Radio Ratings: New leaders 97.3FM and 4KQ oust Nova in final survey of 2021

The final radio survey of 2021 has delivered a major shake up in Brisbane’s airwave wars, with the new-look Nova team tumbling down the rankings.

In a shake up of Brisbane’s radio wars, 97.3FM has surged into top spot alongside stablemates 4KQ, sending dominant leaders Nova 106.9 tumbling down the rankings.

After winning both overall audience share and breakfast for the past five consecutive survey results, Nova recorded a loss in every timeslot in the final ratings results of 2021, released on Tuesday, dropping to third overall behind 97.3FM in top spot and AM rivals 4KQ in second.

In the first survey period since Kip Wightman’s sudden departure from the Nova breakfast show, Ash, Luttsy & Susie also fell to third, a loss of 2.4 points.

Terry Hansen, Bob Gallagher, Robin Bailey, Bob has resigned from the 97.3 breakfast show, which he has hosted since 2006. Photo: Steve Pohlner

4KQ’s breakfast show Laurel, Gary & Mark moved to the top with 12 per cent of the audience followed by 97.3’s Robin, Terry & Bob, which jumped 0.9 points into second.

It was the final result for stalwart broadcaster Bob Gallagher who recently announced he was leaving the breakfast show he has presented since 2006.

In another shake up, Nova tied in breakfast with 4BC’s Neil Breen, who grew his audience by 1.4 points to level the FM powerhouse with 10.7 per cent of the audience.

It was Breen’s highest ever result and the best 4BC Breakfast result in 13 years.

It might indicate a migration from AM rivals ABC Brisbane, which fell 1.2 points in breakfast to sit in fifth.

4KQ's breakfast team Laurel, Gary and Mark finished at no. 1 in 2021.

“This last survey result isn’t quite what we strive for, but that doesn’t take away the standout year we’ve had,” Nova’s group program operations director Brendan Taylor said.

Triple M’s The Big Breakfast and B105’s Stav, Abby & Matt continued to struggle at the back of the pack with 8.4 per cent and 8.1 per cent of the audience respectively.

4KQ recorded a consecutive win in mornings while Triple M held onto top spot in the afternoons.

Despite a drop of 2.6 points, Nova’s national drive show Kate, Tim & Joel maintained their stronghold in Brisbane.

The radio market is currently on pause until the new year, which will see a new breakfast show for 97.3FM.

Meanwhile champion swimmer Leisel Jones will begin a new local drive show for Triple M with Ben Dobbin and Liam Flanagan.

Leisel Jones and Ben Dobbin will host The Rush Hour on Triple M drive

RADIO WINNERS

Overall FM: 97.3FM, 11.2 per cent (+0.2)

Overall AM: 4KQ, 10.6 per cent (-0.7)

Breakfast: 4KQ, 12.0 per cent (0.0)

Mornings: 4KQ, 11.7 per cent (-1.6)

Afternoons: Triple M, 12.3 per cent (+0.4)

Drive: Nova, 12.5 per cent (-2.6)

BREAKFAST

1. 4KQ, 12.0 per cent (0.0)

2. 97.3FM, 11.2 per cent (+0.9)

3. Nova, 10.7 per cent (-2.4.)

3. 4BC, 10.7 per cent (+1.4)

5. ABC Brisbane, 9.3 per cent (-1.2)

6. Triple M, 8.4 per cent (+0.1)

7. B105, 8.1 per cent (-0.2)

(Source: GfK)

Originally published as Radio Ratings: New leaders 97.3FM and 4KQ oust Nova in final survey of 2021