Latest Arbitrends: WBNS-AM joins WTDA in being beaten by WLW

[SeanMGilbow]

I've kept my postings to a bare minimum as of late. However, the latest numbers (beauty show as they are) got my attention.

The migration of listeners from 1460 to 97.1 is nearly complete, just as the migration of Glenn Beck fans from WTDA to WTVN was complete in the previous Arbitrends.

So now we have five talk stations with ratings lower than WLW: WBNS-AM, WTDA and three stations with no numbers at all (WRFD, WYTS and WVKO-AM).

Before anyone asks...I will not discuss WVKO. Do not even think of asking for my input. Sorry to be harsh, but if you read the postings in another thread about a month ago, you will understand why I'm staying silent. I will say, however, that I still have good ties with most of the guys that were behind the mike, namely Michael Alwood, Michael Daniels, Chris Hayes and Dr. Bob Fitrakis.

What I will remind people was that when the fall ratings were released on the last day WVKO was a progressive talker, it scored a 1.0. That's in spite of the challenges discussed in that other thread which is now at 46 pages. Dial Global's Stephanie Miller was the most popular talker on the station, so much so the website had to expand bandwidth.

Stephanie, along with Dial Global's Ed Schultz (now with a show on MSNBC), can now be heard live on the www.ohiomajorityradio.com website with other talkers that were heard on one or both former progressive talk stations in Columbus.

But they were not the only talkers taken off the Columbus airwaves in the span of less than a month. Greater Media's Matt Harris and Ramona Holloway, known for their time on WNCI, were on the air a little over four months before 97.1 became the new home of The Fan.

As I have mentioned before, I don't advocate another attempt at a liberal talk station in Columbus. Nonetheless, I do believe the aforementioned talkers still have a Columbus following. But should they return to the airwaves, the additional talkers that would join them, whether on 1460 or 103.9, cannot espouse conservatism (610 WTVN has that covered) or sports (The Fan has the market locked up).

Needless to say, WRFD won't change from Christian talk. And WYTS is airing Clear Channel's Fox Sports Radio. Those stations won't change.

But as far as WBNS-AM or WTDA, is there a chance someone will consider talk counterprogramming?

Of course, one of them could end up switching to Radio Disney and still get higher ratings.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Isn't there enough talk -- period? Whether politics (albeit one-sided) or sports?

BNS-FM has really killed off its co-owned AM (though with no compelling signs of growth itself yet), so BNS-AM might be a good candidate for talk counterprogramming.

As for TDA, the obvious move should be back to a cheap automated music format like Ted. (Note that I said SHOULD be, not "will" be).

Two other ratings observations:

1. 99.7's defender has more reason to claim that they are headed upward. Granted they started in the trough, but are now up two books in a row to almost 4. I don't know the daypart numbers...wonder how much this is driven by Bob & Tom?

2. What's with 101? I know they tend to bounce around a lot, but from approx 1 to approx 2.5???

3. Wonder if RXS' new edgier, more "today" sound will have a negative impact on either of the above -- especially 99.7?

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Just realized that last post shows that my simple counting skills sometimes take a leave of absence.

Also, one other thing I meant to mention, although it may have been implicit:
When I say we have more than enough talk already, BNS-FM's move to all-sports is a big contributor to that unfortunate state of affairs.

Another minor clarification: I said 99.7 is now up two books in a row. Well, they're not really two "books," but you get the idea -- that we might be seeing th beginning of an upward trend, or at least a somewhat-improved plateau.

 

[jharmon]

Interesting to note that BNS-FM as a music station had a 3.3 and now the FM sports station has a 3.3, while WBNS-AM continues to bleed out, now down to a .7. I wonder what RadiOhio's strategy for the AM will be with these sliding ratings.

We all must remember it is just a trend, not the quarterly and things could change, for better or worse before the day is done. They have drastically reduced their operating expenses with the termination of the FM sales staff, programming staff and many on the AM sales staff. They are debt free, may they are working towards a positive cash flow number. Very little staff will certainly help that.

 

[KevinFodor]

Isn't there enough talk -- period? Whether politics (albeit one-sided) or sports?

BNS-FM has really killed off its co-owned AM (though with no compelling signs of growth itself yet), so BNS-AM might be a good candidate for talk counterprogramming.

As for TDA, the obvious move should be back to a cheap automated music format like Ted. (Note that I said SHOULD be, not "will" be).

Two other ratings observations:

1. 99.7's defender has more reason to claim that they are headed upward. Granted they started in the trough, but are now up two books in a row to almost 4. I don't know the daypart numbers...wonder how much this is driven by Bob & Tom?

2. What's with 101? I know they tend to bounce around a lot, but from approx 1 to approx 2.5???

3. Wonder if RXS' new edgier, more "today" sound will have a negative impact on either of the above -- especially 99.7?

To answer #2: When you see a bump like that it generally means some more diaries got returned from near the area of the transmitter, or within a few miles of it where the signal is stronger and there are more likely to be fans of the station.

That's the challenges when you're operating a Class A FM. If the diaries don't fall on your side of town, you're toast.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Isn't there enough talk -- period? Whether politics (albeit one-sided) or sports?

