urgh - Melbourne slowing warming to K&J?
Christian O’Connell regained the title of Melbourne’s No.1 FM breakfast show from Nova’s Jase and Lauren, albeit by 0.1. Otherwise it was a poor result for Gold 104, losing shares in other timeslots except weekday drive.
Fox, KIIS and Triple M all increased their shares at breakfast. ABC’s Sharnelle and Bob dropped 1.3 however.
3AW rebounded from last survey, with gains in every timeslot except weekday evenings (the station broadcast AFL matches on Thursday evenings which might have affected the result).
ABC’s evenings host David Astle posted the biggest ratings increase of the survey in Melbourne, up 3.2 to 10.1. The station also broadcast AFL matches in the timeslot on Thursdays and Fridays.
In terms of demographics, Nova remained on top in 10-17 and 25-39 while suffering big falls in 18-24 and 40-54.
KIIS in Sydney is No.1 with the 10-17, 18-24, 25-39 and 40-54 demographics.
I know that today’s 40-54 Gen X’ers have more in common with the average teenager’s taste in music than say the average 45 year old did in 1990. But still…winning all those demographics is phenomenal.
I don’t think there was a Sydney radio station that ever did this so consistently. Not 2SM in the 70s, 2UW or MMM in the 80s or 2DayFM in the 90s - and they had fewer music stations to compete against.
It must be a dream to sell to advertisers.
Here are the overall ratings in ranking order.
Sydney
| Rank | Station | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smooth | 11.8 | -0.5 |
| 2 | 2GB | 11.4 | -0.2 |
| 3 | KIIS | 11.1 | +0.7 |
| Commercial DAB+ | 9.0 | +0.4 | |
| Other AM/FM | 8.3 | +0.4 | |
| 4 | Gold | 7.9 | -0.6 |
| 5 | Nova | 7.4 | +0.4 |
| 6 | ABC Sydney | 5.6 | -0.1 |
| 7 | 2MMM | 5.5 | +0.1 |
| 8 | 2JJJ | 4.3 | +0.4 |
| 9 | 2Day | 4.1 | -0.2 |
| 10 | ABC Classic | 2.7 | +0.2 |
| 11 | 2UE | 2.4 | -1.1 |
| ABC DAB+ | 2.4 | +0.4 | |
| 12 | ABC Newsradio | 1.8 | +0.2 |
| 13 | Sky Sports Radio | 1.4 | +0.2 |
| =14 | 2RN | 1.1 | -.0.1 |
| =14 | SEN | 1.1 | +0.2 |
| Other DAB+ | 0.7 | -1.1 |
Melbourne
| Rank | Station | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3AW | 13.5 | +1.6 |
| 2 | Gold | 11.2 | -0.9 |
| 3 | Smooth | 9.8 | +0.1 |
| =4 | Fox FM | 8.2 | -0.1 |
| =4 | 3MMM | 8.2 | +0.5 |
| 6 | Nova | 8.1 | -0.6 |
| Commercial DAB+ | 7.3 | -0.8 | |
| 7 | ABC Melbourne | 5.8 | -0.1 |
| 8 | KIIS | 5.6 | +0.1 |
| 9 | SEN | 4.3 | +0.1 |
| Other AM/FM | 3.7 | -0.6 | |
| 10 | 3JJJ | 3.1 | +0.2 |
| 11 | 3RN | 2.2 | +0.1 |
| =12 | ABC Classic | 1.7 | -0.3 |
| =12 | Magic | 1.7 | -0.2 |
| =12 | ABC Newsradio | 1.7 | -0.1 |
| =12 | 3MP | 1.7 | +0.7 |
| ABC DAB+ | 1.6 | +0.5 | |
| Other DAB+ | 0.6 | -0.2 |
Brisbane
| Rank | Station | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4MMM | 12.9 | -0.4 |
| 2 | B105 | 11.8 | -0.4 |
| 3 | Nova | 10.6 | +0.3 |
| Commercial DAB+ | 10.6 | +0.2 | |
| Other AM/FM | 10.1 | -1.3 | |
| 4 | 4BH | 8.6 | -1.5 |
| 5 | KIIS973 | 8.5 | -0.8 |
| 6 | ABC Brisbane | 7.0 | +1.2 |
| 7 | 4JJJ | 5.2 | +0.7 |
| 8 | 4BC | 4.8 | -0.2 |
| 9 | ABC Classic | 2.5 | +0.8 |
| ABC DAB+ | 2.0 | 0.0 | |
