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Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive Holiday PPM Analysis For Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix And Minneapolis
January 23, 2014 at 12:45 PM (PT)
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As we proceed with our third and final installment of the HOLIDAY hit parade, we remind you that this survey covered 12/4 through 1/1. The first three weeks were drenched in the CHRISTMAS spirit and the fourth was the one everyone typically takes off.
Now, back to the countdown …
DETROIT: When Santa Hits The Gas …
The MOTOR CITY was alive with the sounds of the season as three different stations flipped the FROSTY switch. Alas, only one could come out on top and that was CCM+E AC WNIC, which topped the chart for the second straight book (9.8-13.4). This easily eclipsed the 10.2 the station threw down last year. Cluster mate CCM+E Urban AC WMXD (MIX) had its best book since JUNE (5.6-6.7) to slide up the chart from #5 to #2. CBS RADIO News WWJ-A bounced back from its lowest number of 2013 (6.1-6.4) to remain at #3 though it was tied with cluster cowpoke CBS RADIO Country WYCD, which slipped from #2 with its smallest share since MAY (6.8-6.4). Given that this is not the most robust time of year for sports – especially when you consider the LIONS – it was no surprise to see CBS RADIO Sports WXYT-F (THE TICKET) score its lowest number since MARCH (6.1-5.4) as it fell two places to #5. As for the other stations that were playing reindeer games … CBS RADIO Classic Hits WOMC saw minimal gain (5.1-5.3) and remained at #6. CUMULUS Country WDRQ (NASH FM) – the station formerly known as DOUG – only had about two weeks of coverage on their holiday programming and it did not seem to help as the station slid from #18 to #21 (2.5-1.4).
WNIC almost tripled its share since it began consorting with elves and was #1 25-54 for the second straight survey with a share significantly higher than last year’s. For the second straight book, WMXD laid down its biggest number of the year and inched up one spot to #2. After securing its lowest number since MAY, WYCD dropped back one place to #3. WXYT-F had its lowest number in over a year but stayed in place at #4 while CCM+E Urban WJLB held on to the #5 position with its best performance since SEPTEMBER. CCM+E Top 40/M WKQI (CHANNEL 955) was up slightly but still fell back one spot to #6. Though WOMC improved its rank from #15 to a tie at #11, it saw only the smallest of gains while WDRQ dropped from #17 to #20.
For the second book in a row, WNIC posted double-digit shares 18-34 to remain at #1. This year’s sum was dramatically larger than last year’s. WKQI was up slightly to improve its rank to #2 while WYCD had its lowest total since MAY to drop back a spot to #3. WJLB remained at #4 despite an uptrend while WMXD had its best showing since MAY to remain at #5. Though WOMC remained at #11, it did see a solid share increase.
However, WDRQ did not as it dropped from #13 to #17.WNIC more than tripled its pre-holiday 18-49 share to remain at #1, easily eclipsing last year’s large number. WYCD had its lowest number since MAY but remained at #2, and there was a three-way tie at #3. WKQI was off slightly to remain in place while WMXD had its best book in over a year to move up from #5. WJLB also saw a significant increase as it rose from #6. WOMC picked up a bit of share as it moved up two spots to #11 while WDRQ dropped from a tie at #16 to #20.
MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: SANTA Lite
In market after market we’ve been seeing huge jumps for stations that surrendered their playlists to the likes of ELMO & PATSY. However, in the balmy climes of SOUTH FLORIDA, the effect was actually a bit naughty. LINCOLN AC WLYF (LITE) flipped the switch just before the book and actually went down (5.8-5.3), slipping from #3 to #5. As is usually the case, COX RADIO Urban AC WQHT (HOT) was #1, topping the nine-share mark for the third straight book (9.1-9.1). UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR) had a down book (6.7-6.2) but remained at #2. Two cluster brethren were locked in a staring contest at #3. COX RADIO Urban WEDR suffered its third straight down book (5.6-5.4) yet moved up from #4 while COX RADIO AC WFEZ (EASY) was completely flat (5.4-5.4) as it rose from a tie at #5. CCM+E Top 40/M WHYI (Y100) was off enough (5.4-5.2) to drop out of a tie at #5 to #6.
Once again, SANTA did not do WLYF any favors 25-54 as the station actually posted its lowest share since SEPTEMBER to drop two spots to #7. WHQT was again the market leader even though it landed its lowest number in over a year. WEDR was down for the third straight survey yet managed to move up one place to #2. BEASLEY Top 40/R WPOW (POWER) had its best performance in exactly one year to take a giant leap forward from #6 to #3. WAMR was off enough to drop two spots to #4 while WHYI also shed enough share to slip one place to #5.
