Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive February PPM Analysis For Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix And Minneapolis

Exclusive PPM Analysis

We heard your chants of “one more time” so The Ratings Experts at RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. decided to take a break from filling out our brackets (Go Terps!) to do one more round of analysis.  As noted previously, the FEBRUARY survey spanned 1/29 through 2/25.  Included within this time period was a three-day weekend, the “big game” and more lousy winter weather.  Thanks to a strong assist from the team at XTRENDS, we are ready to go.

Detroit: Win, Place & Show

CBS RADIO swept the top three spots on the 6+ leaderboard this survey.  The folks in the MOTOR CITY are used to brutal winters but even they need to rely on timely information.  That is why CBS RADIO News WWJ-A was #1 for the second straight survey as it landed its highest share in over a year (7.3-8.0).  CBS RADIO Classic Hits WOMC moved up a couple of spaces to #2 with a small increase (6.2-6.4).  And, CBS RADIO Sports WXYT-F (THE TICKET) stumbled a bit (7.0-6.2) as it slid back to #3.  GREATER MEDIA Classic Rock WCSX moved up a notch to #4 with its highest share since JULY (5.5-5.6).  Rounding out the top five was iHEARTMEDIA Urban WJLB.  The station moved up two spots to #5 (4.8-5.1).  As recently as NOVEMBER it was sitting at a tie at #11.  iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX) took an out-of-character hit (6.3-5.0).  The station’s lowest share in over a year dropped it three places to a tie at #6.  On the other hand, RADIO ONE Urban AC WDMK (KISS) landed its best number since AUGUST (3.9-4.9) to move up four spots to #8.

The 25-54 chart had that slightly aromatic blend of locker room and charred meat as male-dominated formats held the top three positions.  WXYT-F remained on top despite scoring its lowest total since MARCH.  GREATER MEDIA Active Rock WRIF, at #2, had its best book in over a year and got dangerously close to taking over the lead.  WCSX had its best book since JULY as it moved up to #3.  To put this in perspective, last year at this point the station was #13.  Yet another station had its best book in over a year – WJLB – and it moved up to #4.  WMXD was moving in the other direction as it posted its smallest share since AUGUST to drop back to #5.  The news hounds at WWJ-A had its best book in exactly a year and it moved up to #7.

The #1 spot 18-34 had exceeded the fire marshal’s recommended seating limit as both WJLB and iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKQI (CHANNEL 955) had the exact same share.  WRIF was flat and stationary at #3.  CUMULUS Hot AC WDVD was also flat but it managed to step forward to #4.  WXYT-F dropped back to #5 with its lowest total since MARCH and was joined by iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC, which recovered from its post-holiday malaise to move up from a tie at #10.  WCSX continued its strong resurgence by moving up four spots to #8 with its best book in over a year.  It is not often we see a Classic Rock station pop this well in this demo.

This is our fourth demo and it featured a different #1 station than each of the previous three.  WRIF returned to #1 18-49 for the first time since NOVEMBER with its largest output in over a year.  WJLB moved up to a close #2 with its best book in over a year while WKQI advanced to #3 despite a small decrease.  WXYT-F tumbled from the lead to #4 with – again – its lowest share since MARCH.  WCSX was #13 as recently as NOVEMBER but climbed up to #5 this time with – yup – its best book in over a year.  WMXD slipped back to #6 with its smallest number in over a year.  WOMC had a strong showing in this demo as it moved up five spots to #7 with its best performance since SEPTEMBER.

Miami-Ft.Lauderdale-Hollywood: Same As It Ever Was

The juggernaut that is COX RADIO Urban AC WHQT (HOT) just keeps chugging along.  The station was #1 6+ again, though it posted its lowest total since NOVEMBER (8.5-8.2).  LINCOLN AC WLYF (LITE) has done a good job of solidifying its position as the #2 station over the last year (6.9-7.0).  Actually, starting in the summer, the station moved into that slot and remained resolute in that stance since then.  UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR) was also somewhat of an island at #3 though it dropped off some this time (5.9-5.4).  Last month, two stations were tied at #6 and apparently enjoyed the pairing so much they resumed their partnership at #4.  SBS Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL) landed its best book since MARCH (4.4-4.8) while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHYI (Y100) had its highest score since DECEMBER (4.4-4.8).  COX RADIO AC WFEZ (EASY) dropped to #6 with its lowest share since JULY (5.3-4.7) while LINCOLN Classic Hits WMXJ (MAGIC) was off for the second straight survey (4.6-4.4) to slide to #7.

For the fourth straight survey, WHQT was #1 25-54 though its lead shrunk to less than a share over the new #2.  WXDJ moved up from a tie at #5 with its best book since MAY.  As recently as NOVEMBER the station was languishing at a tie at #12.  Once again, there was a tie at #3 though one of the players changed.  WLYF remained in place with its smallest number since JULY while WHYI moved in from #5 with a modest increase.  WFEZ ended a three-book surge as it fell three places to #5 while WAMR abdicated its portion of the #3 tie to drop to #6 after losing a chunk of share.  Keep an eye on iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WMIA (MY 93.9).  Back in JULY it was #17 but after posting its best score in over a year, it now sits at #8.

