The Winter Arbitrons in the all-important, 25-54 "money" demographic show pretty much a break-even period for local newstalk stations in tight competitive formation.
In the hallowed tradition of our half-glass, half-assed style of reporting, here are the losers and low points that you've come to expect from us:
~ KTTH was the lowest of the newstalk stations in the overall ratings going from a 2.9 (%) share to 1.6; ranking #22 out of 30 stations! KIRO barely lost to KOMO; 16th and 15th respectively).
~ Morning Drive's (5-9a) biggest losers were Sytman & Boze who dove into the dumpster with a startlingly dank 1.5 share, down a full point. KIRO morning news barely lost to KOMO; but KVI's Kirby Wilbur regained a little of his past glory at 2.5.
~ The biggest 9 ta noon loser was KTTH's Rush Limbaugh who went from an impressive 5.4 share to a 3.1, but still beat an improved (1.8 to 2.6) Dave Ross, and KVI's The Commentators who did better this time, splitting Rush's lost points with Ross. But no cigar to the high-priced, weekdaily KVI tofu wrestling with Carlson & Schram.
~ The afternoon is still ruled by Michael Medved which means the losers are KIRO's Dori Monson, and Ron Reagan who both lost a little ground; and Designated GOP Liar, Sean Hannity who seems to have lost his grip hold in this market, squawking like a churkendoose down around 19th place.
~Michael Savage on KTTH is floundering (as well he deserves, the prick) on the PM drive. Bryan Suits is still down cleaning the commodes in that tough NPR-ed, Rachel Maddow-ed time slot.
~ The tabloid, Free FM-style Ron & Don get the highest ratings for KIRO in every daypart save the morning news (thank the gods for small miracles). They kick all the other talkers asses- Dave, Dori, Styble. It's a sad commentary, nobody would have guessed a year or 2 ago that this format could exist on the same station as Dave Ross. It's like having Itchy & Scratchy on after NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
~ Billo Reilly, the parsimonious ninniehammer from Fox News, gets the Seattle cold shoulder he deserves with an astounding 25th place in the market. (a .8 share down from a .9!)
~ if one thing can be said for New York Vinnie's sportscastic show from 7-9p weekdays on KIRO- it's that it doesn't annoy listeners as much as KVI's Mark "Squeaky" Levin, the sarcastic, apologist for torture, warmongering, and who got his syndicated show by performing unnatural acts on Sean Hannity for all those years. Big Vinnie and Tiny Levinnie command the 23rd, and 22nd places respectively out of the 30 stations in the market with audiences big enough to measure. All this bandwidth going to waste when there are starving talk hosts China with no bandwidth at all...
~ Apparently, the whole market agrees with us and our commenteers about KIRO's 10p-1a Frank "Shudder" Shiers. His .2 rating, and 27th ranking in the market is the lowest we've seen since Erin Hart racked up that big 0.0. Please don't do anything rash, Frank; career counseling might be the answer; or you could get your real estate license, or netty pot sales franchise, or at the very least, a smarm reduction kit.
(sorry, no numbers for the weekends or stations not listed above).
trf: From my standpoint, this is Bla'm's blog I respect him for establishing and maintaining it. He seems honest and straight-forward and if I didn't feel that way I wouldn't frequent his site.
Lord knows he's let me get away with enough herein
[Lets make Mrs. Clinton our candidate!]
Posted by: Duffman | May 15, 2007 at 11:55 AM
And that is your right to decide that. However, I've decided I've had it with this blog. Michael Hood can dish it out but he sure can't take it in kind. I've been calling him on the carpet since he attacked co-workers of mine, Greg H & Jayne S on this blog, but he's about as formidable as anyone who sits in front of a screen, spewing garbage at people and not having the balls to tell them to their face. (Like most Internet bullies). But, you know, Greg and Jayne (and even Frank S.) certainly don't need me to defend them--they're adults and they can do it fine by themselves. In fact, I would NOT want to get on the receiving end of Greg's anger (or Frank's--been there, done that--no thank you!).
So....GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY, DRIVE SAFE!!! PEACE OUT! (argh, I hate that expression..)
Posted by: talkradiofiend | May 15, 2007 at 12:06 PM
talkradiofiend, you're transparent and disengenuous. If you were realy interested in setting the record straight then that bit about Frank or GregG's anger management problems wasn't necessary. You're stroking your ego. Stop acting like you're performing a service.
Posted by: Andrew | May 15, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Frank S. as scary...LMAO...TRF, you really are a true right-winger.
Posted by: Minko | May 15, 2007 at 12:45 PM
talkradiofiend, you're transparent and disengenuous...Stop acting like you're performing a service.
