In Top 5 order. WDAS, WJBR, WXCY, WSTW & WMMR. How the mighty have fallen!
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Wilmington Spring Ratings
- Thread starter radio19720
- Start date
The big news was that WWTX (The Ticket - AM1290) finally showed up in the ratings. WNWK 1260 Newark, showed up for the second book in a row, but with a drop of half of what the previous rating had been.
Both WDEL and WILM had significant drops in their respective ratings. Maybe some of their listeners switched to WWTX and helped put The Ticket on the Arbitron "score board" for the first time since going all sports talk. Interestingly, it doesn't seem that the Phillies helped WDEL's ratings.
It would be interesting to see if WHYY-FM's numbers grew at all (they don't show on these ratings), possibly some of the other listeners jumping ship from DEL and ILM to the Philly NPR station.
WXCY @ #3 had a major jump as did WOGL @ #6.
Both WXTU and WDSD each lost 0.1 of their audience that probably went to WXCY helping them to become #3. Who would have thought that a country station could be #3 in Wilmington beating out it's sister station WSTW?
It would sure be interesting to see what the rating's numbers were for the non-comms that serve Wilmington: WXHL- Christiana (CCM), WHYY-FM Philly (NPR), WVUD Uof Del, WRTI at both 90.1 and 107.7 Philly Classical/Jazz - NPR. If anyone can shed some light on how these non-comms did in the Wilmington market that would be great.
Both WDEL and WILM had significant drops in their respective ratings. Maybe some of their listeners switched to WWTX and helped put The Ticket on the Arbitron "score board" for the first time since going all sports talk. Interestingly, it doesn't seem that the Phillies helped WDEL's ratings.
It would be interesting to see if WHYY-FM's numbers grew at all (they don't show on these ratings), possibly some of the other listeners jumping ship from DEL and ILM to the Philly NPR station.
WXCY @ #3 had a major jump as did WOGL @ #6.
Both WXTU and WDSD each lost 0.1 of their audience that probably went to WXCY helping them to become #3. Who would have thought that a country station could be #3 in Wilmington beating out it's sister station WSTW?
It would sure be interesting to see what the rating's numbers were for the non-comms that serve Wilmington: WXHL- Christiana (CCM), WHYY-FM Philly (NPR), WVUD Uof Del, WRTI at both 90.1 and 107.7 Philly Classical/Jazz - NPR. If anyone can shed some light on how these non-comms did in the Wilmington market that would be great.
Besides the failure of WJBR or WSTW not being number 1 in thier home market, I find it amazing that WJKS or WDSD doesn't try a WDAS type format. WDSD even more so. Urban AC works, it's cheap and it could make a staion a market player. Another format not served is Oldies as Mike mentioned with WOGL jumping up and WSOX out of York pulling some numbers too.
Btw--Did anyone notice TOM FM did not show. Maybe CC will flip the Ticket on to 92.9 or 94.7 for FM sports talk. Could work with U o D sports.
Btw--Did anyone notice TOM FM did not show. Maybe CC will flip the Ticket on to 92.9 or 94.7 for FM sports talk. Could work with U o D sports.
radio19720 said:In Top 5 order. WDAS, WJBR, WXCY, WSTW & WMMR. How the mighty have fallen!
A country station out of Havredegrace beat WSTW in the Wilmington Metro??? LOL! Good job Mike & Mike! Who's minding the store up on Shipley Road? what a trainwreck.
I'd like to hear WSTW switch to Oldies in the fashion of WSOX - York. I do stop by 96.1 when I can get it, and their music, for my ear, is a better mix than WOGL's. I could see a solid local signal (WSTW) doing a similar format giving WOGL some much needed competition here in Wilmington and Philly as WSTW's pumps a solid signal into the city of brotherly love.
WDSD's main audience is Dover and as that isn't a rated market, it's hard to say what sort of ratings they get there specifically. However, it too might make sense for WDSD to consider an Oldies format if their main goal in life is to become a spot getting/ratings growing station in Wilmington. As has been pointed out, that audience is an underserved group stuck with WOGL. On the other hand, WDSD has a Delmarva Oldies station at 101.3 to compete with down state so in their actual market, might not be the best choice unless they could do it better and take those Oldies listeners away from 101.3.
