Arbitron winter ratings: Air America, KPTK is tied with KIRO!
Our cursory glances at the new Arbitron ages 25 to 54 rating book for last Winter, shows local Air America station KPTK statistically tied with former news talk leader, KIRO.
(The 25-54 is the all-important "money demo" used by advertisers. Radio (and TV) lives or dies by this survey. It's stupid, really- how many 25-year olds do you know who listen to the same stuff on the radio as a 54-year old? I come up with the same number- zero to none. Yet the listening habits of both ages are bunched up together, crunched in a million different ways, and the broadcast world hinges on the results. This isn't the only reason it's called the Arbitrary-tron rating by snide insiders).
"Time spent listening"- (TSL) numbers show that KIRO's average listener between the ages of 25 and 54, spends less than 5 hours a week tuned to the station during the day, 6a-7p.
That means they spend less than an hour a day listening to the morning news, Dave and Dori.
People are sampling KIRO, tuning in for a traffic report or hourly newscast, and then fleeing. KIRO's TSL is only marginally better than KOMO's, but KOMO's product is designed to offer elements at predictable times so listeners know exactly when to tune in for traffic or sports.
KIRO's abysmal TSL has allowed KPTK catch up. Between 6a and 7p, KIRO ranked 11th among people 25-54. KPTK ranked 12th, but ITAL it was behind by only 200 listeners. Statistically, that's a tie.
KIRO has three times as many unique listeners as KPTK, but KPTK keeps its listeners for more than 2 1/2 hours a day.
Based on TSL, KPTK has the most loyal audience of any Seattle station, which is why it might be tough for Dave Ross to win back many of the people who left for Thom Hartmann. The 9 ta noon breakouts show that Hartmann's listeners stay with his show for about an hour and a half.
We love it when KPTK does well. Just think what they could do if they had some local jocks cementing them to the community!
While we've always listened to Brian Maloney, The Radio Equalizer on subjects he knows about, but we take him with a big hit of PeptoBismal when he talks about politics or Air America.
When the ex-KVI, KIRO talk host writes about the former, well- whaddya gonna do? He's a hardass conservative who's hurting America.
And about the latter? Brian's obsessive. He hates Air America- especially Al Franken. There's just no discussing it without him getting all sweaty. Maloney devotes about 90% of his bandwidth to microscopically analyzing the fledgling network, predicting constantly its demise.
His latest dire prediction for AAR- that it would lose its flagship NYC affiliate on April 1- has once again proven apocryphal.
On March 3, he reported:
In a development sure to rip the heart right out of the liberal radio network's already ailing body, it appears extremely likely their leased New York City flagship station WLIB-AM will soon abandon Air America programming.
He concluded: "If [Air America] Radio is airing on April 1, trust us, it won't be an April Fool's Day joke."
Eric Boehlert on Eric Alterman's MSNBC blog space wrote: "Maybe he meant April 1, ITAL2007."
Brian should give AAR a rest. His lengthy analyses of the Girls & Boys club "scandals," never amounted to anything over the months he spent on it.
The little company had a rocky start because Evan Cohen, the shady first AAR CEO, told everybody he had enough money to keep the start-up going for 3 years when actually he only had enough for 3 months.
While screwing over other investors in a web of lies and finaglings, he "borrowed" 875k from the Gloria Wise Boy's & Girls Club in New York City, and fedit into the infant Air America.
After Cohen's house of cards collapsed, a new company, Piquant was formed with new investors- real investors- led by Seattle's RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser. When the B& G Club scandal broke out, Piquant agreed on principle, to pay back the money- they were not legally bound to do it. It was just another flaming bag of dogshit left at the doorstep of the struggling start-up by Cohen.
Brian and the viperific Michelle Malkin made it a cottage industry for months reporting on every twitch of the "scandal," finding conspiracies and damning evidence in Al Franken's jokes and bemoaning that the MSM conspiratorially ignored the story.
They created a volumes of text made to look like volumes of scandal. But when you blew away the fluff of stern adjectives and self-righteous partisan glee--there was nothing left but the sad story of a corporate asshole sticking it to his investors and employees.
ok, so Ed Bubba Shultz squidged a bit on his news...lol..not surprising!
Posted by: sparky | May 10, 2006 at 05:54 AM
My "Time spent listening" to KIRO is directly related to Dori's endorsement spots... When Monson starts trying to sell me something I push the KPTK button. Seldom do I remember to go back to 710.
Posted by: ExRat | May 10, 2006 at 07:37 AM
Is it fishwife week at Town Hall?
