Nova has posted a steady set of Survey 7 results across its major markets, with Group Programming Director Brendan Taylor telling Mediaweek the network’s national consistency is becoming one of its most valuable commercial assets.
“We’ve got a very solid programming team, supported by some amazing on-air teams,” he said.
“Clear direction, we know our strengths, we know the weaknesses we need to work on. Honestly, I couldn’t be prouder.”
Sydney was a highlight.
Nova 96.9 climbed to 7.5%, adding 59,000 listeners to reach a cume of 1.193 million.
Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie recorded the biggest jump, adding 68,000 listeners and holding breakfast at 8.5%, remaining the city’s second most popular show.
“It’s a very good result, particularly being Survey 7 and what it means to the business and our commercial partners,” Taylor said. “It’s a very important survey which rolls into next year.”
In Melbourne, Nova 100 lifted to 7.4% with a cume of 1.19 million, and breakfast held at 8.3%. Taylor says the upward trajectory reflects a strategy that has taken years to refine.
“They’re having their best year in the 14 years of Sydney with rotation,” he says of the broader network structure. “The audience results are proving we’re making a greater and more unique connection with the audience.”
Consistency becomes the pitch
Taylor says the message to the market is clear: reliability sells.
“We continually show our consistency on delivering to our commercial partners,” he said.
“To have consistent results allows us to then work with our partners and achieve the results that they need. It also improves the partnerships we have and the trust they have in our talent,” he said. “For the business, the audience perspective and our commercial partners, it’s a very, very, very pleasing day.”
Nationally, Nova continues to dominate key dayparts. The Chrissie Swan Show remains the country’s #1 afternoons show with a 10.3% share and 1.254 million listeners. Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel again takes #1 in drive with a 10.5% share and 1.336 million cume.
These steady, repeatable results form the spine of Nova’s pitch to advertisers heading into 2025: predictable delivery, audience scale and clear daypart leadership.
Melbourne heat, but signs of resilience
Taylor acknowledges the tight Melbourne battle, where Nova competes against long-established rivals.
The Breakfast show there dipped slightly from 8.4% to 8.3%, but Taylor is taking the figures in his stride.
“Jase, Lauren and Clint are an exceptional team, but we’re in a competitive market against Fifi Box and Christian O’Connell – all heritage shows,” he says. “To be in the eights is still a very good result.”
He notes that with Stanaway now fully focused after stepping away from Channel Nine, the show has more stability ahead: “Now can really focus his energy and time onto the show.”
Nova’s message for 2025: reliability is the product
Taylor says the network’s internal culture is driving the results. “We obsess over numbers. We really love what we do… good people that love the product,” he says.
With eight surveys a year, Taylor says Survey 7 holds particular weight as advertisers plan ahead. And this time, the data gives Nova a straightforward message to sell: a network performing well across the board, with the stability to match.
“It’s why we do it,” he says.