Buffalo Ratings - Winter P2

[NeedsMoreCowbell]

From Radio and Records (http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings/)
(amazed no one posted on this yet...)

FALL WP1 WP2
WBEN-AM 13.1 11.0 10.2
WYRK-FM 9.0 8.2 8.5
WBLK-FM 6.2 7.1 7.0
WTSS-FM 5.9 6.1 6.5
WJYE-FM 6.2 5.9 6.0
WGRF-FM 7.1 6.2 5.7
WGR-AM 4.6 4.9 5.2
WKSE-FM 5.2 5.5 5.2
WHTT-FM 4.5 5.0 4.9
WEDG-FM 3.9 4.4 4.5
WLKK-FM 2.6 3.2 3.8
WBUF-FM 3.7 3.4 3.1
CKEY-FM 2.4 2.5 2.8
CHWO-AM 2.0 1.8 1.6
WWKB-AM 0.6 1.1 1.6
WXRL-AM 1.0 1.1 1.4
WDCX-FM 0.7 0.8 1.1
WECK-AM 1.0 1.1 1.1
WWWS-AM 1.5 1.9 1.1
WUFO-AM 0.4 0.6 0.9
CFNY-FM 0.7 0.5 0.6
CHTZ-FM 0.7 0.5 0.6
WBBF-AM 0.5 0.0 0.6
WLVL-AM 0.7 0.6 0.6
CHFI-FM 0.0 0.0 0.4
CILQ-FM 0.4 0.4 0.4
CKFM-FM 0.4 0.4 0.4
WHLD-AM 0.5 0.5 0.4

Happy Easter, all

NMC

 

[Radknowski]

Hard to say, looking at the 12+ numbers at Radio & Records. Had to laugh at WBUF, still tagged as a "talk" format. On first glance, WTSS and WGR-AM seem to be the winners, as both stations are on the rise. WGR obviously received a healthy boost from the palyoff bound Buffalo Sabres and Star retains the last month of the Fall book wherein it was All Christmas, All the Time.

On the other hand, it's curious that WYRK is in the "8's," 97 Rock is off it's stride and the AC race between WTSS, WJYE and WHTT looks pretty rough 'n tumble with WTSS comfortably out front and WHTT apparently shedding more listeners who want to hear the Everly Brothers rather than Madonna.

Lefties will appreciate that WWKB is inching upward, although still stunningly low-rated considering it's heritage. Clearly, that was then and this is now and Entercom may yet be vindicated for dumping the moribund oldies format and going with progressive talk.

The upward trend of the Edge and the Lake should give this board something to talk about, seeing how we enjoy yapping about 107.7. The Lake's upward movement may be due to WHTT abandoning oldies; while Opie & Anthony (crude 'n crider) may be making some headway in mornings on the Edge.

As the disclaimer always goes here, these are 12+ numbers, the sample is about 350 bodies on a rolling average, there's still a month of last Fall's book which included the Bills (for better or worse) and Christmas music for WTSS and WJYE; it's Winter and the real story is told by viewing the 25-54 numbers. There, that should cover it.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Since WHTT has gone straight-up AC, and The Lake has added more than a handful of what could be classified as "oldies", I'd really like to see how the demos shape up. Is it possible that WHTT has gone a step too far? Or, are they shedding 55+ listeners to The Lake, which pumps up the 12+ but doesn't mean anything when it comes to revenue?

 

[BUFFALOFLYGUY]

Since WHTT has gone straight-up AC, and The Lake has added more than a handful of what could be classified as "oldies", I'd really like to see how the demos shape up. Is it possible that WHTT has gone a step too far? Or, are they shedding 55+ listeners to The Lake, which pumps up the 12+ but doesn't mean anything when it comes to revenue?

For the past three years, I really enjoyed WHTT, but for the last little while I became bored with the station. It just evolved in to another harmoginized AC radio station. I can't understand why they want to copy WJYE. It was much better when they were playing more '70's music and had a wide variety.

 

[Bob1370]

A few interesting things are going on here.

First, of course, WBEN is going back to a more normal audience level...you'd expect it to be in the high 9s to low 10s in 12+ in a normal book, and that bump into the teens in the fall book--a level it hadn't seen regularly for a full book since about 1980-81--was clearly an artifact of the freak 10/13/06 storm and its aftermath.

Second, WGR is enjoying its highest shares since it was a combatant in the mainstream news/talk wars back in the early 90s. It's become strongly identified with the Sabres and as the team goes, so goes WGR. The winter will be a good book for them, probably peaking at the end of the survey period. If the Sabres go deep into the playoffs, the spring book will be just as good.

Third, WBLK seems to be gaining back some lost ground, though it's still not as strong as it was when it had a local morning show (a good local show in morning drive might get them to second place 25-54 and 12+).

