Why No Winter Book for WXXI?

[Mark Giardina]

Shortly after the winter book was posted for commercial stations in Rochester I went to a website to see how non-com's in our area were doing.

Buffalo was listed, at least WNED, but nothing for WXXI? So what gives? Maybe Bob1370 or Fybush can provide us with an answer.

 

[scooterodell]

I believe the numbers for non-comms are only posted when they are purchased; perhaps WXXI didn't buy this book.

 

[Mark Giardina]

I believe the numbers for non-comms are only posted when they are purchased; perhaps WXXI didn't buy this book.

I was thinking the same thing, yet in all the years I worked at WXXI, and even after I left, I never remember the station not subscribing to any of the books. I know that their TSL is good, and their average audience remains around a 2 share.

 

[mimic001]

XXI-FM got a 2.5 share (P12+), AM received a 2.2. All very respectable numbers. Flat from Fall.

 

[Mark Giardina]

XXI-FM got a 2.5 share (P12+), AM received a 2.2. All very respectable numbers. Flat from Fall.

Thanks for the numbers. I figured the stations would stay around a 2 share (12+)...but I am still curious why the ratings were not posted?

 

[The Voice of Reason]

With all the personnel chaos going on in Rochester radio over the past several months one would have thought that WXXI’s ratings would have improved, rather than stayed flat from last fall.
A number of NPR affiliates have switched from a classical music format to news and information; perhaps that would be a good idea for WXXI-FM. While there are lovers of classical music in the Rochester area, putting the NPR format on a station (91.5) that has such a coverage range would, in my opinion, garner more of an audience than keeping it on an AM station (1370) that has to reduce its signal pattern depending on the time of the year.

 

[scooterodell]

What then would you do with 1370? The music aficionados who will support a classical (or jazz, or blues, etc.) station would want it on FM, not AM. Two NPR talk stations would be overkill, and the 91.5 signal doesn't need help covering the area. As long as WXXI keeps both signals, I think the present formulation is the optimal use of both.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

What then would you do with 1370?

There are some options:

1. Sell the station and its transmitter site on French Road and use the money to upgrade XXI's HD systems, add more staff to the radio news department, or make improvements to WRUR-FM.

2. Lease time on 1370 to religious outlets. Again a money maker for WXXI.

3. WXXI can always put its classical music format on WRUR during the week while keeping its specialized programs on the weekend. At the present time WRUR runs NPR programs during morning and afternoon drive, so it's not like the station isn't used to format changes.

 

[Mark Giardina]

There are some options:

1. Sell the station and its transmitter site on French Road and use the money to upgrade XXI's HD systems, add more staff to the radio news department, or make improvements to WRUR-FM.

2. Lease time on 1370 to religious outlets. Again a money maker for WXXI.

3. WXXI can always put its classical music format on WRUR during the week while keeping its specialized programs on the weekend. At the present time WRUR runs NPR programs during morning and afternoon drive, so it's not like the station isn't used to format changes.

There is no way, under the current management, that you will see FM get rid of classical music or AM go to a different format.