The third radio ratings survey results for 2021 have been released.
- Talk radio falls, music radio gains
- Nova Brisbane regains top position with B105 falling. 4KQ picks up listeners.
- Ben Fordham’s 2GB breakfast drops, ABC Sydney now within 0.4 of top breakfast spot. Today marks one year on breakfast for Fordham.
- 3AW down in Melbourne. Gold FM Breakfast third on the day Christian O’Connell releases his very personal new book.
- Kyle and Jackie jump, triple j up in Sydney
- SAFM falls
- ABC Perth rises
The survey was conducted by GfK for Commercial Radio Australia between Sun Feb 28 to Sat Apr 3 & Sun Apr 18 to Sat May 22, 2021.
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Previous results here.
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AM/FM/DAB+ Stations
DAB+ Only Stations
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When one reads the cumulative figures as described in https://radioinfo.com.au/news/gains-fox-fm-and-kiis-1011-kyle-jackie-o-still-top-breakfast-cumes-survey-3 , then 2BL (ABC Sydney 702) is ahead of 2GB in the breakfast: 449 for Wendy & Robbie and 430 for Ben, and
Yet under the 'ratings', 2GB's breakfast rating is 11.5 versus 2BL's (ABC Sydney 702), 10.4.
An observation on Ben's breakfast program. When Ben took over from Alan, Ben held and increased the ratings during 2020. From 18% in late May 2020, to 11.5% now. Has the Alan's goodwill after his departure worn off?
There may well be economic reasons for Alan's departure such as the drop in advertising revenue whether by the pandemic or activists even if the broadcaster is the market leader. It is likely that Mr Jeremy Cordeux's dismissal from his weekend breakfast program, https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/radio/veteran-adelaide-radio-host-jeremy-cordeaux-sacked-over-brittany-higgins-tirade/news-story/e4a351373860af6e3cee6b2cfecbb74a was likely to be based on management's fear of a reduction in revenue from activist sponsors. Yet, according to this year's rating indicates an increase for weekend breakfast from 8.5 to 10.
Classic hits, golden oldies formats:
* On 2CH's ratings. The sudden jump on the DAB+ ratings at the start of 2CH's debut on exclusive-DAB+-only service, dropping significantly from 127 to 37.
* 2UE, Magic and 4BH - stuck around 2%-2.5%.
* 3MP, 0.9%. The transmission problems can't be an issue because 3MP experienced high ratings when 3MP entered the market in the late 1970s.
Remark: Classic hits/golden oldies are a hackneyed format even if the music is fine. It does not seem to attract a high audience for the abovementioned stations compared to Gold104.3, 4KQ, WS-FM and Smooth.
Sports programs:
SKY and SEN in Sydney attract 0.6% and 0.5%. On that alone, one wonders how such a business is sustained.
Overall share: The overall participants in the Sydney ratings has decreased from 84% to 82.9%. The last few years have had total participants totalling 87%. From 98.5% in the 1970s, to 87% in recent years then suddenly to 83% suggests that people in Sydney are either: listening to more community radio, more 2SM or other internet radio.
Thank you,
Anthony of exciting and observational Belfield