i98 topped the Wollongong survey, released today. Wave was in second place, followed by ABC97.3. The survey was conducted between Sun October 24 – Sat November 13, 2010.

i98 gained 1.9 share points, consolidating its leading market position on 23.0%. The station increased its hold on the younger audience with a strong gain in the 10-17 demographic and good gains 18-24, but lost some of its 25-39 year old listeners. i98 won all shifts in the market, with good gains in drive and evenings offsetting a slight fall in Marty and Bianca’s breakfast.

Wave lost 1.3 share points overall, dropping to 17.9%, but easily retaining second place in the market. The station lost three quarters of its 10-17 listeners, who went to i98 and to triple j and a slight gain in 18-24 year olds was not enough to make up for the drop in the younger demographic. Wave lost share in all shifts, but was particularly hit hard in Drive and breakfast, which lost the most audience this survey.

ABC Local station FM 97.3 gained 0.5 share points overall to 15.0% on the back of a good increase in listeners aged over 65. 97.3 lost audience in mornings and afternoons, but gained in all other shifts.

Fourth placed triple j gained 1.4 share points to 7.2%, with that strong increase in 10-17 year olds pinched from Wave. All shifts except weekends gained for triple j.

Power FM, which is a local south coast station, but only heard in some parts of the survey area, gained 0.9 to 3.4%. It improved in its younger demographics and gained share in drive, evenings and weekends.

All the Sydney stations are heard in at least some of the survey area and are listed in the results. Notable Sydney station movements include drops for 2GB and 2CH, but not much other significant movement for Sydney stations.

SPIN CYCLE