Talkers Magazine Survey

[Slant]

Two things bug me about Talkers Magazine audience figures, first their Talk Radio Research Prodject is basically just made up. Now granted, they say it is "Unscientific" but come on, its just silly. If you can't back up the data, don't bother putting it out. Or, pay Arbitron to license some of their Scarborough data to make the data legit.

Gripe number 2: Talkers magazine ranks by audience size the most listened to talk show hosts in America. Again, total bunk.

First, with the exception on Rush..these numbers seem to be overstated. For a magazine that claims to be the "Bible of Talk Radio", get an Arbtiron License and do some serious adding of each talk show host's weekly cume in their daypart on each station(actual air time..not when they are broadcasted live) or take the AQH figure...nothing wrong with using 12+ numbers, but actually use them, don't guestimate what you think they might be by looking at the free 12+ data available on All Access and on Radio and Records.

Its funny, the syndicators take this data and use it to advertise how big their show's audience is...total BS...

1. Rush Limbaugh 14.75 million (probably close)
2. Sean Hannity 13 million (doubtful..maybe 10 or 11 million)
3. Michael Savage(t) 8.75 million (who knows, he runs at night..on some good stations, on a lot of bad stations)
3. Howard Stern (t) 8.75 million (again, hard to tell at this point)
5. Dr. Laura Schlessinger 7.50 million (hard to tell)
6. Laura Ingraham 5 million (on a lot of station, but most are dogs)
7. Jim Bohannon 3.75 million (on a lot of stations, but mostly run late at night)
8. Neal Boortz (t) 3.5 million (probably fairly accurate)
8. Mike Gallagher (t) 3.5 million (NO WAY)
10. Clark Howard 3.25 million (Doubtful)
11. Glen Beck (t) 3 million (Doubtful, unless Philly is giving him 1.5 million people!)
11. Don Imus (t) 3 million (hard to tell)
11. Bill O'Reilly (t) 3 million (On a lot of stations, but a lot are the market talk losers)
11. Doug Stephan (t) 3 million (WHAT?)
15. Dr. Joy Browne (t) 2.75 million (NO way)
15. George Noory (t) 2.75 million (Maybe)
17. Kim Kommando (t) 2 million (Maybe)
17. Michael Medved (t) 2 million (NOPE!)
17. Dave Ramsey (t) 2 million
17. Jim Rome (t) 2 million
21. Bob Brinker (t) 1.75 million
21. G. Gordon Liddy (t) 1.75 million (NO WAY IN HELL! Unless WMET has 1.5 million listeners..which they don't!)
23. Jerry Doyle (t) 1.5 million (Who is Jerry Doyle?)
23. Tom Leykis (t) 1.5 million (Doubtful)
25. Bill Bennett 1.25 million (give me one station that Bennett even shows in the ratings)
26. Jim Cramer (t) 1 million (doubtful)
26. Dr. Dean Edell (t) 1 million (Maybe because the Rush stations have to take it)
26. Phil Hendrie (t) 1 million (not anymore)
26. Rusty Humphries (t) 1 million (No way)
26. Tony Snow (t) 1 million (no way)

Why can't "Talkers" pay arbitron to rate these shows? Take each show affiliate's weekly cume in day part and add it all together? How hard is that?

Am I wrong about this?

 

[ajhenderson]

> 1. Rush Limbaugh 14.75 million (probably close)

The number used to always be 20 million. And people on the street went around reciting it.

> 2. Sean Hannity 13 million (doubtful..maybe 10 or 11
> million)

Unfortunate but probably true. A LOT of huge stations, and even in top-20 markets, he comes in at #1 12+.

> 5. Dr. Laura Schlessinger 7.50 million (hard to tell)

Seems high. KFI is the only big station in the top 10 markets. Popping up on a lot of third-tier stations, as has been her history. I still see Premiere, or TOTD, claiming her old "18 million". Hopefully Hannity will take the path she has.

