V-103, WABE-FM, 99X up in July Atlanta Arbitron ratings, WSB-AM, Q100, Dave FM down
V-103 is having a great year so far as its ratings went up for the fourth straight month, creating an even wider gap between the other top stations, Kiss 104.1 and a slipping WSB-AM.
This is interesting timing since V-103 morning host Frank Ski is in the middle of negotiations for a new contract. His current three-year contract expires Sept. 9. (Ski is still in talks with the station as of Tuesday. His agent declined to comment to adhere to a request by V-103 boss Rick Caffey, who was not pleased when the agent talked to me last month about Ski’s prospects.)
Ski is pulling in huge numbers with his morning host Wanda Smith. In fact, the pair had their strongest showing this year in July, with 17 percent of the 18 to 34 audience, more than doubling the Bert Show at Q100.
It was also a good month for the two major country stations. Kicks continues to pull in strong numbers despite steady gains by upstart 94.9/The Bull. Kicks now ranks 5th among 25 to 54 year olds while the Bull is in 9th place. The race is tighter among 18 to 34 year olds: Kicks is 8th while the Bull is in a tie for 10th.
WABE-FM also had its best numbers of the year by far in July, landing in the top 10 for the first time overall. “Morning Edition” also jumped to No. 8 in the mornings. “We have certainly investing in programmatic changes that can make us stronger, especially noon to 7 p.m.,” said John Weatherford, general manager. He’s happy to see cume jump 400,000 a week.
And watch out for resurgence of 99X, which returned to the FM dial at 97.9 in the spring. Even though the signal is relatively weak, the station nearly made the top 10 in the mornings among 18 to 34 year olds in just its fourth month back.
Star 94 continues to build audience among 18 to 34 year olds, though it slipped a bit with older listeners. In January, the station ranked 8th in that younger demo; by July, it was an impressive third place behind just Hot and V and ahead of Q100 and 95.5/The Beat.
Who’s down? Dave FM, perhaps losing some audience to both 99X and a revamped Rock 100.5, had a relatively poor month, its second in three. It tumbled from sixth in June to 15th among 25 to 54 year olds in July. The station just added a new morning show with Jimmy Baron today.
While Star has been on the upswing, rival Q100 has seen some erosion in audience in recent months after a very strong start in 2009. Across the board, starting with Bert, the station suffered its worst monthly numbers of the year after a steady four-month slide.
95.5/The Beat, a top 40 station with an urban bent, is struggling a bit as well, especially in the mornings. Murph Dawg and CJ have lost half their 18 to 34 audience since January. Since winter, the show has fallen from third place to a tie for ninth in that demographic.
News/talk WSB-AM and WGST-AM also suffered their lowest numbers this year in July. WGKA’s numbers were relatively poor, too. Maybe all this health-care talk didn’t entice listeners. (Then again, WABE’s news shows saw marked improvement.)
Top 20, 6 plus, based on Arbitron people meter measurements
1. V-103 (trend is up)
2. WSB-AM (trend is down)
3. Kiss 104.1
4. B98.5
5. Kicks 101.5
6. Majic 107.5
7. Praise 102.5
8. 90.1/WABE-FM
9. Hot 107.9
10. Star 94
11. True Oldies 107.9
12. 97.1/The River
13. 95.5/The Beat
14. Project 9-6-1
15. Q100
16. 94.9/The Bull
17. 104.7/The Fish
18. Dave FM
19. El Patron
20. Rock 100.5
Top 20 18-34
1. V-103
2. Hot 107.9
3. Star 94
4. Q100
5. 95.5/The Beat
6. Project 9-6-1
7. El Patron
8. Kicks 101.5
9. B98.5
10. (tie) Rock 100.5
10. (tie) 94.9/The Bull
12. The River
13. (tie) Majic
13. (tie) Kiss 104.1
13. (tie) Fish
13. (tie) Viva
17. WSB-AM
18. Praise
19. Dave FM
20. 99X at 97.9
Top 20 for 25-54
1. V-103
2. Kiss 104.1
3. 750/WSB-AM
4. Majic 107.5
5. Kicks
6. B98.5
7. Q100
8. Praise 102.5
9. 94.9/The Bull
10. Project
11. (tie) Hot
11 (tie) River
13. Star 94
14. Fish
15. (tie) Dave, El Patron
17 (tie) Beat, True Oldies
19. WABE-FM
20. Viva
Morning shows, 25-54
1. Frank & Wanda, V-103 (same ranking as June)
2. Tom Joyner, Kiss 104.1 (up from 3)
3. Scott Slade, WSB-AM (down from 2)
4. Steve Harvey, Majic 107.5 (up from 5)
5. Bert Show, Q100 (down from 4)
6. Cadillac & Dallas, Kicks 101.5 (same)
7. Steve & Vikki, B98.5 (same)
8. Morning Edition, WABE-FM (up from 16th)
9. El Patron, Patrones de la Manana (up from 17th)
10. (tie) Jason Pullman’s Caffeinated Radio, 94.9/The Bull (up from 14th)
10. (tie) Giant Brian & Shafee, Project 9-6-1 (up from 15th)
Tim Orff on Dave, Cindy & Ray on Star and the Regular Guys on Rock 100.5 sliipped out of the top 10 for the month.
