Ratings

i98FM has yet again retained its number one position in the Illawarra, as the station listened to most with the release of the 2025 Xtra Insights survey results. An achievement the station has retained for over two decades.

Christian and Bella dominate Breakfast with 24.6% of people choosing them as their favourite show to wake up with. This was further strengthened by Nath in Workdays with 26.3% in Mornings and 27.5% in Afternoons. i98’s long-standing Drive Show with Maje continued its outstanding popularity at 27.3%.

The results highlight that i98FM continues to be the number one radio station in market with 25.6% of Illawarra residents choosing i98FM as their preferred station. This is a significant lead over Wave FM, i98FM’s closest competitor at 21.5%.

With a total audience of 106,800, i98FM continues to outperform all other radio stations in the region.

Station listened to most 5:30am – 12 midnight, Mon – Sun.

ALL PEOPLE 10+
i98FM - 25.6
WAVE FM - 21.5
ABC - 10.1
TRIPLE J - 5.9

 

ALL PEOPLE 10-54
i98FM - 29.7
WAVE FM - 22.2
ABC - 5.2
TRIPLE J - 7.6

 

ALL PEOPLE 25-39
i98FM - 35.9
WAVE FM - 20.9
ABC - 3.6
TRIPLE J - 9

 

ALL PEOPLE 25-54
i98FM - 29.7
WAVE FM - 18.6
ABC - 5.7
TRIPLE J - 6.9

 

BREAKFAST
i98FM - 24.6
WAVE FM - 22.9
ABC - 10.5
TRIPLE J - 6.6

 

MORNING
i98FM - 26.3
WAVE FM - 20.1
ABC - 9.9
TRIPLE J - 5.7

 

AFTERNOON
i98FM - 27.5
WAVE FM - 23.5
ABC - 9.2
TRIPLE J - 5.5

 

DRIVE
i98FM - 27.3
WAVE FM - 21.3
ABC - 9.7
TRIPLE J - 6.9

 

EVENING
i98FM - 24.8
WAVE FM - 15.3
ABC - 11.6
TRIPLE J - 7.5

 

WEEKEND
i98FM - 26.9
WAVE FM - 20.6
ABC - 10.1
TRIPLE J - 5.8

 

CUMULATIVE AUDIENCE
i98FM - 106,800
WAVE FM - 104,700
ABC - 59,200
TRIPLE J - 36,200

 

SOURCE: Xtra Insights Wollongong Survey # 1 (September 8 – October 4, 2025).
Station Listened To Most %:
Mon – Fri 05.30-0.900 (Breakfast)
Mon – Fri 09.00 – 12.00  & 12.00-16.00 (Workdays)
Mon – Fri 16.00 – 19.00 (Drive)
Sat – Sun 05.30 – 24.00 (Weekends)

Cumulative Reach %:
Mon – Fri 05.30-0.900 (Breakfast)
Mon – Fri 09.00 – 12.00 & 12.00-16.00 (Workdays)
Mon – Fri 16.00 – 19.00 (Drive)