> 6. Laura Ingraham 5 million (on a lot of station, but most
> are dogs)

Ever notice what network has a four page color insert on page 2 of Talkers? TRN needs to get something for what they pay for!

> 7. Jim Bohannon 3.75 million (on a lot of stations, but
> mostly run late at night)

.375 million sounds more like it. Where is he on in the top-10? Unless you count AITM which runs at 3 and 4am outside of the eastern time zone.

> 8. Neal Boortz (t) 3.5 million (probably fairly accurate)

What, from being on WSB? Maybe WSKY in Gainesville accounts for that. Scant top-10 market coverage, weak stations outside of the south.

> 8. Mike Gallagher (t) 3.5 million (NO WAY)

3.5 listeners.

> 10. Clark Howard 3.25 million (Doubtful)

Again, WSB must cume a lot higher than I thought.

> 11. Glen Beck (t) 3 million (Doubtful, unless Philly is
> giving him 1.5 million people!)

He's on a lot more stations of significance than Boortz or Howard. Most of CC's monster newstalkers in the midwest, or on their second tier Rush stations like KRC. 200 stations which are basically hit or miss; either computers in bloom closets or stations in large to medium markets with WTVN/Columbus where he dominates men and does extremely well 12+.

> 11. Don Imus (t) 3 million (hard to tell)

Who even cares anymore?

> 11. Doug Stephan (t) 3 million (WHAT?)

The Official Morning Show of the Unrated Market. He must be on in a lot of Appletons and Enids.

> 15. Dr. Joy Browne (t) 2.75 million (NO way)

I couldn't name any affiliates other than WOR, WBEN, and KXAM (because I live there).

> 15. George Noory (t) 2.75 million (Maybe)
> 17. Michael Medved (t) 2 million (NOPE!)

The assisted living population is rising, however.

> 17. Dave Ramsey (t) 2 million

Nope.

> 21. G. Gordon Liddy (t) 1.75 million (NO WAY IN HELL!
> Unless WMET has 1.5 million listeners..which they don't!)

That was his listenership in 1995.

> 23. Tom Leykis (t) 1.5 million (Doubtful)

That counts his double-digit shares among many male demos and overall top-ranking 12+ numbers in PMD in market #2, the slowest commute in the world, LA. Also counts his old live Seattle clearance where he won with men. Plus Dallas after a huge talker there. Fact is, Rush's numbers mostly come from the top 20 markets. Rush is on in Sioux Falls, but they contribute very little to listenership. Leykis is on in markets that matter and forgets about conservative talk markets with 2,000 people.

> 26. Dr. Dean Edell (t) 1 million (Maybe because the Rush
> stations have to take it)

Rush is pretty much a standalone product anymore. Shoved on the weekends, moved around, although stations, even those owned by CC and carrying Rush, are dropping him. KGO probably accounts for half his listenership. He might as well do a local show for them, since AFAIK they're his only live affil.

> 26. Phil Hendrie (t) 1 million (not anymore)
> 26. Rusty Humphries (t) 1 million (No way)
> 26. Tony Snow (t) 1 million (no way)

How long before John Gibson shows up? Also, Alan Colmes? No one's listening to him.

To be fair though, they're using cume, which would mean anyone listening for five minutes within the boundaries of specific QH would count as a "listener", no?

 

[dampier]

> Two things bug me about Talkers Magazine audience figures,
> first their Talk Radio Research Prodject is basically just
> made up. Now granted, they say it is "Unscientific" but
> come on, its just silly. If you can't back up the data,
> don't bother putting it out. Or, pay Arbitron to license
> some of their Scarborough data to make the data legit.

These kinds of surveys and the awards that usually go along with them keep the paying subscriber base happy, which is more important that being factual. Unless precise data can be provided to independently verify the results, it's about as useful as web-based polling.

> Its funny, the syndicators take this data and use it to
> advertise how big their show's audience is...total BS...

