BOSTON RATINGS - Jan 2007 - discussion

[JIBGUY]

Big winner is WODS... highest EVER! Could it be because more and more, today's music really sux?

WEEI lower than previous years' four quarters.

WAAF/WKAF: it appears newly-acquired WKAF (ex WBOT) has not helped at all.

WMKK: in the 1's territory.

WFNX: a surprising 'surge'.

WJIB: highest winter ratings ever; maybe due to no more Radio France in the mornings.

WAMG/WLLH: the same, but still no sign of the Mighty-1510.

WKOXKS: Same, despite format-change to spanish. Matched by WUNR. Maybe too early to tell.

And now (drumroll...) WATD showed up for first time in a long time! Congratulations!!!

Other stations: no interesting changes....

 

[ciao99]

I was happy to see WFNX pull ahead for once!

Let's hope Rumba gets some decent numbers going forward. WNNW is getting better numbers than Rumba and it's barely audible in Boston. I understand that lawrence has a large Hispanic population and that's probably where WNNW gets it's audience, but I can't imagine that Rumba can't beat that with the Boston listeners.

 

[greg11]

Does anyone know how WRKO fared in the adult numbers? Also, do we think that WMKK has seen better days...do they need to take the next step and add an air staff to have any chance at long term survival. In response to JIBGUY I don't think WODS is doing well because today's music sux...I think it's probably because everything on that station sounds great... the music, the imaging and the personalities!

By the way..curious to know how O&A are doing?

 

[Eli Polonsky]

WAAF/WKAF: it appears newly-acquired WKAF (ex WBOT) has not helped at all.

Nor did the transmitter/frequency swap appear to effect WKLB or WCRB significantly.

 

[JackJones]

Big winner is WODS... highest EVER! Could it be because more and more, today's music really sux?

That seems way off considering that Jamn plays "today's music" and is tied for #1. And Kiss is at #4.

 

[raccoonradio]

As usual all we can see (online) is the 12 +.
'BZ's news and talk and Jam'n tied for first...while Oldies formats may be dying nationwide (often
changing to "classic hits/classic rock"--70s and 80s rather than 60s and 70s, more to the point)
WODS is doing fine. The DJs, specialty shows (Lost 45s, Countdown, etc.)
and the whole "sound" of the station are clicking.

>>January 2007
Is that the month that was surveyed or is part of Feb included? All radioandrecords says is yesterday's
date, an indication that the next ratings come out on April 4, and this period is referred to as "Winter 07
Part 1".

Among the talkers fairly predictable: WRKO and WTKK each lose the same amount but the home of the
"Finneran Borum" is on top. Note that Finneran's show started Feb 12 so we'll see how it affects RKO
in the next period, if indeed this latest period is Jan only or somehow is pre-Feb 12. WBZ (talk nights)
is king of the hill. WTTT a no-show; and AAR/Prog talk had ended on Dec 21...so Rumba is doing no better than before with the new format. WAMG sports talk does again show up though barely...WEEI is just a hair better than its sister talk station. No WWZN again

>>today's music really sux?

In terms of pop, maybe (though WJMN and WXKS not doing bad), but today's country doing well at WKLB.
BLUES BROTHERS:
"What kind of music do you play here (at the bar)?"
"Oh, we play BOTH kinds. Country AND western..."
(Quick guys, better start playing Rawhide!)
'CRB and 'KLB are indeed virtually unchanged despite the freq switch on Dec 1.

How will WEEI do with no more Red Sox _games_ (maybe once a week or so? I was surprised that WRKO
was carrying the afternoon exhibition games--two more are coming up today and tomorrow. I thought they'd
pass them off to WEEI so Rush and Howie wouldn't be pre-empted...supposedly WEEI is supposed to do
Friday nights, and some afternoon starts during the season

Mike has indeed dropped but you wonder if they care--it's a rather low budget operation after all,
computer-in-a-closet, music division...

WJIB: Curse you ASCAP and BMI! Higher ratings mean much higher fees...

The bring-back-prog-talk people might not be too pleased with 1510's iffy signal but if they convince
them to ditch sports for prog talk (problem is, even with no ratings a syndie sports station could be
a better "sell". Consider WAMG which is MOSTLY syndie sports, with one local daily show...and they
show UP in the ratings. Even though WWZN may not show up it might be either breaking even or
making a slight profit with sports.
How else are they to explain sticking with that format...and not showing in the ratings?

WATD--a refreshing family owned station. As seen on Chronicle!

>>Also, do we think that WMKK has seen better days...do they need to take the next step and add an air staff

Cheapercom would rather go jockless.

 

[JustinT]

>>Also, do we think that WMKK has seen better days...do they need to take the next step and add an air staff

Cheapercom would rather go jockless.

The drop in ratings was a surprise to me; it seems that it's been sounding its best lately. Interesting that Entercom pulled the plug on its newly acquired KMAX-95.7 in San Francisco last week, the connection being that KMAX and WMKK were the two stations launched a day before CBS was slated to ditch KFRC-99.7 and WBMX, respectively. Mike is definately entering the danger zone, though; their ratings were only about half a share above what KMAX was pulling.

