2GB still on top in Sydney, but radio lead changes in Brisbane and Melbourne
2GB is still Sydney’s most listened-to radio station, the latest radio ratings reveal. But the lead has changed hands in Melbourne and Brisbane.
The Macquarie Network station has an average 14.6% share of daily radio listening in Sydney, according to the latest survey from Nielsen. However, it has seen a one percentage point decline in listening share. The Alan Jones-presented morning show also dominates, with 2GB enjoying 17.6% of the audience from 5.30am to 9am.
Meanwhile on FM, Austereo’s 2Day remains on top in the commercial market with a 10.8% share. It has moved ahead of ABC 702, which declined to 10.6%
In Melbourne, Fairfax’s 3AW now has the biggest share with 16.8%, surging ahead of Austereo’s Fox FM on 14%. 3AW’s increase in listening – up 3.5 percentage points – was the biggest for any station nationally.
In Brisbane, Austereo’s B105 is on top with 12.3%, moving ahead of DMG’s Nova 106.9 which declined to 11.8%. Nova’s drop of 2.1 percentage points was the biggest decline in any market.
In Adelaide, ABC891 is still the most listened to station with 14% share. However DMG’s 5AA has moved closer, up to 13.7%.
And in Perth, Austereo’s Mix 94.5 is number one with 14.4%.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large. He returned to Mumbrella as Publisher in January 2025
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Tim, I think you will find that 2GB “has seen a one percentage point decline in listening share” and not in “listenership”.
The former means relates to 2GB’s share of all listening – e.g. share declined from 15.6% to 14.6%, which is what I think you meant to say. A 1% decline in listenership relates to the actual number of listeners. For example, a decline from 200,000 to 198,000 is a 1% decline in listenership.
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Hi John,
You’re absolutely right. (For a journalist) I’m not bad with stats, so should have got that one right – now updated.
Funnily enough, the last few days have seen a good debate going on on the back page of the SMH (Column 8 ) about the difference between percentage points and percentages…
Cheers,
Tim
So in essence 2GB didn’t lose 1% of their listening share but 6.4%
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When I wasn’t working during the day – The radio survey people used to come around all the time and I used to do surveys.
I am now a contractor (visiting around 4-6 homes and businesses each day) and most people have the commercials (eg. 2day and Nova playing) I *VERY RARELY* hear 2GB or any of the AM stations playing.
I strongly believe the reason why 2GB rates higher than 2day/commercials is because that sort of demographic are home to do the surveys.
The “Busier” people who listen to 2Day/Commercials generally don’t do surveys therefore showing a lower rating.
It’s laughable if someone thinks 2GB has a higher listener share than other stations.
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Rod……….Ever thought that 2GB’s ratings may come from people driving to work in cars and other places rather than just in the home????
Surveys are also conducted with white collar workers in the CBD and other business areas like North Sydney and Parramatta.
You might want to do your research.
I would also suggest the business types (that openly play the radio in the office) you are going too would have workers between the ages of 18 – 30………NOT the 2GB demographic.
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