Sports Hub finishes first, WEEI third in Nielsen Audio winter ratings

CBS Radio’s 98.5 The Sports Hub finished first overall and across all four day parts during the three-month winter Nielsen Audio Ratings period as sports talk continues to dominate the Boston radio market.

The Sports Hub earned an 11.8 share overall in the men 25-54 demographic from the period of December 31-March 23. That is a higher share than the station received last winter (11.3), a period during which the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX.

WEEI (93.7) earned steady numbers, finishing third overall with a 6.7 share, down slightly from last winter’s 7.0. Classic rock station WZLX was second (6.8).

In morning drive (6-10 a.m.), The Sports Hub’s Toucher and Rich program was first with a 14.1 share. WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan program, featuring Kirk Minihane, was second with a 10.1. The two programs accounted for approximately 25 percent of the market’s radio listening audience across all stations during the day part this winter.

In middays (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), the Sports Hub’s program, featuring Scott Zolak and Marc Bertrand, was first with an 11.7 share. WEEI’s program, which includes Glenn Ordway, Lou Merloni, and Christian Fauria, was fourth (5.9).

In afternoon drive (2-6 p.m.), the Sports Hub’s Felger and Massarotti show finished first with a 13.8 share. WEEI’s Dale and Holley program, which includes third host Jerry Thornton, was tied for second with WZLX’s Chuck Nowlin-hosted show (7.1).

In the 6-11 p.m. period, The Sports Hub, which broadcasts the Adam Jones show and Bruins and Celtics games in that window, was first (10.6). WEEI, which features the Planet Mikey program, tied for ninth (4.0) with WMJX.

ESPN Radio, which airs on WEEI 850-AM, was tied for 36th with a 0.4 share.