Fall 2023 Nielsen radio numbers are out

[MWmetalhead]

WKLT is number one by a mile.

However, Rock 105 managed a 7.5 share, which is easily the highest mark since flipping to Active Rock nearly 15 years ago and good for second place overall.

103.5 barely cracked a 6 share. It and 102.9 are in a virtual statistical tie, although the two stations obviously draw a preponderance of their respective audiences from different geographic areas. Never thought I'd see the day Rock 105/95.5 would outperform WTCM-FM in 12+.

Star Country seems to be sputtering, and 92.9's numbers are once again in the toilet. Any momentum from their minor format tweak appears to have vanished.

https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb535

[ftballfan]

WTCM-FM is technically a rimshot as its tower is outside of the newly adjusted market boundaries!

[Ben Zonia]

As I recall, last time I checked, WTCM-FM could move back to its original site at the original WPBN-TV 7 site. So could other stations move advantageously in my opinion and studies. WTCM is now a Class C0, as I recall, the downgrade was precipitated by the drop in of 103.9 into Big Rapids, for the second time. The first time was around 1980. WTCM-FM moved to the Sherman Buckley site, which precluded 103.9, for which 102.3 was substituted in Big Rapids. WTCM-FM would have had to go up to 450 meters HAAT to stay full Class C.

It looks like there is a limitation of HAAT on the ridge West of Traverse City, limited by the proximity of the TVC airport. From my calculations, a maximum of about 870 feet HAAT, which would be Class C1. That limitation may be one reason why WPBN-TV moved away, besides the overlap with WTOM-TV 4. If the plans had been made for WTOM-TV after the Bridge was built, they might have built the WTOM-TV 4 site near Goetzville, which would also have changed the overlap situation.

[zzand]

Wonder if having Cartman back in the building helped their ratings?