The last radio survey for 2003 has been released, with a historic single figure result in the Sydney market.

Overall results are all now available. Click on the Nielsen ratings tab in the left margin to view rankings, or click link at bottom of page for full shift and demographic breakdowns.

The survey, for Commercial Radio Australia, covered the period September 21 to November 29, 2003.

Jared Sheldon won the survey guessing competition – see Comp Winner

In Sydney all stations are in single figures for the first time in Australian Ratings history, signalling a quantum change in the market. Nielsen Media Research has checked records back to the 1950s for radioinfo and confirms there has never been a single figures survey before.

In this post football season survey 2DAY was in top spot, just a fraction ahead of 2GB and ABC702, both equal second on 9.7%, closely followed by Nova 9.0% and 2UE 8.8%.

ABC702, WSFM and 2UE had the biggest increases of the survey, while Nova and 2GB showed the biggest drops.

ABC702’s Angela Catterns (with News and AM) is number one breakfast in Sydney with a 12.8 share, just ahead of 2GB’s Alan Jones on 12.7. 2UE’s decision to put Mike Carlton on breakfast seems to have paid off – Carlton lifted the breakfast share by 1.7 share points (9.9), putting him in third place ahead of 2Day’s now departed morning crew (8.9).

John Laws once again jumped into number one morning spot on 11.3 share points (up 0.6), ahead of 2GB’s Ray Hadley (10.4) and 2Day’s Adam Willescroft (9.9).

2Day and Nova led afternoons and drive, with 2Day and Mix scoring well at night. 2GB won weekends, just ahead of 2Day.

2Day won 10-17s, ahead of Nova. 18-24s and 25-39s were won by Nova ahead of 2DAY. ABC702 won 40-54s, just ahead of WSFM, while 2GB and 2CH dominated the 55+ demographic.

ARN’s stations both increased, with WSFM up 1.1 share points to 7.1% and Mix up 0.5 to 7.9%. Mix’s love god Richard Mercer had the best shift on the station and also did well around the country.

Austereo’s Triple M was also up, gaining 0.2 to 6.7, with new shows The Cage and Whole Shebang both increasing their figures.

2CH increased by 0.6 to 6.4%, Triple J was up 0.2 to 5.0%, while ABC stations Classic FM, Radio National and NewsRadio all slipped by 0.3 share points. 2KY was up 0.1 to 1.5% and 2SM was down 0.2 to 0.5%.

For full shift and demographic breakdowns for this market click here.

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In Melbourne 3AW and Fox consolidated their top positions in the market. 3AW in top spot increased by 1.1 to 16.2%, followed by Fox, up 1.5 share points to 12.7%.

3AW, Fox and Gold had the biggest increases of the survey, while ABC774 and Triple M showed the biggest drops.

3AW’s Ross Stevenson and John Burns are number one breakfast in Melbourne with a 19.7 share, well ahead of ABC774’s Red Symons on 14.3 and Fox’s now revamped breakfast team (10.0).

3AW’s Neil Mitchell continues to dominate mornings on 18.3 share points, followed by ABC774’s Jon Fain (12.3), Fox’s Jodie and Jo(11.4) then Gold’s Mark Johnson (10.7).

Fox led afternoons and nights while 3AW won drive. 3AW won weekends, ahead of Fox.

Fox dominated 10-17s, ahead of Nova. 18-24s were won by Nova ahead of Fox, while 25-39s were won by Triple M, ahead of Fox. Gold won 40-54s, ahead of 3AW and ABC774, while 3AW won the 55+ demographic.

ARN’s Gold had a good increase up 1.4 to 10.2%, while Mix was slightly down by 0.1 to 5.8. Mix’s Richard Mercer love god program, originating in Sydney, was the highest rating shift on the station.

Nova was steady on 10.0%, with slight decreases in daytime shows being offset by increases in other shifts.

Austereo’s Triple M was down 0.7 share points to 8.3%, with the new shows The Cage and Whole Shebang not doing as well in Melbourne as Sydney, both shifts dropped fractionally this survey.

Magic 693 was down 0.3 to 6.2%, Triple J dropped 0.8 to 2.7%, Radio National was steady on 2.3%, 3MP was down 0.3 to 2.2% and Sport 927 dropped 0.4 to 1.6%. ABC Classic Fm and NewsRadio both dropped by 0.2 and soon to be revamped 3AK increased by 0.5 to 1.2%.

For full shift and demographic breakdowns click here.

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In Brisbane B105 and FM 97.3 consolidated their top positions in the market.

B105, in top spot, increased by 0.3 to 18.0%, followed by FM 97.3, up 0.1 share points to 14.2%. Triple M was third on 13.2% (down 0.4), followed by 4KQ up 1.9 share points to 10.3% then ABC612 down 0.3 to 8.8%.

