Chicago Radio: WVAZ Remains Dominant

WVAZ #1

It's only getting better for CCM+E's Urban ACV WVAZ 102.7 FM V103. Not only was V103 #1 (6+ AQH) during July, but it also returned to the 6.0-share threshold moving 5.9—6.1.

CBS Radio's News WBBM 780 AM / 105.9 FM rebounded 5.0—5.5 for #2...Hubbard's Hot AC WTMX 1.1.9 FM Mix was off 5.0—4.9 and ended up at #3. 

Tied at #4 are CBS' Country WUSN 99.5 FM US 99.5 4.4—4.5 and CCM+E Top 40 WKSC 103.5 FM Kiss 4.3—4.5. 

25-54: WVAZ...WTMX...WKSC...WBBM-FM...WUSN

18-34: WBBM-FM...WKQX...WGCI...WTMX...WKSC tied WUSN

18-49: WTMX...WBBM-FM tied WKSC...WVAZ...WKQX tied WGCI

Cume: WKSC-FM 2,365,600...WBBM-FM 2,263,300...WTMX-FM 2,140,200...WLIT-FM 1,923,100...WGCI-FM 1,482,300.

Noteworthy: Cumulus' Classic HitsWLS 94.7 FM rebounded during July 3.4—4.4 for for #6 (6+AQH).

Personalities make the difference! Courtesy of Chicagoland Radio & Media: The ratings for WLUP 07.9 FM The Loop are sinking in the all ages numbers and the bad news doesn't improve much in the 25-54 demographic -- the station's target demo. From a February high of 3.4 rating, July's numbers are now a full ratings point lower, at 2.4.

Trying to copy the playlist and success of WDRV 97.1 FM The Drive is not working. It also has not helped that the Cumulus Media-operated station has continued to use Merlin Media's terrible automation system with voice-tracked DJs during the daytime, and no DJs late at night or on weekends. Meanwhile, WDRV-FM has one of the best roster of DJs on Chicago radio, who are live on the air nearly 24/7 (except for some specialty shows).

Two one-time AM radio powerhouses, WGN-AM and WLS-AM, are not even in the Top 20. WGN-AM has fallen to #25 with a lowly 1.5 share in this demo (its worst ratings of the year so far), while WLS-AM has fallen to #29 with a 0.7 rating. (That 0.7 is just above its worst ratings in its nine decades history. The worst was last month when it sunk to a 0.6.) The only Chicago radio stations on the AM frequency in the Top 20 for Persons 25-54 are WBBM-AM (#11 with a 3.4 rating) and WSCR-AM (#20 with a 2.0 rating).

Top Chicago Morning Shows (6+ AQH):

1. Felicia Middlebrooks and Pat Cassidy WBBM AM 780/WCFS FM 105.9 (8.5 share)
2. Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart WTMX FM 101.9 (5.4 share)
3. Steve Cochran WGN AM 720 (4.8 share)
4. Steve Harvey WVAZ FM 102.7 (4.5 share)
5. Raul Molinar, Sylvia del Valle and Andres Maldonado WOJO FM 105.1 (4.1 share)