A quick note about ratings.
Radio stations get updated ratings four times a year. The ratings "book" for summer was released earlier this week.
FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR once again had the most listeners of any news/talk/sports station in Arizona with more than 300,000 people tuned in each week. Sports 620 KTAR had the second most listeners. Combined, the stations had more than 560,000 people listening to them.
To give you some perspective, the #3 news/talk/sports station in the ratings had a total of roughly 240,000 listeners.
When we drafted our projections for where 92.3 and 620 would be 9 months after we made the historic split of news/talk and sports the numbers were no where near that level. We owe you, the listener, a great deal of gratitude. Thank you for adapting to the major changes we have made in the last 12 months.
Maybe you'd be interested in a couple other nuggets from the latest ratings update.
The age of the average listener of KTAR-FM has dropped 15 years. KTAR-FM's nearest news/talk competitor's average age range is 63-72 years old. KTAR-FM's average age range is 47-56.
And, KTAR-FM looks different from traditional news/talk stations on AM in gender composition as well. FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR has an audience that is 55% male and 45% female. KTAR-FM's nearest news/talk competitor on AM is 79% male/21% female.
Unlike news/talk stations on AM that share listeners, KTAR-FM's audience is not the typical AM political talk radio junkie. Only 8% of KTAR-FM listeners listen to its nearest competitor on AM.
I'm sure I likely lost your interest 10 paragraphs ago. I know these are a bunch of boring statistics. And, they're only early indicators. When we made the historic split of news/talk and sports and moved the news/talk product to a place no other station in the same format had ever existed, we did so with 2008, 2009, and beyond in mind.
You'll have to forgive the rambling on about numbers, but it's quite exciting for those of us who have worked at several news/talk stations in our career in different markets who are now a part of KTAR. In radio you rarely get to blaze a trail or do something unique. For those of us involved it's incredibly exciting and rewarding.
And, we owe you, the audience gratitude. Thank you.
I usually catch Ankarlo in the mornings. Mac's okay as well... He's trying.
I do switch to music from noon to 3:00 though. Listened to Beck once, and that was enough.
I normally avoid syndicated shows anyway, although I would make an exception if KTAR were to ever pick up Bill O'Reilly.
Posted by: Sam | November 14, 2007 at 12:44 PM
I have taken to switching off after Ankarlo as well. At least now I can listen to music on my ipod after 12 pm. I have also taken to downloading Ankarlo's podcasts to catch anything I miss in the mornings. It's great to listen to when Beck and Mac are on.
Posted by: Len_Azn8v | November 13, 2007 at 09:45 PM
I should have said in my post a few minutes ago, Joe Jacari says:
"I am able to interpolate and extrapolate a lot of information from a post like yours simply because I am very intelligent."
My response was "You think??? Not!!!"
Posted by: Marilyn Williams | October 30, 2007 at 04:26 PM
JJ
I am able to interpolate and extrapolate a lot of information from a post like yours simply because I am very intelligent.
You think??? Not!!!
Posted by: Marilyn Williams | October 30, 2007 at 04:02 PM
Walter, Amen!!
Posted by: Marilyn Williams | October 30, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Hope the 'book' keeps headed down. Then maybe we'll get our 'old but beloved' station back, with real, local people who aren't just out to alienate intelligent listeners.
Posted by: Walter | October 30, 2007 at 03:36 PM
JJ
You certainly have a way with words. Most of them are variations of a former KTAR host, David Leibowitz. "Sheibo" 2 times, "Leibowitz" 5 times, "Leibo" 2 times, and most important of all, "David Leibowitz" once. And that is just in your last two posts. My goodness, he was only on 2-3 hours a day. What did you do the rest of the day to get all riled up.
You sure have a fixation on this fellow.
Posted by: Marilyn Williams | October 30, 2007 at 12:52 PM
Marilyn:
Thank you for your prompt response. I suggest you surf around this site a while and read some of my numerous, entertaining posts.
It is with great pleasure that I educate, and reprove my readers: those that like me and those that hate me alike.
Sure, I like local hosts and a few syndicated thrown in for good measure is OK.
