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Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive December PPM Analysis: Boston, Detroit, Miami, Seattle. Phoenix And Minneapolis
January 2, 2013
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Boston: St. Nicholas Soon Will Be There
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ALL ACCESS presents DECEMBER PPM market highlights, compiled by the Ratings Experts at RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. and powered by XTRENDS, radio's #1 PPM and diary analysis tool. All numbers reflect subscriber-only data.
Boston: St. Nicholas Soon Will Be There
This year, two different stations decided to go all CHRISTMAS. However, one did not make the switch until after this survey was completed, while the other changed on the final day -- so, there is no CHRISTMAS effect this month. Which, of course, meant that CCM+E Top 40/M WXKS (KISS 108) was #1 (8.1-8.4) for the twelfth book in a row. That could change next month when the sleigh bells are ringing on GREATER MEDIA AC WMJX (MAGIC). This time the station solidified its hold on #2 (6.7-6.8). Cluster wrangler GREATER MEDIA Country WKLB rebounded nicely from its lowest book of the year to lasso #3 (5.8-6.3). This bumped cluster neighbor GREATER MEDIA Classic Hits WROR from a tie at #3 to #4 (6.1-5.7). Once again, we see the election aftermath having an effect as CBS RADIO News WBZ-A slipped down to #5 (6.1-5.5).
Last month, two stations were tied at #6 and they repeated that gesture this time. CBS RADIO Classic Rock WZLX (5.7-5.3) and CCM+E Top 40/R WJMN (JAM’N) (5.7-5.3). CBS RADIO Hot AC WBMX (MIX) was up for the third book in a row and held on at #8 (4.5-4.6). It looks like the PATRIOTS' annual run to the SUPER BOWL had an effect on CBS RADIO Sports WBZ-F (THE SPORTS HUB) as the station inched up a slot to #9 (4.1-4.4). Another potential casualty of a post-election hangover was BOSTON UNIVERSITY N/T WBUR, which slipped to #10 (4.2-3.7).
Once again, WXKS is the dominant station 25-54, even though it is on a three-book slide. WKLB narrowed the gap considerably as it posted a monster book -- the likes of which it has not seen in well over a year. WMJX can't wait to see what's under the tree but will have to settle for #3 -- again. WBZ-F rode the arm of TOM BRADY and company to surge from a tie at #8 to #4. This forced WJMN to slip a slot to #5. More possible post-election fallout: WBUR dropped from #5 to #10.
It has been said many times, many ways, that 18-34 is a two-station race. Some things never change as WXKS won again over cluster mate WJMN. Both stations were far ahead of the rest of the field. GREATER MEADIA Alternative WBOS (MY RADIO) moved up a slot to take over #3 while WKLB held on to #4. With visions of sugar plums dancing in its head, WMJX moved back into the top 5 at #5. Meanwhile, CBS RADIO Top 40/M WODS (AMP) ended a two-book run in the top 5 by falling from #3 to #6.
The top 5 18-49 was relatively unchanged, with only a small expansion to note. WXKS continued to cruise at #1, followed not-so-closely by WJMN. WKLB had its best book since APRIL but remained lodged at #3 while WMJX did a little early Christmas shopping to remain at #4. WBMX is on a two-book slide but remained at #5 though it is now tied with the NFL-heavy programming on WBZ-F.
Detroit: Another Christmas Conflict
The battle lines have been drawn as not one, but two, stations flipped to all CHRISTMAS music and they magically did it at the same time. The early returns had CCM+E AC WNIC (FRESH) as the leader in the clubhouse since the station went thumpety thump thump from a tie at #10 to #1 (3.7-6.8). While this was the most dramatic change of the survey, there was a lot of movement elsewhere in the rankings. CBS RADIO Country WYCD moved up a slot to #2 (6.6-6.6). Two of its cluster brethren are locked in a duel at #3. CBS RADIO Classic Hits WOMC moved up from #5 (5.5-6.1) while CBS RADIO News WWJ-A lost some momentum and fell from #2 (6.8-6.1). CUMULUS Hot AC WDVD had its best book in over a year to move up to #5 (5.1-5.3).
