June 2020 Bay Area Radio PPM's

[HenryOchs]

Here are the June 2020 San Francisco Radio Ratings

http://ratings.****************/content/arb009


And the June 2020 San Jose Radio Ratings:

http://ratings.****************/content/arb215


Any thoughts?

 

[david]

KGO - Why are its ratings not rising?

Once again KGO slides. This is a news intensive period of history, and KGO is putting out a solid product with John Rothmann, Pat Thurston, and Chip Franklin laser focused on the stories of the moment (pandemic, the failed POTUS leadership, and widespread demonstrations). Why then are they not finding it possible to score improved ratings?

 

[davideduardo]

Once again KGO slides. This is a news intensive period of history, and KGO is putting out a solid product with John Rothmann, Pat Thurston, and Chip Franklin laser focused on the stories of the moment (pandemic, the failed POTUS leadership, and widespread demonstrations). Why then are they not finding it possible to score improved ratings?

All radio is off due to the pandemic. And it is dangerous to look at the public 12+ numbers because those are shares, not ratings. Even Nielsen issued a statement saying that data from this period should not be used to form long-range conclusions.

 

[Radionerd408]

All radio is off due to the pandemic. And it is dangerous to look at the public 12+ numbers because those are shares, not ratings. Even Nielsen issued a statement saying that data from this period should not be used to form long-range conclusions.

According to Nielsen's June client webinar, "PPM market quarter hour listening is recovering across all demographics and dayparts, and diary markets are showing similar recovery signs. Reach has recovered in PPM markets to 95% of MARCH's pre-shutdown number, and cume audience has also rebounded to 95% of MARCH's level after APRIL's severe dip." https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/...-of-am-fm-radio-recovery?ref=mail_first_alert

I believe we can return to our forum sponsored arm chair speculation, as we don't have public access to ratings info. With that said, we should still filter our observations with the understanding that the pandemic is still impacting behavior and will likely be a factor for a long time to come.

 

[davideduardo]

According to Nielsen's June client webinar, "PPM market quarter hour listening is recovering across all demographics and dayparts, and diary markets are showing similar recovery signs. Reach has recovered in PPM markets to 95% of MARCH's pre-shutdown number, and cume audience has also rebounded to 95% of MARCH's level after APRIL's severe dip." https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/...-of-am-fm-radio-recovery?ref=mail_first_alert

I believe we can return to our forum sponsored arm chair speculation, as we don't have public access to ratings info. With that said, we should still filter our observations with the understanding that the pandemic is still impacting behavior and will likely be a factor for a long time to come.

Obviously, the results vary according to formats. But in general, the AQH persons number in June was around 30% below the January/February average. So listening is both realigned and much lower.

Advertisers don't buy "reach". Using that metric is an effort by Nielsen to create a smoke screen over the fact that the majority of stations have fewer AQH listeners than prior to the start of the pandemic. Radio may be up and walking again, but it is not running.

 

[MarkW]

With Classic Hits' phenomenal success in the South Bay, it stuns me that a San Francisco-based signal hasn't flipped to a similar format.

 

[BennyB]

With Classic Hits' phenomenal success in the South Bay, it stuns me that a San Francisco-based signal hasn't flipped to a similar format.

That's a hole that SHOULD be filled by iHeart's KOSF. Their playlist is similar to KBAY's, but without the 70's titles, and KBAY doesn't actually play many of those. "iHeart 80's" is missing the mark somehow, and should be doing much better than it is.

 

[TheBigA]

Why then are they not finding it possible to score improved ratings?

The fact that they're being beaten by all-syndicated KSFO says it all.

So much for "live & local wins"

 

[RadioJunkieMike]

That's a hole that SHOULD be filled by iHeart's KOSF. Their playlist is similar to KBAY's, but without the 70's titles, and KBAY doesn't actually play many of those. "iHeart 80's" is missing the mark somehow, and should be doing much better than it is.

You'd think that, but The Bone is kicking butt and they give males all the '80s/'70s rock they need. KOSF gets women who want to hear Madonna and everything else from the Pop side.

 

[MarkW]

The Bone's playlist is bland and predictable; I like K-FOX a lot better. Just a matter of personal preference.

 

[MVB13]

SF needs a Country station, Dance/EDM station, and a Classic Hits station.

 

[davideduardo]

SF needs a Country station and a Classic Hits station.

Country has failed several times, although the South Bay / San Jose station does well in that sub-market.

It is odd that there is no classic hits station.

 

[DOB]

Country has failed several times, although the South Bay / San Jose station does well in that sub-market.

It is odd that there is no classic hits station.

It's because I-heart has 103.7 as an 80s station, so it's sorta classic hits, but I think they don't have it as a true classic hits station so as to protect 98.1 from too much overlap.

Every market is different so it's a limited example but in Detroit Entercom had put on one of thse soft ac formats even though they have classic hits powerhouse WOMC. So far, it doesn't seem that the soft ac 98.7 has hurt WOMC but 98.7 also has not been as successful as most of the soft ac sign ons are. It is possible they hold back 98.7 from its full potential to protect WOMC.

This is the biggest downfall of consolidation, while it probably has given us more variety of formats, it is also true that cluster strategy has some stations held back to protect heritage money makers. Put on a crumy version of a format to protect our prized property from getting a competior who would do the format much better and be a true threat.

 

[HenryOchs]

Country has failed several times, although the South Bay / San Jose station does well in that sub-market.

It is odd that there is no classic hits station.

Maybe the Country Music format will return to San Francisco someday...if it's done right. What company would be willing to take a chance on this?

 

[HenryOchs]

It's because I-heart has 103.7 as an 80s station, so it's sorta classic hits, but I think they don't have it as a true classic hits station so as to protect 98.1 from too much overlap.

Every market is different so it's a limited example but in Detroit Entercom had put on one of thse soft ac formats even though they have classic hits powerhouse WOMC. So far, it doesn't seem that the soft ac 98.7 has hurt WOMC but 98.7 also has not been as successful as most of the soft ac sign ons are. It is possible they hold back 98.7 from its full potential to protect WOMC.

This is the biggest downfall of consolidation, while it probably has given us more variety of formats, it is also true that cluster strategy has some stations held back to protect heritage money makers. Put on a crumy version of a format to protect our prized property from getting a competior who would do the format much better and be a true threat.

Maybe KOSF should consider flipping to soft oldies, modeled after the old 1170 KLOK in San Jose! They could buy the KLOK-FM call letters, but I don't Entravision would be interested in giving those up.

 

[1069_KIFR]

Yes/No Radio??

 

[HenryOchs]

No! I'd prefer the format KLOK-AM programmed in the early to mid 1970's

 

[ksradiogeek]

Maybe KOSF should consider flipping to soft oldies, modeled after the old 1170 KLOK in San Jose! They could buy the KLOK-FM call letters, but I don't Entravision would be interested in giving those up.

And basically step on the Breeze? Nah.