By the traditional metric, the ABC’s capital city network just hit rock bottom.

Despite a board-approved plan to arrest an historical downturn in listeners last year, things got even worse this week.

L-R: Sammy J, Richard Glover, Craig Reucassel, Sarah Macdonald.Credit: Monique Westermann

On Thursday, in the second radio survey for the year, ABC Sydney (5.1 per cent) and ABC Brisbane (4.2 per cent) both posted their lowest station market share since currently used data sets began in 2004. It was Melbourne’s second-worst performance (6 per cent). Adelaide and Perth weren’t far behind.

For more than a decade, ABC Melbourne consistently flirted with a market share above 12 per cent while its breakfast and mornings shows were helmed by Red Symons and Jon Faine. In Sydney, it was regularly around the 10 per cent mark.

Talkback – particularly from the national broadcaster – thrives in major news events. It can move quickly, informing and speaking directly with the........

© WA Today