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Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive Oct. PPM Analysis For NY, LA, Chicago, SF And Dallas
October 27, 2014
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. NEW YORK: Three In A Row
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OCTOBER. The month where leaves are changing, baseball games become classic, and pumpkins go under the knife. Alas, the OCTOBER survey is a misnomer since most of the ratings were gleaned from the previous month. But why quibble with labels.
This survey features some interesting possibilities. In several of the markets, playoff baseball was a factor and, in even more, the NFL season was in full swing. These are “cume magnets” that refuse to be ignored. In addition, the Rosh Hashanah holiday affected week #3.
As always, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. work hand-in-glove with the folks at XTrends to bring you these scintillating analyses. We leave no stone unturned, no nail unhammered, and no data unmined in bringing these in-depth looks to your in-box, mobile device, or desktop. Enjoy.NEW YORK: Three In A Row
We are getting dangerously close to calling this an official trend-type situation. CBS RADIO Classic Hits WCBS-F was on top of the heap for the fourth consecutive survey (6.8-6.1). It was the station’s lowest showing since MARCH. Still, that was plenty big enough to maintain a comfortable lead over the two challengers cohabitating the #2 slot. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (LITE FM) was down for the fourth book in a row (5.7-5.4) to remain in second place. It was joined by EMMIS Urban AC WBLS, which moved up a slot with its first up book since MAY (5.3-5.4). iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHTZ (Z100) ended a two-book slide (4.8-5.1) to also move up a spot – to #4. SBS Tropical WSKQ (LA MEGA) dropped back to #5 (5.1-5.0). CBS RADIO Sports WFAN-F (THE FAN) took advantage of our passion for the NFL and scored its best book in over a year (3.5-4.5) to move up two places to #6. Well, we’re assuming this has more to do with the GIANTS’ promise than the YANKEES’ demise, but we could be wrong.
WCBS-F couldn’t quite rekindle the magic it had 25-54. For the last two books it was king of the hill, but this time dropped to #4 with its lowest total since JUNE. As a result, a couple of stations moved forward into the breach. WHTZ had its best book since MAY and moved to the top spot from #5. WBLS scored its highest number since APRIL to inch forward to #2 while WSKQ dropped back to #3 with its second straight down book. WLTW also took a step back – to #5 – with its lowest share in over a year. WFAN-F again had its best book in over a year to move up seven places to #6.
After a two-book absence, WHTZ returned to the lead-dog position 18-34, jumping up from #3. WSKQ remained in place at #2 and was this close (showing finger and thumb here) to being the best in show. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WWPR (POWER) ended its all-too-brief stay at #1 and dropped back to the bronze-medal position. It maintained a slight advantage over its arch rival – EMMIS Urban WQHT (HOT) – which remained at #4 with a slight loss. Two stations were joined together at #5. CBS RADIO Top 40/M WBMP (AMP) remained where it was with a small share loss. For the first time in over a year, UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WXNY (X96.3) made it into the top five with its best share since JUNE. And, what of WFAN-F? It only moved up four places to #9 with – once again – its best book in over a year.
Over the past few months, WSKQ and WHTZ have been playing on the see-saw to see who would be the reigning 18-49 champion. This month Z100 returned to the top with its best book since JULY, which incidentally was the last time it was #1, while LA MEGA was flat. WBLS posted its largest share since MAY to advance three squares to #3. There was a deadlock at #4. WLTW remained in place with its lowest share in over a year while WWPR moved up a spot with a flat performance. WCBS-F took quite the tumble. The station fell four spots to #7 with its lowest number since JUNE. WFAN-F had more modest gains, moving up three places to #10 with its best book since … wait for it … JANUARY.
LOS ANGELES: That Ties The Score
Back and forth these two stations have gone over the last year or so. One takes the top then switches places with the other. Perhaps they tired of this dance and decided to occupy the same place at the same time – generally a physical impossibility. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KIIS (KISS FM) remained the market leader with its best book since MAY (5.2-5.3). However, it had company as iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (MY FM) moved up to take a share of the lead (5.0-5.3). The station has been #1 in three of the last four books and both stations had a comfortable lead over the rest of the market. EMMIS Urban KPWR (POWER) remained at #3 (4.7-4.5) while CBS RADIO Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH) held on at #4 despite landing its lowest share since MARCH (4.5-4.2). There was a flat-footed tie at #5 and involved two stations that moved up in the ranks. CBS RADIO Top 40/M KAMP (AMP) moved in from #7 (4.0-4.1) while iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST advanced from #6 (4.1-4.1). UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE) dropped a couple of spots to #7 (4.3-4.0). As you can see, the #3 through #7 stations are only separated by half a share.
