Sydney radio ratings: Fitzy & Wippa and Merrick & Dools go out in style

Merrick & Dools: out of a high

MRN’s Sydney Talkback Radio 2GB and the Southern Cross Austereo’s Triple M posted the biggest audience increases in the radio ratings for Sydney – both up 0.8% – in a survey of little movement overall.

2GB increased its hold on the market, and now claims 16.3% share, while Triple M climbed to 5.6%. ARN’s WSFM was the biggest faller, slipping 0.6%, according to Nielsen figures for Monday to Friday between June 26 to September 3.

After a poor showing in the last ratings in June, DMG’s Nova96.9 recorded decent growth of 0.4% overall – and o.4% at breakfast – marking a fond farewell for Merrick & Dools, who were replaced by Fitzy & Wippa in the morning slot this week.

However, the biggest winner at breakfast was ABC702, which climbed 1.3%.

Fitzy & Wippa ended their spell at drivetime for Nova with a 1.2% audience hike. Paul Jackson, DMG’s group program director, called the numbers “splendid”. 2Day FM posted a steady performance, up 0.1% overall between Monday and Friday and up 0.3% at breakfast. Southern Cross Austereo boss Guy Dobson told Mumbrella: “Kyle and Jackie O are back up. The bells ringing for them will be silenced now.”