Boston Radio: The Sports Hub Extends Winning Streak

In the fall Nielsen Audio ratings, Beasley Media's WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub extended its long reign at the top with some exceptional numbers, while Audacy's WEEI 93.7 FM, which is in the midst of a lineup shakeup, actually posted some of its best ratings in years.

The Boston Globe reports The Sports Hub finished first overall in the men 25-54 demographic with a 19.6 share, covering the period from Sept. 16-Dec. 8.

All of the station’s weekday programs finished first in their respective day parts, with morning-drive “Toucher and Rich” earning a massive 23.4 share.

WEEI finished second in the book with a 9.0, which wasn’t close to the Sports Hub’s overall share but still a good distance ahead of third-place WROR (5.9).

All of WEEI’s weekday programs finished second to Sports Hub shows.

In recent weeks, WEEI has made major changes to its daily lineup. The contracts of longtime hosts Lou Merloni and Mike Mutnansky were not renewed (Merloni will be part of the station’s Red Sox broadcasts), while afternoon-drive cohost Christian Fauria was moved to middays and Rich Keefe was shifted from middays to evenings.

As for specific day parts:

• “Toucher and Rich” won morning drive with that 23.4 share, while WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” got a 10.9.
• In middays, The Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand” drew an 18.9. WEEI’s “Gresh and Keefe” had a 10.9, the same as the station’s morning show.
• The Sports Hub’s “Felger and Mazz” continued its dominant run of more than a decade with a 20.9, while WEEI’s “Merloni, Fauria and Mego” had a 9.2.
• In the 6-11 p.m. window, The Sports Hub, which airs “The Adam Jones Show” weeknights as well as Bruins and Celtics broadcasts, pulled a 16.3 share. WEEI’s programming, which included the “Mut at Night” show, had a 5.9.

Jones is expected to move over to WEEI in January as one of its afternoon-drive hosts.

Last fall, the Sports Hub claimed first with a 20.7 share, while WEEI was third with a 5.6.