February PPM: New York, Los Angeles And Chicago

Exclusive Analysis

RADIOCRUNCH/MUSICRUNCH principals KEVIN McCABE and ANTHONY ACAMPORA take us through the demo results for NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, and CHICAGO today. The duo will continue to analyze stations by cluster.

New York: Clear Channel Strong; Emmis Sees Growth

CLEAR CHANNEL:

CLEAR CHANNEL continued its dominance of the NEW YORK PPM ratings landscape with three of the top-four stations and five of the top-eight stations 18-49. They also scored the top three 25-54 in the FEBRUARY 2009 PPM results.

The cluster was led by Top 40 WHTZ (Z100), which captured No. 1 18-34, 18-49, and tied for the top spot in the 25-54 demo with CLEAR CHANNEL sister AC WLTW. It’s important to note that Z100 has been #1 every month 18-34 since the PPM became currency in OCTOBER 2008. Last month we speculated if CBS would launch a head-to-head Top 40 battle in NEW YORK in MARCH -- since at the time KLSX (AMP RADIO) had already signed on in LOS ANGELES. Indeed, CBS did flip Rock WXRK (K-ROCK) to Top 40 92-3 NOW-FM on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11th, 2009 at 5p ET with a Rhythmic-heavy stance. Some pundits are still buzzing that the impressive PPM results for Z100 over these last months is what prompted CBS RADIO to make its move. Next month, we will look at the MARCH 2009 PPM results and reveal what the shifts are doing to the Top 40 landscape in the nation’s #1 market. In the meantime, FEBRUARY was a stellar month for Z100 -- actually improving its lead at the top of the 18-34 cell.

WLTW (LITE-FM) improves its position from 3rd place 25-54 in JANUARY to a first place tie with Z100. WLTW was the clear #1 in the Holiday period with all-holiday/CHRISTMAS music. Things are definitely getting back to PPM normalcy with Z100 and WLTW sharing the #1 crown in FEBRUARY.

Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) ranked #3 25-54 -- improving on its JANUARY ranking of #4. Q104.3 has been consistent in the PPM with solid top-5 rankings in the months following the electronic measurement being made currency. With WXRK out of the rock game, Q104.3 stands to add to their already large numbers.

In the 18-49 cell, Urban WWPR (POWER 105) ranked #4 -- holding its position from JANUARY in FEBRUARY. POWER 105 was also 3rd 18-34.

Rhythmic AC WKTU slipped from 5th to tie for #6 among Persons 18-49 with EMMIS Rhythmic WQHT (HOT 97). Next month, quite a few eyes will be on HOT 97 and KTU in the wake of 92-3 NOW entering the heavily Rhythmic NEW YORK Top 40/Mainstream and Rhythmic market.

EMMIS

HOT 97 placed #2 18-34 in FEBRUARY and moved up from 8th to 6th 18-49 to tie with WKTU. HOT 97 recently made some rotational adjustments by taking some titles up to 100+ spins per week -- a pure PPM programming tactic. Clearly, it was a decent month for HOT 97 in these two key demographics.

Urban AC WRKS scored a nice bounce back from its 9th place ranking in JANUARY to place 6th in a tie with CBS News WINS-A 25-54. The venerable Urban AC outlet edged closer to longtime rival INNER CITY Urban AC WBLS, which rose to 4th place 25-54 in a tie with SBS Tropical WSKQ.

Industry observers will be watching AAA WRXP very closely over the next month in anticipation of a possible spike for WRXP after the demise of the former K-ROCK. WRXP made clear in its on-air marketing that K-ROCK listeners were welcome and safe in turning to WRXP to hear Rock. In FEBRUARY, WRXP ranked #20 25-54, tied for #20 18-49 with ESPN Sports outlet WEPN-A, and found itself in a 5-way tie for 23rd 18-34 with CLEAR CHANNEL AC WALK and BARNSTABLE AC WKJY (both from NASSAU-SUFFOLK) among others.

CBS

WINS-A dipped to No. 6 25-54 and tied WRKS. The News outlet was 5th in the demo in JANUARY. Of course, there was plenty of news in FEBRUARY that WINS covered, including the BERNIE MADOFF drama, the continued economic fallout, and a couple of snowstorms.

Classic Hits WCBS-F slid from a 7th place tie to 9th in FEBRUARY which equates to its second-lowest PPM currency share to date. The station is off 21% in share 25-54 since SEPTEMBER.

AC WWFS (FRESH) ranked 10th again 25-54, tying CITADEL Hot AC competitor WPLJ. Sports WFAN took 13th place, while News WCBS-A ranks 15th 25-54.

