New ratings out, discuss

[raccoonradio]

(Keeping in mind we can't quote actual numbers!)

http://www.radioandrecords.com
Go to ratings and then Boston (Show All Markets, if need be)

WEEI stays at same position and numbers as last period (Sox, etc.)

Talkers: WRKO goes up a bit, WTKK up a tiny notch, WBZ stays the same; they
actually combined WKOX and WXKS on same line (no more "Adult Standards" listed
for WXKS). 'Bout the same. Should they eventually add local hosts? Signal
problem may soon be slightly alleviated with the tower move, for 1200 at least.
WTTT again a no show. Is it due to weak signal, or do we just not care about
Michael Medved, Mike Gallagher, et al?

WBRU-FM actually makes it in.

Note ratings for WILD and the new WILD-FM...the latter was WBOT until
last month.

Note WODS ratings...given their steadiness I'd doubt Jack would be visiting
us soon. Expect more of the same.

How will loss of Stern affect WBCN? Will Roth be an adequate replacement?<P ID="signature">______________

</P>

 

[rosa1]

Talk Ratings

Franken et al continue to go unnoticed in Boston. As do the folks from Salem. Both are experts at doing dull, ideological talk radio targeted small niche audiences. This is what we've always thought, its nice to see it proven book after book. Don't complain about signal. Just ask yourself, if Stern were on these signals, what would his ratings be?

WRKO now dominates WTKK. This must be all Howie, who will maybe have his best book ever. Alright, i'm a fan, but you have to admit his continued dominance is proof of his mastery of the craft.



> (Keeping in mind we can't quote actual numbers!)
>
> http://www.radioandrecords.com
> Go to ratings and then Boston (Show All Markets, if need be)
>
>
> WEEI stays at same position and numbers as last period (Sox,
> etc.)
>
> Talkers: WRKO goes up a bit, WTKK up a tiny notch, WBZ stays
> the same; they
> actually combined WKOX and WXKS on same line (no more "Adult
> Standards" listed
> for WXKS). 'Bout the same. Should they eventually add local
> hosts? Signal
> problem may soon be slightly alleviated with the tower move,
> for 1200 at least.
> WTTT again a no show. Is it due to weak signal, or do we
> just not care about
> Michael Medved, Mike Gallagher, et al?
>
> WBRU-FM actually makes it in.
>
> Note ratings for WILD and the new WILD-FM...the latter was
> WBOT until
> last month.
>
> Note WODS ratings...given their steadiness I'd doubt Jack
> would be visiting
> us soon. Expect more of the same.
>
> How will loss of Stern affect WBCN? Will Roth be an adequate
> replacement?
>

 

[FMRadio1]

Re: Talk Ratings

> Franken et al continue to go unnoticed in Boston. As do the
> folks from Salem. Both are experts at doing dull,
> ideological talk radio targeted small niche audiences. This
> is what we've always thought, its nice to see it proven book
> after book. Don't complain about signal. Just ask yourself,
> if Stern were on these signals, what would his ratings be?

Not nearly what they are being on a 50,000 watt FM signal. When you consider the holes in WKOX/WXKS's signal, especially at night but even during the day, and the fact that CC is putting virtually no promotion and no local content into the station, it's a wonder that they place in the book at all. Put the station on a 50K signal, add a local host or two and promote the thing and then decide. Progressive talkers that have done this like in Portland, OR and Seattle have done well. It can work here. It just has to be done correctly.

> WRKO now dominates WTKK. This must be all Howie, who will
> maybe have his best book ever. Alright, i'm a fan, but you
> have to admit his continued dominance is proof of his
> mastery of the craft.

Let's see. WTKK just lost their cornerstone afternoon personality, Jay Severin. Howie has gotten a few more listeners by default. Maybe the new morning show on WRKO is grabbing a few more listeners, despite the protests of some on this board. It's way too early to see what effect Michael Graham will have on WTKK's numbers. We'll know more in a book or two. It's just a trend.