I'd keep WDSD as a country station, but would drop the Big D and Bubba show and go live and local with a morning show. Do more promotions on billboards in the Wilmington metro and try to take WXCY's audience by being the better choice for Delaware's country. Obviously, there is a solid country market here in Wilmington as WXCY has shown being #3, so a country station "battle of the bands" could prove interesting for the local country listener. However, CC Delaware doesn't seem very interested in really doing anymore than they have to to promote or to improve their various stations sound. It appears that their approach is to simply have signals in as many markets as possible, not worry about selling much locally, but get revenue from network spots from their network shows (WDSD with Big D and Bubba - WWTX with Fox Sports Talk - WDOV and WILM with Rush/Hannity, WDOV with Glenn Beck. My guess is when WILM's John Watson retires, WILM will also air Beck).
My guess as to why WSTW and WJBR have lost their traditional battle for 1st and 2nd place is that FM radios are better, so folks can pick up the Philly stations now at work, where that wasn't always the case thus limiting your FM choices to either WJBR or WSTW. Also, many more folks now listen to radio at work via the internet meaning they can go anywhere in the world to listen, which now makes all those Philly stations available during the work day.
WJBR has one advantage over WSTW that I can see and that is their format is very similar to the popular B-101 chick format that has done well in Philly which may be why they've held the 2nd place spot as many women, in the much desired ad demo, do like that format. Both WJBR and B-101 air Deliah at night as well. Unfortunately for WJBR, that hasn't translated into large ratings in Philly as they do have B-101 so why tune in to the "out of town" twin. However, WJBR has remained the most listened to Wilmington station, even if in 2nd place and that probably has a lot to do with their format.
I could agree that WJKS 101.7 (Salem, NJ/Wilmington) might be able to boost their ratings with an Urban AC format similar to Philly's WDAS.
One last thought, even though WXCY is a Wilmington rimshot station, Delmarva seems to sell alot of Delaware spots so with WXCY and WSTW both being in the top 5 for Wilmington, they probably aren't hurting, but I'm sure the powers to be on Shipley Road will be doing some serious thinking as to how to remake WSTW. I say go Oldies.
WDSD's main audience is Dover and as that isn't a rated market, it's hard to say what sort of ratings they get there specifically. However, it too might make sense for WDSD to consider an Oldies format if their main goal in life is to become a spot getting/ratings growing station in Wilmington. As has been pointed out, that audience is an underserved group stuck with WOGL. On the other hand, WDSD has a Delmarva Oldies station at 101.3 to compete with down state so in their actual market, might not be the best choice unless they could do it better and take those Oldies listeners away from 101.3.
I'd keep WDSD as a country station, but would drop the Big D and Bubba show and go live and local with a morning show. Do more promotions on billboards in the Wilmington metro and try to take WXCY's audience by being the better choice for Delaware's country. Obviously, there is a solid country market here in Wilmington as WXCY has shown being #3, so a country station "battle of the bands" could prove interesting for the local country listener. However, CC Delaware doesn't seem very interested in really doing anymore than they have to to promote or to improve their various stations sound. It appears that their approach is to simply have signals in as many markets as possible, not worry about selling much locally, but get revenue from network spots from their network shows (WDSD with Big D and Bubba - WWTX with Fox Sports Talk - WDOV and WILM with Rush/Hannity, WDOV with Glenn Beck. My guess is when WILM's John Watson retires, WILM will also air Beck).
My guess as to why WSTW and WJBR have lost their traditional battle for 1st and 2nd place is that FM radios are better, so folks can pick up the Philly stations now at work, where that wasn't always the case thus limiting your FM choices to either WJBR or WSTW. Also, many more folks now listen to radio at work via the internet meaning they can go anywhere in the world to listen, which now makes all those Philly stations available during the work day.
WJBR has one advantage over WSTW that I can see and that is their format is very similar to the popular B-101 chick format that has done well in Philly which may be why they've held the 2nd place spot as many women, in the much desired ad demo, do like that format. Both WJBR and B-101 air Deliah at night as well. Unfortunately for WJBR, that hasn't translated into large ratings in Philly as they do have B-101 so why tune in to the "out of town" twin. However, WJBR has remained the most listened to Wilmington station, even if in 2nd place and that probably has a lot to do with their format.
I could agree that WJKS 101.7 (Salem, NJ/Wilmington) might be able to boost their ratings with an Urban AC format similar to Philly's WDAS.
One last thought, even though WXCY is a Wilmington rimshot station, Delmarva seems to sell alot of Delaware spots so with WXCY and WSTW both being in the top 5 for Wilmington, they probably aren't hurting, but I'm sure the powers to be on Shipley Road will be doing some serious thinking as to how to remake WSTW. I say go Oldies.