It's just that KTAR's format has made a significant improvement with a direction toward convservatism, vs. Leibowitz-style do-nothing, moderate lib radio.
I am able to interpolate and extrapolate a lot of information from a post like yours simply because I am very intelligent.
What concerns me is this silly statement of yours: "I do think the companies who advertise on KTAR should be aware that the listeners outside the current demographics (over 56) still have the money to spend but no longer hear their spots."
What are you trying to say? I'm not sure. Or maybe I am. Are you saying you are going to call the advertisers to complain about the format?
What you should just do is state flat-out what you want. But you won't, so I will.
What you want to really say is this: "KTAR needs to bring back a local, informed, connected host--specifically David Leibowitz--or else advertisers will be called and pressure brought to bear on the station and management."
What you really want to say is this: "Bring back Leibowitz and mix in some differeng points of view. If you don't, advertisers will be called and pressure brought to bear on KTAR until Russ and management capitulate."
This is because libs like Liebo (and the goofballs at the New Times) lost this round with KTAR and are furious!
Make no mistake about it. David Leibowitz must cannot get on the air now with his arrogant, liberal attitude and he is flaming pissed off!
He must now toil for his supper and sweat for his bread and he hates it. He is full of rage that KTAR did not consult him on the new change of direction. How dare they!
Leibo IS Phoenix radio...NOT! Ha, ha!
Of course, liberals will stop at nothing, including use of force, to own the media and propagate their agenda.
You see, Marilyn, I've got your number. Only someone with an agenda would say something like that. You don't seem like an average KTAR listener. Ohh, no!
Marilyn, escape into freedom! You've been liberated from the shackles of Leibowitz liberal radio.
Where is your gratitude to Russ and the fabulous Utah management team?
Posted by: Joe Jacari | October 30, 2007 at 12:30 PM
My goodness, JJ
You sure got your britches in a bunch because one listener said that she was disappointed in the direction that KTAR has taken their programming.
Not one time did I mention a specific host but as long as you brought it up, I did have my problems with Lebo but he was "local." That is a good thing.
Now we have Darrel and he has done a wonderful job of fitting in with our community. That is a good thing. He is a good host.
When Tony Snow came along. Tony was just fine but he was not "local" and the Phoenix area listeners had virtually no give and take with him. That wasn't such a good thing. Now we have Glen Beck, another east coast syndicated radio host,same as Tony. Not a good thing for the local audience.
Following it up we have Mac,sort of a strange talk show for a "local" host since he has only lived here for a nano second or two and I personally find his style a bit offsetting. I hope that doesn't bother you too much because I, indeed have given him a good listen.
After that show, we have Bart Simpson kind of similar to Lebo but not nearly as intelligent.
Now I will take a deep breath and I suggest you do the same.
Posted by: Marilyn Williams | October 30, 2007 at 10:45 AM
MARILYN SAID: "(T)hose of us who are disappointed with the new KTAR are just expressing our disappointment. We would like our old format back but apparently the station has moved on and don't much care about their old listeners.
RESPONSE: Marilyn, what I'd like you to do is to take a deep breath, exhale and relax. Ahh, there, see? No need for anger of histrionics.
I want you to know that if you give the new conservative format a chance, with an open mind and open heart, the beauty and truth of conservative values--as is becoming more and more exemplified by KTAR--will transform you into a better person.
Harvey, McMuffin, Skiebo et al are all gone. The days of KTAR not taking a moral stand, on the great issues of the day, are over.
A new vanguard of concerned, happening talkers has decided to take their country back from the do nothing libs. I know it pains you, but it's never too late to teach an old dog (you) a set of new tricks (values, morals, ethics, conservative politics, etc.).
It's important to me that you forget that the terrible, terrible liberal radio that David Leibowitz exemplified is gone forever.
We are free Marilyn! We are free!
Shout it from the rooftops '60s-style! We are free at last and totally liberated from Skiebo radio!
Yay!
And god bless Tiny Tim, Marilyn!
Posted by: Joe Jacari | October 29, 2007 at 12:21 PM
To Bob Walters:
I don't think hateful people are posting. But those of us who are disappointed with the new KTAR are just expressing our disappointment. We would like our old format back but apparently the station has moved on and don't much care about their old listeners. I do think the companies who advertise on KTAR should be aware that the listeners outside the current demographics (over 56) still have the money to spend but no longer hear their spots.
