Brisbane Radio Ratings: Nova106.9 surges in Drive as ARN’s 97.3FM retains Breakfast lead
Nova106.9 took the crown for most improved ratings in the Brisbane market buoyed by a strong rise in its Breakfast show, despite host Ashley Bradnam being after being charged with drink driving in May.
The remaining pairing of Kip Whiteman and David Lutteral crose 0.6 audience share points to 13.3 per cent, to close the lead on rivals 97.3FM’s Breakfast team of Robin Bailey, Terry Hansen and Bob Gallagher to just 0.4 points.
The surge also saw the two commercial stations push ABC612 Breakfast host Spencer Howson back to third with a 12.8 share, up 0.2.
The latest Gfk radio ratings show ARN’s 97.3FM has retained its position as the top station in Brisbane with a 14.0 share, up 0.3, in total people while Nova rose 0.9 but still trailed with a 13.2 share.
In the national Drive battle Nova’s team of Kate Ritchie, Marty Sheargold and Tim Blackwell surged 2.6 points to a strong 17.0 per cent share while 97.3FM also surged in the 4pm-7pm slot with hosts Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek rising 1.1 points.
Meanwhile talk station 4BC have had a mixed survey down 0.5 in total people in this most recent survey, posting declines in its Breakfast slot, with networked Sydney host Alan Jones shedding 1.2 points to 5.2 and local Afternoons host Clare Blake dropping 0.5 to a 4.0 share.
Networked program Mornings with Ray Hadley remained stable with a 0.1 rise to 5.9 share, while networked Evenings business show Ross Greenwood was up post 7pm 1.2 points to a 6.2 share.
The varied performance of the networked programs will be keenly watched by the newly merged managements of Macquarie Radio after posting rises in the last survey.
Nic Christensen
Nic Christensen is a former employee of both Macquarie Radio and Fairfax Radio.
