2UE is ‘talking sydney’

Survey 3, the latest Nielsen Media Ratings were released this week with 2GB holding into the Number 1 spot with 2 DAY FM hot on their heels.

The big winner’s however were WSFM as well as 2UE who had been heading the wrong way since John Laws and Peter Fitzsimons left forcing a change to the whole day time line-up.

Perhaps it’s the arrival of Jim Ball on the overnight shift that has brought listeners from GB who have made the switch permanently. Possibly Alan Jones’ two week absence helped 2UE who experienced a rise across all shifts as well as weekends.

Mike and Sandy 7.6% (up 1.7%)
Steve Price 6.2% (up 1.1%)
Tim Webster 6.4% (up 1.2%)
John Stanley 6.9% (up 0.8%)
Stuart Bocking 9.7% (up 2.1%)
Weekends 9% (up 1.3%)

Overall:
2UE 7.1% (up 1.3%)
2GB 12.0% (down 1.2%)
ABC 9.0% (down 1%)

The rise for 2UE is good news for the station with Stuart Bocking’s figures skyrocketing which is good for Bock because his show is very entertaining and his strong performances will be keeping the daytime presenter’s hot on their heels.

Steve Price has also seen his figures increase perhaps thanks to the Pensioner’s Forum he held in Parramatta which got wide and deserved publicity. This act of Price’s was excellent as he shows he is not afraid to tackle big national issues and set the national agenda.

The programming decision to move George & Paul’s show to 8AM has paid dividends with the 2UE Weekend line-up performing strongly whilst Glen Wheeler’s sacking may have helped Clive Robertson’s afternoon program.

I read in ‘The Guide’ last week that 2UE are looking for a partner for Robertson. Might I suggest Prue MacSween who filled in for George Moore last weekend partnering Paul B. Kidd. MacSween did a more than amicable job and her presence would be welcoming to 2UE weekend afternoons.

It was not only 2UE that grew it’s audience but WSFM returned a strong result whilst Vega is going no where. WSFM hot 8.5% (up 1.8%) with an increase in figures for mornings with Ron E Sparks up almost 3% to 10.6% placing him second in morning’s behind 2GB’s Ray Hadley.

In Wednesday’s Sydney Morning Herald they commented that Triple M is dying. Triple M has only 6.4% of the audience share with breakfast falling to only 5.0%. The traditional Triple M listener has been lost as the Rock of the 70s and 80s has now been replaced by modern popular rock which has independent or softer rock roots as the station is facing an identity crisis.

I am not surprised as I am not a Triple M listener but have been flicking over the last few months and on two occasions been surprised with what they were playing. Once Pink and the other occasion James Blunt… what happened to a bit of Cold Chisel or Men At Work which has been capitalised by WSFM and the traditional Triple M listener is now heading down the dial.

Two other recent contradictions have been made by management. Firstly the decision to sack Get This was the stupidest idea they had when the show was rating and profitable.

Secondly The Cage was supposedly sacked because there were too many voices on air. I think at some stages there were 5 or 6. When The Shebang started, it was Marty Sheargold and Fifi Box with an anchor. Now they have added Paul Murray to the mix, so there are four competing voices… not that different to why the cage was sacked?

If Triple M’s ratings do not improve then the music could be rebranded so the station re-discovers its rock roots but they will not want to be a WSFM alternative do they?