CITADEL

Hot AC WPLJ ranked #10 25-54 in a tie with WWFS. WPLJ slipped to 11th from 10th 18-49 and dipped in the 18-34 cell to #13 from 10th in JANUARY. WPLJ will also be a key station to watch following the flip of WXRK to Top 40. Playlist watchers have recently noted the adjustments made at Z100 as a handful of key pop/rock titles have been swept out in favor of increased focus on Rhythmic to defend against the aggressive Rhythmic stance of 92-3 NOW. WPLJ could easily benefit on the upper end, as it becomes the sole outlet in the NEW YORK market with a decidedly Adult Top 40 focus with emphasis on pop/rock hits from JASON MRAZ, COLDPLAY and NICKELBACK.

Talk WABC climbed to 17th 25-54 -- growing a half share -- and scored its best shares yet in this important demo.

SBS

Tropical WSKQ slipped from a #1 finish (tied with Z100) in JANUARY to 4th place in a tie with WBLS in FEBRUARY among Persons 25-54. The Tropical outlet held steady 18-49 in 2nd place and held 4th 18-34. Spanish Contemporary WPAT remained steady at 16th 25-54 from JANUARY to FEBRUARY.

UNIVISION

Tropical WCAA-F ranked 19th 25-54, while Regional Mexican WQBU was 26th.

Los Angeles: KIIS Retains Top Spot As CC Remains Strong; Emmis Gains for POWER, MOVIN'

CLEAR CHANNEL Top 40 KIIS remained the market leader across all three demos in FEBRUARY -- with CBS Top 40 rival KLSX (AMP RADIO 97.1) having only launched late in the month. Meanwhile, CLEAR CHANNEL and EMMIS both saw some solid results in FEBRUARY.

CLEAR CHANNEL

While the battle between KIIS and KLSX is sure to get interesting, CLEAR CHANNEL's important LOS ANGELES cluster is currently in a very healthy position against rival CBS. CLEAR CHANNEL owned four of the top-10 stations 25-54 and six of the top 13. CLEAR CHANNEL also had four of the top 10 18-49.

Top 40 KIIS remained the leader among all three demos, although KIIS saw a slide with adults 25-54, grabbing its lowest share since PPM went currency. KIIS was off in share in all three demos, but ever so slightly. Looking inside the weeklies, it wasn't necessarily after KLSX changed format.

Hot AC KBIG (MY-FM) leapt back into the top 10 25-54 (12th to 9th), and grabbed its highest 25-54 share yet in currency. MY-FM also moved 10th to 9th 18-49, while holding at 7th 18-34. MY-FM has recently made some slight musical adjustments and become a bit softer texturally, so it will be interesting to watch how they look in the coming weeks and months and if it affects sister KOST.

AC KOST dropped from 3rd into a tie for 5th 25-54. KOST has been a steady performer in the non-holiday months.

The biggest news out of the PINNACLE building in BURBANK is the continued growth of Alternative KYSR (98-7). 98-7 is setting itself up as the first legitimate competitor to legendary CBS Alternative KROQ since WESTWOOD ONE Rock-leaning Top 40 KQLZ (PIRATE RADIO) 20 years ago. 98-7 climbed into the top 10 25-54 for the first time and achieved its highest share in this demo. With Adults 18-49, 98-7 also ranks 7th 18-49 and 6th 18-34. KYSR is within a share of KROQ (give or take a tenth) in all three demos. 98-7 also beat KROQ 25-34 adults in FEBRUARY.

Rhythmic AC KHHT (HOT 92-3) remained a consistent performer, just outside the top 10. HOT 92-3 tied for its best 25-54 share yet and rose from 16th into a tie for 13th 25-54.

Speaking of record PPM numbers, Talk KFI-A surged from 17th to 11th 25-54, achieving its highest PPM share to date.

CBS

The recent switch of KLSX from Talk to Top 40 is sure to shift the market dynamics around. KLSX has gone from being primarily a 25-54 male-targeted station to an 18-34 female station. Basically, they are building from the ground up. Within 10 days of being on the air, KLSX had weekly cume of 1.5 million people. Considering KIIS's cume of about 3.5 million, this is a pretty good start considering how the format change wouldn't expect a ton of carryover. The other issue is where KLSX's disenfranchised male audience will go. Early indications are KYSR and BONNEVILLE AAA KSWD were the two biggest beneficiaries, although we want to see after a full month how that shakes out. CITADEL Classic Rock KLOS would also seem to be a possible winner, as would CBS Adult Hits KCBS-F (JACK) and KROQ.

JACK had its lowest PPM share to date 25-54 and 18-49. The station has been slowly declining over the last six months. Where is some of the JACK audience going? More on that later. JACK was out of the top 10 25-54 for the first time yet in PPM, ranking 11th.

Even with 98-7 moving up, KROQ continued to be a solid performer. The station ranks 3rd 25-54, 2nd 18-49, and tied for 3rd 18-34. The station remained a monster in the upper adult demos.

