Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive August PPM Analysis For Detroit, Miami, Seattle/Tacoma, Phoenix, Minneapolis/St. Paul

Markets #11-15

Rounding third and heading for home … the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. are being driven in by the clutch hitters from XTRENDS as we conclude our AUGUST analyses. As has been previously noted, this book covered JULY 16 through AUGUST 12 and was a holiday-free, vacation-studded four weeks. The results speak for themselves but we’ll interpret nonetheless.

DETROIT: RIFF ROCKS

We’re going to bury the lead to follow things in a logical sequence. Though the TIGERS, well, suck this year, that does not seem to be having a negative effect on CBS RADIO Sports WXYT-F (THE TICKET). The station bounced back from two down (for them) books (7.1-7.6) to remain in first place 6+ for the second month in a row. CBS RADIO Classic Hits WOMC was off slightly (7.0-6.9) but remained in the wild-card position. GREATER MEDIA Classic Rock WCSX held on to the #3 slot for the fifth time in the last six surveys (6.0-6.1). The real star of this book was GREATER MEDIA Active Rock WRIF. We’ll be using this phrase a lot – the station had its best book in over a year (5.1-5.9) as it rose three places to #4. CBS RADIO News WWJ-A had its lowest score since the jolly season (6.0-5.5) and dropped two places to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX) took a hit (5.8-5.1) and fell to #7 – its lowest ranking in over a year. A couple of other stations had noteworthy performances. iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC had its best chestnut-free book in over a year (4.8-5.3) to move up to #6. CUMULUS Talk WJR-A returned to the top ten for the first time since FEBRUARY (3.7-4.4).

For the seventh time in the last eight surveys, WXYT-F was the #1 station 25-54. It moved up from #2 with a solid increase. The station joined forces with WRIF, which had its highest number in over a year to remain on top for the second book in a row. WCSX had a small increase and that pushed it forward to #3. This dropped WMXD back to #4 as MIX had its lowest output in exactly a year. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WJLB was off slightly but remained anchored at #5. WNIC again had its best book since it was trolling the ancient Yuletide carol as it advanced from #11 to #7.

The story wasn’t that WRIF was #1 18-34 for the second book in a row. OK, that is part of the story. What really stood out was that the station collected a double-digit share. Over the last fourteen books the only other time someone crashed that barrier in this demo, BING CROSBY was getting spins. WJLB was flat and stable at #2 while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKQI (CHANNEL 955) was off slightly to slip back to #3. WGPR INC Urban AC WGPR (HOT) ended a three-book slide and surged forward four places to #4. CUMULUS AC WDVD ended its three-book surge and slipped back to #5. Perhaps this demo recognized the futility that is the TIGERS season because WXYT-F had its lowest share since MARCH and fell three places in the standings to #8. There was some interesting movement in the country field. CBS RADIO Country WYCD had a small increase to move up to #7 while CUMULUS Country WDRQ (NASH) had its best book – by far – in over a year to climb to #11.

WRIF rocked 18-49 for the third book in a row and came this close to hitting double digits, as well. WXYT-F had a small increase to remain #2 while WJLB was flat and stable at #3. WKQI was off slightly to hold steady at #4. It was joined by WCSX, which advanced from #8 with its largest number since APRIL. WDVD slipped back to #6 after losing a chunk of share while WNIC improved to #7 with a small gain.

MIAMI-FT.LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: Not So Hot

Back in MAY we may have seen the end of an era – and the possible beginning of a new one. That was when ENTERCOM AC WLYF (LITE) moved up to #1 6+. The station has yet to yield that high ground and matched its best book of the year (7.5-7.5). Meanwhile, COX RADIO AC WFEZ (EASY) has also been on quite a roll. Back in APRIL it was in a tie at #7. Four up books later, the station advanced to #2 with its highest share in over a year (5.7-6.6). The era that ended belonged to COX RADIO Urban AC WHQT (HOT). The station was flat this time (6.5-6.5) and fell to #3. The last time it had an up book was in DECEMBER. UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR) was up slightly from last month (4.8-5.0) to move up to #4. This bumped cluster compadre UNIVISION Tropical WRTO (MIX) back to #5 as it was off slightly (4.9-4.8).

After nine straight #1 25-54 books, WHQT finally fell from the top spot even though it was flat. This was directly the result of WRTO, which moved up to #1 with its best performance in over a year. As recently as JUNE, the station was ranked #7 – that is some quick movement. WFEZ has also been on the fast track. In JUNE it was at #11 and, despite being off slightly, it claimed the #3 slot for the second book in a row. WLYF was up slightly and advanced two squares to #4 while SBS Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL) moved up to #5 with its finest outing since FEBRUARY. COX RADIO Urban WEDR (JAMZ) took a hit and fell two slots to #6.

