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After six innings of the winter book, WFAN’s “Carton & Roberts” has put itself in position to claim victory in the first full ratings matchup between it and ESPN New York’s “Michael
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After six innings of the winter book, WFAN’s “Carton & Roberts” has put itself in position to claim victory in the first full ratings matchup between it and ESPN New York’s “Michael Kay Show,” according to the new Nielsen Audio monthly ratings for the advertising demographic used by the stations of 25-54 males.
After two months of the three-month period, the two stations are likely headed to another disagreement about how to count streaming. When both stations include their streams, FAN finished third (4.8 share) to ESPN New York’s 7th (4.4).
The FAN’s edge is a bit better than the tenth of a point advantage, stream included vs. stream included, that FAN had over ESPN New York in the first month. This is how FAN looks at it, according to officials at the station.
ESPN has long contended that FAN’s stream should not count because of how FAN uses the 25-54 male demographic to sell advertising. FAN separates its sales of its terrestrial (old school) radio and its digital streams.
In ESPN executives’ eyes, FAN has been behind them in each month because the only reason the comparison is made in the 25-54 male demographic is because it is based on what advertising is sold. The market, the way ESPN interprets it, has them up on FAN, 4.4 to 3.7.
The period being scored is from Feb. 4 to March 3.
The rest of the shows stayed basically the same as the first month with FAN’s “Boomer and Gio” owning the mornings, while ESPN New York’s new 5-8 a.m. show, “DiPietro, Canty & Rothenberg,” is showing some potential.
ESPN New York would be wise to clean up its schedule and emphasize more local programming if it cares about really competing in the market.
The lead-in to the Kay Show, Max Kellerman’s national program, was destroyed for the month by “Carton & Roberts” (7.7 to 1.7). Kellerman is 21st in the market.
ESPN New York completely change its lineup in the fall, which had finally featured local programming into Kay.
Whatever the case, the head-to-head matchup of Craig Carton’s return with Evan Roberts against Kay and his teammates, Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg, remains the marquee.
La Greca and Rosenberg are going to expand their roles a little on Wednesday by calling two innings of the Yankees exhibition game on YES Network. YES president John Filippelli was hesitant to do it at first, but when the idea was broached to support one of his favorite causes, “Make-A-Wish,” he gave it the green light and it has raised $30,000 in a week.
Meanwhile, “Carton & Roberts” will gain TV exposure by simulcasting two hours a day on SNY, beginning in May. Carton has also talked with MLB Network about beginning a morning show, but at this point, if it happens, it will not be by Opening Day.
This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Andrew Marchand
