Survey 7 results are now available, so read the highlights and station comments here and see all the demographic breakdowns by clicking through to the Nielsen Media Research figures.
Click on Nielsen Ratings button (left hand margin) for overall rankings and click the link at the bottom of this story for the full shift breakdowns and demographics.
The survey, conducted for Commercial Radio Australia, covered the periods August 3 to September 6 and September 21 to October 25.
In Sydney Mix had the biggest gain, jumping 1.4 share points, while 2Day fell 1.3 share points. 2GB dropped 0.9, but remains in top position, while 2UE gained 0.5 share points.
Nova and 2Day are the leaders in the younger demographics; 25-39s were won by Nova, which has a clear 7 share point lead in this demographic; 40-54s was won by ABC702, closely followed by WSFM and Mix; and 55+ was dominated by 2GB, followed by 2UE.
Breakfast was won by 2GB’s Alan Jones, ahead of ABC702 and Nova. Pyrmont studio neighbours Nova and 2GB tied for first position in the morning timeslot, followed by 2UE’s John Laws. Nova won afternoons. Drive was hotly contested by 2Day, ABC702, but was won by Nova. 2GB won the evening timeslot ahead of 2Day and Mix, where Richard Mercer had a good gain. 2GB dominated weekends with its football coverage.
In Melbourne Nova 100 had the biggest gain, jumping 0.9 share points, while Triple M fell 1.2 share points. Football stations dominated this survey – 3AW gained 0.8 and is once again in top position, while ABC774 dropped fractionally but is still in second spot.
Nova and Fox are the leaders in the younger demographics; 25-39s were won by Triple M, ahead of Nova, Fox and Mix; 40-54s was won by Gold, followed by 3AW and ABC774; and 55+ was won by 3AW, followed by ABC774.
Breakfast was won by 3AW, ahead of ABC774. 3AW won first position in the morning timeslot, followed by ABC774 and Fox. Fox won afternoons, ahead of 3AW, Nova and Triple M. Drive was won by 3AW ahead of ABC774. Fox won the evening timeslot ahead of ABC774 and 3AW. 3AW and ABC774 won weekends with their football coverage.
In Brisbane ABC612 had the biggest gain, jumping 1.3 share points, while 4KQ fell 1.8 share points, in a survey that had quite a few significant rises and falls. Top spot, as usual, is held by B105, which won the young demographics, but New97.3 and Triple M are both steadily gaining on the leader. Triple M won the 25-39 demographic, while B105 won 40-54s and ABC612 led in the 55+ demo.
B105 won breakfast, drive, evenings and weekends, but its dominance was challenged by Triple M in mornings and afternoons.
In Adelaide Triple M, which this week will reformat, had the biggest gain, jumping 0.9 share points, while Mix102.3 fell 1.7 share points. Top spot is held by SAFM, ahead of steadily climbing 5AA. SAFM won the young demographics, while Triple M won 40-54s and 5AA led strongly in the 55+ demo.
B105 won mornings and afternoons with 5AA winning breakfast, drive and evenings.
In Perth Nova 93.7had the biggest gain, jumping 1.1 share points to regain more of its “abducted” audience, while 96FM fell 1.7 share points. Top spot is held by Mix 94.5, ahead of ABC720. Nova and 92.9 won the young demographics, while Mix won 25-54 and ABC720 led strongly in the 55+ demo.
Mix 94.5 won all weekday timeslots and ABC720 won weekends.
Click the link at the bottom of this page to see all the full demos and shift breakdowns for each market.
Nova Perth
Nova is pleased to see the return of some of its “abducted” audience and explains:
“NOVA 93.7 launched in December 2002 and
immediately became Perth’s most popular radio
station for under 35 year olds.
NOVA maintained that position for
Surveys 1, 2, 3 and 4 in 2003, but suddenly
with the release of Survey 5, it
appeared that an alien life force had abducted
a large chunk of the audience.
NOVA 93.7’s No.1 position with Perth’s 18–24
year olds crashed to fourth, in a mystery that
rivalled anything seen on the X-Files.
Due to the rolling nature of radio survey
methodology, it has taken the alien life-force
two surveys to return NOVA 93.7 to its original
position as Perth’s No.1 station for 18-24 year
olds.
More importantly, NOVA 93.7 is back as Perth’s
leading station for under 35 year olds.
NOVA 93.7 increased audience in every one of
its target demographics and in every session
across the board.”
Nova 96.9 Sydney
Nova 969 has lost listeners but is now the leading FM radio station in Sydney for the first time ever! “It’s typical – Nova 969 can’t even win right,” said jokers at the station.
In the survey 7 radio ratings, Nova 969 has slipped to 10.7% (down 0.1%).
“We’ve been chipping away for 2½ years and we’ve finally realised Sydney listeners love trashy radio. A stinky old wheelie bin has made all the difference,” said Nova 969 General Manager Mandi Wicks.
During survey 7, Nova 969 ran the Wheelie Bin of Fortune promotion. A mystery object was stolen from Merrick and Rosso’s office and placed inside a beaten up wheelie bin. Sydney listeners were encouraged to guess what was inside for the chance to win $100,000.
