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Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive Nov. PPM Analysis For N.Y., L.A., Chicago, San Francisco And Dallas
November 25, 2013
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. NEW YORK: The Strong Get Stronger
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ALL ACCESS presents NOVEMBER 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.
As you prepare for your THANKSGIVING feast, savor the final set of numbers in 2013 that will not contain the taint of that jolly old elf. This is our analysis of the NOVEMBER survey, which contained only a fraction of its namesake month – kind of like candied yams without the yam. Set your clocks accordingly as we are talking about the specific period of time of OCTOBER 10th through NOVEMBER 6th.
The Ratings Experts at RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. have delved into the numbers and divined the meaning of their existence … or, we’ve found the stories behind the headlines that matter to you. As always, we are open to your comments, critiques, and corrections (keep those cards and letters coming!)
Feel free to reach out to us via a variety of available platforms:
E-mail: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
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Web: www.researchdirectorinc.comNow, on with the show …
NEW YORK: The Strong Get Stronger
The top of the BIG APPLE leaderboard was relatively unchanged last month but a couple of stations strengthened their already lofty positions. After falling out of the lead in AUGUST, CCM+E AC WLTW (LITE FM) posted its third straight #1 book and managed to land its best number since MAY (6.7-7.0). Next time we see these guys, they will be hanging the stockings with care. YMF MEDIA Urban AC WBLS remained at #2 but also secured its best book in over a year (6.1-6.6). The monthly success of these two stations widened the gap on the rest of the field. CCM+E Top 40/M WHTZ (Z100) was flat (5.4-5.4) yet managed to move up a spot to #3 because CBS RADIO Classic Hits WCBS-F had its smallest book in over a year (5.5-5.1) as it slipped back a slot to #4. SBS Tropical WSKQ (LA MEGA) had its best book since JULY (4.6-4.9) to remain at #5. During the course of this survey, the city was embroiled in a mayoral race, CHRIS CHRISTIE was doing his thing across the river and there was this pesky government shutdown. Alas, not any of these issues seemed to drive listening for the main News and Talk stations. CBS RADIO News WCBS-A remained at #8 (3.9-3.7) while cluster brother CBS RADIO News WINS-A slipped a couple of places to #12 (3.5-3.3). Right-leaning CUMULUS Talk WABC-A moved up a spot into a tie at #13 despite a flat book (3.0-3.0).
WLTW popped its best book since APRIL to continue its hold on the top spot 25-54 while WSKQ moved up a slot to #2 with its highest total since JULY. WHTZ was off slightly to drop a spot to #3 while WBLS remained at #4 with its best performance since JUNE. CCM+E Top 40/M WKTU slid from a tie at #4 into a tie at #5 with cluster brother CCM+E Classic Rock WAXQ (Q 104.3), which moved up from a tie at #6 with its best number since MAY. CUMULUS Country WNSH (NASH FM) equaled its best number since the flip and thus moved up from #19 to #18.
Way back in JULY, WSKQ managed to unseat WHTZ as the market leader 18-34. Since then, Z100 has been the top dog. However, last month’s huge lead was whittled considerably this time as WHTZ slipped a bit while WSKQ had its best book since it was #1. WLTW was up for the third straight book to break out of a tie at #4 and claim the #3 spot to itself. EMMIS Top 40/R WQHT (HOT) had its lowest number since FEBRUARY and dropped back a spot to #4, where it found itself tied with CCM+E Urban WWPR (POWER), which was flat and did not move an inch. WNSH was also flat and relatively motionless as it went from #17 into a tie at the same spot.
For the first time since FEBRUARY, WLTW reigned supreme over the 18-49 demo, bumping its cluster mate WHTZ to #2. WSKQ ended a three-book slide yet remained entrenched at #3 while WKTU had its best book in over a year, yet could not budge out of the #4 position. The same could be said for WBLS, which scored its highest number since DECEMBER but had to settle for a return engagement at #5.
LOS ANGELES: Make It 'No Move' November
It is a rare sight, indeed, to see a market be almost completely flat from one book to the next. For sure, this blanket statement does not apply to everyone in town but for the top players, it rings pretty true. CCM+E Top 40/M KIIS (KISS FM) remained at #1 for the third straight book (5.4-5.4) while cluster sister CCM+E Hot AC KBIG (MY FM) was still #2 by the slimmest of margins (5.3-5.3). CBS RADIO Top 40/M KAMP (AMP) could get no closer (4.4-4.3) and found itself sharing the #3 spot with EMMIS Top 40/R KPWR (POWER), which inched up from a tie at #4 (4.2-4.3). CBS RADIO Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH) was also flat-footed (4.2-4.2) and slipped out of a tie at #4 to #5. The only station in the top group that saw its ratings move significantly was CCM+E AC KOST, which, unfortunately, fell from a tie at #4 into a tie at #6 (4.2-3.6). However, the distant sound of sleigh bells means this fortune will soon be reversed.
