2GB has rocketed to number one in Sydney with strong results on weekends and across all shifts giving it a 1.1 share point increase to 12.2%.
With the help of football coverage and a weakened 2UE, 2GB won breakfast (Alan Jones 15.3), Mornings (Ray Hadley 12.2), Evenings (Wilton/Wilshire 12.3) and Weekends (12.9). 2GB dominates the 55+ demographic, but also picked up some new listeners 25-54.
Second placed 2DAY dropped by 1.7 share points to 10.9%, with Nova snapping at its heals on 10.8% (up 0.5). 2DAY lost some 10-17 and 25-39 listeners, while Nova gained in 18-39s.
2DAY was equal third with Nova in the breakfast timeslot on 10.2, while ABC702’s Angela Catterns/AM beat both stations into second breakfast slot with a 12.3 share of the Sydney breakfast audience.
ABC702 crept still further forward overall thanks to slight gains in most shifts.
In sixth place Triple M dropped slightly overall, with slight gains in breakfast, mornings and weekends being offset by a fall in nights. MMM gained some listeners 10-17, but dropped a little in the 18-39 demographics.
WSFM (6.3%) lost 1.0 share points and moved to seventh place, followed by stablemate Mix on 6.8% (down 0.8).
2CH was up 0.2 to 5.9%, followed by Triple J steady on 4.6%, Classic FM on 2.9%, Radio National on 2.9%, NewsRadio at 2.1%, 2KY at 1.5%. And 2SM scored a 100% increase ni its rating this survey, up from 0.3% to 0.6%.
10-17’s was won by 2DAY (30.4) followed by Nova (21.5) and MMM (9.5);
18-24s was won by Nova (30.7) followed by 2DAY (19.9) and MMM (11.9);
Nova (17.7) led the 25-39s demo, followed by 2DAY (13.0) and Triple M (9.9), Triple J (9.7) and Mix (9.2);
40-54s was won by ABC702 (12.2), followed by WSFM (11.9) and 2DAY (11.7);
55+ was won by 2GB (26.7), followed by ABC702 (15.1), 2CH (13.2) and 2UE (13.1).
Nova
“With a full-time radio show, a new TV show on Nine, a recent season of live performances, and the ridiculous demands placed upon them by Nova 969 management, Merrick & Rosso are now spending less time at the pub than ever before,” Nova’s General Manager, Mandi Wicks told Broadcast Professionals website radioinfo.
It seems to be paying off.
The pair of “reforming slackers have arsed their way to being Sydney’s No.1 FM breakfast show” for the first time (rating 10.6%, Mon-Fri 6am-9am).
“More and more people under 40 are kick-starting their day with Merrick & Rosso (23.4% under 40, 7.3% ahead).
With the help of Merrick & Rosso’s unplanned success, Nova 969 has jagged its best station result, with 10.8% overall (up 0.5%),” says Wicks.
Nova’s other highlights this survey are:
· Bianca Dye’s morning show – no.1 FM on 11.7% (Mon-Fri 9am-12pm)
· Kip Wightman’s afternoon show – no.1 overall on 14.2%
(Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm)
· Nova 969 no.1 under 40 on 21.4% (up 0.8% and 4.0% clear)
· Nova 969 no.1 18-24 on 30.7% (up 0.8% and 10.8% clear)
· Nova 969 no.1 25-39 on 17.7% (up 1.2% and 4.7% clear)
Merrick said: “Maybe we could do better if we got our butts out of bed earlier and started at 5.30 like Jonesy….er, then again, maybe not!” Rosso was unavailable for comment – he’s gone fishing.
Austereo
“Overall the Austereo group maintained national leadership in all the key demographics under 40 according to the sixth AC Neilson survey for 2003,” said Austereo’s CEO Michael Anderson.
Sydney’s 2Day FM maintained its position as Australia’s number one FM station overall with Triple M remaining steady.
Michael Anderson, said the Sydney market is “clearly very competitive however we feel confident that our medium to long term strategy will continue to deliver leadership in the Sydney market similar to that obtained in Melbourne.”
Significantly the breakfast show ‘The Cage’ and drive show “The Whole Shebang” recorded strong increases.