Radio Ratings: B105 and 4KQ have surged to the top of Brisbane’s radio wars in a market reshuffle

Nova has lost its Brisbane radio crown, but the big story of the ratings survey was underdogs and new breakfast leader 4KQ, which recorded a huge swing.

B105 has emerged as the new leader in Brisbane’s radio market as 4KQ became a surprise winner in the breakfast radio wars in a huge swing to the station.

In the second radio survey of 2021, released today, B105 was the most listened to station overall, pipping 4KQ by 0.1 points and relegating Nova to third spot.

Nova and its breakfast show Ash, Kip, Luttsy and Susie had won all four surveys since radio ratings returned after the lengthy COVID-19 pause last year.

4KQ breakfast team of Mark Hine, Laurel Edwards and Gary Clare.

But it was 4KQ that gained momentum, jumping to the top of the breakfast pack with 12 per cent of the audience, a 1.2 point gain, while also winning mornings, ahead of B105, with a massive three-point jump.

The local station also grew two points overall to 11 per cent of the audience over the seven days, putting them well above AM rivals ABC Brisbane (8 per cent) and the beleaguered 4BC (6 per cent).

“Every day when we come into work, we humbly don’t think about ratings. We endeavor to have a great time and include our listeners,” 4KQ breakfast presenter Laurel Edwards said.

Of the ratings win, Mark Hine added: “Like most things, it’s been 15 years of hard work and great friendship to become an overnight success.”

It was a dominant result for B105, with Stav, Abby and Matt moving from fifth to second in breakfast, with 11.2 per cent of the audience share, beating Nova by just 0.1 points.

Stav, Abby and Matt are the best in FM breakfast for B105. Picture: Supplied

The station also continued its stronghold of the afternoon timeslot.

“Thank you Brisbane, B105 is back on top as number 1. We could not do this without the support of our listeners,” said B105 Content Director Jack Ball.

ABC Brisbane’s Crag Zonca and Loretta Ryan were fourth in breakfast behind Nova and ahead of Triple M and 97.3FM.

4BC’s Neil Breen and Ray Hadley recorded further losses in breakfast and mornings.

Nova’s drive show Kate, Tim and Joel retained its crown, despite a 1.5 point loss.

RADIO WINNERS

Overall FM: B105, 11.1 per cent (+0.9)

Overall AM: 4KQ, 11 per cent (+2.0)

Breakfast: 4KQ, 12.0 per cent (+1.2)

Mornings: 4KQ, 12.7 per cent (+3.0)

Afternoons: B105, 14.1 per cent (+0.8)

Drive: Nova, 13.3 per cent (-1.5)

BREAKFAST

1. 4KQ, 12.0 per cent (+1.2)

2. B105, 11.3 per cent (+1.0)

3. Nova 106.9, 11.2 per cent (-0.2)

4. ABC Brisbane, 10.4 per cent (-0.6)

5. Triple M, 10.2 per cent (-0.4)

6. 97.3FM, 9.7 per cent (-0.3)

7. 4BC, 7.2 per cent (-0.7)

(Source: GfK)