While FM radio drive shows secure the lion’s share of revenue and the headlines, AM hosts pull good ratings in most metro radio markets.
Here is a quick wrap of the leading commercial AM drive timeslots in each metro market.
2GB’s Ben Fordham has held the Sydney timeslot for some time now with Sydney Live after pulling back from full-time duties at the Nine Network to focus on his radio career. He currently ranks #2 overall behind Nova’s Kate, Tim & Marty who broadcast just several floors above him in the same Sydney building.
In Melbourne Tom Elliott has been the longtime drive host at 3AW, where he too ranks #2 overall in the timeslot, behind only Fox FM’s Hughesy and Kate. They aren’t in the same building – but in the same street though!
In Brisbane Mark Braybrook recently took over the drive show, which remains the only local weekday timeslot on the Macquarie Media station.
Sport is the trigger word for ratings in Adelaide radio, which is why the popular Rowey and Bicks command strong figures.
In Perth 6PR calls its drive show Perth Live and host Oliver Peterson had a good survey six with a share that now out-rates one of the four commercial FM drive shows.
Network performance Survey 6, 2018 (share and cume):
Sydney: 2GB with Ben Fordham
10.3% (+1.2), 314,000
Melbourne: 3AW with Tom Elliott
9.9% (+0.1), 331,000
Brisbane: 4BC with Mark Braybrook
3.3% (+0.1), 56,000
NB: The highest-rating AM daypart is 4KQ’s drive music show on 5.4%
Adelaide: Fiveaa with Rowey and Bicks
13.0% (+0.8), 87,000
Perth: 6PR with Oliver Peterson
7.3% (+1.4), 85,000
(The above ratings figures are for the timeslot 4pm-7pm, with all the above drive shows wrapping at 6pm and some starting at 3pm.)
Next Monday: Triple M drive starting to cut through with Mick and Jane