Ratings survey 2 results have been released. Click on the ‘Nielsen Ratings’ tab in the left margin for overall figures.

Demographics and dayparts are now available from the Nielsen site (see link at the bottom of this page or click thru from the green Nielsen logo).

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The survey covered the period February 16 to March 22, including the build-up to war in Iraq and the start of the US attack on March 20.

Commercial talk stations have benefited by coverage of the Iraq conflict this survey, but most ABC local radio stations seem to have slipped, perhaps as a result of too much war coverage or perhaps a result of the end of the cricket season, which often sees a reshuffling of ABC listeners.

In Sydney, 2DAY FM regained top spot scoring 11.7% (up 0.2). 2DAY breakfast was second behind 2GB’s Alan Jones and the station had good increases in the 10-17 demographic.

2GB slipped into second place overall, down 1.4 share points with a cume of 838,000 weekly listeners. Alan Jones’ breakfast was still dominant, a clear 5 share points ahead of nearest rival 2DAY, but Ray Hadley’s mornings slipped behind 2UE’s John Laws. Laws opened his 11am hour with a “you did it again, you’re number one” John Williamson jingle, but made no other comment on his resurgence. Over at 2GB Hadley acknowledged the result and congratulated Laws. 2GB lost most listeners from the 55+ demographic.

Nova moved into third place with 9.2%, up 0.6 from last survey, with strong gains 18-24 and increases in all daytime shifts. 2UE was in fourth place on 8.9, scoring the biggest jump in the survey to bring it back from the low ranking position it held last survey. Stan Zemanek’s night shift benefited the station directly, almost doubling the night ratings from last survey (up 4.4), and also indirectly by helping flow more listeners to Steve Price’s breakfast, which also increased (up 1.4). The increased amount of talk on 2UE’s weekends seems to have paid off this survey, lifting weekends by 2.6, while the preseason football coverage has not kicked in yet to assist 2GB on weekends (down 1.9).

2CH was in fifth place on 7.8, continuing its consistent climb, up 0.7, with gains in all shifts except drive. ABC 702 and WSFM also tied for fifth place. ABC702 dropped into 1.2 share points overall, but still held third position in breakfast despite losses in all shifts. WS FM was up 0.6 on last survey, also to 7.8%. WSFM’s new breakfast show with Jonesey and Kaley seems to have bedded in and gained 1.1 share points to 7.3 share points, all other weekday shifts also gained. Cumes for the three stations are 101.7WSFM 663,000, ABC702 631,000 and 2CH 398,000.

Triple M continued to fall, down slightly by 0.2 share points to 7.4%. Breakfast was up for Triple M, while other shifts dropped. Triple M has cut back on promotions recently, taking a lower profile to the Today network. Mix 106.5 dropped 0.1 to 7.2%, with slight gains in daytime shifts negated by losses in drive and evenings.

Triple J was down 0.6 to 3.7%, followed by Classic FM on 2.5%, Radio National and 2KY on 2.2%, NewsRadio on 1.9% and 2SM steady on 0.6%.

In Melbourne, 3AW consolidated its top position, gaining a further 1.6 share points to an overall share of 15.3%. Derryn Hinch’s drive jumped 3.3 share points, a clear number one in that timeslot, and all other shifts except evenings increased. 3AW was number one in all daytime shifts. ABC talk station 774 was in second spot, down 1.4 to 11.7% overall. ABC774 experienced a fall in 55+ but was steady in other demographics. Red Symonds 774 breakfast show was second placed in the market, down 1.6 to a 14.9 breakfast share. Weekends lost 3.0 share points on ABC774, but evenings were up.

Third placed Fox FM dropped 0.2 to to 11.3%, gaining 10-17s but dropping some 25-39s. Fox breakfast increased by 1.0, but most other shifts were down. Nova 100 was fourth placed on 9.8%, up 0.1, picking up more 25-39s to move to number one in that demographic. All shifts except nights were up slightly.

Gold 104.3 was down 0.6 to 9.1% with slight losses across all shifts. 3MMM increased by 0.2 to 7.6%, gaining listeners 18-24, but losing some 10-17s. At work shifts dropped for Triple M, but all other shifts rose. Magic 693 gained 0.4 to 6.5%, up by 1.2 share points in mornings. All other shifts except breakfast also rose on Magic 693. Mix 101.3 fell 0.3 to 6.0%, with falls in the ‘at work’ timeslots.

Triple J was down 0.1 to 4.1%, followed by 3MP on 2.6% (up 0.3), Sport 927 on 2.1% (up 0.4), Radio National on 2.0%, Classic FM on 1.6%. 3AK steady on 1.5% and NewsRadio on 1.4%.

