Listening to Glenn Beck this morning, he has made a few references to his being "the 3rd most listened to talk show in America". At first I thought he was joking, as that's how it was presented, but he just now said, "Limbaugh is first, Sean Hannity is second, and we're third." I'm a huge fan of Beck's, but I don't see it. The most recent (marginal) Talkers semiannual study showed him at ninth IIRC. Savage has made the claim of being third for a long time, which is based on aforementioned Talkers study. Any idea where Glenn is getting these (likely exaggerated) claims?
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Beck 3rd in nation?
- Thread starter ajhenderson
- Start date
R
raydofan
Guest
Say something often enough...
I would love to see those numbers. Hell, I'd like to see an affiliate list.
> Listening to Glenn Beck this morning, he has made a few
> references to his being "the 3rd most listened to talk show
> in America". At first I thought he was joking, as that's how
> it was presented, but he just now said, "Limbaugh is first,
> Sean Hannity is second, and we're third." I'm a huge fan of
> Beck's, but I don't see it. The most recent (marginal)
> Talkers semiannual study showed him at ninth IIRC. Savage
> has made the claim of being third for a long time, which is
> based on aforementioned Talkers study. Any idea where Glenn
> is getting these (likely exaggerated) claims?
>
I would love to see those numbers. Hell, I'd like to see an affiliate list.
> Listening to Glenn Beck this morning, he has made a few
> references to his being "the 3rd most listened to talk show
> in America". At first I thought he was joking, as that's how
> it was presented, but he just now said, "Limbaugh is first,
> Sean Hannity is second, and we're third." I'm a huge fan of
> Beck's, but I don't see it. The most recent (marginal)
> Talkers semiannual study showed him at ninth IIRC. Savage
> has made the claim of being third for a long time, which is
> based on aforementioned Talkers study. Any idea where Glenn
> is getting these (likely exaggerated) claims?
>
"Most listened to" is ambiguous. Most rankings are for 12+ cume, a reasonable if imperfect measurement. Perhaps Beck is saying his TSL (Time Spent Listening) is the third highest. Or, since his is syndicated by Premiere, Clear Channel owns Premiere and Clear Channel has access to ratings for all markets (whether or not they own stations there) maybe he is right and Talkers is wrong. (I doubt he'd be third but anything's possible.)
Come to think of it, there is no benefit to the listener to listening to a show that is higher rated than other shows so bragging about it doesn't mean anything except to host and his or her friends and families.
> Listening to Glenn Beck this morning, he has made a few
> references to his being "the 3rd most listened to talk show
> in America". At first I thought he was joking, as that's how
> it was presented, but he just now said, "Limbaugh is first,
> Sean Hannity is second, and we're third." I'm a huge fan of
> Beck's, but I don't see it. The most recent (marginal)
> Talkers semiannual study showed him at ninth IIRC. Savage
> has made the claim of being third for a long time, which is
> based on aforementioned Talkers study. Any idea where Glenn
> is getting these (likely exaggerated) claims?
> <P ID="signature">______________
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
<a href="http://saltydog.5gigs.com">
The Salty Dog</a>
</P>
Come to think of it, there is no benefit to the listener to listening to a show that is higher rated than other shows so bragging about it doesn't mean anything except to host and his or her friends and families.
> Listening to Glenn Beck this morning, he has made a few
> references to his being "the 3rd most listened to talk show
> in America". At first I thought he was joking, as that's how
> it was presented, but he just now said, "Limbaugh is first,
> Sean Hannity is second, and we're third." I'm a huge fan of
> Beck's, but I don't see it. The most recent (marginal)
> Talkers semiannual study showed him at ninth IIRC. Savage
> has made the claim of being third for a long time, which is
> based on aforementioned Talkers study. Any idea where Glenn
> is getting these (likely exaggerated) claims?
> <P ID="signature">______________
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
<a href="http://saltydog.5gigs.com">
The Salty Dog</a>
</P>
Re: Say something often enough...
> I would love to see those numbers. Hell, I'd like to see an
> affiliate list.
www.glennbeck.com
201 affiliates, down 1 in 2006. Includes about three dozen weekend affils I believe. Although he is mostly cleared live on good or mediocre talkers, whereas Savage and Ingraham get evening clearances or weak stations some of the time.
> I would love to see those numbers. Hell, I'd like to see an
> affiliate list.
www.glennbeck.com
201 affiliates, down 1 in 2006. Includes about three dozen weekend affils I believe. Although he is mostly cleared live on good or mediocre talkers, whereas Savage and Ingraham get evening clearances or weak stations some of the time.
> "Most listened to" is ambiguous. Most rankings are for 12+
> cume, a reasonable if imperfect measurement.
