Channel Surfing

By Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
July 26, 2005

 

There is great news for BEN 95.7-FM.  Not only did it shoot up over an entire rating point in the recent Arbitron ratings, it was named best new radio station in the upcoming “Best of Philly” issue of “Philadelphia” magazine.  In the most recent ratings for listeners 12 and over, BEN improved from a 1.5 share of the audience in the winter to a 2.8 share in the period that ended July 20.   (Any station that plays "Rock the Boat" by Hues Corporation scores points in my book.)

 

Another station with cause to celebrate is WMMR 93.3-FM.  Its new morning team of “Preston and Steve” helped it improve from a 2.6 share to a 3.6 share of the audience. As usual, KYW 1060-AM leads the pack with a 6.6 share. The rest of the top 20 is WBEB 101-FM, WDAS 105.3-FM, WOGL 98.1-FM, WUSL 98.9-FM, WYSP 94.1-FM, WXTU 92.5-FM, WMGK 102.9-FM, WRNB 107.9-FM, WRDW 96.5-FM, WMMR 93.3-FM, WPHT 1210-AM, WIOQ 102.1-FM, WJJZ 106.1-FM, WSNI 104.5-FM, WIP 610-AM, WPPZ 103.9-FM, WBEN 95.7-FM, and WTHK 97.5-FM.

 

WPEN 950-AM missed the top 20.  The former nostalgia station plunged from a 3.0 share last year to a 1.2 share with its new oldies format.  Industry sources say the station, which lost the Phillies to WPHT this year is trying to obtain the Sixers.

 

Peter Scolari, forever known as “the other guy” from “Bosom Buddies” is a guest on “10” today at 10 a.m. on NBC10.  Scolari and Tom Hanks were a great team in this 1980-1982 sitcom.  Many also remember Scolari from “Newhart.” 

 

Don’t’ forget to watch another episode of “Being Bobby Brown” on Bravo Thursday at 10 p.m.  If this is what grouchy Whitney Houston acts like when the cameras are on, can you imagine what’s she’s like when they are off?

 

Some of my other favorite summer shows are “Entourage,” “The Comeback,” “Six Feet Under,” and “Celebrity Fit Club 2.”  I also watch “INXS:  Rock Star” and “Blow Out.” 

 

“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” is getting old, but hilarious Carson Kressley should get his own show.

 

I’m looking forward to “Kathy Griffin:  My Life on the D List” beginning next week on Bravo. 

 

The most interesting person on “INXS,” isn’t the contestants or the band, but host Dave Navarro.