Non-comms have listeners, too
Pittsburgh: PBRTV readers sometimes ask how they can find out how many people are listening to those stations at the shallow end of the FM dial (88.1 to 91.9).Arbitron, NPR and others are quick to point out that pubcasters don't compete on a ratings basis with commercial stations, but of course, the non-comms do show up in diaries. A nonprofit group called Radio Research Consortium tracks Arb's numbers for subscribing public stations.
According to the Spring 2007 RRC report, if they were ranked among commercial stations, Duquesne University's news-jazz WDUQ-FM (90.5) would have tied WLTJ-FM (92.9) for 14th place among all listeners age 12 and up. Classical WQED-FM (89.3) would be in 15th place and independent album-alternative WYEP-FM (91.3) would be 16th, both just ahead of religious-talk WORD-FM (101.5).
How did you live this long without this information?
(The region's other public broadcasters are not Arbitron subscribers, and do not show up in RRC's reports. As always, Arbitron ratings are copyrighted by Arbitron Inc.)
Readers’ Forum
Another wonderful article by Jason Togyer. I’m surprised that this information hasn’t been published before (at least none I can remember). I don’t think its fair that the non-comms be left out of the arbitron ratings. It’s amazing that these stations often ignore as being on the periphery could produce some amazing numbers and give the commercial stations a run for their money. Without this information those who count on Arbitron to provide a full and as accurate of market ratings package are getting a partial picture. Who knows if this information was factored into the regular Arbitron numbers what kind of impact it could have in commercial radio as well. The suits at these commercial stations should realize that they truly aren’t the only games in town and that they shouldn’t take their audiences (or their intelligence) for granted. Thanks again Mr. Togyer!
Rick Allen - September 02, 2007 at 10:40 am