Buffalo May 2024 Buffalo Ratings 12+

[Radiowaves]

Only huge swing is WBEN down to 6.5 from 7.3....Cume 96,000 compared to WECK 84,400 cume... WKSE cume 173,000...really? WBKV 2.3 share, 52,400 cume.

Top 10:
WBLK 9.0 (steady)
WYRK 8.4 (up)
WGRF 7.5 (down)
WHTT 7.2 (up)
WBEN 6.5 (down)
WKSE 5.6 (down)
WTSS 4.4 (down)
WGR 4.3 (down)
WEDG 3.7 (up)
WECK 3.6 (up)

Public Radio WBFO and WNED bother under top 10 and falling

WBKV #12 rank

Biggest share swing is WBEN, downward. Mornings are the only reason WBEN has a 6.5. Very obvious the news does better than the talk.

 

[RadioGuy1864]

Hot 98.9 isn't so hot. Almost a year after the format change and it's at 0.4. It's a very poor signal in most of the market.

 

[Radiowaves]

Hot 98.9 isn't so hot. Almost a year after the format change and it's at 0.4. It's a very poor signal in most of the market.

An EAS signal would get better rtings than "Hot 98.9" Total flop

 

[Rusty Bridges]

Persons 12+ March-April-May two-thirds through what used to be known as the Spring book.

Reliable sources say former Kiss legacy DJ Anthony has visited James E. Casey a few times and there was some talk about him possibly doing mornings on Hot 98.9. He'd surely be an asset, but is it too late to make a difference? A challenger gets two books to make its mark. The horse may long be out of the barn.

 

[SirRoxalot]

The only statistically significant change is with WBEN, down from 7.3 to 6.5. Everybody else is well within the statistical margin of error. A change of .1 or .2 doesn't mean diddly.

 

[TheBigA]

I can't believe people here are talking about a 1K daytimer at the upper end of the dial as though it's equal to other stations.

The format is the least of its problems.

 

[Radiowaves]

Persons 12+ March-April-May two-thirds through what used to be known as the Spring book.

Reliable sources say former Kiss legacy DJ Anthony has visited James E. Casey a few times and there was some talk about him possibly doing mornings on Hot 98.9. He'd surely be an asset, but is it too late to make a difference? A challenger gets two books to make its mark. The horse may long be out of the barn.

Not happening

 

[RadioGuy1864]

I can't believe people here are talking about a 1K daytimer at the upper end of the dial as though it's equal to other stations.

The format is the least of its problems.

We're only talking about it because of it's translator. A 1 k daytimer is basically worthless today.

 

[davideduardo]

The only statistically significant change is with WBEN, down from 7.3 to 6.5. Everybody else is well within the statistical margin of error. A change of .1 or .2 doesn't mean diddly.

Even the WBEN change may not be significant. If they replaced a high-end month with a low end one, this could easily happen.

 

[Radiowaves]

Even the WBEN change may not be significant. If they replaced a high-end month with a low end one, this could easily happen.

It is the most significant change out of all the stations mentioned. “Why “ was not a talking point.

 

[flybynight]

I can't believe people here are talking about a 1K daytimer at the upper end of the dial as though it's equal to other stations.

The format is the least of its problems.

People (mostly engineering geeks) still talk about HD. At least this is more relevant that that!

 

[ckg279]

Looking at the ratings, some thoughts from me:

*Whatever changes WBFO made to their lineup, it is now PAINFULLY clear that they're not working. The good news(if there is any)is that 'BFO's HD2 signal The Bridge pulled a .1(same rating as Hot 98.9).

*WNED's fluctuations don't bother me as much as WBFO's; they only dropped .3 from the last book and .5 since February. 'BFO has dropped 1.1 since February.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

I can't believe people here are talking about a 1K daytimer at the upper end of the dial as though it's equal to other stations. The format is the least of its problems.

You're right regarding format-problems, BA. Thing is, posters here often primarily look at the top and bottom of the numbers and offer their comments, critiques and observations about those issues. That's why WWKB, WEBR, WBUF and WLKK get the attention they do.

Beyond that, there's considerable history to the 1120 frequency, going back to when it was Top 40 in the 50s as WWOL AM & FM. Imagine that --- an AM daytimer as a Top 40 leader. When Rock n Roll was young and fertile. WWOL AM & FM --- when FM was nowhere in the minds of most listeners. The rookies got their start working nights and all nights on the FM.

Although a number of posters may not have been around in those days, many of the locals at least are aware of the history. A number of talented pros rose from the 1120 and 104.1 frequencies and Top 40 format, namely Dick Purtan (WJR), Dick Summer (WBZ) and a host of Buffalo legacies. Joey Reynolds, I'm told, interned and worked there as a weekender before moving up the ranks in other markets and then coming back to Buffalo. So the 1120 frequency has some cache. It (and its FM similcast sister) also was the Country station for many years in the mid-to-late 60s and 70s. History.

