Survey #1 2017: Wollongong

Former Features Editor

Local stations Wave FM and i98 FM are still the favourites amongst Wollongong listeners according to the latest survey results.

Despite its 1.7% drop on last year, i98 FM claimed an overall market share of 27.4, and held on to their significant lead over Wave FM – who also lost 2.9% – on 15.6 points.

ABC Illawarra also continued its dominance, gaining 1.1% to finish with 14.6 points. ABC RN also made gains, proving that there’s still plenty of power in the AM band.

Other movements in the key demographics include:

  • +3 gains made by The Edge among those aged 18-24
  • +2.3 improvement among those aged 18-24 for triple j
  • +3.8 gain by Power FM among 10-17 listeners
  • -7.5 drop for Wave FM listeners aged 40-54

i98’s breakfast team Marty, Christie & Crammy keep going from strength to strength, gaining +1.8 in the competitive session and holding on to their crown as Wollongong’s most-listened-to breakfast show.

There was also a swing amongst evening listeners, with both triple j and locals Wave FM down -4.8 in the 7pm-12am session as ABC Illawarra’s Evenings with Chris Bath improved by +5.6 compared to the last survey.

 

“Today’s research enables the stations to illustrate their competitiveness in the market,” Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner said.

The last Wollongong survey was conducted in November 2016.

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Billy
9 Nov 2017 - 2:10 pm

Another disaster for WAVE. Big drops right across the board and very little direction. They’re so far back now it’s hard to see them ever making up the shortfall. Listeners keep deserting them

nick bartlett
9 Nov 2017 - 3:45 pm

Maybe Wave should go to the next 2WL reunion and ask a few people to return. 2WL owned the Illawarra. Wave is barely a ripple on Windang Beach.

Daniel
10 Nov 2017 - 7:38 pm

Dedicated listener to WAVE, however it is easy to see why i98 is more popular. Unlike WAVE, i98 has an active Twitter account, which in my opinion, is essential to any company as it offers quick and easy communication and free advertising via shared tweets.

i98 also is available on various iPhone Radio apps, I am yet to find WAVE on any of these radio apps, which is fairly disappointing.

Alison
10 Nov 2017 - 8:33 pm

There was an article in the Illawarra Mercury saying WAVE were #1 with the baby boomers. Meaning the only demo they won was 55-64 !! Is that really where they want to be ? This station needs a complete overhaul. A new format, a new Content Director and a new Breakfast Show, because all three key factors are letting them down badly right now

Albi
12 Nov 2017 - 8:20 pm

Jeez Louise WAVEFM really need something new and now. i98 are crushing them.

Bailey
9 Jun 2018 - 4:25 pm

I love Wave FM, it’s such a good radio station and plays great 80’s and 90’s music. I really don’t understand why they are so far behind i98fm. Go Wave Fm!!

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