Research Director: January '24 Radio Ratings Feb 23


by Steven Allan, Programming Research Consultant

January PPM Insight


Day 4



“Oh, the weather outside is frightful …” – yeah, we can bury that lyric until NOVEMBER or so. Our long national holiday nightmare is over as the annual quarter hour migration begins. Balance is returning to the force. The radio continuum is coming back into alignment.

The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC – along with the oracles of the algorithms from XTRENDS – bring you our final installment of the JANUARY gestalt. This 28-day period began on the fourth of the month and concluded on the 31st. There was a three-day weekend clogging up the works, people were back at the school bus stops, and football was all the rage. Here’s what happened next:



TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG: The Holiday Multiverse


Three stations of consequence had all been vying for seasonal dominance. As they returned to their regularly scheduled programming and the dust was clearing, we find COX MEDIA Soft AC WDUV (105.5 THE DOVE) still on top of the 6+ leaderboard (13.3-9.7). Last year the station posted a 7.8 share. COX MEDIA Classic Hits WXGL (107.3 THE EAGLE) secured its best book since AUGUST (5.4-5.7) as it landed at #2. COX MEDIA Talk WHPT (102.5 THE BONE) had its best outing since SEPTEMBER (4.1-5.3) to leap from #7 to #3. iHEARTMEDIA Country WFUS (US 103.5) also made a bold move as it rose from #9 to #4 (3.9-4.6). It was tied with BEASLEY Classic Hits WRBQ (Q105), which advanced from #5 (5.0-4.6). RADIO TRAINING Christian Contemporary WCIE (THE JOY FM) also ventured into the holiday realm. It slipped to #6 (5.2-4.5). It had a 6.7 share a year ago. Also coming in at #6 was BEASLEY Country WQYK (4.9-4.5). Our final holiday player was iHEARTMEDIA AC WMTX (MIX 100.7). It dropped from #2 to #8 (6.5-4.4). Last year’s final number was a 5.8. WDUV shed 10.8% of its cume but was still the leader (683,900-609,900). WMTX was down 18.6% (499,000-406,300), while WCIE lost 25.1% of its previous total (265,700-199,100). The market fell by 1.4%.

Last survey WHTP and iHEARTMEDIA Album Oriented Rock WXTB were tied at #6. The stations fared much better this time around. WHTP rose to #1 for the first time since SEPTEMBER, while WXTB arrived at #2 with its highest score in over a year. WMTX dipped to #3, and BEASLEY Rhythmic CHR WLLD (WiLD 94.1) repeated at #4 with a solid increase. Also coming in at #4 was WDUV, which dropped from the top spot. WQYK slid three places to #6 with its lowest mark since AUGUST, while WCIE dropped from #4 to #7 as it ended a three-book surge.

WDUV managed to hold onto enough of its holiday endowment to repeat as the leading 18-34 station. WQYK moved up to #2 with a slight increase, while WLLD remained at #3 as it returned all of last survey’s solid increase. WMTX slipped to #4 and was paired with WXTB, which arrived from #6 with its best showing since JUNE. WCIE dropped from #5 into a tie at #8 with WFUS and WHTP.

As with the previous demo, WDUV remained strong enough to capture the 18-49 flag once again. It had about a share lead over two challengers at #2. WLLD remained in place as it ended a three-book slide, while WXTB advanced from #6 with its highest share since MAY. WMTX was down two spots to #4, while WQYK dipped from #3 to #5. WCIE went from #5 into a tie at #8 with WFUS.


DENVER-BOULDER: It’s Go Time


Now that the reindeer have returned to their stables, BONNEVILLE Country KYGO was free to move back to #1 6+ for the first time since OCTOBER (5.6-7.2). The ancestral home of ELMO & PATSY – BONNEVILLE AC KOSI (KOSI 101.1) – dipped to #2 (16.5-6.9). The station had a 6.2 share last year. KSE VENTURES Hot AC KIMN (MIX 100) repeated at #3 (5.3-5.1), while iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTCL (CHANNEL 93.3) stepped up to #4 (4.4-5.0). KSE VENTURES Classic Hits KXKL (KOOL 105.1) inched up to #5 as it recovered from the holiday blues (4.1-4.9). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KRFX (103.5 THE FOX) slinked down to #6 with its lowest total since APRIL (4.8-4.6). It was closely followed by PUBLIC BROADCASTING OF COLORADO N/T KCFR, which leapt from #13 to #7 (3.0-4.5). KOSI may have given up 31.0% of its cume, but the station was still #1 in that category (756,000-521,300). The market shrank by 3.8%.

KTCL had its largest 25-54 share since JULY, which moved the station up to #1. KOSI dipped to #2, while KYGO stepped up to #3 with its highest mark in over a year. KIMN had a solid share increase to rise up to #4, while KXKL returned to more familiar ratings territory as it rose from #9 to #5. KRFX slid to #6 and was tied with EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION Christian Contemporary KLDV (K-LOVE).

There was quite a pileup in the 18-34 ranks. AUDACY Rhythmic CHR KQKS (KS 107.5) and KTCL jumped from being co-owners of the #4 position to co-leaders of the demo. Then you had five – count ‘em, five – stations at #3. KRFX advanced from #6 with a solid increase, while KOSI dropped down from #1. iHEARTMEDIA Adult Alternative KBCO and KIMN stepped down from their tie at #2 while KYGO moved up from #7. All seven of those stations were within a share of each other.

The 18-49 was not as compressed as the previous demo. KTCL rose to #1 with its best outing since JULY, while KOSI dipped to #2. KXKL once again shook off the holiday doldrums as it advanced from #7 to #3. KYGO repeated at #4 with a small increase, while two stations moving in opposite directions met up at #5. KIMN slid from #3 with a small decrease, while KLDV vaulted from #10 with its best book in over a year. KRFX fell from #5 into a tie at #9 with ENTRAVISION Spanish Adult Hits KJMN (LA SUAVECITA 92.1).



SAN DIEGO: It’s Magic



No, we’re not talking about the stuff the elves throw around. This is all about LOCAL MEDIA Rhythmic AC XHRM (MAGIC 92.5), which had its best book since AUGUST (5.4-6.6) to move up two places to #1 6+. SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY N/T KPBS ended a three-book slide as it moved up to #2 (4.7-6.2). AUDACY Classic Hits KXSN (SUNNY 98.1) dipped to #3 (6.3-6.1). The home of the holiday hits was AUDACY AC KYXY. It slid from #1 to #4 (12.5-5.0). The station posted a 5.7 share a year ago. iHEARTMEDIA N/T KOGO-A inched up to #5 (3.9-4.9). It was partnered with AUDACY Country KSON, which rebounded from its holiday malaise to rise up from #11 (3.4-4.9). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMYI (STAR 94.1) slid from #5 to #8 (4.6-4.4). KXSN was back as it usual place atop the cume leaderboard with a 7.6% increase (459,300-494,300). KYXY lost 35.2% of its previous base (634,600-411,400). The market was off by 0.2%.

