will caution to factor in a 1 per cent margin for error on the figures. Only one thing is certain: 2011 is shaping up to be an intriguing year for Brisbane radio.