Even if Entercom were to do something else, what could they do? Sure, there are the constant demands for smooth jazz and urban AC, but Entercom seems to be too conservative to do either of them in Boston. They seem to focus mostly on rock, country, talk, and formats-of-the-month, and likely wouldn't have the patience to see either SJ or UAC succeed.

If one thing has become clear since the demise of WILD-FM, it's that there is a hole for a station with a beat. Jam'n is winning that audience by default, not because they're an incredible station in what they do. Star didn't pull incredible ratings, though they couldn't seem to stick to a single direction for more than 6 months...

 

[FPB]

>Also, do we think that WMKK has seen better days...do they need to take the >next step and add an air staff <
>
The mouse controls what the mouse owns. They have no local on-air anywhere.

From Hartford to Honolulu, your quarter-pounder will taste the same.

 

[TravisWMLN]

good for ATD...I always like seeing the local guy do alright.

the crb and klb switch not doing much change in the ratings to me means that it actually was a success....people tuned in rather than tuning out when the switch actually happened....which possibly means that people actually still do have some station loyalty

 

[Oldbones]

>>Also, do we think that WMKK has seen better days...do they need to take the next step and add an air staff

Cheapercom would rather go jockless.

To be fair, I'm not aware of ANY station doing a Jack-style format that isn't jockless.

 

[Eli Polonsky]

>>today's music really sux?

In terms of pop, maybe (though WJMN and WXKS not doing bad)

It's as simple as stations for programmed for different generations. WJMN is the top rated youth demo music station (with sister WXKS not far behind second in that demo). WODS is the top rated adult demo music station.

The bring-back-prog-talk people might not be too pleased with 1510's iffy signal but if they convince them to ditch sports for prog talk... Even though WWZN may not show up it might be either breaking even or making a slight profit with sports. How else are they to explain sticking with that format...and not showing in the ratings?

Isn't WWZN actually owned by the sporting network whose programming it runs? If so, would they actually consider running other (non-sports) programming? I doubt it.

Also, the published ratings only show .4 shares and over in the 12+. WWZN could be getting a .3 and it wouldn't show there. Also, it could be doing (a little) better if you isolate male adults and perhaps certain dayparts.

 

[ciao99]

Boston radio rule #1

The bring-back-prog-talk people might not be too pleased with 1510's iffy signal but if they convince
them to ditch sports for prog talk (problem is, even with no ratings a syndie sports station could be
a better "sell". Consider WAMG which is MOSTLY syndie sports, with one local daily show...and they
show UP in the ratings. Even though WWZN may not show up it might be either breaking even or
making a slight profit with sports.
How else are they to explain sticking with that format...and not showing in the ratings?

Simple: Boston radio rule #1 is that you tolerate non-rated radio stations if they are targeted towards white suburban males.

 

[ciao99]

If one thing has become clear since the demise of WILD-FM, it's that there is a hole for a station with a beat. Jam'n is winning that audience by default, not because they're an incredible station in what they do. Star didn't pull incredible ratings, though they couldn't seem to stick to a single direction for more than 6 months...
[/quote]

Your comment is so right.

Jammin 94.5 's format is nothing special but it serves a huge demand that no one else in Boston wants to touch.

 

[Retro]

The drop in ratings was a surprise to me; it seems that it's been sounding its best lately

I agree, their mix seems very targeted and good!

 

[brightonboris]

The bring-back-prog-talk people might not be too pleased with 1510's iffy signal but if they convince them to ditch sports for prog talk... Even though WWZN may not show up it might be either breaking even or making a slight profit with sports. How else are they to explain sticking with that format...and not showing in the ratings?

Isn't WWZN actually owned by the sporting network whose programming it runs? If so, would they actually consider running other (non-sports) programming? I doubt it.

Also, the published ratings only show .4 shares and over in the 12+. WWZN could be getting a .3 and it wouldn't show there. Also, it could be doing (a little) better if you isolate male adults and perhaps certain dayparts.

[/quote]

WWZN is no longer owned by the network. The network was sold to the new owner. The old network owner still owns WWZN.

A station needs a minimum number of listeners to show up in the book. WWZN doesn't show up because it doesn't attract the minimum number.

 

[brightonboris]

As usual all we can see (online) is the 12 +.
'BZ's news and talk and Jam'n tied for first...while Oldies formats may be dying nationwide (often
changing to "classic hits/classic rock"--70s and 80s rather than 60s and 70s, more to the point)
WODS is doing fine. The DJs, specialty shows (Lost 45s, Countdown, etc.)
and the whole "sound" of the station are clicking.

>>January 2007
Is that the month that was surveyed or is part of Feb included? All radioandrecords says is yesterday's
date, an indication that the next ratings come out on April 4, and this period is referred to as "Winter 07
Part 1".

Among the talkers fairly predictable: WRKO and WTKK each lose the same amount but the home of the
"Finneran Borum" is on top. Note that Finneran's show started Feb 12 so we'll see how it affects RKO
in the next period, if indeed this latest period is Jan only or somehow is pre-Feb 12. WBZ (talk nights)
is king of the hill. WTTT a no-show; and AAR/Prog talk had ended on Dec 21...so Rumba is doing no better than before with the new format. WAMG sports talk does again show up though barely...WEEI is just a hair better than its sister talk station. No WWZN again

>>today's music really sux?

