Buffalo & Rochester Dec. '22 trends

[ckg279]

Usual disclaimers: Via AllAccess.com and RadioOnline.com . 12+ only. Only the top 5 stations listed.

That said...

BUFFALO

1. WBLK/93.7 9.4(down .1)
2. WYRK/106.5 8.5(no change)
3. WGR/550 7.0(up .3)
WGRF/96.9 7.0(down 1.4)
5. WBEN/930 6.3(up .3)

ROCHESTER

1. WDKX/103.9 8.2(up .5)
2. WHAM/1180 5.9(down 1.1)
3. WBEE/92.5 5.8(down .5)
4. WCMF/96.5 5.7(no change)
5. WPXY/97.9 3.9(up .2)

The floor is open for observations.

 

[TheBigA]

I'm surprised WGR isn't #1. Here's the link:

https://ratings.****************/cgi-bin/rol.exe/arb037

 

[davideduardo]

Usual disclaimers: Via AllAccess.com and RadioOnline.com . 12+ only. Only the top 5 stations listed.

That said...

BUFFALO

1. WBLK/93.7 9.4(down .1)
2. WYRK/106.5 8.5(no change)
3. WGR/550 7.0(up .3)
WGRF/96.9 7.0(down 1.4)
5. WBEN/930 6.3(up .3)

ROCHESTER

1. WDKX/103.9 8.2(up .5)
2. WHAM/1180 5.9(down 1.1)
3. WBEE/92.5 5.8(down .5)
4. WCMF/96.5 5.7(no change)
5. WPXY/97.9 3.9(up .2)

The floor is open for observations.

WECK is nicely trending upwards.

 

[davideduardo]

I'm surprised WGR isn't #1.

Remember, the diary markets, despite being named for a single month, are actually 12 week rolling periods.

 

[ckg279]

Good to see a bit of Canadian representation on the list: Byrnes Communications' CFLZ(101.1 More FM)pulls a .8(same as the last trend)and CJED(105.1 the River)gets a .3(up .1)in this trend.

 

[SirRoxalot]

You can get a more complete picture here:

https://ratings.****************/content/arb037

WBLK continues to lead the market with a 9.4, beating WYRK's second book at 8.5. At least WYRK seems to have stabilized after trending downward for much of 2022.

WGR-AM continues an upward trend thanks to both the Bills coverage and more positive results from the Sabres. Expect that to carry into the next few books. They're up from a 3.9 in September.

Star was the biggest gainer, coming in at #6 with a gain of 1.4 to a 5.5 share. Apparently Jingle Bell Rock was more appealing this past holiday season that either Classic Rock (97-Rock down 1.4), Classic Hits (WHTT down .7), or Alternative Rock (WEDG down .5).

WBEN went up .3, enough to get into the top 5. WECK continued to trend upward .2 to a 3.2, edging WEDG and beating WMSX, WBUF, and WLKK handily. It will be interesting to see how the changes at WECK affect ratings over the next few months.

Lastly, WEBR has trended down for a couple of books in a row. They're now tied with WBEN-AM's stream with a 0.1. And, while we're talking alternative delivery systems, WBFO's HD2 failed to show up for the 4th book in a row. It makes you wonder if the resources being put into The Bridge (to nowhere) might be better spent re-establishing WBFO's news department.

 

[SirRoxalot]

I'm surprised WGR isn't #1. Here's the link:

https://ratings.****************/cgi-bin/rol.exe/arb037

I don't believe WGR has ever been #1 despite Bills mania, even when the Sabres were challenging for a Stanley cup. There's this other media called TV that captures nearly half the local viewing audience when the Bills are at the top of their game. Most of the people who listen are those who can't watch.

 

[TheBigA]

I don't believe WGR has ever been #1 despite Bills mania, even when the Sabres were challenging for a Stanley cup. There's this other media called TV that captures nearly half the local viewing audience when the Bills are at the top of their game. Most of the people who listen are those who can't watch.

