The latest Survey 8 capital city ratings results have been released, with most interest in Vega’s debut figures in Sydney and Melbourne, plus Nova’s win in Brisbane.
The prediction by the new Vega stations that they would experience only a slow build and that the older target audience would be slow to sample a new station have proven correct, but DMG is pleased with the early cume numbers of 265,000 in Sydney and 165,000 in Melbourne.
The survey was conducted for Commercial Radio Australia between September 18 – November 26.
Click the links below to see the demographic and shift breakdowns, or click the Nielsen Research link in the left margin (in Knowledge Management section) to see each city’s rankings.
Vega has debuted at 1.8% in Sydney. Vega’s strongest shift was breakfast (2.4 share points), and its strongest demographic was 40-54s, followed, ironically, by the 10-17 demographic.
2GB is again top with 12.7%, increasing share in evenings, breakfast and afternoons. WSFM followed, jumping into second spot with 9.5% with a good increase in 25-39s and improved share on weekends. 2Day FM was third with 9.0%, increasing on weekends but dropping elsewhere.
Merrick and Rosso increased their breakfast share, moving into second place, while Alan Jones remained top of the breakfast ranking. ABC702 is third in breakfast, while WS FM’s Jonesey and Amanda dropped back to equal fourth with Kyle and Jackie O on 2Day.
Triple M is fifth on 8.6%, down 0.1, followed by Nova on the same figure, up 0.9. ABC702 is sixth with 8.3%, scoring good increases in its 55+ audience and daytime listening. Mix dropped 0.5 to 7.7%, followed by 2CH in ninth place on 5.9%.
Triple J scored 3.4 at number ten, followed by Classic FM on 2,.2%, Radio National on 2.0%, Vega on 1.8% and NewsRadio on 1.4%.
2Day dominated the 10-17 demographic, with Nova winning 18-24s and 25-39s, WS winning 40-54s and 2GB dominating 55+.
Vega debuted at 1.2%, with its highest listenership in the 40-54 demographic. Afternoons and mornings were strongest for the new station’s survey result.
3AW remained at the top of the market despite dropping 1.1 share points to 13.7%. Second placed Gold FM was up to 12.2% as a result of a good increase in 25-39s, followed by ABC774 on 11.7% (up 0.3 share points) and Triple M on 10.8% (up 0.7).
Fifth placed Fox dropped 0.6 to 9.9% after a fall in its 10-17 audience and decreases in all daytime shifts. Nova lost 1.2 share points, falling to 8.3% with declines in all shifts.
Seventh placed Mix inched up by 0.1 share points to 5.4%, followed by Magic on 5.1% (down 0.2), 3MP on 3.6% (up 0.8), and tenth placed Triple J on 2.7% (down 0.3).
Classic FM scored 2.6%, followed by SEN on 2.5%, RN on 1.9%, NewsRadio on 1.4% and Vega wagging the tail with 1.2%.
3AW’s Ross and John increased breakfast share in top position, followed by Red Simons on ABC774, then Triple M and Gold.
10-17s was won by Fox, Nova won 18-24s, Triple M won 25-39s, Gold won 40-54s and 3AW won the 55+ demographic.
Nova has jumped to top spot in Brisbane with 14.8% after a strong jump of 3 share points as a result of big increases in the 10-17 and 25-39 demographics.
Nova won at the expense of Triple M, which is now in second place on 13.0% (down 2.0 share points). Third placed 97.3 increased by 0.7 to 10.7%, followed by fourth placed B105, which increased by 1.3 share points to 10.5%. 4BC was in fifth place at a steady share of 8.5%, followed by 4KQ on 8.5% (down 0.7), ABC612 on 8.3% (down 0.3) and 4BH losing 1.2 to drop to 6.8%.
Triple J scored 5.5%, followed by RN on 2.4%, Classic FM on 1.8% and NewsRadio on 1.5%.
Nova won breakfast, followed by Triple M and 4BC. Nova won the under 40 demographics, while 4KQ won 40-54s and 4BC won thoe aged over 55.
Mix 102.3 consolidated its top spot, increasing by 0.3 share points to 17.2%. Second placed 5AA scored 16.1%, up by 0.2, followed by SAFM with a good increase of 1.4 share points moving it up to 14.1%.
Fourth placed ABC891 scored 12.0%, up 0.3 share points. Nova dropped into fifth place, down 0.7 to 11.6%, followed by Triple M on 8.8% after a decline of 1.8 share points.