Actually all of the 12+ numbers in R&R, Inside Radio, Allaccess, etc. are AQH share numbers, not cume. Of course these are from Arbitron. Talkers 12+ are cume numbers (and compiled using numerous different "methods" including astronomy), not AQH share. So maybe Beck has more cume then Savage, but if Savage's audience gives much more TSL (more loyal) he4 could have higher shares nationally.
Stern was only on about 42 stations yet his cume audience was huge. He was on large FMs in nearly all the top markets during morning drive. Savage is on 300 stations but the majority are evening drive. Therefore he has a smaller audience.
Perhaps Beck is
> saying his TSL (Time Spent Listening) is the third highest.
> Or, since his is syndicated by Premiere, Clear Channel owns
> Premiere and Clear Channel has access to ratings for all
> markets (whether or not they own stations there) maybe he is
> right and Talkers is wrong. (I doubt he'd be third but
> anything's possible.)
>
> Come to think of it, there is no benefit to the listener to
> listening to a show that is higher rated than other shows so
> bragging about it doesn't mean anything except to host and
> his or her friends and families.
>
> cume, a reasonable if imperfect measurement.
Actually all of the 12+ numbers in R&R, Inside Radio, Allaccess, etc. are AQH share numbers, not cume. Of course these are from Arbitron. Talkers 12+ are cume numbers (and compiled using numerous different "methods" including astronomy), not AQH share. So maybe Beck has more cume then Savage, but if Savage's audience gives much more TSL (more loyal) he4 could have higher shares nationally.
Stern was only on about 42 stations yet his cume audience was huge. He was on large FMs in nearly all the top markets during morning drive. Savage is on 300 stations but the majority are evening drive. Therefore he has a smaller audience.
Perhaps Beck is
> saying his TSL (Time Spent Listening) is the third highest.
> Or, since his is syndicated by Premiere, Clear Channel owns
> Premiere and Clear Channel has access to ratings for all
> markets (whether or not they own stations there) maybe he is
> right and Talkers is wrong. (I doubt he'd be third but
> anything's possible.)
>
> Come to think of it, there is no benefit to the listener to
> listening to a show that is higher rated than other shows so
> bragging about it doesn't mean anything except to host and
> his or her friends and families.
>
> Actually all of the 12+ numbers in R&R, Inside Radio,
> Allaccess, etc. are AQH share numbers, not cume. Of course
> these are from Arbitron. Talkers 12+ are cume numbers (and
> compiled using numerous different "methods" including
> astronomy), not AQH share.
It was Talkers that I was referring to (I'm never specific enough in my posts. Just lazy I guess) and as you know, they use 12+ cume as estimated from their various sources since Arbitron doesn't release the information they'd need to do a more accurate ranking.
> Stern was only on about 42 stations yet his cume audience
> was huge. He was on large FMs in nearly all the top markets
> during morning drive. Savage is on 300 stations but the
> majority are evening drive. Therefore he has a smaller
> audience.
True. I've seen Talker's numbers here challenged here on the News/Talk forum because a certain host is not on many stations. Mike Gallagher comes to mind. As you point out, it takes a lot of small markets to equal one big number.
Unfortunately, we still don't know what the hell Beck is talking about when he boasts that he's third.
<P ID="signature">______________
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
<a href="http://saltydog.5gigs.com">
The Salty Dog</a>
</P>
> Allaccess, etc. are AQH share numbers, not cume. Of course
> these are from Arbitron. Talkers 12+ are cume numbers (and
> compiled using numerous different "methods" including
> astronomy), not AQH share.
It was Talkers that I was referring to (I'm never specific enough in my posts. Just lazy I guess) and as you know, they use 12+ cume as estimated from their various sources since Arbitron doesn't release the information they'd need to do a more accurate ranking.
> Stern was only on about 42 stations yet his cume audience
> was huge. He was on large FMs in nearly all the top markets
> during morning drive. Savage is on 300 stations but the
> majority are evening drive. Therefore he has a smaller
> audience.
True. I've seen Talker's numbers here challenged here on the News/Talk forum because a certain host is not on many stations. Mike Gallagher comes to mind. As you point out, it takes a lot of small markets to equal one big number.
Unfortunately, we still don't know what the hell Beck is talking about when he boasts that he's third.
<P ID="signature">______________"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
<a href="http://saltydog.5gigs.com">
The Salty Dog</a>
</P>
> Unfortunately, we still don't know what the hell Beck is
> talking about when he boasts that he's third.
This coming on the heels of his losing a big affiliate in his midwestern stronghold, 55KRC/Cincinnati.
> talking about when he boasts that he's third.
This coming on the heels of his losing a big affiliate in his midwestern stronghold, 55KRC/Cincinnati.
