Credit: Eric Nopanen on Unsplash
Smooth FM continues to dominate the commercial radio landscape, taking the number one spot on the GfK Survey 8, with a 13% share in audience reach.
Smooth FM 95.3 finishes the year as Sydney's number one station and continues to be the most listened to station across the country with 1.363 million listeners, the highest recorded share in history, according to the Nova Network.
The Nova Network also closes out 2025 as Australia's top metro FM network, with a 9.5% share with 3.9 million listeners (cumulative). The network also maintains its leadership in Breakfast nationally, achieving a 10.3% share and reaching 2.18 million listeners (cumulative).
"NOVA Entertainment's momentum continues to grow, with Survey 8 delivering exactly what we always aim for; great content that brings in more engaged listeners for our brands and advertisers," said NOVA Entertainment's chief executive officer, Peter Charlton.
"We're proud to be Australia's number one metro network for audiences aged 10+, including Smooth FM 95.3, the country's most listened-to station and Sydney's outright number one.
"Having closed-out 2025 with consistent industry-leading audiences, now it's time to look forward to 2026 and some really exciting plans for NOVA."
Group programming director for the Nova Network, Brendan Taylor, said he is proud of the Network's effort in 2025, calling it a testament to the hardworking and talented teams across the network.
"Whilst these figures look back at the 2025 ratings periods, they highlight the strength of the Smooth FM network as we move forward into 2026," said head of programming for the Smooth Network, Peter Clay.
"Smooth FM 95.3 is Sydney's outright #1 station and the most listened-to station in the country, and with strong results in Melbourne and the rest of the country, Smooth starts the year from an incredible position."
Sydney
The biggest winner in Sydney is Smooth FM 95.3, which surged 1.6 points to claim 13.0% share, cementing its position as the market's highest-ranked station and Australia's most listened-to station overall.
The station showed consistent growth across demographics and dayparts, with particularly strong performance in breakfast (up 1.1 to 10.1%).
In second is 2GB with a 11.2% share, but has suffered a 2.6-point drop from the previous survey's 13.8%.
The station's breakfast show fell from 16.8% to 14.9%, and its drive program declined from 8.1% to 5.8%.
KIIS1065 holds third place with 9.5% (up 0.2), maintaining its strength with the 18-24 demographic at 19.1%. The station's breakfast show with Kyle & Jackie O achieved 12.7% (up 0.2).
"Survey 8 closes out what has been a huge 2025 for ARN, and I want to thank everyone across the business for the energy and excellence that made this year so strong," said ARN's chief content officer, Kerri Elstub.
"As someone new to the ARN team, it's inspiring to join a business with such momentum and ambition. With new shows launching across KIIS, alongside the evolving GOLD lineup, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year.
"Our next chapter is already shaping up to be something truly amazing."
NOVA 96.9 gained 0.3 points to 7.8%, while GOLD101.7 improved 0.4 points to 9.1%, with breakfast hosts Jonesy & Amanda posting strong numbers.
Triple J experienced a significant decline, dropping 1.3 points to 2.4%, with particularly sharp falls among younger listeners.
In cumulative audience, KIIS1065 leads with 1.138 million listeners, followed by NOVA (1.142m) and Smooth FM (1.363m).
Melbourne
3AW maintains its dominance in Melbourne with 13.9% share, despite sliding 0.8 points from 14.7%. The station's breakfast show, despite dropping 0.3 points to 19.8%, remains the market's top-rating program.
GOLD 104.3 is the market's standout performer, climbing 0.8 points to 13.3% and showing remarkable growth in the 18-24 age group (up 5.0 points to 18.9%). The station posted gains across multiple sessions, with breakfast at 11.0% (down 0.2).
Smooth FM 91.5 slipped 0.3 points to 8.5%, while Triple M improved marginally by 0.2 points to 12.1%.
NOVA 100 gained 0.5 points to 7.9%.
FOX FM declined 0.7 points to 7.4%, continuing a downward trend.
The market's biggest loss was 3RN, which plummeted 0.8 points to 1.3%, with a dramatic 2.9-point collapse in the 65+ demographic.
Brisbane
Triple M 104.5 leads Brisbane with 12.1% (up 0.2), followed by NOVA106.9 at 11.0% (down 0.2), while both B105 and KIIS973 sit at 10.4%.
Triple M 104.5 showed the strongest growth in Brisbane, gaining across most demographics, particularly in the 18-24 demographic where it jumped 1.9 points to 13.5%.
4BH 1116 slipped 0.5 points to 10.3%, while ABC Brisbane declined 0.4 points to 6.0%.
Adelaide
Triple M tops Adelaide with 13.9% (down 0.4), while MIX102.3 remains steady at 12.9% (up 0.1). The station holds strong breakfast numbers at 10.8% (up 1.1). NOVA91.9 declined 0.9 points to 10.1%.
Perth
NOVA 93.7 leads Perth with 15.4% (down 0.6), followed by 96FM at 13.4% (up 1.4) and MIX 94.5 at 11.9% (down 1.5).
96FM was Perth's biggest mover, gaining 1.4 points with strong performances across multiple dayparts, particularly afternoon (up 2.2 points).
Triple M 92.9 also posted solid growth, up 1.3 points to 9.3%.
Lizzie Young, CEO of Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), Australia's industry body for commercial radio broadcasters, emphasised radio's potential for advertisers.
"The consistency, innovation, and value commercial radio provides brands is unmatched by any other media channel and it's exactly what advertisers need," Young said.
"Since mid-2022, we've delivered audiences of more than 12 million continuously. It's reliable, meaningful reach that brands can count on.
"Beyond reach and effectiveness, what makes commercial radio uniquely powerful is the industry's agility and creativity.
"Brands can leverage on-air talent who forge genuine connections with audiences, creative production teams who tailor everything to ensure it's 'made for audio', and event teams who deliver memorable brand experiences.
"It's expertise that translates directly into maximised ROI, proving exactly why audio is more powerful than you think."
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