The last time WHYI was #1 18-34 was NOVEMBER and it shared the prize with CBS RADIO Top 40/R WPOW (POWER).  This time, the station was the outright leader as it ended a rather dramatic three-book slide.  #2 COX RADIO Urban WEDR (99 JAMZ) ended its three-book stay on top after registering its lowest number in over a year.  WXDJ has been on an interesting roller coaster.  Last year at this time it was #3 but by OCTOBER it had fallen to #13.  This time it moved back up to #3 with its highest total in exactly a year.  iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WMGE (MEGA) advanced two squares to #4 with its best performance since AUGUST while the aforementioned POWER suffered its fourth straight down book as it slipped to #5.  iHEARTMEDIA Urban WMIB (THE BEAT) also extended its down streak to four as it fell to a tie at #6.  WMIA’s good fortune continued here as the station moved up to a tie at #8 with its fourth positive book in a row.
 

The guard was changed 18-49 as WHYI moved to #1, which ended WHQT’S three-book winning streak, forcing the station into the #2 slot.  WXDJ continued its torrid pace here by moving up to #3 with its highest number since MAY.  WLYF had its best book since NOVEMBER but still took a step back to #4.  WEDR claimed sole possession of the #5 position despite its third straight down book.  Two stations stormed up the ranks to meet at #6.  COX RADIO Top 40/M WFLC (HITS 97.3) moved in from #11 with its best book in over a year while WPOW advanced from #10 as it ended a three-book down streak.  WAMR dropped from a tie at #5 to #9 while WFEZ had its lowest total since JULY to fall six places to a tie at #10.

Seattle-Tacoma: It Was A Moving Experience

When you call a pass on second and goal from the one, the only way to forget your lunacy is to listen to music.  That likely explains the new hotness surrounding HUBBARD Top 40/M KQMV (MOVIN).  The station was #1 6+ for the second book in a row but opened up quite a lead (5.8-6.6) over its cluster sister.  That would be HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM), which remained at #2 with a slight loss (5.6-5.5).  ENTERCOM Active Rock KISW moved up to #3 with its best performance since MAY (5.2-5.4).  Meanwhile, BONNEVILLE Talk KIRO-F dropped back to #4 just by being flat (5.3-5.3).  UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW slipped back to #5 (5.2-5.0).  A year ago the station was #1 with a 5.1 share.  A couple of stations were bubbling under at #6.  CBS RADIO Classic Rock KZOK advanced from #9 with its best book since NOVEMBER (4.1-4.7) while ENTERCOM Country KKWF (THE WOLF) loped in from #7 (4.4-4.7).

Two stations had their best 25-54 numbers in over a year and were rewarded with a share of first place.  KISW was there last month while KQMV moved up from #2.  KKWF had its best share since AUGUST to remain a solid – if distant – #3.  CRISTA Christian Contemporary KCMS (SPIRIT) also had its highest total in over a year as it remained firmly ensconced at #4.  KZOK only had its best showing since NOVEMBER but that was good enough to drive the station forward to #5.  The two stations that were tied at #5 last survey were no longer tied nor at #5.  There might be a reason for that but we won’t go out on a limb.  KIRO-F was flat as it slipped to #6 while BONEVILLE Sports KIRO-A dropped to a tie at #13 with its lowest share since JULY.

KQMV had been on a four-book 18-34 losing streak that had seen the station lose over two points from its total.  That ended with this book as MOVIN came roaring back with its best showing since NOVEMBER to place a stranglehold on the #1 position.  KISW dropped back to #2 but was flat.  These two stations were well clear of the rest of the field.  ENTERCOM Alternative KNDD (THE END) remained at #3 with its best book in over a year and it was joined by KKWF, which advanced from #4 with its highest total since SEPTEMBER.  iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KUBE landed its best number since MARCH to move up to #5 while CBS RADIO Adult Hits KJAQ (JACK FM) fell back to #6.
 

The top five 18-49 remained relatively unchanged from last survey with the exception of a broken tie.  Previously, KQMV and KISW were tied at the top.  Both stations had solid books this survey but MOVIN exerted itself a little more as it dropped its best number since OCTOBER.  KISW fell back to #2 despite its best book in over a year.  KKWF was back at #3 with its strongest outing since AUGUST while KCMS held firm at #4.  KNDD rounded out the quintet with its highest total in over a year.

Phoenix: Take It Easy

Sure, iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9KEZ) dominates the market when Santa Claus is coming to town but what about the rest of the year?  Well, for 2015 the answer is – “pretty good.”  The station was #1 for the fourth straight survey (6.0-6.2) and posted its best jingle-free share in over a year.  iHEARTMEDIA Talk KFYI-A was #2 for the sixth book in a row (5.7-5.4).  A year ago at this time it was mired at #11.  HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD dipped a bit (5.6-5.2) but remained at #3.  Two stations claimed a portion of the #4 title.  CBS RADIO Classic Hits KOOL was there last time (5.1-5.0) while iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX) moved in from #7 as it ended a two-book slide (4.3-5.0).  HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX slipped back to #6 (5.0-4.9).  Keep an eye on CBS RADIO Country KMLE.  The station moved up to #7 with its highest share since OCTOBER (4.0-4.6).

