The truth lies somewhere between the black and the white of this arguement.
Stations and advertisers/agencies have been getting 12+ numbers for many years. If they were not wanted we would not see them.
I agree that stations that are not trying to cater to all people, all the time
will look at their demo. There is no arguement about that.
But I still think the 12+ numbers are an indication of station strength. When Jon posted the cumes - the same type of strength and pecking order is shown(even tho the order might be different).
For all of the critics of NW here and elsewhere they do well - but not as well as in the past. The CBC has always had a strong fan base. Talk or conversation is not dead and most people I know over 40 cannot listen to the music is played on the radio for very long before looking for a CD
or going satellite.
Those who like to argue might want to take the numbers and analize which stations are actually competing with what other sticks for the same
advertiser dollar. That might be an interesting exercise.
Interesting subnote for me - more and more I am finding I cannot shop in large stores with canned music that is so terrible I am driven out. I cannot for the life of me figure out why so many businessman play this whiney music.