Ditto to Duffman
[Lets not put all our eggs in one basket this far in advance, Duffman]
Posted by: mercifurious | May 15, 2007 at 12:59 PM
A village somewhere is missing an idiot.
Posted by: cowpotpi3 | May 15, 2007 at 01:02 PM
Frank S. as scary...LMAO...TRF, you really are a true right-winger.
Frank 1st and foremost LAZY and secondly Smarm-factor-10.
TRF: You really believe that Frank does extensive show-prep? Next time, listen to his show while scanning Orbusmax.
Boy, talk radio done-takes some heavy research, don' it Franki
Posted by: mercifurious | May 15, 2007 at 01:02 PM
Hahaha, very good...one louder '11' would have been a milk ring around the soldier's mouth and the caption 'Got Milk'.
[Lets make Mrs. Clinton our candidate!]
Posted by: Duffman | May 15, 2007 at 01:04 PM
"Ditto to Duffman"
Wow! You even use Rush mannerisms and vernacular...Hmmmm!
[Lets make Mrs. Clinton our candidate!]
Posted by: Duffman | May 15, 2007 at 01:10 PM
So, in other words Duffy, you're admitting to making that whole thing up about the "acidophilus post-traumatic stress disorder" incident?
Seriously Duffy, Did all that really happen? Tears included?
Posted by: mercifurious | May 15, 2007 at 01:10 PM
merci: in all seriousness I swear that actually happened. And I was just trying to back up a point I was making about SO MANY ways to conserve money and avoid waste in the military. (A small example granted but extrapolate....)
[Lets make Mrs. Clinton our candidate!]
Posted by: Duffman | May 15, 2007 at 01:13 PM
I don't go after anyone's families. You do. My daughter's very public firing from KOMOTV is off the topic of this blog- it's about radio, remember? I allowed it to be mentioned in the threads, except for your nasty insinuations about why it might have occured, which I altered.
I get dished plenty of shit- death threats, insults, the questioning of my sanity, sexual preferences, and loyalty. I sign my name to the bottom of every post. I'm not hard to find.
If those brave radio folks you mention have problems with what I write, let them speak up. They never do because what I write is basically true. Their silence is tacit affirmation of that.
So au revoir, PEACE UP, and fuck you very much, Nigel...
Posted by: blathering michael | May 15, 2007 at 01:20 PM
trf
Gotta say, I have been lurking around this blog for quite awhile. It is obvious to all that I do not agree with Michael and most of the posters on many issues, but have never been censored or threatened in any way. Been cursed at a few times, had my intelligence questioned many times, and my spelling pummeled. But never told I was not welcome. Just need to show a little respect is all.
( and Duffy is all wrong about Clinton)
boycott Albertsons.
drive fast and take chances!!
Posted by: chucks | May 15, 2007 at 03:58 PM
TalkRadioFiend: If you truly are a co-worker of Gregg H. and Jane Shannon, why on earth would you spell her name JaYne??? Are you too stupid to go to the KIRO website and see that its j-a-N-e. No "y".
Brian: I'm no fan of Styble either. But I'll tell you whats a lot worse than his show: your stupid fucking posts about his show. Come up with something original.
Posted by: tink | May 15, 2007 at 05:25 PM
He misspelled Gregg also. "But, you know, Greg and Jayne" You'd think if a person worked there they would see those names spelled out occasionaly.
Posted by: Andrew | May 15, 2007 at 06:29 PM
Gee, this got exciting! Now you all know how dull my life is!
Not that it is relevant anymore, but you could tell he is a herd animal - and not a very bright one either (judging by his spelling of proper nouns). Likes the whiners, the haters, and seems to appreciate the negativity which floats their boats.
Me, I like all the wonderful hosts who teach me things I never knew . . . esp. about politics! If I want entertainment, I read Sue Grafton, Lillian Jackson Braun ('cause I like cats), and Tony Hillerman - obviously I like a mystery. As for all those right-wing radio hosts? They're like situation comedies to me and I avoid them like the malicious and insidious germs they are.
I know, I'm no fun at all. :)
As for April Zepeda? I thought she was great! All our Seattle-grown are the best.
Posted by: joanie | May 15, 2007 at 07:15 PM
Mark's coffee re. tommy008 and DAVE FOWLER
Yes, Dave Fowler was the best. I listened to him on KPRC in Houston in the early 80's where he started before getting fired after 5 years and moving to Tampa. Never heard his shows in Tampa, but would love to. I have a couple of Houston tapes. Do you have ANY tape of his shows or where I can get more? (VERY limited amounts on interenet. One - his Tampa intro show;Two -interview w/Lassiter after he was fired from WPLP. That's all that's out there that I can find. He WAS the best!!! You're right. With his stories, you really established a relationship with the man.)
Posted by: Mark's Coffee | May 28, 2007 at 11:25 AM