The TIGERS season is over, the LIONS were DOA, and there is no hockey in HOCKEY TOWN. This spelled disaster for CBS RADIO Sports WXYT-F (THE TICKET) as the station posted its lowest number since MARCH to fall from #1 to #6 (7.9-5.2). CCM+E Urban AC WMXD (MIX) slid from a tie at #6 to #7 (5.1-4.9). The "other" CHRISTMAS station also found some magic in that old silk hat as GREATER MEDIA AC WMGC (TODAY’S 105.1) flew from #18 to a tie at #8 (2.7-4.8). It found itself deadlocked with CUMULUS Talk WJR-A, which dropped from #4 (5.9-4.8). CCM+E Urban WJLB took over sole possession of #10 with its best number since JUNE (3.7-3.9). Three stations exited the top 10 completely. GREATER MEDIA Active Rock WRIF had its lowest book since JULY (4.1-3.7) to fall into a tie at #12 while its older cluster brother, GREATER MEDIA Classic Rock WCSX, fell to #14 (4.0-3.6). The final member of this troika was RADIO ONE Urban AC WDMK (KISS FM), which posted its lowest number in over a year (3.7-3.2) to fall to #16.
While the 6+ results may have indicated a lack of appetite for radio sports, the results were not quite the same 25-54. True, as the buzz from the WORLD SERIES faded, WXYT-F posted its lowest number since MARCH; even so, the station is still #1. WNIC was a jolly, happy soul as it surged from #7 to #2. WDVD is on a four-book surge and posted its best number in over a year but had to settle for another stay at #3. WYCD was awarded its lowest number since MAY and slipped from #2 to #4. WRIF was down for the second book in a row and slipped a slot to #5. Last survey, two stations were tied at #5. Unfortunately, both dropped completely out of the top 5. WMXD slid to #6 while the recently surging BELL MEDIA Alternative CIMX (89X) plummeted to a tie at #11 by posting its lowest number in over a year.
There's a new #1 18-34 station in town and it is WJLB, which returned to the top spot for the first time since JUNE. A year ago, WDVD was in a tie at #7. This time, the station matched its best book of the year to climb a couple of spots to #2. WNIC's rise is no fairy tale (they say) as it rose from a tie at #8 into a tie at #3 with CCM+E Top 40/M WKQI (CHANNEL 955), which rose three places. WYCD recovered from a slight dip to return to the top 5 while two stations left this illustrious group. CIMX fell from a tie at #2 to #6 while WXYT-F scored its lowest number since FEBRUARY to fall from the top spot to #7.
There is also a new #1 18-49 station in town and this time the honor goes to WDVD which, once again, scored its best book in over a year. WNIC was as alive as it could be as the station snowballed from #9 to #2. WXYT-F was handed its lowest number since MARCH to fall from the top spot to #3. WYCD is on a three-book slide and fell a spot to #4 while WJLB posted its best number since JUNE yet still fell a spot to #5. CIMX had its lowest book in over a year and left the top 5 to take up residence at #8.
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood: Lovely Weather For A Sleigh Ride
Perhaps it is because of the palm trees, gentle ocean breezes and the SOUTH BEACH hustle that there was no CHRISTMAS effect in SOUTH FLORIDA last month. As a matter of fact, the top 5 was completely unchanged from the previous survey. Even with a down book, COX RADIO Urban AC WHQT (HOT) continued to dominate the market (10.2-9.7). Cluster compadre COX RADIO Urban WEDR held court at #2 (6.6-6.5) while UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR) maintained its presence at #3 (5.7-6.1). COX RADIO Soft AC WFEZ (EASY) had its best book since JUNE (5.2-6.0) to remain at #4 while CCM+E Top 40/M WHYI (Y100) held on at #5 (5.0-4.9).
