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Boston PPM - July 2025
- Thread starter Fenway1912
- Start date
Red Sox continue to boost WEEI-FM, although total sports listening is down -- the return of football ought to fix that.
Is 4.5 the lowest 6+ number WBZ(AM) has ever posted?
Is 4.5 the lowest 6+ number WBZ(AM) has ever posted?
I don't know, but if it is, then it needs to be fixed fast. WBZ is a New England heritage station, though that seems to have little significance to many of the young - and old - mavericks on this Forum.Is 4.5 the lowest 6+ number WBZ(AM) has ever posted?
'BZ proclaims it's "redefining local news". It sure is, but not in a meaningful way. You get four, maybe five, sentences in a report before it's truncated and the reporter's tagline is appended. People are interviewed who can barely utter a complete sentence; they probably just happen to bond with the reporter. IOW, very few "authority figures" are interviewed and quoted; it's all "average guy on the street". Too damn much coverage of concert events and sports; why not leave that to KISS 108, WZLX, and former sister WBZ-FM? And when there is a "local story", I'm hardly ever told why this is important and/or how it could impact me.
But I would be remiss in not singling out a few personnel who do their best to keep me tuned in. Emma Friedman did outstanding, award-winning work covering the recent Karen Read trial with depth and poise. Suzanne Sausville is a very serious, dedicated, "traditional" reporter. Shari Small and Brooke McCarthy are both very diligent in their presentations as reporters. And in my view, losing an experienced and articulate anchor such as Laurie Kirby was a bad move.
Lori Grande, Kevin Brennan, Gina Tempesta, Kristen Eck, and David Struffolino definitely KNOW the highways and byways around here.
Not sure whose fault this is, but the once informative and comprehensive reports on national/international news from CBS and ABC have declined both in length and quality. Either the network feeds are getting shortened or the 'BZ editors are de-emphasizing them.
To those who think I have an "agenda": I'm well into what I believe is 'BZ's core demo, i.e., 55+ to dead. I believe a mostly-news station like 'BZ is unique in iHeart's stable, and, while I should be grateful the latter is making its best attempt to keep the operation afloat, something is still missing.
Is it possible that people are listening more to public radio in support after the federal funding cuts? I am and so are people in my family. It is terrible what is happening and we want to show our support for public media. Perhaps that is part of the issue with the ratings.
National news is not the same these days. Other trade publications I read that I learned about on here show layoffs in many companies. It would not surprise me if the offerings from the national networks are culled as well for radio. Plus young people have no attention span. Look at social media. You have to keep their attention.
As for WBZ if you cannot tell I am also part of the “old” folks. I prefer it over the typical talk options here like WRKO which is full of bluster. I will say I like the weekday anchors just fine although it is not the same without Laurie. Jeff and Ben are funny and witty. Nicole is personable and easy to listen to, almost like a public radio host. Madison is shaky at times but growing into the role.
NowRadioGuy I agree about the music. I don’t know any of these bands and for the most part my kids don’t either. Maybe this is some new entertainment feature. For me it takes away from the news. As for reporters I like Kyle bray and Kyle Chappell. Very thoughtful reporting and interesting topics. Same with Suzanne. Most of the traffic people are good too. Always reliable. Is matt sheerer not there full time anymore?
I will end with this. I feel like these stations are fighting to survive and I am sure they are seeing results we do not. It is easy for us to sit here and complain.
National news is not the same these days. Other trade publications I read that I learned about on here show layoffs in many companies. It would not surprise me if the offerings from the national networks are culled as well for radio. Plus young people have no attention span. Look at social media. You have to keep their attention.
As for WBZ if you cannot tell I am also part of the “old” folks. I prefer it over the typical talk options here like WRKO which is full of bluster. I will say I like the weekday anchors just fine although it is not the same without Laurie. Jeff and Ben are funny and witty. Nicole is personable and easy to listen to, almost like a public radio host. Madison is shaky at times but growing into the role.
NowRadioGuy I agree about the music. I don’t know any of these bands and for the most part my kids don’t either. Maybe this is some new entertainment feature. For me it takes away from the news. As for reporters I like Kyle bray and Kyle Chappell. Very thoughtful reporting and interesting topics. Same with Suzanne. Most of the traffic people are good too. Always reliable. Is matt sheerer not there full time anymore?
I will end with this. I feel like these stations are fighting to survive and I am sure they are seeing results we do not. It is easy for us to sit here and complain.
Not sure whose fault this is, but the once informative and comprehensive reports on national/international news from CBS and ABC have declined both in length and quality. Either the network feeds are getting shortened or the 'BZ editors are de-emphasizing them.
The focus is on local news. The station will either survive or fail because of its local news coverage.
Is it possible that people are listening more to public radio in support after the federal funding cuts?
That's what we're seeing in other markets as well.