Triple M emerge clear winners in Brisbane’s radio battle

After a tumultuous year in Brisbane’s radio wars, one station has finished out 2018 as the clear leader, with more drama expected into 2019 as rival stations seek to make changes to mount new challenges for the top spot.

LAWRENCE “The Moonman” Mooney is leaving his role on Triple M Brisbane’s The Big Breakfast and will be replaced by comedian Nick Cody in 2019.

AFTER a tumultuous year Triple M has emerged as the clear leader in Brisbane’s radio wars.

While all four FM radio stations have topped the breakfast ratings at some point during the year, Triple M appears to have taken control coming into 2019.

Marto, Robin and the departing Lawrence ‘The Moonman’ Mooney doubled down for a consecutive breakfast win, with a commanding 14.1 per cent audience share in the final radio survey of the year, while the station dominated the overall audience with 14.4 per cent, Monday to Friday.

Mooney recently announced his departure from the show after one year, replaced by fellow funnyman Nick Cody.

LAWRENCE “The Moonman” Mooney is leaving his full-time role on Triple M Brisbane’s The Big Breakfast and will be replaced by comedian Nick Cody (left) in 2019.

Interestingly ABC Brisbane surged into second position in the breakfast slot, with 10.3 per cent audience share, while the AM station drew level with 4KQ overall on 7.9 per cent each.

They will also undergo changes in 2019, with Loretta Ryan replacing Rebecca Levingston, joining Craig Zonca on the breakfast show, as Levingston shifts to mornings and Emma Griffiths to weekends.

Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan will team up for a new-look ABC Brisbane breakfast radio team, presenting weekdays from 5am in 2019. Photo: ABC Brisbane

In another win for AM listeners, 4BC’s The Ray Hadley Morning Show was second most popular in the mornings slot, from 9am to 12pm, behind Triple M.

Hit 105 took a dive in the final survey, dropping 1.4 points overall to become third most listened to station, with 10.6 per cent, behind Nova 106.9 on 11.1 per cent.

Stav, Abby and Matt also dropped 1.2 points in breakfast to draw level with Nova 106.9’s Ash, Kip and Luttsy with Susie O’Neill with 10 per cent of the audience share.

97.3’s Bianca, Mike and Bob had a slight gain with 9.5 per cent share in fourth spot.

Meanwhile Nova’s Kate, Tim and Marty regained their top spot in the drive slot from Hit 105’s Hughesy and Kate.