Let’s compare how the two newspapers spin MTR’s (a.k.a Outrage Radio For The Over 60′s) continued failure to crack the Melbourne radio market:
Radio host defends ratings flop
Melbourne’s newest radio station, MTR 1377, has failed to make an impact, attracting an average audience of just 10,000 people and a market share of 1.7 per cent in this morning’s ratings report.
News.com.au (article removed):
Battle for listeners hots up in lucrative Melbourne talkback market?
I would quote part of the article, but unfortunately it has since been deleted. Rest assured though, they were very positive that a 1.7% share was a stunning success.
If MTR wishes to pick up the ratings may we suggest:
- More live updates from the Police media unit.
- Saucy Sam Newman on women’s issues – nightly after 10.
- A mix of the hits from the 30′s, 40′s and today (the 1950′s).
- A Black Thunders style enterprise that cruises the streets handing out boxes of expired tacos.
- Every fifth caller wins a set of drinks coasters featuring the face of Steve Price.
- More of Ann from North Balwyn. Kaz Cooke was right.
- A quiz show hosted by Ian Plimer – everything you knew about science is wrong!
- Increase outrage by 43.5%
- A woman.
Leave more suggestions in the comments.

#1 by Rx on 22 June 2010 - 5:09 pm
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How to “relieve” you grandkids of pay and workplace conditions by supporting the Liberal Party. Hurrah for the selfless MTR geriatric audience!
#2 by Raymond Bull on 22 June 2010 - 5:12 pm
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More Andrew Boilt.
#3 by Scott Bridges on 22 June 2010 - 5:22 pm
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More commentary that just generally balances out the pernicious Leftist One World Government influence of the mainstream media.
#4 by Spock... on 22 June 2010 - 5:23 pm
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Only .1 more of a percent and they will have roughly the same proportion as Steve Fielding had when he was elected.
#5 by Rox on 22 June 2010 - 6:28 pm
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Jebus. I’ll be 60 in August and I wouldn’t listen to this for quids.
#6 by David Bonnici on 22 June 2010 - 6:53 pm
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MTR’s birth meant the death of easy listening 3MP, which has resulted in 3AW’s sister station Magic going from cellar dweller to 5th most popular radio station in Melbourne.
MTR’s sister SEN was a flop to start with, but it has managed to fill a niche market without competitors like 3AW and 774.
#7 by Deano on 22 June 2010 - 8:13 pm
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MTR : Manufacturing The Rage.
#8 by Spock... on 23 June 2010 - 10:42 am
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Actually, if they gave Steve Fielding a regular spot, I’m sure their ratings would sky rocket.
#9 by Molesworth on 23 June 2010 - 3:43 pm
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Type your comment here
#10 by Molesworth on 23 June 2010 - 3:44 pm
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The difference is, Bonnici, that SEN was only ever going to be a niche station. MTR is aiming to be the next 3AW, presumably by outsourcing most of its content from Sydney.
#11 by Scott Bridges on 23 June 2010 - 3:45 pm
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Type your comment here
#12 by Molesworth on 23 June 2010 - 3:46 pm
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Silence, beardy.
#13 by Broken left leg on 23 June 2010 - 6:28 pm
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A bring back national service campaign would be popular with the blue rinsers.
#14 by Jeremy on 23 June 2010 - 7:48 pm
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More ads for mood medication and gold.
#15 by JASON FROM BORONIA on 27 June 2010 - 8:02 pm
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MacQuarie Radio Netwiork/Pacific Star Network should buy Fairfax Talk Network and and Merge MTR with 3AW and shut down 3AW meaning MTR would have one less Radio Station in Melbourne to compete with for listeners.
#16 by Laura on 14 September 2010 - 11:46 pm
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MTR is a radio sensation. It has the best presenters and makes for compelling, intelligent and interesting listening. Just love it. Would be lost without it. It needs to advertise its presence in Melbourne more. I found it quite by accident. It leaves the other stations for dead. I used to listen to the ABC (more than 30 years) and before that 3AW. They can not compare.
