What do the latest ratings from Arbitron say about the Syracuse radio market?

William LaRue of the Syracuse Post-Standard breaks down the numbers and gets reactions from WSEN's Doug Fleniken and Citadel's Tom Mitchell.
Source (link may no longer work):
www.syracuse.com/entertainment/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-7/1075282583121760.xml

B104.7 (WBBS) once again came out on top in the Fall 2003 Arbitron ratings for the Syracuse radio market. With a 12.1 rating, the country station held on to much of the huge boost it received in the summer book, keeping the station well ahead of the rest of the pack.

The real battle shapes up for second place where 570 WSYR, 93Q (WNTQ), and 95X (WAQX) are all within a tenth of a ratings point.

Syracuse-based Galaxy Communications has one less K-Rock and one more country station after flipping formats in Albany over the weekend.

Stunting got underway last Thursday at WKRD 93.7 FM with the sound of construction noises before the newly-branded classic country station, 'The Eagle', was unveiled.

A few months ago syndicated shock jock Howard Stern sued ABC Television for $100 million claiming the network stole the idea for its reality series 'Are You Hot?' from Stern's radio show. It looks like they've kissed and made up.

Stern has signed a deal with the network to produce a one-hour prime-time interview special this spring. The show is said to be a test run for a longer term commitment.

Stern's radio show can be heard weekday mornings in Syracuse on 95X (WAQX).

For the second year in a row, Grant Thatcher of Y94FM (WYYY) has earned the dubious honor of being crowned Central New York's 'Munch Master.'

Thatcher won this year's Munch Master Contest sponsored by the Girl Scout Council of Central New York held January 10 at Carousel Center. In the competition, which heralds the start of the Girl Scout's annual cookie sale, Thatcher managed to eat 30 cookies in under a minute.
Source (link may no longer work):
newtimes.rway.com/2004/011404/shakin.shtml

Abbie Weber, K-Rock's program director and midday jock known on the air as 'The Booty on Duty' has decided to shift over to the station's sales department as an account executive.

Weber, who has been with the station for ten years, had also served as promotions director, web site coordinator, and music director before becoming program director nearly two years ago.

It's that time of year again. The Syracuse Press Club is honoring the best of the best in local radio, print, and television news. The first step is to pull together the slate of nominees.

The 2003 Professional Recognition Awards include 11 radio categories encompassing investigative, spot, and feature news as well as public affairs and sports coverage.

The deadline for nominations is February 2, 2004. Visit the club's web site for details and entry forms.
Source (link may no longer work):
syracusepressclub.org

Syracuse University is holding its 19th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, "Planting a Seed, Growing the Dream," this Saturday at the Carrier Dome.

Those who can't attend the event in person can catch a live broadcast of the celebration on 570 WSYR beginning at 6:30 p.m.

There's a new voice in the morning at K-Rock (WKRL/WKRH). Evening jock Kevin Klein brings his shenanigans to the early morning hours on the alternative rock station.

570 WSYR morning personality Joe Galuski is teaming up with Kathy Rowe for an hour of talk each weekday morning at 9:00 on the news-talk station.

Rowe, a 21-year veteran of sister station Y94FM (WYYY), will also maintain her current duties across the hall as WYYY's program director and midday personality.