Mix94.5 Breakfast Duo Pete & Kymba Rocket to Second Place in Perth Radio Rankings
The first radio survey results of 2026 have been released, revealing a significant shake-up in Perth's breakfast timeslot. Mix94.5's popular morning team, Pete & Kymba, have dramatically risen from fourth to take outright second place, solidifying their appeal among local audiences.
Listener Growth and Market Share Shifts
Pete & Kymba enjoyed a 0.3 per cent increase in market share, accompanied by a boost of 10,000 additional listeners. This surge allowed them to edge past the rebranded GOLD96FM, which has experienced a steep decline. Overall, Mix94.5 has retained second spot locally for total market share percentage, tying with GOLD96FM and trailing behind NOVA93.7.
In contrast, the GOLD network in Perth has faced one of its worst survey results, bleeding 1.8 per cent in market share and losing a staggering 99,000 listeners since January. Analysts suggest that ARN's decision earlier this year to align Perth's 96FM with its Sydney-centric stable may be backfiring, with GOLD's East Coast-focused content potentially alienating West Australian listeners.
Local Focus Drives Success for Mix94.5
Pete & Kymba attribute their success to a dedicated effort to bring joy and humour to Perth listeners each morning. In a statement to The West, they explained, "We want our show to feel like the fun BBQ you go to where you can come and have a great chat and a fun laugh. It's awesome to see WA is enjoying it as much as we are every morning! Everyone is welcome, so feel free to join the fun with us every morning from 6am to 9am."
James Speed, group content director of Mix94.5 & Triple M Perth, emphasised the station's commitment to local content, stating, "Mix94.5 is, and always will be, a station built for Perth." He highlighted the influence of the broader team in achieving Thursday's ratings, noting, "We're so pleased with today's result, and it shows Perth really backs local voices, and people who understand our way of life in the West. Our breakfast team Pete & Kymba live and breathe WA."
Broader Perth Radio Landscape and National Trends
SCA's Triple M emerged as the preferred local station for men aged 35-64, with its breakfast pair of Xav & Katie also most popular among the male 25-54 demographic. These results contributed to an overall increase of 25,000 listeners for Triple M, with Perth radio experiencing a cumulative injection of 99,000 listeners across the board.
Nationally, SCA saw growth in other markets, including a 0.6 per cent share bump to Triple M in Sydney and a 1.0 per cent increase in Brisbane. Meanwhile, the impact of KIIS' The Kyle & Jackie O show was noted, as the shock jocks' breakfast show ended its disappointing two-year Melbourne run at eighth spot. Historically strong in their native Sydney market, the pair held their 12.7 per cent breakfast share there but dropped 60,000 in cumulative audience in what will be their final ever ratings.
