Survey Survivor: Seven shows debuted in 2018, but has the tribe already spoken for some?

Seven new shows were launched by the major networks in metro markets at the start of the year.

With just two surveys to go in 2018, it’s now time look back to see how each of these shows have performed up to this point.

But has the tribe already spoken for some of these shows?

Kennedy Molloy

Securing Hamish and Andy’s old EP Sam Cavanagh (who recently departed on leave), radio veterans Kennedy Molloy have injected some real competition into the National Drive slot. Mick Molloy and Jane Kennedy have quickly risen to become one of Triple M’s funniest shows and their show has a broad appeal. They’re currently rating in double digits in Brisbane, Perth, a solid 9.6% in Adelaide, and rose by +1.9 in Melbourne in Survey #6.

Will and Woody

Will and Woody are certainly not rating where ARN would have hoped at this stage, having replaced the vastly experienced Hughesy and Kate on Drive for 2018. At this stage it’s hard to see the boys pulling up from their downward spiral. Despite a respectable start to the year, they may be out of their depth and too young for ARN’s KIIS brand. It’d be much easier to see them in a slot like Nights.

Jase and PJ

A duo who had already proved themselves on New Zealand’s ZM, Jase and PJ have undeniable chemistry and appear to have settled into around a 6% share, which remained steady in Survey #6. ARN have previously stated that they’ll give the duo plenty of time to grow into the slot, and in such a competitive market, a slow build is the best case scenario against established shows on Fox FM and Nova 100. Having been successful on Drive previously in NZ, it’s certainly possibly Jase and PJ would be faring better in that slot, especially with uncertainty looming over the future of Will and Woody beyond 2018.

Christian O’Connell

ARN took a big risk bringing Absolute Radio host Christian O’Connell to Gold FM, and in doing so ousting the top rating Jo and Lehmo with 8.4% share in their final survey. After a delayed start, O’Connell began with promise, rating 8.7% in Survey #4. That’s now fallen to 6.7%, and ARN will undoubtedly be hoping he’s bottomed out and will retain what he now has for the rest of the year.

Paul and Lise

Taking over from Carmen and Fitzi on who, after five years on 96FM together, had risen to a 9.5% share. Paul and Lise haven’t really hit any sustained momentum this year. They currently sit on a 6.4% share as of Survey #6, at a station that really hasn’t performed to any great level since ARN first bought it.

Heidi, Xavier and Ryan

SCA was forced to revamp their Hit Perth Breakfast show after Heidi’s former co-hosts Will and Woody defected to ARN for 2018. Former Hawthorn and West Coast AFL player Xavier Ellis and Hit Canberra host Ryan Jon have proven to be a hit with listeners, helping the show to hover around an 11% share (11.3% as of Survey #6). After establishing themselves well in 2018, the real test will be whether Heidi, Xavier and Ryan can turn up the heat on market leaders Nova and Mix94.5.

Em, Grant and Ed

The first new show to change lineup before the end of 2018. The recent departure of Em Rusciano leaves 2DayFM in an all-too-familiar situation around this time of year. With Ash London joining Grant and Ed between now and the end of the year the question is who will replace Em? Alternatively, could SCA go down one of a number of other tried and tested routes, or even by going outside the box by approaching the potentially available Karl Stefanovic, to re-vamp a Breakfast show that’s failed to rate since Kyle and Jackie O departed.

Let us know in the comments which of these shows you think have future beyond 2018, and of course, which may have run their course.