Mike Thomas

 

[rosa1]

Re: Talk Ratings

you have accurately restated the obvious argument that air america would do better if it had a better signal and was not starting from scratch. That point is granted.

What is interesting about both them and Salem to me is that neither has listeners. This is particularly noticeable in the case of air america that had the benefit of enormous media attention, a "bankable" star in Franken, and the support of the huge liberal machine to let ideologues know that they have a home.

While the signals have weaknesses, they also cover large chunks of metro boston - i listen often in the car just to see what they're doing (ie - have they learned how to do radio yet?)

Given the stengths of air america in Boston, acknowledging the weaknesses, i would argue that this is a concept that the liberal base in Boston has no interest in. Maybe they're happy with wbur?

As quick proof, i would also ask you to imagine the ratings Stern would get on the same signals. Obviously not as much as he has had, but he would obviously do much better than the Franken crowd on the CC signals, an important point you'd rather not admit to.

Reason? Stern does compelling radio. AA does not.


> > Franken et al continue to go unnoticed in Boston. As do
> the
> > f


olks from Salem. Both are experts at doing dull,
> > ideological talk radio targeted small niche audiences.
> This
> > is what we've always thought, its nice to see it proven
> book
> > after book. Don't complain about signal. Just ask
> yourself,
> > if Stern were on these signals, what would his ratings be?
>
>
> Not nearly what they are being on a 50,000 watt FM signal.
> When you consider the holes in WKOX/WXKS's signal,
> especially at night but even during the day, and the fact
> that CC is putting virtually no promotion and no local
> content into the station, it's a wonder that they place in
> the book at all. Put the station on a 50K signal, add a
> local host or two and promote the thing and then decide.
> Progressive talkers that have done this like in Portland, OR
> and Seattle have done well. It can work here. It just has
> to be done correctly.
>
> > WRKO now dominates WTKK. This must be all Howie, who will
> > maybe have his best book ever. Alright, i'm a fan, but you
>
> > have to admit his continued dominance is proof of his
> > mastery of the craft.
>
> Let's see. WTKK just lost their cornerstone afternoon
> personality, Jay Severin. Howie has gotten a few more
> listeners by default. Maybe the new morning show on WRKO is
> grabbing a few more listeners, despite the protests of some
> on this board. It's way too early to see what effect
> Michael Graham will have on WTKK's numbers. We'll know more
> in a book or two. It's just a trend.
>
> Mike Thomas
>

 

[robbbc]

Re: Talk Ratings

>
> Reason? Stern does compelling radio. AA does not.
>
>
Part right- part wrong. AAR does do compelling radio that would get eaten up in Boston but CC doesn't play it. Thom Hartmann, Randi Rhodes (they delay her now til 1000 Watt time to play Midwesterner Big Eddie), The Majority Report and Mike Malloy. All perfect fits for Boston but CC goes with Franken and Eddie and Springer delayed. I am listening today during the Ice storm and the number of PSA's is down- local ads up. Maybe CC is getting its act together. Where is that new 10 kW transmitter for WKOX marconi...?

 

[turnuptheradio]

Re: Talk Ratings

> WRKO now dominates WTKK. This must be all Howie, who will
> maybe have his best book ever. Alright, i'm a fan, but you
> have to admit his continued dominance is proof of his
> mastery of the craft.

WTKK trended slightly up despite the loss of Jay Severin at the beginning of this Arbitrend phase. If Howie is gaining, it's not at the expense of WTKK. Maybe the departure of that albatross Peter Blute is helping WRKO's morning drive ratings?

(Fact check: For the past year or so it was Severin who usually beat Howie in his target demo.)

 

[fccfight]

Re: Talk Ratings

If Howie didn't have a good book with the better hosts on a 9 watt station and no competition from WTKK it would be surprising. That doesn't change the fact that he is stale, has been mailing it in worse than the apathy he displays in his Herald column, and that you jumped on board recently to defend RKO against legitimate criticism.

