smoothfm has opened 2026 as Sydney’s number one station, posting a record 13.5% share, while Nova Entertainment has delivered audience growth across both Sydney and Melbourne in the first radio survey of the year.
In a post-ratings chat, Nova’s group programming director, Brendan Taylor, told Mediaweek the results reflect early audience response following recent market changes, particularly in Sydney.
“For us, it’s three weeks of the original lineup, and three weeks of the new lineup,” Taylor said.
“But when you see a cume of 141,000 coming into the station, you can see there’s obviously a genuine connection and a genuine interest in what we’re doing.”
smooth extends lead in Sydney
smoothfm’s 13.5% share marks the highest result in the station’s history. Its More Music Breakfast with Bogart Torelli has also moved into the number two FM breakfast position by share.
Taylor said the station’s consistent format continues to resonate with listeners.
“They stay consistent with the values of the brand. The station really is more of an emotion, and those behind the station, such as its head of programming Pete Clay, build the station on emotion and an emotional connection,” he said.
Nova’s new Breakfast team of Tim Blackwell, Ricki-Lee Coulter.
Nova Sydney lifts cume and breakfast
Nova 96.9 held a 7.7% share (down from 7.8%), while increasing its cumulative audience by 141,000 to 1.283 million. Breakfast rose to 8.4% from 7.9%.
Taylor said the uplift in audience and breakfast performance was a positive signal at this stage of the year.
Taylor said the strength of the Nova brand continues to underpin the network’s performance, pointing to what is effectively a duopoly with smooth in the Sydney market.
“The Nova brand has been so strong for so many years now,” he said, adding he was “particularly happy with Sydney Breakfast,” noting that “when you look at the position from a cume perspective, you know, it’s really nice to be outdone by its sister station smooth.”
Despite the competitive dynamic, Taylor framed the result as an encouraging start to the year, adding: “It’s a long year ahead for only survey one out of eight, but you know, it’s a good positive indication that, you know, we’re moving, we’re starting off in the right position.”
Nova Melbourne posts share and breakfast gains
Nova 100 recorded one of the strongest results of the survey, increasing its share to 8.7% (from 7.9%), with cume up 60,000 to 1.215 million. Breakfast rose to 11.1% from 8.8%.
Taylor said the result reflects a renewed focus on content and audience connection.
“The team are ecstatic. They’re one of the best teams in the country. They want to be number one, and they want to have as many listeners as possible,” he said.
“And they’ve worked really hard this year to get back to the content and the connection that they know best with the audience.”
Nova 100’s Breakfast team of Jase & Lauren
Market adjusting after changes
Taylor said Survey 1 should be read against a backdrop of significant change in the Sydney market, describing it as “a big moment in radio, and particularly in Sydney radio,” with much of the industry conversation unfolding after those shifts.
He said the early results were encouraging, pointing to growth across both breakfast and overall station performance as evidence that audiences are “coming in” and “settling in.”
Taylor added that Nova’s focus remains on scale and commercial delivery, noting the network’s “very strong” cumulative audience, its position as “a very trusted brand,” and the strength of its “experienced and talented broadcasters” working alongside commercial partners.
Main image: Nova’s group programming director, Brendan Taylor