Seattle-Tacoma Radio Ratings: October 2015

[AQH]

A person's height isn't worth commenting on....

You should probably re-read what I wrote.

 

[AQH]

OK, point taken. So which Seattle stations are misrepresented in the latest PPM's? And why? The bigger question is how can anyone argue the results of the current system? The current system is what we have, and it is akin to arguing old Arbitron numbers, but perhaps with less ambiguity. So why is this not an improvement? Some simple questions, with nothing off-topic, or offensive. I would be interested in answers, non-offensive and without breaking forum rules.

When ratings go up or down, the real reasons are rarely discussed. Honestly, most of the contributors here either don't know or refuse to accept things that move the needle such as tightening up playlists, clock adjustments, subtle era shifts, updating music philosophy, marketing (stealth or public) or air talent. You'll note the lack of responses to your post after a day and a half as exhibit #1.

Additionally the PPM system has its flaws, there are technical and sampling issues aplenty. For the most part they usually get things close to right, but there are still times when you get a panelist that has truly abnormal listening habits that can drive a specific demo of a station to absurd highs or lows.

 

[CarAgencyGuy]

since PPMs are a rolling trend, over time, theoretically, stations should get an even shake. you all have discussed some technical (equipment) ways to game the system. There are other ways like contesting that game the system in that they get additional listeners to a station who come there only to win the money so when the contest leaves so do they. this is called 'buying a book"- and now someone like David Eduardo who is much more versed in this than me will come explain it.
all is fair in love and ratings.

 

[bobdavcav]

Wow, when was the last time I agreed with you? The only reason I knew KQMV's clock before they changed it was because I had been looking at their playlist online and was able to determine where the powers were after that. Then, last March, I noticed they had changed it. Now, that was just about when they likely would have started trending up anyway, but notice last fall they didn't take as much of a hit as they did the previous year. That being said, that's only one station out of several dozen in the market, and I only know my own listening habits and those of the people around me.

 

[davideduardo]

since PPMs are a rolling trend, over time, theoretically, stations should get an even shake. you all have discussed some technical (equipment) ways to game the system. There are other ways like contesting that game the system in that they get additional listeners to a station who come there only to win the money so when the contest leaves so do they. this is called 'buying a book"- and now someone like David Eduardo who is much more versed in this than me will come explain it.
all is fair in love and ratings.

Any type of outside promotion, whether for a contest or a show or the station overall, there may be an increase in cume from sampling. Some of this may be converted to regular listening, while others may try and decide not to return.

Activities only promoted on-air may increase the amount of listening, but not the cume. Inside, these are thought of as TSL promotions.

Other than that, the system can't be gamed. AQH posted a very complete list of the things a station can do that might raise or change ratings, but those things are not "gaming" moves but strategic ones.

PPM measurement is based on daily results. So each book is an average of all 28 days in each book. But there is no carry-over or rolling average from month (book) to month. But... many agencies do use multi-book averages to flatten wobbles. And since the panel is substantially the same from month to month, the panel itself is a rolling average.

 

[seatownmedia]

Any type of outside promotion, whether for a contest or a show or the station overall, there may be an increase in cume from sampling. Some of this may be converted to regular listening, while others may try and decide not to return.

Activities only promoted on-air may increase the amount of listening, but not the cume. Inside, these are thought of as TSL promotions.

Other than that, the system can't be gamed. AQH posted a very complete list of the things a station can do that might raise or change ratings, but those things are not "gaming" moves but strategic ones.

PPM measurement is based on daily results. So each book is an average of all 28 days in each book. But there is no carry-over or rolling average from month (book) to month. But... many agencies do use multi-book averages to flatten wobbles. And since the panel is substantially the same from month to month, the panel itself is a rolling average.

Yes, AQH mentioned a number of items that can indeed change ratings, but I agree, this is not tricking the system, it is strategic, and have been going on in business well before radio even existed. AQH's items also are not new to me, having been using them for 35+ years. AQH fails to mention social media, which like it or not, also play into the game, much to my chagrin, but also with much reality.