Seemingly out of nowhere, iHEARTMEDIA Album Oriented Rock KIOZ jumped from #4 to #1 with its biggest number in over a year. XHRM stepped up to #2 with a strong increase but was a half-share off the lead. KMYI dipped to #3 as it returned a small portion of last survey’s huge increase. KYXY dropped from #1 to #4 and was tied with iHEARTMEDIA CHR KHTS (CHANNEL 933), which moved up from #6 as it bounced back from a down book. LOCAL MEDIA CHR XHTZ (Z90.3) stepped down to #6 with a slight decrease. It had company in the form of KSON and KXSN.

KIOZ and XHRM were tied at #3 18-34 last survey. KIOZ landed a double-digit book as it moved up to #1, while XHRM settled in at #2 with its largest share in over a year. Four stations were in league at #3. XHTZ was up from #5 with a slight decrease, while KHTS rose from #6 with a small increase. KXSN advanced from #10 as it recovered from the holiday gloom. Also joining the fray was iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary KSSX (JAM’N 95.7), which arrived from #7 as it rebounded from a down book. KYXY dropped from #1 to #8. KMYI fell from #2 to #10 where it was tied with five other stations.

As with the previous two demos, KIOZ had its best 18-49 book in over a year to advance from #5 to #1. XHRM remained at #2 as it ended a three-book slide, while XHTZ was back at #3 with a slight increase. Also landing at #3 was TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNV (QUÉ BUENA 106.5), which rose from #7 as it regained some of last survey’s rather large share loss. KYXY dropped from #1 to #5 and was tied with KHTS, which remained in place with a slight increase. KMYI fell from #3 to #8.


NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND): A Return To Normalcy



Due to the evil presence of BURL IVES and his minions, COX MEDIA Classic Rock WBAB saw its 10-book 6+ winning streak grind to a halt last survey. Well, the station was back at #1 this month (5.2-7.2). Moving up four slots to #2 was AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS, which had its best outing in over a year (3.6-5.8). COONOISSEUR AC WKJY (K-JOY 98.3) inched up to #3, also with its highest share in over a year (4.6-5.1). It was joined in that space by iHEARTMEDIA CHR WHTZ (Z100), which rose from #5 (4.4-5.1). AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) jumped four places to #5 with its best showing in over a year (3.3-4.8). The station also added a 1.0 share from its stream. The two SANTA stations were tied at #1 last survey but did not repeat. CONNOISSEUR Hot AC WALK (WALK FM) landed at #6 (9.2-4.7); it posted a 4.8 share a year ago. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) ended up at #11 (9.2-3.3). It had a 3.1 share last year. Though WHTZ saw its cume shrink by 6.8%, the station did move up to #1 (401,900-374,400). WLTW lost 39.2% of its cume (600,600-365,000), while WALK was down 35.0% (532,900-346,200). The market fell by 3.1%.

WHTZ had its best 25-54 performance since FEBRUARY as it rose from #3 back up to #1. WCBS leapt three places to #2 with its largest share since JULY. WBAB inched up to #3 as it regained all of last survey’s lost share. WINS again posted its biggest number in over a year as it advanced from #7 to #4. WALK and WLTW had been tied at #1. WALK slipped to #5, while WLTW fell to #13.

WHTZ moved from #5 to #1 18-34. This was both the station’s first appearance in that spot and its highest score in exactly a year. COX MEDIA CHR WBLI repeated at #2 as it got back a good portion of last survey’s big share loss. It had company as WKJY stepped up from #3 with its best book in over a year. SBS Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) moved up to #4 with its third up book in a row. Also moving into that space was WCBS, which advanced from #8 with its highest mark since JUNE. WALK fell from #1 to #9, while WLTW dropped from #3 to #12.

Last survey WHTZ had its five-book 18-49 winning streak snapped by that right jolly old elf. The station moved back to the top spot this month with its highest score since FEBRUARY. WCBS and WINS had been tied at #6. Both stations had huge share increases as they rose to #2 and #3, respectively. WBLI repeated at #4 as it bounced back from a down book, while WKJY, also a veteran of the #6 multi-tie, stepped up to #5 with its largest share in over a year. Three stations were languishing at #6. WSKQ remained in place, while WBAB dipped from #5. WALK dropped in from #1. WLTW fell from #2 to #12.


CHARLOTTE-GASTONIA-ROCK HILL: The Beasley Effect


This was another market that had a two-headed holiday beast. BEASLEY AC WKQC (K104.7) continued as the 6+ leader for the third straight survey (11.2-7.1). The station had a 6.6 share a year ago. BEASLEY Country WSOC had its best outing since SEPTEMBER (5.4-6.8) to rise four slots to #2. BEASLEY Urban AC WBAV (V101.9) repeated at #3 (7.2-6.4), while BEASLEY Urban Contemporary WPEG (POWER 98 FM) stepped up to #4 with its highest mark in over a year (5.6-6.0). You may have noticed that the top four spots belonged to one cluster. URBAN ONE Urban AC WOSF (105.3 RnB) slipped to #5 (5.8-5.7). Also landing at that spot was UNIVERSITY RADIO FOUNDATION N/T WFAE, which vaulted from #12 with its biggest number in over a year (3.5-5.7). The other holiday hitmaker was iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits WLKO (102.9 THE LAKE). It fell from #2 to #8 (8.3-4.6). It had a 5.9 share last year. However, WLKO did take the top cume spot, despite a 22.3% decrease (500,700-388,900). WKQC lost 32.9% of its former cume (529,900-355,600). The market was down 2.4%.

After taking the holiday blitz off, WPEG was back at #1 25-54. WSOC was up three places to #2. It narrowly defeated WKQC, which went from first to third. WOSF was back at #4 with a small decrease. It was partnered with iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WEND (106.5 THE END), which advanced from #7 with its highest score since JUNE. WFAE ended a two-book slide as it catapulted from #12 to #6. WLKO sank from #2 to #7 and was tied with URBAN ONE Sports WFNZ.

SANTA, schmanta. WKQC was both #1 and in double figures 18-34 for the third book in a row. WSOC was close to double digits as it moved up to #2. Then we had four stations huddled together at #3 and all of them moved up the chart. WPEG advanced from #8 as it rebounded from a down book, while WOSF arrived from #7 with its highest share since MAY. WEND rose from #6 with its best outing in over a year, while iHEARTMEDIA Country WKKT (96.9 THE KAT) moved up from #5 despite a modest decrease. WBAV slid from #3 to #7 with its lowest total since SEPTEMBER. WLKO fell from #2 into a tie at #8 with WFNZ and URBAN ONE Hot AC WLNK (THE MIX 107.9).