Three stations were playing the game of musical chairs at #6. CCM+E Spanish Contemporary WMGE (MEGA) popped its best book since JULY (4.1-4.4) to move up from #8. BEASLEY Top 40/R WPOW (POWER) was flat (4.4-4.4) but managed to move up from #7. LINCOLN AC WLYF (LITE FM) was not gliding along with the song as the station actually saw its number decrease (4.7-4.4) to its lowest point in over a year. SBS Spanish Adult hits WCMQ (LA MUSICA) ended a brief stay outside the top 10 to take over #9 (3.3-4.0) while COX RADIO AC WFLC (COAST FM) had its second down book in a row (3.9-3.8) to fall a spot to #10. DADE COUNTY Variety WLRN exited the top 10 (3.5.3.2) to land at #13.
This is the sixth book in a row that the same two stations lead the pack 25-54. WHQT remained #1, followed by WEDR at #2. As recently as SEPTEMBER, WMGE was #11 in this demo. After its third up book in a row, the station is now #3. WHYI posted its best book since APRIL to remain at #4 while WAMR returned to the top 5 at #5. WPOW scored its lowest number since JUNE and slid from #3 to #6. WLYF is not finding its cheeks nice and rosy as the station had its lowest book in over a year to fall from a tie at #5 to #9.
One station consistently dominates the market 18-34 and that is WEDR. The trend continued even though the station's lead over #2 WHYI shrunk to a mere two-and-a-half share points. WPOW maintained its vise-like grip on #3 while WMGE was up for the third book in a row to climb a slot to #4. WHQT followed its best book of the year with something a little less savory and slid a slot to #5. Keep an eye on WCMQ as the station leapt from a tie at #16 to #8.
18-49 follows pretty much the same pattern as 18-34. WEDR has been dominating the market since JULY and that trend continued. WHYI remained a couple of steps behind at #2 while WPOW took over sole possession of #3. WMGE continued its surge here and rose from #5 to #4. WHQT scored its lowest number since JULY to fall from a tie at #3 to #5.
Seattle-Tacoma: Three Flavors Of Christmas
We have seen markets with one all CHRISTMAS station, two CHRISTMAS stations -- even no CHRISTMAS stations. SEATTLE-TACOMA is the first we have seen with three stations devoted to sleigh bells and manger scenes. To be sure, the flavors are different but the content is similar. The first station to flip was SANDUSKY AC KRWM (WARM) and the weather outside was certainly delightful as the station soared from a tie at #4 to #1 (4.5-10.1), eclipsing its pre-holiday performance from last year. There is evidence that the bursting of the post-election bubble had an effect on News and Talk programming but it had limited effect on UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW as the station only slipped a little to #2 (5.4-5.2). The "other" all CHRISTMAS station to have an impact was CRISTA Christian Contemporary KCMS (SPIRIT), which was joyful and triumphant as it moved from a tie at #4 to #3 (4.5-5.0) with its best book in over a year. Slipping down a slot was CCM+E Top 40/M KBKS (KISS FM) (4.6-4.6) while FISHER Hot AC KPLZ (STAR) came roaring into the top 5 from a tie at #12 (3.7-4.0).
CBS RADIO Classic Rock KZOK did a bit of roaring, as well, moving from a tie at #12 to #6 (3.7-3.8) just ahead of SANDUSKY Top 40/M KQMV (MOVIN), which snaked up a couple of slots to #7 (3.8-3.7). Two months ago, ENTERCOM Active Rock KISW was completing a three-book run at #1. This time the station plummeted from #2 to #8 (4.7-3.6). Three stations were locked in a mind meld at #9. CCM+E Classic Hits KJR-F (3.8-3.5) was in the exact same position last month when it was also tied with CBS RADIO Country KMPS (3.8-3.5). ENTERCOM Country KKWF (THE WOLF) joined the party by clawing its way up from a tie at #16 (3.4-3.5). As we mentioned, the lack of election buzz had an effect as three stations fell from the top 10. BONNEVILLE Talk KTTH-A (4.2-3.3) went from #6 to a tie at #12 with cluster sibling BONNEVILLE Talk KIRO-F (4.1-3.3), which fell from #7. FISHER News KOMO-A dropped from #8 into a tie at #15 (3.9-3.2).