BNS-FM has really killed off its co-owned AM (though with no compelling signs of growth itself yet), so BNS-AM might be a good candidate for talk counterprogramming.

As for TDA, the obvious move should be back to a cheap automated music format like Ted. (Note that I said SHOULD be, not "will" be).

Two other ratings observations:

1. 99.7's defender has more reason to claim that they are headed upward. Granted they started in the trough, but are now up two books in a row to almost 4. I don't know the daypart numbers...wonder how much this is driven by Bob & Tom?

2. What's with 101? I know they tend to bounce around a lot, but from approx 1 to approx 2.5???

3. Wonder if RXS' new edgier, more "today" sound will have a negative impact on either of the above -- especially 99.7?

To answer #2: When you see a bump like that it generally means some more diaries got returned from near the area of the transmitter, or within a few miles of it where the signal is stronger and there are more likely to be fans of the station.

That's the challenges when you're operating a Class A FM. If the diaries don't fall on your side of town, you're toast.

So it can go both ways, right? The 1 could be lower than "reality," but the 2.5 inflated. I assume this tends to even out over time. Or has your experience indicated otherwise?

 

[Marv-L.A.]

I have a question for you folks. According to that same Arbitrend report, WNCI is now listed as a Hot AC station.

That has to be a misprint, since WNCI's ratings as a CHR/Pop powerhouse have been the best in the nation in our 25 largest cities (or 40 largest radio markets) for most of the past twenty years.

Given the format's resurgence over the past 2-3 years, and the launching of several new CHR/Pop stations since late February (highlighted by the spectacular ratings performance of 97.1 AmpRadio--KLSX/Los Angeles), why would 'NCI bail from the format now???

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I have a question for you folks. According to that same Arbitrend report, WNCI is now listed as a Hot AC station.

That has to be a misprint, since WNCI's ratings as a CHR/Pop powerhouse have been the best in the nation in our 25 largest cities (or 40 largest radio markets) for most of the past twenty years.

Given the format's resurgence over the past 2-3 years, and the launching of several new CHR/Pop stations since late February (highlighted by the spectacular ratings performance of 97.1 AmpRadio--KLSX/Los Angeles), why would 'NCI bail from the format now???

They didn't bail. They didn't change. For some reason various ratings recaps have always listed them as Hot AC. I haven't checked the Columbus ratings on R-I for many moons, so I don't know if R-I falls into that "always" category.

 

[Rusty Muck]

There's really nothing much to this. 1460 will probably continue to simulcast 97.1 for years to come.

As for the ratings... it would be obvious that Dispatch will be combining the numbers of both stations in all the key demos. In that case, WBNS as a whole has a 4 rating (I believe these are the 12+ ratings, which are utterly worthless). Pretty nice for a sports station whose main attraction is on hiatus until late August, and whose third-tier attraction - the Indians - are having a miserable year. That's not bad for them... I'd be happy.

WBNS' listeners made the move to FM obviously due to the fact that the AM band is being killed off by the same problems espoused here... not to mention the failure of th-HD Radio. (Wouldn't you?) But in this case... AM and FM complement each other, for all of the technical reasons.

As for WLW, I'd be shocked if it DIDN'T get the ratings it did over here. But this proves, once again, that WTDA and WYTS are total wastes of electricity. (Memo to NABCO: pull the plug on WTDA, simulcast WMNI and you MIGHT have a chance.)

One's best hope is to lobby congressmen to ease the restrictions on LPFM community radio, quite frankly. In the end, narrowcasting may save the medium.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

One's best hope is to lobby congressmen to ease the restrictions on LPFM community radio, quite frankly. In the end, narrowcasting may save the medium.

In fact, LP just got a big boost yesterday. Check out the story "Friday's appeals court decision means that "Low Power FM" is no longer 'Low status'" in today's Taylor on Radio-Info. Part of it says, "Circuit Court of Appeals just ruled that the FCC has the authority to give LPFMs more protection than they used to have. Enough status, if you will, to safeguard them from the move-in and upgrade plans of full-power broadcasters."

 

[Rusty Muck]

I know. ;D

Congress actually does have a bill on the table that would entirely vacate the provisions of the NAB-protectionist 2000 law that the Circuit Court didn't strip. Which would give it a further boost. I do believe in LPFM.

(For full disclosure, I work with a station at a community college that was shut out of an LPFM license with that 2000 law, so we can only broadcast on the internet. Only that the USA isn't as advanced in that realm as Great Britain is... a LP terrestrial signal would be a big help for us to gain some viability and gravitas. So yes, I do have a personal stake in this.)

It is something that I believe people of both political parties can come together to help with, IMHO.

 

[V.Riley]

As for WLW, I'd be shocked if it DIDN'T get the ratings it did over here. But this proves, once again, that WTDA and WYTS are total wastes of electricity. (Memo to NABCO: pull the plug on WTDA, simulcast WMNI and you MIGHT have a chance.)

I'm in favor of simulcasting WMNI on WTDA. When you have both AM and FM stations, putting music on AM, and Talk on FM should be a sin.

The music lover is stepping down from his soapbox, we now return you to the topic at hand... already in progress.