The sales folks will spell it better than anyone. PERSONS and MEN 35-64 is the real local $.
Lazy national reps buy the 25-54. If it succeeds, it's accidental. If you have only $10k to spend on radio advertising 1: have a jingle and 2: shove it down as many 35-64 year old pie holes as possible. Boom.
Posted by: Scrilla | May 10, 2006 at 07:49 AM
Mikey, if you're Ahab...what does that make Maloney? (all corpulence pejoratives aside)
Posted by: Scrilla | May 10, 2006 at 07:52 AM
What are you talking about, Sparky?
Also, what are numbers for individual programs like Monson?
And, does anyone listen to Shiers?
Posted by: joanie | May 10, 2006 at 08:18 AM
Joanie, I dont remember what day it was, but on my way home from school last week,it was the end of Ed's program and he said he had a huge announcement to make....
So after the break he said that Seattle had the best loyal listening audience in the country for Air America..and I figured that could be true...then he said that KPTK beat KIRO in the ratings..which is not exactly true, more of a tie, although that is a good sign.
Reading the info that Bla'M has posted this morning, it clears it up. At the time, I was thinking that even if KPTK did beat KIRO at certain times of the day, considering the state of KIRO these days, it was faint praise....But I'll take it!!!
Posted by: sparky | May 10, 2006 at 08:55 AM
WHO CARES?!?
Either your going to get your news and talking/babbling/bumging/whatever fix from a liberals bunch liars from one radio station or the other. I personally prefer KIRO since they at the very least still have Dori the one voice of reason left on the station and SO WHAT if he wants to make a few bucks doing some commercials. You would do it to if somebody paid you to do it.
Posted by: RedRachel | May 10, 2006 at 12:41 PM
It's funny because I wouldn't have thought Seattle would listento Schultz. He's just too folksy for me . . . I guess I'm just too sophisticated for him! (LOL)
I actually tune in to NPR when he's on . . . although I'm teaching most afternoons. I have breaks and planning time in the AM which allows me to listen to Hartmann most of the time and Dave occasionally.
Posted by: joanie | May 10, 2006 at 02:02 PM
There are a number of talk show hosts up here who read ad copy. I've also heard the three guys from KIRO do theirs. I have a problem with news talk hosts doing advertising.
I'd like to think that talk radio hosts want to guard their credibility, but when they are trying to hawk dog food, weight loss or even drug treatment for alcoholics I just can't buy their objectivity.
Just abbreviated informercials. If these guys want respect they should leave the sales pitch to the announcers.
Posted by: Liz | May 10, 2006 at 03:10 PM
I didn't listen to KIRO's Seahawks pre- or post-game coverage all last year because Monson was on them. Fingernails on the chalkboard.
Posted by: DOUG. | May 10, 2006 at 03:37 PM
Al has a great program going right now . . . wish you were all able to listen.
Posted by: joanie | May 10, 2006 at 05:12 PM
Al is one of us, he has done most of the leg work in bringing Limbaugh and O Reilly down to size...
Posted by: stodge charger | May 10, 2006 at 05:27 PM
I am with Doug, I did not listem to the pregame Seahawks because of Dori. I did in the past and I enjoyed it. He reminds me of Styble. All talk no point!
Posted by: Rich | May 10, 2006 at 05:29 PM
I heard it Joanie...or the first hour of it....
Ed would like to think that it is HIS show that puts Seattle at the top..somewhere I read that when an Air America host comes to town, ticket sales are through the roof for Al but quite a bit lower for Ed..however, given the choice between Ed or Dori, well, Ed comes out on top..apparently.
Posted by: sparky | May 10, 2006 at 05:29 PM
vinnie's pitching weight loss again.... (same program that didn't work for him last time around)
any word on his ratings? I can't believe anyone hangs around for sportshz talk...
that said - Kiro seems to be trying to get things sorted out. gotta think his numbers coming up...
Posted by: spambutcher | May 10, 2006 at 05:36 PM
"Either your going to get your news and talking / babbling / bumging / whatever fix from a liberals bunch liars from one radio station or the other."
It is so true. Everybodys point of view on KIRO and KTPK are exactly the same with the exception of Dori and probably Frank. The only difference in the 2 is the intenstiy of there liberalism/communism and weather your radio dial says 710 or 1090. Mainstream America is sick and tired of the lying filth and trashy lies of the liberal media and were not going to take it anymore! How do you like it now that Tony Snow is the President's press secretary and is shutting up all of the filthy liberal voices? Probably not good but I think it is great to hear or should I say not hear all of the stupid liberal view point? You guys are good at one thing though, losing. You do it every time we have an election and you do it when you try to take our guys down like Rush. Keep trying or better yet keep losing.