Yes, Stern could make WMFO a ratings winner - because Stern is Stern.
Put Todd Feinberg on RKO at 7 PM and see how many people tune out. Oh - we'll actually be able to watch a freefall the likes of which we haven't seen since
Jeff Katz ruined the airwaves with his drivel.

It is extremely difficult for fans of Air America/Jones Radio to:

a)get reception
b)put up with the horrifying PSAs

Clear Channel is doing its best to camouflage the station. Put Howie Carr on - 1200 or 1430 - take your pick - one or both - it's the signal. Even with his years of garnering an audience he would take a massive hit being on the 9 watt
nowhere stations.


plain and simple.

> Franken et al continue to go unnoticed in Boston. As do the
> folks from Salem. Both are experts at doing dull,
> ideological talk radio targeted small niche audiences. This
> is what we've always thought, its nice to see it proven book
> after book. Don't complain about signal. Just ask yourself,
> if Stern were on these signals, what would his ratings be?
>
> WRKO now dominates WTKK. This must be all Howie, who will
> maybe have his best book ever. Alright, i'm a fan, but you
> have to admit his continued dominance is proof of his
> mastery of the craft.
>
>
>
> > (Keeping in mind we can't quote actual numbers!)
> >
> > http://www.radioandrecords.com
> > Go to ratings and then Boston (Show All Markets, if need
> be)
> >
> >
> > WEEI stays at same position and numbers as last period
> (Sox,
> > etc.)
> >
> > Talkers: WRKO goes up a bit, WTKK up a tiny notch, WBZ
> stays
> > the same; they
> > actually combined WKOX and WXKS on same line (no more
> "Adult
> > Standards" listed
> > for WXKS). 'Bout the same. Should they eventually add
> local
> > hosts? Signal
> > problem may soon be slightly alleviated with the tower
> move,
> > for 1200 at least.
> > WTTT again a no show. Is it due to weak signal, or do we
> > just not care about
> > Michael Medved, Mike Gallagher, et al?
> >
> > WBRU-FM actually makes it in.
> >
> > Note ratings for WILD and the new WILD-FM...the latter was
>
> > WBOT until
> > last month.
> >
> > Note WODS ratings...given their steadiness I'd doubt Jack
> > would be visiting
> > us soon. Expect more of the same.
> >
> > How will loss of Stern affect WBCN? Will Roth be an
> adequate
> > replacement?
> >
>

 

[raccoonradio]

Re: Talk Ratings

> Franken et al continue to go unnoticed in Boston. As do the
> folks from Salem. Both are experts at doing dull,
> ideological talk radio targeted small niche audiences. This
> is what we've always thought, its nice to see it proven book
> after book. Don't complain about signal. Just ask yourself,
> if Stern were on these signals, what would his ratings be?

I agree. They need someone with a peppier voice (the equivalent of
a Hannity). Steph Miller, Alan Colmes not bad from what I've heard of them.

> WRKO now dominates WTKK. This must be all Howie, who will
> maybe have his best book ever. Alright, i'm a fan, but you
> have to admit his continued dominance is proof of his
> mastery of the craft.

Am a fan of Howie's too; now, the 12 + ratings published don't go into show-
by-show but it was said that WRKO's mornings and late morning ratings weren't
much (well, the reason for the change in the morning show was lagging ratings)
but they did well with Rush and Howie (so credit El Rushbo, too). Not sure
how well Savage, Batchelor, Noory did (and as of this week that lineup is
now Taste of Boston, Savage, Noory).

But interestingly enough we now see that ratings may not matter as much as
ad billing--see how WOR dumped Bob Grant, in spite of half-decent ratings,
for a "niche" show (food-related)...or at least "high ratings" may not always
guarantee success?
<P ID="signature">______________

</P>

 

[raccoonradio]

Re: Talk Ratings

> If Howie didn't have a good book with the better hosts on a
> 9 watt station and no competition from WTKK it would be
> surprising.