I don't subscribe, but if you do take a look and see:

1) How many of them took out pat-on-the-back ads to congratulate the show host they distribute

2) The editorial policy of Talkers permits the use of this information in publicity campaigns.

That will speak much louder than anything.

> 5. Dr. Laura Schlessinger 7.50 million (hard to tell)

I'd love to see a numbers breakdown on this. Her show has been Thelma & Louise off the cliff since 2001.

> 6. Laura Ingraham 5 million (on a lot of station, but most
> are dogs)

Are these POTENTIAL listeners, counted as "I heard her say six words?"

> 8. Mike Gallagher (t) 3.5 million (NO WAY)

Yeah, this is Fantasy Island.

> 11. Don Imus (t) 3 million (hard to tell)

He's another one hardly burning up the ratings.

> 17. Dave Ramsey (t) 2 million
> 17. Jim Rome (t) 2 million

Who?

> 23. Jerry Doyle (t) 1.5 million (Who is Jerry Doyle?)

Garibaldi from Babylon 5. Are they counting every XM subscriber as a listener?

> 23. Tom Leykis (t) 1.5 million (Doubtful)

His aging frat party/social commentary routine has been flying off of stations for several years now.

> 26. Dr. Dean Edell (t) 1 million (Maybe because the Rush
> stations have to take it)

I'd expect this number to be higher, although a lot of stations dump his show overnight and run it maybe an hour or two at a time.

> 26. Tony Snow (t) 1 million (no way)

This is absolute nonsense. Tony Snow actually recognized that Alan Colmes had more listeners than he did when he had Alan on with him, and this was just a few weeks ago. Colmes show doesn't even show up here. Snow's show is up against a lot of competition, so he doesn't get a ton of live clearance, and his show is also very new in an already crowded field.

This entire "survey" is as suspicious of claims of WMD. Let's see the evidence and the breakdowns.
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Phillip Dampier on 12/14/05 05:35 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[OldAkronite]

> How long before John Gibson shows up? Also, Alan Colmes? No
> one's listening to him.

I saw a more recent version of this list, which apparently has libtalkers Al Franken, Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller in the bottom rung, at around a million listeners a piece.

I look upon the list in any incarnation with great skepticism.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>

 

[morescrapple]

talkers has zero industry cred.

