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Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive June PPM Analysis For New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco And Dallas
July 9, 2013
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. NEW YORK: Don't Look Back, Somebody May Be Gaining On You
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ALL ACCESS presents JUNE 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.
Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and behold the enormous power of the ARBITRON ratings machine. Once again, the ratings experts at RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. take you on this incredible journey full of amazing highs, depressing lows and the only type of flatness that can actually be a relief. As always, the observations expressed here are derived from our own twisted minds, so if you should ever wish to comment or respond, you can find us on FACEBOOK (along with everyone else) at facebook.com/ResearchDirectorInc or on Twitter at twitter.com/researchdirectr. For reference purposes only, the JUNE book covers MAY 23rd through JUNE 19th. Now, on with the show …
NEW YORK: Don’t Look Back, Somebody May Be Gaining On You
It has been quite some time, well, last OCTOBER to be exact, since a station has been close enough to CCM+E AC WLTW (LITE FM) to think – perchance to dream – of overtaking the behemoth and becoming the new #1 station. As per usual, LITE’s presence was commanding (7.0-6.8) but by posting its lowest number since NOVEMBER, it allowed CBS RADIO Classic Hits WCBS-F to come dangerously close to the top spot as that station scored its highest number since DECEMBER (6.1-6.7). Could history be made next month? Watch this space. Meanwhile, YMF MEDIA Urban AC WBLS was up for the third straight book to remain at #3 while posting its best number since AUGUST (5.9-6.2). CCM+E Top 40/M WHTZ (Z100) slipped for the second straight month to fall from a tie at #3 to #4 (5.9-5.5). Cluster mate CCM+E Classic Rock (Q104.3) held firm at #5 (4.6-4.5). How have the Boys of Summer affected the radio landscape in market #1? Not so much. The valiant efforts of the depleted YANKEES were of no help to CBS RADIO News WCBS-A as the station remained at #9 (3.7-3.6) – though that was a far sight better than last JUNE’s 2.9. The hapless METS did help CBS RADIO Sports WFAN-F a little, though the station remained at #13 (2.8-3.0) – slightly worse than last season’s 3.3. As for the newest kid in town, CUMULUS Country WNSH (NASH FM) established another new ratings high (1.9-2.1) but remained at #19.
The top two stations were flat 25-54 yet maintained their respective hold on their respective positions … respectively. WLTW kept its slim lead over cluster sister WHTZ. WCBS-F had its best book in over a year to jump a spot to #3, displacing WBLS, even though the station had another solid performance. SBS Tropical WSKQ (LA MEGA) was flat but allowed to move up a slot to #5 because WAXQ shed some ratings to move down to #6. WNSH continued to set station/format ratings records as it moved from #19 into a tie at #17.
Though WHTZ suffered through ratings losses for the third straight month, it maintained a commanding lead as the #1 station 18-34. WSKQ posted its best number since SANTA was in town to leap from #4 to #2 while WLTW slid a spot to #3 with its fourth straight down book. EMMIS Top 40/R WQHT (HOT) scored its lowest number since FEBRUARY to drop a notch to #4 while CCM+E Top 40/M WKTU had its best book since AUGUST to leap from #7 to #5. WNSH matched its best number to date to edge up from #14 to #13.
The top-four stations remained unchanged 18-49. WHTZ was down slightly at #1 while WLTW was flat at #2. WSKQ was up slightly at #3 while WKTU was up a bit more slightly at #4. WBLS was down slightly but rose a spot to #5 because WAXQ was slightly down to drop to #6. WNSH set yet another record but had to settle for moving from a tie at #17 to sole possession of that position.
LOS ANGELES: The Ties That Bind
For the second straight survey, two cluster siblings were locked cheek-by-jowl atop the leaderboard with the exact same numbers they had last month. CCM+E Top 40/M KIIS (KISS FM) and CCM+E Hot AC KBIG (MY FM) had identical trends: 5.6-5.6. The only time over the last 14 surveys when neither of these stations occupied the top spot was during the time of SANTA’s reign, dear (see how we did that?). CBS RADIO Top 40/M KAMP (AMP) scored its highest total in over a year (4.3-4.5) to climb from #4 to #3 while CCM+E AC KOST had its lowest number since JULY to slide from #3 to #4 (4.5-4.2). EMMIS Top 40/R KPWR (POWER) reversed a two-book slide to take over sole possession of #5 (3.8-4.0) while CCM+E Talk KFI-A slipped out of that tie at #5 (3.8-3.7) into a tie at #6 with CBS RADIO Classic Hits KRTH (KEARTH), which had the same number for the third straight month (3.7-3.7). We were curious to see how baseball was affecting the market and, considering how underwhelming the early season performances of the ANGELS and DODGERS were, we were not surprised. Neither team’s flagship station made it into the top 20.