Back in JULY KUPD moved to the top of the 25-54 chart and, with the exception of that Frosty book, has remained there ever since.  This time it was down quite a bit but continued to lead #2 KESZ by a wide margin.  iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KZZP (KISS) used its best book since MARCH to inch up to #3 while KSLX fell a couple of spots to #4.  Last month featured a tie at #8 and this time both stations improved their fortunes dramatically.  KMLE rose to #5 with its best book in over a year while KMXP advanced to #6 with its highest share since SEPTEMBER.  iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX – which shared the lead with KUPD back in JULY – fell back to a tie at #8 with its lowest total in exactly a year.

Though KUPD was off 18-34, it remained in firm control of the board.  This was the eleventh time in the last twelve books that the station was #1.  Below them, everything changed.  KZZP moved up to #2 just by being flat.  RIVIERA Top 40/R KKFR (POWER) had a healthy increase as it plowed its way forward three places to #3.  KMXP had a more dramatic advancement as it jumped from a tie at #12 to #4.  That is a bit misleading as the station’s JANUARY numbers were out of character from previous surveys.  Stuff happens.  Three stations were milling about at #5.  CBS RADIO Top 40/M KZON (LIVE 101.5) remained where it was by being flat.  KMLE moved up from a tie at #8 with its highest score since SEPTEMBER.  ENTRAVISION Regional Mexican KLNZ (TRI COLOR) jumped in from a tie at #10 with its best showing in over a year.  A couple of other stations were not as fortunate.  KNIX fell four spots to a tie at #8 while KESZ dropped from #2 to #10.  Talk about your holiday hangover.

You know things are going well when you lose almost a share from your total and still lead the 18-49 pack by two-and-a-half shares.  That pretty much sums up KUPD’s month.  Over the last two books, KMLE has gone from #10 to a tie at #6 to its current position at #2.  Nice run.  KZZP had its best book since MAY but still dropped back to #3 while KMXP jumped four spots to #4 with its highest total since SEPTEMBER.  The two stations occupying #3 last month have parted company and moved on.  RIVIERA Hot AC KMVA (HOT) ended up at #5 while KESZ dropped to #6.  KNIX had its lowest share in over a year as it fell four spots to a tie at #9.

Minneapolis-St.Paul: Oh So Close

Last month iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KDWB bombarded the market with a huge, double-digit 6+ share.  This time it continued its bombardment but with something slightly lower (10.1-9.9).  iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL) strengthened its hold on the #2 position with its best Frosty-free book in over a year (7.3-8.4).  HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) was flat and unmoved at #3 (6.9-6.9).  There was a meeting of the minds at #4.  CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS remained in place (6.1-6.3) while iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K-102) moved up from a tie at #5, ending a two-book slide (6.0-6.3).  iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KTCZ (CITIES 97) landed its best book since JULY (6.0-6.2) but still fell back to #6.

What it could not do in the previous demo, KDWB was able to accomplish 25-54.  That would be to attain a double-digit share for the second month in a row.  KSTP remained a strong #2 with its best showing since APRIL while KQQL moved up three places to #3 with its best reindeer-less number in over a year.  KQRS dropped back to #4 despite getting its best share since OCTOBER.  The #5 spot was not alone.  CBS RADIO Adult Hits KZJK (JACK FM) slipped back from a tie at #4 while KTCZ advanced from a tie at #7 with its highest share in over a year.  iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (K-FAN) dropped three places to #7 with its lowest run total since SEPTEMBER.

KDWB threw down a ridiculously high 18-34 share for the second month in a row.  How high was it, you ask?  #2 CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) also hit double digits but trailed the leader by almost seven shares!  Wow.  KZJK was up slightly to remain at #3 while two stations made a pact at #4.  KSTP was the incumbent and was down a bit while CBS RADIO Country KMNB (BUZ’N) buzzed in from #5 despite a slight decrease.

If it wasn’t for that pesky 6+ wobble, KDWB would have hit double digits in all four demos.  Alas, the station had to settle for another dominant 18-49 performance and was a mere five-plus shares ahead of KXXR, which did have a down book at #2.  KSTP was off a bit to remain at #3 while KZJK was down slightly at #4.  KQQL moved up three spots to #5 with a solid performance while KFXN dropped two places to #7 with its lowest point total since SEPTEMBER.

The Ratings Experts at RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. stand ready to help you win in the ratings.  Let us show you how.  Just reach out via any of the attached platforms.  In the meantime, thank you for slogging through this with us and stay tuned for next month’s mad-cap ratings adventures.

Email: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
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