> Two things bug me about Talkers Magazine audience figures,
> first their Talk Radio Research Prodject is basically just
> made up. Now granted, they say it is "Unscientific" but
> come on, its just silly. If you can't back up the data,
> don't bother putting it out. Or, pay Arbitron to license
> some of their Scarborough data to make the data legit.
>
> Gripe number 2: Talkers magazine ranks by audience size the
> most listened to talk show hosts in America. Again, total
> bunk.
>
> First, with the exception on Rush..these numbers seem to be
> overstated. For a magazine that claims to be the "Bible of
> Talk Radio", get an Arbtiron License and do some serious
> adding of each talk show host's weekly cume in their daypart
> on each station(actual air time..not when they are
> broadcasted live) or take the AQH figure...nothing wrong
> with using 12+ numbers, but actually use them, don't
> guestimate what you think they might be by looking at the
> free 12+ data available on All Access and on Radio and
> Records.
>
> Its funny, the syndicators take this data and use it to
> advertise how big their show's audience is...total BS...
>
> 1. Rush Limbaugh 14.75 million (probably close)
> 2. Sean Hannity 13 million (doubtful..maybe 10 or 11
> million)
> 3. Michael Savage(t) 8.75 million (who knows, he runs at
> night..on some good stations, on a lot of bad stations)
> 3. Howard Stern (t) 8.75 million (again, hard to tell at
> this point)
> 5. Dr. Laura Schlessinger 7.50 million (hard to tell)
> 6. Laura Ingraham 5 million (on a lot of station, but most
> are dogs)
> 7. Jim Bohannon 3.75 million (on a lot of stations, but
> mostly run late at night)
> 8. Neal Boortz (t) 3.5 million (probably fairly accurate)
> 8. Mike Gallagher (t) 3.5 million (NO WAY)
> 10. Clark Howard 3.25 million (Doubtful)
> 11. Glen Beck (t) 3 million (Doubtful, unless Philly is
> giving him 1.5 million people!)
> 11. Don Imus (t) 3 million (hard to tell)
> 11. Bill O'Reilly (t) 3 million (On a lot of stations, but
> a lot are the market talk losers)
> 11. Doug Stephan (t) 3 million (WHAT?)
> 15. Dr. Joy Browne (t) 2.75 million (NO way)
> 15. George Noory (t) 2.75 million (Maybe)
> 17. Kim Kommando (t) 2 million (Maybe)
> 17. Michael Medved (t) 2 million (NOPE!)
> 17. Dave Ramsey (t) 2 million
> 17. Jim Rome (t) 2 million
> 21. Bob Brinker (t) 1.75 million
> 21. G. Gordon Liddy (t) 1.75 million (NO WAY IN HELL!
> Unless WMET has 1.5 million listeners..which they don't!)
> 23. Jerry Doyle (t) 1.5 million (Who is Jerry Doyle?)
> 23. Tom Leykis (t) 1.5 million (Doubtful)
> 25. Bill Bennett 1.25 million (give me one station that
> Bennett even shows in the ratings)
> 26. Jim Cramer (t) 1 million (doubtful)
> 26. Dr. Dean Edell (t) 1 million (Maybe because the Rush
> stations have to take it)
> 26. Phil Hendrie (t) 1 million (not anymore)
> 26. Rusty Humphries (t) 1 million (No way)
> 26. Tony Snow (t) 1 million (no way)
>
> Why can't "Talkers" pay arbitron to rate these shows? Take
> each show affiliate's weekly cume in day part and add it all
> together? How hard is that?
>
> Am I wrong about this?
>

 

[ajhenderson]

> > 23. Tom Leykis (t) 1.5 million (Doubtful)
>
> His aging frat party/social commentary routine has been
> flying off of stations for several years now.

I don't understand why people have such a problem with the lifestyle talk routine. This list proves that there's EEEEEEEEEENOUGH political talk. It's nice to have a change of pace, but no one can even accept ONE guy talking about other issues. God forbid.

 

[mwebster]

Not hard. Expensive.

The program syndicators probably have this information. So do ad agency media buyers. But the numbers in Talkers are so much more impressive - and make everybody happy. Why rock the boat?

>
> Why can't "Talkers" pay arbitron to rate these shows? Take
> each show affiliate's weekly cume in day part and add it all
> together? How hard is that?
>
> Am I wrong about this?
>

 

[mr_arbitron]

> Why can't "Talkers" pay arbitron to rate these shows? Take
> each show affiliate's weekly cume in day part and add it all
> together? How hard is that?
>
> Am I wrong about this?
>

Where's Err Amerika's official spokesperson for Al Qaeda, Randi Rhodes, on this list? She's always claimed 4-6 million listeners.
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[Tom_]

Re: Fall '05: Ed Schultz 1.75+, Alan Colmes 1.00+

> I saw a more recent version of this list, which apparently
> has libtalkers Al Franken, Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller
> in the bottom rung, at around a million listeners a piece.
>
> I look upon the list in any incarnation with great
> skepticism.
>
> -OA
>

Ed Schultz was at 1.75+

Al Franken 1.25+

Alan Colmes at 1.00+

Stephanie Miller at 1.00+

figures from this web site, fall '05 survey:

DIRECT LINK:
http://talkers.com/talkhosts.htm

listener demographics:

http://talkers.com/talkaud.html

 

[Tom_]