WOSF was back at #1 18-49 after taking the last three books off. WEND was a half share behind as it advanced from #7 to #2 with its highest score since MAY. WSOC moved from #5 to #3 as it rebounded from a down book. WKQC slipped from #1 to #4, while WPEG stepped up to #5 with a slight increase. WBAV drifted from #3 to #6 with its smallest share in over a year. WLKO dropped from #2 to #9.



That’s our story and we’re sticking to it. Thank you for playing along. We’ll be back in 28 days (or so) with the FEBRUARY follies.

Make sure you – and everyone you know – don’t miss our next adventure by subscribing to our blog here. And if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints, just send us an e-mail.

-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant

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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.


Day 3


Followers of the JANUARY survey fall into two camps. The devotees of all things merry and bright are looking to see how the mighty have fallen. Those who rail against the scourge of the incessant jingling of bells (not to mention drumming of drums) are hoping to see the great quarter hour migration return to its original nesting grounds. (If you read this as if it was being narrated by DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, it makes a lot more sense.)

The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC – along with math maestros from XTRENDS – are about to take you on a guided tour through another gang of five markets. This particular book ran from JANUARY 4th through JANUARY 31st and lacked any trace of the ghosts of CHRISTMAS past (looking at you, ELVIS). It did have a three-day weekend, saw the kids back on the bus, and featured plenty of football. Let us begin.


SEATTLE-TACOMA: The Leader Of The Pack


This was where three stations of significance had dueled it out over who could play the most ANDY WILLIAMS records. More on that in a second. Charging back into the 6+ lead for the third time in the last four surveys was AUDACY Country KKWF (100.7 THE WOLF) (6.1-7.3). UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW landed its first up book since OCTOBER (6.2-6.9) to move up to #2. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZOK was up two slots to #3 (5.9-5.8), while AUDACY Album Oriented Rock KISW ended a three-book slide as it made its way up to #4 (3.8-5.4). The next three stations were all swimming in the frigid waters of the NORTH POLE. AUDACY Soft Rock KSWD (94.1 THE SOUND) dropped from #2 to #5 (8.0-4.6). It had a 5.1 share last year. HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM 106.9) fell from #1 to #6 (9.7-4.5). Last year’s share was an identical 4.5. CRISTA Christian AC KCMS (SPIRIT 105.3) dipped from #21 to #23 (2.2-1.4). It had a 2.9 share a year ago. KRWM was still the cume leader but lost 34.5% of its previous total (850,800-556,900). KSWD was #3 with a 17.6% drop (606,700-500,00). KCMS shed 22.9% of its cume (203,100-156,500). The market was off by 2.8%.

KISW landed its largest 25-54 share in over a year as it rose from #4 to #1. KKWF repeated at #2 as it bounced back from a down book. HUBBARD CHR KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5) moved up to #3 with a solid increase, while FRIENDS OF KEXP Alternative KEXP rose three places to #4 with its best book since MARCH. iHEARTMEDIA CHR KBKS (HITS 106.1) leapt from #8 to #5 with a solid increase. KSWD slid from #3 to #6, while KRWM fell from #1 to #11.

Back in NOVEMBER, KKWF was #1 and in double figures 18-34. Then the geese started laying and things got messy. The station was back to where it once belonged as it moved from #3 to #1. KQMV jumped three places to #2 with a more NOVEMBER-like performance. Between the two stations, they garnered about a fifth of the market’s share. KISW vaulted from #7 to #3 with its highest score since FEBRUARY. It was forced to share with AUDACY Alternative KNDD (107.7 THE END), which moved in from #11 as it almost doubled its previous share. KZOK slipped from #2 to #5 with its smallest share since MAY. It was paired with AUDACY Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT 103.7), which slipped from #3 as it gave back most of last month’s huge share increase. KRWM dropped from #1 to #8, while KSWD slid from #10 to #16.

There was a whole lotta shaking going on in the 18-49 ranks. KKWF and KQMV were back at #1 and #2, respectively, after a two-book hiatus. KISW jumped from #7 to #3 with its best outing since AUGUST, while KEXP rose from #9 to #4 with its highest mark since JULY. KBKS moved from #8 to #5 with a solid increase. KSWD and KHTP moved their partnership from #4 to #8. KRWM fell from #1 to #12.


MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: Some Like It Hot


This was one of the few markets that did not succumb to the pull of the holiday music psychosis – on a full-time basis, at least. COX MEDIA Urban AC WHQT (HOT 105) continued to lead the 6+ pack with its highest share since MARCH (7.8-9.4). TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR 107.5) repeated at #2with its best outing in over a year (7.1-7.6). COX MEDIA Soft AC WFEZ (EASY 93.1) moved up to #3 as it rebounded from a down book (4.9-5.9). While AUDACY AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM) did not fully delve into the dark arts of the elves, the station did dabble a bit. It also ended a three-book surge (6.8-5.2) as it dipped to #4. iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WMIA (MAGIC 93.9) ended its tie with WFEZ and its four-book surge (4.9-4.4) as it stepped down to #5. After taking two books off, WFEZ was back as the cume leader (695,100-701,700) – a 0.9% increase. This was partially fueled by WLYF losing 10.4% of its cume (764,100-684,800). The market was off by 1.6%.

For the fifth time in the last six surveys, WAMR was #1 25-54. The station also landed its largest share in over a year. WMIA enjoyed its brief moment in the spotlight but had to step down to #2 with its first down book since SEPTEMBER. WLYF dipped to #3 as it returned most of last survey’s huge increase. WFEZ moved from #7 to #4 with a rather large share increase. WHQT repeated at #5 with a slight decrease. SBS Spanish Contemporary WXDJ (EL ZOL 106.7) slid to #6 with its smallest share in over a year.

The 18-34 demo is brought to you by the number three. That is how many stations were arrayed around the #1 spot. COX MEDIA Urban Contemporary WEDR (99 JAMZ) repeated with its fourth up book in a row. WAMR stepped up from #2 with a solid increase, while iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WZTU (TÚ 94.9) advanced from #6 with its highest mark in over a year. A flat WHQT slipped to #4, while TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WRTO (MIX 98.3) ended a four-book slide as it vaulted from #11 to #5. WFEZ slid four places to #6. The station that always reminds me of the WILL SMITH/TOMMY LEE JONES movie franchise – iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WMIB (103.5 THE BEAT) – slipped to #7 and was tied with AUDACY Country WKIS (KISS COUNTRY 99.9).