For the second book in a row, cluster mates shared the 25-54 mantle. Would you be surprised to hear that the stations were KIIS and KBIG? We thought not. Both stations posted slight increases. Meanwhile, KLVE and KPWR switched places at #3 and #4. The former was down a little while the latter was down a little more. Last survey’s threesome at #5 have gone their separate ways. KAMP remained in place with its best showing since FEBRUARY. KOST dropped a spot with its lowest number since JUNE while KRTH fell two places, with its lowest share since MARCH.
There was no sharing at the top of the 18-34 chart. KPWR posted its ninth straight win with a flat book – one that happened to match its best performance of the last 14 books. KIIS remained at #2 with a slight loss while KBIG took a bigger hit but stayed at #3. KAMP was #4 again and has been a model of consistency over the last four surveys. KLVE moved up a spot to #5 with its best book in over a year. This displaced KRTH, which dropped back to #6 with its smallest output since APRIL.
Though the top five positions 18-49 contained the same stations as last time, their order was slightly altered. KIIS had its best book since MAY, which also happened to be the last time the station was #1. Last month’s leader – KPWR – dropped back to #2 with a small share loss. It was joined by KBIG, which moved up from #3 with a slight share gain. The previous tie at #4 was broken. KAMP again had its best book since FEBRUARY to remain resolute while KLVE dropped back to #5 with a flat book.
CHICAGO: WOJO Is Still Working
UNIVISION Regional Mexican WOJO (LA QUE BUENA) continued to be caliente. The station again posted its best book in over a year (4.3-4.8) to move up two spots to #3. It has almost doubled its share since last year when it was sitting in a tie at #15 with a 2.5 share. As per usual, iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) was #1 despite posting its lowest number since MAY (5.9-5.7). This has created an opening for CBS RADIO News WBBM-A. The station remained at #2 but did land its largest share since APRIL (5.5-5.6) and is nipping at the big dog’s heels. HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (MIX) ended a three-book slide (4.6-4.7) but remained at #4. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKSC (KISS) dropped a couple of places to #5 (4.7-4.5).
Back in JULY, WVAZ ended WTMX’s long run at #1 25-54. They tied in AUGUST and last month V103 claimed the lead. This time, it was MIX’s turn to lead the pack as it experienced a healthy share increase while WVAZ was down for the third book in a row. WOJO continued its amazing – and recent – growth spurt. It moved up to #3 with easily its best showing in over a year. WKSC ended a four-book surge and fell a couple of places to #4. CBS RADIO Country WUSN (US 99.5) bounced back from its lowest book this year and rose four spots to #5. CBS RADIO Top 40/M WBBM-F (B96) was up slightly but still fell back to #6.
For the fifth time in the last seven books, CUMULUS Alternative WKQX was #1 18-34. The station has been on quite the roll since it moved onto its new frequency in JANUARY. Three stations were vying for the coveted title of MISS CONGENIALITY. WKSC remained in place with a down book while its direct competitor – WBBM-F – moved up a spot because its book was not as down. WOJO was again the big story as it moved up from #7. As recently as MAY, the station was tied at #14. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WGCI was down for the fourth straight survey and dropped back to #5. WUSN was flat but still fell to #6.
It is not often that we see a different station at #1 in each demo. But, thanks to WKSC here in 18-49, we can all share in this unique experience. KISS was off slightly but still recorded its second demo win in a row. However, #2 WTMX was up and significantly narrowed the gap between the two stations. We could have a different #1 station next month. Or not. Again, WOJO had its best book in over a year and climbed three rungs to #3. There were three stations who could legitimately claim they were #4. Two of them were also tied at #3 last month. WKQX and WBBM-F were both off slightly and were joined by WVAZ, which moved up with a slight increase.
SAN FRANCISCO: Talk And Baseball
Full disclosure: Many of The Ratings Experts at RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. are WASHINGTON NATIONALS fans. Though it pains us to say this, it is clear that the GIANTS were a better ratings grabber. CUMULUS Sports KNBR-A reaped the benefits of a stretch run and playoff games to strengthen its hold on the #1 spot (5.7-6.6). To behold the power of the long ball, look back a year. At that point, the hometown nine were an afterthought so the station was “only” #2 with a 4.9 share. The two wild-card positions were taken by stations that do not depend on recorded music for their ratings. CBS RADIO News KCBS-A was flat for the second book in a row (5.3-5.3) to remain at #2. KQED INC N/T KQED moved up to #3 with its best book since JUNE (4.5-5.0). ENTERCOM AC KOIT had its best showing since the sugar-plum fairies were dancing (4.1-4.9) to move ahead two places to #4. CBS RADIO Top 40/M KMVQ (NOW) remained at #5 with a slight increase (4.3-4.5). iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R KMEL ended a three-month stay in the top five with its lowest total since JUNE (5.0-4.4).
