Sydney Radio Ratings 2026 Survey 2: Post-Kyle & Jackie O, KIIS Holds

Why It Matters

The data signals that KIIS can retain listeners despite losing marquee talent, while the shifting breakfast rankings reshape where advertisers allocate spend in Sydney’s competitive FM market.

Key Takeaways

• KIIS breakfast share slipped 1 point to 11.7% after hosts' exit
• 2GB leads overall with 13.3% cume, up 84k listeners
• Triple M and Gold both at 5.5% breakfast despite opposite trends
• ABC Sydney cume fell to 4.3%, down 0.8 rating points
• Christian O’Connell’s Gold show ties Triple M at 5.5% breakfast

Pulse Analysis

The latest GfK Radio Survey 2 provides a rare snapshot of Sydney’s FM landscape during a transitional period. With only four weeks of data and Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O still on‑air for roughly 60% of that window, KIIS 1065’s modest 1‑point dip suggests a resilient audience base. Listeners appear to be holding steady rather than scattering, giving the station a foothold as it re‑tools its breakfast lineup.

Beyond KIIS, the survey highlights a tightening battle for the coveted breakfast slot. 2GB’s 13.3% cumulative audience, bolstered by an 84,000‑listener gain, reaffirms its dominance, while smooth FM maintains parity at 13.3% cume. The convergence of Triple M and Gold at 5.5% breakfast share—driven by Triple M’s incremental rise and Gold’s decline—underscores how programming strategies can produce similar outcomes through divergent paths. Meanwhile, ABC Sydney’s slide to a 4.3% cume reflects broader challenges for public broadcasters in a commercial‑driven market.

Looking ahead, KIIS’s ability to stabilize its audience will hinge on the chemistry of its new hosts and the station’s promotional push. Gold’s networked show with Christian O’Connell, still tethered to Melbourne, must translate into local relevance to break the 5.5% ceiling. Advertisers should monitor these dynamics closely, as even marginal shifts in breakfast ratings can reallocate millions in ad spend. Stations that can innovate in content and digital integration are poised to capture the next wave of Sydney listeners.