> > Unfortunately, we still don't know what the hell Beck is
> > talking about when he boasts that he's third.
>
> This coming on the heels of his losing a big affiliate in
> his midwestern stronghold, 55KRC/Cincinnati.
>
Not only did he lose 55WKRC he also lost 1100 WTAM in Cleveland which covers in addition the Akron, Canton and Youngstown markets. Another Midwestern stronghold.
> > talking about when he boasts that he's third.
>
> This coming on the heels of his losing a big affiliate in
> his midwestern stronghold, 55KRC/Cincinnati.
>
Not only did he lose 55WKRC he also lost 1100 WTAM in Cleveland which covers in addition the Akron, Canton and Youngstown markets. Another Midwestern stronghold.
> Listening to Glenn Beck this morning, he has made a few
> references to his being "the 3rd most listened to talk show
> in America". At first I thought he was joking, as that's how
> it was presented, but he just now said, "Limbaugh is first,
> Sean Hannity is second, and we're third." I'm a huge fan of
> Beck's, but I don't see it.
He'll have some demo like white males between 60-72 who listen to his live show to make that reality. Glenn Beck is not exactly THAT well known.
> references to his being "the 3rd most listened to talk show
> in America". At first I thought he was joking, as that's how
> it was presented, but he just now said, "Limbaugh is first,
> Sean Hannity is second, and we're third." I'm a huge fan of
> Beck's, but I don't see it.
He'll have some demo like white males between 60-72 who listen to his live show to make that reality. Glenn Beck is not exactly THAT well known.
> Not only did he lose 55WKRC he also lost 1100 WTAM in
> Cleveland which covers in addition the Akron, Canton and
> Youngstown markets. Another Midwestern stronghold.
Akron/Canton now gets Beck via local Clear Channel talker WHLO/640. And the western half of the Cleveland market can get Beck on new affiliate WEOL/930 Elyria.
But as far as Cleveland itself...Beck's departure from WTAM/1100 creates a large hole in his numbers. A huge one.
-OA <P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
> Cleveland which covers in addition the Akron, Canton and
> Youngstown markets. Another Midwestern stronghold.
Akron/Canton now gets Beck via local Clear Channel talker WHLO/640. And the western half of the Cleveland market can get Beck on new affiliate WEOL/930 Elyria.
But as far as Cleveland itself...Beck's departure from WTAM/1100 creates a large hole in his numbers. A huge one.
-OA <P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
B
bierkenstock
Guest
It's possible
It's possible he's lying through his teeth. (People in radio lying! I'm shocked - SHOCKED!!)
It's also possible that this is true (Arbitron's various numbers do provide some wiggle room).
Rush and Hannity are the Coke and Pepsi of talk radio. Even if he is R-C, Beck comes nowhere close.
However, he gets cleared on a lot of dominant blow-torch talkers around the country and their numbers add up.
And way behind the top two or three you have a pack of also-rans. Mostly, these people get cleared on the second-talker in town, usually on a low powered stick keeping costs down with syndicated programming and able to turn a profit even with a small audience. They are the Squirt-Hires-Orange Crush of talk radio. Even when they get cleared on a top-performing station, they usually get bumped to evenings or weekends (Savage, Ingrham, O'Reilly etc.).
When everybody but Rush and Hannity as so far back, making it to number three may not be that much of an accomplishment.
It's possible he's lying through his teeth. (People in radio lying! I'm shocked - SHOCKED!!)
It's also possible that this is true (Arbitron's various numbers do provide some wiggle room).
Rush and Hannity are the Coke and Pepsi of talk radio. Even if he is R-C, Beck comes nowhere close.
However, he gets cleared on a lot of dominant blow-torch talkers around the country and their numbers add up.
And way behind the top two or three you have a pack of also-rans. Mostly, these people get cleared on the second-talker in town, usually on a low powered stick keeping costs down with syndicated programming and able to turn a profit even with a small audience. They are the Squirt-Hires-Orange Crush of talk radio. Even when they get cleared on a top-performing station, they usually get bumped to evenings or weekends (Savage, Ingrham, O'Reilly etc.).
When everybody but Rush and Hannity as so far back, making it to number three may not be that much of an accomplishment.
Let's put this into perspective.
Ever hear a football team brag "We're Number 3! We're Number 3!"
Think about it.
Love you all.
> Listening to Glenn Beck this morning, he has made a few
> references to his being "the 3rd most listened to talk show
> in America". At first I thought he was joking, as that's how
> it was presented, but he just now said, "Limbaugh is first,
> Sean Hannity is second, and we're third." I'm a huge fan of
> Beck's, but I don't see it. The most recent (marginal)
> Talkers semiannual study showed him at ninth IIRC. Savage
> has made the claim of being third for a long time, which is
> based on aforementioned Talkers study. Any idea where Glenn
> is getting these (likely exaggerated) claims?
