Not maryborough but bendigo
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Actually 1,000 (out of 12,200 total cume) - there are 18-39 and 25-39 columns that overlap, but it’s pretty sad either way. Given its current focus, I’m not sure how much they care?
The total market of Wang RA1 as listed by CRA as about 100,000 - but there is a large overlap with the sprawling part of Wodonga west of the city centre, and a fair overlap to the west with the Shepparton LAP (about 30% in both).
3NE is actually targeted (in ACE’s paraphenalia) as a 45+ station rather than the usual 35-60 that stations like 3CS, 3HA etc, and presumably 2AY are - and I wonder if that affects its appeal.
Same deal with 2QN, it’s aimed as 45+, with of course about a third of the 65,000-ish population actually in Echuca/Moama - with large (30%) Bendigo and even larger (60%) Shepparton overlaps. ACE only took both of those over from local interests in late 2017, and it seems like they haven’t been interested in touching them much rather than converting them to the same formula as their other AM stations.
Which makes me wonder if the previous owners (noting that ACE haven’t touched them since presumably) were/are trying to counter-program the SCA stations serving Shepparton in particular, or just thinking they had the better old/young split - and failing miserably at competing on the edges?
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Today, we’re off to Bendigo.
Triple M took out the top spot with 22.1% (+2.0 from 2021), knocking Hit off the top spot, which is at 21.2% (-1.4). ABC Central Victoria was 3rd with 9.2% (Steady), followed closely by JJJ with 8.8% (-0.8) and Gold Central Victoria with 6.6% (-0.2).
In the demos, Hit is #1 in the under-40s, with Triple M topping the 40-64s and ABC Central Victoria winning the 65+.
In breakfast, Hit’s Nick & Jules is #1 with 22.5% (-0.4), followed closely by Triple M’s Cogho & Mandy with 22.1% (+1.7).
The “Other Stations” ratings this survey is at 26.6%, up 0.6 from 2021, much of which would be towards local community stations including Fresh FM & KLFM.
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A rare overall win for Triple M in the regional surveys. Usually Hit is # 1 in the solus markets.
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A remarkably static market over the four surveys it’s had since 2016… in fact, both Hit and Triple M have averaged 22.5 over that time, while Gold has averaged a 6.6.
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Gold deserves a bigger share, it’s a good station. I wonder how many Bendigoers know that its on FM 98.3 in stereo as opposed to the original 1071 AM frequency.
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I have to assume the fact that it’s just a 100w repeater, compared to the 120kw for the other FMs, factors into that equation.
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Possibly, but car reception was perfectly fine across Bendigo when i was last there. Indoors could be a different matter, but it was still good for me in Golden Square.
I’m guessing it also just doesn’t have the profile of Hit and Triple M.
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Just a thought with Triple M in Hobart.
With the new breakfast show, would it be worthy of swapping formats with something similar to Triple M Perth?
Triple J have always been a strong performer in Hobart since the 90’s & 00’s.
Tap into a market that’s notoriously progressive & alternative.
Power FM in Townsville is a good example.
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A Central Coast survey must be imminent… as I saw an ad for Star 104.5 on 9NBN Central Coast tonight.
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I would love to see ARN add Power 100 to the DAB mux…
Power 100’s brand works generically, Power being ‘rocky’ and 100, being turn it up to 100. So no need to rebrand for Hobart.
I actually think Triple M Hobart’s music sounds really good at the moment…Both SCA stations ‘musically’ sound nice at the moment…
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I agree. Best rock station in the country imo
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Today, we’re off to Mackay.
After two years at 3rd place, Hit has shot back up to #1 with 20.6%, which is up 2.1 from last year. Triple M was a close 2nd with 20.1%, up 1.5. As a result, Star falls back from 1st down to 3rd with 16.9% (-2.7), followed by ABC Tropical North with 11.4% (-0.2), 4MK, who went up 0.9 to 7.6%, and JJJ with 7.5% (-3.9).
In the demos, Hit is #1 in the under-40s, with Triple M dominating in the 40-64s, and ABC Tropical North #1 in the 65+. 4MK outrated Star in the 55+.
In breakfast, Hit’s Cliffo & Bronte is #1 with 20% (+2.1), followed closely by Triple M’s Jay & Dave with 19.7% (+0.2), and Star’s Scotty & Rach with Kaley with 17.8% (-2.2). In drive, Hit’s Carrie & Tommy is #1 with 20.7% (-2.5), followed by Triple M’s Rush Hour with 18.9% (+0.2), and Will & Woody on Star with 17.7% (-1.6).
The “Other Stations” ratings this survey is 11.9%, up 1.3 from last year.
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I didn’t see that drop for Star coming.
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This year’s survey is Star’s 2nd drop in ratings in a row.
Here’s the table comparing the overall ratings of the Mackay commercial stations from 2019 to 2023.
| Station | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star | 16.5 | 20.8 | 19.6 | 16.9 |
| Hit | 23.1 | 17.0 | 18.5 | 20.6 |
| Triple M | 17.5 | 19.4 | 18.6 | 20.1 |
| 4MK | 9.1 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 7.6 |
Part of the reason of why Star’s ratings fell from its 2021 high was the departure of Sam Blacker from Star’s Sam & Rach breakfast at the end of 2021. This helped Hit clawed back some ground, whilst Triple M remained fairly stable.
Breakfast ratings from 2019 to 2023 between the three commercial FM stations.
| Station | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star | 16.6 | 21.3 | 20.0 | 17.8 |
| Hit | 23.9 | 16.4 | 17.9 | 20.0 |
| Triple M | 17.1 | 20.4 | 19.5 | 19.7 |
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IIRC wasn’t the reason for Star’s previous success due to the fact ARN (then Grants) brought across the previous SCA (Hit) brekkie team when SCA rolled out the networked brekkie shows?
Clearly the shine has worn off - and SCA seemed to do what they do best… make some noise.
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Yes, that is correct. 
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The last time I was up there Star was sounding a lot more similar to Hit. I think that might be their problem, it’s hard to tell between the two a lot of the time. Star used to be a bit more differentiated with the music.
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Good to see 4MK hanging in there. It’s tough for AM stations like 4MK and 4CA with 3x FM competitors.
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Is it time for ARN to launch Power101 Mackay?
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