Spicy radio predictions ahead of GfK Survey 3

Triple M's Mick Molloy, Rosie Walton, Titus O'Reily and Nick Riewoldt. Image supplied.

GfK Survey 3 lands tomorrow, and it’s significant for several reasons, not least because it marks the first full book since Sydney’s 2Day FM switched to a younger format with a greater emphasis on new music.

On the latest episode of the Game Changers Radio podcast (which recently rebranded from Melbourne Radio Wars), experienced content and music strategist Irene Hulme says “I think this is going to be a really juicy one, actually.”

Melbourne FM Breakfast

Hulme predicts Gold 104.3’s The Christian O’Connell Show will remain at #1.

She sees three shows going up, including Triple M’s Mick in the Morning with Roo, Titus & Rosie, partly due to the fact Melbourne is in the thick of footy season.

Hulme also predicts KIIS duo Kyle & Jackie O will finally rise above a 6 share in Melbourne, and that The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick will go up by a point.

As for Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren, Hulme says “I think they’ll come back off from a 10.2. I think they’ll hold in cume.”

Game Changers Radio co-host and creative coach Wade Kingsley also sees Christian O’Connell retaining the #1 FM spot this book.

“I think Christian is into a good groove now,” Kingsley says.

He predicts Jase & Lauren will remain at #2, and that Triple M’s Mick Molloy, Nick Riewoldt, Titus O’Reilly and Rosie Walton could  find themselves the #3 FM Breakfast show this time around.

“I just feel like the footy season has taken real hold,” Kingsley explains. “Winter has kicked in in Melbourne. It’s been bloody cold, and I think that’s just when people’s minds turn to all the winter activities in Melbourne.”

Kingsley also predicts a small rise for Kyle and Jackie O.

Likewise, former SCA content boss Craig Bruce is backing in Christian O’Connell as the #1 Melbourne FM Breakfast show in Survey 3.

“He’s always active, busy … and his shows are A grade, whatever time of the year, whatever survey he’s in, his quality of content is excellent,” Bruce says.

“I think Kyle and Jack will go up again. I don’t think it’ll be cume driven, though. I think they’ve essentially found their cume range. They’re going to get some TSL from some mad, crazy fans – but I think high fives, early sixes is about their range now, unless something dramatic happens in the next 12 to 18 months.”

Bruce also believes Fifi, Fev & Nick have upped the ante in terms of content over the past six to eight weeks.

“I would love to see a reward for effort with The Fox this book,” he says.

2Day FM

Discussing how the station will fare this book under its new format, Hulme says “I think they’re going to go back. I hope they don’t.”

Bruce says “I would love to see a younger format break through, and fingers crossed it does, at some level. My guess is it won’t.”

KIIS 1065

Whilst still holding down top spot among the FMs, GfK Survey 2 saw a decline in Kyle & Jackie O’s overall share of the Sydney Breakfast market.

How will they fare this survey?

“My guess for KIIS Sydney and Kyle and Jack is that they will be off again,” says Bruce, and not necessarily due to market forces.

“I’m wondering whether it’s just having to have more of a focus on Melbourne? And Maybe the product has changed by enough around the edges, that have kind of sent people away … I don’t know, I can’t put my finger on it, but I’m not convinced they’re in great shape in Sydney.”

*Images supplied