Merrick and Rosso and Rabbit have bucked the station trend and increased slightly, while all other shows have dipped a bit.
“We figure if we can lose more listeners next time we might have a crack at 2GB,” said Nova 969 Program Director Scott Muller.
2DAY Sydney
“With a cumulative audience of 919,000 Sydneysiders tuning in each week, 2DAY FM remains the station that most people listen to.”
2Day FM also “remains solid” in its core demographic with a 13.2% share of 25 – 39’s.
The Hot 30 Countdown with Kyle and Jackie O “continue their dominance” of night time FM radio, not only in Sydney but nationally in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Newcastle from 7pm until 10pm, with the evening shift at 11.1% (Sydney figure only).
Commenting on the latest results, Austereo CEO, Michael Anderson said:
“In the highly competitive Sydney market, 2DAY FM has maintained its strength in its core 18 – 39 target”.
2UE
The penultimate Sydney survey for 2003 shows solid gains for 2UE, and a strong indication that the Mike Carlton-Steve Price switch will pay off.
Despite only influencing half of the survey period in his new timeslot, Mike Carlton lifted breakfast from 7.5 share points to 8.2, and then gap between Carlton and Alan Jones closed by over a full share point.
Strong gains were also made by John Laws, John Stanley, Steve Price and Stan Zemanek. In fact, Zemanek was able to increase listening by over 50% during the survey period.
2UE General Manager Ian Sheppard is quietly pleased with the result:
“We can be certain that Mike Carlton has made an impact in a very short space of time…it doesn’t always happen that way, so the station is happy to have him back in breakfast after so many years – the feedback has been terrific.
The last survey of the year, released in early December, is critical to advertising sales, and today’s survey points toward a strong resurgence from 2UE.”
Triple M Sydney
Triple M Sydney “continues to enjoy steady ratings growth” with the launch of new breakfast show The Cage, with Timbo, Parko, Bridg, JB and Peter Berner, and Drive show, The Shebang.
The momentum of Triple M’s listener loyalty initiative Freq Club is reflected in the overall ratings increase (up 0.8).
Highlights include growth in the following areas: Growth in the 10+ audience – with an overall audience share of 6.5 %; The Cage continued to increase up to 6.0% of the Sydney breakfast audience; Growth in the 25 – 39 demographic – a 10.2% share of audience.
Nova 100 Melbourne
Nova 100’s General Manager, Fiona Cameron, said: “Nova comes a poor second to footy, but after the game we do okay.”
In the first survey since the end of the football season, Nova 100 increased its total audience share from 9.1% to 10% and has again become the leading station for all people under 40.
The station recorded significant gains in every demographic.
SA FM Adelaide
SAFM “continued to strengthen its position” as Adelaide’s Number One station, “maintaining its dominant 10+ position and increasing its number of new listeners.”
Ratings highlights from Survey 7 include:
· Growth in the 10+ audience – with a winning overall audience share of 20.2%
· Growth in 18 – 39 audience up to 35.7%
· Highest number of listeners in Adelaide, increasing from 380,000 to 394,000
Commenting on the Survey 7 results, Station Manager Noelene Buddle said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled about the results for SAFM. The station is in the strongest position its been in for a long time and with the phenomenal feedback we’re getting about our new Breakfast show, SAFM’s “Milly & Lehmo”, after just three weeks on air, the station is very confident we’ll continue delivering our listeners a winning format in 2004.”
The result for Austereo Adelaide is “the best ever.” Both stations (Triple M and SAFM) now have almost 36% of the Adelaide audience. “We have never been more prepared for the upcoming changes in the Adelaide radio landscape,” said Buddle.
Triple M 104.7 Adelaide
Noelene Buddle, is also pleased with the result for Austereo’s other Adelaide station, Triple M, which is about to change its format. She said :
“This is a great result for Triple M, and we’re confident it’s going to get better and better for the Adelaide radio audience. Today’s results provide a strong base for the changes to the station that will be launched on Wednesday. We’re very much focussed on the future, and very excited about bringing the listeners a radio station the likes of which haven’t been heard in Adelaide before!”
Survey Highlights for Triple M include: a cume of 283,000 listeners; Triple M Breakfast increased by 1.1% – now 15.0%; 25 -39 audience by 5.6% to 25%; and Triple M are Number 1 All People 35-49.
5AA
FIVEaa is celebrating its “best ever” survey result.
Adelaide has a new favourite Breakfast team with Keith Conlon, Tony Pilkington and Jon Blake leading the ratings in this key session for the first time.
FIVEaa’s General Manager, Paul Bartlett said:
“This is a landmark day for us. The Breakfast guys are
firing, KG & Cornesy continue to ‘knock ‘em dead’ in Drive and big Bob Francis is still ‘the King’ of nighttime
radio.
Leon Byner (Morning) and Nicole Haack (Afternoon) achieved nice increases again, while Michael Keelan
continues to be Adelaide’s favourite Weekend Breakfast show.
“We are all extremely excited by today’s results. It’s nice to know that more and more Adelaide listeners
are discovering FIVEaa and really enjoying it!”
