The latest radio ratings of 2026 revealed a further blow to KIIS FM’s breakfast slot following the demise of The Kyle & Jackie O Show.
The fourth survey of the year, which covers the period from April 19 to June 27, saw the breakfast show drop a further 0.8 per cent audience share in Sydney and losing 75,000 listeners overall.
KIIS FM listeners continue to flee although at least the rate at which they are is steadying. Instagram/@Jackie O
The mid-year bookmark saw KIIS FM breakfast fall from the first position in survey two, which covered February 8 to April 4, to fifth station in the overall Sydney market and the third in breakfast alongside the ABC.
The breakfast stand-in team, led by Mike ‘E’ Etheridge and Brooklyn Ross registered a 7.1 per cent audience share overall, marking a drop of 1.1 per cent.
Ben Fordham remains the overall Sydney radio king with his breakfast share of 14.8 per cent, down 0.8, followed by Smoothfm’s Bogart Torrelli at 12 per cent, up 0.6.
In survey three, released in June, KIIS FM had dropped 3.5 per cent audience share in Sydney, representing a cumulative loss of 132,000 listeners each week.
This is the third complete ratings period since their exit, with the first encompassing their fiery on-air clash on February 20 and Sandilands’ last weeks on air.
In June, Sandilands agreed to a $12 million settlement package with his former employer ARN.
“There’s $3 million upfront and there’s $12 million paid out,” he said to media outside his home.
“I could’ve dragged it on for like a year and a half, my guys were pretty confident at winning, but there’s no guarantee.
“There’s appeals, that could drag on forever.
The settlement comes after Sandilands took legal action against his former employer, after terminating his $100 million KIIS FM contract earlier this year.
The settlement ended one of two lawsuits brought against ARN after the end of the Kyle and Jackie O Show in February following an on-air bust up between its two stars.
While Sandilands’ case has settled, the legal action brought by Jackie O’Henderson continues.
Henderson is suing for wrongful termination against ARN, claiming compensation of at least $82.25 million and alleging that her termination was against the Fair Work Act.
She is set to appear in court in August for a hearing, while the trial is due to start in September.