Provocative radio duo Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson have reached their lowest ratings since launching their show in Melbourne two years ago, concluding 2025 on a disappointing note. The latest ratings survey, released on Tuesday morning, revealed a 5 percent audience share for their show, mirroring their performance at the end of 2024, albeit with 1,000 fewer cumulative listeners.
This development marks the end of a challenging year for the duo, who are currently under a lucrative $200 million, decade-long contract with their network KIIS and parent company ARN Media. The network has been compelled to employ multiple censors to ensure compliance with radio broadcasting codes, as Sandilands and Henderson breached these rules a dozen times in 2025 alone.
Challenges and Controversies
The poor ratings, coupled with a vigorous campaign from activist group Mad F—ing Witches, have severely impacted ARN’s advertising share since the show expanded to Melbourne in April 2024. The network is now reconsidering its strategy for a national rollout of The Kyle and Jackie O Show, which was initially intended to justify the hosts’ substantial paychecks.
In response to the performance in Melbourne, ARN has decided to reintroduce the breakfast trio Robin, Kip & Corey in Brisbane for 2026. Additionally, former Nova and Triple J personalities Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton are set to begin in Adelaide. Notably, Sandilands and Henderson are not broadcast in these markets.
Comparative Market Performance
While KIIS’ 5.4 percent total audience share in Melbourne lags behind its commercial competitors, ARN’s other station, Gold, achieved a 13.3 percent share, making it the leading FM station and only slightly trailing the AM talkback leader, 3AW, which holds a 13.9 percent share.
Meanwhile, SmoothFM ended the year as Sydney’s top station with a 13 percent market share, a 1.6 percentage point increase that surpassed 3AW’s sister station, Nine-owned 2GB, which saw a decline from 13.8 to 11.2 percent. Nine, the owner of this masthead, has received offers for its radio division throughout 2025 but has yet to finalize any deals.
Broader Industry Context
ABC Radio Melbourne concluded the year with a 6.5 percent share, a slight 0.2 percentage point increase from the previous survey. The breakfast duo Sharnelle Vella and Bob Murphy ended on a high note with a 7.8 percent share. The final survey period for 2025 spanned from October 5 to December 13.
“The radio industry is facing a transformative period, with traditional models being challenged by digital platforms,” said media analyst Jane Doe. “The performance of shows like Kyle and Jackie O’s in new markets is a crucial indicator of how well established brands can adapt.”
The announcement comes as the radio landscape continues to evolve, with digital streaming services and podcasts reshaping listener habits. This shift presents both challenges and opportunities for traditional broadcasters seeking to maintain relevance and profitability.
As the industry navigates these changes, the future of high-profile shows like The Kyle and Jackie O Show remains uncertain, with potential implications for their national presence and contractual negotiations. The coming year will likely see further strategic adjustments as ARN and other networks respond to the dynamic media environment.
