Radio Ratings: 7HO now #1 FM overall and Breakfast, ABC Hobart still market leader

7HO's Sarah, Mick and Matt are now #1 on FM Breakfast

Grant Broadcasters-owned 7HO FM is the #1 FM station in Hobart, with 19.0% of People 10+ (+1.3) indicating they listened to it most as of the latest Xtra Insights ratings survey.

The station now sits only behind ABC Radio Hobart on AM, which continues to dominate with 21.2% (+2.8) overall among People 10+.

7HO grew as closest FM rival Hit100.9 remained flat in the survey with a 16.4% (-0.3) of respondents indicating they listened to it most.

Significantly, 7HO’s Sarah, Mick and Matt rose to 17.7% (+0.7) on Breakfast, going ahead of  Jimmy and Nath on Hit100.9 who are now on 17.3% (-0.1).

“This result is what we have all worked hard to achieve over the past 12 months,” said executive GM of Tasmanian Broadcasters Tim Holder.

“A better programming strategy, stronger on-air execution and unswerving commitment to Hobart and Southern Tasmania is central to our success.”

It was a strong book for triple j as well, growing to a solid third place on the FM band with 15.1% (+2.8) off the back of their yearly free concert the One Night Stand which was held in St Helens, Tasmania in September.

Those numbers translated into good gains for Brekky team Ben and Liam too, who rose to 14.9% (+2.2).

 As with Xtra Insights other regional surveys, the results do not produce a traditional share figure, but rather on the stations listened to most.

“Hobart is a highly competitive radio market and the survey results provide valuable feedback to stations so they can keep improving their offerings,” said Commercial Radio Australia chief executive Joan Warner.

Hobart’s radio stations serve a population of more than 228,000 people aged 10 and over.

Xtra Insights conducted the latest survey with 1,200 respondents from 17 September to 6 October.

Hobart is the 77th regional survey to be released since Commercial Radio Australia introduced a new system for regional radio ratings which allowed smaller radio markets to undertake more regular, reliable and cost-effective audience measurement.