4BC scored 8.2% (down 0.5), Triple J was 6.4% (down 0.9), followed by 4BH on 6.3% (up 0.6). Classic FM dropped 0.4 share points to 3.4%, Radio National was down 0.4 to 2.3% and NewsRadio increased 0.1 to 1.0%.

ARN’s 4KQ and 4BH had the biggest increases of the survey, while Triple J and 4BC showed the biggest drops.

B105’s Jamie, Penny & Ian are number one breakfast in Brisbane with a 19.5 share, well ahead of Austereo sister station Triple M on 12.5 and 97.3 (11.3).

Triple M’s L.J leads mornings on 15.7 share points, followed by B105 (15.5) and 97.3 (14.2). Triple M won afternoons, B105 had a strong lead in drive and dominated evenings. B105 also won weekends.

B105 won the young demographics. 25-39s was tightly contested with B105, 97.3 and Triple M all within a point of each other in this demographic. 4KQ won 40-54s and ABC612 dominated the 55+ demographic.

For full shift and demographic breakdowns click here.

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In Adelaide SAFM consolidated its top position, increasing by 2.9 share points to 23.1 in a strategy that saw the changes at sister station Triple M sending alienated listeners to SAFM.

While Triple M fell significantly, down 2.7 share points to 12.8%, the station would be happy with the network strategy that flowed listeners from one station to the other, leaving Triple M free to pursue its younger target demographics in the new year. Most of the movement happened in the 40-54 demographic, with Triple M losing 8.7 share points and SAFM gaining an equivalent 8.1 share points.

Second placed 5AA dropped 0.5 share points to 16.6%, Triple M was third with 12.8%. Mix 102.3 jumped 2.0 share points to 11.4% into fourth place, followed by ABC891, down 0.1 to 10.4%.

Triple J dropped 0.5 to 5.9% and 5DN was up 0.6 to 5.6%. 5DN’s Ray Fewings night program was up 1.1 to 10.1% in that timeslot and Jeremy Cordeaux increased 1.1 share points in Mornings. Anne Wills will join Jeff Sunderland on 5DN Breakfast in 2004.

Classic FM dropped 0.8 to 2.3%, Radio National was down 0.5 to 1.9% and NewsRadio fell 0.4 to 1.0%.

Breakfast was regained by SAFM, up 2.9 share points to 21.0%, closely shadowed by 5AA, steady on 20.3%. 5AA won drive and SAFM won all other shifts.

SAFM won all the 10-54 demographics, and 5AA won the 55+ demo.

For full shift and demographic breakdowns click here.

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In Perth FM 94.5 retained its lead, down 0.2 to 20.7%. Second placed 92.9 increased 1.1 share points to 12.2%, followed by ABC720 in third place, which dropped 2.5 to 10.1%.

Southern Cross talk station 6PR jumped 1.5 share points to 9.4%, while stablemate 96FM dropped 0.9 to 8.9%.

Nova was down 0.3 to 8.8%, followed by Triple J, up 0.2 to 6.6%, 6IX up 0.4 to 6.3%. Radio National was up 0.4 to 2.1%, Classic FM improved 0.2 to 2.0% and NewsRadio fell 0.3 to 1.0%.

94.5 won all shifts and all over 25 demographics. 92.9 won 10-17s and Nova won 18-24 year olds.

For full shift and demographic breakdowns click here.

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ABC RADIO

ABC Managing Director, Russell Balding congratulated Angela Catterns and Richard Glover of ABC 702 Sydney
for winning their respective time slots for the first time.

Balding said: “Across all its radio networks the ABC has had an outstanding year. Audiences
are as strong as they have ever been. In some instances we have had
unprecedented success.

”Even under difficult financial circumstances the ABC is demonstrating to the
Australian public, through a huge team effort, its strengthening relevance
as a comprehensive broadcaster. The public is responding by coming to the
ABC in numbers not seen before.”

A R N

The Australian Radio Network “has recorded significant increases in key demographics across all major metropolitan markets.”

“Sydney’s WSFM is up 1.1 (from 6.0 to 7.1), and MIXFM is up 0.5 (from 7.4 to 7.9), further cementing the recent gains made by ARN’s two flagship Sydney stations.

“In Melbourne, Gold 104.3FM knocked out Nova to take the second overall FM spot with an increase of 1.4 (up from 8.8 to 10.2). Gold 104.3FM also held on to the number one spot in the 25 to 54 year old demographic, which means the station now has won seven out of the last eight surveys in the Group.

“Today’s result for Gold 104.3FM in 10+ is the best for at least two years, despite increased market competition.

