‘Like Phar Lap’: Gold, Fox, KIIS and ABC smashed again by 3AW’s breakfast kings Ross and Russel
ABC, Gold, Fox and KIIS have been smashed again by 3AW’s breakfast kings, whose dominance has been liked to Phar Lap.
Fiona Byrne
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The undisputed kings of Melbourne radio remain 3AW’s Breakfast team of Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft with their dominance of the dawn market described as “like Phar Lap.”
The pair once again obliterated their opposition in the breakfast timeslot with a 22.3 per cent share of the available audience.
It has more than double the available audience share of its nearest competitor.
They are in a league of their own and their success is impossible to ignore.
“That show is like Phar Lap, it is so dominant,” a radio insider mused.
3AW breakfast has won 166 consecutive ratings surveys and since Howcroft joined Stevenson the pair have won all 24 surveys they have been a part of.
In the latest ratings released on Tuesday Fox FM’s Fifi, Fev and Nick followed in Ross and Russ’s wake with 9.4 per cent ahead of SmoothFM with 8.9 per cent, Gold FM’s Christian O’Connell with 8.4 per cent, ABC Melbourne with 8.1 per cent, KIIS FM’s Jase and Lauren with 7.5 per cent and Nova’s Ben, Liam and Belle with 7 per cent.
In racing terms it is Ross and Russ first and daylight second.
Mo and Maria’s close friendship grows
It seems like it is only a matter of time before AFLW trailblazer Moana Hope and former Miss Universe Maria Thattil make their public debut as a couple.
The pair have been snapped again together, this time having a bite to eat with Thattil’s father.
The pair have been playing things low key with both having plenty of work commitments to juggle since rumours surfaced of a brewing attraction between the pair in July.
Both women have been through high profile break ups this year.
Hope appeared to confirm the pair were seeing each other when she posted a photo of her and Thattil on social media late on a Saturday in mid August as they watched the Matildas play in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
TV legend’s podcast play at 84
TV’s golden voice, Pete Smith is moving into podcasting at a time in life when many people decide to slow down.
Smith, 84, has launched a podcast called From The Hideout – “people can eavesdrop on us having a chat” – with Tony Martin and Djovan Caro.
“Tony is 25 years younger than me and Djovan is 25 years younger than Tony, we are an interesting trio,” Smith said.
“To be thought of in such a lovely way by younger entertainers and asked to be involved is just extraordinary, it is overwhelming really, it is marvellous.”
The name references a pretend radio show Smith and 3AW’s Phil Brady, created as school kids under his parents house in Kew.
Smith has been part of Channel 9 for almost 60 years, making his name as an announcer and voice over guy.
He and Martin have known each other since The Late Show on the ABC in the early 1990s.
“It is a very nice friendship that has grown across the years and here we are now, he has taken me into the podcast world.”
AFL flotilla idea sinks again – right call say Eddie
As hard as it may be to fathom, the AFL seriously considered holding the Grand Final parade on the Yarra River again this year after the disaster of 2022.
The traditional parade turned into a farce last year when Geelong and Sydney players drifted down the Yarra on barges and boats with the flotilla’s journey terminated part way through. Fans dubbed the experiment a fizzer.
Amazingly, the league gave thought to bringing back the boats this year.
“They were going to do it again this year,” McGuire said on his Eddie and Jimmy podcast.
McGuire said the decision to return players to utes on dry land was the correct call.
KISS will soon be confirmed as the pre-game grand final entertainment, with wit noting you will hardly be able to see them for smoke machines and pyrotechnics.
Mark Seymour and several other acts are set to be announced as half time performers.
Lester Ellis knows boxing. Now, his sons are continuing his legacy
Lester Ellis boxes in an orthodox stance — yet his life has been anything but. Forty years on from his fight of the century with Barry Michael, he’s passing the torch on to his sons.
Melbourne furniture salesman’s key role in Geldof’s Live Aid concert crusade
A man who was the unsung hero behind Australia’s involvement in Bob Geldof’s legendary 1985 Live Aid concert has broken his silence on the 40th anniversary of the famine relief global fundraiser.