ABC Radio Canberra has clawed back some of the listeners it lost following a dramatic upheaval of its on-air talent late last year, but it continues to trail commercial stations MIX 106.3 and Hit 104.7.
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The critical breakfast shift, anchored by Dan Bourchier, along with Adam Shirley in its final half hour, managed to gain back some ground in the latest ratings, rising 1.8 percentage points to reclaim the top market share for the time slot after tumbling by 5.6 points earlier in the year.
But the ABC has yet to wrestle back its spot at the top of the Canberra radio pack - coming in third again once again behind Mix 106.3 and Hit 104.7.
Hit now boasts the lion's share of the ACT market Monday to Friday at 16 per cent. While Mix fell more than 2 points, it has kept its strangehold on the weekend to remain Canberra's top station overall.
Canberra FM Radio general manager Craig Wagstaff said both stations were "thrilled" with the results and remained "geniunely appreciative" that about 190,000 people in Canberra and the region now chose to tune in each week.
Triple J also fell after climbing more than three points earlier in the year.
Former Mornings presenter Genevieve Jacobs was ousted from ABC Radio Canberra in December after more than a decade with the station. Adam Shirley has since taken over the slot, which rose half a point in the survey this time around after a sharp fall early in the year.
ABC Canberra editor Michelle Ainsworth said events like Stargazing Live and the broadcaster's recent focus on homelessness had helped cement the national broadcaster as "central to the lives of our community”. Bourchier's "strength" behind the chair for Breakfast and then again anchoring the 7pm news bulletin was also paying off, she said.
“Dan Bourchier and Adam Shirley at Breakfast have moved back to a clear number one in the market through their agenda setting program, by keeping the government and other community leaders accountable,” Ms Ainsworth said.
Audiences aged between 18 and 54 drove the ABC's turnaround, though Hit 104.7 remained the station of choice for those aged between 10 and 29.
ABC Canberra won out with those over 65, despite a slump in older listeners overall.
A little across town, 2CC fell in ratings across almost all timeslots, but its sister station 2CA gained ground.
General manager Michael Jones chalked the gain up to the station's "great music...and the world class talent" of its reshuffled on-air team.