>
Ever hear a football team brag "We're Number 3! We're Number 3!"
Think about it.
Love you all.
> Listening to Glenn Beck this morning, he has made a few
> references to his being "the 3rd most listened to talk show
> in America". At first I thought he was joking, as that's how
> it was presented, but he just now said, "Limbaugh is first,
> Sean Hannity is second, and we're third." I'm a huge fan of
> Beck's, but I don't see it. The most recent (marginal)
> Talkers semiannual study showed him at ninth IIRC. Savage
> has made the claim of being third for a long time, which is
> based on aforementioned Talkers study. Any idea where Glenn
> is getting these (likely exaggerated) claims?
>
> I don't know if its the beginning of the end for Glenn Beck,
> but it does look like CC is starting to look elsewhere for
> the 9-12noon eastern slot.
It's not quite to the same point, but it reminds me of CC stations walking away from Dr. Laura...which started even before the ownership of her show reverted to her own company. (And of course, many of these CC stations grabbed Glenn Beck in her place.)
It's significant because Beck is losing stations in major markets within the Clear Channel family. And it belies the belief by some that Clear Channel forces Premiere shows down their stations' throats.
In fact, it's my understanding that the folks at WHLO in Akron basically had to go bugging Premiere to pick up Beck after WTAM dropped him! You'd think that the RVP in the market would have picked up the phone to call the folks on Freedom Avenue. You'd think that Beck's reps at Premiere would have been on the phone to North Canton the first they heard of WTAM's exit from Beck's show...but no, WHLO had to work to grab Beck.
-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
> but it does look like CC is starting to look elsewhere for
> the 9-12noon eastern slot.
It's not quite to the same point, but it reminds me of CC stations walking away from Dr. Laura...which started even before the ownership of her show reverted to her own company. (And of course, many of these CC stations grabbed Glenn Beck in her place.)
It's significant because Beck is losing stations in major markets within the Clear Channel family. And it belies the belief by some that Clear Channel forces Premiere shows down their stations' throats.
In fact, it's my understanding that the folks at WHLO in Akron basically had to go bugging Premiere to pick up Beck after WTAM dropped him! You'd think that the RVP in the market would have picked up the phone to call the folks on Freedom Avenue. You'd think that Beck's reps at Premiere would have been on the phone to North Canton the first they heard of WTAM's exit from Beck's show...but no, WHLO had to work to grab Beck.
-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
> It's significant because Beck is losing stations in major markets within the
> Clear Channel family. And it belies the belief by some that Clear Channel
> forces Premiere shows down their stations' throats.
I don't know about now, but when I was there, there was a certain amount of pressure to accept Gabe Hobb's "advice".<P ID="signature">______________
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
<a href="http://saltydog.5gigs.com">
The Salty Dog</a>
</P>
> Clear Channel family. And it belies the belief by some that Clear Channel
> forces Premiere shows down their stations' throats.
I don't know about now, but when I was there, there was a certain amount of pressure to accept Gabe Hobb's "advice".<P ID="signature">______________
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
<a href="http://saltydog.5gigs.com">
The Salty Dog</a>
</P>
> I don't know about now, but when I was there, there was a
> certain amount of pressure to accept Gabe Hobb's "advice".
Look, I'm not saying Mr. Hobbs doesn't have major influence within his company. He's a respected news/talk manager who runs the format for the company.
But I can cite any number of cases where Clear Channel stations have walked away from Premiere shows in favor of other programming, and the case of WKRC/550 in Cincinnati is only the latest.
In addition to that, and WTAM up here moving to Jerry Springer (granted, with CC ties)...CC Atlanta's WGST/640 dropped Beck for local midday talk, first with "The Regular Guys", and now with former WSPD/Toledo host Denny Schaffer.
If a Glenn Beck isn't working for a station for whatever reason, CC has no problem with that station dumping him.
-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
> certain amount of pressure to accept Gabe Hobb's "advice".
Look, I'm not saying Mr. Hobbs doesn't have major influence within his company. He's a respected news/talk manager who runs the format for the company.
But I can cite any number of cases where Clear Channel stations have walked away from Premiere shows in favor of other programming, and the case of WKRC/550 in Cincinnati is only the latest.
In addition to that, and WTAM up here moving to Jerry Springer (granted, with CC ties)...CC Atlanta's WGST/640 dropped Beck for local midday talk, first with "The Regular Guys", and now with former WSPD/Toledo host Denny Schaffer.
If a Glenn Beck isn't working for a station for whatever reason, CC has no problem with that station dumping him.
-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
- Status