 

[Tall Thin One]

Rusty, I'd heard that Bruce Bradley (WBZ) worked in Buffalo at one time, but I'd not heard that the recently passed, Dick Summer also worked here in Radio.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

Rusty, I'd heard that Bruce Bradley (WBZ) worked in Buffalo at one time, but I'd not heard that the recently passed, Dick Summer also worked here in Radio.

You are correct, TTO. It was Bradley who worked at WWOL. I mistook the two. Both were outstanding WBZ air talents.

 

[tbolt909]

Listening habits are pretty much baked in for a market like Buffalo. The only big change is that WBEN has faded. They once were a 10 share Radio station and Top 5 in 25-54. Those days were over a decade ago. Without even looking at the ratings, it's reasonable to assume that WBEN has an audience that is 90 percent White Men over 60 at this point. That's not viable to agencies.

As for WBFO, they are attempting to reach out to younger demos with different programming. The ratings are not as important as memberships. Time will tell how much success they have...

 

[SirRoxalot]

Listening habits are pretty much baked in for a market like Buffalo. The only big change is that WBEN has faded. They once were a 10 share Radio station and Top 5 in 25-54. Those days were over a decade ago. Without even looking at the ratings, it's reasonable to assume that WBEN has an audience that is 90 percent White Men over 60 at this point. That's not viable to agencies.

As for WBFO, they are attempting to reach out to younger demos with different programming. The ratings are not as important as memberships. Time will tell how much success they have...

Considering that the "Begging for Dollars" has been more frequent and longer I'd say that ratings reflect memberships. BTW, you might want to look into how much revenue WBEN brings in. Local sales make up several times what national or digital bring in. The highest billing stations in the country are news/talk.

 

[TheBigA]

Considering that the "Begging for Dollars" has been more frequent and longer I'd say that ratings reflect memberships.

Nationally, revenues are down in public broadcasting (radio & TV). The biggest area is sponsorships and underwriting. That's been affected by the overall advertising depression that's hit the entire media sector that includes streaming. It's led to staff layoffs at both the local and national level.

 

[tbolt909]

Considering that the "Begging for Dollars" has been more frequent and longer I'd say that ratings reflect memberships. BTW, you might want to look into how much revenue WBEN brings in. Local sales make up several times what national or digital bring in. The highest billing stations in the country are news/talk.

Whatever local direct revenue WBEN is getting amounts to a spit in the ocean for Audacy. They already sold STAR which was a death blow to the Buffalo cluster. They only have one full signal FM there. If WBEN is doing as great as you say, they would have never discontinued the FM simulcast on 107.7...

 

[Radiowaves]

Whatever local direct revenue WBEN is getting amounts to a spit in the ocean for Audacy. They already sold STAR which was a death blow to the Buffalo cluster. They only have one full signal FM there. If WBEN is doing as great as you say, they would have never discontinued the FM simulcast on 107.7...

Are you serious? The discontinued the simulcast because WBEN is doing bad? They took off the simulcast to add a new format.

News/Talk stations are the highest billers, with exceptions. WLTW is an AC in NYC is one of the highest billers in the country. WTOP Washington DC , News (not much talk) is the highest billing station in the U.S

Here is the deal with WBEN. The overall share of radio listening is down, so all stations are down in share relative to that. WBEN is taking an ever greater hit on top of overall market listening. Their morning show carries the entire station. The “talk” portion, the rest of the day is not doing as well. That’s what relates to programming

As far as sales, WBEN is the top-billing station for Audacy Buffalo. That does not mean it’s the most profitable. I would guess that WKSE is the most profitable. In either case, both stations used to bill a ton more. Since billing is down, expenses, including people are cut. Radio revenue is not growing for most operators, so the only lifeline is expense control. This would come from the personnel who are “hit or miss”. People you can survive without, or give the position to another current employee, usually without a raise for the extra work.

Commercial costs on most stations in Buffalo is almost laughable. There is no way you can service debt or even make a profit by selling commercials for that low rate, versus the debt service and the day to day operations. Thus, everyone is in the bankruptcy line

Sports team association is a huge loser for broadcast radio and TV. if it breaks even, that’s good. The ratings are there, but what clients need to spend is not. Especially in smaller cities.

Since we are discussing it, I would say WBEN is doing decent. Not great, not horrible. Same with WGR. It’s a great biller, but the overhead with the team rights is not profitable.

When the Soros foundation deal goes thru most likely in August, expect major staff cuts in the Autumn, along with more hub consolidation with systems and processes, along with managers.