Winners and losers in Melbourne radio ratings war

A popular breakfast show is closing the gap on consistent leader Christian O’Connell, while a prominent drivetime host suffered a ratings dive.

ABC Melbourne had mixed results in the latest radio ratings, with breakfast shedding more listeners but other key markets recording a gain.

The first survey of the year saw the national broadcaster’s flagship shows slump to record lows.

Breakfast with Sammy J has now dipped from 8 at the end of last year, to 7.3 in the year’s first survey in March and now 6.7.

Mornings host Virginia Trioli returned to the host’s chair on Monday after extended leave, with fill-in host Ali Moore rising from 6.6 to 8.

Afternoons (4.4 to 5) and drive (5.3 to 6.1) both went up after the broadcaster fell to an average share of just 5.8 per cent of listeners.

ABC Melbourne radio presenter Virginia Trioli has returned to the airwaves. Picture: Supplied

Following this it was reported that ABC established an internal advisory group and had brought in external consultants to try to stop the dramatic decline across the country.

In other breakfast news FOX FM’s Fifi, Fev and Nick is closing the gap on consistent leader, GOLD FM’s Christian O’Connell.

FOX improved to 10.3 with O’Connell dropping slightly to 11.1.

KIIS FM’s Jase and Lauren remained steady on 7.2, as did Triple M’s Marty Sheargold again on 5.2.

Nova’s new team of Ben, Liam and Belle went from 7.3 to 7.1 but Smoothfm’s Mike Perso was a big winner rising to 7.8.

The FOX FM breakfast team of Brendan Fevola, Fifi Box and Nick Cody is closing the gap on Christian O’Connell. Picture: Supplied

SEN’s Gerard Whateley improved from a lowly 1.3 to 2.3, while breakfast made a marginal gain to 2.4.

3AW’s breakfast kings Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft dropped 1.6 but are still well in front on 21.1 per cent.

Neil Mitchell in mornings jumped to 19.2 but drive with Tom Elliott continued its rollercoaster after a big rise, dropping back to 11.6.

GOLD FM was still ahead in afternoons and drive, with FOX FM’s Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little close behind in drive.

Nova’s Ricki-Lee, Tim, Joel was down to 8.1 while KIIS FM’s Will and Woody is overall the no. 1 national drive show.

In afternoons Chrissie Swan on Nova recorded a fall to 5.8.

3AW Mornings presenter Neil Mitchell is among the big winners in the latest ratings.

But Chrissie Swan’s Nova afternoon show has lost listeners. Picture: Christian Gilles

Winners

Neil Mitchell on 3AW Mornings

ABC Mornings

KIIS FM’s Will and Woody in drive

FOX FM and Smoothfm breakfast

Losers

ABC breakfast

Chrissie Swan in afternoons

3AW’s Tom Elliott in drive

SEN breakfast