Despite a small share loss, WMIA made it back-to-back 18-49 wins. WAMR repeated at #2 with a small increase. The stations were a half-share apart. A flat WHQT was back at #3, while WZTU leapt from #8 to #4 with its best showing since APRIL. WFEZ moved up to #5 with a solid increase. Two stations were excused from the top five. WEDR dropped three places to #6 as it returned most of last survey’s big gain. WLYF fell from #5 to #11 as it ended a strong three-book surge.


PHOENIX: The Big Easy



Sure, iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9 KEZ) only got about half its previous 6+ share (18.5-9.6), but the station was the clear winner for the sixth straight survey. Last year it fielded a 7.2 share, which was good for second place. HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX stepped up to #2 as it bounced back from a down book (6.0-7.0). HUBBARD Album Oriented Rock KUPD had its highest share since SEPTEMBER as it motored from #5 to #3 (4.2-5.3). AUDACY Classic Hits KOOL (BIG 94.5) landed its best book in over a year (3.2-4.9) as it rose to #4. DESERT VALLEY Classic Hits KOAI (95.1/94.9 THE WOW FACTOR) dipped to #5 (4.5-4.6). HUBBARD Alternative KDKB (ALT AZ 93.3) returned most of last survey’s massive share increase (6.9-4.5) as it slid from #2 to #6. KESZ lost 37.0% of its cume but still led that category (1,403,600-883,800). The market was basically flat.

For the fourth book in a row, KESZ was #1 25-54. KDKB was back at #2 but could not duplicate the double-digit share it had in the last survey. KUPD ended a three-book slide as it repeated at #3. KSLX was still the #4 station as it bounced back from a down book. iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX posted its best number in over a year to remain at #5. Nipping at its cowboy boots was KOOL, which advanced from #11 to #6 with its highest mark since AUGUST.

Both KDKB and KESZ managed to remain in double digits for the second book in a row. The difference was that KDKB was flat as it moved up to #1, while KESZ lost more than half its previous share to dip to #2. AUDACY CHR KALV (LIVE 101.5) repeated at #3. Despite landing its best book since MARCH, it trailed the leaders by at least three shares. KNIX was back at #4 as it ended a four-book slide. It was paired with AUDACY Country KMLE, which stepped up from #5 as it regained most of last survey’s large share loss. KUPD stepped down to #6 despite a strong share gain. iHEARTMEDIA CHR KZZP (104.7 KISS FM) dropped from a tie at #5 into one at #8 along with KOOL and iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 THE MOUNTAIN).

KESZ made it six 18-49 wins in a row and just missed hitting double digits as it had in the two previous surveys. KDKB returned most of last survey’s huge share increase but had enough left in the tank to repeat at #2. KUPD stepped up to #3 with its highest share since OCTOBER. KALV dipped to #4 but with a solid increase. It was joined there by KNIX, which moved up a slot with its best showing in over a year. KOOL leapt from #10 to #6.


DETROIT: Can Blue Men Sing The Whites?


Any BONZO DOG DOO-DAH BAND fans out there? Probably not. One thing we can be sure of is that the color blue was a boon for AUDACY Sports WXYT (97.1 THE TICKET). The station was back at #1 6+ after a two-book hiatus (8.6-9.8). Hey, we could be wrong – maybe the market was a buzz about the PISTONS (snort). Oh, and it also picked up an additional 1.8 share from the stream. iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC ended its two-book run at #1 and stepped down to #2 (16.9-7.6). Last year the station posted a 7.7 share. iHEARTMEDIA CHR WKQI (CHANNEL 955) halted its six-book slide (5.1-6.9) as it moved up to #3. BEASLEY Classic Rock WCSX dipped to #4 (6.6-6.6), while AUDACY Country WYCD advanced to #5 as it bounced back from a down book (4.6-6.3). iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.3) fell from #4 to #9 (5.5-5.3). WNIC remained in cume control, despite a 39.2% decrease (1,506,900-916,700). The market was down 2.4%.

After playing second fiddle to SANTA in the last survey, WXYT was back at #1 and in double digits 25-54. WKQI rebounded from a down book to move up to #2. BEASLEY Album Oriented Rock WRIF returned to its NOVEMBER roots as it rose to #3. WNIC slid from #1 to #4. WYCD and AUDACY Classic Hits WOMC had been tied at #7. WYCD rebounded from a down book to move up to #5, while WOMC had its best performance since SEPTEMBER to inch up to #6. A flat WMXD slid to #7, while BEASLEY Rhythmic AC WMGC (105.1 THE BOUNCE) dropped from #4 to #8.

For the twelfth time in the last 14 surveys WKQI was in double digits 18-34. The station was also #1 for the twelfth time during that span. WXYT stepped up to #2 and was very close to hitting double figures. WOMC was up two places to #3 with its highest mark in over a year, while WRIF inched up to #4 as it ended a steep two-book slide. WYCD got back all of last survey’s huge loss as it sprang from #10 to #5. WNIC fell from #1 to #6, while WMGC dropped three spots into a tie at #7 with CUMULUS Hot AC WDVD.

WXYT returned to the #1 spot with the 18-49 crowd and also landed a double-digit number. WKQI stepped up to #2 as it ended a six-book slide, while WRIF made it to #3 with a strong share increase. WNIC dipped from #1 to #4, while WYCD advanced from a tie at #7 with WOMC to #5 as its redemption tour continued. WMGC dropped four places to #8.


MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: Spirit In The Sky


This was another market that had two flavors of seasonal sounds. UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST. PAUL Christian Contemporary KTIS really didn’t really need the help. Heading into the DECEMBER survey, it had been #1 6+ for eight books in a row. The station did take a back seat to the Claus clan but moved back to #1 this month (12.1-10.7) Last year it posted a 5.0 share, which was good for eighth place. iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (K-FAN FM 100.3) bounced back from a down book to move back up to #2 (6.8-7.5). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108)was the 800-pound reindeer and it dropped from #1 to #3 (15.8-6.7). That was the exact same share the station posted a year ago when it was #4. MPR N/T KNOW repeated at #4 but with its highest score since JULY (5.2-6.6). It picked up an additional 0.8 share from its stream. iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K102) moved up to #5 (4.4-5.7), while CUMULUS Album Oriented Rock KXXR (93X) dipped to #6 (5.0-5.5). KQQL remained the most heard radio station, despite a 35.0% decrease in cume (1,126,300-732,300). The market was off by 2.2%.

Thanks to a slight increase, KFXN moved from #3 to #1 25-54. KXXR was up two places to #2 with its highest mark since AUGUST. The stations were separated by less than a half-share. HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) ended a three-book slide to advance two squares to #3. KTIS slipped to #4, while KEEY rose from a tie with KFXN at #8 to #5 with its highest total since JULY. KQQL fell from #1 to #8.

