The first GfK survey for 2026 of the Queensland Gold Coast was a sizzling success for Hot Tomato but also for most of the other local stations too. It is worth then putting this result alongside the last survey of 2025 which saw all the local stations, and particularly Hot Tomato see significant drops. Hot Tomato has made up that lost ground, and then some. In that respect, this survey was a win for radio listening.

Hot Tomato ruled in every day part and demographic with the one exception the over 65s who chose Triple M Gold. The latter had a good survey too, up 2.5 to 13.9 audience share and growth in all day parts but drive, which was steady. The local ABC also improved.

Hot Tomato saw more than 5% gains in all the day parts except evenings and weekends, which still saw more modest increases. Galey and Emily Jade on breakfast were up 5.9% to 21.4 and Drive’s Moyra and Big Trev (pictured) up 8.4 to holding a quarter of the Gold Coast listening ear.

Hot Tomato Content Director, Brendon “Whippy” Dangar, said:

“This is an absolutely wonderful result, proving once again that being genuinely live and local delivers! To start the year with our biggest audience ever, and an amazing share is something we couldn’t ask more of. It is another number 1 result powered by a local team that’s worked hard to deliver an exclusive Gold Coast product.”

Mike Harvey, General Manager, Hot Tomato, added:

“This is a result we do not take for granted, our people across all our teams are very focused and work very hard on all the pieces that cumulate to give Hot Tomato this great outcome. We stand by our genuine 100% live and local approach, with all our shows anchored by Gold Coast locals, the deep local connection and higher quality listener engagement this generates underpins our continued position as the Gold Coast’s Number 1 radio station. This result validates our belief in this strategy, and it is an achievement of which we are immensely proud”

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