For the sixth consecutive survey, KBIG was the undisputed champion of the 25-54 arena, though its lead over cluster sister KIIS shrank ever so slightly. CBS RADIO Alternative KROQ remained steady and firm at #3. Cluster-mate KAMP had its best performance in over a year to move from a tie at #6 to #4, which also happens to be its highest ranking in that same time period. UNIVISION Regional Mexican KSCA slipped out of a tie at #4 to #5 – a far sight better than the tie at #12 it owned a year ago. KOST scored its lowest number in over a year to drop from a tie at #4 to #7.
KIIS ended a two-book slide to remain at #1 18-34 for the eighth straight book, easily outdistancing KPWR, which ended a two-book slide of its own. KAMP had its – wait for it – best book in over a year to move up from #4 to #3, which dropped KBIG to #4, ending that station’s three-book surge. LIBERMAN Regional Mexican KBUE (QUE BUENA) was flat but managed to jump a spot to #5 because KROQ ended its own three-book surge and fell one to #6.
There was a changing of the guard 18-49 as KIIS returned to #1 after a one-book hiatus. This bumped cluster buddy KBIG back to its more customary #2 role. KPWR ended a small two-book slide to remain at #3 while KAMP had – you guessed it – another best book in over a year to move from #5 to #4. This ended KROQ’s five-month stay at that spot as it fell to #5.
CHICAGO: The V-6 Engine
For the sixth consecutive survey, CCM+E Urban AC WVAZ (V103) topped the charts in the Second City (6.9-6.9) and saw its once dwindling lead expand to over a share – once again. Ever since SANTA left town, HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (MIX) has been on a tear. The station has been up (often considerably) every single survey … until this one. The station remained at #2 despite suffering its first down book of the year (6.4-5.6). On the field, the CUBS suck. But on the air – they’re gold. Witness TRIBUNE N/T WGN-A, which went deep with its best number in over a year (4.3-5.3) to move from #4 to #3. This dropped CBS RADIO News WBBM-A a spot even though the station was flat (4.5-4.5). Cluster brother CBS RADIO Country WUSN (US 99.5) was raisin’ a ruckus as it roped its best book in over a year (4.1-4.2) to remain hog tied at #5. Watch out for CCM+E Urban WGCI, which bounced back nicely from a down book (3.6-4.1) to jump from #10 to #6. The other baseball team in town – known as the WHITE SOX – had about as much impact on the ratings of CBS RADIO Sports WSCR-A (THE SCORE) as they did on the NL Central standings, as the station slid from a tie at #14 to #17 (2.7-2.5).
Though it shed over a full point of ratings aura 25-54, WTMX still owned the 25-54 title by a considerable margin. This was the sixth book in a row at #1 for MIX. WVAZ had its best book since JANUARY to remain at #2. WGCI continued its rebounding to move up from #6 into a tie at #3 with CCM+E Top 40/M WKSC (KISS), which also moved up, albeit from a tie at #4. CBS RADIO Top 40/M WBBM-F (B96) ended a four-book surge and slipped from #3 to #5. MERLIN Classic Rock WLUP (THE LOOP) also ended a three-book surge to fall from a tie at #4 into a tie at #6 with WUSN.
After suffering through one of its lowest books in over a year, WGCI redeemed itself by posting its highest total since DECEMBER to return to the top spot 18-34. WTMX took a bit of a hit but managed to only slip to #2, still far ahead of the resurgent WBBM-F at #3. A year ago at this very moment, WKSC was #1 by a noticeable margin. However, it has shed about two-and-a-half shares since then and just slipped from #3 to #4. CRAWFORD Urban WPWX (POWER) was up slightly and moved from #6 to #5. CCM+E Regional Mexican WNUA (EL PATRON) scored its lowest number since SEPTEMBER to tumble from #5 to #10.
Last month, WTMX was completely dominant 18-49 as it led the pack by over three-and-a-half shares. This month, the station is just mostly dominant as its lead has shrunk to a mere two share points. Once again, WGCI shook off the effects of a bad book and rebounded smartly to move from #3 to #2. This displaced WVAZ to #3 even though the station was up slightly. WKSC and WBBM-F swapped places by the slightest of margins as the former moved up to #4 and the latter slipped to #5.
SAN FRANCISCO: A Dead Heat
If you’ve been following along, you’ve probably noticed that we are keeping an eye on the effect baseball has had on market ratings. This being JUNE when contenders emerge and pretenders submerge, we thought this was a good benchmark. What to make of the GIANTS? A rabid fan base, championship aspirations and below-expectation performance. Their “content” certainly fueled CUMULUS Sports KNBR-A’s last couple of books but the station has seen some erosion the last two surveys (5.8-5.3). Still, it remained #1 though it is now tied for that honor with ENTERCOM AC KOIT (5.0-5.3), which returned to that lofty plateau (from #3) for the first time since SANTA ruled the roost. This bumped CBS RADIO News KCBS-A down a spot to #3 as the station posted its lowest score since AUGUST (5.7-4.8). CCM+E Top 40/R KMEL continued its recent run of consistency (4.3-4.5) to edge up from #5 to #4, which sent KQED INC N/T KQED down a spot to #5 as that station extended its ratings slide to three books (4.6-4.3).