Where WEDR did not take a hit was 18-34. The station was flat, #1 for the fifth book in a row, and held a share-plus lead on the rest of the field. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WMIB (THE BEAT) moved forward two paces to #2 with its highest total since NOVEMBER. CBS RADIO Top 40/R WPOW (POWER) was down for the second consecutive survey and slipped back to #3. Over the last four books, WFEZ has gone from a tie at #14 to a tie at #10 to #5 to #4 and has more than doubled its share in the process. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHYI (Y100) posted its lowest score in over a year and fell back to #5. While we have been showing some of the less flattering sides of WHQT, it is worth noting that the station had its best book since APRIL to move up five places to #6.

It was another #1 18-49 month for WRTO – the second in a row. The station was up for the third straight survey and landed its best share in over a year. WEDR was off slightly at #2 while WFEZ charged forward four spots to move into the #3 position. Just three surveys ago the station was sitting at #14. Once again, we had a tie at #5 but with different players. WLYF broke from the pack to move up to #4 while WPOW moved in the opposite direction and landed at #9. WHQT slipped back from #4 to join WXDJ, which arose from a tie at #7. iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WMGE (MEGA) lost a modest amount of share but that was enough to drop it from #3 into a tie at #7 with WMIB, which moved up from #12.

SEATTLE-TACOMA: Putting On The Squeeze

Up until last book, the 6+ leaderboard was pretty much the sole domain of HUBBARD Top 40/M KQMV (MOVIN). The station was #1 every book and usually by a wide margin. Things changed last month when CBS RADIO Classic Rock KZOK claimed a share of the lead. Well, they changed again this survey. KZOK remained in the lead (6.1-6.1) while KQMV stepped back to #2 (6.1-5.8). What’s more, the rest of the market has caught up. Two stations were a heartbeat behind at #3. ENTERCOM Active Rock KISW moved in from #6 (5.3-5.7) while iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJR-F (THE JET) zoomed in with its best book in over a year (5.5-5.7). This phrase has applied to THE JET for the last couple of surveys. HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM) moved up to #5 with its highest share since MARCH (5.1-5.5) while two stations fell from the top five. ENTERCOM Country KKWF (THE WOLF) retreated four spots to #7 (5.8-5.1) while BONNEVILLE Talk KIRO-F slid two places to #6 (5.7-5.4).

The 25-54 competition was not nearly as close. KISW was #1 for the fifth month in a row and stretched out to a full share lead over #2 KQMV, which posted its lowest score since JANUARY. KZOK lost a decent chunk of share but still managed to move forward one square to #3. This was largely the fault of KKWF, which shed an even larger share chunk as it slipped back to #4. There it was teamed with KJR-F, which advanced from #5 with – once again – its best book in over a year. A little farther down the list it is worth noting that ENTERCOM Alternative KNDD (THE END) has been on a strong two-book surge that has taken the station from #14 to #9.

After four straight books waiting patiently at #2 18-34, KISW finally made its move. The station vaulted to the top as KQMV was down for the third month in a row, landing at #2. KNDD was dangerously close to the top two but came in at #3, despite scoring its best stuff in over a year. KKWF was actually up slightly but still had to step back to #4 while KZOK remained at #5. A year ago at this time the station was in a tie at #16 with less than half its current share.

The 18-49 race played out much like 6+ did. Last month both KISW and KQMV were tied at #1. This time the former remained in place with a small increase while the latter dropped back to #2 with its third down book in a row. KKWF lost a noticeable swatch of fur but still clung to its #3 position – where it has been for five books in a row. KZOK also lost some share to remain at #4 where it shared the wealth with KRWM, which took one step forward with its best ANDY WILLIAMS-free book in over a year. Both KNDD and ENTERCOM Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT) posted their best numbers in over a year. The difference was that THE END moved up to #6 while HOT slid back to #7.

PHOENIX: Another Easy Win

It all began with the big guy from the NORTH POLE but it hasn’t let up since. This was the tenth consecutive 6+ win for iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9KEZ). The station was off slightly (6.8-6.7) but remained comfortably ahead of HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX, which was flat at #2 (5.8-5.8). iHEARTMEDIA Talk KFYI-A remained a solid #3 with its best performance since JANUARY (5.5-5.7). CBS RADIO Classic Hits KOOL was flat and steady at #4 (5.3-5.3) while iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX) shot up to #5 as it ended a two-book slide (4.4-5.0). HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD had its lowest number since that big guy was in town and dropped back to #6 (4.9-4.6). BONNEVILLE Talk KTAR has been on a little bit of a run. The station has gone from #14 to a tie at #11 to a tie at #8 and just secured its best share in over a year (3.2-4.0).