Got to remember the days when WDSD was country and in the Top 5 in Wilmington before 'the brains' made the decision to make it WRDX. Its a crying shame that WDAS FM is where it is.
G
georgetown3ham
Guest
I worked at WDSD back in the 70's and 80's, and at that time we we consistently in the top 10 in Wilmington and even made the top 5 from time to time. I agree that the move to 92.9 set up many of their problems today. This gave listeners in parts of New Castle county a chance to try the competition, WXTU and WXCY. Dave Hovel has done a really goot job making WXCY Wilmington's Country station. WDSD needs to do several things that Clear Channel just won't do, first, a local morning show, with someone that knows the area, and I mean all of Delaware. Second, less voice tracking, more interaction with the audience, get out their, be everywhere drive time, midday, evenings. Actually take requests, make listeners a part of the station, and finally don't let the consultants program out the negatives. Think about the talk shows that have been success for over the past 15 or 20 years. Some people can't stand the host, but others love them. If you just play the music, you're giving the audience exactly what they can get from Satellite radio, the internet, Ipod/MP3 players, Digital cable. WDSD needs to be different from WXCY in particular, 10 in a row is not going to do it, neither is a voice track from Baltimore or Atlanta. When the station started in 1974 it was successful not because it had more power than WAFL, not because of being Stereo (WAFL didn't go stereo til the late 70's). WDSD was successful because of the music and the people, yes it was a little small town, but I once had a listener and her family drive down from Wilmington to bring me a stromboli because I had never had one, and we had talked about it one the phone. Listeners out side the local calling are actually called us on their on dime, to make requests or just to talk, we built a family feel to the station. The following names may sound silly, but we had hundreds of people show up for remotes. Remember Don the Dude, Pistol Pete, Country Glenn, Wild Walt, Jungle Jim, Whip Willis, silly names, but we had a loyal and growing audience.
So, has anyone noticed any changes at JBR or STW after the book? It's hard to think the heads will sit back and wait to see what happens. Maybe another Philly station can jump ahead of both of them.
My guess is JBR won't make great changes as they appeal to a very large female demo the advertisers want (the same audience as B101 in Philly). If WJBR tried to imitate WDAS they'd probably drop even lower than #2 as how many stations that play the same sort of music survive in Wilmington's limited market? Now as I don't remotely like WSTW's music almost any change other than rap would be an improvement, I think, but that's just my opinion.
radio19720 said:In Top 5 order. WDAS, WJBR, WXCY, WSTW & WMMR. How the mighty have fallen!
WSTW comes in at #4 in their own town? Yikes!!! heads are gonna role down Shipley Road AGAIN. WHo will get the blame thsi time? Not the suits of course, just the low paid members.
Mike WSOX is FAR from being an oldies station, its more Classic Hits. The internet station that I've started up for Harrisburg-York-Lancaster has picked up some of the programs they've dropped and plays OLDIES that you just don't hear any where any more! But it would be nice to hear WSTW change, they're due.
DaveWilliams said:But it would be nice to hear WSTW change, they're due.
Let's not go too crazy about one book. WSTW has amazing heritage in the market as an Adult CHR. They were #1 just one short year ago. A tweak might happen here or there but it will take quite a few more bad books before we can speculate about a format change.
D
DX
Guest
What everyone has missed in this discussion: Baltimore stations either increased rating, or showed-up for the first time in several books, suggesting a strongly Cecil County-centric book. Meanwhile, Arbitron shores-up certain urban demos because of lower response rates. So, Wilmington stations get squeezed between Philly urban stations and Baltimore stations (also 96.1 from York!).
Consequently, don't be surprised if the fallout is minimal in Wilmington. Of course, stations will crunch numbers for strengths and weaknesses in target demos. But, it's quite possible top brass at all the Wilmington stations will treat this book as an aberration and merely tweak and fine-tune.
Unclear at this time: How the firing of Paige Lamers, the Clear Channel Delaware market manager, the day before the Arbitron numbers came out, will affect that cluster. Or whether she'll even be replaced.
Consequently, don't be surprised if the fallout is minimal in Wilmington. Of course, stations will crunch numbers for strengths and weaknesses in target demos. But, it's quite possible top brass at all the Wilmington stations will treat this book as an aberration and merely tweak and fine-tune.
