Arbitron has released RADAR 82 covering June 26, 2003 - June 23, 2004. Sporting News Radio Network has been added to the roster of RADAR-rated nets, bringing the total number of measured networks to 47. As par for the RADAR course, ABC Radio Networks' ABC Daytime Direction on was top again. Also par for the course these days is the increasing number of special tabs--22 from ABC, AURN, Crystal, Dial-Global, Premiere and Westwood were added to 82.

Says Dr. Tom Evans, SVP/Research at ABC Radio Networks: "Thanks to the flexibility of RADAR, special tabulations can provide audience estimates for all of the changes occurring in network radio. RADAR 82 is like watching 'The Lord of the Rings' Trilogy. You see one film at a time knowing that more is coming. We will evaulate RADAR 82, but can expect changes due to reconfigurations, new networks, and more affiliations that will be reported with special tabulations. My only concern is that the large number of Special Tabulations ordered for RADAR 82 does not confuse the marketplace."

With ever-increasing reliability and predictability, RADAR's sample was at 75,000, the highest ever. Overall, Gross Impressions (GIs) were down slightly. There was some slight audience movement: one double-digit increase & three double-digit decreases. However, half of networks' changes were within three percentage points.

Highlights:

ABC RADIO NETWORKS

GIs: 2.0 billion

Share: 12+: 31.3% (31.5% in RADAR 81); -9% less GI's than Westwood

Overall: Gross Impressions decrease (-5.6%) but share basically flat

Good News: ABC networks have top-ranked network in over half of the 126 reported gender/age demos reported by RADAR; ABC FM Connection up +10%

Neutral News: one ABC network fairly flat (i.e., +/-3%)

Bad News: four networks down by double-digit decreases, although no surprises thanks to RADAR 81 special tabulations. ABCRN requested a RADAR 82 special tab for ABC News/Talk Network to more accurately reflect recent affiliation activities.

AMERICAN URBAN RADIO NETWORKS

GIs: 0.5 billion (decrease of -11%)

Share: 8.7% (-0.5% percentage point decrease from RADAR 81)

Overall: decrease not due to disaffiliations, probably due to clearances or audience decreases. American Urban Radio Network will have a RADAR 82 special tab for Renaissance and one for its newest network.

CRYSTAL RADIO NETWORK

GIs: 24 million

Share: 0.4%

Overall: Crystal reported five programs in RADAR 82 and is doing a special tab to reflect seven programs. CrystalNet will also have a RADAR 82 special tabulation to reflect additional inventory added to Prestige.

DIAL-GLOBAL RADIO NETWORKS

GIs: 123 million

Share: 2.0% (up +0.4 percentage points from RADAR 81)

Overall: Dial-Global Complete FM maintains its #1 ranked network among 18-34 and is now #1-ranked in Adults 18-49. The network grew an estimated 4.9% from RADAR 81. Dial-Global Contemporary increased an estimated 21.4% from RADAR 81 and has now cracked the Top 10 P 12+. It grew 46.9% from a year ago in the core demo Adults 18-49.

Dial-Global recently announced it is adding "Fox News Radio and Information Network" for RADAR 84 with inventory available on 1/1/05, based on a special tab from RADAR 83 (12/04).

JONES MEDIAAMERICA

GIs: 76 million

Share: 1.2%

Overall: gross impressions flat (some demos up, some down)

PREMIERE RADIO NETWORKS

GIs: 1.3 billion (-34% less than ABC)

Share: 21.0% (20.1% in R81); Gross Impressions down -1%

Overall: Special tabs coming shortly to reflect recent reconfiguration - expecting significant GI decreases. Premiere has announced it will be reconfiguring its networks effective at the end of this year and should have RADAR 82 special tabs to reflect those changes in late October. Reconfiguration plans will be effective with the release of RADAR 83 on 12/20. In that survey, Premiere will feature a total of 13 nets (Diamond, Diamond Plus, Emerald, Emerald Plus, Female Focus, Male Focus, Mediabase, Morning Drive, Pearl, Pearl Plus, Sapphire, Sapphire Plus, Urban One).

SPORTING NEWS RADIO NETWORKS

GIs: 23 million

Share: 0.4%

Overall: last ranked network

WESTWOOD ONE RADIO NETWORKS

GIs: 2.2 billion (down -8%)

Share: 35.1% (36.1% in R81)

Overall: hard to evaluate due to reconfiguration but experienced large GI decreases. Westwood's recent reconfiguration is being reported for the first time in RADAR 82 and only three of its networks are trendable.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RADAR CHARTS