After some confusion this morning over when the numbers would be re-issued, WLNE-6 has apparently obtained the new, cheat-free Providence ratings.
One problem: from their story, it isn't clear which demographic group they're referring to. Are these 25-54 numbers?
From their story:
Arbitron has released their revised numbers for the Rhode Island morning drive time for the Spring of '08. Most notably is the fact that WPRO-AM significantly dropped in ranking from #4 to #9.
Last week ABC 6 reported that Arbitron, the company that tracks ratings by sending out diaries to random households, was saying that something wasn't quite adding up with their spring numbers.
They ended up throwing out the information from 6 diaries, which all came from the same household. They said that those diaries would not be included in their final numbers because they came from a house that had some connection to local radio or TV.
Arbitron still isn't saying where that house is, but WPRO competitor WHJJ claimed it was in East Greenwich, the same town where WPRO-AM morning drive host, John DePetro lives. WHJJ said 6 people from that house listened to DePetro's show for more than 109 hours out of a possible 120, just in one week alone.
Since WPRO ranked number one overall in the tainted ratings that have now been rescinded, ABC 6 ought to clarify this data. We'll have better data after 5pm, hopefully.
Meanwhile, John DePetro is enjoying (???) a nice week of vay-cay while Providence media people openly speculate over who might replace him at WPRO.
Expect this mess to only get uglier from here.
UPDATE: the issue has been resolved, the numbers ABC 6 cites represent morning drive in the 25-54 demographic. DePetro's morning show took a dump.
Without the phony ratings diaries, WPRO fell to second place overall, tied with a music station.
