Disrupted commutes sink radio ratings
After seeing its audience sliced by a third and its revenue in some cases cut in half in April and May, the ever-resilient radio industry has shaken the cobwebs out of its head and is standing upright.
Radio Ratings
Former rock DJs ‘Hammer and Nigel’ on ratings roll
While “The Hammer and Nigel Show” is flourishing now, WIBC-FM 93.1 took a big risk in 2016 putting the two former rock ’n’ roll disc jockeys at the helm of a news-talk program, the station’s bread and butter.
Radio-station acquisitions give Cumulus big boost
With its pending acquisition of three Entercom Communications Corp. stations, Cumulus Media Inc. is set to become the biggest, most-listened-to radio company in the Indianapolis market.
Radio stations embrace older audiences, rather than be millennial-obsessed
The five stations with the highest market share in the Indianapolis market last month count people 45 or older as a considerable part of their audiences.
WFMS-FM 95.5 boot stomps its way back to No. 1
For the first time since November 2013, the country station in April was the most-listened-to radio station in central Indiana, according to New York-based Nielsen Media Research.
WNDE sacks ‘Flagrant Foul’ morning sports show with Stuck, Gunn
After less than a year on the air, the local drive-time show has been replaced by a nationally syndicated program. Ratings indicate it struggled to gain ground on a rival broadcast.
Cumulus ditches old-school hip-hop format at 93.9 FM
WRWM-FM 93.9 once again is changing its format—and its call letters. Despite some listener discontent, Cumulus officials say they are confident in the change.
Dan Dakich might be the nicest, most-hated person on Indy radio
Off the air, the former IU player is casual, mostly easygoing and affable. But on his radio show on WFNI-AM, he’s a cyclone, often tearing into anything in his way.
New local-control strategy sends WJJK to top
Cumulus hired its first Indianapolis market manager in 3-1/2 years, and the succeeding tweaks in WJJK’s playlist and on-air presentation have vaulted the local station to the No. 1 spot.
Radio fighting to be heard among multiple car-dashboard options
The car dashboard, once the exclusive infotainment domain of traditional radio, is becoming a battleground where divergent companies fight for the attention of drivers and passengers.
Lifting of Indy 500 blackout creates questions in local ad community
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s decision to call off the local television blackout could have a big impact on WRTV, Emmis Communications and race-day advertisers.
‘Bob & Tom Show’ reaches ratings crossroads
In the wake of two key departures in January, advertisers and radio stations nationwide are keeping a close watch on the ratings of “The Bob & Tom Show,”.
Emmis settles lawsuit with radio personality ‘Big Boy’
Indianapolis-based media company Emmis Communications Corp. has settled a breach-of-contract lawsuit it filed in February against popular Los Angeles radio personality Kurt Alexander, better known as “Big Boy.”
Radio One launches old-school hip-hop station to battle The Beat
Boom 102.9 FM likely will have a different vibe from the throwback station launched by Cumulus Media last December that briefly skyrocketed to the top of ratings.
Top 40 resurgence helps propel WZPL to top of charts
In just one year, WZPL-FM 99.5 has raced from ninth to first in the Indianapolis radio market among listeners age 6 and older—the broadest demographic category measured.
How big star’s jump to rival upped pressure at Emmis
The departure of Kurt "Big Boy" Alexander from Emmis Communications' powerhouse Los Angeles radio station came at what was already a challenging time for the Indianapolis company.
Format switch to old school hip-hop rockets radio station to top of charts
Indianapolis radio station WRWM-FM 93.9 rocketed from the 15th-most-listened-to station in central Indiana in December to No. 1 in January—its first full month playing old school hip-hop.
Hip-hop still on top, but Emmis crowds next spots
Three Emmis Communications Corp. stations in February were near the top in local radio ratings, behind only Radio One’s No. 1 rated WHHH-FM 96.3, in the broad category of listeners age 6 and up.
Indy hip-hop station dethrones country crooners in radio ratings
WHHH-FM rises to the top of the dial with some recent fine-tuning, and as the top two country stations in the market duke it out for listeners.
Radio station adds Dennis Miller in conservative-talk battle
Freedom 95 has picked up comedian and commentator Dennis Miller as it tries to gain market share among conservative talk fans. But they’ll have to stay up late to hear him.