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Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive July PPM Analysis For New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas
August 3, 2015
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. NEW YORK: More Of The Same
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As we trudge through the languorous daze of summer, we can always be consoled by the fact that the NIELSEN train keeps right on rolling along. And, it was right on time with the JULY survey. A survey that spanned from 6/18 through 7/15 and featured our long national birthday weekend. Grilling season was in full swing but the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC., along with the numbers crunchers at XTRENDS, put our hamburgers down so we could bring you this thrilling analysis. So, pop another cold one and get ready to ride.
NEW YORK: More Of The Same
This is the third survey in a row where the top five stations 6+ were in the exact same order as before. Remaining motionless for that long is usually reserved for those guys pretending to be the Statue of Liberty in Washington Square. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (LITE FM) was #1 for the ninth straight book but it did card its lowest score since NOVEMBER (7.0-6.9). #2 CBS RADIO Classic Hits WCBS-F moved a little closer to the top (6.6-6.7) with its highest share since DECEMBER. EMMIS Urban AC WBLS scored its best book in over a year (6.0-6.4) but had to be content with another bronze medal. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHTZ (Z100) ended a three-book run (5.7-5.4) and remained at #4. SBS Tropical WSKQ (MEGA) was flat and immobile at #5 (5.2-5.2). A little farther down the list, CBS RADIO Hot AC WWFS (FRESH) made some noise by landing its largest share in over a year (2.4-3.5) and cracking the top 10 at the same time.
Though the players remained the same, the order of finish 25-54 contained one small yet significant change. WBLS roared to the top with its best showing in over a year. This was the third “up” book in a row for the station and it has enlarged itself by two full shares during that time. WLTW was off slightly but remained at #2 while cluster mate WHTZ could not quite live up to last month’s large number and slid back to #3. WSKQ was up slightly at #4 while WCBS-F was down slightly at #5. WWFS had a strong showing here, as well, and moved up four slots to a tie at #11.
Last month there was a tie atop the 18-34 leaderboard. This time there was none as the two stations went in opposite directions. For the second book in a row, WHTZ had its highest share in over a year and claimed sole ownership of the #1 slot. Cluster brother iHEARTMEDIA Urban WWPR (POWER) slipped back to #2 after losing a bit of share. EMMIS Top 40/R WQHT (HOT) remained at #3 but inched a little closer with its best performance in over a year. WSKQ was off slightly but remained firmly entrenched at #4. WLTW moved up to #5 with a healthy increase and this dropped iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKTU back to #6 as it was off slightly. WWFS’ performance in this demo was a bit less dramatic. The station “only” had its best share since JANUARY as it took one step forward to #11.
WHTZ was off a bit 18-49 but was still strong enough to capture the flag for the third straight survey. WWPR was off slightly to remain a somewhat distant #2 while WSKQ remained closely behind at #3. The two stations that were conjoined at #4 last month remained a twosome this time. Both WLTW and WQHT had slight increases. WBLS had its highest score since JANUARY to move up to #6.
LOS ANGELES: Coasting In
The top of the 6+ chart has been a case study in market compression. Rarely are the top three or four stations separated by more than a few tenths of a share. And, if you throw out the two months tainted by the Claus, you’ll see that iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST’s market-leading share (5.1-5.5) was the second highest in the last year – eclipsed only by its 5.6 in JANUARY. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (MY FM) fell back to #2 even though it was up (5.1-5.2). CBS RADIO Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH) was even farther back (5.2-5.0) as it dropped from the top to #3. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R KIIS (KISS FM) was a distant #4 even though it was flat (4.9-4.9). The rest of the pack was at least a full share behind this quartet. BONNEVILLE Classic Rock KSWD (THE SOUND) has been making some noise recently and was rewarded with a return engagement in the top five (3.7-3.8). CBS RADIO Urban AC KTWV (THE WAVE) was off for the second book in a row (4.2-3.7) as it slipped back to #6.
The compression was also oppressive 25-54. Last month the top three stations were separated by two-tenths of a share. That “spread” grew by 50% this time. KOST vaulted to #1 with its highest score since JANUARY. This pushed KBIG back to #2 even though it was up slightly. KIIS ended a two-book slide but still stepped back to #3. KRTH drew closer at #4 after posting its best number in over a year. UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE) used its small increase to move up one slot to #5. CBS RADIO Adult Hits KCBS-F (JACK FM) had its smallest total since the swans were swimming and dropped back to #6.
There was compression 18-34, as well, but it all came behind the market leader. KIIS was #1 for the seventh book in a row and was over two shares clear of the rest of the field. iHEARTMEDIA Urban KRRL (REAL 92.3) was up a bit to remain at #2 while KBIG ended a four-book slide to remain at #3. EMMIS Top 40/R KPWR (POWER) moved up to #4 with a slight increase while CBS RADIO Top 40/M KAMP (AMP) was flat as it dropped back to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) had its best total since the geese were a layin’ and moved up three spots to #7.
