by Steven Allan, Programming Research Consultant
NOVEMBER PPM INSIGHTS Day1
As always, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—in a close-quarters formation with the numbers nerds from XTRENDS—bring you the NOVEMBER book. This one ran from OCTOBER 16TH through NOVEMBER 12TH. There was a time change, a few elections, and a federal holiday. Here’s how it all unfolded:
➤NEW YORK: Not A Holiday
When you’re the 800-pound gorilla you can do whatever you want. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) did not succumb to the dark side this month as it remained #1 6+ (7.4-7.4). AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) was back at #2 (6.4-6.8) and added a 0.5 share from its stream. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) repeated at #3 (5.9-5.8), while AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS stepped up to #4 with its best book since MAY (5.0-5.6). SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) dipped to #5 (5.2-5.0). However, the station garnered a 1.4 share from the interwebs. Also coming in at #5 was RED APPLE MEDIA N/T WABC-A. It advanced from #8 with its best outing in over a year (4.2-5.0). There’s a good chance this rise was fueled by the loud mayoral race. WLTW was still the cume leader with a 1.0% increase (3,727,900-3,765,500). The market was off 1.7%. Market PUMM rose 1.6% from OCTOBER and 15.5% from 2024.
After seeing its five-book 25-54 winning streak snapped last month WLTW vaulted back up to first place. It narrowly defeated a flat WHTZ, which dipped to #2. WSKQ remained at #3 though it surrendered about half of last month’s rather large share increase. MEDIACO Rhythmic CHR WQHT (HOT 97) was up for the fourth straight survey as in moved up to #4. This pushed its arch nemesis – iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WWPR (POWER 105.1) – down to #5. Market PUMM was up 1.1% from last survey and 17.5% from a year ago.
A flat WLTW stepped up to #1 18-34. WSKQ jumped from #4 to #2 with its best showing since MAY and trailed the leader by about a half share. WHTZ had its two-book winning streak snapped as it drifted down to #3. WWPR dropped to #4 with a small share loss. WQHT rebounded from a down boom to advance two spaces to #5. The WSKQ STREAM more than doubled its previous share as it rocketed from #16 to #6. MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS dropped from #5 into a tie at #11 with AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7). Market PUMM grew 5.7% from the previous survey and 8.9% from last year.
WHTZ was #1 18-49 for the third book in a row. It held the slimmest of possible leads over WLTW, which was back at #2 but with its highest mark since APRIL. WQHT was up two places to #3 with its best book in over a year. WWPR dipped to #4, while WSKQ was down to #5 with a slight share loss. Market PUMM was up 1.3% from OCTOBER and 15.7% from 2024.
➤LOS ANGELES: Nothing to See Here
The top five 6+ stations were where we last left them. AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101FM) was #1 for the seventh straight survey but with its lowest score since JUNE (8.3-7.0). iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST showed incredible restraint and delayed Santa’s arrival until the next book. The station did repeat at #2 with its best Frosty-free share in over a year (5.7-6.5). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYFM) was back at #3 (4.9-4.9), while AUDACY Urban AC KTWV (94.7 THE WAVE) remained at #4 as it bounced back from a down book (4.2-4.6). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) again rounded out the top five (4.0-4.0). KOST padded its cume lead by 5.7% (2,283,700-2,414,400). The market was up 0.9%. Market PUMM was up 0.5% from OCTOBER and 14.3% from 2024.
For the seventh time in the last eight surveys KRTH was #1 25-54, though the station’s lead over the rest of the field shrank to under a share. KBIG stepped up to #2 as it regained some of last month’s share loss. KOST had its best outing since MARCH as it moved up to #3. AUDACY Alternative KROQ slipped to #4 with a small share loss, while three stations were aligned at #5. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) dipped from #4 as it surrendered a good chunk of last month’s increase. KIIS inched up from #6 with a small decrease, while KTWV advanced from #9 with its best book in over a year. Market PUMM was up 2.7% from last month and 10.4% from a year ago.
Despite a noticeable loss of share, KRTH was #1 18-34 for the fifth book in a row. KIIS moved up to #2 with its highest score since JUNE. Still, it was nearly two shares off the pace. KOST moved up to a very close #3, while KTWV was up to #4. Both stations had strong share gains. KYSR slid three places to #5 as it returned most of last month’s huge increase. KROQ dipped to #6 with its lowest mark since JULY. Market PUMM was up 1.1% from the previous survey and 2.2% from last year.