Mix 102.3 Adelaide
MIX102.3 is “remaining focused on recent changes made to the station,” despite “a surprise set back” in today’s AC Nielsen Survey 7 2003 results.
With the changing structure in the Adelaide Radio market, MIX has maintained the majority of its listeners with 261,000 weekly listeners tuning in to the new MIX102.3 on air line up.
“With the new radio license and major changes ahead for other FM stations MIX102.3 remains confident and passionate about their format, brand and direction.”
Program Director Allan Cameron said: “MIX102.3 is ready for the challenges the radio industry will present in the future with 2004 being a great time for radio listeners. MIX102.3 will continue to focus and refine its product to meet the audiences needs in a changing market.”
ARN
Australian Radio Network’s MIX 106.5 FM recorded the largest increase in listeners across all Sydney radio stations in the latest survey, jumping by 1.4 to 7.4.
MIX 106.5 FM, which attracted a cume of 692,000 listeners, also recorded an increase in the 25 – 39 age bracket.
While all MIX 106.5 FM programs strengthened their positions, MIX’s breakfast show, Sammy and Jason in the Mornings, “was the star performer recording the strongest increase in the breakfast timeslot.”
ARN’s MIX 97.3 in Brisbane also performed well in the survey, up 1.1 to 14.1 “confirming its position as the second highest rating station in the Brisbane market.”
ARN Chief Executive Officer Bob Longwell said: “The results are strong across the board especially in the commercially important 25 – 54 demographic.
“Targeted programming and marketing at the MIX stations has contributed to the result.
“Driving our success in 25 – 54 has been the fact that in the MIX core target – female 25 – 44 – we are number one in Sydney and Brisbane and number two in Melbourne.
“In Melbourne GOLD 104.3 is once again number one in the all important 25 – 54 which means it has won six of the last seven surveys in this age group.”
Other network statistics from ARN:
SYDNEY
ARN’s 25-54 focus continues to pay dividends with both Sydney stations now number 1 in their target audiences.
MIX 106.5 was the major winner with a dramatic lift in 25-54 audience driving a 1.4% lift in 10+. In the core audience target, females 25-44, MIX 106.5 is now number 1, ahead of 2DAY and NOVA. WSFM is still Sydney’s number 1 station with 40-54 year olds, despite the Rugby World Cup driving audience to the ABC and television.
MELBOURNE
Once again, GOLD 104 is the number 1 station in Melbourne in the 25-54 demographic as it has been in 6 out of the 7 surveys this year. Grubby and Dee Dee’s Breakfast show and Drive with Craig Huggins led the way with the biggest increases. MIX 101.1 took a loss overall but that was driven by a big fall in 10-17. The key demographic of females 25-44 remained number 2 and there was a big 1.1 lift in people 25-39, apparently coming from FOX.
BRISBANE
Another great result for 97.3FM lifting in every demographic under 40 and 1.1 overall. In the core target of females 25-44, 97.3FM is now number 1 opening a gap of 4.2 over B105.
ADELAIDE
MIX 102.3 continues to struggle in a market where the two Austereo FM stations are able to cover any increases and marketing initiatives. MIX 102.3 has launched a major TV campaign, similar to the successful Sydney and Melbourne concepts but with a focus on the new breakfast team of Kim, Ali and Dzelde.
PERTH
NOVA increased share 25-39, as did 92.9 that eroded some of 96fm’s lead.
Austereo
Commenting on today’s ratings, Austereo CEO, Michael Anderson said:
“Today we saw our great ratings strengthen in Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne and saw the fight ahead of us in Sydney. It’s a fiercely competitive market around the country and we love a good fight.
“There were no real surprises. The strength of our results in Adelaide,
Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne reflect the changes we’ve made in those
markets and we’ll be turning up the volume even louder, showing everyone
just how serious we are.
“We are in this game to win, and Austereo has consistently and
convincingly beaten its FM competitors in every market to date. We’ve
also been in the ratings game long enough to know this is an ongoing
battle. There is no finishing line – and it would be a mistake to look
at any one survey in isolation. We’re in this for the long term.”
Ratings highlights in other cities include:
Melbourne:
* FOX FM continued its leadership as the number one FM station – with
growth in daytime audience share and people 18 – 24.
* Austereo remains FM breakfast leader – with FOX FM number one and
partner station Triple M Melbourne number 2.
* Triple M Melbourne retained its number one position in people 25 –
39.
Brisbane:
* B105 maintained its clear leadership overall and again took the
number one position in breakfast.
* Triple M Brisbane made a powerful shift to the number one station in
daytime, and retained its number two position in breakfast behind its
sister station B105.
* Triple M Brisbane had growth across all timeslots, with significant
growth in 18 – 24’s and people 18 – 39.
Perth:
* 92.9 remains number one in under 40’s and won in 18 – 39’s.
* Mix 94.5 retains its leadership in the 10+ audience and in people 25
– 39, 25 – 54 and 40 – 54 – and grew in people 25 – 54.
Follow the link below for breakdowns of shifts and demos.