AUSTEREO network has taken out first and second place in the latest Nielsen Media research survey, after four of Perth’s most popular radio stations experienced a fall in audience numbers. While the total audience of market leader Mix 94.5 fell 1.3 percentage points, the station still came out on top with 16.2 per cent of Perth’s radio audience. A 1.7 percentage point rise in the audience of Austereo’s 92.9 and 0.6 of a percentage point increase for ABC720 saw the stations claim second and third place, with 12.3 and 11.6 per cent of total audience share respectively. The gains saw long-term runner-up 96FM shunted to fourth spot, with a one percentage point fall to 11.3 per cent. DMG’s Nova 93.7 fell 0.8 of a percentage point to 10.2 per cent, and 6PR fell 0.5 of a percentage point to 9.3 per cent. Mix 94.5’s Botica’s Bunch remained the most popular breakfast line-up, followed by 720 and Nova. 92.9’s Melbourne-based team Hamish and Andy were the most popular drive show, with 17.2 per cent of audience share, beating the Perth programs from Mix 94.5 and 96FM. Teenagers preferred 92.9, while 18-24 year olds favoured Nova. 96FM won with 25-39 year olds, while those aged between 40 and 54 preferred Mix. The over 55s stuck with ABC720. The survey covered the period between July 29 to September 1, and September 16 to October 20 2007 Andrew Hobbs