🔥 Trending KIIS FM Ratings Plummet: What's Behind the Decline?

KIIS FM has experienced significant drops in its radio ratings, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, following the departure of its long-standing breakfast show hosts, Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson (Kyle & Jackie O) ¹³⁴⁵⁹. This decline has been a consistent trend across multiple surveys in 2026.

The Impact of Kyle & Jackie O's Departure

The primary cause for KIIS FM's ratings slump is widely attributed to the exit of the popular duo, Kyle & Jackie O. Their breakfast show was a major drawcard for the station, and their departure has led to a substantial loss of audience share ¹⁴⁵.

Sydney Market Performance

In Sydney, KIIS FM's breakfast show saw a significant decline, losing 1.1 points and dropping to a 7.1% audience share in the fourth survey of 2026 ¹. The station, once a dominant force, has fallen to the fifth position in the overall Sydney market and fourth in breakfast alongside ABC ². This marks a continued slide for KIIS Sydney, with the audience slipping further in subsequent ratings reports ⁴. Some reports indicate that KIIS FM's audience has almost halved without Kyle and Jackie O ². The station's breakfast program, which was the number one FM station in survey 2, dropped to an equal third with the local ABC in survey 4 ⁸.

Melbourne Market Performance

Melbourne has also seen KIIS FM plummet to new lows after Kyle & Jackie O's exit ³⁵. The station has fallen behind ABC Melbourne in the latest radio ratings results, achieving a 4.8% market share in the crucial breakfast slot ³. This decline occurred despite the station's efforts with rotating hosts following the departure of the duo ³.

Broader Trends and Competition

While the departure of Kyle & Jackie O is a direct cause, the broader radio landscape also plays a role. Other stations have capitalized on KIIS FM's struggles. In Sydney, Smooth FM has consolidated its position as the top station, indicating a shift in listener preferences ⁷⁸¹⁰. Similarly, 3AW has topped the Melbourne ratings ⁹.

The latest radio ratings for 2026, specifically the fourth survey covering the period from April 19 to June 27, have consistently shown disappointing results for KIIS FM ⁶⁹. The significant drop in the breakfast slot, in particular, highlights the challenge the station faces in retaining its audience without its former star presenters ⁶.