Proving – once again – that there is life after the holidays, KOIT’s resurgence took the station to the top spot 25-54 as it secured its best non-SANTA-related book in over a year. KMEL scored its best number since AUGUST to leap from #5 to #2. KNBR-A slipped a bit from #1 to #3 but is a little bit stronger and a little bit higher than the #6 it placed a year ago. CBS RADIO Top 40/M KMVQ (NOW) was flat and now shares the #4 spot with CCM+E Hot AC KIOI (STAR), which moved up from #6 with its best book since FEBRUARY. Things were not quite as good for KQED, which had its lowest number in over a year to tumble from #2 into a tie at #6.
Another month, another dominant #1 18-34 performance for KMEL as the station extended its surge to two books and continued its four-plus-share lead over #2 CCM+E Top 40/R KYLD (WILD) even though that station ended a three-book slide. KMVQ was off a bit but still held on at a distant #3. As recently as JANUARY, CCM+E Rhythmic AC KISQ (KISS) was sitting in a tie at #18. Now, after posting its best book in over a year, the station rocketed up the charts from #9 to #4. KNBR-A is one of the rare sports stations to score well in this demo – behold the power of the long ball – but did slip a bit this time from a tie at #4 to #5. Compared to the tie at #13 it had last year, however, these recent developments qualify as being “good.” Last month’s ratings hero – CUMULUS Classic Rock KSAN (THE BONE) – had dazzled everyone by leaping into the top 5 for the first time in quite a while. Alas, fame is fleeting as the station saw its three-book surge come to an end, causing it to fall from a tie at #4 to a tie at #10.
For the tenth time in the last 14 surveys, KMEL was the market leader 18-49 and continued to lead in a dominant fashion. KYLD ended a three-book slide to inch up from #3 to #2. This forced KMVQ to drop a slot to #3 where it is now tied with KOIT, which jumped up from a tie at #4 with its best non-jingly number in over a year. A small ratings rise allowed KIOI a somewhat larger ranking leap from #7 to #5. KNBR-A dipped from a tie at #4 to #8 but is still better off than it was a year ago.
DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Kiss Krushes
The only thing we can say about the continued market domination by CCM+E Top 40/M KHKS (KISS) is – oh em gee. The only time in the last 14 surveys when the station did not own the market was during the time of SANTA’s rule and now the station has a full three-share lead (7.5-7.8) on three different competitors. The race is for #2 and it is now a triple threat. Last month’s incumbent – SALEM Christian Contemporary KLTY – fell under a 5 share for only the third time in the last 14 surveys (5.5-4.8). UNIVISION Regional Mexican KLNO (LA QUE BUENA) dipped a bit (4.9-4.8) but still managed to move up from #3. CUMULUS Country KPLX (THE WOLF) had its best book (4.5-4.8) since FEBRUARY to leap from #5. CCM+E Classic Rock KZPS (LONE STAR) ended a two-book surge (4.8-4.5) to slip from #4 to #5. Even though the RANGERS are poised to make another post-season run, their flagship station did not crack the top 20 this survey.
Oh, look -- KHKS is #1 25-54. Quelle surprise! The station extended its large lead even wider over KLNO, which held on to the #2 spot for the sixth straight book. CCM+E Hot AC KDMX (NOW) had a strong book to move from #5 to #3 while KPLX had its best number since FEBRUARY to jump from #6 to #4. KLTY was off for the second straight month to fall from #4 into a tie at #5 with the suddenly scorching CBS RADIO Adult Hits KJKK (JACK FM), which roared up from a tie at #9 with its best performance in over a year. KZPS posted its lowest score since JULY to tumble from #3 to #7.
The only question about KHKS’ 18-34 performance is – how big is their lead in this demo? The answer: big. While we are not at liberty to reveal the exact numbers, suffice it to say that “big” translates to more than two-and-a-half shares. SERVICE Urban KKDA (K104) had its best book in exactly one year to move from a tie at #3 into the #2 position, dropping KLNO down a spot. RADIO ONE Top 40/R KBFB (THE BEAT) posted its highest total since NOVEMBER to move up from a tie at #6 to #4. KPLX had its lowest number in over a year to drop from a tie at #3 into a three-way tie at #5. Moving up to that position was CCM+E Alternative KDGE (THE EDGE), which sliced its way up from a tie at #10. KDMX was the odd station out this time as it fell from #5 to #8.
The top three stations 18-49 maintained their respective positions. KHKS -- as is its custom -- ruled with an iron, yet benevolent, hand. KLNO was its customary two shares behind at #2 while KDMX held on at #3 for the fifth straight survey. Then, things got interesting. KKDA had its best book since DECEMBER to move from a tie at #6 to #4. KDGE posted its best performance since AUGUST to leap from a tie at #9 to #5. This did cause a bit of fallout. KZPS scored its lowest total in over a year to drop from #5 to a tie at #7 while KLTY had its smallest number since MARCH to tumble from #4 to #11.
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