Re: link: http://talkers.com/talkhosts.htm

DIRECT LINK for the numbers - fall 2005 Talkers Magazine ratings:
http://talkers.com/talkhosts.htm

also see the latest Talkers Magazine listener demographics:

http://talkers.com/talkaud.html


> Two things bug me about Talkers Magazine audience figures,
> first their Talk Radio Research Prodject is basically just
> made up. Now granted, they say it is "Unscientific" but
> come on, its just silly. If you can't back up the data,
> don't bother putting it out. Or, pay Arbitron to license
> some of their Scarborough data to make the data legit.
>
> Gripe number 2: Talkers magazine ranks by audience size the
> most listened to talk show hosts in America. Again, total
> bunk.
>
> First, with the exception on Rush..these numbers seem to be
> overstated. For a magazine that claims to be the "Bible of
> Talk Radio", get an Arbtiron License and do some serious
> adding of each talk show host's weekly cume in their daypart
> on each station(actual air time..not when they are
> broadcasted live) or take the AQH figure...nothing wrong
> with using 12+ numbers, but actually use them, don't
> guestimate what you think they might be by looking at the
> free 12+ data available on All Access and on Radio and
> Records.
>
> Its funny, the syndicators take this data and use it to
> advertise how big their show's audience is...total BS...
>
> 1. Rush Limbaugh 14.75 million (probably close)
> 2. Sean Hannity 13 million (doubtful..maybe 10 or 11
> million)
> 3. Michael Savage(t) 8.75 million (who knows, he runs at
> night..on some good stations, on a lot of bad stations)
> 3. Howard Stern (t) 8.75 million (again, hard to tell at
> this point)
> 5. Dr. Laura Schlessinger 7.50 million (hard to tell)
> 6. Laura Ingraham 5 million (on a lot of station, but most
> are dogs)
> 7. Jim Bohannon 3.75 million (on a lot of stations, but
> mostly run late at night)
> 8. Neal Boortz (t) 3.5 million (probably fairly accurate)
> 8. Mike Gallagher (t) 3.5 million (NO WAY)
> 10. Clark Howard 3.25 million (Doubtful)
> 11. Glen Beck (t) 3 million (Doubtful, unless Philly is
> giving him 1.5 million people!)
> 11. Don Imus (t) 3 million (hard to tell)
> 11. Bill O'Reilly (t) 3 million (On a lot of stations, but
> a lot are the market talk losers)
> 11. Doug Stephan (t) 3 million (WHAT?)
> 15. Dr. Joy Browne (t) 2.75 million (NO way)
> 15. George Noory (t) 2.75 million (Maybe)
> 17. Kim Kommando (t) 2 million (Maybe)
> 17. Michael Medved (t) 2 million (NOPE!)
> 17. Dave Ramsey (t) 2 million
> 17. Jim Rome (t) 2 million
> 21. Bob Brinker (t) 1.75 million
> 21. G. Gordon Liddy (t) 1.75 million (NO WAY IN HELL!
> Unless WMET has 1.5 million listeners..which they don't!)
> 23. Jerry Doyle (t) 1.5 million (Who is Jerry Doyle?)
> 23. Tom Leykis (t) 1.5 million (Doubtful)
> 25. Bill Bennett 1.25 million (give me one station that
> Bennett even shows in the ratings)
> 26. Jim Cramer (t) 1 million (doubtful)
> 26. Dr. Dean Edell (t) 1 million (Maybe because the Rush
> stations have to take it)
> 26. Phil Hendrie (t) 1 million (not anymore)
> 26. Rusty Humphries (t) 1 million (No way)
> 26. Tony Snow (t) 1 million (no way)
>
> Why can't "Talkers" pay arbitron to rate these shows? Take
> each show affiliate's weekly cume in day part and add it all
> together? How hard is that?
>
> Am I wrong about this?
>

 

[SaltyDog]

> I look upon the list in any incarnation with great
> skepticism.