 

[alans613]

RadiOhio made a stupid move by killing off their Hot AC and moving Sports to the FM. Instead of TWO stations doing 3 shares they now have one station doing a mid 3 share and an AM almost doing zero ratings. Smooth move, RadiOhio.

 

[Al Timiter]

alans613:"RadiOhio made a stupid move..." I agree but it's only been one in a long, long line of stupid moves! Having said that, I do think they realized the total numbers would shrink but it was probably more about cost reduction. But like you said, "Stupid."

 

[gabigley1]

RadiOhio made a stupid move by killing off their Hot AC and moving Sports to the FM. Instead of TWO stations doing 3 shares they now have one station doing a mid 3 share and an AM almost doing zero ratings. Smooth move, RadiOhio.

RadiOhio is going to let WBNS-AM 1460 AM continue to drop to near zero in the rations and do noting to change it ???

 

[jakej]

I do believe in LPFM.

So do I, Nathan, so do I. It's a blast putting my shows together each week; I love being a part of WCRS and helping to make other radio stations in Columbus completely irrelevant. Anyone can complain about the broadcast companies, and that's all I used to do, but it's so much more satisfying being part of a movement that's going to actually destroy them someday. (Well, with the recession's help, of course! ;D)

 

[gabigley1]

I've kept my postings to a bare minimum as of late. However, the latest numbers (beauty show as they are) got my attention.

The migration of listeners from 1460 to 97.1 is nearly complete, just as the migration of Glenn Beck fans from WTDA to WTVN was complete in the previous Arbitrends.

So now we have five talk stations with ratings lower than WLW: WBNS-AM, WTDA and three stations with no numbers at all (WRFD, WYTS and WVKO-AM).

But as far as WBNS-AM or WTDA, is there a chance someone will consider talk counterprogramming?

Of course, one of them could end up switching to Radio Disney and still get higher ratings.

WYTS 1230 had it's highest numbers in many many years when it was a progressive talker and now it has a 0.0 in the latest Arbitrends as a Sports station.
Why not go back to progressive talk?

Mark, called into BC's show last Saturday morning with a GREAT suggestion for WYTS 1230 AM. He said WTVN is the highest rated radio station in the city because of it's two local talk shows. He suggested changing the format to ALL local talk shows with ALL local talk show hosts. Well, that would certainly
bring up the ratings on that station but that would NEVER happen because of the enormous expensive involved in talent, ect. Mark even suggested people call CC Columbus with his suggestion and CIVILLY ask them to turn 1230 into a local talker with local talk show hosts. Click here http://www.610wtvn.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=bconyourpc.xml and scroll down to Saturday June 6, 2009, the 4th hour. Marks call is the very first one.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

WYTS 1230 had it's highest numbers in many many years when it was a progressive talker and now it has a 0.0 in the latest Arbitrends as a Sports station.
Why not go back to progressive talk?

And do away with Clear Channel's own talk programming, albeit sports? Not a chance.

 

[alans613]

RadiOhio made a stupid move by killing off their Hot AC and moving Sports to the FM. Instead of TWO stations doing 3 shares they now have one station doing a mid 3 share and an AM almost doing zero ratings. Smooth move, RadiOhio.

RadiOhio is going to let WBNS-AM 1460 AM continue to drop to near zero in the rations and do nothing to change it ???

Why don't they just put some type of 50s/60s Oldies format on 1460 and call it a day? It would have to do better ratings than what they're doing now...
Also...I heard they were expecting to do a 5 share with the Sports move to FM. If that proves how much they know, I don't know what will. :

 

[del_griffith]

I've kept my postings to a bare minimum as of late. However, the latest numbers (beauty show as they are) got my attention.

The migration of listeners from 1460 to 97.1 is nearly complete, just as the migration of Glenn Beck fans from WTDA to WTVN was complete in the previous Arbitrends.

So now we have five talk stations with ratings lower than WLW: WBNS-AM, WTDA and three stations with no numbers at all (WRFD, WYTS and WVKO-AM).

But as far as WBNS-AM or WTDA, is there a chance someone will consider talk counterprogramming?

Of course, one of them could end up switching to Radio Disney and still get higher ratings.

WYTS 1230 had it's highest numbers in many many years when it was a progressive talker and now it has a 0.0 in the latest Arbitrends as a Sports station.
Why not go back to progressive talk?

Mark, called into BC's show last Saturday morning with a GREAT suggestion for WYTS 1230 AM. He said WTVN is the highest rated radio station in the city because of it's two local talk shows. He suggested changing the format to ALL local talk shows with ALL local talk show hosts. Well, that would certainly
bring up the ratings on that station but that would NEVER happen because of the enormous expensive involved in talent, ect. Mark even suggested people call CC Columbus with his suggestion and CIVILLY ask them to turn 1230 into a local talker with local talk show hosts. Click here http://www.610wtvn.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=bconyourpc.xml and scroll down to Saturday June 6, 2009, the 4th hour. Marks call is the very first one.

Maybe this is sad, but I remember when 1230 was rated #1 in the market. Then again from a business perspective, what's even sadder is a former #1 is now sometimes unrated.