“ARN’s Brisbane station 4KQ posted the largest increase for listeners aged 10 and above, increasing its audience share by 1.9 (from 8.4 to 10.3), while 97.3FM increased from 14.1 to 14.2 to hold on to overall second spot in the highly-competitive, growing Brisbane market.

“In Adelaide, the two ARN stations also performed extremely well: MIX102.3FM increasing 2.0 (from 9.4 to 11.4), and 5DN increasing 0.6 (from 5.0 to 5.6).”

ARN Chief Executive Officer Bob Longwell, said today’s results are “the clearest signal yet from listeners that ARN’s targeted programming and marketing over the past two years were producing results.

“Not only do we continue to build listeners in the commercially significant 25 to 54 year old segment, but we have also shown today that across all markets, people are responding to our unique blend of programming… At the moment there is a lot more happening in Australian radio than a two horse race, and this is clearly evident today in the key markets of Sydney and Melbourne.”

Austereo

Austereo “maintained its leadership as Australia’s number one network in 2003,” taking out the number one overall position in almost every city. In Melbourne FOX FM was the number one FM station.

“We dominated listening in every market across all 8 surveys,” says Austereo’s CEO
Michael Anderson.

“Not only did we maintain and build on our strength under extraordinary pressure, we implemented bold strategies across the country. We have aggressively re-asserted our leadership.

“This final survey is a tribute to everyone in the Austereo team across the country. Against any and all challengers we have triumphed.”

Highlights from survey 8 include:

· 2Day FM surged back to it’s position as Sydney’s number one station with a
9.8% share of audience – giving it 7 out of 8 survey wins this year.

· 2MMM Sydney continued to grow its share led by The Cage and The Shebang.

· FOX FM strengthened its lead as Melbourne’s number one FM & Australia’s most listened to radio station, with audience growth of 1.5% to 12.7% share.

· 3MMM Melbourne consolidated its leadership in its core 25-39 demographic.

· The survey results in Adelaide have been a timely reward for our bold strategy in this market. We successfully communicated to Adelaide listeners the changes that were taking place on MMM using both our stations to explain and communicate the message. It got through – SAFM increased its overall share by 2.9% to 23.5 and Totally Different MMM has begun its build with particular strength in its new key demographics of the 18-29’s. Very simply we couldn’t be happier with the result.

· We are equally thrilled with B105 who have re-invigorated their leadership with growth in its key demographics.

· 4MMM consolidated its position as number one station across the work day in Brisbane.

· Perth’s 92.9 has broken from the pack and has inarguably taken the number two position behind Mix 94.5. Mix 94.5 won it’s 33rd consecutive survey and continues to set the benchmark in the Perth market.

Michael Anderson said: “This year our competitors threw everything at us – a new station went to air in Perth and new stations in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne spent at exceptional levels to try to gain traction. This kept the pressure on, but thanks to the talent and hard work of our on and off air teams we’ve maintained leadership and in many areas achieved significant growth.

“We’re not expecting 2004 to be any less challenging, but we love a good fight and we won’t be standing still. We’ve got a formidable new line-up in key timeslots around the country and we’ll be rolling out a number of other new initiatives in the new year that we’re confident listeners will respond to.”

Nova Perth

In a typical cheeky Nova release the station says:

“After being told by would-be-experts that NOVA 93.7 wouldn’t work, we thought it might be a good idea to set aside a few jobs at Centrelink in case things at NOVA didn’t work out.

“But, after the release of Survey 8/2003 today, it looks like we were wrong!

“NOVA is celebrating its first birthday, having won the survey year with its target audience.

“Over NOVA 93.7’s first year, it has been Perth’s favourite radio station with listeners aged 18 –34, and the broader demographic of All People Under 35.

“Celebrations at NOVA today will involve staff putting their belongings back on their desks.

“Consequently, there are about 40 jobs at Centrelink that a trained monkey could do, if anyone’s interested.”

Nova Sydney

“Nova 969 is still the leading Sydney radio station for under 40’s … phew!” says Nova 969 GM, Mandi Wicks.

Nova remains the favourite for 18-24 and 25-39 year olds.

“Gotta confess, we didn’t see it coming, but hey, we’ll absolutely cop it on the chin.”

Nova Melbourne

“After 2 years on air Nova 100 looks like it might be a goer,” says General Manager Fiona Cameron.

In the last survey result for the year, Nova 100 maintained its ten plus audience at a 10% share and Hughesy, Kate & Dave (with Gretel Killeen) increased audience share by 0.5%.

“Nova 100 remains Melbourne’s favourite radio station for audiences aged between 18 and 39…. Staff and key personalities have recognised some potential in Nova 100 and have signed up for 2004.”