Top 10 18-34 mornings 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. (NOTE: some morning shows start earlier and end earlier so this is not 100% apples to apples comparison)
1. Frank & Wanda, V-103 (same ranking as June)
2. The Bert Show, Q100 (same ranking)
3. The Regular Guys, Rock 100.5 (up from 4th)
4. Patrones de la Manana, El Patron (up from tie for 6th)
5. Rickey Smiley, Hot 107.9 (drop from 3rd)
6. Cindy & Ray, Star 94 (down from 5th)
7. Giant Brian, Project 9-6-1 (up from 9th)
8. Cadillac & Dallas, Kicks 101.5 (up from tied for 13th)
9. CJ and Murph Dawg, 95.5/The Beat (down from tie for 6th)
9. Steve & Vikki, B98.5 (up from tied for 13th)
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36 comments Add your comment
manster
August 17th, 2009
3:20 pm
No surprise, 99% of these stations I never listen to. I listen sometime to Frank and Wanda when there is an interesting topic being discussed, don’t like most of the music. However, when that transvestite is own i turn the station. I don’t understand what it brings to the station, Hey Freak you are not a woman!!
junkie
August 17th, 2009
3:57 pm
Talk radio at WGST and WGKA is so bad. How do they stay in business? Are they a write off or something?
use to be
August 17th, 2009
4:04 pm
V103 will always be number one because of it’s signal.
Flats
August 17th, 2009
4:22 pm
Another nasty messy radio station fueling hate!!!!!
Kenny The ATM Guy
August 17th, 2009
6:22 pm
I’m not surprised WSB’s ratings are down….the only popular local hosts(Neal Boortz and Clark Howard) take frequent vacations and sticking listeners with reruns and 3rd rate guest hosts.
Clark Howard is getting worse and worse. His vacations are getting more and more frequent. At best he sticks in some live commentary at the end of his “best of” shows. Live or current Clark Howard shows are rarer and rarer like in the last 3 weeks his shows were “best of” that were months old. What ticks listeners off most is that listeners get no warning that the show will be a re-run and there never is an announcement that the show is a “best of.” If doing his job is THAT hard than maybe Clark needs to finally retire. The way his show has been presented lately is what he calls “Customer No-Service.”
Mark
August 17th, 2009
7:26 pm
Clark Howard – I agree Kenny.
Too many people are well below his radar and are just trying to stay above water. He is all so yesterday’s preaching. He needs to get with the times. The only people who call in are people who are totally oblivious to the economy.
just a listener
August 17th, 2009
7:52 pm
V-103 up in July in the morning, Frank Ski was gone 3 weeks that month and Ryan Cameron hosted. Hmmmmmm, Ya think listeners like Ryan more than Frank? Just a listener, just a thought.
Erica
August 17th, 2009
9:34 pm
I was listening to V-103 the past few weeks that they were allowing Ryan Cameron host the morning show and if you ask me Ryan does a much better job than Frank. If V-103 can find someone to host the afternoon show, they should move Ryan to the morning show.
Wayne stuck in AL
August 18th, 2009
1:43 am
Geez, what happened to 680 and 790 in the ratings? I guess Atlanta really is a soft sports/sportstalk market…
Darla Vader
August 18th, 2009
3:03 am
NOBODY listens to the sports talk shows and its no wonder.
