Radio Ratings 2021: Three-way tie at the top as listeners switch to AM dial

Three Brisbane radio stations have tied at number one in the latest radio survey, as the race to be number one heats up, but it comes as listeners have ditched the FM dial to seek their news and entertainment elsewhere.

Brisbane’s radio wars have heated up with three stations vying for the top spot as listeners turn up the AM dial.

After dominating with consecutive ratings wins, Nova tied in the fifth radio survey of 2021, released on Tuesday, with resurgent rivals 97.3FM and 4KQ – all three stations sharing 10.2 per cent of the overall audience.

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

It was consistent growth for 4KQ, with breakfast show Laurel, Gary and Mark leaping from sixth to second in breakfast with a two point growth to come in behind Nova’s dominant Ash, Kip, Luttsy and Susie.

The local AM station also grew a mammoth 1.2 points in mornings to draw equal with ARN stablemates 97.3FM.

ABC Brisbane grew its audience share, coming in third in breakfast and fourth overall.

The struggling 4BC also recorded a growth across each timeslot, with Ray Hadley the biggest mover in the survey, jumping to second in mornings with a 2.1 point growth.

The radio survey was measured from May 23 to Aug 14, taking into account the school holiday pause, and the swing to the AM came as lockdowns and Covid outbreaks dominated headlines and the Tokyo Olympics took place.

Bronte Langbroek to star on breakfast radio in Brisbane

4KQ's Laurel, Gary and Mark came in second in breakfast. Picture: Supplied

97.3FM's Robin, Terry and Bob. Picture: Supplied

“Considering the disruptions to listening over the survey period and the logistical challenges the team faced with Ash and Kip holding the fort in Brisbane, while Luttsy and Susie O’Neill were in Tokyo for the Olympics, I’m very pleased with the results today,” Nova Group Program Operations Director Brendan Taylor said.

“Ash Kip Luttsy and Susie O’Neill continue to be Brisbane’s number one choice for Breakfast and I’m so proud of all the team involved in getting the show to air each day.

“It’s a very competitive market in Brisbane and you need to be consistently at the top of your game. That’s what drives us each day.”

Meanwhile it was a positive result for 97.3FM, which had previously struggled to fire.

While tying with Nova across the seven days, the station led the working week, taking over from Nova with 10.7 per cent of the audience across the five days. Breakfast show Robin, Terry & Bob held firm in fourth.

“I’ve always enjoyed a radio threesome but never so much as when there’s two of us and one of them,” co-anchor Terry Hansen said of sharing the top with stablemates 4KQ.

Triple M recorded the biggest loss in breakfast, slipping 1.1 points to fifth on 9.9 per cent, ahead of B105 and 4BC.

B105 stayed on top in afternoons ahead of 97.3FM while Nova’s national team of Kate, Tim & Joel maintained their stronghold in drive.

RADIO WINNERS

Overall FM: Nova and 97.3FM. 10.2 per cent (-0.6 and 0.0)

Overall AM: 4KQ, 10.2 per cent (+0.9)

Breakfast: Nova, 11.3 per cent (-0.5)

Mornings: 97.3FM and 4KQ, 11.5 per cent (+0.6 and +1.2)

Afternoons: B105, 12.1 per cent (+0.7)

Drive: Nova, 13 per cent (-1.5)

BREAKFAST

1. Nova, 11.3 per cent (-0.5)

2. 4KQ, 11.1 per cent (+2.0)

3. ABC Brisbane, 10.6 per cent (+o. 3)

4. 97.3FM, 10.2 per cent (+0.2)

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

6. B105, 9.5 per cent (+0.2)

7. 4BC, 8 per cent (+0.7)

(Source: GfK)