ABC loses top radio spot

ABC Radio has given up the top spot in Hobart’s radio ratings for the first time in years, with 7HO FM taking the crown yesterday.

Meanwhile, Triple M’s breakfast show hosted by the sacked Dave Noonan surged to equal second in that slot.

LOCAL commercial radio station 7HO FM has claimed the title of most listened to station in Hobart, official radio survey results show.

The survey, undertaken by Xtra Insights on behalf of Commercial Radio Australia, offers a snapshot of the city’s listening habits.

For the past three years, ABC Hobart has topped the poll, but a dip in numbers saw the national broadcaster’s local outfit drop to second place this year.

7HO topped the poll in all categories except the evening timeslot, which was dominated by ABC Hobart, with 33.7 per cent of the audience tuning in.

Overall listenership for 7HO grew by 2.3 per cent on last year, while second placed ABC experienced a drop of 2.9 per cent.

Hit 100.9 had the third biggest overall listenership for this year.

In the coveted breakfast slot, the survey found 7HO was king of the early mornings, with local crew Mick Newell and Sarah Morrison attracting an average of 53,400 listeners a week.

Newell said the secret to their success was being local and being able to laugh at themselves.

“We touch on politics, but we mostly try to keep it light and positive — the aim of the game is making people smile on the way to work,” he said.

“We’re just normal people, both born at Calvary, brought up in Hobart. We didn’t go to radio school – we’ve done no training, but we love the job.”

Morrison said after coming back from maternity leave there was a family vibe to the workplace.

“The fact that this business has let me bring [daughter] Marley with me has been a massive bonus – she’s a part of the team and I think listeners love hearing her as well,” she said.

“You’ve got to come to work and love it. You don’t wake up to go to a job you don’t love.”

Triple M made significant gains on last year’s results to come in at equal second with Hit 100.9 for the breakfast slot.

Earlier this month, Triple M announced popular breakfast radio personality Dave Noonan would not return to the airwaves next year after his long-running show was axed.