| 10 | ABC Newsradio | 1.7 | +0.4 |
| 11 | 4RN | 1.6 | +0.1 |
| Other DAB+ | 1.5 | +1.0 | |
| 12 | SENQ | 0.6 | -0.1 |
Adelaide
| Rank | Station | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5MMM | 14.0 | +0.9 |
| 2 | Mix 102.3 | 13.2 | -0.3 |
| 3 | Nova | 11.2 | -0.5 |
| 4 | FiveAA | 8.9 | +0.5 |
| Commercial DAB+ | 8.8 | -0.7 | |
| Other AM/FM | 8.8 | +0.4 | |
| 5 | SAFM | 7.9 | -0.3 |
| 6 | Cruise | 7.2 | +0.9 |
| 7 | ABC Adelaide | 6.9 | -0.7 |
| 8 | 5JJJ | 4.5 | -0.3 |
| 9 | ABC Classic | 2.2 | +0.4 |
| 10 | ABC Newsradio | 1.9 | +0.2 |
| ABC DAB+ | 1.6 | -0.3 | |
| 11 | 5RN | 1.6 | 0.0 |
| Other DAB+ | 1.3 | -0.2 |
Perth
| Rank | Station | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nova | 13.7 | +1.4 |
| 2 | 96fm | 13.1 | -1.7 |
| 3 | Mix 94.5 | 11.2 | -1.2 |
| Other AM/FM | 10.9 | +2.1 | |
| 4 | 6MMM | 10.0 | -0.9 |
| Commercial DAB+ | 8.8 | +0.1 | |
| 5 | ABC Perth | 6.9 | +0.6 |
| 6 | 6JJJ | 5.8 | -0.3 |
| 7 | 6PR | 5.5 | -1.2 |
| 8 | 6iX | 5.5 | 0.0 |
| 9 | ABC Classic | 2.4 | 0.0 |
| 10 | ABC Newsradio | 2.0 | +0.7 |
| ABC DAB+ | 1.8 | +0.1 | |
| Other DAB+ | 1.3 | -0.2 | |
| 11 | 6RN | 1.1 | +0.5 |
In Brisbane 97.3’s slide continues dropping below 4BH and well behind the other FM stations. Good increase for ABC - all stations gaining while all commercials except Nova are down to some extent.
SAFM is still an issue for SCA. Can’t seem to turn it around, sizable gap between them and the others well above them.
Interesting to see 2GB number 2 again in Sydney.
Brisbane with +10% “other AMFM” and the biggest DAB commercial ratings suggests a certain format is missing in the market 
Yes I wonder what that could be.
97.3 is turning into a disaster. Even with a bit of a drop this survey, 4BH is still beating them
6PR is the weakest of the Nine metro radio stations trailing even behind JJJ in the west. ABC Perth is the king of AM radio with the Big Three FM radio stations dominant and no clear no.1 between Nova and 96FM
3AW No.1 In Melbourne 2GB No.1 Talk In Sydney
TOTAL RADIO
3AW has surged to the No.1 spot in Melbourne’s radio market, achieving a leading 13.5 share and a significant 1.6 percentage point increase from the last survey.
The station’s powerful performance continues across key shifts including No.1 in Breakfast with a 20.1 share (up 2.9), No.1 in Mornings with 14.6 (up 0.7), Afternoons 10.6 (up 3.0), Drive 10.0 (up 1.4) and Evenings with Dennis Walter, the clear No.1 with 17.5.
2GB dominates the talk market in Sydney with a 11.4 share. Ben Fordham Live remains the undisputed No.1 in Breakfast talk with a 14.2 share, and the station’s success in talk extends across the day, including the key Mornings shift with Mark Levy recording a strong 11.5 share.
With the footy finals season in full swing, Nine Radio’s live commentary and analysis has captivated listeners, cementing its position as the No.1 choice across the weekend for both AFL and NRL fans on 3AW and 2GB.
The dominance of Nine Radio’s sports coverage is powered by an elite line-up of commentators and analysts who bring unmatched passion, insight, and experience to the airwaves.
