When a city is loaded with teams contending for titles it tends to have a positive affect on sports radio listening. No brand knows that better than Tampa’s sports radio leader, WDAE.
The radio home of the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rays, Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, and AL East division winner and annual playoff contender the Tampa Bay Rays enjoyed a summer book full of increases. Audiences tuned in for coverage of the Rays postseason push and discussion on the team’s stadium plans, Bucs training camp and pre-season, the Lightning’s upcoming defense of their second straight Stanley cup title and good ole fashioned sports radio entertainment.
Overall, WDAE finished the full week (M-SU 6a-Mid) in 6th place with a 4.3 share. Even more impressive, the station picked up a full share from the Summer 2020 book, and climbed seven positions during that same period of time.
During weekday prime (M-F 6a-7p), WDAE also finished in 6th with a 4.3 share. That was up from 11th at the same point last year thanks to picking up a full share over the past twelve months. Additionally, the Tampa sports station has now registered a 7th or better finish in all three books in 2021.
The station’s best performance for the quarter came during the evening hours. Thanks to a strong Tampa Bay Rays team, WDAE ranked 2nd among Men 25-54 with a 6.4 share. The story is even more impressive if you look at Men 35+ or Men 35-64. The station finished 1st in each of those demos delivering better than a 10 share with 35+.
Analyzing the weekday talk shows, Ronnie & TKras, featuring Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi, produced the best results for the book. The morning duo turned in a strong 4th place finish in AM drive with a 5.1 share, up from 8th last quarter, and 6th during the same period last year. The month of September was especially strong, with the morning show finishing 2nd with Men 25-54 with an impressive 7.4 share.
In afternoons, Ian Beckles and Jay Recher turned in a stellar 5.2 share, up from a 3.5 during the Summer 2020 book. Pat and Aaron also improved year over year, climbing from a 3.4 last year to a 3.9 this year. Both shows look even more impressive in the 35-54 and 35-64 demos, with middays above a 5 share, and afternoons in the 6’s.
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
