Dallas remains one of sports radio’s best markets, with both The Ticket and 105.3 The Fan consistently producing strong numbers. In the summer ratings book, both brands once again came to play occupying the top two positions across the board.
The quarter was one of change for The Ticket. Matt McClearin joined the station to replace the retiring Norm Hitzges in middays alongside Donovan Lewis. Meanwhile, Dan McDowell and Jake Kemp of The Hang Zone departed the station during the early weeks of the ratings period, and were subsequently replaced by The Sweet Spot, featuring Sean Bass and David Mino. Both new midday programs became official parts of the lineup on July 31st.
In weekday prime (M-F, 6A-7P), The Ticket claimed the top spot with Men 25-54, thanks to an impressive 9.9 share. That number though was down from a 13.5 during the spring book. For 105.3 The Fan, weekday prime found the station in 2nd with a 6.7 share, which was up from 3rd and a 5.1 share last quarter.
Turning to mornings, The Musers — which airs from 5:30-10 AM — remained the top Dallas morning show, and the top sports radio show in the market, grabbing an 11.5 share for The Ticket during the key drive time hours of 6a-10a. The trio of George Dunham, Craig Miller, and Gordon Keith delivered an even higher 15.3 share during the spring, 15.3. Meanwhile, The Fan’s Shan & RJ more than held their own scoring a 4th place finish with a 5.6 share. That number was up from a 3.4 in the spring.
The Ticket’s new midday combination of The Invasion (10 AM-1 PM), featuring Donovan Lewis and Matt McClearin, and The Sweet Spot (1-3 PM), hosted by Sean Bass and David Mino helped The Ticket delivered a 7.9 share, 1st place finish in the summer book during the hours of 10a-2p. It should be pointed out that The Ticket’s midday shows run 10a-3p therefore an hour of it is included in our afternoon drive report. This is due to not having specific 10-1 and 1-3 data available. Additionally, during the summer book, The Ticket’s numbers were produced by a number of different personalities. Come the the fall book, the station will be able to rely on more consistency due to solidifying its lineup.
For The Fan in middays, K&C Masterpiece — hosted by Kevin Hageland and Cory Mageors from 10 AM-2 PM — finished 2nd for the book with a 7.1. They were only eight tenths of a point behind The Ticket.
Wrapping up the weekday shows with afternoon drive, The Hardline with Bob Sturm, Corby Davidson, and Dave Lane snagged a 10.1 share from 3-7 PM, good for first in the daypart. The show did decline from the spring book where it recorded a 13.4 share. The Fan’s talented afternoon program, Gbag Nation — hosted by Gavin Dawson, Lucious Alexander, Bryan Broaddus, Eirc Chiofalo, and Zack Wolchuck from 2-7 PM — turned in a 2nd-place finish with a 7.1 share, rising from a 5.5 share during the spring.
For the full week, The Ticket produced an 8.1, 1st overall finish. The Fan came in 2nd with a 6.3.
