Radio Ratings: Nova scores survey double to ignite Brisbane’s 2023 radio wars

After slipping behind B105 in 2022, Nova 106.9 and breakfast show Ash, Luttsy & Susie have opened the new year with a ratings double.

• Sydney ratings: 2GB knocked from top spot

Nova 106.9 has drawn first blood in the 2023 radio wars, regaining the double of most listened to Brisbane station and breakfast show from FM rivals B105.

After losing the mantle to Stav, Abby & Matt in the final two radio surveys of 2022, Nova’s Ash, Luttsy & Susie returned to the top of the breakfast timeslot in the first radio survey of the year, released on Thursday.

The two FM stations continued to battle over the top two spots, with Nova leading the race ahead of B105 across the seven day week, while the stations tied across the five-day working week on 12.2 per cent of the audience.

Nova continues to have the highest cume with 670,000 and is the most listened to station in Brisbane.

Nova 106.9 breakfast hosts Susie O'Neill, Ash Bradnam and David "Luttsy" Lutterall. Picture: supplied.

“Thrilled to start the year off in a leading position, all driven by our outstanding breakfast show of Ash, Luttsy & Susie O’Neill and supporting cast,” said Nova Group Program Operations Director Brendan Taylor.

“Quality connections with our loyal Brisbane audience is at the heart of what we do, particularly in such a competitive market that Brisbane is. I couldn’t be happier for our passionate team.”

Meanwhile KIIS 97.3FM was the biggest mover in the FM race, growing its audience share across each timeslot to move up to third overall.

After disappointing results in 2022, the station enjoyed a strong start to the year with breakfast show Robin, Terry & Kip jumping a mammoth 1.2 points into third spot, leapfrogging Triple M’s Marto, Margaux & Dan.

KIIS 97.3FM continued its growth in mornings, jumping from third to lead the timeslot, while B105 retained top spot in afternoons.

KIIS 97.3FM Robin Bailey, Terry Hansen and Kip Wightman

Meanwhile on the AM dial, 4BH continued to stun its rivals, staking its claim as most listened to AM station at 8.4 per cent of the overall audience share, ahead of 4BC on 6.9 per cent.

The classic hits station, which reaped the benefits of 4KQ’s closure last year, grew its audience share by more than one point across each timeslot through to the afternoon.

ABC Brisbane continued to struggle with just 6.5 per cent of the overall audience share.

Nova 106.9’s drive show, which recently saw Queenslander Ricki-Lee replace Kate Ritchie, retained its lead in Brisbane.

This year GfK, which conducts the radio surveys, is gathering more digital data to integrate into its survey reporting, which will be publicly available later this.

These results do not have the new 360 data reported in them, and reflect the old diary survey method.

RADIO WINNERS, SURVEY 1

Overall FM: Nova 106.9, 12.2 per cent (-0.5)

Overall AM: 4BH, 8.4 per cent (+1.0)

Breakfast: Nova 106.9, 13.2 per cent (+0.1)

Mornings: KIIS 973, 11.3 per cent (+1.5)

Afternoons: B105, 13.4 per cent (-1.1)

Drive: Nova 106.9, 16.0 per cent (-1.2)

BREAKFAST

1. Nova 106.9, 13.2 per cent (+0.1)

2. B105, 12.5 per cent (-1.2)

3. KIIS 973, 10.7 per cent (+1.2)

4. Triple M, 9.7 per cent (-0.8)

5. ABC Brisbane, 8.9 per cent (-0.2)

6. 4BC, 8.4 per cent (-0.5)

7. 4BH, 8.0 per cent (+1.0)

(Source: GfK)