New voice for radio ratings analysis at ‘InDaily’
The long, hot summer for Adelaide’s radio listeners is set to sizzle again tomorrow with the first GFK radio ratings for the year released.
Lineup changes across AM and FM bands will be put to the test with the opening survey always the sweet and sour taste of success or failure.
I’ve been involved as a presenter, social commentator or political analyst for just about every Adelaide radio station over the decades, even way back to the 5DN, 5AD and 5KA days.
Currently, I provide weekly comments on ABC and FIVEaa on an unpaid basis.
Occasionally I’ve also provided political commentary, especially around budget and election times, for MMM, Mix102.3 and SAFM.
So, I consider it a great privilege that InDaily is allowing me to write with considerable personal insight into Adelaide’s radio survey results throughout 2025.
Along with all listeners, I’ll be watching the battle for breakfast dominance, but there are other shifts also looming as pivotal tests for those hard-nosed executives who choose the radio talent to entertain us but can also swing the axe like a Royal Show woodchopper.
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MMM’s Roo, Ditts and Loz have dominated the breakfast audience for multiple surveys winning the last of 2024, finishing three points clear of AA’s Will and Penbo.
MMM also won overall audience market share with 13.7% up by 1.1% across all programs.
MIX is hoping its promotional splurge on new line-up duo Max Burford and Hayley Pearson will pay handsome survey dividends.
The ever-delightful Pearson joined the team after Ali Clarke’s departure following health issues and her desire to seek new challenges.
There’s no reason why these FM livewires won’t get a lift, but it’s a log-jammed marketplace.
Nova’s Jodie and Haysey are a proven safe pair of hands and ended the year on a flyer and that may well continue.
The ABC is also fiercely competitive in this space with Jules and Sonya almost having more experience and chemistry than all others combined.
SAFM’s Bernie Vince and Emma Georgiadis are the unknown quantities for survey one.
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But that brekky format will change again on a temporary basis after Emma G has her first baby later this year.
They’re coming off a low base after Mark Soderstrom and Bec Morse both departed under a dark and teary cloud toward the end of last year.
Mornings always have a steady-as-she-goes feel on the FM music stations.
The real test is on the AM band.
Rory McClaren has replaced retired veteran David Bevan at Aunty and needs to retain and gain a mature audience.
‘Veteran of veterans’ Graeme Goodings is the ‘oldcomer newcomer’ on FIVEaa which struggled for identity after Leon Byner headed for the exit door.
Afternoons have seen faces swap at the ABC, while Stacey Lee is grinding out a growing audience at AA.
Lee is also approaching maternity leave, so she will need a seat filler during her absence.
The Drive shift is also dominated by FM, so can the AM bands afford to remain sitting in single digits?
It’s also worth staying awake for Evenings with the ever-reliable and relatable Leith Forrest up against radio’s undisputed Lazarus, Spence Denny, returning to the nightly ABC airwaves from retirement.
A critical eye will be cast over the much-anticipated results tomorrow.
Mike Smithson has 40 years of radio experience as a presenter and commentator.