In Brisbane, B105 continued market leadership, up a further 1.2 share points to 17.4% with good gains in Drive and Evenings and increases in other shifts except mornings. Second placed New 97.3 edged closer to B105, gaining a further 1.7 share points to 14.1% with gains 18-24 and increases in all shifts, especially evenings.

FM104MMM was in third place, down 1.5 to 12.5%, with losses 18-24 and dips in all shifts. 4KQ scored fourth place with 10.5% (down 0.4) losing listeners in most shifts except morning and afternoon. 4BC was down 0.3 to 9.2%, with gains in the 40-54 demographic offset by losses 55+.

ABC612 was down 0.5 to 8.5%, with losses in all shifts except evenings. 4BH dropped 0.2 to 7.0%, with its slight gains in daytime shifts being offset by falls in drive, nights and weekends.

Triple J was down 0.2 to 6.3%, Radio National was steady on 2.8%, and Classic FM scored 2.3%. NewsRadio was down 0.4 to 1.1%.

In Adelaide, SAFM continued in top spot with 23.1%, up 0.2, gaining further in the younger demographics and scoring a good increase of 2.2 share points in breakfast. Second placed 5AA gained 1.4, jumping to 15.0% with a significant increase in the 55+ demographic. 5AA had increases in most shifts, most significantly drive, which was up 3.1 share points.

5MMM gained 0.9 in third place at 14.8%. Triple M had good gains in all younger demographics and increases in all shifts. Mix 102.3 gained 0.8 share points, in fourth place at 12.1%. Mix increased its 40+ demographics and showed gains in ‘at work’ shifts and on weekends. ABC891 was down 1.5 to 9.2% with losses across most shifts except nights, down most in breakfast and on weekends.

Triple J was down 1.0 to 7.7%, followed by 5DN, up 0.4 to 4.8%. Classic Fm scored 2.4%, followed by Radio national on 2.2% and NewsRadio on 1.7%.

In Perth, Mix 94.5 retained a good lead, down 0.4 to 23.9%, with gains in all weekday shifts, but a drop on weekends. Second placed ABC720 cut away from the tied pack of last survey, gaining 0.7 to 11.5%, with a drop in breakfast, but gains in all other shifts.

Third placed 96fm was down 0.1 to 10.8%, with losses in the 25-39 demographic and slight drops in most shifts except afternoons. 92.9 was fourth placed on 10.3, down 0.6 to 10.3% losing most listeners form the 10-17 demographic.

Nova dropped 1.7 from its strong first survey figure, moving to fifth place with 9.1%, gaining 10-17s, but dropping in other younger demographics. 6PR was up 0.5 to 8.3%, gaining in most shifts except drive and evenings.

6IX was up 0.4 to 6.9%, gaining 25-54s, but dropping some 55+ listeners. 6IX was up in all weekday shifts. Triple J dropped 0.3 to 5.2%, followed by Classic FM on 2.5%, Radio National on 1.9% and NewsRadio on 1.1%.

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Commercial Radio Australia’s analysis of the survey shows the average weekly time spent listening to national AM commercial stations rose to 17 hours and 19 minutes compared with 16 hours and 58 minutes in the same period in 2002.

“Radio has played a key part in reporting on the conflict in Iraq and it has also provided a forum for people to voice their views on a topic of great importance to the Australian
community,” said Commercial Radio Australia’s CEO Joan Warner.

“Radio’s strengths in times of crisis are its greater immediacy and portability, which allows people to keep up with breaking news whether they are at home, in the car or at work.”

Warner said the average number of people listening (each quarter hour) to commercial AM stations rose to 462,000 in the period surveyed in 2003 from 446,000 in 2002.

“The biggest increase in time spent listening to commercial AM talk stations was during the afternoon, with many people listening while at work. The 25-39 age group
showed the most change, with average amount of time spent listening to commercial AM stations during the week at 10 hours 58 minutes, up from 9 hours 19 minutes in 2002.”

Warner told radioinfo a study on radio’s key role during a crisis, released last year by international market research firm Arbitron, found that around one third of Americans believed they were spending more time with radio since the September 11 attacks, and many more voiced their support for radio, with over half feeling that radio helped them deal with the crisis and its
aftermath.

Austereo

In a country hungry for news and current affairs, “Austereo is exceptionally happy with its results in the second survey” according to Austereo’s Group Program Director, Jeff Allis.

“The obvious fact is that we are not a news network, our product is entertainment so for most of our stations to hold their audiences and in some cases move ahead, is fantastic. Consider breakfast in Sydney, where 2DAY FM’s new breakfast combination of Wendy and Fleety have really clicked with listeners and lifted to second place with 10.8%,” Allis told radioinfo.

2DAY FM recorded 11.7% 10+, to be number one overall, and the number one music station in Australia’s biggest radio market for the 10th consecutive survey.

In Melbourne, FOX FM’s breakfast team Tracy & Matt also had “a remarkable result, lifting 1.0% to move to 11.5%.” Overall, FOX FM remains Melbourne’s number one music station.

