> As least Boston no longer has the embarrassment to be called
> "the only top 10 market without a smooth jazz station." Not
> because they now have a smooth jazz station. But because
> Boston has just been bumped down by Arbitron to market 11 to
> make way for Atlanta. Now every top 10 market has a smooth
> jazz/chill station. Will that last, though? Ratings in
> Dallas and Houston aren't lookin' so hot.
>
With Dallas/Ft. Worth & Houston covering many counties, plus having plenty of Class C stations (C1, C0, & C) covering more areas than C3 & C2 (the same as B1 & B for the top 3 markets), ratings will look lower, but it's possible billing for smooth jazz might be higher than the higher rated stations. When I saw the ratings for Dallas/Ft Worth & Houston, there are many more stations being rated than a market like Chicago & New York. I believe smooth jazz isn't higher in Houston & Dallas/Ft Worth has to do with a higher Hispanic population (typically listen to spanish language formats) & country music being more popular. While Milwaukee isn't a top 10 market, their full market smooth jazz station is getting ratings similar to Houston & Dallas, while Urban AC rates better on a 6kw equivalent Class A than Smooth Jazz for Milwaukee. I don't know the breakdowns in the markets mentioned, but in Chicago, it rates well because Chicago has a high Black population and is programmed well enough for it to do well, plus heritage is on their side for WNUA.