Surprise shift for 3AW in Melbourne’s latest radio ratings

The gap is closing on Gold FM breakfast king Christian O’Connell in the latest radio ratings. See who has dipped and who is ruling the airwaves.

GOLD FM breakfast host Christian O’Connell. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The gap is closing on Gold FM breakfast king Christian O’Connell as 3AW recorded a surprise dip in the latest radio ratings survey.

In figures released on Tuesday, 3AW is still dominant but the upwards trend in talkback was halted somewhat in breakfast and mornings.

Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft dropped 1.5 points to a 17.6 per cent share while Neil Mitchell in mornings dropped 1.3 to 17.7.

Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft dropped 1.5 points.

The margin closed in drive with Tom Elliott down 1.3 (12.2) and GOLD FM’s Dave ‘Higgo’ Higgins rising 0.7 (12) while FOX FM’s Carrie and Tommy and Nova’s Kate, Tim and Joel are hot on their heels at 10.4 and 10.1 respectively.

It was a strong survey for FM stations, with O’Connell still ahead for an 18th consecutive survey on 10.5 but Nova’s Chrissie, Sam and Browny and FOX FM’s Fifi, Fev and Nick both lifted to 9.5.

Lauren Phillips on KIIS FM. Picture: Rebecca Michael

ABC Melbourne mornings radio host Virginia Trioli.

KIIS FM’s Lauren Phillips and Jase Hawkins, along with Clint Stanaway, are starting to make a mark, gaining the most of 1.6 to record 8.1.

“I’m honoured that people enjoy the way we do radio, there’s no secret sound and big cash giveaways,’’ O’Connell said.

Smoothfm’s Jennifer Hansen and Mike Perso also rose to 7.8 and in mornings the station moved up to be just behind GOLD FM, which was also on top in afternoons.

Triple M’s Marty Sheargold remained steady in breakfast on 5.3.

ABC Melbourne breakfast host Sammy J slightly dropped by 0.4 to 8.6, while in mornings Virginia Trioli only lifted slightly to 7.7 after recording a drop last survey from 9.4 to 7.5.

There were slight gains across the board at SEN with Gerard Whateley in mornings rising from 2.7 to 3.3.

Elsewhere the high profile breakfast teams went up 0.2 from 2.9 to 3.1.