WDET 2024 listener survey results
This summer we once again reached out to WDET listeners to get their opinions on our programs and offerings.
A mural on the corner of Broadway and Gratiot in Detroit by artist Michael Polakowski features WDET 101.9 FM on the dial.
Last year, WDET launched a listener survey and heard from you about what you liked about WDET, what you didn’t, and where we could do better. That feedback — along with other data including membership and listener ratings and studies — helped inform changes to our offerings earlier this year.
Your continued feedback is essential to helping WDET leadership understand where we can best improve our service to metro Detroit, and that’s why we are committed to making our survey an annual exercise. This summer we once again reached out to WDET listeners to get their opinions on our programs and offerings.
Below is a summary of this year’s listener survey results.
Key survey findings
- You rated all WDET programs higher this year compared to 2023, with the average program rating score improving by 20%
- Music Programming, NPR news, and local news are the most preferred aspects of WDET programming
- Reported digital listenership increased by 5%, and radio listenership decreased by 3%
- More of you reported listening to WDET more — with 27% of respondents saying they listen more than 20 hours per week
- Less of you reported donating to WDET, compared with last year’s survey
- More of you reported listening during weekday afternoons and weekend afternoons
Who responded to the survey?
WDET targeted the survey to current listeners and members via messages on the air, at wdet.org, social media and e-newsletters. More than 900 people responded to an online survey in July and August 2024.
Demographics
Gender
No Data Found
Age Ranges
No Data Found
Ethnicity
No Data Found
Listening Habits
How Respondents Listen to WDET
No Data Found
Average Hours Listened Per Week
No Data Found
Where Respondents Listen to WDET
No Data Found
When Respondents Listen to WDET
Weekdays
No Data Found
Weekends
No Data Found
Top 5 Other Radio Stations Respondents Listen to
No Data Found
Do They Listen to Podcasts?
No Data Found
Which WDET Podcasts Respondents Listen to Most Often
No Data Found
Social Media Use
Where Respondents Follow WDET on Social Media
No Data Found
Membership
Donated to WDET Within the Past 12 Months
Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they donated to WDET within the past 12 months, with 33% of those saying they contributed because of a specific WDET program.
No Data Found
Top 10 WDET Shows Donated to
"Ann Delisi’s Essential Music" was the show most often indicated as prompting a donation at 51%.
No Data Found
Programming Feedback
Average WDET Show Ratings
(1=least listened, 5=most listened)
No Data Found
Programming Changes Respondents Prefer
Editor's note: "Other" category included write-in answers such as "more music," "no major changes" and specific music genres.
No Data Found
Top 10 Music Genres Respondents Prefer
No Data Found
Likely to Recommend WDET to a Friend
No Data Found
Selected feedback
We hear so many passionate, informed, detailed and ranging opinions from our listeners. Here’s a few standouts that illustrate this point:
“The knowledge, experience, professionalism and personality of music program hosts gives WDET an enormous edge over bot-programmed streamed music services.”
“I wish this channel played more music during the weekday. I understand wanting to balance news. Especially later in the evening. Why replay an afternoon news show. Give me some music. This station has huge potential to compete with KEXP out in Seattle. P.S. Jon Moshier is my absolute favorite DJ on the station. Never miss him on Saturday.”
“My listening habits completely changed when you added more local music programs and removed many talk/story-based programs. The hosts sound (much) younger and less polished, and the overall vibe of the station is less appealing.”
“I am so happy that the music has returned. I loved it when I first moved to Detroit Metro in 2004, and the music was the best part of DET. Now I am back to loving the station as I did previously.”
“I absolutely love the current lineup! I ESPECIALLY love the music in the weekday afternoons. In the Groove, Steven Henderson, and the local news and NPR are all top notch!!”
“I prefer news and storytelling-type programs.”
“Music programming is outstanding; especially fond of Ann Delisi, Rob Reinhart’s programs, and This Island Earth. Always being introduced to wonderful music, new, older, local, world. So proud of and grateful for WDET, appreciate the new programming as well, especially the local subject coverage.”
“Just loving all of the awesome new music programming. So grateful.”
It’s never too late to express your opinion about WDET — download the WDET app and send us a voice message using the open mic tool, or send us an email at info@wdet.org.
