Good news on Air America Ratings - Take that Drudge!

[RamboLiberal]

Daily Kos has a link to this:

http://hoffmania.blogspot.com/2004_07_11_hoffmania_arch...

Details? Demographics? Ah, who needs 'em, right Matty? The 12+ numbers include ages 65+, where WABC kicks almost everyone's ass. There's good news when you break it down by age group:

25-54 10am-3pm: WABC 2.7 WLIB 2.2

WLIB trailing WABC by a half a point in the 25-54 age group during the Limbaugh time period is no small story, folks. Especially when you consider that this is WLIB's very first ratings quarter - EVER. It took Rush over 14 years to get a 2.7. Franken popped a 2.2 in three months.

Randi Rhodes in the 25-54 group debuted well against Hannity in 3-7pm:

25-54 3pm-7pm: WABC 3.1 WLIB 2.2

Keep in mind that in radio, when you debut, you're starting with zero audience. It's pretty safe to say that most - if not ALL of WLIB's tropical music audience didn't stick around when the format flipped to all-talk and Air America. Any radio exec will tell you - these are very encouraging debut numbers.

[countmyvote4real]

1. Does streaming configure at all into these ratings?

Or ist it a "pure" NY Metro audience?

I'm in NYC and I only listen on the web, but registered with AAR as such.

[dbt]

5. I don't think so.

There's talk about it, IIRC, but that's all there is at this stage. The Good News is that DU is just crawling with Media Moles who can tell you for sure about on-line ratings.


dbt

[LTR]

7. Yes and no

Arbitron ratings are based on select random people recording their listening habits.

If a NYC-area resident were to write in that they listened to AAR or WLIB (online or terrestrial), it would be counted as a WLIB entry.

Many people listen to their favorite stations through online streams in areas where reception is poor (office buildings). These count as local entries.

If someone were listening online in, say, Nebraska, this would not count in the NYC. But I believe Arbitron is measuring online listening as well for a different chart, and AAR is one of the top webcasters in the industry.

By looking at these numbers, and the 12+ numbers in R&R (http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings /), it looks like Drudge was quoting the 12+ numbers often released to the media (WLIB got a 1.3 12+). But demographic breakdowns are more important, since this is where the advertisers look to spend their money. So Drudge was fudging the facts a bit, whick is nothing new.

Seeing that 25-54 number, I must say that I am very impressed. Nice.

[NewJeffCT]

8. How about WLIB listeners in CT?

I'm in the Hartford, CT area and am not able to stream on the internet at work... however, I do listen to WLIB during my morning & evening commutes. I'm a 2 hour drive away from NYC, but I still can get the signal (albeit, not a great signal!)

[LTR]

9. It would count

Many strong-signaled out-of-market (fringe) stations may show up in neighboring books.

A good example would be Milwaukee, WI, where several Chicago stations show up. I myself listen to a few Chicago stations here, including the two sports stations, WBBM, WGN, WLS, and The Drive. They show up in the local ratings books.

Doubt that it would really affect Connecticut advertisers, though. Unless WLIB got extraordinary numbers, any New York station would likely be out of their price range, while the higher-rated local stations would be fairly inexpensive.

And the fact that the station is pretty staticy there makes it likely that it would show up in the local ratings reports, if at all. Unless there were a few diary keepers also listening through the static.

Still be a nice feather in the cap for AAR, though.

[Hekate]

2. This is good news

I'm hoping Air America sticks around long enough for me to finally be able to hear it. Between geography and my antique Internet connection I haven't gotten it yet.

Hekate

[Pepperbelly]

3. AAR really needs to grow and do well ... nt

[Greedy Oil Puritan]

4. They need Malloy!

I've never heard any other talk radio host come close, I'm sorry to say.

[LTR]

6. Well...if you believe the rumors...

He may be there soon.

10P-1A weeknights.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[KharmaTrain]

10. These Still Are "Trends"...

I cautioned about jumping up and down about the first set of numbers and I caution again. These are samples from one third of a rating period...not the entire period that is used to determine the "real" ratings. A final Spring, yes, Spring book is due soon...and even then it's not fair to judge AAR's numbers as they started up during the first month (April) of that survey period. The network needs two books (taking it through November) to establish a track record that we can say how it's really doing against WABC or anyone else. This is especially the case with a start-up company, such as the network is...as ad buyers are cautious about throwing dollars at a company they don't think will survive.

The big GOOD News for AAR, that it seems lots of people have missed...is picking up WINZ in Miami as an affiliate. This is a large signal in a major market that can generate strong ratings...the type the network needs and can use to grow from. Here Franken and Rhodes are on signals equal to Rush and Hannity for the first time...let's see how this pans out.

A 2 share in 25-54 is a good start...and start is important to keep in mind. Also, one has to view the entire ratings picture when you start to cherry-pick individual shows and stations. I'd be curious to see if there's cross-over in listeners between Stern's station (WXRK) and WLIB...that would be a VERY good sign. Or a drop in numbers at other stations...pulling in an audience that was apolitical and now are starting to pay attention. Rush & Hannity's numbers really aren't affected by AAR...as these are kool-aid drinkers...the key to AAR is develop a whole new audience. I'd also like to see the 18-34 numbers...those are a vital demo...and the one Franken originally cited as having beaten Rush...no mention of that demo this time.