Another station that is solid for CBS is Classic Hits KRTH. They were flat in share, although they did slip in rank to 8th 25-54, while dipping from 12th to 13th 18-49. Smooth Jazz KTWV dropped from 12th to 15th 25-54,

News KNX-A achieved its highest ratings since the OJ SIMPSON trial, doing well not only with 12+ but with adults 25-54 as well.

News KFWB-A, which is adding quite a bit of non-news programs, tied for its lowest 25-54 share so far in PPM.

EMMIS

A solid FEBRUARY for the two EMMIS properties. Rhythmic KPWR (POWER 106) landed its highest 18-34 PPM numbers to date -- and was closer to KIIS in demo than it has ever been. POWER 106 ranked 2nd 18-34 and rose to 4th 18-49.

The big story from EMMIS is the continuing growth of '80s-based KMVN (MOVIN' 93-9). After starting slow out of the gate, a musical shift that started in SEPTEMBER has been paying dividends. MOVIN' has seen dramatic growth in some key adult demos -- and achieved its highest shares ever since the format launched. MOVIN' is up over a share among Adults 25-54 and 18-49 since SEPTEMBER. In the same time, CBS Adult Hits KCBS-F (JACK) is off a share in the demo. Considering they are on adjacent frequencies and now share some '80s music ... is a shift happening?

CITADEL

It will be interesting to watch Classic Rock KLOS over the next few months. The station has a new PD and now has KLSX -- a definite 25-54 male targeted station -- now focusing on female listeners. Seems like a great opportunity for KLOS to make up some ground. The station dipped to its lowest 25-54 rank so far -- in 17th place. It was 7th back in AUGUST. The good news for KLOS is its solid morning results from MARK & BRIAN, who still command a solid #3 rank in morning drive 25-54. However, KLOS dropped all the way to 16th middays and 20th in afternoon drive.

Talk KABC-A saw a slight uptick,- but with the DODGERS and some tweaks to the lineup. this should help drive additional cume.

UNIVISION

Two of UNIVISION's three stations hit new lows. Spanish Contemporary KLVE dipped to 5th 25-54, but hit a new low share with 25-54 and 18-49 in FEBRUARY.

Regional Mexican KSCA has been taken a hit for a while and with five format competitors, the one-time powerhouse slipped to its lowest ratings almost since before PIOLIN joined. KSCA fell all the way to 13th 25-54 -- and out of the top 10.

There was good news for Spanish Adult Hits KRCD (RECUERDO), which soared from 9th to 4th 25-54 - placing the pair of Class A's ahead of the two MT. WILSON sister stations.

SBS

The Regional Mexican champ continued to be KLAX. It remained #2 25-54 and #3 18-49 and 18-34. With increased competition for KIIS, KLAX could take the top spot in 25-54 very soon.

The news was not so good for Latin Urban sister KXOL (LATINO 96.3). LATINO dropped to its lowest 18-34 shares yet (while ranking 9th) as it now has less than 50% of its closest rival -- POWER 106.

LIBERMAN

Regional Mexican trimulcast KBUE/KBUA/KEBN (QUE BUENA) achieved its highest PPM ratings to date across all three demos -- ranking top 5 in all three cells. QUE BUENA's DON CHETO also ranked as the top Spanish-language morning show, beating KSCA's EDDIE "PIOLIN" SOTELO.

ENTRAVISION

The company has seen great early results for Alternative-turned-Regional Mexican KDLD/KDLE (EL GATO). KDLD/KDLE move up again in all three demos, tripling its 18-34 shares over the old format and more than doubling its18-49 and 25-54 shares.

However, Spanish Contemporary KSSE (SUPER ESTRELLA) continued to struggle. The station hit a new low share with 18-49 and 25-54 adults.

Spanish Adult Hits KLYY (JOSE) has been pretty steady, but saw a pretty deep decline in FEBRUARY, falling from 18th to 22nd and sliding 31% in share in the 25-54 cell.

OTHERS

A little bit of a bump for BONNEVILLE AA A KSWD (THE SOUND) -- which rose from 36th to 27th 25-54. THE SOUND saw a spike once KLSX changed format, so it will be interesting to see if they are able to pick up on some of that disenfranchised male cume that KLSX shed.

MT. WILSON Country KKGO (GO COUNTRY 105) is still skewing older, but got a good 6+ share and saw its best 25-54 share to date in PPM, rising to 21st place.

Chicago: Univision On Top 18-34, 18-49; Clear Channel, Bonneville See Gains

UNIVISION

Regional Mexican WOJO maintained its perch atop the CHICAGO PPM results for FEBRUARY 2009 in both the 18-34 and 18-49 cells. Metered measurement has solidified the Regional Mexican format as a No. 1 performer in at least two demographics in the WINDY CITY -- something not previously attained in diary methodology. CHICAGO is unique among the top-3 markets in that Spanish-language topped 18-34 and 18-49. Top 40 was the clear winner in NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES.

