Public Radio Audience: Down from 27.2 Million to 26.8 Million.
October 30, 2005
Last year we could say that there seemed to be a four-year pattern to the minimal growth in audience estimates reported by Arbitron for CPB-Stations in Public Radio Nationwide. This year, though, we must say that we have seen some firsts, and they are not positive ones to report.
1) For the first time ever, CPB-Stations (P12+, Mon-Sun 6a-12m) have declined in share of listening nationally.
2) For the first time ever, in two successive years, Cume Rating for CPB-Stations has shrunk. From 2004 to 2005, the Rating loss was two-tenths, matching the Rating loss of 2003 to 2004.
3) For the first time ever, in two successive years, AQH persons for CPB-Stations has shrunk. From 2004 to 2005, the loss was 2.3%. It had been a more minimal loss of .3% from 2003 to 2004.
4) For the first time ever, both AQH persons and Cume persons estimates for CPB-Stations have dipped in the same year.
5) For the first time ever, the AQH persons loss year-to-year exceeded 2%. In 2004, the loss had been .3%; in 1988, the loss was 1%.
6) For the first time ever, the Cume persons loss year-to-year exceeded 1%. The 1.5% drop 2004 to 2005, exceeds the .9% loss recorded in 2000, the only other year when CPB-Stations, in total, have lost Cume (in RRC-recorded history).
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