You'll recall how on Oct. 9, Greater Media's WPEN (also known as 950ESPN) began simulcasting most programming on 97.5 FM as "The Fanatic."

The 950-AM signal, which barely registered since its debut in 2005, got a nice, static-free, FM companion.

In the very first complete "ratings book" under this new format, the combined totals of the double station beat perennial champ WIP among men ages 18-49 in audience share.

The two WPENs together drew a 6.3 share of the audience (Monday-Sunday, 6 a.m.-midnight), compared with WIP's 5.9.

It's important to note that WIP's morning show (Angelo Cataldi) whupped the syndicated Mike & Mike show in terms of audience share, and WIP's midday team of Glen Macnow & Anthony Gargano slid by the assorted hosts on WPEN.

But it's just as crucial to point out that WPEN afternooner Mike Missanelli's share of the audience was a little more than double that of WIP's Howard Eskin & Ike Reese. WPEN's assorted nighttime lineup drew double the audience of WIP's Rob Ellis.

In terms of weekly cumulative audience of men 18-49 -- and 18-34, for that matter -- WPEN won every daypart.

Though the WPEN AM and FM stations share almost all programming and advertising, WIP manager Andy Bloom argued that their numbers cannot be counted together.

Bloom pointed to what he called his target demographic: men 25-54, where the story was more positive for WIP.

WIP did show a rise among men 25-54 -- as it has in the last four months. It drew a 9.3 overall, compared with the two WPENs' 6.0.

WIP's morning and midday shows had double the audience share of WPEN's lineup. But here again, Missanelli easily trumped the afternoon show of Eskin and his new (temporary?) sidekick Ike Reese.

Eskin's 7.5 share in November was his best month in at least two years.

I know, I know. This was only the first complete book, and the numbers were propped up/skewed for both stations by the Phillies.

And ratings are ratings. It all boils down to money, folks.

Supporters of CBS will correctly point out that its ad billings are far greater (as is its payroll).

Greater Media's other stations play music, while CBS can package ads with its talker WPHT (1210) and all news KYW (1060) and exploit its Eagles contract with WYSP (94.1).