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Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive June PPM Analysis For Houston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta
July 9, 2014
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. HOUSTON-GALVESTON: The Song Remains The Same
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The big wheel keeps on turning and the Ratings Experts at RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. keep on burning the midnight oil to bring you these analyses. Of course, we could not do this without a big assist from the gang at XTRENDS.
This is round two of our look at the JUNE 2014 survey, which covered MAY 22nd through JUNE 18th. Alert readers will note that the very first week of the book contained the MEMORIAL DAY holiday weekend. This often has an effect on listening patterns – something we are likely to see as the summer progresses.
Caveats aside, let’s dive in …
HOUSTON-GALVESTON: The Song Remains The Same
In this case, it would have a decidedly country twang to it. For the fourth consecutive month, COX RADIO Country KKBQ (93Q) was your market leader. Last survey, the station popped a huge number for a huge lead. This time it came back to earth (8.5-7.3) but still held the lead. Repeating its #2 performance for the fourth book in a row, CCM+E AC KODA (SUNNY) had its best showing since FEBRUARY (6.5-7.0). RADIO ONE Urban AC KMJQ (MAJIC) has been idling at #3 for ten books in a row. This time it was flat (6.2-6.2) and was feeling a bit of heat from cluster mate RADIO ONE Top 40/R KBXX (THE BOX). As has been well documented here, THE BOX has been getting some serious heat from a new competitor. As a result, the station’s 6+ numbers have fallen from the seven- and eight-share range into the low to mid-fives. This time, it caught some wind in its sails (5.4-6.0) to move up to #4. COX RADIO Classic Hits KGLK (THE EAGLE) slid back to #5 with a flat performance (5.7-5.7). The market changer – CCM+E Urban KQBT (THE BEAT) – could not duplicate its best book since the flip (4.5-4.2) and dropped a spot into a tie at #9. Bubbling under was CBS RADIO Country KILT-F (THE BULL). The station had its biggest share in over a year (3.7-4.2) to move up two spots to that tie at #9 from #11.
When SANTA left town, he took a chunk of KODA’s 25-54 shares with him. So much for the giving spirit. Well, the station was given an unexpected bonus this time as it returned to the #1 spot by posting its best number in over a year that was not supported by reindeer games. Thus ended KKBQ’s five-month run at the top. The station slipped to #2 with its lowest share of the year. The comeback continued for KBXX. It landed its best number since the SANTA book to move forward three places to #3. This forced UNIVISION Regional Mexican KLTN (ESTEREO LATINO) to take a step back to #4 with a flat book. KMJQ had its best showing since NOVEMBER to advance two places to #5. A couple of stations dropped out of the top five and landed in a cozy tie at #6. KGLK fell from #4 with a small decrease in share while CCM+E Alternative KTBZ (THE BUZZ) came down from #5 despite a slight increase.
Amid all the turbulence in the market, one thing has remained constant. KBXX dominates 18-34. While its dominion over the rest of the vassals is not quite as pronounced as it was last year, the station did hit double digits for the second straight book. It maintained a comfortable lead over the new #2 – KKBQ – which moved up a spot after a couple of soft books. The new kid in town – KQBT – dropped back to #3 as it could not match last month’s record number. KLTN was up slightly to remain at #4 where it was joined by KTBZ. That station moved up a spot thanks to its best score since NOVEMBER. KODA was off slightly and slipped to #6.
SANTA knocked KBXX off its perch 18-49, then market dynamics kept it from re-assuming the mantle of power. For the first time this year, the station was #1 here with its best number of the year. #2 KKBQ ended its five-book run at the top with its lowest number of the year. KODA remained at #3 with its best number in over a year that did not feature an octogenarian being wasted by a hooved beast. KLTN was up slightly to hold on to its #4 position while KTBZ had its best book since OCTOBER to maintain its grip on #5. KMJQ was on the move, jumping two spots to #6 with its highest share in over a year.
WASHINGTON, DC: The Fab Five
It seems that, survey after survey, the same five stations are crowded around the top of the WASHINGTON monument to ratings. For the sixth book in a row, HUBBARD News WTOP was at the very apex (8.1-8.2) and opened up a rather large lead over a couple of stations drawn together at #2. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY N/T WAMU remained in place with its lowest book since the dreaded BURL IVES was gracing the airwaves (6.9-6.2). CCM+E Top 40/M WIHT (HOT) was down for the third straight book (6.6-6.2) yet managed to leverage that into a move up to #2 from #3. Cluster sister CCM+E AC WASH was up for the third month in a row (5.6-5.8) to claim sole ownership of #4. HOWARD UNIVERSITY Urban AC WHUR was off for the third straight survey (5.6-5.5) and slipped back to #5. No one else in the market was closer than a share behind this quintet.