The last time KEEY was #1 18-34 was in MARCH. This time the station rose from #4 to capture the flag and was dangerously close to hitting double digits. KXXR was up to #2 with a solid share increase, while iHEARTMEDIA CHR KDWB dipped to #3 with its lowest score in over a year. Three stations were hanging around the #4 lounge. KQQL slipped from #1, while KSTP moved up from #6 as it shook off all that pixie dust. AUDACY Adult Hits KZJK (104.1 JACK FM) advanced from #8 with its best book in over a year. KTIS slid from #5 to #7.

For the first time since FEBRUARY, KXXR was #1 18-49. The station was within spitting distance of double-digit territory. KSTP moved up to #2 with a solid increase but was a share off the lead. KTIS stepped down to #3 as it halted a four-book surge. KFXN and KZJK were at #5 and #6, respectively, last survey. Both stations had solid increases to move up and into a tie at #4. KQQL fell from #1 to #8.



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Thank you for reading this ratings manifesto. Stay tuned for our fourth and final installment where we take apart TAMPA, DENVER, SAN DIEGO, NASSAU-SUFFOLK, and CHARLOTTE. If you haven’t done so, please subscribe to our blog here.

-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant

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Day 2


With apologies to Ol’ Blue Eyes, this survey’s results can be sung to the tune of “riding high in HOLIDAY, shot down in JANUARY.” This whole holiday music thing has been going on for decades and, to this point, no one has cracked the code on keeping all that new cume from flowing back to their original sources. We certainly saw that in Part 1 of this here missive as the Santa stations lost a quarter or more of their previous cume. The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with the adroit algorithmic artists from XTRENDS – expect that trend to continue.

This is the survey that was, and it ran from JANUARY 4th through JANUARY 31st. Winter break ended, it was bitter cold, and it featured a mandatory three-day weekend. Here’s what happened once the big guy left the building:



HOUSTON-GALVESTON: Naughty & Nice


This was one of those markets where two stations changed their formats, for goodness’ sake, but featured somewhat different versions. iHEARTMEDIA AC KODA (SUNNY 99.1) went double digits for two whole surveys. The station experienced the expected deflation of its 6+ share (13.7-8.3) but held on to its #1 ranking. This fell short of last year’s 9.6 share. KSBJ EDUCATIONAL Christian Contemporary KSBJ was also in the, ahem, spirit of things as it repeated at #2 but with its highest mark in over a year (6.5-7.3). Last year it posted a 6.0 share. URBAN ONE Urban AC KMJQ (MAJIC 102.1) ended a three-book slide (5.4-6.1) as it moved up to #3. RADIO ONE Country KKBQ (THE NEW 93Q) scored its best number since APRIL (4.2-5.8) as it rose from #7 to #4. AUDACY Adult Hits KKHH (95.7 THE SPOT) dipped to #5 (5.5-5.7), while RADIO ONE Classic Rock KGLK (THE EAGLE 106.9 & 107.5) had its smallest share in over a year (6.5-5.3) as it fell four places to #6. KODA may have surrendered 22.1% of its cume, but the station still had the most listeners (2,140,300-1,667,400). The market shrank by 0.7%.

Rumors of its demise might be premature as KKHH moved up to #1 25-54 with its highest mark since MAY. KODA dipped to #2 with the expected big share loss, while KSBJ moved down to #3 with a slight increase. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTBZ (94.5 THE BUZZ) halted its four-book slide as it leapt from #8 to #4. KKBQ was back at #5 as it rebounded from a down book. TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KAMA (104.9 LATINO MIX) dropped from a tie at #5 into one at #7 with ESTRELLA Mexican Regional KQQK (EL NORTE 107.9). KGLK fell from #4 to #10 and was paired with ESTRELLA Mexican Regional KTJM (LA RAZA 98.5 & 101.7 FM).

Last survey, despite all the holiday hubbub, KKHH was up to #5 18-34. This time the station landed at #1 with its best book since FEBRUARY. It was also dangerously close to reaching double figures. KODA stepped down to #2 and was almost two shares off the pace. KTBZ regained most of last survey’s huge share loss as it vaulted from #9 to #3. URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBXX (97.9 THE BOX) dipped to #4 with its smallest share since MAY. AUDACY Spanish Contemporary KLOL (MEGA 101 FM) stepped up to #5 with its best outing since SEPTEMBER. It was sharing the moment with KKBQ, which arrived from #8 with its highest score in over a year, and KSBJ, up from #17 by more than doubling last month’s share. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary KQBT (93.7 THE BEAT) dropped four places to #8 as it gave back all of last survey’s solid share increase. KAMA ended a strong five-book surge as it fell from #2 to #9.

KODA was #1 18-49 for the third book in a row but escaped by the narrowest of margins as #2 KKHH was up for the third straight survey. KTBZ stopped a four-book slide in this demo, as well, as it clawed its way up from #7 to #3. KKBQ rose five spots to #4 with its best book since APRIL. It was about a half share ahead of AUDACY Country KILT (100.3 THE BULL), which stepped up to #5 with a small increase. KBXX slid from #2 to #6 with its smallest share since APRIL. KAMA dropped four places to #9, while KGLK fell from #4 to #18.


ATLANTA: The Talk Of The Town



After a one-book hiatus, COX MEDIA N/T WSB-A was back at #1 6+ (7.4-8.6). URBAN ONE Urban AC WAMJ (MAJIC 107.5/97.5) had its best book in exactly a year (6.7-7.9) to move up two slots to #2. COX MEDIA AC WSB (B98.5) landed its largest share in over a year (6.0-7.6) to move up to #3. COX MEDIA Classic Hits WSRV (97.1 THE RIVER) slipped to #4, despite posting its first up book since OCTOBER (6.9-7.2). The ‘home of the holiday hits’ title belonged to SALEM AC WFSH (104.7 THE FISH). It dropped from #1 to #5 (10.5-4.7). Last year it had a 5.3 share. The station also lost 45.6% of its cume. WSB still had the largest cume despite a 1.9% decrease (809,100-793,400). This almost matched the market’s 1.6% drop.

Two surveys ago, WSB was sitting in the ninth spot in the 25-54 rankings. The station has more than doubled its share since then as it worked its way up to #1. WSRV had a small share loss but repeated at #2. Last survey CUMULUS Alternative WNNX (99X) fell from #6 to #3. All that share came back this time as the station returned to the show position. WAMJ inched up to #4 with its highest mark since SEPTEMBER, while a flat AUDACY Urban AC WVEE (V-103) dipped to #5. WFSH swam downstream from #1 to #9.

As with the previous demo, WSB had a monster 18-34 book as it touched down at the #1 position. WAMJ was up two places to #2 with its best book in over a year yet trailed the leader by more than two shares. WSRV stepped down to #3 with its least productive outing in over a year. AUDACY Sports WZGC (92.9 THE GAME) pogoed from #11 to #3. As recently as OCTOBER, it was #25. WVEE slipped to #5 with its smallest share since AUGUST. WFSH dove deep as it dropped from #1 to #13.

