“The results will be in line with expectations.”

Every program/content director worth their salt has this phrase in their arsenal of initial responses to questions about survey results: “It’s in line with our expectations.” Good, bad or indifferent, it’s this phrase that endows the user with infinite wisdom.

It gives the impression that while the results may be in the toilet, everything’s under control. Despite the screams of his nubile assistant and blood pouring out of the saw box the magician assures us, “It’s all part of the act folks.”

Tomorrow, for the first time, the official survey will be released to all media at exactly 10:am, under strict embargo. This is about half an hour later than in previous years.

In another timing change, Perth results will be released simultaneously with the other metro markets instead of a couple of hours later, as had previously been the case.

Join us tomorrow at 10 am for the most anticipated survey of the century – arguably the most anticipated in 67 years.

CRA believes there is unprecedented interest in the release of Survey 1, due to GfK becoming the new radio ratings provider, as well as major changes to on-air teams across the country.

Release date for the first of the new radio ratings surveys will be Tuesday March 11.

GfK have put together a  five minute “how radio ratings work” regarding the new radio audience measurement system.

See the video here. 

The CRA Christmas drinks is usually a convivial affair. This one, no exception

The CEOs, senior management and other stakeholders deemed to be important enough to be invited into the private function room of The Dolphin hotel in trendy Surry Hills exchange pleasantries befitting the season and talk about the advertising market in the same way people talk about the weather. It could be sunny or it may rain. Who knows?

This morning's release of Survey 8 will not only be the last survey of the year, but the last ever under the current methodology from Nielsen.

From 2014, a brand new set of numbers will come out via GfK.

If that, in itself, is not enough to pique the interest of broadcast professionals, then the unprecedented talent movement among prime shifts on major metro stations will be enthralling.

Opinion from Peter Saxon

The euphoria of having won the business to measure radio audiences in Australia from a 66 year incumbent must be starting to subside for GfK if it hasn’t been well and truly dampened already.

By now reality is setting in. The hours are long, the work is hard. There’ll be a short break for Christmas and then stress levels are likely to rise as the release date for the first survey on 11 March 2014 draws nearer.

The survey schedule for 2014 has been released by Commercial Radio Australia, with surveys to be conducted by GfK from next year.

The metro surveys are in line with previous survey dates, but there will be more surveys in Newcastle, Canberra and the Gold Coast.

Other regional markets are also expected to have more surveys as a results of GfK's new methodology.

See below, or click here for the full survey listing.