‘Re-ignited interest’: Community radio station records major spike in listenership

Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) homegrown radio station, Territory FM (TFM), has celebrated huge growth in its first six months broadcasting from its new studios at the Danala | Education and Community Precinct.

In the first half of 2025, the McNair Community Listener Survey Rating revealed the number of monthly listeners increased to 64,000 people, an increase of about 10 per cent compared to the previous six months. 

According to the survey, this spike in listenership has resulted in a sizeable audience not seen since 2021. 

Listeners aged 25-39 make up 35 per cent of TFM’s weekly audience and are the station’s largest demographic, followed by those aged 40-54, who make up 21 per cent of the weekly audience.

TFM Station Manager Matt Bern said the show’s Breakfast and Drive programs brought in the largest audiences, with listeners tuning in for an average of nine hours per week.

“The move to the city – which came with a re-launch of the station’s branding – has re-ignited interest in TFM among listeners and volunteers alike,” he said.

“Our strong local presence and community activity has always been a winning combination for us, and we’ve had a consistent listenership over the past six years, but to see such great gains is testament to our hard-working team at the new campus.”

Mr Bern also attributed the spike in numbers to additional promotions, such as giving away a holiday to Western Australia.

He hopes to see the station, which has been operating for more than 40 years in Darwin, continue to grow from strength to strength.

“Our move into the CDU City Campus has also increased our capacity to add more volunteers to our ever-expanding team,” Mr Bern said.

“It's so refreshing to see students and Darwinites coming in and supporting our community radio station.”