Sept. Ratings for Large Market Talk Stations

[Gregg]

Ratings continue to be a problem for many large market Talk stations.  In the top 10 markets,, only KFI, WGN, WLS and WSB finish in the Top 10. 

Clear Channel just discontinued Talk on stations in Atlanta, Market #9, and Boston, Market #10.  It seems Clear Channel is not going to run Talk stations that aren't performing well, even in large markets, even if it means some Premiere/Clear Channel syndicated shows, such as Glenn Beck, no longer air in those markets.  CBS also is giving up its Detroit Talk station to air the new CBS Sports programming. 


Talk Stations, Sept. 12, 2012

1.  New York....WABC #13, WOR #20
2.  LA....KFI #3, KABC #33 tie
3.  Chicago....WGN #3, WLS #7 tie
4.  San Francisco....KGO* #16 tie, KSFO #19 tie, KKSF #22 tie
5.  Dallas....WBAP-AM-FM  #12
6.  Houston....KTRH #15
7.  Washington....WMAL-AM-FM #16
8.  Philadelphia....WPHT #18, WIOQ(FM) #20
9.  Atlanta....WSB/WSBB(FM) #5, WGST^ #20 tie
10. Boston....WTKK(FM) #15 tie, WRKO #15 tie, WXKS^ #23 tie
11. Detroit....WJR #6, WXYT^ #23
12. Miami....WAQI (Sp.) #14 tie, WIOD #18, WSUA (Sp.) #20, WQBA (Sp.) #27 tie
13. Seattle....KIRO-FM #3, KTTH #17 tie
14. Phoenix....KFYI #2, KTAR-FM #15
15. Puerto Rico....WKAQ (Sp.) #1, WUNO (Sp.) ?

* denotes a part Talk, part News station.  ? denotes station does not report its ratings.
^ denotes station is leaving the Talk format.  (Sp.) denotes a Spanish-language Talk station. 

[Lucha Libre AAA]

I'd imagine it's tough to sell Talk.

I listen to Talk wherever I go and notice they don't attract many national advertisers.  Locally, it's usually ads for gun shows and some auto dealers(and even they're less present).

Even if Talk ranks in the top 10, I'll bet it's still hard to make money these days, because of the stigma.

[recto101]

I'd imagine it's tough to sell Talk.

I listen to Talk wherever I go and notice they don't attract many national advertisers.  Locally, it's usually ads for gun shows and some auto dealers(and even they're less present).

Even if Talk ranks in the top 10, I'll bet it's still hard to make money these days, because of the stigma.

In some Markets Commercial Talk sells male erection products  . But I do understand that in San Francisco and Washington NPR News/Talk sells more during Drive Time and they are in the top 5 in their markets. KQED-FM is Number #2 in September and WAMU-FM is Number #2 in September.

[recto101]

KFBK Sacramento was at a 5.2 in September.

[Lucha Libre AAA]

I'd imagine it's tough to sell Talk.

I listen to Talk wherever I go and notice they don't attract many national advertisers.  Locally, it's usually ads for gun shows and some auto dealers(and even they're less present).

Even if Talk ranks in the top 10, I'll bet it's still hard to make money these days, because of the stigma.

In some Markets Commercial Talk sells male erection products  . But I do understand that in San Francisco and Washington NPR News/Talk sells more during Drive Time and they are in the top 5 in their markets. KQED-FM is Number #2 in September and WAMU-FM is Number #2 in September.

The erection pills may not pay cash.  I think they're "per inquiry" based on the number of people who call the 800 numbers.

When I say Talk, I mean "Conservative Commentary", like Rush and Hannity.  NPR is totally different. 

[wadio]

Watch for WSB to drop out of the top 10 soon since mid-days are now dominated by the Rush-Hannity block.  What was once a talk radio coup now seems like a formula for failure.

[recto101]

Ratings continue to be a problem for many large market Talk stations.  In the top 10 markets,, only KFI, WGN, WLS and WSB finish in the Top 10. 

Clear Channel just discontinued Talk on stations in Atlanta, Market #9, and Boston, Market #10.  It seems Clear Channel is not going to run Talk stations that aren't performing well, even in large markets, even if it means some Premiere/Clear Channel syndicated shows, such as Glenn Beck, no longer air in those markets.  CBS also is giving up its Detroit Talk station to air the new CBS Sports programming. 


Talk Stations, Sept. 12, 2012

1.  New York....WABC #13, WOR #20
2.  LA....KFI #3, KABC #33 tie
3.  Chicago....WGN #3, WLS #7 tie
4.  San Francisco....KGO* #16 tie, KSFO #19 tie, KKSF #22 tie
5.  Dallas....WBAP-AM-FM  #12
6.  Houston....KTRH #15
7.  Washington....WMAL-AM-FM #16
8.  Philadelphia....WPHT #18, WIOQ(FM) #20
9.  Atlanta....WSB/WSBB(FM) #5, WGST^ #20 tie
10. Boston....WTKK(FM) #15 tie, WRKO #15 tie, WXKS^ #23 tie
11. Detroit....WJR #6, WXYT^ #23
12. Miami....WAQI (Sp.) #14 tie, WIOD #18, WSUA (Sp.) #20, WQBA (Sp.) #27 tie
13. Seattle....KIRO-FM #3, KTTH #17 tie
14. Phoenix....KFYI #2, KTAR-FM #15
15. Puerto Rico....WKAQ (Sp.) #1, WUNO (Sp.) ?

* denotes a part Talk, part News station.  ? denotes station does not report its ratings.
^ denotes station is leaving the Talk format.  (Sp.) denotes a Spanish-language Talk station. 

How about KNEW 960 AM San Francisco and KTLK-AM Los Angeles they are talk formats but they get a 0.X-1.X in the ratings.

[NewsStud]

But I do understand that in San Francisco and Washington NPR News/Talk sells more during Drive Time and they are in the top 5 in their markets. KQED-FM is Number #2 in September and WAMU-FM is Number #2 in September.

How does a non-commercial station "sell" it's drive time programing?

[Gregg]

>>>How about KNEW 960 AM San Francisco and KTLK-AM Los Angeles?  They are talk formats but they get a 0.X-1.X in the ratings.<<<

A few Progressive Talk stations do better than a 1.0:  KKZN Denver, KPOJ Portland, WXXM Madison.  Oddly enough WINZ Miami and KLSD San Diego used to do pretty well as Progressive Talk outlets before Clear Channel blew them up to put Fox Sports on them.

But except for KABC Los Angeles, which has so much heritage, I left the secondary, below a 1.0 talk stations off my list.  And that includes all the Progressive Talk stations, unless you consider KGO and KIRO-FM as liberal-leaning in these days of far right Talk.

[reelyreal]

But I do understand that in San Francisco and Washington NPR News/Talk sells more during Drive Time and they are in the top 5 in their markets. KQED-FM is Number #2 in September and WAMU-FM is Number #2 in September.

How does a non-commercial station "sell" it's drive time programing?

You have businesses and organizations underwrite the programs that air in drive time.