You can be sure that KRWM is simply having a -- well, you know, as the station whizzed from #11 to the top spot 25-54. Meanwhile, KISW is on a four-book slide and just posted its lowest number in over a year to slip to #2. KPLZ matched its best book of the year but was forced down the frosty slope to #3. KCMS sang in exultation as the station scored its best book in over a year to climb from #7 to #4. KZOK held rock steady at #5. Two stations that were tied at #3 last month dropped out of the top 5 altogether. KBKS landed at #6 while KUOW came in at #7.
In your garden variety, non-Kringle related book, KRWM languishes outside the top 10 18-34. However, sprinkle in a little elfin magic and it jumps all the way to #1 (from a tie at #10). KBKS didn’t let the frost affect it as the station posted its best book in over a year yet fell from a tie at #1 to #2. CCM+E Top 40/R KUBE remained in stable condition at #3 while KPLZ tumbled from a share of the lead to #4. KQMV returned to the top 5 while two stations dropped out. ENTERCOM Alternative KNDD (THE END) fell to #6 and KISW dropped to #8.There is much mistletoeing at KRWM as the station took a commanding lead 18-49, jumping all the way up from #12 -- almost tripling its shares in the process. KBKS was up for the third book in a row and remained at #2 while last month’s market leader -- KISW -- slid to #3. KPLZ dropped a notch to #4 while the two stations tied at #5 last month are still there -- KQMV AND KUBE. KNDD left the top 5 by dropping to #7.
Phoenix: The Real Santa Claus
Long before the all CHRISTMAS format became a fixture in every market, PHOENIX was leading the way -- specifically on CCM+E AC KESZ (KEZ99.9). The tradition continued as the station more than doubled its share (4.9-10.2) thanks to a heavy dose of roasting chestnuts to climb from #3 to #1. This is also well ahead of the 8.8 it had a year ago. CBS RADIO Classic Hits KOOL continued its recent string of strong books (5.2-5.3) to remain a solid #2. As we have seen in every market to date, the end of the political season wreaked havoc on another station as CCM+E Talk KFYI-A slipped from the top spot to #3 (5.9-5.1). This is a far cry better than the #12 position it held a year ago. Two stations were joined at the hip at #4. SANDUSKY Classic Rock KSLX zoomed up from #9 (3.9-4.4) while CBS RADIO Country KMLE remained right where it was (4.6-4.4).
CCM+E Hot AC KMXP (MIX) remained at #6 (4.2-4.3) but is now tied with CBS RADIO Top 40/R KZON (JAMZ), which jumped up from #8 (4.1-4.3). CCM+E Country KNIX was flat (4.2-4.2) but was forced down a couple of slots to #8. Despite posting a down book (3.8-3.4) BONNEVILLE Talk KTAR managed to climb a slot to #9. CCM+E Top 40/M KZZP (KISS FM) was granted its lowest book in over a year to fall from #5 to #10 (4.3-3.2).
A lot of angels got their wings as KESZ more than doubled its 25-54 share to move from #10 to #1. KSLX is riding a two-book surge and moved from a tie at #3 to #2. KMXP was given a lump of coal in the shape of its lowest number in over a year to fall from a tie at the top spot to #3. As recently as JULY, KMLE was in a tie at #20. After securing its best number in over a year, the station rose from #13 to a tie at #4 with UNIVISION Regional Mexican KHOT (LA NUEVA), which is on a four-book slide. Keep an eye on KOOL as the station leaped from #16 into a tie at #6.
