Turns out the spring wasn’t just a memorable season for the Stanley Cup champion Bruins, but also for the station that airs their games.
In the spring Arbitron ratings period, 98.5 The Sports Hub, the Bruins’ flagship station since launching in August 2009 as a challenger to sports radio power WEEI (850), finished first in the market among the crucial men 25-54 demographic, earning an 8.8 share.
Classic-rock station WZLX was second at 7.6. WEEI was tied for sixth (5.1).
The Sports Hub was first in morning drive, afternoon drive, and evenings, with the midday program finishing second in the ratings period from March 31-June 22.
The Sports Hub’s “Toucher and Rich’’ won mornings with an 11.6 share. WEEI’s “Dennis and Callahan,’’ which was first in the winter, earned a 6.0, tying for third. In afternoon drive, the other key period to advertisers, The Sports Hub’s “Felger and Massarotti’’ won the time slot with a 9.4. WEEI’s “The Big Show,’’ featuring Glenn Ordway and Michael Holley, tied for fifth with a 5.5.
The Sports Hub’s “Gresh and Zo’’ finished second (9.7 share) to WZLX’s Carter Alan (10.5) in the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. slot. WEEI’s “Mut and Merloni’’ was 10th (3.8).
The Sports Hub also won from 6-7 p.m. when it airs “The Baseball Reporters,’’ often against the Red Sox pregame on WEEI. The Sports Hub had a 7.9 share, while WEEI was 10th with a 4.7.
In the evenings (7-midnight), The Sports Hub, which airs the “DA Show’’ and Bruins game broadcasts in this period, earned a 10.2 share, including a 14.6 in June. WEEI, which carries “Planet Mikey’’ and Red Sox games at night, finished in a three-way tied for third (6.9).
Chad Finn can be reached at finn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globechadfinn.
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