Gold FM tops radio dial in latest Melbourne ratings survey

OLD-SCHOOL tunes have topped Melbourne’s latest FM radio ratings chart — but could the unexpected win save Gold FM’s high-profile breakfast duo from the axe?

GOLD 104.3 hit a high note today after charting the most listeners on the FM dial in the latest radio ratings survey — but it might not be enough to save its breakfast hosts’ jobs.

Rumours have been circulating in the industry that station management was about to axe the duo, yet today the station was trumpeting the Anthony Lehmann and Jo Stanley’s ratings win.

AXE LOOMS FOR POPULAR GOLD FM DUO

THE RADIO STATION NO-ONE IS LISTENING TO

Gold 104.3FM Breakfast hosts Jo Stanley and Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann are all smiles.

However, a closer look at the figures shows why the duo is on shaky ground.

Jo and Lehmo are rating 8.4, less than the station average of 11 and well down on Gold’s morning and afternoon shifts of 12.7 and 14.4 respectively.

Old-school tunes were obviously a hit with listeners, as the station jumped 1.7 points overall to take a 11.0 share, pushing Smooth FM from the top FM spot in results released today.

Thank you #MELBOURNE for making @RealJoStanley & @lehmo23 and #gold1043 the #1 FM station in town! We are absolutely thrilled! (Source: GFK Survey 7 2017) #joandlehmo pic.twitter.com/Xy96Z7Q7A9

— Gold 104.3 Melbourne (@gold1043) November 13, 2017

Done thru hard work, belief, talent, heart and love for each other. So proud of the whole team. Melbourne thank you! I’m overjoyed! https://t.co/H9p4h5xkDh

— Jo Stanley (@RealJoStanley) November 13, 2017

Elsewhere, SEN 1116 continues to flounder with the sports station’s highly-paid breakfast team of Garry Lyon, Tim Watson and Hamish McLachlan having another disastrous survey result with a 3.5 share, below the low-rating 3JJJ and 3RN.

McLachlan announced in September he would depart the program to focus on his TV commitments.

Tim Watson, Garry Lyon, Hamish McLachlan and Sam McClure make up the SEN team. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Macquarie Media’s 3AW retained its overall top spot and was once again the best AM station with a mighty 15.5 share, despite slipping down 0.7 since the August survey results.

The station’s shows retained the lead in most of the radio ratings, with Ross Stevenson and John Burns taking the greatest share at 20 for the company.

But 3AW lost the afternoon lead, with Denis Walter’s program at 11.7 share, compared to Smooth FM at 11.8 share, while Gold 104.3 secured a 14.4.

3AW operations director Stephen Beers said the latest survey continued a “fantastic year”.

“We thank all our loyal listeners for continuing their strong support of their station, 3AW,” he said.

3AW Breakfast hosts John Burns and Ross Stevenson enjoy a makeshift studio in Kew. Picture: Hamish Blair

3AW Breakfast hosts Ross Stevenson and John Burns broadcast in Kew. Picture: Hamish Blair

Jonathan Brown, Chrissie Swan and Sam Pang are all

After Gold FM, Fifi Box’s slot on Fox FM gained the second highest FM breakfast share at 8.1 with Triple M and Smooth Fm neck-and-neck in the shares at 7.1 each.

Nova 100 gained a 7.0 share for its breakfast program with Sam Pang, Chrissie Swan and Jonathan Brown.

Talking Lifestyle continued to trail behind in the rankings with a 0.5 share overall in the latest results.