Posted by: Marilyn Williams | October 29, 2007 at 10:19 AM
How do you figure that you've got the top two stations? 525,000 less 300,000 is 225,000 listeners for AM620. 225,000 is less than 240,000, the supposed rating for the number 3 station. Check your math.
Posted by: Nameless | October 28, 2007 at 08:54 PM
Could your numbers be related to the lack of competition? I do not like the new programing on either am or fm, but the options are quite limited in this market.
Posted by: gregg | October 26, 2007 at 11:43 AM
I dont understand all the angry posts?
If you dont like KTAR as a whole, why would you be posting on its website at all?
I can see if you dont care for a time slot or one of the hosts but such hateful people should be on some AM stations website talking garbage instead of here!
Go Away!
Posted by: Bob Walters | October 26, 2007 at 09:05 AM
You're in a race to the bottom…
…the overall picture is that listeners are migrating to iPods/satellite in droves, fleeing the "victim radio"/hate mongering that your station features now…
Posted by: naum | October 26, 2007 at 08:00 AM
The "Radio Detector" must be broken. I'm a graphic designer -- not now or ever have been affiliated with anything in radio. I just used common sense to assume that summer ratings would only track as far as the 21st of September, when Fall officially began.
I think Beck and Mac started on the 17th -- I remember how much they were being built up at the beginning of Sept. for that date, and how interested I was in tuning in. After a few weeks of listening to them, I couldn't take any more. Beck makes one or two good points for the whole show, and spends the rest of the time rambling until he's completely off topic. Mac is not engaging enough as a host, and he doesn't exude the slightest bit of entertainment. I got bored with him very fast. His show is just "this guy" telling people what he thinks about stuff, and chastising those who think otherwise. There's no genuine discussion to be found. It's amazing he even gets any calls. Oh, and as I mentioned in my previous note...sitting there drooling over women while on the air...totally classless. Not at all what I would expect for a drive-time host. Leave that stuff to Gaydos. I'd expect that from him!
One thing KTAR definitely does right, though, is the website...well-organized and totally user friendly. I use it many times throughout the day. Kudos on that front, Russ, though the "forums" are pretty pointless. It was a nice gesture to the listeners, at least.
Posted by: Roger | October 25, 2007 at 10:37 PM
Hello. I am Radio Detector. My job is to spot people who act like normal people but are really people who work for loser radio stations.
Only radio people know things like Summer BooK or Fall BooK. Alert. Alert. This is a warning that a radio person is trying to act like a normal person. How does this person know that radio stations started their Fall booKS in September? Only radio people know that.
I give you points for trying Roger but you're
BUSTED. BUSTED.
Posted by: Radio Detector | October 25, 2007 at 08:55 PM
I'm sure your summer numbers were fine, Russ. I was still listening back then, too. Beck and Mac didn't start up 'till September!
Since you started the Beck and Mac duo in the afternoons, my radio has been off (by choice) at those times. I gave them both a chance. I don't like syndicated radio, and I don't think Mac is very good at his job. He drools over good looking women on the air....no class. Ankarlo is great, when I have a chance to hear him, and I always get my news with you in the morning, but that's it. I think your fall numbers will reveal much more about your changes.
Posted by: Roger | October 25, 2007 at 07:19 PM
Your welcome.
Posted by: Joe Jacari | October 25, 2007 at 06:13 PM
I would like to see the number breakdown per show. How is Ankarlo, Beck, Watson and Gaydos doing individually?
Posted by: Bob Walters | October 25, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Your coverage of the California fire crisis was exceptional. Jim Cross's coverage of the fires was fantastic. So unlike the stereotypical news reporting you typically hear...
News Station Anchor(s): "So what was the fire like?"
News Reporter: "It was hot".
NSA: "Hotter than the Big Canyon Fire in 2003?"
NR: "No, not quite as hot, but hotter than the famous Hell Fire back in 1989.."
....you know what I mean...
Posted by: Steve | October 24, 2007 at 11:31 PM