GFK radio survey 6: Nova and 96FM maintain #1 and #2, Mix 94.5 gains ground in #3

Nova holds strong at the top, 96FM maintains second and Mix 94.5 gains ground with significant increase! Stela Media’s Marianne Stelmach, who has over two decades of radio industry experience, takes a closer look at the results of the last ratings period.

#1 Overall – Nova
#1 Breakfast – Nova’s Nathan, Nat & Shaun
#1 Drive – Nova’s Kate, Tim & Joel

Nova maintains it’s unwavering grip on the top spot in Perth’s radio landscape, despite a minor 1.9% dip. Remarkably, Nova holds the #1 position across the 10 to 54 year old demographics. Despite a general decrease in listenership during all time slots, Nova’s Breakfast Show stands as the undisputed champion, boasting an impressive 421,000 devoted listeners. Nova’s dominance extends throughout the day, with #1 rankings in Mornings, Afternoons, Drive, Evenings, and Weekends, making it a formidable force that remains unchallenged so far this year.

96FM stands strong, holding it’s #2 position with strong increases with the 10 to 24 year olds. While there’s been a slight ebb in the 25 to 54 age bracket, 96FM remains a solid #2, particularly resonating with the seasoned 40 to 54 demographic. The Breakfast Show experienced a minor dip in listeners, landing at a respectable #4 position but 96FM are still strong in Mornings, Afternoons, Drive, Evening and Weekends, firmly securing the #2 spot across these pivotal time slots. Their cume is strong with an impressive 512,000 dedicated weekly listeners, the third biggest weekly audience.

Mix 94.5 holds strong at #3, soaring with an Impressive 1.8% Surge – nipping at the Heels of 96FM. The most striking growth came from the 18 to 24 Demographic, with steady momentum among 25 to 64 year old listeners. The Breakfast Show steals the spotlight with a remarkable 2.2% leap, claiming the coveted #2 Spot. Not stopping there, Mornings, Afternoons, Drive and Weekends experienced robust gains, catapulting Mix 94.5 to #1 in Mornings. Their momentum is undeniable, marked by the largest cumulative increase and securing the second largest weekly audience, now boasting an Impressive 607,000 weekly Listeners.

92.9 Triple M holds firm at #4 for all people 10+, navigating a gentle dip. The path has seen declines among the 18 to 24 and 40 to 54 age groups, but a glimmer of growth has emerged among the 10 to 17 and 25 to 39 demographics. Solidifying their position at #4, particularly with the vital 25 to 54 age bracket, showcases their resilience. The Breakfast Show and Mornings experienced their most notable declines, landing at the #5 spot. Afternoons and Evenings retained a solid 4th place. However, Drive surged with an impressive 1.3% boost, firmly securing their place at #4. Backed by a strong weekly audience of 345,000 dedicated listeners, they hold a prominent position as the fourth largest in the Perth radio audience landscape.

6PR have remained at #5 position after a small decrease. They experienced slight growth with people aged 40 to 54, maintaining the #5 position. However, they saw solid decreases with people aged 55 to 64 and 65+. They have now shifted to #3 with the 40 to 54 age group and advanced to #2 with those aged 65+. The Breakfast Show continues to be the hero of the station, holding strong at #3, while Mornings, Afternoons, and Drive experienced a dip. Mornings have now moved to #4. Weekly listenership saw a slight decrease, with a total of 191,000 weekly listeners.

6IX experienced a slight decrease and continues to hold the #6 position. Notably, they have made a significant move to the #1 position with the audience 65 and above. Despite a slight dip in Breakfast listenership, exciting changes are on the horizon as Craig Weston is set to join their Breakfast Show alongside Nat Foster from the 16th of October, promising a fresh dynamic and potentially boosting their morning engagement.

People 10+
Nova – 16.2% (1.9% Decrease)
96FM – 13.0% (No Change)
Mix 94.5 – 12.9% (1.8% Increase)
92.9 Triple M – 6.8% (0.8% Decrease)
6PR – 6.5% (0.7% Decrease)
6IX – 4.1% (0.5% Decrease)

Breakfast
Nova’s Nathan, Nat & Shaun – 20.4% (2.1% Decrease)
Mix 94.5’s Pete, Matt & Kymba – 12.7% (2.2% Increase)
6PR’s Millsy & Karl – 10.3% (0.2% Decrease)
96FM’s The Bunch with Clairsy & Lisa – 9.8% (0.4% Decrease)
92.9 Triple M with Xav & Michelle – 7.4% (1.7% Decrease)
6IX’s Classic Breakfast with Nat Foster – 3% (0.4% Decrease)

Cume Audience
Nova – 684,000 (6,000 Decrease)
Mix 94.5 – 607,000 (31,000 Increase)
96FM – 512,000 (1,000 Increase)
92.9 Triple M – 345,000 (20,000 Decrease)
6PR – 191,000 (17,000 Decrease)
6IX – 147,000 (10,000 Decrease)

Perth DAB+ Stations
Nova’s Smooth FM Perth takes the digital airwaves by storm, experiencing the most striking growth and firmly holding the esteemed #1 Spot. Notably, ABC Sport and Coles Radio have also made significant leaps, amplifying the Digital Radio landscape. SCA’s Oldskool 90’s Hits remains a formidable contender, holding steady at a Strong #2 position, demonstrating the appeal of nostalgia.

Smooth FM Perth (Nova) 105,000 (19,000 Increase)
Oldskool 90’s Hits (SCA) 62,000 (2,000 Decrease)
ABC Sport 56,000 (14,000 Increase)
RnB Fridays (SCA) 49,000 (7,000 Increase)
Easy 80’s Hits (SCA) 46,000 (4,000 Decrease)
MMM Classic Rock (SCA) 44,000 (6,000 Increase)
96FM 80’s (ARN) 37,000 (No Change)
Double J 36,000 (4,000 Decrease)
My Perth DAB Radio (6IX) 36,000 (4,000 Decrease)
Coles Radio (Nova) 36,000 (12,000 Decrease)
Triple J Unearthed 35,000 (4,000 Decrease)
ABC Jazz 32,000 (9,000 Decrease)
MMM 80’s (SCA) 25,000 (2,000 Increase)
MMM Tradie Radio (SCA) 20,000 (8,000 Increase)
MMM Country (SCA) 17,000 (1,000 Decrease)
Blender Beats 10,000 (5,000 Decrease)
KIX Digital 6,000 (No Change)

Survey 6 2023 GFK’s Radio 360 new audience measurement system was conducted for Commercial Radio Australia from July 9th to September 16th 2023.

Click below for more information on Commercial Radio Australia’s new radio measurement system:

CRA – Media Release – Audio Unlimited

Following a 25 year career at SCA, Fairfax, Macquarie Media, ARN and Nine, Marianne Stelmach (pictured below) has launched media representation company Stela Media.