WKOX and WXKS have a lot more wattage than that, esp in the daytime

That doesn't change the fact that he is stale

In your opinion not mine. I like his topics, his voice (he's no zzz Franken),
his views (similar to mine in many ways but we disagree on a couple), the
comedy bits ("Please welcome our mayor, Thomas M. Menino"), et al.

> has been mailing it in

He's been mailing it in... and getting great ratings! Good job HC! I guess
WEEI has been mailing it in, too. They're only #1, again.

> Put Todd Feinberg on RKO at 7 PM and see how many people
> tune out.

Supposedly they have a "niche audience" which attracts certain advertisers.
Don't restaurants advertise on Whitley's restaurant show? The same will happen
with Taste, at least from what we've been told. We'll see. That being said,
nothing on the show interested me. Maybe if HC filled in, though...


> It is extremely difficult for fans of Air America/Jones
> Radio to:
>
> a)get reception

During the nighttime, at least. It's OK in the day

It's the Taste of Wellesley with Host Howie Carr (back to camera)

<P ID="signature">______________

</P>

 

[raccoonradio]

Re: Talk Ratings

> (Fact check: For the past year or so it was Severin who
> usually beat Howie in his target demo.)
>
We can see the 12 + ratings online but unless you have access to them, or unless
the Globe or Herald writes about them, you can't see the 25-54s. Is that the target demo? If so, then yes, Jay did beat Howie in some ratings periods--read about it in papers.

 

[raccoonradio]

Re: Talk Ratings

> you have accurately restated the obvious argument that air
> america would do better if it had a better signal and was
> not starting from scratch. That point is granted.

Also granted that if radio bigwigs had confidence in AAR programming,
they'd affiliate with them (or cherrypick shows from syndicators).
If WTKK felt it could do better with libtalk, they could negotiate to
be Boston's AAR affiliate (I know CC has some kind of deal with AAR,
but...) They apparently have not, feeling the likes of Imus, Barnicle,
E&B, O'Reilly, Graham, Ingraham, and Hannity would do better in the ratings.


> What is interesting about both them and Salem to me is that
> neither has listeners. This is particularly noticeable in
> the case of air america that had the benefit of enormous
> media attention, a "bankable" star in Franken, and the
> support of the huge liberal machine to let ideologues know
> that they have a home.

Yes, agreed that conservatalk isn't necessarily high ratings. 1150's
signal is kinda like 1200/1400--OK during daytime (maybe slightly
worse or better depending on where you are) but looks like nobody
wants to hear Gallagher, Praeger, Medved, etc. In fact unlike AAR,
1150 doesn't even show in the ratings at all (12 +).

> While the signals have weaknesses, they also cover large
> chunks of metro boston

True, in the daytime.

> Given the stengths of air america in Boston, acknowledging
> the weaknesses, i would argue that this is a concept that
> the liberal base in Boston has no interest in. Maybe they're
> happy with wbur?

Good point. Some may check out conservatalk despite not agreeing
with the views. Hannity has more than a few libs/Dems calling in;
Ingraham does, on occasion.
<P ID="signature">______________

</P>

 

[fallon847]

WJIB

I continue to be amazed at the performance of WJIB AM 740. With a 250 watt day and fleepower night signal, it is a fantastic statement about what a local guy with a disstain of corporate radio can do. Does anyone know of any other station in a major market doing this well with this small of a signal?

 

[raccoonradio]

Re: WJIB

> I continue to be amazed at the performance of WJIB AM 740.
> With a 250 watt day and fleepower night signal, it is a
> fantastic statement about what a local guy with a disstain
> of corporate radio can do. Does anyone know of any other
> station in a major market doing this well with this small of
> a signal?
>
I don't know, but the fact that WXKS dumped adult standards for Air
America--then WJIB's ratings went up--tells you that the audience
for this music started searching the dial to find a replacement,
and got it at AM 740.

What other commercial radio station has the owner saying things on-air
like "Cut up your credit cards. Most of the companies are evil." (Not
making that up!)

--Wondering which will come first, the return of Jay Severin (now off air
for three months) or the return of "Let's Talk About Radio"...<P ID="signature">______________

</P>