ABC Radio stations across its various networks go into the new GfK ratings year on Monday January 15, 2024. It’s not long that ago Mediaweek analysed the results from the last survey of 2023 on December 19.
However, it’s a little while until the results of GfK Survey 1, 2024 are released – Thursday March 14.
ABC has five networks taking part in the metro surveys – Local Radio, Radio National, NewsRadio, triple j and ABC Classics.
After a number of key changes announced during the latter half of 2023, ABC Radio management has been reminded how deep the attachments are that listeners have to the stations they help fund.
Chris Oliver-Taylor, Chief Content Officer, ABC
Change agents
The key 2023 appointment that proceeded a refresh of the ABC Radio landscape was the arrival of new ABC chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor in March. That was followed by the appointment of Ben Latimer as head of audio content, which includes ABC Radio.
Both came from the world of commercial media where staff arrivals and departures are usually met with relatively little resistance.
Oliver-Taylor has previously worked at the ABC while Latimer is working for the public broadcaster for the first time.
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald recently about his overall remit, Oliver-Taylor mentioned a “brave on change” approach to content strategy. He spoke about a focus on fewer shows but with intensified efforts to engage audiences.
Regarding refreshing content, he noted: “The ABC does sometimes struggle a bit with how we stop doing something to move resources to something else.”
Audience magnet
In the world of ABC Radio, the metro Local Radio network is the key audience generator. There are new breakfast shows at three of the five metro stations and significant changes at the other two. Given that shake-up, it’s not surprising there has been audience feedback, not all of it positive.
Breakfast radio changes
ABC Perth: Perth journalist and broadcaster Mark Gibson will present the program, taking over from Stan Shaw.
ABC Adelaide: Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller take on ABC Adelaide breakfast in 2024. Feldhoff has been afternoon host at the station for over a decade, and Schiller the drive host for over five years.
ABC Sydney: Some see the changes here as the biggest role of the dice by management. It’s also the most exciting appointment. Taking over the Sydney ABC Sydney breakfast slot is Craig Reucassel (pictured top of page) in his first full-time solo radio role. Reucassel is best known as part of The Chaser. Earlier this year he hosted his third season of ABC TV’s War on Waste. He was also a key part of The Chaser’s various radio programs on the Triple M network over the years.
James Valentine
Other Local Radio changes
ABC Sydney has arguably seen the biggest schedule overhaul with James Valentine returning to afternoon. In doing so he replaces the controversial Josh Szeps who departs the ABC for his own budding broadcast empire.
See also: Complete exit broadcast – ABC Radio Sydney loses Josh Szeps as he quits live on air
ABC Melbourne has undergone some change with former drive host Raf Epstein moving to morning, replacing Virginia Trioli. Ali Moore is the new drive host.
Melbourne had some interesting guest hosts over the summer including former Melbourne FM radio king Matt Tilley hosting breakfast for a couple of weeks. He is on air this week and sounds great on the AM dial. Special guests today included former Peninsula Grammar schoolyard chum and FM radio broadcaster Tim Ross.
Guest host until Friday January 12
Under the careful watch of ABC Radio Brisbane manager, AM radio veteran Anthony Frangi, Brisbane Local Radio has almost been free of programming lurches. Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan return at breakfast. Steve Austin moves from drive to host morning and Rebecca Levingston shuffles from morning to evening in 2024.
There was some speculation Spencer Howson may have been headed back to ABC Brisbane after his recent departure from 4BC. Mediaweek did ask the former breakfast champ about what’s next, but he told us there was nothing to report at this stage.
Fran Kelly
Radio National
Manager of ABC RN (Radio National) Cath Dwyer announced some changes last month. The headline was that Fran Kelly returns to the network, hosting a Saturday morning show at 7am.
In the RN key weekday timeslots, Patricia Karvelas is back hosting RN Breakfast and Andy Park also returns to RN Drive.
Bryce and Concetta
triple j
There has been quite a bit of noise surrounding change at triple j. That followed the announcement that after a three-decade career, triple j’s group music director and presenter Richard Kingsmill would depart. As he went, Kingsmill was thankful for the opportunities he’s had at the ABC, but noted he’s not putting his feet up yet: “I’ve given my heart and soul to everything I’ve done here. The best feeling now, at the end of all that, is knowing how much I’ve still got left in the tank in continuing to contribute to the Australian music industry.”
In the key triple j weekday timeslots Bryce and Concetta (above) are back on breakfast from 6am – 9am, Lucy Smith returns to mornings from 9am – 12pm, Dave Woodhead gets an extra 30 minutes from 12pm – 3:30pm and Hack is back from 5.30pm – 6pm.
ABC Radio ratings
Just how much the changes detailed above will impact ratings is a big unknown. A harsh assessment might be the only way is up.
Although ABC Radio has a significant slice of the audience in every metro market, most people seem to agree the numbers could be higher. Here is a summary of how things looked in the final GfK survey of 2023:
Five station overall ABC share of radio market*
Sydney: 15.3%
Melbourne: 16.6%
Brisbane: 15.4%
Adelaide: 17.7%
Perth: 16.5%
Individual metro station shares
Local Radio: Shares hover around 6% in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The highest share is in Adelaide on 8.3%, the lowest is Brisbane on 5.3%.
RN: Shares are close to 1% in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. Close to 2% in Melbourne and Brisbane.
NewsRadio: Peaks around 2% in Sydney and Melbourne. Drops to 1.2% in Brisbane and Perth.
triple j: Brisbane tunes in more with 5.8%, Perth is on 5.3%. Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne share is close to 4%.
ABC Classic: The least controversial network has shares over 2% in all metro markets except Brisbane where it sits on 1.2%.
*Total metro share (People 10+, Monday–Sunday 5.30am to midnight) for Local Radio, RN, News Radio, triple j and ABC Classic. Source: GfK Survey 8, 2023 Sunday September 24 to Saturday December 2, 2023.