Greg Byrnes, Nine’s National Content Manager, said: “The 3AW result today is stunning with gains right across the day and a big increase in listeners 40+. In Sydney, 2GB’s audience is holding firm and the station remains the clear number for talk and entertainment.”
“If you’re not listening to our live commentary and analysis of football right across the week you’re missing out and these figures show we’re the clear number one for coverage of both the AFL and NRL.”
| COMMERCIAL RADIO SHARE | TOTAL RADIO CUME |
|---|---|
| 16.0 (4 markets) | 1.608 million listeners each week |
STREAMING
Nine Radio is the undisputed leader in commercial streaming, commanding a massive 28.6% national share.
Melbourne’s 3AW and Sydney’s 2GB lead the charge, delivering streaming shares of 32.3% and 29.3% respectively.
Nine’s dominance extends across all key programs, setting the standard for digital audio and solidifying its position as the definitive choice for listeners seeking live, local, and compelling content on any device.
- Ben Fordham Live: 39.6%
- Breakfast with Ross and Russel: 54.0%
- Mornings with Tom Elliott: 34.8%
- Mornings with Mark Levy: 32.6%
Greg Byrnes said: “Each day, right across the country, more and more listeners are connecting with our talk content via a digital device. Our new audio sync feature is up and running in time for the footy finals, allowing listeners to fine tune their audio experience while watching the game. We’re really proud of our digital platform and that’s reflected in our dominance of the audio streaming market.”
| COMMERCIAL STREAMING SHARE | STREAMING CUME |
|---|---|
| 28.6 | 385,000 |
PODCASTS
Nine Podcast Network recorded steady momentum in July, with listeners up 1% year-on-year to 1.65 million. This growth was matched by strong download figures, reaching 4.05 million for the month.
The network’s success is driven by a powerhouse lineup of shows that consistently connect with audiences. News, True Crime, and Current Affairs led the way, with significant year-on-year growth:
- Nine News surged by 97% year-on-year to 188,000 listeners, making it the top original podcast.
- The Mushroom Trial: Say Grace was a breakout hit with 151,000 listeners.
- The Morning Edition maintained its steady listenership with 120,000.
Nine Radio’s catch-up podcasts also saw impressive growth, with listeners increasing 8% month-on-month:
- Ben Fordham Live grew by 26% month-on-month to 202,000 listeners.
- 3AW Mornings with Tom Elliott and 3AW Breakfast with Ross and Russel both delivered 47,000 listeners.
Rachel Fountain, Nine’s Head of Podcasts, said: “It’s wonderful to see continued growth in our traditional heartland of News, Sport and True Crime in July.” “Year-on-year listener growth of 97% for the Nine News podcast, 60% year-on-year for AFL podcast Eddie & Jimmy and 83% year-on-year for the clever crime series Motive & Method is especially encouraging. Our wellness and lifestyle podcasts are also resonating with listeners, with 33% year-on-year growth for Prime Time with Bec Wilson.
“It’s also pleasing to see listeners to our Nine Radio catch-up radio podcasts grow by 8% month-on-month to 718,000.
“Finally, we’re especially thrilled to welcome two new shows to the podcast family this month. The Contrarians with Adam and Adir and Future Women’s Leadership Series, with Helen McCabe have joined Nine’s burgeoning slate of business and finance podcasts, which already includes the highly respected AFR podcasts.”
| JULY 25 TOTAL DOWNLOADS | JULY 25 TOTAL LISTENERS |
|---|---|
| 4.05 million | 1.65 million |
Source: GfK Radio360 Ratings, Survey 5 2025, Mon-Sun 5.30am-12MN, Market Share % Total, Market Share Streaming %, Commercial Streaming Share %, Cume (000s) Total and Streaming, 3AW Breakfast Mon-Fri 5.30am-8.30am, 3AW Mornings 8.30am-12pm, AP10+, Nine Radio – 2GB, 3AW, 4BC, 6PR, unless otherwise specified.
Source: Triton Podcast Metrics, July 2025, Downloads, Listeners, Nine Entertainment, unless otherwise specified.