KUPD was #1 25-54 for the fourth straight survey. However, the station was also down for the third book in a row and posted its lowest number since MARCH. This allowed KESZ to move into a tie as it had its highest score since APRIL. iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (THE MOUNTAIN) ended a nice six-book run that began with the station at #10. This time it slid back a spot to #3. KSLX was #4 again but had its lowest total since APRIL while KFYI-A remained at #5 with its highest share in over a year. Last AUGUST the station was tied at #22 with less than half its current share. That would qualify as significant improvement.

This was the fifth straight #1 18-34 book for KUPD but the station’s numbers have varied greatly during this run. Just two books ago the station had a double-digit share and led the market by almost four shares. This month the station sank to its lowest level since MARCH and saw its lead dwindle to less than half a share. The surprise story of the month belonged to CBS RADIO Country KMLE. The station nearly doubled its share and jumped from #13 to #2. KESZ also made a big move as it ended a three-book slide. It leapt from a tie at #9 to #3. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KZZP (KISS) ended its two-book slide and moved up a slot to #4. iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX was seemingly unaffected by KMLE’S big surge. The station did drop two spots to #5 but its share loss was minimal. Over the previous four surveys, KYOT had gone from a tie at #12 to #2. That streak came to an abrupt halt as the station fell four places to #6.

The 18-49 debate was a near carbon copy (how’s that for a dated reference) of the 25-54 battle. KUPD was #1 for the fourth book in a row but also posted its lowest share in over a year. This allowed KESZ to forge a share of the lead after it ended a three-book slide. KYOT dropped back to #3 as its four-book surge dissipated. Last month’s #5 trio was reduced by one. KZZP moved up to #4 as it ended a three-book slide. Both KMXP and KMLE remained in place with the former ending a two-book slide and the latter a four-book downgrade.

MINNEAPOLIS-ST.PAUL: That’s Kool

iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL) also serves as the market’s holly jolly station. It looks like it does well with the regular format, as well. The station was #1 6+ for the third book in a row (8.4-9.3) but this time it performed as a solo act.     iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KDWB had its smallest share since SEPTEMBER (8.0-7.6) yet managed to move up to #2. iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K-102) moved up to #3 with its best tally in over a year (6.8-7.5). Last month’s market co-leader – HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) – fell to #4 with its lowest share since MARCH (8.4-7.4). CBS RADIO Country KMNB (BUZ’N) remained at #5 but was up for the third straight survey (6.3-6.5).

KSTP had its lowest 25-54 book since JANUARY but that did not prevent the station from winning the demo for the fifth consecutive survey. However, the race did tighten considerably as KEEY vaulted into the #2 position with a huge increase. KQQL had its best LEROY ANDERSON-free book in over a year but had to settle for taking complete control of the #3 position. KDWB dropped back two slots to #4 with its lowest total in over a year while CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS dropped to #5 with its lowest mark since we were all dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square. iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (KFAN) ended a three-book skid to move up to #6 while CBS RADIO Adult Hits KZJK (JACK) dropped four places to #9 with its lowest total in over a year.

For the eighth book in a row, both KDWB and CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) had double-digit shares 18-34. The stations were #1 and #2, respectively. The former had its lowest total since SEPTEMBER; the latter its smallest since FEBRUARY. Still, they continued to lead the rest of the market by a wide margin. KSTP was off slightly but steady at #3 while KEEY had its highest total in exactly a year to remain at #4. KMNB moved up two slots to #5 with its best outing since JANUARY. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KTCZ (CITIES 97) ended a nice two-book run and fell three slots to #7.

The 11-book string of double-digit 18-49 shares came to an end for KDWB. However, the station remained a strong #1 as #2 KSTP had its smallest share since APRIL. KXXR remained at #3 with its lowest share since we were dancing in the new old-fashioned way. It was joined by KEEY, which moved forward two paces with – once again – its best book in over a year. KFXN used its healthy increase to move up a spot to #5 while KQQL remained at #6 with a solid increase. KZJK again had its lowest share in over a year and slid four spots to #8.

This ends our AUGUST performance. Thank you for taking the time to read this stuff. If you have any questions or comments or would like to learn how the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. can help you win – reach out via the following platforms.

E-mail: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
TWITTER: @ResearchDirectr
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ResearchDirectorInc
Web: www.researchdirectorinc.com

« see more Net News