There were all sorts of changes 18-34. As expected, KESZ was good (for goodness sake) as it soared from a tie at #12 to #1, far exceeding its HOLIDAY book number from last year. In a strange twist of statistical fate, there were four stations occupying the #2 position. RIVERIA Top 40/R KKFR (POWER) had its best book in over a year to move up from #6. KMLE had its best showing since MAY to move from up from a tie at #10. KMXP was up from #5 while KZON edged up from #3. Three stations were asked to leave the top 5 party. SANDUSKY Active Rock KUPD slid to #6 while KNIX plunged from #2 to a tie at #7. Last month KZZP was the top station but free fell to #9.
The folks at KESZ were neither pouting nor crying as the station -- once again -- more than doubled its share and moved from #10 to #1 18-49. KZON posted its best number since AUGUST to move up to #2 while KMXP edged up a notch to #3. KSLX is riding a two-book surge that has seen it climb from a tie at #17 to its current position of #4, which has it tied with KNIX. Three stations were relegated to the naughty list as they fell from the top 5. KHOT had its lowest number in over a year to fall from #3 to a tie at #7. KZZP dropped down the chimney from #1 to a tie at #9. ENTRAVISION Regional Mexican KLNZ (LA TRICOLOR) ended a four-book surge by collapsing from #2 into a tie at #11.
Minneapolis-St.Paul: Let The Reindeer Games Begin
Despite the expected appearance of that jolly old elf and his antlered friends, the natural order of the ratings universe was relatively unaffected. CCM+E Top 40/M KDWB ran its streak of #1 books to 5 (8.0-7.7) while HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) was up for the second book in a row (7.2-7.6) to maintain its hold on #2. The station with the red hat and white fur -- CCM+E Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) -- certainly benefitted from all the mistletoe as the station posted its best book in over a year (6.4-7.4) to remain locked up at #3. CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS also had its best book in over a year (6.1-7.1) to climb a slot to #4. As recently as JULY, CCM+E Country KEEY (K102) was #1. However, after a third down book in a row (6.4-6.1), it has fallen to #5.
NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE Christian Contemporary KTIS was blessed with its best book in over a year (5.3-6.0) and arose from #7 to #6. Yet another "best in over a year" award was handed out -- this time to CBS RADIO Adult Hits KZJK (JACK FM), which moved from #9 to #7 (4.8-5.0). The post-election letdown claimed another victim as CBS RADIO Talk WCCO-A had its lowest book in over a year (6.0-4.7) to slide to #8. CCM+E AAA KTCZ (CITIES 97) returned to the top 10 for the first time since JULY (3.8-4.6), moving from #14 to #9. CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) edged back into the top ten from a tie at #11 (4.3-4.4). This forced CCM+E Sports KFXN (KFAN) to drop to #11 (4.4-4.3) while MPR N/T KNOW dropped from #8 to a tie at #12 (4.9-4.2).
It was the start of reindeer season and KQRS bagged its limit 25-54 as the station moved back to #1, displacing KDWB, which slipped to #2. KSTP is on a two-book upswing but still fell a slot to #3. KZJK is on a three-book surge and posted its best number in over a year to move up to #4 while two stations locked antlers at #5. The Kringle effect moved KQQL up from #9 while KFXN slid in from a tie at #6. For the first time in over a year, KEEY is not in the top 5, as the station dropped from #4 to #8.
For twelve books (and counting), KDWB has been the dominant station 18-34. Will this change with the next book? It did last year. Meanwhile, KXXR maintained its steely grip on #2 while KSTP continued to own #3. KQQL channeled the ghost of CHRISTMAS future by posting its best book in over a year to inch up to #5, forcing KEEY to take a step down to #5.
The 18-49 world was completely unaffected by the power of CLAUS as KDWB continued as a dominant #1 station. KSTP assumed its customary position as the dutiful #2. KQRS regained some of its mojo and moved up a spot to #3. KXXR also improved its ranking by moving up to #4. KEEY is enduring a three-book slide and fell from #3 to #5. In case you were wondering about the jingling of the bells, KQQL experienced an ever-so-slight increase and remained at #6. We’re guessing this will change next book.
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