Both WBZ-FM and WEEI-FM "can and will claim to being Boston’s top-rated sports station over the summer in the Nielsen Audio ratings," but what is "not in dispute is the remarkable ascent to the top of the morning drive ratings by WEEI's 'Kirk & Callahan' program," according to Chad Finn of the BOSTON GLOBE. In the overall ratings, which cover the men 25-54 demo from June 22-Sept. 13, WEEI earned an 8.8 share and WBZ an 8.5 to "finish 1-2 in the summer among all stations." However, WBZ "gains an additional 1.3 share from its separate online stream, while WEEI’s stream is already included in that single number." WEEI "earned a striking victory in the mornings with 'Kirk & Callahan' finishing first (13.7)," one spot ahead of WBZ' "Toucher and Rich" (10.6, plus 0.3 for its online stream). "Kirk & Callahan" was the "highest-rated show in the market in the summer." It is the "second straight three-month period" in which WEEI’s morning program topped WBZ in the 6:00-10:00am ET window. Meanwhile, in the 10:00am-2:00pm window, WEEI's "OMF" show featuring Glenn Ordway, Lou Merloni and Christian Fauria was second (9.2) if WBZ' "separate streaming isn’t included, with its 'Zolak and Bertrand' program taking third (8.8)." During the afternoon drive window (2:00-6:00pm), WBZ' "Felger & Massarotti" show "finished first with an 11.3 share, 13.6 with streaming added." WEEI's "Dale & Holley" show, which "includes third personality Rich Keefe, was second (8.7)." In the 6:00-7:00pm window, WBZ, which "usually airs 'The Baseball Reporters' hosted by Tony Massarotti in that slot, was first (9.2, 2.3 stream)." WEEI, which "typically features the Red Sox pregame show in that period, was fifth (5.5)" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/4).