Posted by: RedRachel | May 10, 2006 at 05:39 PM
Quite the group you have here. I've really enjoyed reading many of your comments. Many of you have very intriguing views. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Lyle | May 10, 2006 at 05:47 PM
Ed's OK, I guess. I can take him or leave him, but definately prefer Ed to Dori.
Al, I like. He's intelligent, fair-minded and honest --My AA fav. I like Hartmann too.
Unfortunately, I cannot listen to Miller and Rhodes. Not my style, I guess.
Posted by: peanuts | May 10, 2006 at 05:48 PM
Rachel: It has been an absolute pleasure reading your comments in particular. I never thought I would be able to find both the spawn of Satin and the root of everything that's wrong in our country all in one place! I'm sure it very enjoyable for you to share your thoughts with all of these people. It must be a nice change of pace from talking about them to the "doctors" like you used to.
Posted by: Lyle | May 10, 2006 at 05:51 PM
I talked to the doctors about them? About who? What doctors?!? You stupid communist idiot! Who do you think your talking to? I'm not one of your homo ilete liberal idiots friends and this isn't a gay pride parade. Your all the same and your all starting to get on my nerves. Why don't you go take a long walk off of a short cliff!
Posted by: RedRachel | May 10, 2006 at 06:11 PM
" "Either your going to get your news and talking / babbling / bumging / whatever fix from a liberals bunch liars from one radio station or the other."
It is so true. Everybodys point of view on KIRO and KTPK are exactly the same with the exception of Dori and probably Frank."
Did Rachel seriously just reference her own posts?
Posted by: toryrogan | May 10, 2006 at 06:14 PM
Oh Rachel, you don't even know the half of it. I'm your worst nightmare sweetheart... I've never once voted republican in my entire life and (surprise) I AM gay.
Posted by: Lyle | May 10, 2006 at 06:22 PM
I often wondered what happpened to cyn from the Kiro chat
Posted by: stodge charger | May 10, 2006 at 06:37 PM
Dear Rachel, in case you did not notice,communism is a failed political experiment. When you call progressives communists you
are showing your ignorance for all to see.
Tony Snow will not have his first press conferance until this Friday or next Monday-what are you talking about?
Posted by: Rick | May 10, 2006 at 06:42 PM
Ah, but see Rick, what you're (or "your") talking about are "facts". And unless you are a communist or a homosexual (no offense, Lyle), facts aren't good for much more than wiping your sitter after doing a number two. Ain't that right, eh Rach?
Posted by: toryrogan | May 10, 2006 at 07:21 PM
Who was Cyn, Stodge?
Posted by: toryrogan | May 10, 2006 at 07:25 PM
We have a Cyn who posts occasionally. Wonder if it is the same one?
Sparky, when I posted at 5:12 Al was being quiet and sort of sweet, just talking about the way it is with these guys and regular people. He wasn't being funny and it was nice to hear someone just talk normally and say the things you think when you're not mad but just sad.
The numbers Michael posted were collective numbers for that age demographic - right? So, we don't know . . . may Bubba did post higher numbers than Dori for his time slot . . . whatever?
If so, I sure hope Dori's thinking about it! KPTK has been running an ad quoting Shultz's victory.
Posted by: joanie | May 10, 2006 at 07:38 PM
"spawn of Satin"
She must be a slippery devil!
Posted by: Dana | May 10, 2006 at 07:39 PM
I was wondering the same thing Tory about RR quoting herself - a regular cartoon wingnut
Posted by: Mark | May 10, 2006 at 07:42 PM
Dana, I believe that spawn of Satin is synthetic.
Posted by: Liz | May 10, 2006 at 07:49 PM
Also, ReRa, I'm glad to see you're doing some reading and know who Tony Snow is. Atta girl...!
Posted by: Fremont | May 10, 2006 at 08:24 PM
Be nice Dana! "Slippery devil"... that was pretty good! :)
Posted by: Lyle | May 10, 2006 at 08:32 PM
You know Rachel, if I were you I would prepare myself for a tsunami of epic political proportions come this November. If things keep going the way they are right now the republicans are going to be swept out of power in Wash. DC like last weeks trash. I think 2004 was the highwater mark for modern conservatism in America. Just look at the condition of our country-high energy costs, lower wages, rising middle east instability, a foundering military,tax breaks for billionaires, healthcare costs rising astronomically, gutted benifits for veterens-the list goes on. 2006 is the dawning of a new age of enlightenment and liberalism in America. Just watch...
