Media outlets are breathlessly reporting that Al Franken's radio show on Air America is beating Bill O'Reilly in New York City ratings.

Reuters gives the story this headline: "Al Franken Beats O'Reilly in NY Radio Matchup". Um, except not. The devil is in the details.

First, Franken only beats O'Reilly in the 25-54 age group. Among all listeners aged 12 and up, O'Reilly still wins.

Second, both shows are still crushed by Rush Limbaugh.

A couple of thoughts. While advertiser-friendly demographics are important to the media, are they really important for those who would like to extend some political significance to Franken's ratings? I don't think so. To the extent that political parties pay attention to simple age demos, I'd expect them to care more for older Americans, who actually bother to vote.

Rush Limbaugh is a radio king. I wouldn't expect Al Franken to beat him. However, by all reports, O'Reilly's radio show stinks. If Franken can't even beat O'Reilly in ultra liberal New York City, how can he and Air America ever make a dent in Peoria?