This flatness phenomenon only affected one station 25-54 and since KBIG was still #1, we don’t think the station will mind. Actually, the station had scored the exact same number for three straight surveys. KIIS posted its lowest number in over a year yet remained at #2. CBS RADIO Alternative KROQ had its best showing since JULY to move up a spot to #3, swapping places with SBS Regional Mexican KLAX (LA RAZA). KPWR owned the #5 spot as a solo artist for two reasons. It scored its best book in over a year and KAMP had its lowest total since MAY to drop to #6.
There has been a battle brewing in the 18-34 race for some time now and it really heated up last month. There is now a tie atop the charts – something that did not seem possible as recently as SEPTEMBER when KIIS had a huge lead over KPWR. Well, that gap evaporated as both stations were off slightly from the previous monthly total. It will be interesting to see how this develops over the rest of the year. KBIG was off slightly but held on at #3 while KAMP was up slightly to remain at #4. KROQ had its best book since MAY to move up a spot to #5, which forced KLAX to move back one place to #6.
KBIG won the 18-49 competition for the second straight month and widened its lead through a combination of its elevated ratings and KIIS scoring its lowest number since JULY. KPWR had its best book in over a year but had to settle for being a solid #3. KAMP was flat yet managed to move up a spot to #4 while KROQ had its best number since JULY to also take one step forward to #5. Alas, KLAX saw its three-book surge come to an end as the station slipped a couple of places to #6.
CHICAGO: Another V-ictory
Over the last 14 surveys, only two things have kept CCM+E Urban AC WVAZ (V103) from being the undisputed market leader – SANTA and CBS RADIO News WBBM-A. The former is still in pre-production and the latter is, well, continuing to make some noise. First things first, WVAZ notched its eleventh consecutive #1 book (6.5-6.6) while WBBM-A topped the six-share mark for the second straight month (6.2-6.0) to remain at #2. Meanwhile, HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX remained at #3 but did score its lowest total since JANUARY (5.2-4.7). This might give hope to some of the other stations that are looking to become top-three performers. CBS RADIO Country WUSN (US 99.5) moved up from #5 (4.2-4.3) into a tie at #4 with CCM+E Top 40/M WKSC (KISS), which leapt from a tie at #7 (4.0-4.3). This, along with its SEPTEMBER ranking, is KISS’s highest level in over a year. CCM+E Urban WGCI was off slightly (4.3-4.2) but, in a compressed market, actually fell from #4 into a tie at #6. CCM+E Hot AC WLIT (MY FM) was flat (3.0-3.0) to remain at #12. However, this will change dramatically as the next survey will have all the trimmings of the holiday season.
Make it 11 months in a row at #1 25-54 for WTMX though this was the station’s lowest book since its ascension to the throne in JANUARY. WVAZ narrowed the gap between the two by posting its best number since JULY. WKSC now has complete control of the #3 spot after matching its best book of the year while CBS RADIO Top 40/M WBBM-F (B96) had its best showing in over a year to climb two spots to #4. WGCI was off a bit and fell from a tie at #3 to #5 while WBBM-A saw its fortunes fade a bit as it dropped one place to #6. WLIT was flat at #12 in its final pre-holiday performance.
At this point in the story, the reader might think that WGCI was having a less than stellar month. However, upon turning the page to 18-34, one finds out that the station is still killing it and remained a dominant #1. WKSC had its best book in over a year but remained a relatively distant #2. WBBM-F also had its best performance in over a year and was rewarded by moving up one spot to #3. CRAWFORD Urban WPWX (POWER) rebounded nicely from a down book to also gain one spot in the standings – ending up at #4. A year ago at this point, WVAZ was sitting at #13 but its most recent performance – the best since FEBRUARY – has the station sitting at #5. As recently as MAY, WTMX was the leading station in this demo. However, when you land your lowest number in over a year, less than good things happen. The station fell from #3 to #7.
There was another leadership change 18-49 with WGCI returning to the top spot for the first time since AUGUST while WTMX moved back to #2 with its lowest book of the year. WKSC had a strong showing here, as well, to remain at #3 while WVAZ had its highest total in over a year to hold on to #4. WBBM-F also had one of those best-book-in-over-a-year books and did not budge from the #5 position.
SAN FRANCISCO: A Marvel Of Consistency
This marked the fifth straight month that CBS RADIO News KCBS-A was the #1 station in town. However, the amazing part is that the station’s numbers (5.2-5.3) have barely wavered during that time. You can look it up (we kinda did) and you’ll see that the station has had either a 5.2 or a 5.3 in each of those books. As recently as MARCH, KQED INC N/T KQED was the market leader. Then the station fell off the pace a bit. Well, it’s back (4.0-5.0) and jumped from a tie at #6 to #2. CBS RADIO Top 40/M KMVQ (NOW) has also been a marvel of consistency over the last six surveys and it remained at #3 (4.6-4.8). Lacking the benefit of a post-season surge by their beloved GIANTS, CUMULUS Sports KNBR-A had its lowest score since MARCH (4.9-4.3) and slid from #2 into a tie at #4 with ENTERCOM AC KOIT, which was completely and utterly flat (4.3-4.3). Sometimes the ratings game, like life, is unfair. Consider CCM+E Hot AC KIOI (STAR), which actually had an up book (4.1-4.2) yet fell in the standings from #5 to #6.