If you’ve been keeping score at home, you will not be surprised to learn that WSB vaulted from #4 to #1 18-49 with its highest mark since MARCH. It was less than a half share in front of WSRV, which held steady at #2. WNNX rebounded from a down book to move back to #3. WAMJ stepped up to #4 with its best showing since MAY. WVEE slid to #5 despite a slight increase. WFSH moved from #1 to #6.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Song Remains The Same


Well, technically, the consistent #1 6+ station does not play songs for a living. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY N/T WAMU also continued its long-running string of double-digit surveys (11.5-12.7). HUBBARD News WTOP posted its best number since SEPTEMBER (6.3-8.3) as it moved up to #2. HOWARD UNIVERSITY Urban AC WHUR was the leading music station as it held steady at #3 (7.7-7.2). After eliminating BURL IVES from its playlist, iHEARTMEDIA AC WASH slipped from #2 to #4 (11.0-6.5). Last year it landed a 6.4 share. URBAN ONE Urban AC WMMJ (MAJIC 102.3/92.7) went through some major personality changes during the survey. It repeated at #5 (5.5-5.0). Making a bid to join the top five was the station with quite possibly the longest ownership title: GREATER WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION, INC. (aka WETA) Classical WETA. It moved up to #6 with its best outing in over a year (3.8-4.6). WASH may have ceded 36.5% of its cume but was still the market leader (1,221,100-775,500). The market fell by 3.9%.

Giving up on the performance-enhancing music did dent WASH’s 25-54 share, but the station was #1 for the eighth straight survey. WAMU moved up to #2 with its best book since MAY, while WHUR dipped to #3 as it ended a strong five-book surge. URBAN ONE Urban Contemporary WKYS was back at #4 with a slight decrease, while WMMJ was up three slots to #5 with its highest score in over a year. Not far behind was iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WWDC (DC101), which rose to #6, also with its best book in over a year. AUDACY Classic Hits WIAD (94.7 THE DRIVE) was stuck in reverse as it fell from #5 to #8.

There was a battle raging for the 18-34 leadership position. After a two-book layoff, WAMU was back in double digits and at #1. WASH dipped to #2 but remained in double figures for the sixth straight survey. The stations were less than a half share apart. WMMJ stepped up to #3 with its highest mark in over a year, while iHEARTMEDIA CHR WIHT (HOT 99.5) slipped to #4 as it lost a noticeable chunk of share. WKYS repeated at #5 as it bounced back from a down book.

WASH was #1 18-49 for the eighth book in a row but saw its double-digit streak end at six. WAMU was up two places to #2 with its best book since MAY, while WKYS held firm at #3 with a small share loss. WHUR drifted down to #4 with its first down book since JULY. WWDC worked it from #9 to #5 with its highest score since MARCH. WIHT slid from #5 to #8.


PHILADELPHIA: We Have Both Rock And Roll


There was a harder edge to the 6+ leaderboard this month. BEASLEY Classic Rock WMGK sprang from #3 to #1 (6.5-8.2). This was the station’s first appearance at #1 since its five-book winning streak ended in SEPTEMBER. Meanwhile, BEASLEY Album Oriented Rock WMMR had its best outing in over a year as it rose to #2 (5.7-7.5). iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WDAS dipped to #3 (8.6-7.3), while AUDACY Sports WIP – to the fading tune of “Fly, Eagles, Fly” – repeated at #4 (5.7-7.0). The station did reap an additional 2.3 share from its stream. AUDACY News KYW-A had its highest share since MARCH (4.7-6.2) as it stepped up to #5. Santa left the building so AUDACY AC WBEB (B101.1) fell from #1 to #6 (16.8-5.5). Last year it had a 5.8 share. The station also lost 49.4% of its cume (1,755,600-888,600) but still led that category. The market was down 4.7%.

After a two-book layoff, WMMR was back at #1 25-54 and was perilously close to hitting double digits. WBEB lost more than half its previous share but only dipped to #2, albeit about three shares off the lead. WMGK landed its largest share in over a year to move up to #3. Two stations crashed the top five party and settled in at #4. AUDACY Hot AC WTDY (THE NEW 96.5) was up from #6 with its highest mark in over a year, while WIP flew in from #7 (yes, another lame EAGLES joke – they must really HURTS) as it bounced back from a down book. Speaking of rebounding, BEASLEY Country WXTU regained all of last survey’s lost share to move back up to #6. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WUSL (POWER 99) slipped four places to #7 with its smallest share since JUNE. WDAS, with its lowest total in over a year, fell from #4 to #8 where it met BEASLEY Adult Hits WBEN (95.7 BEN FM).

WUSL was back at #1 18-34 for the first time since APRIL with its best book in over a year. WMMR stepped up to #2, about a half-share behind the leader. WMGK stood alone at #3 but with its largest number since JUNE. WBEB slid from first to fourth, while WXTU repeated at #5 as it got back some of last survey’s big share loss.

WMMR was back at #1 18-49, a spot it last frequented in OCTOBER. WUSL repeated at #2 with a modest share loss. WBEB slid from first to third, while WIP moved up to #4 with a rather large increase. Three stations were collaborating at #5. WTDY remained in place but with its highest score in over a year. WMGK moved up a slot with its best book since JUNE, while WXTU advanced from #8 as it bounced back from that down book. WDAS fell from #4 to #10.


BOSTON: The Sports Buzz


Were people complaining about the PATRIOTS or lauding the CELTICS? Either way it was grist for the mill that is BEASLEY Sports WBZ (98.5 THE SPORTS HUB). After a two-book hiatus, the station was back at #1 6+ and in double figures (9.2-11.2). The post-holiday malaise affected AUDACY AC WMJX (MAGIC 106.7), which stepped down to #2 (14.2-6.7). However, this was far better than last year when the station had a 4.2 share and was sitting at #7. BOSTON UNIVERSITY Public Radio WBUR repeated at #3 (6.1-6.0), while BEASLEY Classic Hits WROR shook off a down book to move up to #4 (3.9-5.2). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WZLX dipped to #5 (5.0-4.9), while iHEARTMEDIA News WBZ-A slipped to #6 (4.7-4.6). SANTA devastated AUDACY Hot AC WWBX (MIX 104.1) last survey. With him out of the way, the station vaulted from #13 back up to #7 (2.8-4.5). WMJX still had the most cume, though it was 32.8% lighter in that department (1,182,400-795,000). The market was off by 1.8%.

