Greg Byrnes: Stunning survey results on a sad day for our industry

Greg Byrnes. Image supplied

Stunning.

That’s the word Greg Byrnes picks to describe Nine Radio’s results across the board in GfK Survey 2 for 2026.

With Melbourne’s 3AW and Sydney’s 2GB both #1 overall and gains across the network – Nine Radio’s Content boss is understandably chuffed with how things have panned out in the latest book.

3AW stalwarts Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft held steady in Melbourne Breakfast with an 18.9 share.

In his post-survey interview with Radioinfo’s Steve Ahern, Byrne says with a chuckle that on a day like this, Ross and Russ like their share figure to start with a 2.

“I don’t think I’m breaking any confidence, but their benchmark is a 20,” Byrnes reveals. “They aim to record a 20.”

“We can’t take for granted how strong and successful that program is.”

Same goes for 2GB’s Ben Fordham, who extended his overall lead in Sydney Breakfast.

“Ben and Mark Levy are putting in some of the best results in four or five years in relation to cume,” says Byrnes. “So it’s a really exciting time for us.”

Asked about the potential for the ABC to give Nine’s talk stations a run for their money, Byrnes notes there’s been a lot of noise in the Perth market around ABC moving to FM this year – as well as a big marketing campaign.

“And good luck to them. But 6PR is still #1 Talk. Breakfast is still in double digits – in the tens – it’s come down a little bit today, but a pleasing result, well ahead of the ABC.”

That’s not say he’s not keeping a close eye on what the national broadcaster is doing in the West, or in Brisbane for that matter.

Byrnes points out 4BC is still ahead of the ABC in Brisbane in Morning and Afternoons.

“Plenty of work to do, though. Don’t get me wrong.”

This survey will be the last for the company under the banner of Nine Radio, which – following its acquisition by the Laundy family – is rebranding to Tapt Media.

Byrnes himself has had the experience of working for an organisation that’s owned by a family company, when he worked at 2UE during the period of ownership by the Lamb family.

“I think we’re away to a really good start in relation to Tapt and the Laundy family, who we know are passionate listeners to our radio stations.”

“They’re excited. They’re genuinely interested in what we do.”

“We will be working for Tapt Media, but the proud, vocal, noisy brand remains the radio stations, and they know that, and that’s how they want that to continue.”

Byrnes is quizzed about a recent report in The Australian (subscription required) regarding his salary, and that of Nine Radio Managing Director Tom Malone.

Asked “Are you getting whatever it is – one point six million to share between the two of you?”, Byrnes is good natured but firm in his reply.

“I’m not going to get into any of that at all.”

Today’s survey celebrations are bittersweet, as the radio industry mourns the loss of longtime ABC Radio Sydney host James Valentine.

Paying tribute, Byrnes says “I never met James Valentine. I listened to him on and off for years and in that regard felt I did know him.”

“It’s a sad day for our industry. And as a student in the eighties, the Models were the soundtrack to my formative years, and he of course was the saxophonist in the Models, so I took an interest in him way back then.”

“It has been discussed in the corridors here that it’s a good day for the network, the results are great … But it’s tinged with the feeling that we’ve lost a colleague.”