For the second straight survey – and the fourth time in the last five – KMVQ was your #1 station 25-54. It didn’t hurt that the station had its best book in over a year. And, it needed every tenth because KQED had its highest score since APRIL to leap two places to #2. KIOI was up slightly yet fell a spot to #3 while UNIVISION Spanish Adult Hits KBRG was off slightly to slip from #3 to #4. KOIT remained solid and steady at #5.
The 18-34 contest continued to be a two-horse race between stable mates. CCM+E Top 40/R KMEL maintained a two-share lead over CCM+E Top 40/R KYLD (WILD) while both stations led the rest of the market by a wide margin. KMVQ is the undisputed stake holder at #3 and has been all year. CCM+E Rhythmic AC KISQ (KISS), which was sitting at #16 a year ago, continued its recent surge and moved up a notch to #4. KBRG also has a nice three-book run going and jumped one place to #5. KNBR had its lowest run total since MARCH and dropped from #4 to #10.
For the first time this year, KMEL is not the #1 station 18-49. That distinction fell to KMVQ by virtue of the station landing its best book in over a year (and KMEL being flat). KIOI inched a bit closer to the leaders, though it remained at #3. KQED made quite a bit of noise by jumping two places to #4. The two stations that were tied at #4 last month remain tied, though they are now sitting at #5 – KBRG and KYLD.
DALLAS-FT. WORTH: The Race For Second Place
If you held up the DALLAS-FT. WORTH ratings chart, squinted a bit, and obscured the top line, you’d think things were highly competitive. Then you’d see the whole picture and say: “Right, forgot about KISS.” For the third time in the last four books, CCM+E Top 40/M KHKS (KISS) was living in eight-share land (8.2-8.3) and was beatin’ the tar out of the rest of the market. Which is too bad because there are some serious battles brewing among those that are below the stratosphere. CUMULUS Country KPLX (THE WOLF) had its best book in over a year (5.0-5.5) to remain at #2 though it is now tied with SALEM Christian Contemporary KLTY, which bounced back from a down book (4.9-5.5) to move up from #3. The two stations that were rasslin’ with each other at #4 last month are back at it again. That would be SERVICE Urban KKDA (K104), which matched its best book of the year (4.5-4.6), and CCM+E Classic Rock KZPS (LONESTAR), which had its best book since MAY (4.5-4.6).
The song remained the same 25-54 as KHKS hit it out of the park again to maintain a three-plus share lead over #2 KLTY – which had a solid book. KKDA’s book was even solid-er, uh, or something, as it moved up three places to #3. KPLX was up slightly, yet dropped a spot to #4 while KZPS was off slightly and fell from a tie at #4 to #5. UNIVISION Regional Mexican KLNO (LA QUE BUENA) – which was tied for #1 in JULY – had its lowest number in over a year and fell four places into a tie at #8. Keep a wary eye on CCM+E Active Rock KEGL (THE EAGLE), which soared from #12 to #6.
The least startling revelation you will read here is that KHKS was #1 18-34 – again. However, unlike the previous two demos where the station was utterly dominant, its lead over #2 KKDA – which had its best book in over a year – was actually less than a share and a half. As recently as JULY, KLTY was hanging out at #10 but after scoring its version of the best book in over a year, the station moved from a tie at #5 to #3. RADIO ONE Top 40/R KBFB (THE BEAT) was off a bit and dropped one spot to #4 while KPLX laid claim to the #5 position as its very own. KLNO had what was quantified as its lowest number in over a year and dropped from #4 to #9.
18-49 is KHKS’s world and others are allowed to join, but from a distance. Yes, despite the fact that KKDA was up a bit, the station still trails KISS by over three full shares. KLTY scored its best book in over a year to stand pat at #3 while KPLX was not very close behind at #4 with a slightly down book. CCM+E Hot AC KDMX (NOW) had its lowest book of the year yet managed to move up one square to #5. KLNO’s woes continued here as it dropped from #5 to #8. Meanwhile, KEGL saw its fortunes rise as it moved from a tie at #11 to #6.
So ends this round of the drama known as the radio ratings – a sort of CSI meets DR. WHO. Stay tuned for our next installment – coming your way soon – where we feature the perils and pratfalls of HOUSTON-GALVESTON, WASHINGTON, DC, PHILADELPHIA, ATLANTA, and BOSTON.
Until then, as the kids say now-a-days – like us on FACEBOOK!
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