VICTORIA'S catastrophic bushfires sent AM radio listening figures rocketing in the first ratings survey of 2009.

Victorians turned in huge numbers to 3AW and ABC 774 for information on the state's worst natural disaster, according to the Nielsen survey, which covered the period between January 18 and February 14.

The survey was also the first using a new method, in which each surveyed household is provided with only one diary to complete, rather than one per person.

As the official bushfire warning network, ABC 774's share of the audience soared from 11.4 to 14.8 per cent in the survey period, its highest ever. Its main competitor, 3AW, increased its share from 14.4 to 15.9 per cent.

The increase in AM audience came mainly at the expense of Fox FM, which slumped 3.7 percentage points to 11.9 per cent. All other FM stations except 3JJJ recorded falls.

Loading

Fox's all-conquering duo Hamish and Andy lost 4.4 per cent of the drive-time audience, but still have the largest share at 19 per cent.

Peter Harvie, executive chairman of Fox's owner Austereo, paid tribute to his AM competitors. "It's very good to see radio performing such an outstanding job under the extraordinary circumstances," he said.