2UE

The final survey for 2003 revealed the tightest Sydney
radio market in years. Just one share point separates the top 5 stations.

Big movers in the survey were:

* John Laws who moved back into the number one spot with a comfortable lead;

* Angela Catterns who now tops the breakfast timeslot ahead of Alan Jones;

* Mike Carlton who moved into third place in just his second breakfast survey.

“The decision to swap Mike Carlton and Steve Price in the breakfast and drivetime shifts has
shown immediate results in two consecutive surveys,” according to 2ue General Manager Ian Sheppard.

“2UE’s John Stanley, Steve Price and Stan Zemanek also enjoyed strong ratings increases.

2UE is now just 0.9% behind arch-rival 2GB and leads 2GB in 3 out of the 5 weekday timeslots. 2UE has 514,000 listeners, just 4,000 less than 2GB’s 518,000.”

702 ABC SYDNEY

702 ABC Sydney has ended the year on a high with a share of 9.7%, which is equal first in
the Sydney talk market.

More people than ever before (an additional 54,000
on top of the previous survey) are listening to 702 with a cumulative audience
of 689,000 people giving it a larger reach than any other talk station in
Sydney.

“Breakfast with Angela Catterns is on a share of 12.8. This is the first time on
record that the station has been number one in Breakfast (records have been kept
since 1975).

“It’s a strong result across the board with all programs up on previous surveys.
Drive with Richard Glover continues to hold the top position in the talk market
with a share of 11.8.

“The station has also performed very strongly in the 40-54 age bracket up to 16.6
retaining its top position for this section of the listening audience.”

Station Manager Roger Summerill says: “It’s a very pleasing result for all staff at 702 and a credit to the hard work of all team members.

“What a great way to end the year. We thank our listeners for this great result
which demonstrates that our aim of connecting with the Sydney community and
talking about the issues that people really care about has been successful.
It’s a tribute to the whole ABC team. We couldn’t have had this success without
the support and involvement of ABC News and Current Affairs and ABC Sport and we
thank them for their contribution.”

FIVEaa

Today’s results “confirm FIVEaa‘s strong position in the Adelaide market.”

The 10+ share of 16.6% was the 2nd best result of 2003. “Given that this survey contains only 1 week of the AFL season, the strength of the Monday to Friday programs on FIVEaa shone through.

“Highlights include:

• More listeners tuning to Keith Conlon and Tony Pilkington at Breakfast than ever before.

• The KG & Cornesy Sports Show staying Number 1 (outside the football season).

• Nicole Haack providing the highest Afternoon result on FIVEaa for more than 3 years.”

“With many changes in the Adelaide radio landscape in 2004, FIVEaa is well positioned to be
a dominant force in the next 12 months and beyond,” says General Manager Paul Bartlett

Triple M Sydney

Austereo’s Sydney General Manager Patrick Joyce welcomed today’s survey saying:

“It has been a big year for Triple M. We have been rebuilding the station during 2003, we’re back in touch with our listeners and are giving them what they want, and they are listening in.

“The strategy is working, with the continued success of the Cage and The Shebang, more exciting programming initiatives coming soon and the launch of the fresh new brand, the future looks bright for Triple M”

Triple M enjoyed “continued success” with another ratings increase. Both new shows, The Cage, with Timbo, Parko, Bridg, JB and Peter Berner, and The Shebang with Fifi Box and Marty Sheargold “once again increased their overall shares.”

Triple M’s Freq Club “continues to be a success” with member numbers growing to over 150,000 and this is feeding into the overall ratings growth.

Highlights include:

· Growth in the 10+ audience – with an overall audience share of 6.7 %

· 0.5% increase in Breakfast with the Cage moving to 6.5%

· 0.5% increase in Drive with The Shebang moving to 7.6%

· 1.0% increase in the 25 – 39 demographic

Triple M Adelaide

In the first survey as the ‘Totally Different Triple M,’ the station has already gained 12.8% of the total audience.

Triple M recorded an increase in the 18 – 24 age group and continues to hold it’s strong Number 2 position in the 25 – 39 demographic.

Austereo General Manager Noelene Buddle said: ‘We’re overwhelmed by the response to the totally different Triple M. Even though our extensive research showed that Adelaide was up for such a radical move we still can’t believe how much of an impact Triple M has made in such a short period of time. It’s seems Adelaide’s listeners are as passionate about Triple M as we are in giving them the music they’ve been looking for’.

‘If today’s results are any hint we are all looking forward to 2004.’

Triple M also confirmed the speculation that James Brayshaw and The Cage will be the station’s Breakfast show in 2004.