Unclear at this time: How the firing of Paige Lamers, the Clear Channel Delaware market manager, the day before the Arbitron numbers came out, will affect that cluster. Or whether she'll even be replaced.
B
Bankman
Guest
Wstw has been losing audience for years..plus thier on air staff is not as strong as years past most noticed in the mornings
WOGL isn't exactly an oldies station either in the traditional sense. Classic Hits vs Oldies, bottom line music that's not from today. In either case both WOGL and WSOX fit that description. I'd still like to see a format similar to WSOX move to WSTW rather than WOGL's. Better yet, a real traditional oldies format that the 1260 WAMS Newark, had tried to bring to the area, but due to a lack luster signal and probably poor management of the station itself failed. My guess is a format like WAMS won't happen as it would pull in too old of a demo where as the WSOX format skews younger.
S said:DaveWilliams said:But it would be nice to hear WSTW change, they're due.
Let's not go too crazy about one book. WSTW has amazing heritage in the market as an Adult CHR. They were #1 just one short year ago. A tweak might happen here or there but it will take quite a few more bad books before we can speculate about a format change.
One book? They are trending downward steadily. But you're right, why fix it if it ain't broke? Oh, wait.
DX said:Unclear at this time: How the firing of Paige Lamers, the Clear Channel Delaware market manager, the day before the Arbitron numbers came out, will affect that cluster. Or whether she'll even be replaced.
From what I've heard, Paige Lamers won't be replaced and there may be some sort of restructuring in the management scheme, considering that Rich Lewis is now back in Philadelphia, and that's really where the shots for Clear Channel Wilmington are called. I also heard that the move to dismiss her was in the works for a while, going back as far as when 92.9 flipped to the trainwreck that is TOM-FM.
Just saw the August PPM's for Philadephia. The only 3 Wilmington area stations to show were, WJBR, WSTW and WXCY. (Does WXCY even make it to Philadelphia?) None of the Wilmington AM's even show.
I guess one question to be asked is, are the PPM meters distributed outside the city of Phila to Delaware/Chester Counties? If so, then I believe WXCY does have signal there, not sure about inside Philly. I know that WDEL and WILM do get into Philly as far as the airport, but not real great so probably only radio geeks would bother as Limbaugh/Hannity are on Philly's WPHT and WDEL's live and local talk quite often is discussing Delaware/Dover political issues so folks from PA wouldn't be interested so wouldn't develop a habit of tuning in or even listening online in large enough numbers to show. Radio Times on Philly's WHYY-FM is a reverse example where I'll listen to her show during the hours she's discussing a national issue, but tune out when she's doing a Philly or PA topic as I live in the state of Delaware (not to be confused with Delaware County PA) and am not interested in PA/Philly's local issues.
Just as many of us Wilmingtonians listen to Philly FM, so do some from Philly apparently tune in to Wilmington FM. If WDSD's tower was in Wilmington so that it had a solid signal into Philly/Suburbs it would be interesting to see if WDSD would pull in listeners also from Philly's WXTU. Personally I prefer WDSD over both WXCY or WXTU, but that doesn't mean PA listeners would agree.
I'm surprised that WDSD hasn't done more advertising on their own CC billboards telling New Castle County that WDSD is back on the good signal at 94.7. They used to own the country market in New Castle County prior to moving to the weak 92.9 signal, so they should be able to do that again if they actively persuded it. But it would be a battle as WXCY (Delmarva) isn't going to just roll over and let WDSD take over the market, but it would be fun to watch and listen to as a country listener. The battle of the country stations WDSD vs WXCY. Could be fun.
Just as many of us Wilmingtonians listen to Philly FM, so do some from Philly apparently tune in to Wilmington FM. If WDSD's tower was in Wilmington so that it had a solid signal into Philly/Suburbs it would be interesting to see if WDSD would pull in listeners also from Philly's WXTU. Personally I prefer WDSD over both WXCY or WXTU, but that doesn't mean PA listeners would agree.
I'm surprised that WDSD hasn't done more advertising on their own CC billboards telling New Castle County that WDSD is back on the good signal at 94.7. They used to own the country market in New Castle County prior to moving to the weak 92.9 signal, so they should be able to do that again if they actively persuded it. But it would be a battle as WXCY (Delmarva) isn't going to just roll over and let WDSD take over the market, but it would be fun to watch and listen to as a country listener. The battle of the country stations WDSD vs WXCY. Could be fun.
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