Here are the top-line results from our recent Listener Survey. Thanks to all who participated. Some observations:
- The Total is a product of the number of people voting for a given program and the average score (1-9, low to high). As in past years, All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and NPR Hourly Newscasts are the top vote-getters.
- 417 respondents is considerably more than the last couple of years. There is reason for confidence in this data set. That said, there is reason for caution...
- This is a self-selected survey, not randomized. If it were a 1-issue poll, care should be taken lest the questions be dominated by strongly-held (i.e., not typical) views. But it’s a large sample, and results are broadly consistent with past years’ results, suggesting a degree of confidence in what’s being measured.
- It’s technically a Listener Survey, since anyone can respond. But almost all responding are Members. There’s a difference.
- Like all such surveys, it’s largely backward-looking. It may be able to describe what people like now, or in the recent past. It doesn’t have predictive power.
- Miscellaneous note #1: a good number of people rated Car Talk, but not necessarily to praise it; it got a low average score in comparison to the number voting. For most other shows, there’s a surprisingly close fit between the number of people voting for a program and its average score.
- It’s not surprising that weekly shows tend to score higher than weekend shows (Weekend Edition, Wait Wait and Science Friday are exceptions). The Cultural Calendar scored high for a segment less than 2 minutes long.
- 1A’s scores are far from Diane Rehm’s, but c’mon — it’s a brand new show, in a way. It will be interesting to see if it picks up new listeners.
- BBC Newshour is surprisingly strong. This tallies with our experience in fundraising.
Questions or comments? Submit them to feedback@whqr.org.
Thanks again!