It was the seventh straight 18-49 win for KIIS even though it was flat. KBIG was also flat as it remained at #2 where it was joined by KOST, which moved up a spot with its best book since JANUARY. Last month’s #4 duo split up. KRTH remained on the spot with its largest output since FEBRUARY while KAMP slid back to #5 despite a slight increase. KRRL and KPWR got closer, numerically speaking. The former was up slightly as it moved to #6 while the latter was up even more as it rose four spots to a tie at #8.
CHICAGO: There Are Layers
The 6+ landscape features about three layers of stations. Not quite up to DANTE’s standards but they are currently in vogue. iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) remained the clear market leader even though it posted its lowest score since OCTOBER (6.5-5.8). The next two stations formed their own strata. HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (THE MIX) was flat at #2 (5.0-5.0) while CBS RADIO News WBBM-A was up slightly at #3 (4.6-4.7). Then came all the rest. CBS RADIO Classic Hits WJMK (K-HITS) moved up a couple of places to #4 with its best book in over a year (4.0-4.1). As recently as FEBRUARY, the station was #14 with a 2.9 share. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKSC (KISS FM) remained at #5 (4.1-3.9) while iHEARTMEDIA Urban WGCI moved up to #6 by being flat (3.8-3.8). TRIBUNE N/T WGN-A fell three places to #7 (4.3-3.7) while CBS RADIO AAA WXRT advanced five paces to #8 with its best book in over a year (3.0-3.6).
After a three-month absence, WTMX once again ruled the 25-54 roost. The station was also up for the second book in a row. This ended WVAZ’s three-book run at #1. It dropped back to #2 with its lowest total since NOVEMBER. WKSC remained at #3 but recorded its lowest number in over a year. WJMK had an encore presentation at #4 though it was off a bit while two stations joined together at #5. WGCI remained in place despite a small loss while UNIVISION Regional Mexican WOJO (LA QUE BUENA) moved up a spot with a slightly slighter increase. HUBBARD AC WSHE had its best outing since donning its more feminine moniker as it advanced four places to #8.
The top three stations 18-34 remained the same from last survey but in entirely different positions. WGCI was up for the third month in a row and assumed control of the demo. CBS RADIO Top 40/M WBBM-F (B96) ended a two-book skid and moved up to #2. Meanwhile, WKSC dropped two spots to #3 thanks to its lowest share in exactly one year. WTMX had a healthy increase as it rose three spots to #4 while CUMULUS Alternative WKQX was down for the third month in a row and slid back to #5. WVAZ was also down for the third straight month and it dropped three spots to #7.
WTMX was the #1 18-49 station for the second book in a row and widened its margin over the rest of the field. The station was up slightly while WKSC, at #2, had its lowest share in over a year. This allowed two stations to creep closer to the #2 slot at #3 – even though they were down, as well. WVAZ remained in place with its smallest share since OCTOBER while WGCI moved up a slot despite shedding some share. There was also a deadlock at #5. WOJO was the incumbent and had a slight loss while WBBM-F moved up a slot just by being flat. WSHE moved up three spots to #9 with its best book since assuming a new identity.
SAN FRANCISCO: Shaken Not Stirred
There was quite a bit of movement in the 6+ ranks during this survey. It was almost like the stations were approaching the trade deadline. CBS RADIO News KCBS-A was flat (5.9-5.9) but managed to move back to #1 for the sixth time in the last seven surveys. ENTERCOM AC KOIT came roaring up the charts. It advanced four spots to #2 with its highest elf-free share in over a year (4.3-5.5). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KIOI (STAR) remained at #3 but had its best book in over a year (4.4-4.9). In somewhat of a surprise, CUMULUS Sports KNBR-A took quite the hit (6.2-4.4) and dropped three places to #4. This despite the fact that the GIANTS remain very much in the playoff picture. KQED INC N/T KQED moved up to #5 with its best performance since MARCH (4.2-4.3). Two cluster mates who were sharing the #3 slot last time took three steps backward and were joined together at #6. CBS RADIO Hot AC KLLC (ALICE) had its lowest share since the lords were leaping (4.4-4.0) while CBS RADIO Top 40/M KMVQ (NOW) experienced the exact same feeling (4.4-4.0).
There was quite the drama brewing in the 25-54 ranks. KOIT bolted from #4 to #1 with a number that was even bigger than DECEMBER – when it was dabbling with the dark arts of holiday music. KIOI also jumped three places – to #2 – with quite the healthy increase. KMVQ took a small hit but remained at #3 while KLLC dropped three places to #4. Two similarly formatted cluster brothers were playing nice at #5. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R KMEL moved up from #8 as it ended a two-book skid while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KYLD (WILD) was flat and just advanced one square. KNBR-A once again got hit hard as it fell from #2 to a tie at #8.
