Wollongong Survey results released

The latest Wollongong survey (Survey 2, 2002) has been released. The big winner this survey was Janet Cameron’s Wave FM, which increased 5.3 share points and jumped into first place, while i98FM dropped 7.8 share points to 20.6%.

Wave scored an overall figure of 21.6%, up from 16.3% last survey, scoring good increases in 10-17s (up 14.8) and 40-54s (up 10.9) and had a healthy 5.5 share point rise in grocery buyers. 25-39s were 16.1 share points (up 4.0). Wave’s breakfast duo, Phoebe and Dave, are now number one in the market with 22.7 share points (up 4.8). All other shifts also increased for Wave.

Second placed i98FM scored 20.6% (All people Mon-Sun), dropping 7.8 share points from last survey. The station had several on-air changes since the last survey, including a new breakfast team. i98 lost significant amounts of audience in the 10-24 demographics, perhaps also reflecting some effect from Nova in the Wollongong market. i98 still dominates the 25-39 demographic with 33.7 share points. i98 breakfast dropped 8.3 share points and all other shifts fell. i98 Evenings lost 10.2 share points, with Wave and Nova picking up most of that figure in the evening timeslot.

WIN’s Radio Group Program Director Phil Giblin told radioinfo that “whilst the results provided the station with the number one position in its core demographics and weekdays”, the many changes on-air across the last twelve months had impacted the station.

“Considering this year’s on-air line-up changes, we expected the results to be tight. The fact remains that more people listen to i98FM than any other station! Most importantly for our advertising clients, we have maintained dominance in the 25 – 39, 18 – 24 and 10 – 17 demographics… Of course we are disappointed over the breakfast show losing some listeners, however we recognise that building a successful new program takes time. There is no doubt that there are lessons to be learned from this outcome, we will review the results and take appropriate steps to ensure we regain lost ground next time around”.

“We are fortunate to have a talented and experienced team of broadcasters…if anything, these ratings will give them the passion and determination to improve and perform even better in future. I believe that today’s result is a hiccup, and I am confident that we will come back even stronger next time,” said Giblin.

He offered his congratulations to Wave on their improved result, but added that they “shouldn’t get comfortable”.

ABC’s FM97.3 jumped 1.8 share points to 12.1%, with good gains in mornings, afternoons and on weekends. Weekend finals football contributed to the ABC’s gains, which came mostly in the 55+ demographic.

Power FM (Nowra) scored 5.1%, down 0.9 on last survey, with losses in all weekday shifts except evenings. In the local market, Other FM scored 4.8%, up 1.0 share points from last survey, and Other AM was 0.7%, down 0.8 from last survey.

Most Sydney stations are also heard in Wollongong and the figures often prove an interesting indication of Sydney trends.

2JJJ was the strongest of the Sydney stations listened to in Wollongong, scoring 5.6% (down 0.3), followed by 2GB at 5.2% (up 0.2), Triple M on 4.3% (down 0.2), ABC702 on 3.5% (down 0.3)and 2UE at 2.9 (down 0.5).

Nova was 1.9% (up 0.8), 2DAY scored 2.0% (down 0.2), 2CH was 1.9% (up 0.3), and 2KY was 1.8% (up 0.1).

WOLLONGONG SURVEY 2 – ALL PEOPLE 5.30-MN (MON-SUN)

Station
This
Last
WAVE 21.6 16.3
i98 20.6 28.4
ABC 97.3 12.1 10.3
Power 5.1 6.0
Other FM 4.8 3.8
Other AM 0.7 1.5
2JJJ 5.6 5.9
2GB 5.2 5.0
2MMM 4.3 4.5
ABC702 3.5 3.8
2UE 2.9 3.4