2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR will ramp up local content with new traffic reports every 10 minutes in the key Breakfast and Drive shifts.
The move is part of Nine Radio’s strategy of “live and local” and is aimed at further cementing its position as the traffic news leader across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
Nine Radio’s Head of Content, Greg Byrnes, says, “Nine Radio is the only radio network with local traffic reporters in each market, with deep knowledge of their city’s traffic and accident blackspots, offering the best advice during the commuter rush about how to avoid any traffic snarls. As our biggest cities roar back to life, our listeners will now be getting updates every 10 minutes.”
For advertisers, the increase in live and local traffic provides a unique opportunity to be associated with the best traffic reports on the biggest stations in Sydney and Melbourne, and the fastest growing talk stations in Brisbane and Perth.
Nine’s Commercial Director – Radio, Anthony Smyth, says, “Traffic is one of the most important segments to listeners who are highly engaged with the content. For brands wanting to connect with consumers on the drive to and from work these new 10 and 30-second adjacent spots are a great opportunity to cut through.”
The increased traffic reports are effective from November 1.
Pictured: Olympia Kwitowski in the 4BC studio.
Nine Radio decided to "in-sourcing" its traffic reports 15 months ago from "outsourced" traffic reports to the "Australian Traffic Network" ('ATN'), source https://radioinfo.com.au/news/nine-radio-looking-traffic-reporters-brisbane-and-sydney/
Now the frequency of traffic reports will increase in the breakfast and drive programs.
An increase in frequency of traffic reports will increase the opportunity for an increase in sponsorship of the traffic reports. Nine Radio call the sponsored traffic reports as "five seconds ...(of)...brand credit", source: https://radioinfo.com.au/news/nine-radio-offering-exclusive-news-sponsorship-cutting-ties-atn/ . The selling point is that the sponsor's 'brand' will be associated with more detailed provider compared to the previous traffic report provider.
It also gives the broadcaster complete control rather than partial control on who sponsors the traffic reports.
On history, before the ATN, 2GB's in-house traffic reporter was Wayne Hutchings (RIP, 1996). Here is a photo of Wayne Hutchings with former 2GB presenter Stephen O'Doherty in 1983, source: https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/transport-reporter-wayne-hutchings-and-dj-steven-odoherty-news-photo/1079487740 .
Similarly, 2UW had its in-house traffic report presented by John Costello and sponsored by "All Purpose Messengers"
Thank you,
Anthony of it's so exciting to be in Belfield