1. Obnoxious northeast people such as John Kincaid and Steak Shapiro
2. The boys in the hood doing their best to fuel racial hostility.
3. Mike Bell, the unfunniest man on the planet who nonetheless spends the afternoon cracking up at his own jokes.
4. Whiny-voice Perry somebody or other in the morning
5. Weak signals that can’t be heard at night
From what I hear, both stations advertising consists mainly of trade-outs these days.
The Toad
August 18th, 2009
5:39 am
The Regular Guys keep morning radio alive in Atlanta. I have been around since Mckee and the late Bobby “skinny” Harper so i have heard it all.
JJCB
August 18th, 2009
7:57 am
Did anyone think that Clark Howard’s “vacations” may be due to his cancer treatments? It was announced a while back that he had cancer and would be undergoing treatment, if I am correct.
BTW….Frank and Wanda fuel racial hatred.
Get_Rid_of_Fake_Ski
August 18th, 2009
8:59 am
V103’s ratings are up because Fake Ski has been gone. I won’t listen when Fake’s around, but when Ryan Cameron was filling in, I tuned in. I really hope V103 does not renew Fake’s contract. He is extremely annoying and needs to go away!
Rodney Ho
August 18th, 2009
9:05 am
The sports stations pull in respectable numbers among 25-54 men and make plenty of money because they can run more ads than music stations and sponsor everything. Plus, it’s a very active audience so advertisers like that. Many major markets can’t sustain two sports stations but we can.
C
August 18th, 2009
9:13 am
Bring back Toucher, Rich, and Crash! Save them from crappy Boston sports-talk!
V-103...
August 18th, 2009
9:17 am
… and its signal strength have nothing to do with it being # 1 – it could have the signal strength of an AM station inside the perimeter (much like 790 the zone) and it would still be # 1. It is all about demographics, and demographics alone! So, it will remain # 1 for as long as the majority of Atlanta stays African-American, which should be forever!
levelhead
August 18th, 2009
9:46 am
Be Thankful that Atlanta still has a local station. Syndication is killing radio. Frank & Wanda provide a service that helps us move everyday. Yea you do not have to listen but respect the hustle.
Jean Ross What up???
Bmore Chuck
lmb
August 18th, 2009
11:05 am
Did anyone check to see if the spike in the ratings for Frank and Wanda was while Frank was on vacation? I only listen when he is on vacation and Ryan is filling in.
SDJ
August 18th, 2009
12:35 pm
I definitley think that V-103 should take a close look at the reason the ratings went up. Ryan will always have a follwing in the A because this is his hometown. Ski on the other hand might want to start considering his options.
joey
August 18th, 2009
1:09 pm
Toucher and Rich, bring back Leslie to assist, and of course the guy who moved to Utah!
Marsha Bond
August 18th, 2009
1:13 pm
“just a listener” & “SDJ” I was thinking that same thing. Maybe Frank stays on vacation because he is really interviewing for other stations. He was in Baltimore last week and that’s his old stomping grounds. Hmmmm, interesting indeed. “JJBC
JRO
August 18th, 2009
1:13 pm
WOW! DAVE and El Patron tied for 15th in the top 20 for 25-54 bracket. If I was El Patron I would be saying ole. If I was Dave, I would be saying oh @*&!$*. Adios Dave.
Marsha Bond
August 18th, 2009
1:14 pm
JJCB, I was thinking the same thing as you too that maybe Clark Howard has been out because of his cancer. God Bless Him, I hope that he will be okay.
Mailbu Dan
August 18th, 2009
10:46 pm
Jim Rome is the best Sports Talk in town! 1340AM the Fan 8.
Bmorebabee
August 19th, 2009
1:00 pm
IMO Ryan has always been a great host.. It takes a lot to host and to keep people listening throughout the day.And with so many stations trying to do news/talk format along with music RC does a great job of that. I miss Warren Balentine being on in the middle of day his show is really good and I can’t get WAOK, V-103 needs to bring back Osei in the 10-2 bc Elle is just not that entertaining she is really annoying after about an hour in. She is just trying to hard, she is just not ready to carry the show for 4 hours. I like hearing Ryan 2-6 because his show is well balanced, funny,imformative and he entertains. Frank Ski has brought a lot to the morning show but sometimes you get to big and your opinions are not that of your audience and they get turned off and I have listerned to him for years. As a native of Bmore he was what Atlanta needed when he took over after Mike and Carol for years but maybe its time to pass the torch to someone else…..BTW he was not in Bmore last week he was in Washington, DC filling in for Donnie Simpson @ WPGC who was on vacation….Not sure what the morning show would need but if Ryan took over the morning slot that might mean that the others would have to stay!
