The first radio ratings of 2024 are out, with major changes to the leader board in multiple markets keeping networks on their toes.

12.26 million people (82% of Australians) tuned into radio during GfK's first survey period of the year - 14 January to 24 February - up 0.6% compared to the final survey of 2023.

In Sydney Nine Radio's 2GB came out on top with 12.7% listener share, with the talkback station's Ben Fordham (16.6%) beating out ARN's Kyle and Jackie O (15.4%) on KIIS1065 in the breakfast slot.

In Melbourne, ARN's GOLD104.3 had the top overall share (11.8%) in a tight market, with the station's Christian O'Connell leading the breakfast slot on 11.9%, and Dave "Higgo" Higgens winning drive with 11.3% share.

In Brisbane SCA's B105 jumped into the top spot with a 13.8% share, with the Hit Network station's Stav, Abbey & Matt leading the breakfast slot on 15.9%.

"Today's results emphatically show that 2GB has started 2024 as Sydney's best local station. It's particularly pleasing to see Ben Fordham on top in Breakfast," said 2GB Content Manager, Luke Davis.

ARN Chief Content Officer Duncan Campbell pointed to the network's strong performance in Melbourne, and positioned Kyle & Jackie O as the top FM breakfast show in Sydney with KIIS 1065 attracting record cume figures. "With the unveiling of the pair’s new, cutting-edge studio earlier this week and the show’s eagerly anticipated Melbourne launch on the horizon, we’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead."

SCA Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron pointed to the network's dominance in the "key buying demographic of 25-54" . “SCA dominates Brisbane with outright #1 and #2 radio stations, with B105 taking out the overall win, driven by the Stav, Abby and Matt Breakfast show. Likewise, our Triple M Adelaide Breakfast show, Roo, Ditts and Loz, celebrate their eleventh #1 Breakfast show win, and we’re excited to see Mix 94.5 return to the outright number one station in Perth."

Peak commercial radio body, Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) reported a growth in younger audiences in the first survey of the year, with a 1.3% increase in listeners aged 10-24 to 2.8 million.

Commercial DAB+ stations have also seen growth in younger audiences, with listeners aged 10-24 up by 5% to 899 thousand. This comes after CRA's major advertising campaign around DAB+ in January and February.

"We are really encouraged by the first survey results for 2024, which show commercial radio continues to grow its audience and bring in younger listeners," said Ford Ennals, CRA chief executive officer. "Radio is always evolving to suit changing listening habits, which is why we continue to grow our audience to new record levels, and 82% of Australians are listening to commercial stations."

Ennals said: "Audiences are continuing to explore their digital options, with 3.2 million people aged 10 and over listening to commercial radio via streaming, and 4.7 million listening to commercial radio on a DAB device."

At-home (46.9%) and in-car (32.4%) share of listening remained relatively stable for commercial radio, while there was growth for at-work listening, increasing 0.9% to 17.8% year on year. Time spent listening to commercial radio increased by 1 hour 2 minutes.