Triple J was 5.5%, News Radio scored 2.1%, RN was 2.1% and Classic FM was 1.9%.
5AA leads breakfast followed by Mix then SAFM. The 10-17 demographic was a close match between Nova and SAFM, 18-24s was won by Nova, 25-39s was won by SAFM, Mix dominated the 40-54 demo and 5AA won 55+.
Mix 94.5 remains top in Perth with a steady 17.8%, followed by ABC720 in second place with 12.6% (down 0.9). 96fm is in third place on 12.3%, down 0.2, followed by Nova in fourth place on a steady 11.6%.
6PR lost 1.0 share points, dropping to 10.1%, followed by 92.9 on 7.6% (down 0.9). 6IX dropped 0.1 to 6.6%, followed by Triple J on 5.1% (down 0.4). Classic FM scored 3.6%, RN was 2.8% and NewsRadio was 0.8.
ABC Classic FM had the biggest increase of the survey, moving up to 3.6%. Mix 94.5 won breakfast.
92.9 won 10-17s, just ahead of Nova. 18-24s was won by Nova. 25-39s was a closely fought tussle between Nova and Mix 94.5. Mix won 40-54s and ABC720 won 55+.
COMMENTS
DMG Nova & Vega stations
In the final Nielsen Media survey for 2005, Nova stations across Australia recorded strong results, led by Nova 106.9 in Brisbane which shot to the No 1 overall position in the market in its fifth full survey since its launch on April 1 this year. The Brisbane breakfast team also achieved the leading share in the market with 13.2% and the station led in all demographics under 40.
Survey 8 also reflected Nova 96.9 Sydney’s position more accurately, with a return to No. 1 position under 40 and with Merrick & Rosso regaining a clear lead of 1.5% in the FM market with a 10% share.
The Nova network rated highly across key demographics with stations achieving:
· Leading under 40’s station Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth
· Leading position overall for All People 18-24 in every capital city
· Leading position overall for All People 18-39 in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth
· Leading position overall for All People 25-39 in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth
In Sydney, Nova 96.9 increased overall share from 7.7% to 8.6% and achieved the leading share of the crucial 25-39 demographic with 15.9% overall.
Nova 100 in Melbourne achieved an 8.3% share overall and retained its strong lead in the 18-24 demographic.
dmg’s new stations Vega 95.3 in Sydney and Vega 91.5 in Melbourne were recorded in the survey for the first time. Vega 95.3 in Sydney achieved a cumulative audience of 265,000 overall and an opening share of 1.8% with Vega 91.5 Melbourne, launching mid way through the survey, recording a cumulative audience of 165,000 and an opening share of 1.2% overall.
In Adelaide, dmg’s talk station Fiveaa increased overall share from 15.9% to 16.1% overall and increased shares across all daytime shifts Monday to Friday. Fiveaa also made strong gains in 40-54’s with a rise in share from 9.9% to 13.4%.
FIVEaa General Manager, Paul Bartlett, said: “FIVEaa has had a sensational year, recording three
consecutive number 1’s and for the first time, lifting it’s ratings in Survey #8. With FIVEaa breakfast,
the FIVEaa Sports Show, and Bob Francis all recording 8 number 1’s in a row it’s certainly been a
record breaking year! 2006 is looking good.”
Nova 91.9 in Adelaide achieved an overall share of 11.6% and performed strongly under 40.
In Perth, Nova 93.7 held overall share at 11.6% and increased breakfast share to 12.4%. The station also achieved the lead in the 25-39 demographic in Perth for the first time.
ABC Local Radio stations
The ABC has had another exceptional year recording strong audience results across its Local Radio networks for 2005.
ABC Managing Director Russell Balding said the survey has shown that ABC audiences have continued to grow from strength to strength in 2005.
“Under extreme pressure from new entrants, ABC Local Radio has had its best year on record. This is an exceptional result which reflects on power of the ABC to expand its audiences,” Mr Balding said.
“ABC Local Radio is often the heart of local news and information for communities throughout the nation. Local radio teams across Australia have worked together to strengthen the ABC’s position as a comprehensive broadcaster and listeners have responded by continuing to come to the ABC in strong numbers,” Mr Balding said today.
Highlights of the survey include:
· With an annual average reach of 2.2 million and an annualised share of 10.3%, 2005 was the most successful year for ABC Local Radio on record.