Looks like WBZ is set to begin another long string of #1 25-54 books. The station ascended the throne with a strong double-digit presence. WMJX was relegated to second place as it surrendered more than half its previous share. There was a threesome at #3. WBUR remained in place with a slight decrease, while iHEARTMEDIA CHR WXKS (KISS 108) stepped up from #4 with a small increase. WROR advanced from #5 with its best book since AUGUST. WWBX was close behind that triad as it was up three places to #6 as it bounced back from a down book. AUDACY Adult Hits WBGB (BIG 103) fell four places to #9.

Back in NOVEMBER, WWBX was #1 and in double digits 18-34. The holiday hoopla kind of messed with that. This time the station more than doubled last survey’s number as it rose from #6 back to #1. WBZ moved up to #2 and was flirting with double digits, while WBGB dipped to #3 with a noticeable share loss. WXKS repeated at #4 but with a huge share increase. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR WJMN (JAM’N 94.5) advanced to #5 with its highest score in over a year. BEASLEY Rhythmic AC WBQT (HOT 96.9) slid to #6, despite a solid share increase. WMJX fell from #1 to #7.

WBZ was back in double digits and sitting at #1 18-49. WWBX had a massive share increase as it catapulted from #7 to #2. WXKS was back at #3 with its first up book since OCTOBER. WMJX dropped from #1 to #4, while WBQT inched up to #5 with a small increase. WBUR and WBGB had been tied at #4. Both stations were down this month as they landed at #6 and #8, respectively.


Housekeeping...

Thank you for bearing with us for another ratings slog. To make sure you don’t miss part three of our continuing series, please subscribe to our blog right now. And if you don’t mind, please share this here missive with your radio brethren.

As always, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. stand ready to help you grow your ratings and revenue. Stay tuned for part three featuring SEATTLE, MIAMI, PHOENIX, DETROIT and MINNEAPOLIS.

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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.




Day 1


Let us be the first to wish you a Happy New Year! We know, we know, it’s FEBRUARY. However, we are about to embark on a mystical journey through the leavings of the JANUARY survey. The book where hope springs anew, where we celebrate the fact that the airwaves are no longer lousy with holly-infused tunes and (hopefully) when our temporarily former listeners return to their more familiar haunts. Yes, it is the annual winter migration of the quarter hours.

The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with the data diviners from XTRENDS – are back to regale you with folklore and fantasy for the period from JANUARY 4TH through JANUARY 31ST. This featured a return to school, a federally-mandated three-day weekend and playoff football! Our story begins here:



NEW YORK: Dim All The Lites, Baby


There was a massive redistribution of share from the bourgeoisie to the proletariat as iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) ceded a good chunk of its previous 6+ share (14.3-7.7). The station was still #1 and beat last year’s 6.5 share. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) rebounded from that down book (5.9-6.6) to repeat at #2, while AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS had its best outing since FEBRUARY (4.4-6.2) to rise three places to #3. iHEARTMEDIA CHR WHTZ (Z100) was back at #4 with its highest mark since MAY (4.6-5.5). MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS dropped two slots to #5 (4.7-4.8), while AUDACY News WINS moved from #9 to #6 (3.9-4.7) and pocketed a 0.5 share from its stream. SBS Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) slid four places to #8 (4.6-4.3). However, it did gain an additional 1.2 share from its stream. Though WLTW lost 27.9% of its cume, the station was still #1 in that category (4,750,600-3,423,200). The market fell by 4.3%.

WLTW kept its long-running #1 25-54 streak alive, but it was not alone. WHTZ posted its largest share in over a year to rise up and forge a tie for the lead. WCBS had its best book in over a year as it leapt from #7 to #3. The next three stations took a step down in the standings despite increases. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic AC WKTU dipped to #4 with a small addition, WSKQ was up slightly but slipped to #5, and WAXQ ended up at #6 with a solid share increase.

In the 18-34 arena, WAXQ posted its biggest number in over a year to move from #3 to #1. WLTW stepped down to #2 as it shed more than half its previous share. WKTU had its best showing since SEPTEMBER to move up to #3. Despite landing its best book in over a year, WHTZ slid to #4. WCBS stood alone at #5 but with its highest score since JULY. WSKQ dipped to #6, while WBLS fell six places to #11 with its smallest share in over a year.

There was a changing of the guard in the 18-49 ranks as WLTW was not #1 for the first time in over a year. That honor was handed to WCBS, which vaulted from #7 to claim the title. WHTZ repeated at #2 as it ended a two-book slide, while WLTW alit at #3 after losing more than half its previous share. WSKQ was back at #4 with its highest mark since MARCH, while WAXQ held firm at #5 with its best book in over a year. WKTU slid from #3 to #6.


LOS ANGELES: KOSTing


iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST extended its 6+ winning streak to three but suffered the expected loss of that extra holiday-induced weight (12.6-7.0). Last year it posted a 6.8 share. AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101) had its best book since OCTOBER to remain the #2 station (5.8-6.2). iHEARTMEDIA N/T KFI-A landed its largest share in over a year (4.6-5.5) as it moved up to #3. AUDACY Rhythmic AC KTWV (94.7 THE WAVE) advanced to #4 with its highest score since JULY (4.1-5.0). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYFM) held steady at #5 (4.5-4.6), while iHEARTMEDIA CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) slid three places to #6 (4.7-4.3). KOST still had the most cume, despite a 34.1% decrease (3,407-000-2,245,000). The market was down 1.9%.

KOST retained enough of the holiday spirit to sit at #1 25-54 for the third straight survey. KRTH stepped up to #2 with its best outing since MARCH, while KIIS dipped to #3 with its third down book in a row. KBIG repeated at #4 with a slight increase. AUDACY Adult Hits KCBS (93.1 JACK FM) and TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5) had been tied at #5. KCBS remained in place with its highest mark since AUGUST, while KLVE slipped to #6 despite its first up book since SEPTEMBER.

The 18-34 race suddenly got very interesting. KOST was on top for the third book in a row but maintained the narrowest of possible margins over #2 KIIS, which had its sixth up survey in a row. KBIG repeated at #3 with a slight share gain, while its former partner in that space – KRTH – stepped down to #4 with a slight decrease. KCBS was up a slot to #5 with a rather large share increase. iHEARTMEDIA Adult Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) dropped to #7 despite a slight increase.

KRTH had its best 18-49 score in over a year as it rose from #3 to #1. KIIS was back at #2 with a small share loss, while KOST gave up more than half its previous share as it drifted to #3. KBIG was back at #4 with a slight increase, while KCBS stepped up to #5 from a tie at #6 with KLVE. A flat SBS Mexican Regional KLAX (LA RAZA 97.9) slid four places to #9.


