Mix106.3 and 104.7 top Canberra ratings, Classic FM comes in third

The first Canberra radio ratings survey of the year was released on Wednesday (12 April), and amplifyCBR’s FM stations Hit 104.7 and Mix 106.3 have consolidated their lead in the local market.

According to the survey conducted by market intelligence firm GfK between January and March 2023, 52.9 per cent of the Canberra market listened to Hit 104.7 or Mix 106.3, with 250,000 people tuning into amplifyCBR stations each week.

Mix 106.3 held its position as the market leader and increased its total share of the local audience from 20.6 per cent in the same period of 2022 to 24.7 per cent in 2023.

Sister station Hit 104.7 claimed 18.7 per cent of listeners, up from 14.4 per cent a year earlier.

ABC Classic (9.3 per cent) knocked out ABC Canberra on 8.7 per cent, closely followed by Radio National (8.4 per cent), completing a disappointing ratings period for ABC Local Radio, which placed fourth overall behind ABC’s Classic FM.

The station’s strongest ratings (15.4 per cent) were for Evenings, broadcast from Sydney. ABC Canberra now ties in third place with Radio National for the once highly competitive Breakfast slot, Mornings is fourth in the market, and the Afternoons and Drive programs are placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

2CA (6.6 per cent), 2JJJ (5.8 per cent), 2CC (4.5 per cent) and ABC Newsradio (4.2 per cent) completed the line-up.

“The first survey of the year has been strong,” amplifyCBR general manager Craig Wagstaff said.

“The platform of radio is still very strong … Overall audience listening has actually grown and continues to be strong.”

Cumulative audience numbers were up compared with the same period last year, with 403,000 people tuning in overall each week, up 13 per cent from a year ago.

“We’re genuinely appreciative to see strong results with our two station brands as first and second across overall listening share, total number of listeners and the same for the specific timeslots of breakfast, across the workday, for drive time and on weekends,” Mr Wagstaff said.

“We’re fortunate to have an energetic, hard-working and community-focused team of people who collectively are extremely grateful for the significant support we’ve again received from audiences.”

The two stations have collectively captured the Canberra market, with Hit 104.7 claiming the title as the number one station for under-40s and Mix 106.3 taking the top spot as the most popular station among over-40s.

Mix 106.3’s breakfast duo Kristen & Nige held the top spot as the most popular breakfast radio program in Canberra with 22.7 per cent of listeners tuning in on weekday mornings – up from 18.6 per cent a year ago.

Its new drive show, CBR Wrapped with Rod & Gabi, was the most popular in the late afternoon timeslot, capturing 21.7 per cent of listeners.

Hit 104.7’s breakfast show, Ned & Josh, also increased its listenership from 14.1 per cent in 2022 to 16.4 per cent in 2023.

“After years as Canberra’s favourite breakfast show, Canberrans proved they love Kristen & Nige more than ever,” amplifyCBR content director Rod Cuddihy said.

“Ned & Josh reclaiming Canberra’s No. 2 breaky show, along with their No. 1 under-40 result, reinforces Hit 104.7 listeners’ commitment to the boys.

“And Canberra’s newest drive show – CBR Wrapped with Rod & Gabi – couldn’t have started on a better foot, claiming the No. 1 spot in their first results.”

Mr Wagstaff said amplifyCBR was grateful for the continued support from the community and that, while “it’s certainly a challenge from survey to survey”, the stations benefit from a “very well-established breakfast team and daytime line-up” and “local content, strong news, strong information”.

“We try to maintain strong in-market and community presence throughout the year where possible,” he said.

“We’re appreciative of the support we get from the community and our commercial partners … We never take any of that for granted.”