Market Ranking

[TimmyWA]

Hi everyone. I've noticed a gradual slipping that Seattle has been doing the last few years. Don't pick on my lack of accuracy, but wasn't Seattle market #13 just a couple years ago? As far as my understanding goes, isn't market rank based mostly on total population? Is it that these other markets are growing at a faster rate than Seattle/Tacoma or is Seattle/Tacoma stagnating or retreating in numbers?

Any light someone can shed would be fine. As well as maybe a market rank history. What was the highest rank?

Thanks,

-Timmy

 

[jdweaver]

Market ranking by Arbitron is based on the total 12+ population of the SMSA or Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. Our SMSA is King, Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap and Thurston Counties (3,257,000). When Puerto Rico is included Seattle is the #14 market and #13 at other times. Markets of our size don't change much - Phoenix is #14 with 3,048,000 about 200,000 behind Seattle and Miami is 3,533,000 about 170,000 ahead of Seattle.

What's interesting is that several formerly major markets - Toledo, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland are now mid-market backwaters. Equally - Las Vegas and Salt Lake City - have jumped to the #32 & #31 positions from the bottom 50 just 20 years ago.

 

[searadiofreak]

Yah, the Puerto Rico thing bums me out. Do U.S. advertisers really buy that market?

Phoenix may overtake Seattle in the next decade due to a faster rate of growth. So hello #15!

But at some point, psychographics should take over. Seattle will be worth more to advertisers than Phoenix based on total disposable income, etc. It's all about revenue.

 

[TimmyWA]

But at some point, psychographics should take over. Seattle will be worth more to advertisers than Phoenix based on total disposable income, etc. It's all about revenue.

I agree. Seattle should be much more affluent than Phoenix, right? I'd have to google that but it would seem so.

Equally - Las Vegas and Salt Lake City - have jumped to the #32 & #31 positions from the bottom 50 just 20 years ago.

I know that SLC has some 3-4 major communities included in the metro, like Seattle/Tacoma/Everett does, but what's included in Phoenix's metro? And yeah, Peurto Rico? Seriously?? I wonder if anyone in the know could chime in on that one?

-Timmy

 

[schoolshrink]

Here are some 2005 census numbers for Puerto Rico:

Population: 3,916,632 (July 2005 est.)

Income: Adults 25 and older in Puerto Rico with a master's, professional or doctorate degree earned a median income of $35,600. Those with a bachelor's degree had a median income of $24,600, double that for those with a high school diploma, who earned a median income of $12,200 a year. Those who did not have a high school diploma had a median income of about $9,500. (SOURCE: ahorre.com) It was further indicated that more than one in five adults have bachelor's degrees. Thus, twenty percent of the population, on average, earned $24,600 or more; the rest earned less, and in most cases much less.

So ... in population P.R. may be ahead of Seattle, but in billing I don't think D.J. Dan will be trading places any time soon.

 

[PatClark]

Salt Lake's metro is considered Salt Lake City, Ogden & Provo. Three different valley's. Its about an 1 1/2 hour drive from the southern tip of Provo to the northern tip of Ogden, with Salt Lake in the middle. Very strange make up since alot of stations dont cover the entire 'metro', most have simulcasts or are just very weak in certain area's.

It doesnt 'feel' like market 31 by any means, since I spent most my time in Salt Lake when I worked there for two years. Milwaukee, while a 'smaller' market, felt much bigger because of it being a more traditional city in one big lump.

Las Vegas is leading the charge, look for it to be top 30 in no time, also keep an eye on Charolette too.

 

[searadiofreak]

I agree, SLC is a somewhat strange market. But, man is it growing. Salt Lake's skyline isn't much more impressive than Spokane or Tacoma, the growth is occuring throughout the valley, mostly residential.

Vegas indeed will be Top30, probably soon. Charlotte and Orlando to follow in the next decade. Your example of Milwaukee is a market that will likely fall in rank.

 

[TimmyWA]

Salt Lake's metro is considered Salt Lake City, Ogden & Provo. Three different valley's. Its about an 1 1/2 hour drive from the southern tip of Provo to the northern tip of Ogden, with Salt Lake in the middle. Very strange make up since alot of stations dont cover the entire 'metro', most have simulcasts or are just very weak in certain area's.

Indeed. If you look at the records for towers and boosters and translators in the "SLC" market, you get a huge maze of different items. Most of your main station's towers are up on a high mountain, but due to the geography/geology, you have to have 3-5 decently powered boosters to fill the gaps made by the mountains. There's also a mess of rimshots coming from the Wyoming borders. You gotta think it's a bit more expensive to run a station in this market. Each station is really 4 or 5 stations! They do what they gotta. Honestly, I'm a Sirius subscriber and am rarely listening to FM radio here. But it is very interesting to hear about the almost continual application process for boosters here!

-Timmy

 

[davideduardo]

Yah, the Puerto Rico thing bums me out. Do U.S. advertisers really buy that market?

Yes, because it is part of the USA. Duh.

All the major station grops there have national reps that call on the same accounts Seattle stations do.