In terms of pop, maybe (though WJMN and WXKS not doing bad), but today's country doing well at WKLB.
BLUES BROTHERS:
"What kind of music do you play here (at the bar)?"
"Oh, we play BOTH kinds. Country AND western..."
(Quick guys, better start playing Rawhide!)
'CRB and 'KLB are indeed virtually unchanged despite the freq switch on Dec 1.

How will WEEI do with no more Red Sox _games_ (maybe once a week or so? I was surprised that WRKO
was carrying the afternoon exhibition games--two more are coming up today and tomorrow. I thought they'd
pass them off to WEEI so Rush and Howie wouldn't be pre-empted...supposedly WEEI is supposed to do
Friday nights, and some afternoon starts during the season

Mike has indeed dropped but you wonder if they care--it's a rather low budget operation after all,
computer-in-a-closet, music division...

WJIB: Curse you ASCAP and BMI! Higher ratings mean much higher fees...

The bring-back-prog-talk people might not be too pleased with 1510's iffy signal but if they convince
them to ditch sports for prog talk (problem is, even with no ratings a syndie sports station could be
a better "sell". Consider WAMG which is MOSTLY syndie sports, with one local daily show...and they
show UP in the ratings. Even though WWZN may not show up it might be either breaking even or
making a slight profit with sports.
How else are they to explain sticking with that format...and not showing in the ratings?

WATD--a refreshing family owned station. As seen on Chronicle!

>>Also, do we think that WMKK has seen better days...do they need to take the next step and add an air staff

Cheapercom would rather go jockless.

WEEI is doing Wed. night games, not Friday nights and weekday daytime games.

Mike's problems are overblown. It's still a growing station. Star 93-7 wasn't growing. That's
why it's no longer on the air.

 

[raccoonradio]

First I had read that Friday night games would be on WEEI, then they said it would be Wed. nights and
afternoon games. So far in spring training, all weekday 1 pm starts have been on WRKO not WEEI. Instead
of pre-empting the first 2 hours of WEEI's Big Show, they wind up pre-empting last 2 hours of Rush and
first hour of Howie.

The kicker was the other day when the Howie/Finneran feud was literally front page news but when you
tuned in to 680 (or 830) they had the Sox instead, and if you went to 680's streaming you got Fox
Sports Radio instead. WCRN's streaming wasn't working. WNTK's was OK though... Howie did cover the subject once 'RKO came back on.
I suggested to 'RKO that the first hour of Howie's show on these 1 pm Grapefruit league starts be
pushed over to 93.7...for those who aren't exactly within range of a computer.

 

[brightonboris]

First I had read that Friday night games would be on WEEI, then they said it would be Wed. nights and
afternoon games. So far in spring training, all weekday 1 pm starts have been on WRKO not WEEI. Instead
of pre-empting the first 2 hours of WEEI's Big Show, they wind up pre-empting last 2 hours of Rush and
first hour of Howie.

The kicker was the other day when the Howie/Finneran feud was literally front page news but when you
tuned in to 680 (or 830) they had the Sox instead, and if you went to 680's streaming you got Fox
Sports Radio instead. WCRN's streaming wasn't working. WNTK's was OK though... Howie did cover the subject once 'RKO came back on.
I suggested to 'RKO that the first hour of Howie's show on these 1 pm Grapefruit league starts be
pushed over to 93.7...for those who aren't exactly within range of a computer.

Pre-season broadcasts are a good way to let people know that the games will be heard on WRKO. Howie-Tommy was manufactured front page news. It's good for Howie and it's good for Finneran. But WRKO will be making money off the Red Sox, not the Family Feud.

 

[Eli Polonsky]

A station needs a minimum number of listeners to show up in the book. WWZN doesn't show up because it doesn't attract the minimum number.

A station needs a minimum .4 share to show up in the 12+ Boston market book that is published to the public on the Arbitron and Radio & Records websites. I've occasionally had the opportunity to see further breakdowns of the ratings for all stations in the market which subscribing radio stations are privy to, from 0.0 upwards, and by different days, dayparts, and age groups. There are some people listening to WWZN, I've seen it get .2 and .3 shares, but those numbers won't show up at all in the book published online to the public which shows only stations with a .4 share or better.

It's not correct to assume that just because a station isn't showing up in the ratings published to the public, that no one is listening. There are some people listening to stations with .2 and .3 shares. It may not be a viable amount to sustain a station, but people are listening. If you see the full breakdowns, you'd see that many of the stations that aren't published in the public listings are getting shares from .1 to .3.

 

[raccoonradio]

>>Pre-season broadcasts are a good way to let people know that the games will be heard on WRKO.

That's true, but I thought the millions of time they ran ads AND the "seven in '07" rebroadcasts did that

>>Howie-Tommy was manufactured front page news. It's good for Howie and it's good for Finneran. But WRKO will be making money off the Red Sox, not the Family Feud.

Yes, the Red Sox will be their real moneymaker