WIHT has been on a hot streak 25-54 (see what we did there?) as it was #1 for the fifth month in a row despite a flat book. Cluster sister WASH edged closer at #2 after securing its best IVES-free showing in over a year while WTOP slipped back to #3 with its lowest total since that dreaded IVES fellow was in town. WHUR bounced back a bit from a rare bad book to move back up the chart to #4 from #6 while CCM+E Alternative WWDC (DC 101) was off slightly to remain at #5. WAMU also had its poorest outing since the IVES month and slipped a couple of places to #6. Though CBS RADIO Hot AC WIAD (FRESH) remained at #7, it made a strong bid to crack the top five with its best performance in over a year.
When it comes to 18-34, WIHT is on cruise control – like a cruise missile. The station was down slightly but still recorded a mighty double-digit share. RADIO ONE Urban WKYS (KISS) was up slightly to move up to #2 but still trailed HOT by almost six shares! CBS RADIO Top 40/R WPGC was also up slightly and moved forward to #3 while WWDC dropped a couple of places to #4 with its lowest share since FEBRUARY. WIAD was up a tick to remain at #5 where it was joined by WASH, which moved in from #6, ending a three-book slide in the process.
Over the last fourteen surveys, the only thing keeping WIHT from the #1 18-49 spot was that damn BURL IVES fellow. And, since he is in mothballs for another few months, the station was #1 – again. The station was down for the third book in a row but maintained a sizeable advantage over cluster sister WASH, which maintained its position at #2 with its third consecutive positive performance. WHUR turned a modest gain into a two-spot jump to #3 while WIAD had its best showing in over a year to vault four spots to #4. WWDC could not match that firepower as it fell two places to #5. A couple of stations exited the top five. WTOP dropped three spots to #8 while WAMU dropped five spots to #9.
PHILADELPHIA: The Original Six
Even though the FLYERS were not part of that sextet, the analogy applies as six stations have pretty much separated themselves from the rest of the field. Let’s begin at the beginning. WEAZ-FM RADIO AC WBEB (MORE FM) completely rebranded itself with the new year and actually increased its numbers – topping an eight share every book until this one (8.0-7.3). Still, the station remained at #1. CBS RADIO Classic Hits WOGL got closer with its best book in over a year (6.3-6.8) while BEASLEY Country WXTU did the exact same thing (5.9-6.4) to move into third. GREATER MEDIA Classic Rock WMGK also had its best showing in over a year (5.1-5.9) to advance two places to #4. CCM+E Urban AC WDAS was off a bit (5.7-5.3) to hold on to #5, while GREATER MEDIA Active Rock WMMR had its smallest number of the year (6.0-5.2) to fall three places to #6. Then came everyone else …
Despite a down book, WMMR was #1 25-54 for the third straight month and the fifth time in the last six books. Its older, balder cluster brother was locked in a tie at #2. WMGK vaulted from #6 with its best book since NOVEMBER. It was joined by WXTU, which moved up a spot to #3. In a surprising development, WBEB had its lowest share in over a year to drop a couple of places to #4. CCM+E Alternative WRFF (RADIO 104.5) held on at #5 even though it turned in its highest share since SEPTEMBER. WOGL had a minuscule decrease but that was enough to drop it two spots into a tie at #6 with the suddenly strong GREATER MEDIA Adult Hits WBEN (BEN). That station rang up its best book in over a year to move up from #8.
For the second book in a row – and third time in the last four – WXTU was #1 18-34. It accomplished the feat this time with its largest share in over a year. It led #2 CCM+E Urban WUSL (POWER) by over a share as that station was down for the second straight month. A couple of rock-and-roll animals were wrestling for control of #3. WMMR was down yet moved up from #4 while WRFF ended a three-book slide to elevate from #5. WBEB slipped two places to #5 with its lowest number since SEPTEMBER.
After a one-month break, WXTU jumped back to the #1 position 18-49 with its best showing in over a year. WMMR dropped back to #2 with its lowest total since the HOLIDAY month while WBEB took a step back to #3 with its smallest share since SEPTEMBER. There was a draw at #4. WUSL remained stationary by being flat while WRFF moved up a spot with its highest total since FEBRUARY. Two other stations had strong books to end up in a draw at #6. WBEN moved up a spot while WMGK made a three-spot leap. Both stations scored their best books in over a year.
ATLANTA: Bull In A China Shop
The surprise story comes in a bit as we are burying the lead … For the fifth consecutive survey, COX RADIO Talk WSB-A was the leading station even though it posted its lowest number of the year (7.4-7.0). It was followed closely by two stations – one friend, one foe. COX RADIO Urban AC WALR (KISS) had its smallest number since NOVEMBER (7.0-6.5) to remain in place while CBS RADIO Urban WVEE (V-103) moved forward one step thanks to its best showing since FEBRUARY (6.0-6.5). COX RADIO AC WSB-F (B98.5) was up for the second book in a row (6.0-6.2) but still fell a spot to #4. Now we get to this month’s surprise story. CCM+E Country WUBL (THE BULL) barged its way into the top five with easily its best book in over a year (4.9-5.7). Things were not as rosy for RADIO ONE Urban AC WAMJ (MAJIC) as whatever spell it cast did not work. The station dropped four places into a tie at #7 with its lowest share in over a year (6.0-5.2).
