Hartford Latest Ratings Released 10/29

[MarcB]

Down: WRCH, WWYZ, WHCN, WDRC-FM, WMRQ, WKCI-FM, Bomba Radio (WMRQ HD2), WDRC (AM), WPOP

Up: WTIC (AM), WZMX, WTIC-FM, WKSS, CT Public Radio (WNPR), WUCS, and Kool Radio (WNTY)

Same: New England Public Radio (WFCR/Amherst).

https://ratings.****************/content/arb061

Brammy's Notes: I haven't looked at the ratings in a long time. When did the ratings for New England Public Radio (WFCR) collapse? I remember before their numbers were a lot higher than 0.2!

 

[TheBigA]

I haven't looked at the ratings in a long time. When did the ratings for New England Public Radio (WFCR) collapse? I remember before their numbers were a lot higher than 0.2!

Could it be the signal? WNPR's signal seems to cover the city better than WFCR's.

 

[CTListener]

Could it be the signal? WNPR's signal seems to cover the city better than WFCR's.

They're pretty much equal in Hartford proper, at least in the car, but I don't know how WFCR does inside buildings. WNPR definitely covers the entire market better, especially south of Hartford. But the signals of both stations have been what they are now for many years, and so has their programming: WNPR has news and talk programming 24/7 on weekdays, a mix of specialty shows, including some music, on weekends; WFCR has big blocks of classical music from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, a smaller block on Sunday, and overnights all week.

None of all this seems to answer Marc's question. Maybe classical music fans in the Hartford market are turning to streaming or satellite radio for their listening. There are no other over-the-air choices other than 2 1/2- to 3 1/2-hour blocks starting at 4 p.m. on WWUH 91.3 (University of Hartford) or all day on 91.9 W220CH, WMNR Monroe's flea-powered translator. More likely, with all that's going on with politics and the pandemic, listeners who formerly spent a lot of time with public radio for classical music are now looking for news and conversation. WNPR and WTIC(AM) are both up, after all.

I can tell Marc hasn't listened to WFCR for a long time because he still refers to "New England Public Radio." The branding was changed to New England Public Media back in the spring and its website is now nepm.org.

 

[MarcB]

They're pretty much equal in Hartford proper, at least in the car, but I don't know how WFCR does inside buildings. WNPR definitely covers the entire market better, especially south of Hartford. But the signals of both stations have been what they are now for many years, and so has their programming: WNPR has news and talk programming 24/7 on weekdays, a mix of specialty shows, including some music, on weekends; WFCR has big blocks of classical music from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, a smaller block on Sunday, and overnights all week.

None of all this seems to answer Marc's question. Maybe classical music fans in the Hartford market are turning to streaming or satellite radio for their listening. There are no other over-the-air choices other than 2 1/2- to 3 1/2-hour blocks starting at 4 p.m. on WWUH 91.3 (University of Hartford) or all day on 91.9 W220CH, WMNR Monroe's flea-powered translator. More likely, with all that's going on with politics and the pandemic, listeners who formerly spent a lot of time with public radio for classical music are now looking for news and conversation. WNPR and WTIC(AM) are both up, after all.

I can tell Marc hasn't listened to WFCR for a long time because he still refers to "New England Public Radio." The branding was changed to New England Public Media back in the spring and its website is now nepm.org.

You're right. And I just noticed while channel surfing last night and caught The PBS News Hour Special on WGBY/57 Springfield last night and noticed the NEPM logo on the screen. When did that change? It's funny when I used to have DirecTV I was mad they didn't carry WGBY in Connecticut, but now it's been 14 months since we switched back to COX and I don't think I've watched WGBY once.

 

[Bill-in-CT]

>Up: WTIC (AM)

News-talk stations always do well at election time. Also, Pastor Will and Todd Feinberg are now established as permanent hosts, as the station's changes are now way in the past.