#17 by JASON FROM BORONIA on 21 November 2010 - 10:04 am
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I have been been listening to MTR 1377 since day one and I am enjoying MTR 1377.
Melissa has been listening to Mtr 1377 since Sunday August 8th 2912 and she enjpys MTR 1377.
3MP’s Loe ratings and poor Revenue was why 3MP Dide and MTR came into being.
#18 by JASON FROM BORONIA on 21 November 2010 - 10:05 am
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I have been been listening to MTR 1377 since day one and I am enjoying MTR 1377.
Melissa has been listening to Mtr 1377 since Sunday August 8th 2912 and she enjpys MTR 1377.
3MP’s Low ratings and poor Revenue was why 3MP Dide and MTR came into being.
#19 by JASON FROM BORONIA on 21 November 2010 - 10:10 am
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I have been been listening to MTR 1377 since day one and I am enjoying MTR 1377.
Melissa has been listening to Mtr 1377 since Sunday August 8th 2010 and she enjpys MTR 1377.
3MP’s Low ratings and poor Revenue was why 3MP Dide and MTR came into being.
#20 by JASON FROM BORONIA on 21 November 2010 - 10:11 am
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I have been been listening to MTR 1377 since day one and I am enjoying MTR 1377.
Melissa has been listening to Mtr 1377 since Sunday August 8th 2010 and she enjpys MTR 1377.
3MP’s Low ratings and poor Revenue was why 3MP died and MTR came into being.
#21 by JASON FROM BORONIA on 21 November 2010 - 10:11 am
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I have been been listening to MTR 1377 since day one and I am enjoying MTR 1377.
Melissa has been listening to Mtr 1377 since Sunday August 8th 2010 and she enjoys MTR 1377.
3MP’s Low ratings and poor Revenue was why 3MP died and MTR came into being.
#22 by David Irving (no relation) on 22 November 2010 - 5:42 pm
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Fuck me! Looks like you’ve attracted both of their listeners.
#23 by JASON FROM BORONIA on 23 November 2010 - 3:51 pm
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Last Sunday I received a Telephone callm from Mark Levey from 2GB in Sydney and he told me that he would pass on my emails that I sent to the Weekend Denemtion to Russell Tate to suggest to him that he signs everyone from TripleM Melbourne, Gold104.3/Mix 101.1, Nova 100.3FM/Cllassic Rock 91.5FM for 2011 and 3AW 693 for 2012 this will bring even more listeners in Melbourne to MTR 1377 in two years than what we have now. all I cab say toall bloggers to this website is watch this space…
I have also bought many more listeners to MTR 1377 since MTR started.
#24 by cosmicjester on 23 November 2010 - 3:57 pm
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I’m guessing Jason likes MTR or something?
#25 by JASON FROM BORONIA on 23 November 2010 - 4:45 pm
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I do like MTR that is why I sent those emails to Mark Levey that he passed onto Rusell Tate to suggest to him that he signs those people from five odf the six FM Radio Stations for 20111 and from 3AW for 2012 .
#26 by Steve V on 14 September 2011 - 10:53 am
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I think MTR is an interesting experiment in Melbourne, but will always struggle for a couple of reasons. First, 3AW & to a lesser extent 3LO, have strong brand loyalty which will take a lot of persistence and well targeted programming to overcome. People have been listening to the big two talk stations in many cases for very long periods of time, and this is a difficult thing to change.
Second, MTR has a very Sydney radio style. The best example of this is the Chris Smith Afternoon Programme. Very much 2GB style presentation, and I’m not sure such a style resonates with the Melbourne talk radio audience.
Otherwise, I think it has some very good things going for it. The Steve Vizard programme is excellent. Many people I’ve recommended it to have chosen to stay listening in favour of, say, Neil Mitchell in the same time slots.
MTR also understands new & social media better than any of its AM competitors. It’s social media engagement is excellent, as is its podcast service.
Given their poor ratings, I think this experiment prove to be a failure, which would be a shame.