Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) has welcomed the latest GfK Survey 2 results, confirming another strong result for commercial radio, with 12.6 million Australians tuning in weekly.
In-car listening remains dominant, rising 7% year-on-year (YOY), to reach 10.4 million Australians weekly.
Listeners like to start their day with radio, as breakfast continues to go from strength to strength, as seen by its YOY audience growth, now reaching a total of 8.9 million weekly listeners.
Across all demographics aged 10–64, commercial radio’s weekly listenership grew YOY. The 25-54 age group, crucial for advertisers, grew by 220,000 listeners YOY, reaching 6.2 million.
Survey 2 also highlighted over 3.2 million Australians choose to listen to commercial radio via streaming. Notably, compared to the same period last year streaming is up 12% in the mornings, and 11% in-car.
“Radio continues to deliver consistent, sustainable growth by meeting listeners where they are,” said Lizzie Young, CEO of Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA).
“Our unique position delivering real-time connection, accessible anytime and anywhere. This is exactly what audiences value and importantly delivers a platform for brands to connect in a trusted environment,” added Young.
Note: Due to Cyclone Alfred, Gold Coast Survey 1 fieldwork has been extended to May 10. The updated release date is Thursday May 29. Revised schedule available at: Radio Audience Measurement Australia – Resources
Source: GfK 360 Radio Ratings, SMBAP S1 2025, compared to S1 2024, All people 10+, Mon-Sun 12mn-12mn, Cume (000’s), unless otherwise stated. Weekly Time Spent Listening (hh). All numbers refer to commercial radio results unless otherwise stated.
AUSTRALIANS TUNING INTO TRUSTED TALK FOR LONGER AS NINE RADIO BUILDS RATINGS MOMENTUM IN 2025
TOTAL RADIO
Nine Radio has extended its flying start to 2025, with 2GB and 3AW leading the market in Sydney and Melbourne and strong gains across the country as audiences spend more time listening to the very best in trusted news, opinion, sport and entertainment.
2GB is Sydney’s No.1 station, lifting to a 12.8 share (up 1.2), and delivering strong growth across all day parts. Ben Fordham Live has surged 3 points clear of it’s nearest rival to a 15.6 Share as the No.1 Breakfast show and Mark Levy has cemented his claim on the Mornings slot with a standout 15.5 share (up 2.0). The refreshed Sydney lineup is clearly resonating with listeners and driving outstanding results, with strong gains across all day parts.
3AW dominates the Melbourne market with consistent, high-quality coverage that connects with the city, delivering a 14.1 share. Breakfast with Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft remaining the outright No.1 with a 19.3 share, and Mornings with Tom Elliott following suit with a commanding 15.8 share.
Brisbane’s 4BC and Perth’s 6PR also recorded gains, with audiences tuning in longer across the board.
Nine’s National Content Manager, Greg Byrnes said: “These are great results for our talk stations, with more people listening longer right across the country. Sydney has embraced 2GB’s new line up with big audience gains in all shifts and 3AW has maintained its dominance in Melbourne.”
“The line up changes in Perth and Brisbane are bedding in well with 6PR now the top rating talk station across the key day parts and 4BC posting a big increase in listeners.
“This survey shows people rely on talk radio during times of global and economic uncertainty and we’re honoured to be Australia’s source of trusted news, opinion and information.”
COMMERCIAL RADIO SHARE
TOTAL RADIO CUME
16.2 (4 markets)
1.67 million listeners each week
STREAMING
Nine’s live audio streaming audiences continue to grow as the network claims the undisputed No.1 title nationally with a 28.3% share. 2GB and 3AW lead streaming listenership with shares of 31.3% and 28.4%, respectively, with streaming also strong in all key shifts:
Breakfast with Ross and Russel: 46.1%
Ben Fordham Live: 39.5%
Mornings with Tom Elliott: 33.5%
Mornings with Mark Levy: 32.2%
Greg Byrnes said: “There’s no better way to listen to our live and local content than via a connected device. It’s clear, convenient and always on. Our talk stations dominate the streaming market, and as more Australians find us on a digital device it’s an exciting time to be creating talk radio.”
