FIVEaa and ABC Radio Adelaide both lost significant listener share in the GfK ratings released today, with music-based FM stations making inroads, led by Nova, SAFM and Triple M.

The keenly watched breakfast battle has become a tighter contest.

FIVEaa’s David Penberthy and Will Goodings retained the lead with 14.2 per cent of listeners despite losing share (down 2.3), while ABC Radio Adelaide, hosted by Stacey Lee and Nikolai Beilharz, was relegated to third position for the first time in years, with 12.5 per cent (down 1.1).

Coming in at number two was a surging Triple M, with long-term hosts Chris Dittmar, Mark Ricciuto and Laura O’Callaghan increasing their listener share by 1.7 percentage points to hit 12.9.

The biggest ratings leap in breakfast came from Nova, with veteran Jodie Oddy partnering with Andrew Hayes to jump 2.4 percentage points to 11.7.

The reshaped team at SAFM also did well, with Rebecca Morse and Mark Soderstrom, who has replaced Andrew “Cosi” Costello this year, jumping 1.9 percentage points to 10.3.

Mix also fielded a reshaped breakfast team alongside Ali Clarke, but it was another difficult survey for the experienced announcer and her co-hosts, losing share to remain at the back of the pack to only lead Cruise among the local stations.

Adelaide’s weekday and weekend radio ratings (listener share) for survey 1, 2023, taken from January 15 to February 25. Source: GfK

However, Mix did retain the overall ratings crown, with leading performances in the morning, afternoon and weekend shifts.

The perennial leader was followed by Nova (up from third in the last survey), Triple M (up from fourth), SAFM (previously fifth), FIVEaa (previously second), Cruise (previously last) and ABC Radio Adelaide (previously tied with SAFM in fifth).

In mornings, FIVEaa and the ABC both lost ground. Matthew Pantelis, replacing veteran Leon Byner, lost some share, as did the ABC’s David Bevan. Triple M, Nova and SAFM all increased share significantly, with Mix edging up to hold the lead.

The afternoon shift showed a similar story – Mix edging upwards to keep the lead, with its FM rivals also doing well. FIVEaa and the ABC both lost ground.

In Drive, Nova’s syndicated show featuring Ricki-Lee, Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey bounced to the top, followed by SAFM. FIVEaa’s Drive sports show lost ground, and it was a similar story at the ABC.

In the Evenings, FIVEaa’s massive lead over all comers was trimmed by a huge 8.5 percentage points, after Mathew Pantelis was switched to mornings and replaced by Leith Forrest. FIVEaa retains the lead, but only just over Mix.

Adelaide’s overall radio ratings for survey 1, 2023, taken from January 15 to February 25. Source: GfK

The demographic data shows big losses in the over-65 age bracket for both FIVEaa and the ABC – a familiar story when the stations have a ratings downturn.

Mix’s numbers were bolstered by solid performances in the older audience segments, with increases in the 55-64 and over-65 age range sandbagging losses in the younger demographics.

Triple M’s good performance was underpinned by a huge increase in the 18-24 age range, a curious development for the rock station which targets older listeners.