“We have increased our news content somewhat given the circumstances but for music and entertainment shows to record these type of lifts given the international circumstance is very, very good,” said Allis.

Austereo’s results in Perth are also significant. “MIX 94.5 remains Perth’s favourite radio station by far with double the audience of its nearest rival and has seen the much heralded newcomer to the market go backwards.”

In Adelaide, Austereo’s SAFM and Triple M both recorded increases to remain the city’s number one and two music stations respectively.

Brisbane’s B105 gained 1.2% 10+ to increase its lead at the top of the ratings. Sister station Triple M “remains number one in the key sales demographic of 25-39 year olds.”

2GB

2GB GM George Buschman told radioinfo: “I’m totally relaxed about the results. 2UE seems to have had a strange glitch last survey which saw their TSL go down, but it is back up again this time. As for us, we are sitting about where we want to be and I’m comfortable about that.”

Nova 96.9 Sydney

The Merrick & Rosso breakfast show “has snared its best result ever” in the survey 2 results.

The breakfast share has increased to 8.3 6am-9am (up from 7.8), and they are #1 in the all-important 18-34 demographic.

Overall, Nova 969’s station share has jumped to 9.2 (up from 8.6) – “our second-best result ever.”

General Manager Mandi Wicks told radioinfo: “Nova 969 turns 2 today and there’s no better way to do it… Across the day, Nova 969 has strengthened. Bianca Dye is up a point in mornings, Kip is up 0.9 and Rabbit is up 1.1 points in the drive-time program.”

“Nova 969 is a clear #1 18-24 after a 20% increase in this demographic. We are second in the 18-34 demographic by just 0.2%!”

“Nova 969 is now the most listened to radio station at workplaces in Sydney and that’s a fantastic feeling,” said Program Director Scott Muller.

Merrick & Rosso will be leading the pass the parcel at Nova 969’s “terrible twos” party this afternoon and there’ll be extra lashings of fairy bread and chocolate crackles to celebrate a great result.

Nova 100

More listeners under the age of 40 listen to Nova 100 than any other Melbourne radio station.

“The under 40 audience may be a little war weary and looking for that balance between entertainment and information,” said Nova’s General Manager, Fiona Cameron.

“We are pleasantly surprised by this result and really happy to be the preferred radio station for audiences aged 18 to 24, 25-39 and 18 to 39.”

“We fluked it…pretty simple really,” Program Director, Dan Bradley told radioinfo!

Nova 93.7 Perth

“In just its second official radio survey, Nova 93.7 has maintained its stranglehold on Perth’s 18-34 year old listeners, increasing its lead over the No 2 station in this vital demographic,” according to GM Gary Roberts.

“In a survey affected by war and the world cup, where all FM music stations lost share to news/talk/sport stations, Nova 93.7 remained solid in its core audience,” said Roberts.

Nova 93.7 is Perth’s “number one station with 10-17 year olds, 18-24s and 18-34s, males 18-34 and under 35 year olds.”

4BC

Talk 1116 Brisbane’s 4BC “leaped further ahead of the national broadcaster as war broke out in Iraq,” in this survey.

In the key timeslots of Breakfast and Morning, 4BC “led the way for news and information.” Breakfast with John Miller and Ross Davie is now “Number One AM and Number One for listeners aged 30+, with a solid 11.6 share.”

John Laws (9am-noon), Brian Bury (12-3pm) and Chris Adams (3-6pm) “all increased their leads over the ABC, making them each the Number One choice for news and information.”

Sports Today with Greg Cary “enjoyed a resurgence with the return of the NRL, the lead-up to the AFL season and our World Cup cricket success.” It achieved the highest audience share in the 6-8pm timeslot in two-and-a–half-years, and now Number One AM.

And at night, “Brisbane continued to enjoy the entertainment from Ian Maurice (8pm-midnight),” who achieved a strong 12.6 share, making him Number One for listeners over 40.

“More listeners tuned to Brisbane’s 4BC each week compared to Survey 1 (every other AM station dropped), and our listeners remain the most loyal in Brisbane, staying tuned for a massive 16 hours and 11 minutes a week.”

The survey, which tracked listenership between February 16 and March 22, showed 4BC widened the gap with the national broadcaster. This five week period included “the final stages of diplomacy” and culminated on the first day of the Allies’ “shock and awe” campaign. It also included the anti-war protests in Brisbane, World Cup cricket and Shane Warne’s 12-month ban, heavy rain throughout Queensland, the brutal murder of a prostitute at Bald Hills and the massive oil spill at Lytton.

General Manager David McDonald told radioinfo: “We’ve shown consistency in all our programming and presentation, and the results are there today. We remain committed to bring the Brisbane community the latest news, opinions and entertainment every day.”