COMMERCIAL STREAMING SHARE
STREAMING CUME
28.3
345,000
PODCASTS
The Nine Podcast Network has cemented its position as a major force in Australian podcasting, jumping two spots to become the No.4 publisher nationally in the March 2025 Australian Podcast Ranker – overtaking both Nova Entertainment and Mamamia.
With over 1.4 million listeners and 3.44 million downloads in March, Nine’s continued growth is driven by a diverse slate spanning news, sport, business, lifestyle and entertainment – all grounded in trusted voices and quality storytelling.
The return of the footy season delivered a major lift, with 3AW Football attracting over 55,000 listeners, Six Tackles with Gus reaching 52,000, with other strong performers in the Top 200 including Real Footy, Eddie & Jimmy, and Marlee & Me.
Mia Stern, Nine Radio’s Head of Digital Growth, said: “This jump in the publisher rankings is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. We are incredibly proud to see our podcasts connecting with more listeners than ever before.”
“Our focus remains on delivering compelling audio experiences, making that content available as widely as possible, and providing valuable opportunities for advertisers to reach engaged audiences.”
2GB has stormed to an outright No.1 position in Sydney, delivering a commanding 12.8 radio share (up 1.2) and leading in all key timeslots, as audiences embrace the station’s refreshed line-up and trusted talk programming.
Ben Fordham Live remains the clear No.1 in Breakfast, posting a 15.5 share (up 1.4) on radio and a 39.5% share in commercial streaming. Mark Levy has strengthened his hold on Mornings in his second only survey, recording a 15.5 share (up 2.0) and a 32.2% commercial streaming share, making him Sydney’s most listened-to voice in the timeslot.
In commercial streaming, 2GB leads nationally with a 31.3% share, reflecting strong digital engagement across Breakfast and Mornings in particular.
Greg Byrnes, 2GB Station Manager and National Content Manager, said: “It’s this 24/7 commitment to live and local coverage that sets 2GB apart in Sydney and all the hard work pays off when we get a survey result like this one.”
“The figures recorded by Ben in Breakfast and Mark in Mornings are stunning, but 2GB has recorded share increases and longer listening patterns in all day parts.
“Sydney has embraced the shift changes we made at the beginning of the year and we thank those listeners who turn to 2GB for trusted news, opinion and entertainment around the issues affecting them most.”
Across the rest of the day, 2GB dominated talk radio:
Afternoons with Michael McLaren: 10.3 share (up 1.7) – No.1 in Talk
Sydney Live with Clinton Maynard: 8.4 share (up 1.0) – No.1 in Talk
Wide World of Sports with Adam Hawse: 8.6 share (up 0.8)
Money News with Deborah Knight: 12.7 share (up 2.0)
3AW has once again claimed the crown as Melbourne’s No. 1 radio station, continuing its reign as the city’s trusted source for live, local and engaging talk radio.
The GfK Radio 360 Survey 2 results, released today, show 3AW firmly ahead of the pack with an impressive audience share of 14.1 and a leading commercial streaming share of 28.4%.
Each week, 687,000 Melburnians tune in to 3AW, drawn to its compelling content across news, opinion, sport and conversation.
3AW remains No. 1 in key dayparts – Breakfast, Mornings, Evenings, Weekends and Football – with continued strong performances across all programs.
Ross and Russ remain unmatched at Breakfast, posting a market-leading share of 19.3 – up 0.7 on the same survey last year and 8.6 points ahead of their nearest competitor. Their show reaches 450,000 listeners every week and continues to dominate commercial streaming with a 46.1% share.
Tom Elliott has once again delivered a winning performance in Mornings, recording a share of 15.8 and attracting a weekly audience of 447,000. He also leads the commercial streaming space with 33.5%.
In Afternoons, Tony Moclair delivered a share of 9.9. His blend of topical conversation and listener engagement continues to resonate strongly with Melbourne audiences.
In Drive, Jacqui Felgate recorded a share of 9.8 – up 2.4 points on the same survey last year.
In Evenings, Denis Walter continues to lead the market with a share of 24.7 – up 0.9 points on the same survey last year.
