29 September, 2020

Radio Ratings: Alan Who? Ben Fordham Easily Takes Over Alan’s 2GB Spot, While Russel Howcroft Sees 3AW Soar

By Ally Burnie

Welcome to the third GfK Metro Radio Survey for 2020, and possibly the most highly anticipated radio survey of all time…

Commercial Radio Australia paused surveys 3, 4 and 5 due government restrictions related to COVID-19.

But now in good bloody news, radio ratings are back in business and boy was this an interesting survey period. It has certainly been a unique time for Aussies, with most of the population forced to work from home over the last 5 months, which has undoubtedly affected listening habits. Meanwhile, there’s also been a significant uptick in downloading radio apps and streaming.

So – with all that in mind, where does the industry currently stand? Perhaps the biggest on-air shuffle during the last 5 months was Ben Fordham taking over Alan Jones’ 2GB breakfast spot.

Alan was always the king of Sydney radio, consistently dominating the breakfast slot. How did Fordham fair?

In good news for Nine, owner of 2GB, Fordham managed to retain the number one spot with a very decent 17.3 per cent audience share, which is only slightly down (-0.6 per cent to be exact) on Jones’ final numbers. 2GB also remained in top spot overall (14.3 per cent, down -1.1 per cent). ABC was number two over all with 10.8 per cent, and KIIS106.5 was third with 8.9 per cent. Meanwhile, smooth 95.3’s Byron Web moved into the number on drive spot with 10.4 per cent (up a decent 2.0 per cent).

In Melbourne 3AW’s Ross Stevenson and adman Russel Howcroft came in at number one in brekky, jumping an unheard of 8.8 per cent to 26.1 per cent. Howcroft joined the breakfast team on August 3 following John Burns’s retirement. 3AW reigned overall (17.7 per cent, up 3.3 per cent), while 3AW also won the drive spot with Tom Elliott at the helm on 13.6 per cent.

B&T has created a sweet and snappy rundown for each of the metro markets for your convenience.

SYDNEY

Breakfast

First: 2GB’s Ben Fordham Live (17.3 per cent)

Second: ABC Sydney’s Breakfast with Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck (up 1.6 per cent to 12.5 per cent)

Third: KIIS 106.5’s Kyle & Jackie O (10.2 per cent – no change)

Drive

First: 95.3’s Byron Web (10.4 per cent, up 2.0 per cent)

Second: ABC’s Richard Glover (10.2 per cent, down -1.5 per cent).

Third: KIIS 106.5’s Will and Woody (10.0 per cent, up 1.0 per cent).

MELBOURNE

Breakfast

First: 3AW’s Ross and Russell (up 8.8 per cent to 26.1 per cent)

Second: ABC Melbourne’s Sammy J (up 3.1 per cent to 14.9 per cent)

Third: Gold 104.3’s The Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show (down -2.2 per cent to 7.2 per cent)

Drive

First: 3AW Drive with Tom Elliot (up 1.7 per cent to 13.6 per cent)

Second: ABC Melbourne’s Richard Glover (12.5 per cent, up 3.6 per cent)

Third: Gold 104.3’s Gavin Miller (down -0.7 per cent to 8.3 per cent)

BRISBANE

Breakfast

First: Nova 106.9’s Ash, Kip, Luttsy and Susie O’Neill (12.2 per cent)

Second: ABC Brisbane’s Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan and B105’s Stav, Abby & Matt (formerly Hit105) (11.0 per cent)

Third: 104.5 Triple M’s Marto, Margaux & Nick Cody (10.4 per cent)

Drive

First: Nova 106.9’s Kate, Tim & Joel (14.5 per cent)

Second: B105’s Hughesy & Ed (13.4 per cent)

Third: 104.5 Triple M’s Kennedy Molloy (11.5 per cent)

ADELAIDE

Breakfast

First: FIVEaa’s David Penberthy and Will Goodings (15.4 per cent)

Second: ABC Adelaide’s Breakfast with Ali Clarke (14.2 per cent)

Third: Nova 91.9’s Ben & Liam (11.0 per cent)

Drive

First: Mix 102.3’s Will & Woody (12.3 per cent)

Second: Nova 91.9’s Kate, Tim & Joel (12.0 per cent)

Third: SAFM’s Carrie & Tommy and Hughesy & Ed (10.9 per cent)

PERTH

Breakfast:

First: Nova 93.7’s Nathan, Nat & Shaun (14.1 per cent)

Second: Mix94.5’s Clairsy, Matt & Kymba (12.4 per cent)

Third: 6PR’s Breakfast with Steve Mills and Basil Zempilas (11.2 per cent)

Drive:

First: Nova 93.7’s Kate, Tim & Joel (15.0 per cent)

Second: 96FM’s Will & Woody (13.2 per cent)

Third: Mix94.5’s Kennedy Molloy (13.0 per cent)

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