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Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Discussion pertaining to Lansing, Jackson, Owosso, and all areas from Alma to Hillsdale
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MWmetalhead
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Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by MWmetalhead » Thu Aug 04, 2022 7:29 am

I cannot recall the last time that a sub-7 share performance was worthy of the top spot in the Lansing Nielsen Audio / Arbitron ratings yet here we are!

There were some surprising results; Midwest Communications should be absolutely thrilled with the results:

- Q106 scored one of its best shares in two decades and finished in a tie for second place!
- WITL saw a stunning decline (fallout from morning show changes?)
- 94.1 Duke FM saw a stunning rise and is now within a share of WITL in ages 12+, something that has never happened before
- WMMQ and WLMI remain locked in a pretty close battle in ages 12+ (Q106 for the second survey out of the past three defeated WMMQ in ages 12+)
- Stacks 92.1, with its not quite Urban AC, not quite Classic Hip-Hop, not quite Rhythmic AC format saw its best book to date, with a 2.7 share. That's also the highest share for 92.1 MHz in many years. I'm not even sure it ever scored that highly when it was 92.1 The Ticket.
- 97.5 Now FM, amid budget cuts, is seeing its share performance suffer a bit.
- Hardly anyone listens to AM radio in Lansing anymore.

https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb195



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Colonel Flagg
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Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by Colonel Flagg » Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:53 am

MWmetalhead wrote:
Thu Aug 04, 2022 7:29 am

- Hardly anyone listens to AM radio in Lansing anymore.

https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb195
What do you mean by "anymore"? Hardly anyone listened to AM radio in Lansing back in the 80's!

Consider 1985:

730 WVIC (simulcast with FM)
870 WKAR
1010 WITL (simulcast with FM)
1170 WDTB (CNN News, later WXLA, urban)
1240 WJIM (automated, Big Jim, Your Country Cousin)
1320 WILS (mostly automated AC outside of AM drive)
1580 WLNZ (simulcast with FM, "Lansing's Lazer")

I would almost say there was a brief resurgence in AM listening in Lansing, years later, with changes at 730, 1240, and 1320. But the original decline really began around 1980, most likely. Fellow senior broadcaster "Calvert DeForest" may have more to say about this.

Meanwhile, in 2022, it's good to see Q106 doing well. That facility has seen many up's and downs over 40 years. I still miss Bob Olson. Great PD. Great pipes. Now making a decent living as a v/o guy, apparently.


"Pretty soon, every kid in America will wish he were me"

ChrisWL1980
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Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2019 2:36 am

Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by ChrisWL1980 » Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:31 pm

Looking at the Lansing ratings for Fall '85 on World Radio History, and there were only two AM's in the Top 10 12+: WJR in 7th place and WXLA (already Urban by then) in 8th. Only two other AMs (WITL and WJIM, whose format was listed as Oldies) had higher than a 2.

Top 10 stations, in descending order: WVIC (FM), WITL (FM), WJIM (FM), WFMK, WMMQ, Q106, WJR, WXLA, WIBM and WILS (FM).



Deleted User 15840

Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by Deleted User 15840 » Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:32 pm

Colonel Flagg wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:53 am
MWmetalhead wrote:
Thu Aug 04, 2022 7:29 am

- Hardly anyone listens to AM radio in Lansing anymore.

https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb195
What do you mean by "anymore"? Hardly anyone listened to AM radio in Lansing back in the 80's!

Consider 1985:

730 WVIC (simulcast with FM)
870 WKAR
1010 WITL (simulcast with FM)
1170 WDTB (CNN News, later WXLA, urban)
1240 WJIM (automated, Big Jim, Your Country Cousin)
1320 WILS (mostly automated AC outside of AM drive)
1580 WLNZ (simulcast with FM, "Lansing's Lazer")

I would almost say there was a brief resurgence in AM listening in Lansing, years later, with changes at 730, 1240, and 1320. But the original decline really began around 1980, most likely. Fellow senior broadcaster "Calvert DeForest" may have more to say about this.

Meanwhile, in 2022, it's good to see Q106 doing well. That facility has seen many up's and downs over 40 years. I still miss Bob Olson. Great PD. Great pipes. Now making a decent living as a v/o guy, apparently.
What was the FM frequency for "The Lazer"?