KRTH extended its 18-49 winning string to eight despite a down book. KBIG repeated at #2 with a slight increase. KTWV advanced from #8 to #3 with its best book in over a year. KOST and KIIS were previously situated at #3. Both stations had up books but dropped to #4 and #5, respectively. KROQ and KYSR were last an item at #5. Both stations had down books to land at #6 and #8, respectively. Market PUMM was up 4.0% from OCTOBER and 7.7% from 2024.
For the seventh time in the last eight surveys KRTH was #1 25-54, though the station’s lead over the rest of the field shrank to under a share. KBIG stepped up to #2 as it regained some of last month’s share loss. KOST had its best outing since MARCH as it moved up to #3. AUDACY Alternative KROQ slipped to #4 with a small share loss, while three stations were aligned at #5. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) dipped from #4 as it surrendered a good chunk of last month’s increase. KIIS inched up from #6 with a small decrease, while KTWV advanced from #9 with its best book in over a year. Market PUMM was up 2.7% from last month and 10.4% from a year ago.
Despite a noticeable loss of share, KRTH was #1 18-34 for the fifth book in a row. KIIS moved up to #2 with its highest score since JUNE. Still, it was nearly two shares off the pace. KOST moved up to a very close #3, while KTWV was up to #4. Both stations had strong share gains. KYSR slid three places to #5 as it returned most of last month’s huge increase. KROQ dipped to #6 with its lowest mark since JULY. Market PUMM was up 1.1% from the previous survey and 2.2% from last year.
KRTH extended its 18-49 winning string to eight despite a down book. KBIG repeated at #2 with a slight increase. KTWV advanced from #8 to #3 with its best book in over a year. KOST and KIIS were previously situated at #3. Both stations had up books but dropped to #4 and #5, respectively. KROQ and KYSR were last an item at #5. Both stations had down books to land at #6 and #8, respectively. Market PUMM was up 4.0% from OCTOBER and 7.7% from 2024.
➤CHICAGO: Sleigh Bells Ring
…and they were listening. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) joined the Santa brigade towards the end of week #3 of the survey and it paid dividends. The station remained at #1 6+ but with its best Frosty-free share in over a year (4.9-6.0). Last year it was #3 with a 5.5 share. Three stations were huddled together at #2. AUDACY AAA WXRT (93XRT) remained in place (4.6-5.1), while HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX) advanced from #6 (4.0-5.1). Both stations landed their largest shares in over a year. The third member of that grouping was AUDACY News WBBM-A, which moved up a slot (4.4-5.1). It also picked up a 0.5 share from cyberspace. AUDACY Country WUSN (US99) dipped to #5 (4.2-4.6). They didn’t exactly rush to hear the holiday tunes. WLIT was still #1 in cume but with a 0.3% decline (1,325,500-1,321,800). The market was off 2.0%. Market PUMM was down 2.6% from OCTOBER but grew by 19.2% from 2024.
For the first time since JUNE, WTMX was #1 25-54 thanks to its best outing in over a year. WLIT leapt from #6 to #2 and was partnered with the stationary CUMULUS Alternative WKQX (Q101), which also landed its largest share in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) ended its four-book reign as it slid to #4 with its smallest share since MAY. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1) dropped three places to #5 with a small share loss. CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA N/T WBEZ fell from #5 to #9. It was tied with HUBBARD Adult Hits WTBC (THROWBACK 100.3). Market PUMM was down 3.4% from last month but up 20.2% from a year ago.
WLIT moved up to #1 18-34 with a massive share increase. It was #4 a year ago. This halted the five-book winning string for WKSC, which dipped to #2. WUSN stepped up to #3 with its best showing since JANUARY. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI slipped to #4, while two stations made some bold advances. HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE) accelerated from #12 to #5, while CRAWFORD BROADCASTING Urban Contemporary WPWX (POWER 92) jumped from #14 to #6. WOJO dropped from #4 to #10 and was tied with WTMX. Market PUMM was off 0.7% from the previous survey but gained 13.0% from last year.
