KGO-AM, which had fallen in the last ratings book, has pushed back to the top for the past three months, with a 6.3 share for May; 6.0 share for June and 6.1 share for July for the general market of listeners over 12.
Nearest competitor KOIT-FM is at a 5.1; 5.5 and 5.5 for the same months and KCBS follows with a 5.3, 5.3 and 5.2. Most interestingly in the new ratings measures, public stations get rated too, and KQED-FM is fourth in the Bay Area market of almost 7 million people in nine counties.
You can see all the ratings here.
The biggest surprises are that Spanish stations have dropped significantly (proof that many Mexicans have returned home in a bad economy, as some say or that the new People Meters aren't representing minorities fairly?). KSOL, which had been high in the Top 10 before, is down at No. 11.
Classical KDFC has also dropped to 12th place. It was often in the Top 10 before. Rocker KFOG, in the highest position of a rock radio station, is down to 14th; Live 105 down to 22nd; Alice, down to 20th; the Bone, 17th.
Loudmouth Michael Savage's KNEW is in 27th place. HA. KSFO, the other conservative walker, I mean talker, is in 6th.
In San Jose, meanwhile, KBAY has bumped off KGO in the 12 plus ratings for the first time in memory. Read the list here. The easy listening station has chalked up a 7.6, 7.6 and 8.4 compared to KGO's 6.1, 6.6 and 6.5. I blame some of this on the fact that with its cutbacks, KGO has cutback its South Bay focus.
For a while, the station made it a priority to recognize that most of its listeners were in cars, and thus, in the South Bay, not San Francisco, where there is mass transit. But with its news cuts, there is much less of a San Jose focus. Even worse, there is no talk host from the South Bay (and none who sounds under 60. OK, a few may be, but they certainly don't sound it.) That's a big hole in the lineup for listeners down here. I've always thought Bob Kieve should go after them with talk shows on KLIV and now would be the time, but that would require spending money, which apparently no one is doing.
Rock is doing better in the South Bay with soccer mom rocker KEZR at 4th; classic rocker KUFX in 6th; and alternative KCNL in 10th.
Meanwhile, KGO's boss Mickey Luckoff, is not happy with the new measuring system, which requires people to wear an electronic monitor, rather than keep a diary to tell what they listen to. He says the sample is too small now.
Here is an excerpt from Radio-Info's Tom Taylor, covering the letter Luckoff wrote:
The respected San Francisco manager of news/talk KGO (810) and talk KSFO (560) writes Arbitron President Michael Skarzynski to say that “Broadcasters are paying far more for much less usable data”, compared to the diary. Luckoff – a former president of the Arbitron Radio Advisory Council – says “having so few meters stymies the ability to measure any aspect of programming at any particular time.” He reminds Arbitron that it promised great things, like the ability to measure tune-in and tune-out. But now when the data from “the scant numbers of meters” is “sliced and diced”, the results aren’t reliable enough to make programming decisions. He says the number of meters placed in San Francisco falls “far short of the number originally promised.” For instance – “approximately 7,200 diaries were distributed every quarter. Now, there are but 2,000 meters – 800 households for what Arbitron hopes to be a two-year period." Mickey’s bottom line – the PPM sample is just too small. He warns that “the situation will continue to be magnified as Arbitron rolls out the PPM into smaller markets.” He tells Skarzynski “I eagerly look forward to your response.”
Comments
Do you have access to the meaty numbers, the ones that show how Savage does in relation to competing shows in his time slot?
Brad, you said "some say or that the new People Meters aren't representing minorities fairly". That's true, but the fact is that it doesn't measure anybody fairly, as currently implemented. Minority stations used to get an artificial preference, which, now gone, may be what some of them are complaining about. Politics has no place in supposedly scientific measurement.
Also you said "I blame some of this on the fact that with its cutbacks, KGO has cutback its South Bay focus." Honestly, we really haven't. Even with that said, I think that you'll notice KGO keeping a higher profile in the South Bay. When we do an event there, we're always well received. We have the best listeners, just really nice people. By the way, we missed you at the "All Start" at the Tech. <grin>
bill: no numbers on your boy's demo. Joe: do you guys still have a south bay buro? How much coverage are you giving to the big story here, the fire? How many south bay stories do I hear on the air? When is the last time a host covered a south bay issue? In my casual tracking, the answer is NOT ENOUGH. One appearance here does not mean the area is covered.
KGO might be #1 overall, but they're ranked 19th among the 18-49 demographic, according to Ben Fong-Torres.
KGO might be #1 overall, but they're ranked 19th among the 18-49 demographic, according to Ben Fong-Torres.
San Jose is well covered by KGO News, News Bureau With reporters Rob Artigo and Jennifer Hodges, Friday mornings Jennifer Jones anchors the KGO Morning News from the SJ Bureau. The Allstar Debate @ The Tech was a Sell Out 500+ people. KGO Loves SJ and they seem to love us...Perhaps It's that Celine Dion and Lady GaGa backlash...
Mike: then why do YOU think the numbers are dropping like a rock in San Jose? You know I listen, but like many here, feel like we are the ugly stepsister to San Francisco on the air. SF always gets first play. And again: where is the host or topic from the South Bay? They are non-existent and rare at best.
Of course your All Star debate sold out. People here are your core. They support the station and show up for events. But you are losing some of them by not taking this area seriously enough. A good local talk station would put a big hole in the bubble, just as the local KBAY knocked you out of first. And, yeah, you are hurting more in the critical 25-54 demo because some of the hosts are out of touch with issues that concern a younger audience.
I am one of those listeners whom stopped listening to KGO specifically the Gene Burns segment. His screener lady last Sunday was very aggressive with borderline racist comments toward me upon me making a call referencing the Health Bill. She said to me,"you can switch us off if you wish there in Monterey area since you are all a dying breed". The few times I called in the past years I have never been treated this way. Gene needs to bring back John as his screener.
Appears that the extensive market research employed by 103.7 "The Band", (formerly known as smooth jazz KKSF) has really paid off. After pulling a 2.4 in its final month of existence, "The Band" has delivered twin 2.2 ratings for June and July. When will these isiot ever learn? You don't throw away a loyal upscale audience in a unique format to morph into another "hits of the past" station. What a joke. Look forward to sub 2.0 ratings in the near future.
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