Southern Cross Austereo’s (SCA) Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron is calling the latest Survey 2 radio ratings for 2025 a moment of “steady and consistent” progress, with early green shoots beginning to sprout across several rebuilt line-ups.
Leading the charge is Triple M Sydney, which has posted its best result in several years.
“It’s our best result since 2019 for Triple M Sydney. Go figure,” Cameron told Mediaweek. “It’s gone up in every shift, and we’re also winning the workday against Nova.”
The network’s Sydney rock station has undergone significant change in 2025. In January, the launch of the new Triple M Breakfast with Beau, Tarsh & Woodsy marked a new era, only for co-host Natarsha Belling to depart within weeks.
Then, to complicate matters even further, co-host Beau Ryan took leave for several weeks to film The Amazing Race Australia. Despite all the disruptions, the station has held steady.
“That’s a station that we feel really good about and I believe the momentum will keep bubbling away for the rest of the year,” Cameron said.
Beau Ryan, Natarsha Belling and Aaron Woods
He credits the leadership of Triple M Sydney’s Content Director, Laura Bouchet, for helping the station to find its feet, adding that he believes “the momentum will keep bubbling away for the rest of the year”.
“You know, it’s on a new path for this year. Music’s been adjusted. You know, it’s really honing in on Western Sydney and localism,” he said.
He further highlighted Triple M Sydney’s workday success saying “we’re also winning in the workday against Nova, recording 6.9% while they did 6.3%”.
2Day FM: A rebuild in motion
Another key focus for Cameron is the revitalisation of 2Day FM, where The Jimmy & Nath Show with Emma is settling in alongside a refreshed music format under the guidance of music director Kiri Martin.
In an interview with Mediaweek following the launch of the revised strategy, Martin explained that her vision is “to play the hits before they hit.”
“I’m a big believer in finding that next generation of Aussie superstars to come through. We want the next Amy Shark’s, the Tones and I’s.” Martin said the focus on local talent not only benefits artists but also resonates with listeners who take pride in Australian music.
The Jimmy & Nath Show with Emma
As for the Breakfast show, which recorded a 3.4% share in the latest survey (down from its previous 3.7%) Cameron is confident that “traction” will only continue to build.
“2Day FM its going to be a new show for many surveys to come, to be honest. We’re really not going to see any strong kind of audience movement, I don’t think until later on this year,” Cameron explained.
“That’s the time that we need to take to really give it, you know, that chance to establish a brand new format. But we’re really happy with the breakfast show.”
Fifi, Fev and Nick stay strong despite disruption
Over in Melbourne, Fifi, Fev and Nick on Fox FM has remained one of the network’s most durable performers. The breakfast trio weathered a bumpy survey with Brendan Fevola stepping back from the mic for a few weeks to film I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
“It was a bit destabilising,” Cameron admitted. “But it’s just such a strong show, and we’re confident in Fox continuing to hold a leadership position in the market. Even if we’re not number one right now, we’re in that leadership pack, holding up really well.”
Despite the disruption, ratings for the Breakfast remained relatively steady at 8.3% recording a meagre 0.1 share point drop from Survey 1.
Mick Molloy era begins at Triple M Melbourne
Another headline shift came with Mick Molloy’s return to Triple M Melbourne’s breakfast slot.
Just eight weeks in, Cameron is already pleased with how the show, Mick in the Morning with Roo, Titus and Rosie, is resonating.
“The show’s got great chemistry. It knows footy. It does Melbourne really well every morning,” he said. With AFL season now in full swing, the network expects further momentum in the months ahead.
Mick in the Morning with Roo, Titus and Rosie
Rush Hour refresh
The network also made bold moves to overhaul Rush Hour programming across its Triple M network, after Marty Sheargold’s exit triggered a broader rethink of the station’s approach to drive.
“It was a change somewhat forced upon us, but we’re all the better for it,” Cameron said. “We’ve brought in strong female voices, leaned into NRL partnerships, and returned to more localised content, which is excellent for our clients and the industry overall.”
The updated drive shows in New South Wales and Queensland are helping to restore local identity across the network while diversifying its talent lineup.
LiSTNR strategy pays dividends
SCA’s digital arm LiSTNR continues to play a critical role in the business’s strategy and, according to Cameron, accounts for “60% to 70% of our total product”.
“We’re well aware that you can get podcasts here, there, and everywhere, but LiSTNR is the exclusive platform for the live streaming of all of our radio stations, you can’t stream them anywhere else,” he said. “Our broadcast shows are the nucleus for uptake.”
Earlier this year, SCA renewed its exclusive podcast deal with Hamish & Andy, one of Australia’s most downloaded shows. Their continued presence on LiSTNR is a major audience and advertiser draw.
Over the past three years, it has attracted more than 800,000 monthly listeners and topped the Australian Podcast Ranker Top 200 an unprecedented 26 times.
amish Blake, SCA CEO John Kelly, Andy Lee, and Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron
Focused on the ‘Audience That Matters’
Cameron remains laser-focused on the commercial prize, the highly desirable 25–54 demographic that drives 80% of the network’s ad revenue.
“We call it the audience that matters because it really is the only audience that matters for us,” he said. “That”s why we super-serve that audience with products designed just for them.”
With sweeping changes implemented and more patience required, SCA is setting itself up for long-term success, fuelled by a combination of creative risk, renewed localism, and digital-first thinking.
“We’re building new shows, and that takes time,” said Cameron. “But we’re seeing green shoots, and we’re pretty happy with the Survey.”