Spring Book is out
Pittsburgh:We're a day behind...sue us.
WDVE has widened the gap at number one and KDKA at number two. Perhaps I should say that KDKA has widened the gap since the number has dropped pretty considerably. Will we ever see KDKA in the top spot again? I wouldn't hold my breath.
Someone suggested that the election year and the Pirates on FM are the reasons why WPGB is in 3rd place. WPGB came to life in 2004 - the last election year - and many of us were sure the gimmick would die after the election was over. We were fooled. As long as it's attracting listeners with Quinn, Beck, Limbaugh and Hannity, WPGB is here to stay. Another reason not to hold your breath about KDKA's placement.
Country WDSY continues a gradual drop in numbers. Is country losing the interest of listeners? Is soft rock? WSHH has lost some ground since the Christmas Blitz in the fall numbers. The pattern shows that things will change as the summer progresses. Wish doesn't need to worry, WWSW seems to be losing some ground too, but still holding up. Bob-FM WRRK seems to be gaining ground again while WJAS remains steady.
Let's move on to WLTJ. Despite the outcry of listeners when the station fired the staff and hired an automated announcer, the station seems to be bumping upwards.
Looking at the reincarnated B-94, WBZW is moving upward. Given WBZZ's final ratings before the jump to classic rock, one might say that the station was never broke and they shouldn't have "fixed" it. There's no telling what might happen between WBZW and WKST. Right now, I suspect status quo.
The 12+ numbers typically mean nothing. Stations base their ad rates on the numbers for their target demographics.
Source of info: Radio & Records.
Readers’ Forum
I hate to say it, but KDKA is on the down-slide. The morning team doesn’t interest me (especially Shelly Duffey’s annoying interjections of pre-recorded rubbish), Marty Griffin is getting stale (I really miss Mike Pintek), Kevin Miller is on repeat, the same monotonous whiney drivel daily, Who knows where Waldo, I mean Honsberger is and the best substitute ever, Scott Paulsen, has left for greener pastures (in more ways than one with a new station – I was hoping he’d take over permanently for either K.Miller, M.Griffin or even the illustrious missing big talker, The Honzman. I do like Steigerwald, but find his show hard to catch because I mainly listen between 9 and 3 and not much at night. I guess I am wishing for a Steigerwald/Paulsen/Honzburger lineup.
Troy - July 30, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I too believe KDKA is on the down side. Thank you! What is Shelly Duffy’s purpose? What big wig does she know that she is even on the air there? I preferred the morning show with just Larry. Can’t really stand John “Chumway”. I’d like to say that he should stick to TV reporting but he is not pleasing to the eyeballs. I miss Pintek very much but I am pleased that he is on at night, namely Night Talk on PCNC. Plus, he fills in for Quinn on 104.7 – I think he is even on this week. Marty makes me crazy. He does not let anyone finish a sentence. And if I hear that he has been doing his job for over 25 years …., that he has two beautiful babies ….., that he has been doing this show for going on 4 years (not true). I actually turn the station when I get enough of him. I enjoy Kevin Miller. He has morals. He seems like a great guy to know. He is honest. I miss Fred. I hope he is well. I do not always agree with him but enjoy his show. I never liked Steigerwald with sports but really enjoy his show at night. I suppose it is because we may think alike when it comes to politics. Paulsen is okay. Liked him when he was with Jim Krenn way back when. Okay, I fell better getting that off my chest. Thank you.
Casey - July 30, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I’ll second that motion . . . Larry is the only interesting person on the morning show. Shumway is boring to me. I don’t get PCNC so I don’t get a chance to see Pintek. Yes, Kevin Miller has morals, he is a decent person, but he continues to say the same things over and over again on extended repeat. How many times do we have to interview Curtis from the Guardian Angels or have Mayor Patera of (Millvale is it?) on the show. Nothing new from this guy, so I stopped listening and it is even worse when he pulls double duty in Honz’s air chair. That’s why I am listening to my iPod more and more and to KDKA less and less.
Troy - July 31, 2008 at 09:05 am
Casey,
Thanks for the tip . . . I am listening to Pintek right now on 104.7 . . . I can even pick it up way up here in Crawford County too . . . bonus!!!
Troy - July 31, 2008 at 09:18 am
Some thoughts on the spring book:
1.) I still don’t understand what people see in WDVE. You’ve heard them play “Free Bird” once, you’ve heard them play it a million times.
2.) Kevin Miller is little more than a Honsberger clone. His defense on CNN of Michael Savage guaranteed him one fewer listener. And to say any right-wing radio host has morals is a wild overstatement.
3.) That WJAS remained steady has to be the Pittsburgh radio surprise of the year. John Tesh succeeding Mike McGann between 3 and 7 was still a mistake. I’d be interested to see how many listeners tune in 1320 before 3 p.m. and after 7.
Rick - July 31, 2008 at 10:34 am
Why doesn’t someone bring back Uncle Dougie Hoerth?
Hoerthfan - August 01, 2008 at 1:05 pm
“To say any right-wing radio host has morals is a wild overstatement.” How so? Rose Somma-Tennant surely would qualify as having morals. Sean Hannity seems to be a moral sort as well. Michael Medved brings with him a background that qualified him to head up a synagogue. Or is it that you believe you must be a left-winger to have morals? (You can be. I have known good, moral, ethical souls on both sides of the political spectrum, and look up to many of them.)
Frankly, however, a discussion of the political stance of a talk show host and of his or her ethics and morals is no different than a discussion of any performer (and that is what a talk show host is), or, for that matter, any human being (all of whom have feet of clay). Some have upstanding lives, some do not. Some have weaknesses in their lives, some know how to deal with those weaknesses.
(At this point, I ask God to forgive me for any judgmental attitude. All, including your humble correspondent, have sinned and fall far short of His glory.)
Incidentally, other than that comment, I can understand your entire statement and agree with much of it. (However, Miller is not a Honsberger clone. To paraphrase a brilliant liberal politician of a few years back, I’ve known Fred, Fred is an acquaintance from my college days, far too long ago, when he was a newsman in State College, and Miller is no Fred.)
By the way, Tesh does offer great advice, but I really wonder how his stuff is meshed with the music, when it runs on AM 1320 or later on when it goes on FM 99.7, with two different styles of songs.
Pat Cloonan (URL) - August 14, 2008 at 11:25 pm
One other thing about WJAS’ numbers. I checked a story about the latest Arbitrons in the Post-Gazette’s Web site. Not only did 1320 slip a couple of spots (to No. 9) but it went from 4.5 to below 4.
Smart move, Ho-Rendas Broadcasting.
Rick - August 18, 2008 at 3:45 pm