Nielsen has begun releasing its March Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings, covering the survey period from March 5 through April 1. The four-week book included the shift to Daylight Saving Time, the arrival of spring, and the start of Passover.
SAN FRANCISCO: Two Tie At The Top
The 6+ leaderboard is typically ruled by two spoken-word powerhouses. In March KQED Inc. News/Talk 88.5 KQED remained #1 for the third consecutive book but slipped to its lowest share in over a year (9.9 – 8.6). That opened the door for Audacy All-News 740 KCBS / 106.9 KFRC to climb and tie for the lead (8.8 – 8.6).
Bonneville Adult Contemporary 96.5 KOIT held steady as the top music station at #3 (5.0 – 4.8). A pair of stations tied for #4: Bonneville Hot AC/CHR 99.7 NOW (KMVQ) edged up one spot (4.6 – 4.5), while iHeartMedia Soft AC 98.1 The Breeze (KISQ) soared from #7 to tie it with its strongest showing since November (3.7 – 4.5).
iHeartMedia Hot AC Star 101.3 (KIOI) eased back to #6 (4.7 – 4.1). KOIT further extended its cume dominance, growing 12.7% (1,016,200 – 1,145,600). Overall market listening was up 2.7%.
In 25-54: A flat 99.7 NOW (KMVQ) rose to #1 for the first time since August. KQED dropped to a very tight #2, ending a two-book run at the top. Star 101.3 (KIOI) returned to #3 with a modest gain.
It was a jump ball for #4: KOIT held its position despite a small share dip, while flat Audacy Alternative Live 105 (KITS) climbed from #6. iHeartMedia Pop CHR WiLD 94.9 (KYLD) slipped to #6 with a slight decrease.
In February, Cox Media News/Talk WSB-AM saw its impressive six-book winning streak in 6+ come to an end at the hands of Urban One Urban AC Majic 107.5/97.5 (WAMJ). This month, WSB-AM came roaring back to reclaim the #1 spot (6+) with a strong gain (6.6 – 8.5).
The battle for second place remained tight. Cox Media Classic Hits 97.1 The River (WSRV) returned to #2 (6.8 – 7.0), while WAMJ slipped to #3 (7.2 – 6.9). Audacy Urban AC V-103 (WVEE) held steady at #4 (6.0 – 6.7). Cox Media Urban AC Kiss 104.1 (WALR) climbed to #5 (5.7 – 6.4), and Cox Media AC B98.5 (WSB-FM) eased to #6 (5.9 – 5.8).
WSB-AM continued to dominate cume, posting a 1.1% increase (762,100 – 770,600). Overall market listening ticked up 0.3%.
B98.5 (WSB-FM) held at #3 with a small gain, while 97.1 The River (WSRV) rose to #4 — marking its fourth straight up book. WSB-AM posted its highest 25-54 share since November as it jumped two spots to #5. Audacy Sports 92.9 The Game (WZGC) tumbled four places to #8, hitting its lowest share since September.
In a city where the news cycle never sleeps, two news/talk powerhouses continue to dominate. Hubbard All-News WTOP remained #1 in 6+ for the tenth consecutive book, even with a modest decline (15.2 – 14.3). American University News/Talk WAMU returned to #2 (11.8 – 10.8). Despite both stations posting “down” books, WTOP and WAMU together still commanded nearly a quarter of all 6+ listening — an astounding performance.
Howard University Urban AC WHUR held on as the leading music station at #3, though it posted its smallest share since July (7.0 – 5.8). iHeartMedia AC WASH climbed to #4 with its best share since June (4.6 – 5.1).
iHeartMedia Alternative DC101 (WWDC) slipped to #5 (5.4 – 4.8) and was closely chased by Atlantic Gateway Contemporary Christian WGTS, which held at #6 with a solid rebound (4.3 – 4.6).WTOP continued to lead in cume with a slight 0.5% gain (922,600 – 927,200).
The overall market grew 3.1%.
In 25-54: WAMU captured #1 for the third straight book, with the last two surveys delivering double-digit shares. WTOP repeated at #2, though it fell just short of double digits this time. WASH jumped to #3 with a strong increase, while DC101 (WWDC) eased to #4 with a modest loss. iHeartMedia Pop CHR Hot 99.5 (WIHT) rose two spots to #5 with a slight gain.
WHUR dropped to #6 with its lowest share in over a year, tied with WGTS.
In February, Beasley Classic Rock WMGK and Beasley Active Rock WMMR were co-leaders in 6+. This book, WMGK held steady at #1 with a flat 7.1 share, while WMMR slipped to #5 with its lowest performance since August (7.1 – 5.8).
Audacy AC B101 (WBEB) and Audacy Sports 94WIP Sports Radio were tied at #3 last month. They stayed paired this time, moving up together to #2 with identical shares (6.5 – 6.6). iHeartMedia Urban Contemporary WDAS climbed two spots to #4, posting its third consecutive up book (6.1 – 6.5). Audacy News KYW dipped to #6 (6.3 – 5.4). B101 (WBEB) strengthened its cume lead with a solid 6.1% increase (1,101,300 – 1,168,000). The overall market grew 4.8%.
In 25-54: B101 (WBEB) took over the #1 position in 25-54 with its best Frosty-free share in over a year, ending WMMR’s two-book reign at the top. WMMR fell to #2, less than half a share behind.
WDAS held at #3 with a slight gain, while 94WIP (WIP) rose one spot to #4 with a nice rebound. WHYY Inc. News/Talk WHYY edged up to #5 despite a small dip. iHeartMedia Urban Contemporary Power 99 (WUSL) delivered its strongest showing since September, leaping from #10 all the way to #6. EMF Contemporary Christian 106.9 K-LOVE (WKVP) tumbled from #4 to #8 with its lowest share since August, tied with Beasley Country 92.5 XTU (WXTU).
Audacy AC Magic 106.7 (WMJX) was flat for the second straight book but remained #1 in 6+ for the fourth time in the last five surveys (6.2 – 6.2). The race behind it was remarkably tight, with six other stations sitting within just a share and a half of the leader.
Boston University News/Talk WBUR made a big leap from #5 to #2 with its strongest performance in over a year (5.2 – 5.6). Beasley Classic Hits WROR slipped to #3, ending a two-book surge (5.7 – 5.3).
iHeartMedia Pop CHR Kiss 108 (WXKS) rebounded from a down book to climb to #4 (4.9 – 5.2). Beasley Sports 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) eased to #5 (5.3 – 5.1), while WGBH Educational Foundation Classical Classical 98.5 (WCRB) surged from #12 all the way to #6 with its highest share in over a year (3.6 – 4.9). Audacy Hot AC Mix 104.1 (WBMX) fell from #3 to #7 after giving back most of last month’s gain (5.3 – 4.7).
Magic 106.7 (WMJX) continued to lead in cume with a 0.6% increase (827,000 – 832,200). The overall market grew 0.5%.
In 25-54: The top three stations were separated by less than half a share. Mix 104.1 (WBMX) posted back-to-back wins with a slight dip, while flat 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) returned to #2. Kiss 108 (WXKS) bounced back to repeat at #3. Magic 106.7 (WMJX) held at #4 with its best Frosty-free share in over a year. WBUR jumped from #8 to #5 with its strongest performance since May. Audacy Adult Hits Big 103 (WBGB) edged up to #6 with a small gain.
iHeartMedia Classic Rock WZLX and WROR were tied at #7 after both suffered large share losses and fell in tandem.