The Kyle and Jackie O hangover is only getting worse in Sydney as KIIS 1065’s breakfast slot shed an enormous 3.5 percentage points in Survey 3, the steepest single-survey drop for the slot since the pair’s departure.
This survey covers 1 March to 4 April and 19 April to 23 May 2026, marking the second full survey period without the controversial duo on Sydney airwaves following their on-air break up in February.
Sydney – Christian O’Connell gains most
KIIS 1065 breakfast fell from 11.7 to 8.2, a punishing 3.5 point drop for fill-in presenter Mike E as Sydney listeners look elsewhere for the breakfast radio fix. The main beneficiary in this survey is ARN stablemate GOLD FM. The Christian O’Connell show, which is relatively new to Sydney audiences picked up 1.7 points to rise to 7.2 per cent share. Nova’s Ricki-Lee and Tim climbed 0.5 percentage points to 9.5 and Triple M’s Beau, Cat and Woodsy gained 0.9 percentage points to 6.4.
On talkback, 2GB’s Ben Fordham remains the dominant force at 15.6, despite slipping 1.2 percentage points from the last survey.
“We’re seeing strong momentum across all of our markets, particularly at a time of significant industry change. Sydney Breakfast continues to hold its own, while we lead with the most listened to breakfast shows across Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, alongside strong growth in Brisbane and a solid national performance across the day. These results are a clear endorsement of the content our teams are delivering and the connection we’re continuing to build with audiences” said Nova Network group programming director Brendan Taylor.
In the drive slot, GOLD101.7 was the standout mover, jumping 3.3 percentage points to 12.2, the biggest gain of any Sydney station in the slot. Nova also saw a small increase of 0.4 percentage points up to 10.1. Smoothfm held steady at 11.5, jumping just 0.1 percentage point.
Melbourne
KIIS’s Mike E continued to slide in Melbourne, albeit a more modest 0.4 percentage points to 4.8. Nova dipped slightly in breakfast but smoothfm was a quiet mover, gaining 0.8 percentage points across the full day to sit at 10.0.
On talkback, 3AW’s Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft continued their stranglehold on the Melbourne market, leading breakfast with a 19.1 share.
“These results are a remarkable display of our national momentum, delivering our largest audience in almost two years and highlighting our broad engagement. With 2GB and 3AW holding the number one breakfast shows in the biggest markets, and our ever increasing dominance in streaming, it confirms Australians rely on our live and local news, opinion, and entertainment. We thank them for choosing us to kick-start their morning and joining the conversation throughout the day.” Nine Radio national content manager Greg Byrnes said.
In drive, smoothfm led the Melbourne market at 9.7 despite slipping 0.4 points, while SEN 1116am was the session’s biggest mover, jumping 2.4 percentage points to 5.2. Nova 100 also gained ground, up 0.7 percentage points to 9.5.
Brisbane
Nova 106.9 was the breakfast winner in Brisbane, up 2.3 percentage points, while 4BH is making its move in the drive slot with a 2.2 percentage point gain. Triple M is sliding in both, down a percentage point in breakfast and nearly three in drive.
Adelaide
FIVEaa is the breakfast mover in Adelaide, up 0.5 a percentage point and holding strong at 11.3. In Drive, SAFM was South Australia’s quiet achiever up 1.5 per centage points to 11.1. KIIS1023 is building momentum across both breakfast and drive.
Perth
Nova 93.7 won the breakfast slot in Perth at 17.7 despite slipping 0.2 percentage points. MIX 94.5 climbed up 0.8 percentage points in breakfast and 2.2 in drive. GOLD 96FM is worth watching too, gaining across most sessions.
“In uncertain times, audiences turn to what they trust. Week after week, listeners choose commercial radio for news, entertainment and connection. That consistency matters. It gives brands the opportunity to reach Australians at scale while building the kind of trusted relationships that drive long-term results,” said CRA chief executive Lizzie Young.