Spanish Contemporary WPPN surged 18-34, moving from 8th in JANUARY to 4th in a tie with CBS Country WUSN in FEBRUARY. This is an impressive performance for WPPN, which has been evolving for a while now to a more contemporary format.

CLEAR CHANNEL

Top 40 WKSC held to No. 2 among 18-34s and remained 6th from JANUARY to FEBRUARY 18-49. Looking at another Top 40 comparison between CHICAGO vs. NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES.

CLEAR CHANNEL’S Urban outlets in CHICAGO delivered some strong performances in the FEBRUARY PPM results. Urban WGCI climbed from 5th to 3rd 18-34, held 8th 18-49, jumped from 15th 25-54 and tied for 10th.

Urban AC WVAZ held 3rd 25-54, rosefrom 5th to 4th 18-49.

AC WLIT climbs from 11th to No. 8 25-54 in FEBRUARY. WLIT is consistent at 10th 18-49 and 11th 18-34 and is seeing larger numbers than they did prior to CHRISTMAS.

Top 40 WKSC (KISS) continues to hold a solid lead on CBS Rhythmic rival WBBM-F (B96). KISS beats B96 18-34 (#2 to #6) and 18-49 (#6 to #15). The big wins for KISS remain in morning drive with newly re-upped personality DREX.

BONNEVILLE

The BONNEVILLE success in CHICAGO continued in FEBRUARY as Hot AC WTMX (THE MIX) ticked up to #2 18-49 and held No. 6 18-34 in a tie with CBS Rhythmic WBBM-F (B96). MIX remained a model station for Hot AC format and turned in top performances in each PPM monthly. THE MIX also remained a top 5 25-54 performer.

Classic Rock WDRV (THE DRIVE) climbed from a 4th place tie in JANUARY to #2 among Persons 25-54. WDRV rode the momentum among Persons 18-49, moving from 10th to 7th JANUARY to FEBRUARY and leapt 18th to 10th 18-34. The PPM so clearly demonstrates that just because songs are 25-35 years old, that doesn’t stop younger listeners from discovering them. THE DRIVE coming up to top 10 18-34 in CHICAGO is the exception, not the rule with Classic Rock typically.

'80s-based AC WILV scored its best PPM results to date in both share and rank, moving all the way to #10 25-54.

CBS

CBS News WBBM-A continued its reign at the top of the 25-54 cell from JANUARY to FEBRUARY. It’s important to keep in mind that WBBM-A was not short on hot news stories during the four weeks of metered measurement. CHICAGO was ground zero for the ROD BLAGOJEVICH circus and its aftermath. Severe winter weather in CHICAGO prevailed in FEBRUARY and the continued economic turmoil gave the News outlet plenty of news topics to handle. Clearly, 25-54 adults were tuned-in for all the developments.
Country WUSN slipped from 2nd to 3rd 18-49 in FEBRUARY but held onto No. 6 25-54.

Unlike NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, Country remained a solid performer in PPM measurement -- ranking 6th 25-54 and a solid 3rd 18-49. US99 even performed well 18-34, ranking 4th.

Rhythmic WBBM-F (B96) had been fairly steady in PPM. They got a bit of a share spike in the HOLIDAY book, but have come back to previous levels.

Adult Hits WJMK (JACK-FM), which has transitioned more to Classic Rock/Classic Hits, tied its best 25-54 share to date -- despite sliding from 11th to 13th in rank.

AC WCFS (FRESH) continued to be challenged. The station ranked 19th 25-54 for a second month and got beat by CLEAR CHANNEL rival WLIT by 68% and BONNEVILLE's WILV by 55%.

Sports WSCR tied for 27th 25-54.

CITADEL

CITADEL Classic Hits WLS-F (TRUE OLDIES) climbed from 7th to a 6th place tie with WUSN 25-54. It was TRUE OLDIES' best 25-54 rank since the meter went currency.

Talk WLS-A held steady in 9th place 25-54, achieving its second best PPM results to date.

EMMIS

Rock WLUP (THE LOOP) slid to 12th 25-54 this time around. THE LOOP's decline seems to be a bit in tandem with growth of JACK since its move more to a Rock-slanted sound.

Alternative WKQX (Q101.1) slid to its lowest PPM numbers yet. The outlet ranked 17th in its target demo of Adults 18-34, while moving from 18th to 24th 18-49.

OTHER

CRAWFORD Urban WPWX surged to #9 18-34 in FEBRUARY from 15th place in JANUARY -- by far landing its best results yet.

SBS Regional Mexican WLEY is on a slide, dropping to a new share low 18-34 and 18-49, ranking 8th and 11th respectively -- well behind rival WOJO.

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