A dramatic shift in Sydney's radio landscape has left listeners questioning the future of news and sports programming. In a surprising turn of events, Smooth FM, with its easy listening music format, emerged as the city's top choice, while the iconic 2GB experienced a decline and ABC stagnated.
The Rise of Smooth FM
Owned by Lachlan Murdoch's NOVA Entertainment, Smooth FM captured a remarkable 13% share of Sydney's radio market. This success story contrasts sharply with 2GB, which saw its share drop from 13.8% to 11.2%, and ABC Radio Sydney, which remained stagnant at 5.5%.
The final radio ratings survey of 2025, released in December, revealed a year of transition for 2GB. Veteran presenter Ray Hadley's departure at the end of 2024, coupled with discussions about a potential sale of Nine's radio assets, left an air of uncertainty.
The Battle for Breakfast
In the highly competitive breakfast slot, Ben Fordham, 2GB's talkback king, retained his crown with a 14.9% share, despite a slight drop. However, his show faced stiff competition from Smooth FM's Ty Frost, who emerged as a strong contender.
KIIS FM's Kyle & Jackie O Show maintained its second spot in Sydney, ending the year with a 12.7% share, a slight improvement from the previous survey. Their success in Sydney contrasts with their performance in Melbourne, where they faced challenges.
Nine radio boss Greg Byrnes acknowledged the dominance of 2GB and 3AW in their respective markets, but emphasized the network's focus on reconnecting listeners with their favorite presenters and introducing new voices.
A Year of Change for ABC Radio Sydney
ABC Radio Sydney experienced a year of change and challenges. The loss of long-time Drive host Richard Glover, followed by the announcement of Chris Bath's departure after just one year, sparked criticism of the station's male-dominated lineup for 2026. Bath's Drive show ended the year with a slight decline, while ABC Classic saw a small growth in audience.
But here's where it gets controversial... With the appointment of ABC NewsRadio host Thomas Oriti as Bath's successor, questions arise about the station's commitment to diversity and representation.
And this is the part most people miss... The decline of news and sports programming on commercial radio stations could signal a shift towards more entertainment-focused content.
What do you think? Is this a natural evolution of radio, or a cause for concern? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
