Battle of the sports shows

An intriguing tussle will recommence, with a slight twist, next Monday 27 February in Adelaide. With the new Triple M national drive show commencing that day, Triple M have moved their sports program with Mark Ricciuto and Chris Dittmar forward by an hour to start at 3pm.

Whilst this will provide Triple M with a headstart over 5AA's well-established, market leading sports show with Graham Cornes (left) and Stephen Rowe which starts at 4pm, significantly in 'AFL-mad' Adelaide, 5AA will now have the only dedicated sports show in the 5pm hour.

The ratings in the most recent survey give 5AA a 16.6 drive share, and Triple M a 7.9. Given 5AA are the clear market leader, they will have discussed whether Triple M's move is  a 'useful attack'. If 5AA's sports show remains at 4pm, then presumably they see the Triple M show as no threat. If 5AA extend their drive show to run for three hours from 3pm, they will be making a strong defensive move to protect 'their territory'.

We will find out on monday.