First 2026 radio ratings survey: Smooth again tops Sydney, Fox surges in Melbourne

The results of radio ratings survey 1, 2026 have been released.

Commercial Radio reaches 12.7 million listeners per week. ABC Radio reaches 6.5 million listeners per week.

Total radio listening across the 5 surveyed metro markets is 14.9 million people. The total metro population across the 5 capital city markets is 15.7 million people.

The survey was conducted by GfK for Commercial Radio Australia between Sun Jan 18 to Sat Feb 28, 2026.

Highlights:

Jonesy and Amanda the only winners in ARN’s brave experiment, Gold Sydney Breakfast down, all other Gold shifts down except Drive. The pair also did well in Perth but dropped in Melbourne. They were heard on digital radio in other markets.
In Sydney – Christian O’Connell’s debut is a bumpy return to earth – down 3.6 to 6.1. Ben Fordham reaped the gains of his earlier local focus during the Bondi shootings with a 16.6 one of his best ever results (Bondi was not in this survey). Triple M has started to gain ground and likely will further survey 2 as it stands, K&J’s last survey was steady behind Ben with 12.7. Bogart on smooth clear third. Amanda and Jonesy steady in their first drive survey, so too Fitzy, Wippa and Kate on Nova Drive.
Melbourne – While Christian O’Connell was slightly down, and Kyle and Jackie O steady, attention should be focused on the ABC, triple j and smooth who dropped significantly. Big wins for The Fox (and a return to near the top of the pack) and Nova 100, up 2.3 for Jase and Lauren on breakfast to pip Christian O’Connell for the FM crown.
Adelaide – significant losses for KIIS 1023, to be expected as Bec Morse simply warms the chair for Ben and Liam. After a tremendous survey 8, FIVEaa also dropped back. SAFM’s new Bec, Bernie and Emma G the big improvers on breakfast. Triple M still No 1 in the slot and overall despite losses too – but will pick up now sports have commenced. And go CRUISE 1323! Up 2.3 clearly showing Adelaide is looking for a music distraction
Brisbane – Listeners have made their feelings known about the dumping of Ash Bradnam late last year on Nova – down 3.0 overall and 3.6 on breakfast. The winners as a results were KIIS’s reinstated Robin, Kip and Corey and Marto, Margaux and Dan on Triple M who’s stability have seen them ascend to No 1. Triple M retains No 1 station. Nova drops from 2nd to 5th. BBQ Dean and Sofie on 4BC dropped down to 3s. Bob on 4BH breakfast up to 11.2 – a record for him!
Perth – Nova 93.7 still the clear No 1. The gap made wider by a drop for Gold 93.7. A sharp 3.3 drop for Xav and Katie on Triple M breakfast putting them now equal fourth rather than second. Great survey for talk 6PR up to 11.2 for Steve and Karl on breakfast. Mix’s Kymba and Pete second in breakfast.
Smallzy lifted the KIIS night show significantly in most cities, while his former station Nova fell at night in most cities, except Sydney.
8 DAB+ stations in Sydney had 100K audience or more, which is a record. People definitely going elsewhere. ABC Jazz had 112K, probably affected by the departure of James Valentine.
HEART and HEART HITS debut on all the DAB+ metros with 100K people checking out the stations in Sydney alone. GOLD debuts into Adelaide and Brisbane. KIIS into Perth as slated in the upfronts.

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