Nine Radio has stamped its authority on the national radio landscape once again, with 3AW in Melbourne and 2GB in Sydney both claiming the #1 position in their respective markets in the first GfK radio survey for 2025.
With significant audience shares across the day, the network has not only retained its dominance but in many cases, surpassed recent performance benchmarks, making it a standout start to the year.
3AW: Melbourne’s voice gets even louder
Melbourne’s 3AW has delivered what Nine Radio’s head of content, Greg Byrnes, calls “their best survey in over 15 years.” With standout results across the weekday lineup, 3AW continues to lead with confidence and consistency, even after major presenter changes in 2024.
“You have to go back to about 2007 to do anything better than that,” Byrnes told Mediaweek. “And in this market, it has been more competitive, for 3AW to do that on breakfast, mornings and Tony Moclair in the afternoons, it’s extraordinary.”
The station’s Breakfast show with Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft pulled in a commanding 21.3% share, followed by Tom Elliott in Mornings with 19.2%, and Tony Moclair in Afternoons recording a strong 13.6%. Byrnes praised the station’s ability to maintain audience loyalty, particularly given last year’s reshuffle.
“We feel very lucky that listeners have stuck with us even though there have been some lineup changes. We know they don’t like being unsettled… but 12 months into some significant changes at 3AW, we’re really pleased and very proud of the work that the teams are doing down there, on and off the air,” Brynes said.
“Obviously, radio is habit forming, and when you change people’s habits, you run the risk of certainly upsetting things, and 12 months into some significant changes we’re really pleased and very proud of the work that the teams are doing on and off the air,” he added.
A key milestone was also reached for Drive presenter Jackie Felgate, who achieved her first #1 result in the slot. “She works very, very hard,” Byrnes said. “We always say that ratings go up and down, but for Jackie to have a number one, we’re so pleased for her and the team.”
When it comes to Melbourne’s place in the rating’s landscape, most of the coverage has been centred on the decision to network the Australian Radio Network’s Sydney, The Kyle and Jackie O Show, into Melbourne.
Despite the noise, Byrnes emphasises the network’s ability to block it out and , instead, focus on its own output, despite external market pressures.
“We can only concentrate on what we do,” he said.
“Yes, there was a lot of noise in that market last year and this year. All we can control, and our teams know this, is the daily rundown, which has been the focus. It’s pleasing that we get results like today to show that. It proves that’s the right strategy. Let’s continue doing what we can control and what we can do.”
2GB: New names, familiar results
Over in Sydney, 2GB continues its stronghold as the city’s most listened-to station, with Ben Fordham Live once again the #1 Breakfast show and Mark Levy delivering an impressive debut as Mornings host.
“There’s been a lot of change at 2GB,” Byrnes said. “And for Ben to emerge as number one, it’s a wonderful program. If you’re in Sydney and you want to know what’s going on, you’re listening to Ben Fordham.”
Reflecting on Fordham’s impact since replacing Alan Jones in 2020, Byrnes added: “That show has some of the worst alarm clocks in the industry. Putting a show like this to air is a lifestyle. So on a day like today, we’ll take the wins because it helps set us up for the year.”
Meanwhile, Mark Levy, who took over the Mornings slot from Ray Hadley, delivered what Byrnes described as a “home run” in his first outing in the role. “He told his audience he was over the moon and was nervous about this week. And how could he not be? Mark’s openly said it’s like coming in after Bradman. Today, though, he literally just hit it over the fence.”
Byrnes shared a moment from the ratings morning, saying: “Luke Davis and I went to speak to Mark. As is human nature, he probably feared the worst, but when we told him, he sat back in his chair with a big smile, and I won’t tell you exactly what he said,” Brynes laughed.
For Nine Radio, the success of this survey underscores the effectiveness of a disciplined, content-led strategy.
With #1 stations in both Sydney and Melbourne, and strong performances across key shifts, Nine Radio has entered 2025 with momentum on its side.