The fall belonged to 98.5 The Sports Hub in the Nielsen Audio ratings, with its morning program — and to a lesser degree, rival sports station WEEI’s — putting up particularly impressive numbers.
Overall, in the advertiser-coveted men 25-54 demographic, The Sports Hub finished first overall with a 15.8 share, well ahead of second-place WZLX. The classic rock station was second with a 7.9. WEEI was fourth with a 6.2 share.
The Sports Hub was first across the board this fall with its three daytime programs.
That data is from the period of Sept. 12-Dec. 4.
Last fall, The Sports Hub finished first with a 16.3 share. WEEI was seventh (4.4).
In morning drive (6-10), The Sports Hub’s “Toucher and Hardy” took the top spot with a huge 21.7 share. WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” was second by a good distance, but its 14.3 share is still an impressive number, and far and away the best on the station.
Also of note in the mornings: WZLX, which dropped “The Rich Shertenlieb Show” on Nov. 4 as part of nationwide budget cuts by parent company iHeartMedia, finished seventh in mornings with a 3.8 share.
That included a 3.7 share in October and November, and a 3.8 in December. Overall, WZLX was second in the ratings period with a 7.9 share, with none of its other daily programs finishing lower than third in the men 25-54 demo.
Shertenlieb’s show had been making some progress. In its final week on the air, it had a 5.1 share, good for fifth place among morning programs in the men 25-54 demo.
As for the other day parts:
Midday (10 a.m.-2 p.m.): The Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand” took the top spot with a 15.7 share. WEEI’s “Jones and Keefe” was fourth with a 5.8 share in its first full ratings book since hosts Adam Jones and Rich Keefe were reunited in August.
Afternoon drive (2-6): The Sports Hub’s “Felger and Massarotti” continued its long run of dominance with a first-place 17.6 share. “The WEEI Afternoon Show,” featuring hosts Christian Arcand and Andy Hart, was tied for 12th with a 2.5 share in its first full book since the August lineup shakeup.
Evenings (6-11): The Sports Hub, which has Bruins and some Celtics broadcasts as well Joe Murray’s show at night, was second (10.5). Mix 104.1 was first (11.0). WEEI was far back, tied for 19th (1.4).
Chad Finn can be reached at chad.finn@globe.com. Follow him @GlobeChadFinn.