Sydney's radio landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and it's leaving some industry giants scrambling to keep up. In a surprising twist, Sydneysiders are tuning out of news and sports talk, opting instead for the soothing sounds of easy listening music. But here's where it gets controversial: while Smooth FM, owned by Lachlan Murdoch's NOVA Entertainment, soared to the top spot with a 13% market share, Nine-owned 2GB saw a significant drop from 13.8% to 11.2%. Meanwhile, ABC Radio Sydney remained stagnant at 5.5%, capping off a year of turmoil for the public broadcaster.
The final radio ratings survey of 2025, released on Tuesday, revealed a city in transition. Spanning October 5 to December 13, the survey highlighted the challenges faced by talkback stations like 2GB, which has been navigating changes since veteran presenter Ray Hadley's departure at the end of 2024. And this is the part most people miss: despite rumors of a potential sale of Nine's radio assets, the network insists it’s business as usual, with radio boss Greg Byrnes touting their dominance in key markets.
Ben Fordham, 2GB’s breakfast host, retained his crown with a 14.9% share, though he lost 1.9 percentage points. Meanwhile, Mark Levy, Hadley’s replacement in the Mornings slot, saw his share dip from 15.8% to 13%, losing out to Smooth FM’s Ty Frost. Is this the beginning of the end for 2GB’s reign, or just a temporary setback?
Over at KIIS FM, The Kyle & Jackie O Show held strong in second place with a 12.7% share, despite a less-than-stellar performance in Melbourne. Their national rollout appears stalled, raising questions about their long-term strategy.
ABC Radio Sydney’s struggles continued, with the station failing to grow its audience despite a slight uptick for breakfast host Craig Reucassel. The departure of Drive host Richard Glover and his replacement, Chris Bath, who stepped down after just one year, sparked criticism of the station’s male-dominated lineup for 2026. Does ABC Radio need a complete overhaul, or can it recover from this year of upheaval?
Interestingly, ABC Classic was the only ABC station in Sydney to see growth, rising from 3.2% to 3.3%. Meanwhile, Triple J, Radio National, and NewsRadio all experienced minor declines.
As Sydney’s radio scene evolves, one thing is clear: listeners are craving change. But what does this mean for the future of talkback radio? Are we witnessing the decline of traditional formats, or is this just a phase? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
