Talkback radio boom: Ben Fordham takes huge ratings win - 9News

Talkback radio has surged during the COVID-19 lockdown as Australians tune in to more traditional news mediums for updates on the pandemic.

Results from the latest GfK Survey – which had paused ratings for several months during the height of the virus – show that Nine Radio's talk stations grew audience share by 12 per cent.

In Sydney, 2GB's move to replace perennial ratings winner Alan Jones with Ben Fordham paid off, with Mr Fordham winning the metro breakfast category with a share of 17.3 per cent - down just 0.6 percentage points from the previous ratings period.

Ben Fordham has begun his new role as host of 2GB's breakfast show this morning, taking over from veteran broadcaster Alan Jones. (Louise Kennerley)

Fordham replaced broadcasting legend Alan Jones. (Nine / Supplied)

Across the entire day, 2GB retains the largest market share of all stations (14.2 per cent), followed by ABC Sydney (10.5 per cent),smooth FM 95.3 (9.9 per cent) and WSFM (8.4 per cent).

In Melbourne, 3AW Breakfast with Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft posted a record result with a 27.4 per cent market share – marking the 148^th consecutive survey in which the show has come out on top.

3AW returned strong ratings across the board in Melbourne, clinching the number one spot in the breakfast, mornings, afternoons, drive, nights and weekends timeslots.

Ray Hadley presents the 9am show on 2GB, 4BC and across regional Australia. (Louie Douvis/SMH)

In Brisbane The Ray Hadley Show once again was crowned king of the morning timeslot, snagging an 11.2 per cent share up 1.2 points since the last survey.

Nova remained the number 1 FM station in Brisbane, snagging the largest market share of any drive show and pulling more listeners during the morning.

Nova also recorded a strong showing in Perth, retaining its spot as the number one station overall.

In the Perth market Breakfast with Steve Mills and Basil Zempilas grew their an audience, recording an 11.6 per cent share, up 2.3 points while News Talk 6PR 882 achieved audience growth of 1.6 points to record a 9.3 per cent share.

In Melbourne, 3AW Breakfast with Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft posted a record result with a 27.4 per cent market share . (at Scala/Fairfax Media)

Nine Radio's Head of Content Greg Byrnes said Australians are turning to radio stations in droves for news and pandemic updates they can trust.

"Despite significant changes in key shifts on 3AW and 2GB our audience has stayed with us and knows who to trust," Mr Byrnes said.

"We're humbled and grateful that given everything Victoria has been through, Melbourne has turned to 3AW's presenters and newsbreakers in record numbers.

"At 2GB, Ben Fordham took on the toughest job of all when Alan stepped down and has marked his first survey as Sydney's clear number 1 with a share of 17.3 per cent.

The publisher of this website owns 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR.

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2020-09-29 00:36:00Z
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