ChrisWL1980
Posts: 813
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2019 2:36 am

Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by ChrisWL1980 » Sat Aug 06, 2022 10:29 pm

Longwave wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:32 pm
Colonel Flagg wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:53 am
MWmetalhead wrote:
Thu Aug 04, 2022 7:29 am

- Hardly anyone listens to AM radio in Lansing anymore.

https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb195
What do you mean by "anymore"? Hardly anyone listened to AM radio in Lansing back in the 80's!

Consider 1985:

730 WVIC (simulcast with FM)
870 WKAR
1010 WITL (simulcast with FM)
1170 WDTB (CNN News, later WXLA, urban)
1240 WJIM (automated, Big Jim, Your Country Cousin)
1320 WILS (mostly automated AC outside of AM drive)
1580 WLNZ (simulcast with FM, "Lansing's Lazer")

I would almost say there was a brief resurgence in AM listening in Lansing, years later, with changes at 730, 1240, and 1320. But the original decline really began around 1980, most likely. Fellow senior broadcaster "Calvert DeForest" may have more to say about this.

Meanwhile, in 2022, it's good to see Q106 doing well. That facility has seen many up's and downs over 40 years. I still miss Bob Olson. Great PD. Great pipes. Now making a decent living as a v/o guy, apparently.
What was the FM frequency for "The Lazer"?
92.1.



billmich88888
Posts: 230
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2018 11:11 am

Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by billmich88888 » Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:54 am

MWmetalhead wrote:
Thu Aug 04, 2022 7:29 am
I cannot recall the last time that a sub-7 share performance was worthy of the top spot in the Lansing Nielsen Audio / Arbitron ratings yet here we are!

There were some surprising results; Midwest Communications should be absolutely thrilled with the results:

- Q106 scored one of its best shares in two decades and finished in a tie for second place!
- WITL saw a stunning decline (fallout from morning show changes?)
- 94.1 Duke FM saw a stunning rise and is now within a share of WITL in ages 12+, something that has never happened before
- WMMQ and WLMI remain locked in a pretty close battle in ages 12+ (Q106 for the second survey out of the past three defeated WMMQ in ages 12+)
- Stacks 92.1, with its not quite Urban AC, not quite Classic Hip-Hop, not quite Rhythmic AC format saw its best book to date, with a 2.7 share. That's also the highest share for 92.1 MHz in many years. I'm not even sure it ever scored that highly when it was 92.1 The Ticket.
- 97.5 Now FM, amid budget cuts, is seeing its share performance suffer a bit.
- Hardly anyone listens to AM radio in Lansing anymore.

https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb195
I remember seeing something 25-30 years ago that even back THEN, Lansing was one of the most FM Heavy markets in the country. (like greater than 90% listening was FM, when everyone else was 65-70%)

730 was a day timer , 1010 was a day timer (now silent) a couple of other day timers (1180 Diamondale, 1390 charlotte, and 1580 st johns) -
WKAR at 870 was a day timer,. and didn't move the needle as much to begin with - or wasn't measured

there was basically only 1240 and 1320 and WJR, that's it.

It's been this way for decades...



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Colonel Flagg
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Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by Colonel Flagg » Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:39 am

ChrisWL1980 wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:31 pm
Looking at the Lansing ratings for Fall '85 on World Radio History, and there were only two AM's in the Top 10 12+: WJR in 7th place and WXLA (already Urban by then) in 8th. Only two other AMs (WITL and WJIM, whose format was listed as Oldies) had higher than a 2.

Top 10 stations, in descending order: WVIC (FM), WITL (FM), WJIM (FM), WFMK, WMMQ, Q106, WJR, WXLA, WIBM and WILS (FM).
Thanks for the tip on the World Radio History site! I was unaware of all the in depth information available there. WJIM was definitely country when I arrived. I know, because I had the unfortunate task of tending to the temperamental automation system :lol

It was a long time ago. Dates are a bit fuzzy.

WJR was definitely on top on AM. And yes, WXLA certainly found it's niche. It did very well for a daytime only operation.


"Pretty soon, every kid in America will wish he were me"

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Colonel Flagg
Posts: 1354
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:54 pm

Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by Colonel Flagg » Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:50 am

ChrisWL1980 wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 10:29 pm
Longwave wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:32 pm
Colonel Flagg wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:53 am
MWmetalhead wrote:
Thu Aug 04, 2022 7:29 am

- Hardly anyone listens to AM radio in Lansing anymore.

https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb195
What do you mean by "anymore"? Hardly anyone listened to AM radio in Lansing back in the 80's!