There may be no crying in baseball but there are ratings to be had as KNBR-A was #1 25-54 for the second book in a row. The station had a full share-point lead over the surprise #2 station – KOIT – which posted its best book since it was walking in a winter wonderland and moved up from a tie at #5. KMVQ slipped to #3 with its lowest share since MAY and two stations were in synch at #4. KMEL slid a spot with its smallest share since JUNE while KQED moved up from a tie at #7 with its best book since the very same month. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KIOI (STAR) suffered its lowest output since a certain member of the family Cervidae roamed the Earth and fell two spots into a tie at #7. UNIVISION Spanish Adult Hits KBRG posted its lowest number in over a year and fell six places to #9.
For the ninth month in a row, KMEL landed a double-digit 18-34 share and, naturally, continued to be the dominant force in this demo. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R KYLD (WILD) bounced back from its lowest book in over a year to remain in its customary support position. KOIT also rebounded. Last month’s number was unusually low and the station returned to the level it had attained in JULY and AUGUST. As a result, it climbed four rungs to #3. KMVQ has alternated up and down books since the beginning of the year. This was an up month and it held the station steady at #4. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic AC KISQ (KISS) remained tied at #5 with its best showing since MAY. However, it had a new partner as KIOI dropped from #3 with its third consecutive down book. KISS’s previous partner – CBS RADIO Alternative KITS (LIVE 105) – posted its lowest share in over a year and landed at #9. As for our seamheads, KNBR-A picked up a full share as it rose from #10 to #7.
What had been a comfortable lead 18-49 for KMEL shrank to the smallest possible margin as the station saw its three-book surge end with a thud. KNBR-A was close behind. The station moved up from fifth place with its highest run total in over a year. KMVQ slipped back to #3 even though it was up slightly while KOIT continued its roll, moving from #7 to #4. That ended a two-book slide. The duo sharing the #3 tee last month were no longer tied or at #3. KYLD dropped to #5 despite a solid book while KIOI ended up at #6 with a number that was a little more squishy.
DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Wide Open Spaces
Ever since the two stations tied for the lead in MAY, one has slowly extended its lead over the other. This time, iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KHKS (KISS) posted its biggest number (6.6-7.0) and opened its widest margin since that fateful month. Conversely, CUMULUS Country KPLX (THE WOLF) had its lowest share in exactly a year (5.7-5.1) yet remained at #2. SALEM Christian Contemporary KLTY was flat (4.7-4.7) and did not budge from #3. CUMULUS Country KSCS accomplished the very same feat in hanging on at #4 (4.5-4.5). Last month’s #5 duo has split up. CBS RADIO Classic Hits KLUV (K-LOVE) remained in place (4.0-3.9) while SERVICE Urban KKDA (K104) ended up at #6 (4.0-3.8). There it was tied by an up-and-comer. RADIO ONE Top 40/R KBFB (THE BEAT) had its highest total since FEBRUARY (3.3-3.8) to mosey up from #10.
Though it has not been seriously threatened 25-54 all year, KHKS did expand on its lead with its highest share since MAY. KLTY elevated itself to #2 with its third straight up book – which also happened to be its best since NOVEMBER. KPLX had its lowest number since the chestnuts were roasting to fall back to #3 while clustermate KSCS moved up to #4 with its best share in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZPS (LONE STAR) dropped to #5 with its smallest total since MAY while UNIVISION Regional Mexican KLNO (LA QUE BUENA) slipped back to #6 with a slight loss of share. KBFB again had its best book since FEBRUARY to move up from #12 to #7.
Yea, KHKS pretty much owned 18-34. This time it scored its best book since MARCH and held a commanding three-share lead over #2 KPLX, which ended a two-book positive run. KBFB continued to make noise, posting its best share since FEBRUARY as it moved forward three paces to #3. KKDA dropped back to #4 despite a positive ratings experience while KSCS remained at #5, happy to enjoy its highest share in over a year. For the last two books CBS RADIO Regional Mexican KMVK (LA GRANDE) enjoyed the experience of cracking the top five – rising all the way to a tie at #3 last month. Alas, the clock struck midnight and the station dropped to #12 – its historical territory.
KHKS had its best 18-49 book since APRIL and is about to retire the #1 trophy. It had a two-and-a-half share lead over the trio lodged at #2. KPLX remained in place with its lowest share since JANUARY while KSCS moved up from #3 with its highest share in over a year. KBFB crashed the party as it moved up from a tie at #7 with its best book since FEBRUARY. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KEGL (THE EAGLE) lost a chunk of share and fell three places to #7. The previous deadlock at #5 was no more. KLNO did not move as it had a slight share loss while KKDA fell to #8 with its smallest total since MAY.
This officially concludes our broadcast day. The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. return shortly with a full-body scan of HOUSTON-GALVESTON, WASHINGTON, D.C., PHILADELPHIA, ATLANTA, and BOSTON.
In the meantime, feel free to reach out to us via the platforms below if you have any questions, comments, or corrections.
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