WLIT rose from #6 to #1 18-49. It was #4 last year. WKQX advanced to #2 with its fourth up book in a row. WKSC slid to #3 as its five-book heater ground to a halt. WTMX dipped to #4 despite a slight increase, while WOJO dropped three spots to #5, also with a slight decrease. A flat WGCI dipped to #6. Market PUMM was down 5.0% from OCTOBER but up 19.3% from 2024.
Shameless Plug: We’re still recovering from all the food. We got nothin’. Continue reading.
➤DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Win, Place & Show
One cluster dominated the 6+ medal stand. CUMULUS Sports KTCK (96.7FM/1310AM THE TICKET) had its best outing since FEBRUARY as it stepped up to #1 (5.3-6.4). This forced CUMULUS Country KPLX (99.5 THE WOLF) to slink down to #2 (5.4-5.1). CUMULUS Country KSCS (NEW COUNTRY 96.3) bounced back from a down book to rise to #3 (4.6-5.0). iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1), which did not go all jolly and such this month – dipped to #4 (4.9-4.8). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) stepped down to #5 (4.8-4.4). It was partnered with TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1), which advanced from #8 with its best book since FEBRUARY (3.7-4.4). KDGE kept its cume lead despite a 2.8% decline (1,225,000-1,190,400). The market was up 0.5%. Market PUMM fell 1.4% from OCTOBER but grew 24.7% from 2024.
KLNO had its best 25-54 book in over a year as it rose to #1. It had company as KTCK moved up from #4 to forge the tie. This ended the three-book winning string for KDMX, which slipped to #3 with its smallest share since JULY. KPLX dropped two places to #4 as it returned most of last month’s share increase. KDGE dipped to #5 as it gave back about half of last month’s gain. Market PUMM was down 2.3% from last month but up 18.1% from a year ago.
KLNO was #1 18-34 for the third straight survey. It held nearly a share advantage over KSCS, which moved up to #2 as it rebounded from a down book. KTCK repeated at #3 but with its highest score in over a year. KDGE inched up to #4 with its fifth up book in a row. KPLX slipped three places to #5. Making the leap o’ the month was URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBFB (97.9 THE BEAT), which advanced from #17 to #6, more than doubling last month’s number. Market PUMM was down 3.8% from the previous survey but up 22.6% from last year.
KLNO was back as the 18-49 leader with a solid share increase. KTCK vaulted from #6 to #2 and was a bit more than a half share off the lead. KDMX stepped down to #3 with a small decrease, while KDGE remained at #4 but with a down book. KPLX slipped to #5 with its lowest total since MAY. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) landed its lowest number in over a year as it dropped to #8. It was tied with AUDACY Alternative KVIL (ALT 103.7). Market PUMM was off 2.0% from NOVEMBER but up 19.9% from 2024.
➤HOUSTON-GALVESTON: No Santa For You
iHEARTMEDIA AC KODA (SUNNY 99.1) decided to delay its descent into the depths of holiday depravity until the DECEMBER book. No problem. The station was #1 6+ for the third straight survey (9.0-8.7). URBAN ONE Urban AC KMJQ (MAJIC 102.1) was back at #2 but with its highest score in over a year (6.9-8.1). RADIO ONE Country KKBQ (93Q) repeated at #3 (5.7-6.0), while CUMULUS Pop CHR KRBE stepped up to #4 (5.3-5.3). RADIO ONE Classic Rock KGLK (THE EAGLE 106.9/107.5) slipped to #5 with its smallest share since MAY (5.7-4.9). KODA continued to have the most listeners despite a 1.0% drop (1,991,900-1,972,000). The market was off 2.3%. Market PUMM was down 3.0% from OCTOBER but grew by 13.4% from 2024.
KODA was #1 25-54 for the lucky thirteenth straight survey. It was about two shares ahead of iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTBZ (94.5 THE BUZZ), which repeated at #2. Both stations had down books. Coming at a close #3 was KMJQ, which—again—landed its largest share in over a year. A flat KRBE repeated at #4, while SBS Mexican Regional KROI (LA LEY 92.1) posted its best number in over a year as it rose from #13 to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Urban contemporary KQBT (93.7 THE BEAT) and HOPE MEDIA Contemporary Christian KSBJ were last seen at #5. KQBT fell to #8 with its lowest mark since JANUARY, while KSBJ landed at #11 with its smallest share in over a year. Market PUMM was down 6.7% from last month but up 15.3% from a year ago.
