Listeners continue to flee Kiis FM in droves following the axing of Kyle & Jackie O. In Sydney, Kiis’s breakfast show lost 1.1 points to a 7.1 per cent share of audience, according to the fourth radio survey.
This is now 5.6 points below Kyle & Jackie O’s 12.7 per cent share registered in the last full survey before their axing.
It is also more than 10 points below the pair’s record ratings share of 17.9 per cent registered in mid-2023.
Since the popular and provocative duo left radio, Kiis has been trialing a series of guest hosts alongside Mike E and newsreader Brookly Ross. Appearances have included Georgie Tunny, Bianca Dye, Abbie Chatfield, Amy Gerard and Melissa Leong.
According to the data, it is younger audiences that are fleeing Kiis FM. It lost 3.6 points in the 10-17 demo and 4.4 points in the 18-24s.
The More Music Breakfast Show With Bogart Torrelli has grown its audience from a 10.7 per cent share to 12 per cent since Kye & Jackie O left, but likely appeals to a older demographic.
Nova 96.9’s Ricki-Lee Coulter and Tim Blackwell have held steady with a 9.4 per cent share, while Christian O’Connell’s breakfast show on
Gold FM continues to struggle to gain a foothold in the Sydney market, dropping 0.6 points to a 6.6 per cent share.
On talkback, 2GB’s Ben Fordham reigns supreme with a 14.8 per cent share, back 0.8 points, while the ABC has grown 0.4 points to a 7.1 per cent share.
Kyle’s audience ‘leaving radio’
Mark Noakes, a radio veteran who previously held roles on Triple M and 2GB, told B&T it appears that younger audiences are leaving Sydney radio after Kyle & Jackie O’s departure.
“Nobody else seems to be benefiting. It appears that Kyle’s audience, which tends to skew younger, could leave radio,” he said.
“Love him or hate him, Kyle Sandilands is a brilliant broadcaster who attracts ears and has a proven track record with Jackie O of delivering large audiences. Now that he is not on air people will move on. Kiis FM has lost the people that love him.”
Noakes believes that ARN had little choice but to act because of the advertising backlash against Kiis caused by the Mad Fucking Witches, but ARN will now have to rebuild its Sydney breakfast audience from scratch.
“It gets to a point where it’s commercial radio and if you can’t run commercials you’ve got to do something,” Noakes said.
“One could argue the way it was handled wasn’t best, but they had an opportunity and took it.”
Noakes believes ARN is stuck in a legal holding pattern while a legal battle with Jackie O continues.
Until then, ARN chiefs can’t install a permanent line-up to succeed Kyle & Jackie O.
Another bet, making Gold FM’s Christian O’Connell a national breakfast show has also had a stuttering start.
“They have serious line up issues and the changes they are making are creating more problems,” Noakes added.
Hold onto your cornflakes
In Melbourne, an exciting breakfast battle has emerged between Fox FM’s Fifi, Fev & Nick and Nova 100’s Jase, Lauren & Clint.
The Foxy trio grew their share by 0.5 points to 10 per cent, but were overtaken by the Nova triumphant, who grew 1 point to a 10.4 per cent share.
Over on Gold, Christian O’Connell had the biggest slump, dropping 1.3 points to an 8.7 per cent share.
Meanwhile on talkback, 3AW’s Ross and Russel dominate yet again, after growing their share by 1 point to 20.1 per cent.
It’s neck & neck in Brisvegas
Brisbane is arguably the most competitive breakfast FM market. The Stav, Abby & Matt breakfast show continues to lead the pack, growing their share by half a point to 13.9 per cent share.
They’ve opened up a gap to TripleM’s Marto, Margaux and Dan, who shed 2.2 points to 10.8 per cent share, and now lead Kiis FM’s Robin
Bailey, Kip Wightman and Corey Oates (12.2 per cent) Nova’s Nick, Lutsy and Susie O’Neil (12 per cent).
Nova’s serves up ear candy in Perth
One of the more remarkable moves in this radio ratings period has been Nova’s meteoric rise across all day parts in Perth.
Breakfast up 1.3 points. Morning up 2 points. Afternoon up 3.3 points. Drive up 0.2. Evening up 1 point.
Remarkably, they’ve grown their share of 10-17 year olds by 8.4 points to a 36.9 per cent share.
Nova’s Nathan, Nat & Shaun (pictured below) dominate breakfast, growing their share by 1.3 points to 19 per cent.
Across the day Nova has a 16.9 per cent share, well above Mix FM’s 13.4 per cent and Gold’s 12.8 per cent.
Check out the latest radio survey for Adelaide…