3AW Football has had a great start to 2025 – the number 1 station overall for Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday and Sunday in the competitive AFL market.
Darren James’ Weekend Breakfast also maintains its position as Melbourne’s favourite weekend listening.
3AW Station Manager Stephen Beers said: “These results are a great endorsement of the work our entire team does every day to deliver quality, live and local programming. We’re thrilled to remain Melbourne’s No. 1 station and grateful to our listeners for their loyalty and trust. Our commitment is always to inform and entertain this city, and these results reflect the strength of that connection.”
Brisbane’s 4BC continues its upward trajectory in 2025, recording solid growth across all key programming, with the station achieving an overall share of 4.9% (up 0.5) in the latest GfK Radio survey results.
The station’s total radio cumulative audience saw a strong increase of 16.5%, including a massive 42% surge among People 25–54 and a 15.2% rise in the 40+ demographic. AP10+ is up 10% compared to the previous survey, while 4BC’s streaming audience also continues to build, posting a 16% increase in cume and delivering a streaming share of 6.6%.
All local shows, Breakfast with Peter Fegan, Mornings with Bill McDonald, Afternoons with Sofie Formica, Drive with Gary Hardgrave, and Wide World of Sports with Peter Psaltis, recorded gains in both market share and cumulative audience, including the station’s new weekend show, Step Outside with Paul Burt, making a strong debut in its first survey with 4BC.
4BC Content Manager, Siobhain McDonnell says: “Seeing this growth across all local dayparts is a testament to the team’s hard work and commitment to rebuild as Brisbane’s prominent talk station. We are committed to keeping Brisbane entertained and informed and the results today reflect that”.
The Survey 2 results highlight that 4BC’s dedication to delivering live and local programming continues to strike a chord with Brisbane audiences.
Perth’s 6PR has reaffirmed its dominance as the No.1 news and talk station in WA achieving a 7.3 share – a growth of 0.2% from the previous survey and up 1.8% year-on-year.
Time Spent Listening for 6PR was again #1 in Perth increasing another 34 minutes with its closest competitor nearly 2 hours behind.
6PR Breakfast with Steve Mills and Karl Langdon (5am – 9am) recorded a share of 9.8 – up 0.4% compared to last survey.
Perth Today with Simon Beaumont (9am – 1pm) posted a share of 7.6 (up 1.6%, year-on-year),and Perth Live with Oliver Peterson (1pm – 5pm) secureda share of 5.6 – up 1.2% year-on-year.
Streaming also continues to be a strong growth channel:
Streaming Millsy and Karl: #1 Share – 22
Streaming Share: 11.8% (No.1 Talk Station in streaming)
6PR Content Manager, Brad Pottinger said: “Great to see Perth listeners tuning in for even longer with TSL continuing to be #1. Survey 2 included our AFL coverage with cume and share growth in all timeslots survey to survey plus year-on-year. I’m not surprised due to the talent in our team.”
Further highlights of GfK Radio 360 Survey 2 in Perth are:
Wide World of Sports recorded a share of 5.8 (Monday-Friday 5.00pm – 7.00pm)
Weekends with Jamie Burnett claimed a share of 8.3 – up 2.5% year on year (Sat 6.00am-10.00am and Sun 6.00am- 12pm)
KIIS and MasterChef Australia took dining and entertainment to new heights last night with their exclusive Edible TV Live Event, an unforgettable evening onboard Sydney’s most luxurious super yacht, The Jackson.
Twenty lucky KIIS listeners from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane joined Network 10 executives and MasterChef judges to celebrate the premiere of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win.
Attendees were treated to a special preview screening of the highly anticipated first episode – and in a true ‘Edible TV’ twist, the television screen was brought to life during an intimate dinner setting, where diners savoured the winning dishes from the show, crafted into an opulent, multi-course feast.
Throughout the evening, the MasterChef magic continued with the new season’s judges, who shared behind-the-scenes insights. KIIS Network announcer Gordie Waters hosted a live Q&A session featuring celebrated chef and MasterChef Australia judge, Jean-Christophe Novelli alongside food writer and judge Sofia Levin, who gave attendees an exclusive look into what makes MasterChef Australia: Back To Win so exceptional.
