Kevin Bartlett to depart after SEN records ratings increase

SEN has made gains across the board in the latest radio ratings — but will the station’s good run continue after Kevin Bartlett’s dramatic departure?

Fifi Box with her radio co-hosts before going on maternity leave. Picture: Nicki Connolly

The latest radio ratings have been released amid another episode of turmoil at SEN, with much-loved figure Kevin Bartlett resigning this week.

After celebrating Fifi Box’s baby joy, the breakfast team welcomed more good news by returning to the top of the radio ratings.

The FOX FM trio of Brendan Fevola, Byron Cooke and Box, now replaced by Yvie Jones during maternity leave, jumped to a 10.5 percent share, a rise of 1.6, to be clear leaders in the FM battle.

Yvie Jones joined Fox FM.

Kevin Bartlett stepped down this week.

A rollercoaster of movement saw Nova’s Chrissie Swan, Sam Pang and Jonathan Brown come in second on 8.2 with an improvement of 0.4.

Smoothfm’s team of Jennifer Hansen and Mike Perso had claimed the lead two surveys ago, but they dropped 2.2 points to come in fourth, behind Gold FM’s Christian O’Connell who gained 0.7 to record 7.0.

Triple M’s Hot Breakfast team of Eddie McGuire, Luke Darcy and Wil Anderson fell 0.9 to come in fifth place at 6.4. KIIS FM rose 1.3 to pip them on 6.5.

In AM, there was no stopping the kings of breakfast, 3AW’s Ross Stevenson and John Burns, who rose to 19.5 while the ABC fell 0.9 to 8.8.

SEN made gains across the board, except in the evening slot, with Gerard Whateley’s mornings rising 0.8 to 4.3 and breakfast moving up 0.5 to 4.5.

Triple M’s Hot Breakfast team Luke Darcy, Eddie McGuire and Wil Anderson. Picture: Matt Nikolic/Supplied

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Afternoons gained 1.1, but it will be interesting to see the next survey results after Bartlett’s dramatic departure.

Bartlett had resigned from SEN amid tensions with station boss Craig Hutchison and will disappear from the airwaves at the end of the month.

“I really enjoyed the old SEN and it’s fair to say I haven’t enjoyed the new SEN,’’ Bartlett told the Herald Sun.

“It suits me to leave and it probably suits them that I leave as well.

The popular identity has been with SEN since its inception in 2004.

In the hotly contested FM drive slot, FOX FM’s Hughesy and Kate team regained the lead from GOLD FM which fell 1.5. KIIS FM and Nova rose while Triple M dipped.

But 3AW’s Tom Elliott has the most listeners as the overall leader in drive.