As well you should. Talkers fully and prominently discloses the limitations of it's lists. Anybody got any similarly non-partisan alternatives?<P ID="signature">______________
"We've only been wealthy in this country for 70 years. Who said we ought to have all this? Is it ordained?" - Jack Welch, retired GE CEO

<a href="http://saltydog.5gigs.com">
The Salty Dog</a>
</P>

 

[kaufcom]

You are so right about Talkers Magazine. It is a sleazy publication that sucks up to Rush Limbaugh and the rest of the right wing talk radio choir. It is your classic "in house" trade publication, not an objective source. If you want to get a good idea just how bogus Talkers Magazine is as an objective source consider the methodology they claim to use for the "Talk Radio Research Project."

"These estimates, pertaining to characteristics of the talk radio audience across America, are excerpted from Talkers Magazine's in-house, 14 year, non-scientific study called the Talk Radio Research Project. It is drawn from interviews with listeners of general news-talk radio across the United States supplemented by input from talk radio programmers, hosts, sales personnel, and radio station in-house research in addition to occasional studies provided by academic institutions."

If this isn't a bunch of double talk, I don't know what is.


> Two things bug me about Talkers Magazine audience figures,
> first their Talk Radio Research Prodject is basically just
> made up. Now granted, they say it is "Unscientific" but
> come on, its just silly. If you can't back up the data,
> don't bother putting it out. Or, pay Arbitron to license
> some of their Scarborough data to make the data legit.
>
> Gripe number 2: Talkers magazine ranks by audience size the
> most listened to talk show hosts in America. Again, total
> bunk.
>
> First, with the exception on Rush..these numbers seem to be
> overstated. For a magazine that claims to be the "Bible of
> Talk Radio", get an Arbtiron License and do some serious
> adding of each talk show host's weekly cume in their daypart
> on each station(actual air time..not when they are
> broadcasted live) or take the AQH figure...nothing wrong
> with using 12+ numbers, but actually use them, don't
> guestimate what you think they might be by looking at the
> free 12+ data available on All Access and on Radio and
> Records.
>
> Its funny, the syndicators take this data and use it to
> advertise how big their show's audience is...total BS...
>
> 1. Rush Limbaugh 14.75 million (probably close)
> 2. Sean Hannity 13 million (doubtful..maybe 10 or 11
> million)
> 3. Michael Savage(t) 8.75 million (who knows, he runs at
> night..on some good stations, on a lot of bad stations)
> 3. Howard Stern (t) 8.75 million (again, hard to tell at
> this point)
> 5. Dr. Laura Schlessinger 7.50 million (hard to tell)
> 6. Laura Ingraham 5 million (on a lot of station, but most
> are dogs)
> 7. Jim Bohannon 3.75 million (on a lot of stations, but
> mostly run late at night)
> 8. Neal Boortz (t) 3.5 million (probably fairly accurate)
> 8. Mike Gallagher (t) 3.5 million (NO WAY)
> 10. Clark Howard 3.25 million (Doubtful)
> 11. Glen Beck (t) 3 million (Doubtful, unless Philly is
> giving him 1.5 million people!)
> 11. Don Imus (t) 3 million (hard to tell)
> 11. Bill O'Reilly (t) 3 million (On a lot of stations, but
> a lot are the market talk losers)
> 11. Doug Stephan (t) 3 million (WHAT?)
> 15. Dr. Joy Browne (t) 2.75 million (NO way)
> 15. George Noory (t) 2.75 million (Maybe)
> 17. Kim Kommando (t) 2 million (Maybe)
> 17. Michael Medved (t) 2 million (NOPE!)
> 17. Dave Ramsey (t) 2 million
> 17. Jim Rome (t) 2 million
> 21. Bob Brinker (t) 1.75 million
> 21. G. Gordon Liddy (t) 1.75 million (NO WAY IN HELL!
> Unless WMET has 1.5 million listeners..which they don't!)
> 23. Jerry Doyle (t) 1.5 million (Who is Jerry Doyle?)
> 23. Tom Leykis (t) 1.5 million (Doubtful)
> 25. Bill Bennett 1.25 million (give me one station that
> Bennett even shows in the ratings)
> 26. Jim Cramer (t) 1 million (doubtful)
> 26. Dr. Dean Edell (t) 1 million (Maybe because the Rush
> stations have to take it)
> 26. Phil Hendrie (t) 1 million (not anymore)
> 26. Rusty Humphries (t) 1 million (No way)
> 26. Tony Snow (t) 1 million (no way)
>
> Why can't "Talkers" pay arbitron to rate these shows? Take
> each show affiliate's weekly cume in day part and add it all
> together? How hard is that?
>
> Am I wrong about this?
>
<P ID="signature">______________
http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/</P>

