Is WUSF's news-talk format underperforming

[smedge2006]

WUSF says it's satisfied with its current audience. But its numbers seem anemic compared to NPR stations in other large markets. Another surprising factor is the relative performance of WMNF. Usually the distance between the ratings of the NPR news-talk station and the Pacifica-type station is a lot wider. Maybe in a town like Tampa, with relatively few college-degree holders, a blue-collar, "power to the people" approach has more appeal than the attenuated "Talk of the Nation" style.

 

[gamefreak]

Ever think that NPR affilates from other markets may effect overall performance. I mean WJUF (The Inverness NPR Affiate.) Puts a better signal into Hernando County and areas of NW Pasco than WUSF. Causing audience fracture.

 

[MsMusicRadio]

On a related note, how come 103.9 comes in as far South as Riverview and as far east as Oldsmar, but completely craps out at the intersection of Dale Mabry and Hillsborough Ave.???

 

[gamefreak]

On a related note, how come 103.9 comes in as far South as Riverview and as far east as Oldsmar, but completely craps out at the intersection of Dale Mabry and Hillsborough Ave.???

Beats me, Looking at the map for 103.9 Dale Mabry and Hillsborough is within its protected zone. Which means the signal should be good.

However other cars at a busy intersection can wreck havoac on certain radio signals. I've noticed I can be picking up a station just fine. Howvever if I'm in heavy traffic the signal on my radio will start crapping out. Even if the signal is particularly good. Also tophography in that area may play a factor. Even a small hill of incline can wreck havoc on certain stations. I don't know for sure but that may be my guess.

http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=W280DW&service=FX&status=L&hours=U

Signal map for the 103.9 WUSF Translator.

 

[gamefreak]

For further explain I could have my radio locked on to 95.3 on the way to Ocala. Going down Highway 200 I'll just pass the County Road 484 Intersection. Pass the Marion Oaks Wal-Mart and its signal will completely crap out. Then if I still keep it on the signal will somewhat improve after a few blocks. (But usually not enough to continue listening.)

I've noticed to if I have my radio on WJQB 106.3 my signal will go in and out driving through Beverly Hills. Particular when driving in the hilly areas.

 

[badjef]

On a related note, how come 103.9 comes in as far South as Riverview and as far east as Oldsmar, but completely craps out at the intersection of Dale Mabry and Hillsborough Ave.???

One explanation is that each time you are there, someone close is listening to 93.3.

103.9 - 10.7 = 93.2.
That is close enough to play havoc with an already weak station.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[drt]

One explanation is that each time you are there, someone close is listening to 93.3.

103.9 - 10.7 = 93.2.
That is close enough to play havoc with an already weak station.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

Jeff's explanation is probably the most logical factor, but another factor could be the overpass and all the concrete associated with the overpass; especially if one is on Hillsborough Ave at the interstection, you would be going under the overpass...... and as Jeff pointed out the 103.9 signal that far from the USF campus is not especially strong at the intersection to begin with.

drt

 

[gamefreak]

One explanation is that each time you are there, someone close is listening to 93.3.

103.9 - 10.7 = 93.2.
That is close enough to play havoc with an already weak station.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

Jeff's explanation is probably the most logical factor, but another factor could be the overpass and all the concrete associated with the overpass; especially if one is on Hillsborough Ave at the interstection, you would be going under the overpass...... and as Jeff pointed out the 103.9 signal that far from the USF campus is not especially strong at the intersection to begin with.

drt

Kind of like if I go under the I-75 overpass in Wildwood my signal will completely mess up. Sometimes even if the signal is still good. However even more so if the signal is weaker. For exmaple, if I had it on a station like 105.9. 105.9's signal in Wildwood is pretty good even in the house. However even a good signal that is just shy of provoding city-grade coverage like 105.9 with its 67dBu signal has some issues. Especially on cheap after-market radios.

 

[druidhillsradio]

"Maybe in a town like Tampa, with relatively few college-degree holders..."

Huh? Where did that stat come from? ???

Associate Degree 253,041 8.4%
Bachelor's Degree 487,121 16.2%
Master's Degree 170,376 5.7%
Professional School Degree 51,874 1.7%
Doctorate Degree 25,320 0.8%

 

[tampalistener]

"Maybe in a town like Tampa, with relatively few college-degree holders..."

Huh? Where did that stat come from? ???

The original poster is more or less correct. According to the American Community Survey, which is published by the federal government using 2010 U.S. Census data, the Tampa Bay area ranks among the bottom 10 metropolitan areas (population 1 million or more) based on the number of adults with bachelor's degrees or better.

The top 10 metro areas:
1 - Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV - 1,758,297 (46.8%)
2 - San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA - 558,519 (45.3%)
3 - San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA - 1,317,354 (43.4%)
4 - Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH - 1,335,276 (43.0%)
5 - Raleigh-Cary, NC - 301,012 (41.0%)
6 - Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX - 429,163 (39.4%)
7 - Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO - 651,661 (38.2%)
8 - Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI - 822,321 (37.9%)
9 - Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA - 867,193 (37.0%)
10 - New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA - 4,613,445 (36.0%)

The bottom 10 metro areas:
1 - Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA - 499,663 (19.5%)
2 - Las Vegas-Paradise, NV - 278,387 (21.6%)
3 - Memphis, TN-MS-AR - 209,987 (25.1%)
4 - San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX - 344,247 (25.4%)
5 - Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN - 224,392 (25.8%)
6 - Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL - 513,182 (26.2%)
7 - Birmingham-Hoover, AL - 198,856 (26.3%)
8 - New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA - 209,916 (26.8%)
9 - Jacksonville, FL - 241,801 (26.9%)
10 - Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ - 731,643 (27.2%)

 

[badjef]

Intelligence is not supported by a "sheepskin".

The smartest people I know, do not have degrees.

Q. What do you call the guy who graduated last in his medical class?

Ans. Doctor.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[smedge2006]

They may be smart but they're not NPR-predisposed, which is my point. More blue-collar wisdom.

WMNF's quasi-Pacifica approach does better here, in terms of share, than any market in the country with a Pacifica-type community station. I can't think of any other market where the community station has more than half the share of the NPR talker.

 

[MsMusicRadio]

WCVE used to be in Top 10 with the old arbitron ratings in Richmond

 

[Radio-X]

WCVE used to be in Top 10 with the old arbitron ratings in Richmond

WCVE-FM was (and is) mostly classical music...a very unique situation there. Many of the staffers and supporters there are from the former NPR station run by the Presbyterian seminary and remember the epic battle to keep a classical/NPR format in Richmond in the 80's...

However, NPR ratings are based largely on market type...in DC (which as the stats show, is a "highly educated" market) the NPR talker WAMU is always in the top 5 if not 3. Ditto with San Francisco.

Then you have places like Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. Lots of retirees in the area who would generally prefer a classical-styled format. Most are on fixed incomes and many still don't appreciate being hounded for money every few months. However, the big money is with the briefcase-donning educated folks and corporations who generally get angry when they moved from NYC or Philly and can't get their Diane Rehm Show or BBC World Service because there's a 35 minute long classical piece on.

So, the ratings slide a good bit, but I bet you dollars for donuts the revenue has probably increased (or at least hasn't fallen as much as it would under a primarily classical format). Otherwise, why would so many NPR stations have made the switch to the format in the past 10 years?

Radio-X