Why aren’t you talking about them?

Could it be because they are showing a huge increase in listenership for 980 WCAP? Something like 35 to 40,000 listeners.. that’s NUMBER ONE in the Lowell and Merrimack Valley.. during morning, afternoon and drive time.

Somebody gets it.

Oh, but what about the Overall Boston market you ask?

WCAP has come out as being the only English/non-religeous speaking station from outside the city that is getting ratings within the Boston Market.

Although the station does not subscribe to Arbitron ratings reports (we hear numbers second hand, just like everyone else does), I believe we do participate in that we allow Arbitron to transmit its ID signal within the station broadcast signal so that we do get measured.

This new measurement system uses small recievers that people are asked to carry (like a cell phone) that listen to the environment and record any radio station IDs. This is much more accurate than the old listener diaries that were once used for TV and radio ratings.

The concept of local interest, local hosts, local sports and promoting the communities is the direction radio must go to survive. In the Merrimack Valley, 980 WCAP is leading that effort.

Did you hear Matt Grimard first on a Boston station, or on WCAP? Can you hear who’s performing at the Audiorium or at Mickey’s on TTK? When the falls bridge is closed down or there’s a broken water main on Central Street, do you hear that on BZ? The Spinners, Devils, and high school playoff games? Not on a Boston Station you can’t.

Sure, there’s not always something on that you would listen to, but if you wait a few minutes (this is New England, right?) along comes the next topic.. and that may be right up your alley. Like any magazine, some articles you read, some you skip.

This small, local station is surviving the economy, and helping to usher forward the recovery in the valley.

Its not all about ratings, its about community.

But they’re nice to hear.