Radio Ratings 2021: Nova’s clean sweep amid AM surge in Brisbane

Nova 106.9 has dominated Brisbane’s radio wars in the latest survey – but their FM rivals have been overthrown by the increasing popularity of AM radio in the city.

Nova 106.9 has emerged as a clear leader in Brisbane’s radio wars, remaining the only FM station to ward off the increasing switch to the AM dial in the city.

After drawing level on top with 4KQ and 97.3FM in survey five, Nova jumped 1.5 points overall to dominate the pack in survey six, released on Thursday, with 11.7 per cent of the audience share.

Luttsy, Ash, Kip and Susie O'Neill are leading the breakfast ratings in Brisbane for their show on Nova FM, here inside their studio in Teneriffe, Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

The station doubled down with significant growth across each timeslot. Breakfast show Ash, Kip, Luttsy & Susie continued their stronghold with 13.1 per cent of the audience while the station also won afternoons – leapfrogging B105 – and Kate, Tim and Joel increased their lead in drive to a mammoth 15.2 per cent.

Nova was the only FM station to gain ground overall as AM stations continued to poach listeners from their rivals.

“The results today are just so pleasing for our whole team, I couldn’t be prouder,”

Nova’s group program operations director Brendan Taylor said.

“Brisbane is an incredibly tough market with quality competition, which makes today even more rewarding and one to celebrate. I particularly want to highlight Chris ‘Buzz’ Bezzina who celebrated a Number 1 ‘afternoons’ result after the birth of his son Harrison.”

4KQ was Brisbane’s second most listened to station overall with 10.9 per cent of the audience, won the mornings timeslot and placed second in breakfast through Laurel, Gary and Mark – who were on Wednesday nominated for best on-air team in the metro AM category at next year’s Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs).

4KQ's Laurel, Gary and Mark

ABC Brisbane’s Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan was third in breakfast with a one point jump in audience share.

They were followed by 97.3’s Robin, Terry and Bob and B105’s Stav, Abby and Matt in fourth and fifth respectively.

It was Triple M’s The Big Breakfast that found themselves on the bubble in the breakfast radio wars, slipping into seventh spot with just 7.9 per cent of the audience, behind 4BC’s Neil Breen on 8.1 per cent.

It was growth across the board for the AM station including a 1.2 point growth for Ray Hadley in mornings, putting them second behind 4KQ in another win for the AM dial.

“Today’s result is the highest share of 2021 for 4BC,” 4BC content manager Max Dudley said.

“This shows that Brisbane audiences are continuing to turn to 4BC as their trusted news source, which is why we’re making the move to 882AM tomorrow to make sure our audience in South East Queensland have the best listening experience.”

Commercial Radio Australia delayed survey six, which was released on Thursday, by nine days at the request of ratings provider GfK due to ongoing Covid restrictions.

RADIO WINNERS

Overall FM: Nova, 11.7 per cent (+1.5)

Overall AM: 4KQ, 10.9 per cent (+0.7)

Breakfast: Nova, 13.1 per cent (+1.8)

Mornings: 4KQ, 12.1 per cent (+0.6)

Afternoons: Nova, 12.1 per cent (+1.1)

Drive: Nova, 15.2 per cent (+2.2)

BREAKFAST

1. Nova, 13.1 per cent (+1.8)

2. 4KQ, 12.0 per cent (+0.9)

3. ABC Brisbane, 11.6 per cent (+1.0)

4. 97.3FM, 9.5 per cent (-0.7)

5. B105, 9.0 per cent (-0.5) Triple M, 9.9 per cent (-1.1)

6. 4BC, 8.1 per cent (+0.1)

7. Triple M, 7.9 per cent (-2.0)

(Source: GfK)