There was a bit of shuffling 18-34 but not at the top where WEDR landed in double-digit land again. However, the station is likely hearing footsteps as #2 WPOW cut the deficit in half. WHYI had its best book since OCTOBER to remain at #3 … and then the fun began. CCM+E Urban WMIB (THE BEAT) – the former WSHE, which changed back in OCTOBER – finally got some traction as it moved from #9 to #4. The station has been up in every survey since the flip. SBS Tropical WXDJ (EL NUEVO ZOL) had its best book in over a year to move up one spot to #5. This forced UNIVISION Tropical WRTO (MIX) to take two steps back to #6 and WHQT to drop two places to #7. WLYF lost share and remained at #10.
WEDR was off for the third straight book 18-49 but held on to the #1 spot just ahead of the hard-charging WPOW, which moved up from #5 with its best showing since the last HOLIDAY survey. WHYI was off a bit to fall one space to #3 while WXDJ moved up two spots to #4. As recently as the OCTOBER book, the station was ranked #13 so it has been on quite the tear, recently. WHQT posted its lowest number since APRIL to slip one spot to #5 while WAMR moved back three squares to #6. WLYF lost share and remained at #7.
SEATTLE: Two Turtle Doves
In contrast to the previous market, the home town of one of the two teams in the SUPER BOWL had two stations go all jolly and bright, and both reaped significant benefits. HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM) roasted its chestnuts to the tune of a six-plus share increase (7.5-13.8) to remain at #1. Alas, this was not nearly as robust as the 14.1 it posted a year ago (sarcasm implied). Meanwhile, CRISTA Christian Contemporary KCMS (SPIRIT) – which flipped about two weeks after WARM – had its best book in a year (4.0-5.7), which coincidentally was when it did the same formatic flip and had a 6.3. CBS RADIO Classic Rock KZOK was up slightly (5.1-5.2) yet had to take one step back in the line to #3. Three stations were occupying the same spot – #4 – at the same time, which is like mixing matter with anti-matter. CCM+E Top 40/M KBKS (KISS) was there last time (4.7-4.4) while ENTERCOM Active Rock KISW dropped back one place (5.0-4.4) with its smallest share since JUNE. Finally, HUBBARD Top 40/M KQMV (MOVIN’) was completely flat (4.4-4.4) but actually was movin’ on up from #7. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW had its lowest share since SEPTEMBER (4.7-4.3) and dropped out of a tie at #4 and landed at #7.
KRWM more than tripled its 25-54 share since NOVEMBER to lay claim to the #1 spot 25-54. While its share was – of course – in the huge category, it was a bit less huge than last year’s huge number. KZOK had its best share since AUGUST to move forward one place to #2 while KISW ended a five-book stay at #1 and dropped to #3. KCMS had its best book since – yep – last HOLIDAY to move up four places to #4. KQMV was up slightly and remained at #5. ENTERCOM Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT) cooled its jets a bit as it fell from #4 into a tie at #6.
Apparently, all the cool kids were in the giving spirit as they gave a ton of listening to KRWM 18-34. The station picked up six full shares since DECEMBER to move to #1 and beat last year’s number, too. KHTP’s three-book reign as #1 came to a crashing halt as the station scored its lowest number since the flip to slide to #2 where it was tied with KQMV, which moved up from #3 with its second straight up book. CCM+E Top 40/R KUBE had its best month since SEPTEMBER to move up two slots to #4 while ENTERCOM Country KKWF (THE WOLF) dropped back one to #5 with its lowest share in exactly one year. KBKS recorded its lowest total in over a year and was forced to step back two spaces to #7. KCMS did see its fortunes improve as the station moved from a tie at #21 into a tie at #15, but its share was significantly lower than last year.
Since RUDOLPH came to play, KRWM has more than tripled its 18-49 share. It moved to the top spot this time with a number that was a little over a share lighter than last year. KQMV had a healthy increase and jumped two spots to #2. KISW had its lowest number since JANUARY and fell to #3 – ending a three-book run at #1. KHTP again had its lowest total since the flip to drop from #3 to #4 while KZOK moved up two spots to #5 despite a flat book. KCMS did move from #9 to #7 with a smaller share than last year. KKWF was hungry for some venison as it posted its lowest number in exactly a year to drop from #5 to #8.
PHOENIX: Turn It Up To 15
The question was not – would CCM+E AC KESZ (99.9 KEZ) be the #1 station again. It was – how big a share would it command. The results proved the station to be a Christmas yeti as it went 8.9-15.0. Still, that is not quite as large as the 15.9 it scored last year. HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX remained at #2 despite posting its lowest number since SEPTEMBER (5.0-4.7). CCM+E Top 40/M KZZP (KISS) was flat (4.3-4.3) but gained ground by moving up to #3. HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD was also flat (4.2-4.2) and also gained ground by moving out of a tie at #5 to #4. CCM+E Country KNIX had its lowest number in exactly one year (4.2-4.1) but remained at #5. CBS RADIO Classic Hits KOOL was not feeling very frosty as it scored its lowest share in over a year (4.9-3.7) to drop from #3 to #7. BONNEVILLE Talk KTAR-F also achieved a low number – its lowest in exactly a year (4.2-3.5) – to drop out of a tie at #5 and into a tie at #8.