· Local Radio’s share in 2005 was up on 2004 in every city, except on 612 ABC Brisbane, which remained steady.
· 702 ABC Sydney 2005 share of 9.1% was the highest in over two and a half decades. 720 ABC Perth’s share of 12.1% was the highest in over two decades and 891 ABC Adelaide’s 2005 share of 11.5% was the highest on record.
· Average weekly reach for 702 ABC Sydney, 891 ABC Adelaide and 720 ABC Perth in 2005 was the highest on record.
· ABC Radio audiences have remained steady in 2005 in the face of growing competition – the five city 2005 annual share of 20.3% has remained steady with the 2004 result (20.5%), whilst maintaining reach at 3.70 million listeners a week (3.75 million in 2004)
Austereo network
Austereo chief executive officer Michael Anderson congratulated the Today and Triple M networks on a year of consistent performance, following solid results in today’s final Nielsen radio ratings.
“It’s been a highly competitive year, including the launch of two new stations,” he said.
“But I’m pleased that in the midst of that we’ve been able to deliver a good, consistent product and performance from Triple M nationally, including Mix 94.5 in Perth,” he said.
“2day fm in Sydney has had a spectacular turnaround, while we’ve had solid results from Fox FM in Melbourne.
“We’ve put in enormous work to revitalise B105 in Brisbane, SAFM in Adelaide and 92.9 in Perth, and that work continues.
“We’ve consolidated a very strong position for both our brands, well differentiated in each market.
“We’ve now got a clarity of brand experience that our listeners have probably never had before.”
Austereo chairman Peter Harvie said: “It’s been a strong result in a very challenging environment, and I congratulate the team for their efforts. In particular, the Today network has built across the year in key markets, reflecting the earlier turnaround of the Triple M network.”
In overall ratings today, Austereo had the equal number two FM station overall in Sydney with 2day fm, with Triple M number three.
In Brisbane, Triple M was the number two station and Mix 94.5 topped the ratings in Perth.
Austereo had the number two and three FM stations in Melbourne with Triple M and FOX FM, and the number two FM station in Adelaide with SAFM.
Sydney
2Day:
Number two FM – down 0.1 points to 9.0 per cent,
Number three for 25 to 39 year olds with 12.3 per cent – down 2.8 per cent,
Kyle and Jackie O Show number two FM breakfast with 8.4 per cent
Triple M
Down 0.1 points to 8.6 per cent and number three FM,
The Shebang number one in drive with 11.3 per cent
Melbourne
Fox FM
Number three FM – down 0.6 points to 9.9 per cent,
Number three in the 25 to 39-year-old age group with 15.3 per cent
Triple M
Up 0.7 points to 10.8 and number two FM,
The Cage number one FM breakfast – up 1.4 points to 11.0 per cent,
The Shebang number one FM drive – up 1.0 points to 13 per cent
Brisbane
B105
Up 1.3 points to 10.5 per cent,
Jamie Dunn’s last month of breakfast up 1.7 points to 11.4 per cent
Triple M
Down 2.0 points to 13 per cent
Adelaide
SAFM
Up 1.4 points to 14.1 per cent and number two FM,
Up in mornings, afternoon and drive,
Lowie’s Hot 30 Countdown up 3.3 points to 14.3 per cent and number one FM in the evening
Triple M
Down 1.8 points to 8.8 per cent
Perth
Mix 94.5
Number one station with steady 17.8 per cent share,
Number one breakfast with 17.7 per cent
92.9
Down 0.9 points to 7.6 per cent and number four FM
A R N
The Australian Radio Network’s Classic Hits stations in Sydney and Melbourne
strengthened their positions as the number one FM commercial stations in their
respective cities across all ages.
WSFM is again the top
commercial FM station in Sydney among all listeners, increasing its audience share by
0.4 points to 9.5.
In Melbourne, GOLD FM also retained its number one position on the FM band among
all listeners, increasing its audience share by 0.7 points to 12.2. This is the 5th
consecutive number one survey for GOLD FM across all ages, in addition to its
continuing domination of its key demographic of 25-54 year olds.
In Adelaide, MIX 102.3 is again number one on the FM band, increasing its overall share
by 0.3 points to 17.9.