I get that, but the majority of WGR's airtime is spent talking about the Bills. Those daytime talk shows drove the sports stations in Philadelphia and Boston to #1 prior to the Holiday book. Those daytime talk shows are not on TV. They are exclusive to radio.

 

[tbolt909]

WEBR (the station currently facing a harassment suit from a former staffer) has fallen below KB 1520. That's almost mathematically impossible.!

Meanwhile, Zombie stations like WBUF (1.8) and WLKK The Wolf (1.6) continue to shamble on like the Walking Dead. They should be put out of their misery...

 

[TheBigA]

Meanwhile, Zombie stations like WBUF (1.8) and WLKK The Wolf (1.6) continue to shamble on like the Walking Dead. They should be put out of their misery...

Should people who listen to less popular stations be put out of their misery? Don't fans of small stations have a voice? Or is it all about the mass culture that everyone must do whatever's the most popular?

 

[tbolt909]

Should people who listen to less popular stations be put out of their misery? Don't fans of small stations have a voice? Or is it all about the mass culture that everyone must do whatever's the most popular?

Is this sarcasm? Both of those stations are owned by Corporate groups. Their only motivation is to make a buck. The ratings are abysmal and nobody cares about these stations. I can't believe you are serious. Formats get flipped all the time for not meeting goals...

 

[TheBigA]

Is this sarcasm? Both of those stations are owned by Corporate groups. Their only motivation is to make a buck. The ratings are abysmal and nobody cares about these stations. I can't believe you are serious. Formats get flipped all the time for not meeting goals...

The companies have more information than you have. They see things you can't see. It's their f-ing money. They're smart enough to know that not every station can be #1. Both companies have top rated stations. These are their loss leaders. They don't need you to kill their weakest links. They can do it themselves.

 

[SirRoxalot]

I get that, but the majority of WGR's airtime is spent talking about the Bills. Those daytime talk shows drove the sports stations in Philadelphia and Boston to #1 prior to the Holiday book. Those daytime talk shows are not on TV. They are exclusive to radio.

The best of the Bills and Sabres talk is a simulcast of a TV shown on local cable. That significantly reduces the radio audience for the same content in mid-days.

 

[TheBigA]

The best of the Bills and Sabres talk is a simulcast of a TV shown on local cable. That significantly reduces the radio audience for the same content in mid-days.

There are similar TV shows for teams in Boston & Philadelphia. I wonder if it's that WGR is on AM, while the sports talk stations in Philly and Boston are on FM.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

There are similar TV shows for teams in Boston & Philadelphia. I wonder if it's that WGR is on AM, while the sports talk stations in Philly and Boston are on FM.

For sports talk, I don't think AM has anything to do with the difference in positions between Buffalo, Philly and Boston. The 7.0 P12+ share for WGR, tied with 97 Rock (which is down from an 8.4) may not be #1, but it's quite impressive. It wouldn't be a stretch to think the station is top 3 if not #1 Men 25-54. As to programming that's duplicated on cable, the AM and PM drive shows are solely on WGR, and those shows very likely show strong AQH shares in Men and Persons 25-54. Given how Bills-crazy The 716 is, it would be no surprise if the Women 25-54 shares were respectable, like 6th or 7th. The fact that the Sabres are improving and playing competitively also helps WGR. The women in this town are sports savvy.

All Christmas appears to have returned dividends for Star 102.5
WBUF and The Wolf look stagnant, but the brass says they make money with those numbers, so good for them.
Poor WEBR. It's just ... sad.

 

[Mark1981]

I dare say that more people are hearing the Bills and Sabres shows on WGR than watching on MSG. I’m retired. But I just don’t turn on the TV during the day. I’m listening to these shows on WGR in my car or on the Audacy app/Alexa while preparing and eating lunch. Granted, I’m one person. Wondering if there’s any research available that would prove my point.