KESZ was utterly dominant 25-54, adding almost five shares to its total since last month. Yes, it had a huge number, but it was almost two shares lighter than last year. Below the top rung, there was a lot of compression in the market. KUPD had its best book since JULY to remain at #2 while KZZP was close behind with its best showing in over a year. KSLX had its best performance since AUGUST but dropped a notch to #4. KNIX had its lowest total in over a year yet somehow moved up three places to #5. In its final performance as THE PEAK, BONNEVILLE Sports KPKX fell from a tie at #5 into a tie at #9.
Behold the power of the tinsel. In OCTOBER KESZ was sitting in a tie at #12 18-34. After this engagement, the station copped its second straight #1 book with a rather large double-digit share – one that was just slightly behind last year’s total. KZZP was off slightly but still moved up one spot to #2. Two stations were locked in combat at #3. RIVIERA Top 40/R KKFR (POWER) moved up from #4 with a flat book while KUPD dropped from #2 with its smallest share since JUNE. CBS RADIO Top 40/R KZON (LIVE 101.5) remained at #5 despite securing its lowest share in over a year. KNIX is now three full shares lighter than it was in JULY and dropped two spots into a tie at #7.
Completing the sweep, KESZ was a dominant #1 18-49 though its share was noticeably smaller than last year. KUPD was flat to stay at #2 while KZZP was up slightly to maintain its vise-like grip on #3. KZON had its smallest showing since MARCH but remained at #4 while KSLX moved up a spot to #5 with a flat book. ENTRAVISION Regional Mexican KLNZ (TRI COLOR) scored its lowest number in over a year to fall from #5 into a tie at #9.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: The North Pole South
Neither the polar vortex nor the polar express could keep CCM+E Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) from claiming the top spot. The elves worked their magic as the station more than doubled its share (6.6-13.8) since last month and was well ahead of last year’s 12.3. Cluster mate CCM+E Top 40/M KDWB actually had its best book in over a year (8.7-9.2) but saw its four-book run at #1 end as the station slid back to #2. NORTHWEST COLLEGE Christian Contemporary KTIS had its highest share since SEPTEMBER (5.9-6.5) to move up three places to #3 – its highest ranking since MARCH. CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS popped its lowest number in over a year (6.9-6.2) but managed to remain at #4. HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) had its smallest share in exactly a year – thanks, SANTA – to fall from #2 to #5 (7.4-6.1). CCM+E Country KEEY (K102) also had its lowest share since the last HOLIDAY round-up (7.0-5.3) to fall from #3 into a tie at #7. What makes this noteworthy is that it is now the #2 country station as CBS RADIO Country KMNB (BUZ’N) remained a step above at #6 despite a down book (5.9-5.7).
KQQL more than doubled its 25-54 share to jump from #5 to #1. This year’s haul was over three shares stronger than 2012’s. KDWB was off slightly to remain at #2 while KSTP had its lowest number since FEBRUARY and fell to #3 – ending a ten-book run at #1. KQRS remained at #4 with its lowest number in over a year while KTIS rose four places to #5 with its best performance since APRIL. CCM+E Sports KFXN (K-FAN) had its poorest outing since SEPTEMBER to drop three notches to #6. In the country race, KMNB bested KEEY for the third straight book. However, both stations were down, with the former dropping two spots to #9 and the latter two places to #11.
Despite all his magical powers – like chimney diving and consuming mass quantities of dairy products – SANTA was unable to unseat KDWB from the top spot 18-34. As a matter of fact, the station had its best book in over a year. This is not to say that the endless airings of BURL IVES did not help KQQL. The station did move up from a tie at #8 to #2 with a share slightly off last year’s. CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) stayed at #3 despite being down for the third straight survey. KMNB could not match last month’s monster double-digit share book and fell two spots to #4 – just ahead of KEEY, which dropped one place to #5 with its lowest total in exactly a year. KSTP also had its lowest total in a year to sink from #5 to #6.
As noted in the previous graph, the CLAUS was no match for the power of KDWB as the station was still #1 18-49 with its best book in over a year. That said, KQQL did more than double its share to move from #10 to #2 and easily outpaced its 2012 number. There was a three-way tie-up at #3. KMNB remained in place while KSTP dropped down from #2. KXXR moved up from #4 despite being down for the third straight book. KFXN exited the top five, falling two spots to #7.
And thus concludes our analysis for the HOLIDAY 2013 survey. We will now retire our CHRISTMAS clichés and see you next month with the first book of 2014. Until then, thanks for reading and feel free to reach out to us any time via the popular channels.
E-mail: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
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