"Longtime Lurker"
August 19th, 2009
3:54 pm
I would have to agree with the majority of the comments about Fake Ski. His time is up in Atlanta and he knows it!
Ryan is and will always be the crowd favorite in Atlanta and with the economic times we have right now, I cannot see V-103 with high ratings or not keeping two very expensive personalities! It’s just not smart business as every other radio station is cutting back and eliminating joc’s!
Ryan and Wanda’s chemistry is soooo much better together, mainly due to the fact that they are both in the comedy biz, which gives a better balance for the show. V-103 will always be in the top 3, regardless of who is on the show, due mainly to their strong signal.
Fake Ski has worn out his welcome in the “A” and I wish him the best, but it is time to move on! Ryan, get ready for AM, Ramona get ready for the afternoon slot!
PaminLithonia
August 19th, 2009
5:37 pm
I have hated Frank Ski from the very beginning. V103 is staple of my childhood just like MJ music. However, I stopped listening when they hired Frank Ski. I only listen when he is not on the air. I too agree that “The Ryan King” should take over the morning slot! If I have to hear him say one more time how he is the leader of the station, I will scream…good riddance…..
PaminLithonia
August 19th, 2009
5:40 pm
Oh yeah and I too feel that Frank Ski spews hate.
M. Johnson
August 19th, 2009
9:33 pm
I am glad to read that I’m not the only one who moved away from Q100. Maybe it’s the recession, but their non-drama is wearing thin. I do not want to hear about Wendy’s life, I do not want to hear Jenn repeat what’s on people.com or eonline.com or mediatakeout.com and I do not want to hear Jeff speak on any topic.
I’ve moved on to gospel. Go Yolanda Adams!
radio watcher
August 20th, 2009
10:52 am
Uuuuuuuggggghhhhhhh!!! I’m so sick of Atlanta radio! Why do we have to have the same exact people go from station to station. We had to listen to Ryan Cameron on Hot 107 for years followed by Ramona D…..if V103 decides to do this lineup all over again, I’m going to throw all of my radios in the trash!! I’m sick of hearing the same played out personalities over and over again in the A. Damn, can’t we get some new flavor up in here!!!! Damn.
Greg P.
August 20th, 2009
12:00 pm
I used to be a regular listener of 790 after I tired of Steak Shapiro’s self love every morning. I started listening to The Bert Show.. It was okay at first. But maybe peeps in Atlanta are getting tired of Jeff being Jeff. Melissa is okay.. Jenn Hobby talks too much and never finishes her segment.. Wendy will more than likely be stuck with some loser cousin of an atlete.. and Bert.. quit putting your wife out there about her addicitons, it is no one’s business. and also.. you freakin over-anaylze too much crap, and but yourself a freakin printer, you can afford it.
Dave in Marietta
August 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
Radio sucks like a Hoover in Atlanta. To prove my point, somebody gave Jimmy Baron another job. Need I say more?
Michael
August 20th, 2009
3:12 pm
The signal IS the reason that V-103 is number one not the number of African Americans in the demographic area. I, like a lot of other African Americans, would gladly listen to another R&B radio staion if I could get their signal in my building at work. I’ve had 3 jobs in the last 10 years and always HAD to listen to V-103 because the other stations signals were too weak. Too many people dislike Frank Ski for that show to be number 1. It’s the signal.
DAMAN28217
August 25th, 2009
6:12 am
V103 is #1 and have been for a while, but they cannot afford 2 mega personalities at the same station and supply the cluster as well. Ryan Cameron is native, proven, and on payroll for a while. As for the legendary Donnie Simpson at WPGC in DC, he is getting up there in years, Frank Ski is ’sort of’ native, Bmore, and the same parent companyCBS Radio owns both stations. GUARANTEE, Frank Ski will not be on Charlotte radio! (CBS Radio has a similar situation with radio up here, Power98/WPEG is #1 and heritage urban)
oh lawd
August 26th, 2009
12:51 pm
I see Frank going to WPGC to replace Donnie in the mornings Ryan to mornings and Osei and then Reggie’s Boy Osei might be back doing afternoons its crazy man. Crazy
matt
September 16th, 2009
1:42 pm
90.1/WABE-FM – best news/features in the morning!