CHICAGO: Less Wattage To Your Cottage


Yes, iHEARTMEDIA Soft AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) was #1 for the fourth straight survey. However, the station was down some share (16.0-6.9). It posted a 7.3 last year. AUDACY News WBBM-A had its best book in over a year (4.9-6.2) as it rose to #2. It gained an additional 0.2 share from its stream. HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1FM THE DRIVE) was idling at #3 (5.7-5.8), while iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) had its first down book since JUNE (6.1-5.1) to slide to #4. AUDACY Adult Alternative WXRT had its best performance since AUGUST (3.2-5.0) as it stepped up to #5. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1) dipped to #6, despite bouncing back from a down book (4.0-4.6). WLIT lost an incredible 44.5% of its cume but was still residing at #1 (2,469,500-1,375,500). The market was off by 3.9%.

There was quite a shake-up in the 25-54 power structure. WOJO stepped up to #1 with a strong increase, while WLIT slipped to #2 as it lost more than half its previous share. The next two stations came charging in from outside the top five. WXRT jumped from #10 to #3 with its best book in over a year, while AUDACY Country WUSN (US99) rose from #12 to #4. WDRV scored its best number since APRIL to advance four spaces to #5. HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX) dipped to #6 with a slight increase. WVAZ and AUDACY Urban AC WBMX (104.3 JAMS) had been #3 and #4, respectively. They ended up in a tie at #7. A flat CUMULUS Classic Hits WLS fell four places to #9.

Though WOJO saw its four-book double-digit 18-34 streak come to an end, the station did step up to #1. WLIT dropped down to #2, again surrendering more than half its previous share. It was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI, which rose from #4 with its best outing in over a year. WUSN rebounded from a down book to move up three slots to #4. iHEARTMEDIA CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) dipped to #5, though it halted a three-book slide. WVAZ fell four places to #7, while WDRV went from #4 to #10 with its smallest share in over a year.

It was moving day on the 18-49 leaderboard. WOJO ascended the throne after a two-book layoff, while WLIT stepped down to #2. iHEARTMEDIA Album-Oriented Rock WCHI posted its largest share in over a year to vault from #6 to #3. WGCI also had its best performance in over a year as it leapt from #10 to #4. WUSN and WXRT were previously tied at #11. The stations advanced to #5 and #6, respectively. WBMX slid three places into a tie at #7 with WDRV. A slight decrease caused CUMULUS Alternative WKQX (Q101) to fall from #5 to #11. WVAZ ended a five-book surge as it slumped from #3 to #12.


SAN FRANCISCO: Towering Above The Rest


How’s that for live and local? BONNEVILLE AC KOIT continued to lead the 6+ pack (14.1-8.6). Last year’s share was an 8.1. KQED INC. N/T KQED had its best book in over a year (6.9-7.9) to repeat at #2. AUDACY News KCBS-A landed its first up book since AUGUST (5.7-6.6) to remain in third place. BONNEVILLE CHR KMVQ (99.7 NOW) was at #4 for the fifth book in a row (4.7-6.2). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KIOI (STAR 101.3) scored its best number since JULY (3.3-4.2) as it vaulted from #10 to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KMEL dropped from #5 to #9 (3.9-3.5). KOIT maintained cume control, despite a 23.5% decrease (1,605,900-1,227,900). The market was off a meager 0.2%.

Another survey, another #1 25-54 book for KOIT. Yes, the station lost a lot of share but still led cluster mate KMVQ – which bounced back from a down book – by two and a half shares. KQED moved up to #3 with a significant increase. KMEL dipped to #4 with a small decrease, while KIOI was up two slots to #5 with its highest score since MAY. A flat AUDACY Alternative KITS (LIVE 105) slipped to #6.

KOIT was #1 18-34 for the seventh straight survey and extended its double-digit streak to six books in a row. KMEL repeated at #2 though it returned a lot of last survey’s huge share increase. KMVQ was back at #3 with its highest mark in over a year. SBS Mexican Regional KRZZ (93.3 LA RAZA) more than doubled its previous share as it was launched from #10 to #4. KITS dipped to #5 with a slight decrease, while iHEARTMEDIA CHR KYLD (WiLD 94.9) slipped to #7, despite a small share gain.

KOIT narrowly missed hitting double figures for the third straight survey but still captured the 18-49 flag. KMVQ remained at #2 as it recovered from the holiday-induced malaise. KIOI had its best showing in over a year to rise from #5 to #3. KMEL landed its first down book since OCTOBER as it slipped to #4. KRZZ had its best book in over a year as it jumped from #9 to #5. KITS slid to #6 with a slight decrease.


DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Three’s A Crowd


Last survey, three stations were huddled together at #3. That partnership did not endure. CUMULUS Sports KTCK (1310 & 96.7 THE TICKET) rose to #1 for the first time since NOVEMBER (4.2-5.6). The other two properties moved up in tandem to #2. AUDACY Classic Hits KSPF (98.7 THE SPOT) regained all of last survey’s lost share (4.2-4.7), while SERVICE Urban AC KRNB (SMOOTH R&B 105.7) posted its largest share in over a year (4.2-4.7). Santa’s favorite elf was iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1). It dropped to #4 (10.3-4.5). Last year it had a 3.9 share. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) ended a three-book slide (3.2-4.3) as it advanced from #10 to #5. The other purveyor of the holiday tuneage was SALEM AC KLTY. It slid from #2 to #8 (4.6-3.8). Last year it posted a 3.4 share. KDGE had 38.4% of its cume removed but remained the leader in that category (1,658,000-1,020,600). The market fell by 3.2%.

For the first time since JUNE, KTCK was #1 25-54. It held a better-than-a-share lead over KLNO, which rose from #6 to #2. CUMULUS Country KSCS stepped up to #3 as it ended a three-book slide. AUDACY Alternative KVIL (ALT 103.7) rose two places to #4 with its highest mark since JUNE. KRNB advanced from #8 to #5 with its third up book in a row. Keep an eye on AUDACY Mexican Regional KMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5). The station zoomed from #15 to #6 with its best outing in exactly a year. AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) fell four slots to #7, despite a slight increase. KDGE dropped from #1 to #9 and was tied with NORTH TEXAS PUBLIC RADIO N/T KERA. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) had a small share loss as it fell from #5 to #12.

KVIL landed its largest 18-34 share in over a year as it advanced from #4 to #1 for the first time since AUGUST. It held a narrow lead over the two stations at #2. KDGE stepped down from #1, while KLNO inched up from #3. iHEARTMEDIA CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) moved up to #4 with a strong share gain, while KSCS was up to #5, also with a solid increase. KDMX halted its three-book surge as it slid from #2 to #6. KMVK jumped from #16 to #7, more than doubling its previous number.

After taking the last two books off, KLNO was back at #1 18-49. KDGE drifted down to #2 where it was partnered with KMVK, which arrived from #9. KVIL and KSCS moved up and into a tie at #4. KVIL had its best showing since SEPTEMBER, while KSCS halted a three-book slide. KDMX and KJKK had tied at #3 but landed at #6 and #7, respectively.


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