Radio Ratings 2022: B105 tops Brisbane radio wars in penultimate survey

Brisbane’s battle for radio supremacy has taken a twist – sparking a rivalry between the big guns. READ THE FULL REPORT

B105 has soared to the top of Brisbane’s radio ratings in an FM rivalry with Nova 106.9 that’s been budding throughout 2022.

In the penultimate radio survey of the year, released on Tuesday, B105 recorded its best result in more than two years, scoring the double of top station and top breakfast program for the first time since survey two in 2020, prior to the pandemic.

In a rivalry with Nova, breakfast show Stav, Abby & Matt toppled the dominant Ash, Luttsy & Susie to regain the coveted breakfast radio crown with a 0.9 point buffer.

It’s the show’s first win since survey three in May, with Nova’s Ash, Luttsy & Susie having otherwise held steady at the top.

Stav Abby and Matt have topped the radio breakfast ratings. Photo: Image/J & A Photography

Nova 106.9 had won all five surveys this year until B105 took a marginal lead in the last survey result, which has now been extended to a 0.5 point buffer over Nova across the seven day week.

“From Stav, Matty and me we say a heartfelt thank you to our listeners – for waking up every day with us, sharing your lives with us, and taking part in our big ideas, from the Brisvegas Wedding where we hosted 25 Weddings in one day, to Matty’s 50K walk from Brisbane to Ipswich,” Abby Coleman said on Tuesday.

“This is wonderful news, and we can’t wait to party with everyone this Friday with Macklemore, TLC and Akon at Fridayz Live here in Brisbane.”

Meanwhile the AM dial continues to find stability after the 2022 shake up – with 4KQ’s closure for the new Sports Entertainment Network and resulting staff exodus to rivals 4BC causing mixed results.

Nova's Luttsy, Susie O'Neill, and Ash, at Sony Foundation’s Brissy4Ward fundraiser in August. Photo: Jerad Williams

Classic hits station 4BH 1116, still picking up the former 4KQ audience, maintained a narrow lead over 4BC across the seven-day week, whereas 4BC lead the work week overall.

Following success in their new AM stable, 4BC’s Laurel, Gary & Mark dropped to fourth in breakfast behind Triple M’s Marto and Margaux, while Neil Breen grew his audience by one point in 4BC drive.

Breen’s result for Brisbane Live was the station’s best ever audience share in drive.

After previous disappointing results, ABC Brisbane was buoyed by the largest growth of the survey, increasing its audience by more than one point from breakfast through to afternoon.

ABC breakfast show Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan gained 1.8 points to jump to fifth, relegating KIIS 97.3’s Robin, Terry & Kip to a worrying sixth spot, falling 1.4 points to just 9.1 per cent of the audience.

KIIS 97.3FM Robin Bailey, Terry Hansen and Kip Wightman are on the bubble in sixth spot in breakfast.

Meanwhile the new SENQ, which took over the former 4KQ, saw little change to its difficult entry into radio ratings with its sports-only gamble.

It recorded a consistent 0.4 per cent of the overall audience and 0.6 per cent in breakfast.

SENQ content is consumed in varied ways.

“Given SENQ 693am has started from the ground up and in the middle of an NRL season, we couldn’t be more excited with the progress we are making into the market,” a spokesman for SENQ said.

“We look forward to this continuing over Summer as we bring fans all the sporting action including matches from Brisbane Roar in the A-League, the Brisbane Heat of the BBL and every match from the soccer World Cup.”

Triple M eclipsed former leaders B105 in mornings while B105 maintained its lead in afternoons.

Nova’s Kate, Tim & Joel is a consistent winner in drive.

RADIO WINNERS, SURVEY 7

Overall FM: B105, 13.2 per cent (-0.1)

Overall AM: 4BH, 8.4 per cent (-0.2)

Breakfast: B105, 13.9 per cent (+0.3)

Mornings: Triple M, 13.8 per cent (+1.0)

Afternoons: B105, 14.8 per cent (-0.5)

Drive: Nova, 16.5 per cent (+1.0)

BREAKFAST

1. B105, 13.9 per cent (-0.1)

2. Nova 106.9, 13.0 per cent (-1.1)

3. Triple M, 11.3 per cent (-0.2)

4. 4BC, 10.8 per cent (-1.0)

5. ABC Brisbane, 9.2 per cent (+1.8)

6. KIIS 973, 9.1 per cent (-1.4)

7. 4BH, 7.8 per cent (+0.9)

(Source: GfK)