Andreana Walton, Head of Marketing – Broadcast & Digital, Network 10 said: “Sailing across the breathtaking Sydney Harbour as the sun set, the Edible TV Live Event delivered an experience that blurred the lines between television and reality.
“We’re thrilled with the result and for the incredible partnership between KIIS and MasterChef Australia that delivered a unique event with remarkable flair, the perfect entrée to this season of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win.
Three of the Melbourne Storm’s biggest names Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster, and reigning Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes, will bring you exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes access with The 167 Podcast available for free on 9Now.
Diving into all things NRL and beyond, the superstar Storm trio will give a front-row seat to the 2025 season, delivering plenty of laughs, interviews with sports stars, fan-submitted questions, and much more.
Streaming free on 9Now alongside Nine’s commitment to all Storm games being made available free on Channel 9 in Melbourne, the weekly podcast gives fans an all-access pass into the lives of the players, going beyond the try-lines and training paddocks to share laughs, stories, special guests and behind-the-scenes moments from off the field.
Whether it’s the latest locker room banter, wild weekend tales, or insights into what really goes down in Storm HQ, nothing’s off limits. From Papenhuyzen’s love of American sports, to Munster’s mischief and Hughes’ cool-headed take on the season, The 167 Podcast is a must-listen for rugby league lovers and casual fans alike.
“We’re pumped to be bringing the pod to 9Now and giving fans something a bit different,” said Papenhuyzen. “It’s not just footy talk — it’s a chance for people to see who we are when we’re not in a jersey.”
Episodes will drop weekly on 9Now, with the first one launching this week. Don’t miss a minute — head to 9Now and stream The 167 Podcast for free.
167 podcast is produced by award winning independent podcast partner DM for 9Now.
167 PODCAST WITH RYAN PAPENHUYZEN, CAMERON MUNSTER AND JAHROME HUGHES – AVAILABLE WEEKLY ON 9NOW
Nine today announces Matt James has been appointed Chief Sales Officer, one of the most senior commercial roles in Australian media.
Reporting to Nine’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Stanton, Mr James has extensive global media experience and will be responsible for growing the revenue of Nine’s Total Television, Total Publishing and Total Audio assets.
Appointed Acting Chief Sales Officer in December 2024, Mr James holds 35 years of experience and has previously been CEO of global media agency Zenith Media based in London, the inaugural Group CEO of Publicis Media, and CEO of Zenith Australia and New Zealand.
His appointment as Chief Sales Officer amid a wide field of candidates signals a new era for Nine Sales, with Mr James set to sharpen a reinvigorated digital video strategy to ensure the company can compete with the global platforms, and to drive collaboration within the streaming and broadcast industry.
Early in his career, Mr James held senior roles at Nine including Managing Director of the company’s then-digital media division Mi9, and after his global role at Zenith, Mr James returned to Nine in 2020 as Managing Director of Nine Melbourne.
In that role, he oversaw major operations including Channel 9, 3AW, The Age, and The Australian Financial Review, as well as flagship productions which contributed significantly to strengthening Nine’s position in the Melbourne market.
Since November last year, Mr James has held a senior strategy role across the Nine Group as part of the company’s Transformation team focusing on initiatives to drive growth and innovation, including a renewed vision to accelerate an advanced digital strategy that will cement Nine’s leadership position over the next five years.
Nine’s Chief Sales Officer, Matt James, said: “I’m excited to lead one of the most talented sales teams in Australia. We have spent the last several months re-arming and re-organising ourselves to be able to execute an advanced digital strategy across TV, Publishing and Audio, and Nine is well-placed for a strong future. We are now at a pivotal point where Nine is ready to be a leader in the digital video market. With clients and brands at the centre of everything we do, our move to accelerate our VOD strategy and to drive a new era of collaboration within the TV industry, will ensure Nine positions itself as a market leader.”
Nine’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Stanton, said: “Matt James is a high-calibre media executive with impressive global experience who has a strong vision for Nine. With experience on both the media and agency sides, a strong background in digital, and extensive knowledge of Nine, I can’t think of a better person to re-invigorate Nine’s strategy to be the leader in the digital video market.”