 

[SaltyDog]

> You are so right about Talkers Magazine. It is a sleazy publication that sucks > up to Rush Limbaugh and the rest of the right wing talk radio choir. It is
> your classic "in house" trade publication, not an objective source.

Until I started reading News/Talkvon Radio-Info, I'd never seen so much partisan vitriole directed at a trade publication. You are not the first one. It has been around longer than left-leaning talk so it's not as though the publishers are politicians. It's kind of like reading that BIA or Duncan's Guide are published by a bunch of partisan hacks. They are simply resource guides.

What publication do you suggest offers better estimates?

> ..Two things bug me about Talkers Magazine audience figures, first their Talk
> Radio Research Prodject is basically just made up.

As you noted, they publish their methodology. If they didn't publish those limitations, they would be criticized (correctly) for that. But when they <u>do</u> disclosed their limitations, they still get slammed. They can't win.

> If you can't back up the data, don't bother putting it out.

Arbitron would have to close up shop. Have you ever read their disclaimer?

Yeah, it's imprecise. Just like the Forbes 400 Richest People in America. It's full of intelligent estimates and outright guesses but since the richest people in American often have private companies, there is no way to be sure. It's just the best estimate there is and it's more for fun than anything else. Same as Talker's Magazine estimates.

> > Why can't "Talkers" pay arbitron to rate these shows?

Because Arbitron extorts large sums of money from eveyone it encounters. I'm surprised they have so far avoided the scrutiny of government anti-trust busters.

> Take each show affiliate's weekly cume in day part and add it all together?
> How hard is that?

> Am I wrong about this?

You aren't wrong that Arbitron could calculate this except (excluding for a moment that some talk shows air in unrated markets) that you can't just add cume numbers. You'd have to be able to add unduplicated cumes which you'd need the respondent-level data to calculate. In short, Talkers would have to pay Arbitron exhorbitant amounts of money to do as you wish. Interestingly enough, Clear Channel's Arbitron contract gives them access to Arbitron in <u>all</u> markets whether or not they have stations there! I believe they could calculate this themselves. What they could not do is then publish the results!

Talker's numbers are based on Arbitron estimates and "other factors". One can guess that those "other factors" are minimal compared to the weight of Arbitron. The disclosure that they are also using "other sources" might primarily serve to keep Arbitron lawyers from suing them <P ID="signature">______________
"We've only been wealthy in this country for 70 years. Who said we ought to have all this? Is it ordained?" - Jack Welch, retired GE CEO

<a href="http://saltydog.5gigs.com">
The Salty Dog</a>
</P>

 

[Tom_]

> Until I started reading News/Talkvon Radio-Info, I'd never
> seen so much partisan vitriole directed at a trade
> publication. You are not the first one.


It's a radio board and if liberals or conservatives want to post their own politics then they should post on the various Air America boards. If Radio-Info posts are biased, then new people come to this board have no way of telling if the info is a legitimate criticism of some aspect of radio or not.

The liberal hosts on the Talkers list would have higher ratings if they had more affiliates on better signals. Daytimers like the air america station licensed to Crystal Lake, Illinois on 850kHz (near Chicago) won't make much of an impact on ratings. Until the liberal hosts and networks apply to the FCC to change operations of weak stations, then things will continue to grow slowly.

Possible exception: Ed Schultz, who is on conservative stations.

BTW, it's OK to be progressive and NOT a liberal! "<..>"





<P ID="signature">______________
RF90 - listening left and right</P>