Consider 1985:

730 WVIC (simulcast with FM)
870 WKAR
1010 WITL (simulcast with FM)
1170 WDTB (CNN News, later WXLA, urban)
1240 WJIM (automated, Big Jim, Your Country Cousin)
1320 WILS (mostly automated AC outside of AM drive)
1580 WLNZ (simulcast with FM, "Lansing's Lazer")

I would almost say there was a brief resurgence in AM listening in Lansing, years later, with changes at 730, 1240, and 1320. But the original decline really began around 1980, most likely. Fellow senior broadcaster "Calvert DeForest" may have more to say about this.

Meanwhile, in 2022, it's good to see Q106 doing well. That facility has seen many up's and downs over 40 years. I still miss Bob Olson. Great PD. Great pipes. Now making a decent living as a v/o guy, apparently.
What was the FM frequency for "The Lazer"?
92.1.
The Lazer is by far, one of the greatest AOR stations I've ever heard. Bob Watts, and Stu Schader the Space Invader were epic personalities. Lazer had a very modern and sophisticated mix of music, and strong promotions.


"Pretty soon, every kid in America will wish he were me"

Realist
Posts: 979
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:36 pm
Location: Northern Michigan

Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by Realist » Thu Aug 11, 2022 4:53 pm

Colonel Flagg wrote:
Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:50 am
ChrisWL1980 wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 10:29 pm
Longwave wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:32 pm
Colonel Flagg wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:53 am
MWmetalhead wrote:
Thu Aug 04, 2022 7:29 am

- Hardly anyone listens to AM radio in Lansing anymore.

https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb195
What do you mean by "anymore"? Hardly anyone listened to AM radio in Lansing back in the 80's!

Consider 1985:

730 WVIC (simulcast with FM)
870 WKAR
1010 WITL (simulcast with FM)
1170 WDTB (CNN News, later WXLA, urban)
1240 WJIM (automated, Big Jim, Your Country Cousin)
1320 WILS (mostly automated AC outside of AM drive)
1580 WLNZ (simulcast with FM, "Lansing's Lazer")

I would almost say there was a brief resurgence in AM listening in Lansing, years later, with changes at 730, 1240, and 1320. But the original decline really began around 1980, most likely. Fellow senior broadcaster "Calvert DeForest" may have more to say about this.

Meanwhile, in 2022, it's good to see Q106 doing well. That facility has seen many up's and downs over 40 years. I still miss Bob Olson. Great PD. Great pipes. Now making a decent living as a v/o guy, apparently.
What was the FM frequency for "The Lazer"?
92.1.
The Lazer is by far, one of the greatest AOR stations I've ever heard. Bob Watts, and Stu Schader the Space Invader were epic personalities. Lazer had a very modern and sophisticated mix of music, and strong promotions.
I remember Stu from 105FM WWCK in Flint when they were rock. Whatever happened to him?



Willie108
Posts: 871
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:43 am
Location: Flint Twp.

Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by Willie108 » Thu Aug 11, 2022 6:48 pm

Stu left WWCK and came to WSAM in Saginaw for a short time before "The Lazer". Word had it he had a falling out with Peter C. at 105.



Realist
Posts: 979
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:36 pm
Location: Northern Michigan

Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by Realist » Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:20 pm

Willie108 wrote:
Thu Aug 11, 2022 6:48 pm
Stu left WWCK and came to WSAM in Saginaw for a short time before "The Lazer". Word had it he had a falling out with Peter C. at 105.
I remember him on WSAM but thought it was before 105 FM



Trophyhead
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Re: Nielsen Audio #'s - some big movers!

Post by Trophyhead » Fri Aug 12, 2022 9:59 am

Thanks to Chris WL 1980's reference to WXLA. I wound up collecting unemployment for a piece in 1984, when WDTB's mix of CNN Headline News and local news/sports programming gave way to WXLA, after Memorial Day. I caught on with WILS running some board, filling in and doing Saturday overnights on LS-102. Some of us got to stick around a few days by dubbing the likes of "What's Love Got to Do With It?" onto carts.

WDTB/WXLA was at 1170 kHz back then, because I remember signing off in the early months of '84 and being able to hear the clear channel signal from Morgantown W.V. in that position. I was out of town before winter came that year, so exactly when the frequency change occurred, I can't say.



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