There was a lot of churn 25-54 but one thing remained a constant. WVEE was #1 – as it usually is. The station had its best book since FEBRUARY and held a sizeable advantage over the new #2 station. COX RADIO Classic Hits WSRV (THE RIVER) moved up a spot as it rebounded from a couple of soft books. WUBL’s charge continued here as it moved up four spots to #3 with what was easily its best book in over a year. The #4 position had dual occupants. WSB-F moved up from #5 with a modest increase while CUMULUS Top 40/M WWWQ (Q100) made a three-spot leap thanks to its best book since the beginning of the year. Three – count ‘em – three players took their leave of the top five. WAMJ’s woes continued as it fell from #2 into a tie at #6 with WSB-A, which only fell back one spot. WALR landed its lowest share since FEBRUARY and, as a result, fell four places to #8.
In case you’re keeping score – and who in radio doesn’t – this marked the fourth straight #1 18-34 book for WVEE. Last month, RADIO ONE Urban WHTA (HOT) was oh so close to claiming the top spot. This time, though the station remained at #2, it fell a bit farther off the pace after landing its lowest share since AUGUST. The WUBL victory dance continued as the station made its presence felt with a three-spot jump to #3. The BULL is over three shares beefier than it was at this time last year. WWWQ dropped a spot to #4 despite posting its highest share since OCTOBER. CCM+E Top 40/M WWPW (POWER) had its best book in over a year and all it got was a two-spot fall to #5. WSB-F was flat and that resulted in a four-place decline to #7.
Another month, another #1 18-49 book for WVEE. This one was its best since FEBRUARY and good for a full two-share lead over the new #2. WUBL hoofed it up two places with another strong performance. WWWQ also moved up a spot to #3 with its highest share since JANUARY. WSB-F was up slightly but still dropped back one place to #4. A duet was playing at #5. WWPW had its best number in over a year to move in from #9 while WHTA slipped from #4 with a slight decrease in share. WAMJ was thumped here, as well, dropping from #2 to #7.
BOSTON: Another Winning Kiss
It has been a clean sweep in 2014 for CCM+E Top 40/M WXKS (KISS) as the station notched its sixth consecutive #1 book (7.6-7.9) with its best number in exactly one year. If only the RED SOX were as hot. GREATER MEDIA Country WKLB did its best to keep pace (6.8-7.0) with its highest share since SEPTEMBER. The station was also up for the fourth book in a row. CBS RADIO News WBZ-A bounced back from its lowest share of the year (5.5-5.9) to move up a spot to #3. Cluster brother CBS RADIO Classic Rock WZLX extended its positive run to three books in a row (5.1-5.8) - its best showing since DECEMBER – to move forward two steps to #4. GREATER MEDIA AC WMJX (MAGIC) conjured up its lowest share since OCTOBER (6.5-5.7) and was forced to move backward from #3 to #5. GREATER MEDIA Classic Hits WROR was down for the third straight month (5.4-5.3) and lost a step back to #6.
Book after book, WXKS throws down a big number 25-54. That is, except when someone is playing that song about the shoes. The station had another dominant performance, though its lead shrunk to a mere two shares over WZLX, which moved up from a tie at #3. WKLB remained in place at #3 despite its best showing since SEPTEMBER. WMJX experienced another two-step drop – to #4 – but even though this was its lowest number of the year, its losses were modest. CBS RADIO Hot AC WBMX (MIX) ended a three-book slide and returned to the top five – all at the same time!
As strong as WXKS is, this marks only the second time this year the station made it to #1 18-34. And, it also hit double digits for the second month in a row. Last book’s media darling – WKLB – saw its five-book march come to a screeching halt as it slipped back to #2. CCM+E Top 40/R WJMN (JAM’N) was down for the second straight month and held on at #3. GREATER MEDIA Rhythmic AC WBQT (HOT) was flat and remained a distant #4 while GREATER MEDIA Alternative WBOS (RADIO 92.9) had a solid increase and returned to the top five. WMJX has lost about a share a month over the last two books and dropped two spots to #7.
Ho hum, WXKS was again #1 18-49 as it landed its best book since AUGUST. It widened an already considerable lead as #2 WKLB was off slightly. WMJX had its lowest score since JANUARY but remained at #3, though it was tied by WBMX, which swooped in from #6. WBOS rebounded from its smallest share of the year to move up three spots to #5. Two stations excused themselves from participation in the top five. WJMN dropped two places to #7 with its lowest share in over a year while CBS RADIO Sports WBZ-F (THE SPORTS HUB) did the same as it slid downhill from #4 to #12.
That’s a wrap for round two. As always, feel free to opine via the platforms below. There is still one more episode waiting to be written and it will feature the star-studded cast of DETROIT, MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD, SEATTLE-TACOMA, PHOENIX, and MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL.
E-mail: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
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