The chief executive officer of APN News & Media, Brendan Hopkins, said “These results
are a tremendous finish to the year for the ARN network and confirm the ongoing
success of the Classic Hits formula in the key metropolitan radio markets.
“Also importantly, in the Sydney market, ARN is the number one network among
listeners in our target demographic, listeners aged 25 to 54, who are the biggest
spenders.
“This is a great result, ARN has increased its market share during a year of intense
competition on the FM band,” Mr Hopkins said.
Mix 102.3 Adelaide
The final survey results for the year are in and Mix102.3 has proven its strength in achieving consistent results throughout 2005, finishing the year off with its fourth consecutive number 1.
Starting the year in Survey 1 with a 16.7% share of All People 10+ in Adelaide, Mix102.3 has finished on a high with 17.2% share according to today’s survey results.
In its core demographic of 25-54, Mix102.3 started the year out with a 21.5% share and has finished it off nicely with 20.5%.
Being market leader, achieving consistency on-air and providing results has been the core focus for Mix102.3. Survey 8 results have consolidated an outstanding year for the station, proving that success lies in staying loyal to your target audience.
Other highlights from Survey 8 include:
Mix102.3 #1 All People 10+ (17.2%)
Mix102.3 #1 All People 25-54 (20.5%)
Mix102.3 #1 FM Breakfast (16.8%)
Mix102.3 #1 Morning’s with Karen Prater (17.5%)
Mix102.3 #1 Afternoon’s with Jason “Snowy” Carter (19.5%)
Mix102.3 #1 All People 35-54 (23.8%)
Mix102.3 #1 Weekends All People 10+ (17.5%)
Mix102.3 General Manager, Steve Rowe is proud to end the year on such a high note.
“We’ve had a fantastic year and the results prove that we have delivered what our listeners want. We’re pleased with the year that we’ve had and we’re looking forward to 2006,” Mr Rowe said.
2GB &2CH
Macquarie Radio Network (MRN) won the final ratings survey for 2005, with the release of Nielsen Media Research Survey 8. MRN finished the year where it started – in first place, maintaining its year-long position as the number one adult commercial network in Sydney, with a massive 1 in 4 share of listening.
Macquarie Radio CEO, Angela Clark said, “Finishing the year in first place is always the ideal scenario. We are particularly pleased that we experienced total market share increases across both 2GB and 2CH.
“There was speculation earlier in the year that a new market entrant might impact on our ratings performance. We maintained our share of commercial listening with 25.9% of the audience, silencing any supposition as we approach 2006.”
The MRN audience profile is as follows:
o 2GB 873 – Outright Number One Commercial station in Sydney with 17.7% commercial share of 10+ listening
o Breakfast radio king, Alan Jones maintained his already massive audience with a 22.9% commercial share in his time-slot (5.30am-10am MF) despite the entry of a new radio station.
o Ray Hadley – Number 1 again in the morning slot once again with up to 17% commercial share in his program (10am-1pm MF)
o 2CH 1170 attracted 22,000 new listeners in Survey 8, despite the increased competition.
o 2CH 1170 is the number three commercial station on weekends for adult listening.
o Macquarie Radio attracts 865,000 different listeners 10+ each week.
o Macquarie’s audience listen for the longest period of time – up to 16hrs 34m per week
Classic Hits 4KQ
4KQ Clear Number One in key demographic of 40- 54 with audience
share of 16.1% of listeners (all people Mon-Sun 5.30am – Midnight)
4KQ Number One in key demographic of 40- 59 in cume and share with
148 000 listeners and 18% share (all people Mon-Sun 5.30am – Midnight)
4KQ Number One in 35 – 59 demographic with 15.2% share
97.3FM Brisbane
97.3FM Clear Number One in key demographics of females 25 –
44 and 25 – 54 cume and share (Mon – Sun 5.30am – Midnight)
97.3FM Number One all people 25 – 54 cume with 259 000 listeners
(all people Mon – Sun 5.30am – Midnight)
97.3FM Clear Number One in the all important Grocery Buyers
demographic (Mon – Sun 5.30am -midnight share and cume)
97.3FM Increase Breakfast Share from 8.3% to 9.2% (all
people 10+ Mon – Fri 5.30am – 9.00am)
97.3FM Increase Overall Share from 10% to 10.7% (all people
10+ Mon – Sun 5.30am – Midnight)
3AW
3AW is number one again. 3AW have been number one for 24 consecutive surveys and three years – a new record for the Melbourne radio market
Program Director Clark Forbes said:
“Its a great record – three years at number one. I’m proud and honoured to have been a part of it.”
