2GB bounces in radio ratings despite off-air controversies
AM radio stars Alan Jones and Ray Hadley have seen their audience shares increase, despite off-air controversies for station 2GB.
Bullying claims against Hadley and heated contract negotiations for Jones did little to dampen listener enthusiasm for the pair.
Jones saw his breakfast audience increase to a 16.4 per cent share in Tuesday's Survey 2 results, up 1.2 per cent following a 0.1 per cent drop to start off the year. The result sees Jones retaining the 5.30am to 9am slot outright, despite a 1.3 per cent jump for KIISFM rivals Kyle & Jackie O (11.4 per cent).
Hadley, in the later morning slot, increased his audience share to a commanding 16.9 per cent, up 1.9 per cent.
Both 2GB hosts survived sketchy runs during the survey period, which covered February 10 to March 2 and March 10 to April 13.
Hadley was plagued by claims of bullying and intimidation from former colleagues at the station, including in an ABC 7.30 report that aired in early April. In late March, following similar dissent on social media, he apologised on-air "for any hurt" caused and suggested he'd changed his "former behaviour".
Jones, meanwhile, remains in the midst of lengthy contract negotiations with 2GB and parent company Macquarie Media (Nine, the owner of this masthead, has a majority stake in Macquarie Media), just months before his existing contract is due to expire.
Elsewhere in the survey, ABC Sydney claimed a surprise win in the 4pm to 7pm slot, increasing 1.1 per cent to a 10.4 per cent audience share to leapfrog last survey's win by smoothfm (up 0.1 per cent to 10.3 per cent).
KIISFM saw the biggest increase across all stations for the survey period, up 1.4 per cent to a 9.1 per cent total audience share, but still trails perennial leaders 2GB (14.5 per cent) and smoothfm (9.5 per cent).
This masthead is owned by Nine, which has a majority stake in Macquarie Media, owner of 2GB and Macquarie Sports.