The latest radio ratings for 2026 reveal a further blow to KIIS FM’s breakfast program after its decline The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
The fourth survey of the year, covering the period April 19 to June 27, showed the breakfast show’s audience share in Sydney fell a further 0.8%, with a total of 75,000 listeners.
KIIS FM listeners continue to flee, although at least the pace of their flight is stabilizing. Instagram/@Jackie O
Mid-year, breakfast KIIS FM fell from first position in the second survey, which covered the period 8 February to 4 April, to fifth station overall in the Sydney market and third position in breakfast alongside the ABC.
The breakfast stand-in team, led by Mike “E” Etheridge and Brooklyn Ross, recorded an overall audience share of 7.1%, down 1.1%.
Ben Fordham remains the king of Sydney radio with his breakfast share of 14.8%, down 0.8, followed by Smoothfm’s Bogart Torrelli with 12%, up 0.6.
According to a third survey released in June, KIIS FM’s audience share in Sydney fell by 3.5 per cent, representing a cumulative loss of 132,000 listeners each week.
This is the third full ratings period since their departure, with the first including their heated showdown on February 20 and Sandilands’ final weeks on air.
In June, Sandilands agreed to a $12 million settlement package with his former employer ARN.
“There is $3 million up front and $12 million paid,” he told the media outside his home.
“I could drag this out for about a year and a half, my guys were quite confident of victory, but there is no guarantee.
“There are appeals that can drag on forever.
The settlement comes after Sandilands filed a lawsuit against his former employer following the termination of his $100 million contract with KIIS FM earlier this year.
The settlement ends one of two lawsuits filed against ARN after the end of The Kyle and Jackie O Show in February following an on-air row between the two stars.
Although the Sandilands case has been settled, the lawsuit brought by Jackie O’Henderson continues.
Henderson sued ARN for wrongful dismissal, seeking compensation of at least $82.25 million and alleging that her dismissal contravened the Fair Work Act.
She is due in court for a hearing in August, with the trial scheduled to begin in September.