The multi-station battle for the 25-54 music listeners seems to be going for the moment to the station with the biggest signal--I wonder if Star 102.5 is being helped by a lot of diary mentions in places like Genesee, Niagara, Wyoming, Chautaqua and Cattaragus Counties, where some of its competitors probably struggle to be heard on workplace portable and desktop radios? It's also interesting to note that no one is winning that battle hands down, and it could swing wildly book to book.

KB's rise to a level close to what it drew as an oldies station is interesting. Is it a sign that people who are drifting away from WBEN are beginning to drift over to KB? Is it a sign that people are becoming more attuned to its message? Or is it a fluke, given that the spike is pretty sudden? We need a few more trends to figure that out.

 

[Steven21]

KB's rise to a level close to what it drew as an oldies station is interesting. Is it a sign that people who are drifting away from WBEN are beginning to drift over to KB? Is it a sign that people are becoming more attuned to its message? Or is it a fluke, given that the spike is pretty sudden? We need a few more trends to figure that out.

Let's see: KB dropped off a Leslie Marshall month and picked up a non-Leslie Marshall month. Hmmm.

Could it be a celebration?

 

[Element9]

Some pretty good points made in this thread.

The multi-station battle for the 25-54 music listeners seems to be going for the moment to the station with the biggest signal--I wonder if Star 102.5 is being helped by a lot of diary mentions in places like Genesee, Niagara, Wyoming, Chautaqua and Cattaragus Counties, where some of its competitors probably struggle to be heard on workplace portable and desktop radios? It's also interesting to note that no one is winning that battle hands down, and it could swing wildly book to book.

I believe the trend numbers are MSA only, which would discount Genesee, Wyoming, Chautaqua and Cattaragus. MSA is Erie and Niagara counties. Good points about book to book swings in the AC battle.

...these are 12+ numbers, the sample is about 350 bodies on a rolling average, there's still a month of last Fall's book which included the Bills (for better or worse) and Christmas music for WTSS and WJYE; it's Winter and the real story is told by viewing the 25-54 numbers...

Another good point. Remnants of the Fall book are part of this trend.

For the past three years, I really enjoyed WHTT, but for the last little while I became bored with the station. It just evolved in to another harmoginized AC radio station. I can't understand why they want to copy WJYE. It was much better when they were playing more '70's music and had a wide variety.

WHTT seems to have turned the corner and gone distinctly after Women, 25-54, if not 25-49. There's considerable 70's dance, 80's English beat, new millenium and even cross over country in rotation. Males who once tuned in to hear their favorite CCR, Johnny Rivers and Three Dog Night hits are likely not pleased.

Let's see: KB dropped off a Leslie Marshall month and picked up a non-Leslie Marshall month. Hmmm. Could it be a celebration?

This observation really cracked me up. Funny... and probably true. I don't think there's one poster on this board who misses Ms. Marshall... well, maybe one.

Looking at the WGR numbers, it's evident that the forthcoming NHL playoffs will generate a tsunami, swelling the station's numbers in all dayparts and even weekends and further demonstrating the power of a winning team on and off the field. The numbers surely aren't a result of WGR's top notch air talent... in a way it's a lot like ten-in-a-row on music radio.

-9-

 

[obeahonu]

A few interesting things are going on here.

First, of course, WBEN is going back to a more normal audience level...you'd expect it to be in the high 9s to low 10s in 12+ in a normal book, and that bump into the teens in the fall book--a level it hadn't seen regularly for a full book since about 1980-81--was clearly an artifact of the freak 10/13/06 storm and its aftermath.

Second, WGR is enjoying its highest shares since it was a combatant in the mainstream news/talk wars back in the early 90s. It's become strongly identified with the Sabres and as the team goes, so goes WGR. The winter will be a good book for them, probably peaking at the end of the survey period. If the Sabres go deep into the playoffs, the spring book will be just as good.

Third, WBLK seems to be gaining back some lost ground, though it's still not as strong as it was when it had a local morning show (a good local show in morning drive might get them to second place 25-54 and 12+).

The multi-station battle for the 25-54 music listeners seems to be going for the moment to the station with the biggest signal--I wonder if Star 102.5 is being helped by a lot of diary mentions in places like Genesee, Niagara, Wyoming, Chautaqua and Cattaragus Counties, where some of its competitors probably struggle to be heard on workplace portable and desktop radios? It's also interesting to note that no one is winning that battle hands down, and it could swing wildly book to book.

KB's rise to a level close to what it drew as an oldies station is interesting. Is it a sign that people who are drifting away from WBEN are beginning to drift over to KB? Is it a sign that people are becoming more attuned to its message? Or is it a fluke, given that the spike is pretty sudden? We need a few more trends to figure that out.