Triple J Bounces Back In Final Radio Ratings

10 December 2013 | 3:44 pm | Scott Fitzsimons

Solid performance in final period for the year

Youth broadcaster triple j have finished 2013 strongly, with solid ratings punctuating a landmark year for the public frequency.

After starting off the first quarter of the year with key demographic gains, triple j went on make history in August – despite fluctuations in certain markets – buy topping the ratings in a metro area for the first time in its history. The achievement came in Perth, which has continually been the hardest-fought battleground on the radio landscape this year.

In today's eighth – and final – metro radio survey period for the year the station has consolidated its positions with solid growth in the majority of the markets, bouncing back to some of its strongest numbers of the year.

Full state-by-state analysis of 2013's sixth radio ratings release below, and check out the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh surveys for the year.

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SYDNEY

ABC 702 are the biggest winners this period, with a two percent jump to 11 percent weekday share. They're only behind 2GB, who've 14.4 percent of the weekday share after a 1.2 percent jump. ABC's growth came across the timeslots and particularly in the 10-17 and 55-64 age groups. It was a strong showing from triple j as well, who gained 1 percent to a 6.5 percent share in one of their tougher markets.

The success of those three stations came at the expense of 2Day FM, who dropped 1.2 percent to just 8.7 percent weekday share. Smoothfm also dropped 0.9 percent to 6.5 percent.

On weekends ABC 702 grew 1.7 percent to 8.3 percent, behind 2GB's 9.7 percent share – up from 1.2 percent.

Nova takes the lead in the 18-24 demographic with 20.3 percent share up 1.7 percent, with 2Day FM dropping 4.4 percent this period to 19 percent. Triple j gains 3.6 to be third at 17.6 percent. In 25-39 triple j was the biggest gainer again, up 1.2 percent to 11.9 percent, behind Nova's 12.1 percent (down 0.9 percent) and 2Day FM's 15.4 percent (up 0.9 percent).

MELBOUNRE

There were no moves greater than a percentage either way in the weekday ratings, with 3AW's 14.2 percent share well ahead of ABC 774's 11.3 percent. They're the only two frequencies with doublefigure shares. Triple j remains steady at 5.5 percent – its lowest weekday share in the country.

3AW also lead on weekends, with 12.3 percent share. ABC is second, but back in single figures after a one percent drop – the biggest move of the period – to 9.4 percent. Triple j is steady again, with a 0.1 percent drop to 5.1 percent.

BRISBANE

Triple j are well and truly playing at the pointy end of the field with a 0.7 percent weekday increase to 10.8 percent. They catch up with sister frequency ABC 612's 11.3 percent share (up 0.6 percent) and 97.3FM's 11.8 percent, which is down 1.2 percent. Nova jump 1.3 percent to a 14 percent share, becoming the new weekday leaders for the final period in the process. The biggest losers this survey are Triple M, who drop 1.5 percent down to an 8.4 percent share.

The weekend stats are also quite busy, with 97.3 FM just hanging onto its lead with 12.5 percent despite dropping 1.4 percent. Nova gained 0.4 percent to be a close second at 12.3 percent. Triple j gained 0.8 percent to 9.5 percent.

In the demographics, triple j gained 6.8 percent in the key 18-24 bracket, stripping 3.9 percent from Triple M. The leader is still Nova, however, with 30.1 percent thanks to a 2 percent jump. Triple j lost 2.4 percent in the 25-39 category, where they're second behind Nova who pulled ahead with a 1.5 percent increase to 22.9 percent.

ADELAIDE

MIX 102.3 lead Adelaide's weekdays once again this period, with a 0.8 increase giving them a commanding 15.6 percent share. They're followed by ABC 891 (steady at 12.6 percent) and Nova (down 0.1 percent to 11.1 percent). 5AA had the biggest drop, losing 1.3 percent to 10.6 while triple j also consolidated in the market, losing 0.2 percent to 7.4 percent. They had a tougher time on weekend,ss losing 1.2 percent to sit with just 5.5 percent – a rare stumble in this survey period. MIX hold the weekend lead with 16.1 percent, up an healthy 1.9 percent.

PERTH

The scene of triple j's first ever ratings win, the station arrests its ratings slide since then with a 1.4 percent growth on weekdays to hold 10.7 percent. They're the biggest gainers of the period, which sees MIX 94.5 holding its lead with a 0.5 percent increase to 14.3 percent. Nova are at steady at 12.1 percent, while just ahead of the js is ABC 720 with 10.8 percent – down 0.3 percent. 96FM drop to fifth on weekdays, with a 1.3 percent loss leaving them with a 10.6 percent share.

Triple j are also the big winners on weekends, with a 1.2 percent boost pushing them to 9.1 percent. A 1 percent jump to 13.3 percent gives Mix a lift over Nova, who drop from 13.5 percent to 12.8 percent to end the year. Triple j's gains came across the demographics.