Not only was KODA #1 18-34 for the second book in a row, the station crashed through the double-digit barrier. KRBE moved up to #2 with its best showing in over a year. KKBQ moved from #5 to a very close #3, while KTBZ slid to #4 with its lowest total in exactly a year. URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBXX (97.9 THE BOX) inched up to #5 with a small share increase. KQBT fell four slots to #8 and was tied with KMJQ. Market PUMM was down 12.8% from the previous survey and 9.8% from last year.
After a three-book hiatus, a flat KODA moved back to #1 18-49. This ended the three-book reign of KTBZ, which dipped to #2 as it returned most of last month’s share gain. KKBQ rose from #6 to #3, while KRBE stepped down to #4. KROI launched itself from #17 to #5 with its best book in over a year. KQBT slid four places to #8, while KSBJ dropped from #5 to #13. Market PUMM was down 5.7% from OCTOBER but up 7.7% from 2024.
Thanks for wasti – er, spending your valuable time reading this here missive. Round two is currently at the factory but will be delivered tomorrow. It will spotlight SAN FRANCISCO, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON D.C., PHILADELPHIA, and BOSTON in that order.
If you’re a first-time caller but long-time listener, be sure to sign up for our blog. And feel free to pass it along to others in your chat group.
-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant
About XTrends: XTrends is radio’s favorite tool for reviewing ratings. Click here to see why all of radio’s major groups love XTrends!
About Research Director, Inc.: Research Director, Inc. is based in Annapolis, Maryland. We help radio stations’ programming and sales departments maximize the value of their research. For more information, visit www.ResearchDirectorInc.com, call 410-295-6619, or e-mail info@ResearchDirectorInc.com or sallan@ResearchDirectorInc.com.
KODA was #1 25-54 for the lucky thirteenth straight survey. It was about two shares ahead of iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTBZ (94.5 THE BUZZ), which repeated at #2. Both stations had down books. Coming at a close #3 was KMJQ, which—again—landed its largest share in over a year. A flat KRBE repeated at #4, while SBS Mexican Regional KROI (LA LEY 92.1) posted its best number in over a year as it rose from #13 to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Urban contemporary KQBT (93.7 THE BEAT) and HOPE MEDIA Contemporary Christian KSBJ were last seen at #5. KQBT fell to #8 with its lowest mark since JANUARY, while KSBJ landed at #11 with its smallest share in over a year. Market PUMM was down 6.7% from last month but up 15.3% from a year ago.
Not only was KODA #1 18-34 for the second book in a row, the station crashed through the double-digit barrier. KRBE moved up to #2 with its best showing in over a year. KKBQ moved from #5 to a very close #3, while KTBZ slid to #4 with its lowest total in exactly a year. URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBXX (97.9 THE BOX) inched up to #5 with a small share increase. KQBT fell four slots to #8 and was tied with KMJQ. Market PUMM was down 12.8% from the previous survey and 9.8% from last year.
After a three-book hiatus, a flat KODA moved back to #1 18-49. This ended the three-book reign of KTBZ, which dipped to #2 as it returned most of last month’s share gain. KKBQ rose from #6 to #3, while KRBE stepped down to #4. KROI launched itself from #17 to #5 with its best book in over a year. KQBT slid four places to #8, while KSBJ dropped from #5 to #13. Market PUMM was down 5.7% from OCTOBER but up 7.7% from 2024.
Thanks for wasti – er, spending your valuable time reading this here missive. Round two is currently at the factory but will be delivered tomorrow. It will spotlight SAN FRANCISCO, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON D.C., PHILADELPHIA, and BOSTON in that order.
If you’re a first-time caller but long-time listener, be sure to sign up for our blog. And feel free to pass it along to others in your chat group.
-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant
About XTrends: XTrends is radio’s favorite tool for reviewing ratings. Click here to see why all of radio’s major groups love XTrends!
About Research Director, Inc.: Research Director, Inc. is based in Annapolis, Maryland. We help radio stations’ programming and sales departments maximize the value of their research. For more information, visit www.ResearchDirectorInc.com, call 410-295-6619, or e-mail info@ResearchDirectorInc.com or sallan@ResearchDirectorInc.com.