The battle for the N.Y. afternoon radio ratings between ESPN Radio 98.7 N.Y.'s Michael Kay and WFAN's Mike Francesa show the two tied "with the exact same 6.26 share in their coveted 25-54 male demographic for the latest month," according to Andrew Marchand of the N.Y. POST. Kay's show has "beaten Francesa for a month only once in the history of the two programs" -- June '17, when Francesa was "in the midst of his 'retirement tour.'" This is the first time Kay's show has "ever finished first in a month" for all stations. The two programs combined for more than 12% of the "listening audience, which is an astounding number." For this fall book, Francesa is still the "favorite as the two shows enter what is the equivalent to the final three innings." In the first month, Francesa (6.3) "finished second overall to Kay's fourth (5.5)." Francesa has the "numbers edge to squeak out the neck-and-neck battle" (N.Y. POST, 11/29).
NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT: In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal notes WSCR-AM "took a hit in the most recent ratings period" due to the Cubs' early postseason exit, though WMVP-AM has "taken a year-to-year punch in the gut." A year ago, in the stations' "targeted audience of men age 25 to 54 in the period from Oct. 11 to Nov. 7" from 6:00am CT to midnight, WSCR was No. 2 in the Chicago radio market at 5.4 and WMVP "tied for fourth at 4.9." This year, WSCR was "tied for sixth with a 4.3," while WMVP was 16th with a 2.7. One factor in the stations' drop "might have been WSCR's partnership with the resurgent Bears connected to the team's deal with parent Entercom for sister stations" WBBM-AM and WCFS-FM to carry games (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/30).