Highlights for 3AW include:
Breakfast with Ross and John 5.30 – 8.30am – rating 19.6% – number one for 32 consecutive surveys – (number one since survey 1/2002)
Morning with Neil Mitchell 8.30am – midday – rating 15.6% – number one
Afternoon with Ernie Sigley – rating 10.1% – the top rated talk program in the afternoons
Drive with Derryn Hinch 4 – 6pm rating 14.6% – number one for 24 consecutive surveys (number one since his return to 3AW in survey 1/2003)
3AW Gardening – number one on Sundays (8am – 10am with Jane Edmanson and Darren James). 17.3%
Sunday Morning – number one (10am – midday Sundays with Darren James, Nick McCallum and Peter Faris) 15.3%
702 ABC Sydney
702 ABC Sydney has recorded consistently strong results in 2005 as Survey 8
demonstrates.
With a share of 8.3%, 702 ABC Sydney has maintained its place this survey, despite
the continuing fragmentation of the Sydney radio market, marked this survey by the
entrance of new station Vega targeted at the 40+ market.
This consolidates a highly successful year for 702 ABC Sydney, which recorded its
highest annualised share result in over two and half decades 9.1% (since 1980).
The annualised average weekly reach figure of just under 700,000 makes this result
the highest on record for 702 ABC Sydney. Reaching just under 20% of the Sydney
population each week, 702 ABC Sydney continues to have more listeners than any
other talk station in Sydney.
702 ABC Sydney also ends the year with Richard Glover back with the No. 1 talk
program at Drive.
“2005 will go down as one of the most successful in 702’s history. We have
consolidated our position within the Sydney radio market and the results from this
survey are very encouraging. Our new Mornings line up with Virginia Trioli is working
well and Richard Glover is again number one in Drive in the talk market. We are
looking forward to continuing growth in 2006 with our new team,” says Station
Manager Roger Summerill.
Triple M and 2Day Sydney
Triple M’s The Shebang has finished the year as Sydney’s clear favourite drive show with a resounding win in today’s Nielsen radio ratings
The Shebang had an audience share of 11.3 per cent, 1.5 percentage points clear of any competitors.
Austereo’s 2day FM was Sydney’s number two FM station with an audience share of 9.0 per cent, helped by the Kyle and Jackie O Show, which was the equal number two FM breakfast show with 8.4 per cent.
Triple M was the equal number three FM station with an audience share of 8.6 per cent.
Austereo Sydney general manager Helen Davies said the result was an excellent end to the year.
“We have good, consistent results for both our stations,” she said.
“We spent the first half of the year focussing on improvements at 2day FM and consolidating Triple M’s position and we’ve done that.
“For the past three surveys, 2day has been either the number one or number two FM station, and Kyle and Jackie O have now got a solid fan base that loves their show.
“We’re really happy where both stations are and the challenge now is to keep giving our listeners the consistent experience they expect.”
Triple M and SAFM Adelaide
SAFM had the biggest ratings gain of any Adelaide station in today’s Nielsen radio ratings, jumping 1.4 percentage points to a 14.1 per cent audience share.
SAFM grew its ratings in the morning, afternoon and drive shows, while Lowie’s Hot 30 Countdown was Adelaide’s favourite FM show in the evenings with a 3.3 point increase to 14.3 per cent.
Almost one in two listeners between 25 and 39 tuned in to SA.FM, based on cumulative audience during the week. SAFM is now the clear leader in the age group, gaining 3.7 points to a 23.1 per cent audience share.
Milly and Lehmo were the number two FM breakfast show with a 14.3 per cent audience share.
However Austereo’s Triple M lost some audience share, falling 1.1 points to 8.8 per cent.
Austereo Adelaide general manager Sam Ciccarello said SAFM had finished the year on a high.
“The station has really been able to turn itself around in the past 12 months and it’s now the clear choice for 25 to 39-year-old listeners,” he said.
“We’ve tried to provide a consistent experience for our listeners and this result shows that it is really continuing to work.
“With The Cage leaving Triple M and the new Zoo starting in breakfast, there was clearly going to be some impact from listeners loyal to The Cage.
“But we’re already getting good feedback on the Zoo and I think we’ll see some great results from them next year.”