NORMAL SERVICE RESUMED:
3AW RETURNS TO NO. 1
AUDIENCE GROWTH ACROSS BREAKFAST, MORNINGS, AFTERNOONS & DRIVE
Normal service has been emphatically resumed at 3AW, with the station returning to its dominant No. 1 position in the GfK Radio Ratings for Survey 5 released today.
Securing a commanding 13.5 overall share, the result marks a decisive return to the top, driven by significant audience growth across breakfast, mornings, afternoons, drive and football.
As the voice of Melbourne, 3AW’s agenda-setting mix of news and opinion connects with 675,000 people every week.
3AW’s No. 1 success is anchored by the sheer dominance of its breakfast and morning lineup, with Ross & Russ and Tom Elliott decisively winning their timeslots.
In breakfast, Ross & Russ have delivered a historic result, surging to a phenomenal 20.1 share - up 2.9 and more than double their nearest competitor. Their incredible performance connects with 436,000 listeners weekly, while their digital dominance is absolute, capturing a staggering 54% of commercial streaming.
The winning momentum flows directly into mornings, with Tom Elliott cementing his status as the No. 1 voice in the timeslot. His agenda-setting program captured a dominant 14.6 share (up 0.7) and connects with 419,000 listeners each week. This leadership extends across all platforms, commanding an impressive 34.8% of commercial streaming.
The afternoon slot saw a massive surge in listening, with Tony Moclair jumping an incredible 3 share points to a 10.6 share. It’s clear his unique blend of engaging discussion and high listener interaction is resonating more strongly than ever with Melburnians.
Powering Melbourne home, Jacqui Felgate breaks back into double-digits in drive with a fantastic 10 share. Fuelled by a significant 1.4 point gain, the result is her best since Survey 1 and makes her program the final word on the day’s news.
Once again, Denis Walter proves he is Melbourne’s favourite evening companion, with his program achieving a massive 17.5 share. This result solidifies his status as the city’s No. 1 choice, proving that when night falls, Melbourne tunes to Denis.
Darren James continues to be a cherished weekend ritual for Melburnians, with his show once again confirmed as the city’s undisputed No. 1 for Saturday and Sunday mornings.
3AW Football continues its unbeatable run, delivering a clean sweep of the weekend’s footy coverage. The team was the clear No. 1 broadcast on both Thursday and Friday nights and secured the overall win as Melbourne’s most-listened-to call across the entire weekend (Thurs-Sun).
3AW Station Manager Stephen Beers said: “This is a result built on the powerful connection we share with our listeners. I couldn’t be prouder of the team who nurture that bond every day. These numbers show that when Melbourne needs to know what’s happening, their trust is placed firmly with 3AW. To lead the conversation in breakfast and mornings, to be the trusted news breaker in drive and be the No. 1 companion in evenings and for the footy, is incredible. We never take that trust for granted and thank our audience for their continued loyalty.”
I’d guess River, but what’s it between?
River949, Gold Coast commercials (Triple M GC is nicer than Triple M Brisbane in terms of playlist), the community stations BayFM, 99.7 BridgeFM, 4ZZZ, Switch, Vision, 4MBS, 101.1 Logan. That’s a fair few stations to split 10% by.
My question was a little rhetorical about which format is missing from FM in Brisbane, and the answer is Gold/Smooth.
This is the station’s lowest audience share since Ace Radio took over the operations of the station back in January 2022. In fact, the station had a higher audience share than this throughout much of 2021 when Nine operated the station! 
This meant that 2UE is now not rating much higher than what Magic & 3MP get in Melbourne.
Hopefully just a rogue survey
Poor old ABC Radio National. Just 1.1 in Sydney.
Can we just all come out & say it.
2GB is on the decline because talkback listeners are shifting over to 2SM - especially between 9am-midday (and probably 5am-midday). Tim Webster & Chris Smith are quite a strong alternative.
It is now as clear as day that 2GB are no longer the commercial radio monopoly with talkback in Sydney.
This is becoming a trend.
As for Perth, well done Triple M Perth for their increase (clearly also thanks to Clairsy leaving 96FM and listeners going elsewhere). Mix94.5 is no longer the powerhouse it once was, yet still competitive.
What’s with the big drop off on Gold?
Is it the heavy networking, J&A being shunted to drive in Sydney?
Interesting times.
The rebrand has failed.