Newcastle’s 4th radio survey for the year has been released. In a turbulent survey, NXFM was the biggest winner, up 2.0 share points and 2HD was the biggest loser, down 2.8 share points.

KOFM retained top spot in the market, increasing its share by 0.9 to 21.2%, with gains in the 25-54 demographics. KO gained in all shifts except afternoons, with good increases in nights and weekends.

KOFM’s breakfast team, David and Tanya were top breakfast team in the market with a 24.5 share.

Stablemate NXFM regained second place, jumping 2.0 share points to 20.4%, pushing 2HD back into third. NX gained strongly in the 18-24 demographic, especially in the evening timeslot, which increased by 5.7 share points. All other shifts on NX also rose.

During the survey NXFM’s Drive presenter resigned after being charged with “verbally harassing” rival broadcaster Jim Morrison (real name Paul Fiddler). NXFM’s Drive shift rose by 2.1 share points to 23.5% and is leading in that timeslot. NX FM had the highest weekly cume audience of 16,200 people.

2HD dropped by 2.8 share points to 16.3%, losing most listeners in the 55+ demographic. This fall is similar to the trend that affected talk stations in larger Metro markets this survey. 2HD lost most in its weekend shifts, down 4.3 share points, and was also down in all weekday timeslots.

NEW FM was in fourth place at 10%, down 1.8 share points on last survey, losing most listeners in the 18-24 demographic. NEW dropped in all shifts, down most in afternoons. The Drive shift lost least, down 0.1 share points to 11.3%. NEW breakfast was down 1.7 share points to 8.8%.

Fifth placed 1233ABC gained 0.1 share points to 7.9% with a gain of 3.6 share points in the 55+ demographic. ABC breakfast and weekends were slightly down, with other weekday shifts all increasing.

Triple J was slightly up by 0.1 to 5.7%, increasing at breakfast and drive, but falling in other timeslots. ABC Classic FM scored 2.3%, down by 0.2 on last survey. Radio National was up slightly to 1.5% and NewsRadio was slightly down to 1.3%.

KOFM/NXFM General Manager, Steve Smith told radioinfo: “We’ve been delivering Newcastle’s most entertaining radio for years and attracting more and more loyal listeners which has culminated in today’s overwhelming result.”

KO/NX Program Director Mike Byrne said: “We set clear goals at the start of 2002 when I came back from B105 and the team has achieved all of them with this book. A clear # 1 # 2 25-39, clear #1 # 2 breakfast and a record cume for NX FM od 162,000.”

In Newcastle market movements, New FM Program Director Greg Clarke has resigned to join RG Capital’s Sea FM in Mackay as PD. NX FM and KO FM’S Image Producer Kacey Baker will join the 2Day FM Production Team as the Hot 30 producer for 2003. Baker will be replaced by
NX FM late Night announcer / production assistant Mark Brewer.

A replacement for NX FM Drive Jock “Jimmy” James Ashby
will be announced this week.