Posted by: Rick | May 10, 2006 at 08:33 PM
I beleive satin is SPUN, not spawn. Come on ladies, I'm a guy and even I know that.
Posted by: toryrogan | May 10, 2006 at 08:34 PM
"I believe satin is SPUN, not spawn. Come on ladies, I'm a guy and even I know that."
That is so funny! What a terribly clever and well thought-out thing to say!
(I can kind of see why she does it, Mark. I find that I have such a better perspective on my comments than I do anyone else's.)
Posted by: toryrogan | May 10, 2006 at 08:39 PM
cyn in KIRO chat was a person who enjoyed using different names and stirring up trouble. Before the chat was eliminated by KIRO, cyn had been banned...who knows where he landed...
Posted by: sparky | May 10, 2006 at 08:43 PM
No more KIRO chat, huh? You know, this is actually the first blog I've ever written on or anything. Is there anything else out there that is any good? (It would be nice to escape from here occasionally).
Posted by: toryrogan | May 10, 2006 at 08:53 PM
"Quite the group you have here. I've really enjoyed reading many of your comments. Many of you have very intriguing views."
Seems like as many like to listen to the drama queens & fiction on Air America - comparable to watching Soap Operas on TV same numbers as listen to a mediocre talk and decent news station- KIRO. I see that Air America's ratings are considerably higher in Seattle and Portland than over a majority of the USA - wonder why that is ?
Posted by: KS | May 10, 2006 at 08:58 PM
You wonder why it is? Its because Protland and Seattle and America's captital of lying filth and communist liberal trazsh lies. I am so tired of living in this gosh forsaken place. I feel embaressed for all of you demoscum. How many of you have children? The thought of some of you having kids and raising them with your "morals" and "values" is sickening. Its all I can do to try to keep from vomiting all over myself. Shameful. Just shameful.
Posted by: RedRachel | May 10, 2006 at 09:08 PM
hahahaha funny stuff today people, thanks! i needed a good laugh!
Posted by: scott lundquist | May 10, 2006 at 09:27 PM
This schtick is getting kinda old now.
Posted by: sparky | May 10, 2006 at 09:28 PM
KS, it is because we are educated areas with many leading institutions of education. Isn't it obvious? Well, probably not to you. . .
Posted by: joanie | May 10, 2006 at 09:29 PM
BTW, Tory, Thom Harmann has a pretty lively set of forums going . . . one for national show, one for local (Portland I think) show, a couple and many threads to follow. Also, he has a chat room which I haven't joined. I just checked into all this myself last week. I like to get a little more political than Blather does but Blather is friendlier, I think.
Check it out.
Posted by: joanie | May 10, 2006 at 09:33 PM
Did anyone see or hear about bush saying "jeb would be a great president" today?! hahahahahaha, god help us! PLEEEAAAASE tell me America has learned its lesson!
Posted by: scott lundquist | May 10, 2006 at 09:39 PM
I heard it . . . and could not believe my ears! He was playing the role of the superior older brother . . . everybody thought Jeb was the golden boy and now here's little errant Georgie playing the mentor. . .
There was just something so caricaturish about it.
Ugh!!!!!
Posted by: joanie | May 10, 2006 at 09:48 PM
The Bush name now is pure plutonium politically.
Posted by: Mark | May 10, 2006 at 09:51 PM
Jeb Bush as President would not be possible- God forbid ! No more Bushes or Clintons in the White House !
Yep, this is one of the most highly educated areas of the US, but seems like highly educated people more often than not lack common sense. One example might be is that I marvel at the backwardness of this area in getting Mass Transit (it could have been done way back in the 1960's) and Sound Transit didn't come along until after Federal funding had dried up - Portland, a less highly educated City - had enough foresight to get light rail in 1980's, when there was still significant Federal funding.
BTW- Not all Democrats are Demoscum,
Posted by: KS | May 10, 2006 at 09:52 PM
on hardball today, chris matthews asked Trent Lott if Jeb could beat hillary, and he said no, and that he couldn't support him as a candidate! hahaha!
Posted by: scott lundquist | May 10, 2006 at 10:03 PM
on hardball today, chris matthews asked Trent Lott if Jeb could beat hillary, and he said no, and that he couldn't support him as a candidate! hahaha!
Posted by: scott lundquist | May 10, 2006 at 10:03 PM
oops on the double entry!
Posted by: scott lundquist | May 10, 2006 at 10:04 PM