A year ago at this time, KMEL was cruising along with double-digit 18-34 shares and total domination of the market. At that time, it had an almost four-share lead. Fast forward to the most recent book and the station was still #1 but with its lowest share in over a year. Perennial runner-up KYLD was also off a bit but the gap between the two has atrophied to less than a share. KIOI moved closer to the top, advancing three places to #3 with its best book in over a year. KMVQ took a small step back to #4 despite landing its largest number in over a year. ENTERCOM Top 40/R KRBQ (Q102.1) could be a big reason why this demo has become more hotly contested. The station was flat as it dropped to #5 but as recently as FEBRUARY, it was #11. A lot of shares are moving around here. KLLC ended a nice three-book run as it dropped back two slots to #7.
It is not often there is a three-way tie at #1 18-49. It is even rarer when none of those three stations occupied that spot in the previous survey. KIOI bounced back from an off book to advance from #7 while KOIT came in from #8 with its best regular format share in over a year. KMVQ only advanced from #2 as it was off slightly. KMEL and KYLD moved from a tie at #3 into a tie at #4. The former posted its lowest score in over a year while the latter was off for the second book in a row. KLLC could not quite match last month’s large share and dropped six places to #7. KNBR-A was caught looking as it dropped four places to #9.
DALLAS-FT.WORTH: A Loss Of Cabin Pressure
iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KHKS (KISS FM) has been flying high over the 6+ field for so long its lofty ratings are often taken for granted (at least by us). Certainly, ever since Santa crawled back into his icy hole, the station has been laying down seven shares like they own the place (they kinda do). Then reality bites and the station does not get a seven share and what are we to make of everything? Not much, really. Though KISS did have its lowest score since that big old elf was in town (7.2-6.9), it was still a formidable #1. CUMULUS Country KPLX (THE WOLF) slunk up to #2 with its best number since OCTOBER (4.6-5.1) but remained far behind the leader. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (NOW) was flat (4.8-4.8) and drifted back to #3 while iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZPS (LONE STAR) moved up one spot to #4 (4.4-4.6). CBS RADIO Classic Hits KLUV (K-LOVE) slid back a couple of slots to #5 (4.6-4.5) while SALEM Christian Contemporary KLTY dropped to #7 with its smallest total in exactly a year (4.4-3.8). UNIVISION Regional Mexican KLNO (LA QUE BUENA) posted its best score in over a year (3.7-4.3) to move up to #6.
Oh, all that stuff we said in the previous paragraph? Never mind. KHKS had a strong 25-54 book and a two-plus share lead over everyone else. KZPS remained a distant #2 and it just outpaced KPLX, which moved up to #3 with its highest total since SEPTEMBER. KLNO made a two-step jump to #4 with its best performance in over a year while KDMX fell two slots to #5 despite a miniscule decrease. KLTY is likely not a big fan of summer. The station dropped four places to a tie at #7 with its lowest share since last JULY. Yet, as recently as MARCH it was #2. Go figure. We will admit to being notorious seam heads. But even we can’t figure out why CBS RADIO Sports KRLD-F (THE FAN) went from a tie at #12 to #6 with its best book in over a year. It’s not like the RANGERS are setting the AL WEST on fire or anything. Could it be the return of JOSH HAMILTON?
There was a bit of share softening going on 18-34 for KHKS. Yes, the station was all but indestructible but it did post its lowest total since BURL IVES was in rotation. KLNO has been on quite the three-book run. The station has gone from a tie at #7 to #3 to its most recent destination at #2. Again, it had its best book in over a year. KDMX slipped back to #3 by being flat while SERVICE Urban KKDA (K104) remained at #4 with a strong increase. KPLX had its best book since the maids were milking to move up a spot to #5 while iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KDGE (THE EDGE) had its first down book since FEBRUARY to slide back to a tie #7. The younger set must dig the long ball because KRLD-F jumped five spots to a tie at #9. As recently as APRIL, the station was tied at #20.
The top four slots 18-49 remained as they were last month. KHKS was flat but still cleaned everyone’s clock. KDMX was down for the third book in a row but maintained its grip on #2. KPLX had its best showing since SEPTEMBER and held on at #3 while KLNO remained firmly entrenched at #4 with its best book in over a year. Three stations occupied the same space at #5. KKDA was there last time and actually added share. RADIO ONE Top 40/R KBFB (THE BEAT) advanced from #8 with its highest total since OCTOBER while CBS RADIO Hot AC KVIL moved up from #6 with its best outing in over a year.
This concludes this portion of our broadcast day. The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. invite you to tune in again next time as we present the trials and tribulations of HOUSTON-GALVESTON, WASHINGTON, DC, PHILADELPHIA, ATLANTA, and BOSTON. In the meantime, feel free to register your complaints via any of the platforms below.
E-mail: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
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