‘Very lucky’: STAR 102.7’s breakfast radio show is still top of the pops in Cairns
Accidental baby reveals, heartfelt stories and some Michael Bolton power anthems have Cairns’ number one breakfast radio duo’s fists pumping, with STAR 102.7 claiming yet another big ratings win.
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STAR 102.7’s dominance of Cairns’ breakfast radio airwaves has been reaffirmed while ABC Far North’s declining listenership has Auntie in danger of being eclipsed by the national youth broadcaster.
The departure of former co-host Dave Warner did nothing to unsettle loyal early-morning listeners in the latest radio survey with STAR’s tag-team tandem of Johnny and Inkie holding onto its whopping 28.4 per cent audience share.
The ratings romp is STAR’s fifth consecutive win in the hotly contested timeslot with HIT (16.6) and Triple M (15.2) coming in second and third in the survey, conducted by Xtra Insights.
For Inkie Bissell, who enjoyed almost a decade-and-a-half with her former on-air partner in crime, to have found a strong chemistry with her new co-host is like “striking gold twice”.
“We’ve connected and genuinely enjoy each other’s company,” the seasoned broadcaster said.
“I’m very lucky that I’m in this position because it is the best job in the world.
“The fact that I had 14 years with (Dave) Warner was incredible.
“The things that we did were great so to open up a new chapter with someone really talented and that I get along with is amazing.”
After recording a demo together last November, Johnny Wilson faced an anxious wait before learning he’d landed the plum gig.
“By the end of my first 48 hours I had in Cairns when they flew me up, I had already fallen in love with the people and the place,” the presenter said.
“I said, ‘This is where I want to be.’ I was desperate to get that call back to say, ‘Pack your bags Johnny. You’re moving to Cairns!’”
Having survived a social media backlash for his man-bun earlier in the year, Wilson quickly endeared himself to listeners, particularly after a colleague accidentally revealed live on-air that he and his partner were expecting.
“We were keeping it private,” the now new dad said smiling.
“It’s our first child and we’d just moved our entire lives to Cairns. But someone forgot to clue-in our promotions manager at the time, Jake.
“We crossed to him one morning giving out freebies and he saw a stroller.
“He said, ‘There’s a lady out here with a stroller, like you will be soon, Johnny because you’re going to be a daddy.’”
The live gaffe went around the world with news outlets running video of Wilson’s shocked face as his co-host tried to save the segment.
“There aren’t many times where I haven’t known what to say,” he said.
“It was crazy. The thing got picked up in the UK, New Zealand and it just kept blowing up.”
FLOOD OF SUPPORT
While zany and hilarious anecdotes are the close mates’ bread-and-butter, Bissell said she was proud that the duo tackled tough topics including flood recovery earlier this year.
“There were families talking about having to swim out of the windows of their homes,” she said.
“A woman was on her roof for eight hours. My mum lost absolutely everything. We were in it and experiencing it and there was a connection (with the audience).
“I still feel it.”
To bring joy to the community, the pair teamed up with a major hotel who gifted 150 nights of free accommodation to flood victims.
“My first experience with listeners was with people being so vulnerable and telling us about this heartbreak,” Wilson said.
“It was a powerful experience.”
Bissell added: “You were an ear for people who have gone through this disaster.”
“When someone has poured their heart and soul out to you and you can be that little soft pillow for them. The trust is pretty incredible that people are willing to open up to us.”
In order to keep the energy high, the commercial presenters have taken to playing Michael Bolton’s How Can We Be Lovers at high volume before their twilight breaky shifts start.
“It’s awesome,” Wilson said as the 90s power-pop masterpiece blasted through the studio speakers.
Meanwhile, just one in 10 Cairns listeners tune into ABC Far North breakfast, with Townsville programming aired on at least one day during the ratings survey period.
The local program is just narrowly ahead of its nearest rivals triple j, which is broadcast from Sydney.
In the 9-11am timeslot, listeners continued to abandon the ABC’s once flagship Far North mornings program, with the decision to broadcast the show from Townsville reflected in its dwindling ratings.
CAIRNS RATINGS SURVEY
Percentage of audience listening
1. STAR 102.7 28.4
2. HIT 103.5 16.6
TRIPLE M 99.5 15.2
ABC FNQ 10.3
4CA 3.4
TRIPLE J 9.6
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