Research Director, Inc.: Exclusive November PPM Analysis For NY, LA, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas

Top-5 Markets

Once again into the breach, dear friends.  The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC., in cooperation with the numbers crunchers from XTRENDS, have worked our collective fingers to our collective bones in order to bring you this pre-THANKSGIVING analytical feast.  This particular NIELSEN survey was notable for three things.

First, the time frame in question was OCTOBER 8th through NOVEMBER 4th.  As you can readily surmise, only four days fell in the namesake month.  Yet, it still claims to be the NOVEMBER book.  Curious, no?  Second, this is the final survey not tainted by the stain of BURL IVES and his evil minions (and we’re not talking about those funny yellow guys).  Third, this is the time when NIELSEN began rolling out the enhanced CBET system.  While we know which markets were affected, we do not know which stations used the new system alone or in combination with VOLTAIR.  With those caveats in place, let us begin…

NEW YORK: Lucky Thirteen

In its final tune up prior to the big guy’s arrival, iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (LITE) notched its thirteenth straight 6+ victory (6.9-6.8).  With the jingling of the bells just around the corner, we would expect this streak to continue for at least a couple more surveys.  CBS RADIO Classic Hits WCBS-F also extended its streak to thirteen.  However, this was for second place and the station did post its lowest score since APRIL (6.6-6.4).  EMMIS Urban AC WBLS’ consecutive survey streak as the bronze-medal winner extended to seven (6.2-6.1).  These three stations remained well clear of the rest of the field.  Last month’s three-way at #4 did not carry over to this month.  SBS Tropical WSKQ (LA MEGA) remained in place at #4 as it ended a two-book skid (4.6-4.9).  iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R WHTZ (Z100) slid back to #5 even though it had its first up book since JUNE (4.6-4.8).  iHEARTMEDIA Urban WWPR (POWER) lost some juice as it fell back to #6 (4.6-4.2).  A little farther down the list was CBS RADIO News WINS-A.  The station climbed to #9 with its highest share since APRIL (3.5-3.8).
WLTW landed its lowest 25-54 share in exactly one year yet managed to cling to the top spot for the fourth book in a row.  However, this time it was forced to share as WBLS claimed a share of the lead despite recording its lowest number since MAY.  WHTZ broke out of a tie at #4 to move up a notch to #3 with a small increase. WCBS-F remained in a tie at #4 by being flat and was joined in that space by two other fellow travelers.  WWPR fell from #3 with its smallest number since JUNE while WSKQ moved up from #6 with an ever-so-slight increase.

There was a changing of the guard 18-34.  For the last three surveys, this has been WWPR’s domain and it has been running roughshod over the competition.  That changed this time as EMMIS Top 40/R WQHT (HOT) – despite a small decrease – moved into the lead-off position.  WWPR dropped back to #2 with its lowest share since MAY.  In the last two months the station has lost over two shares worth of listening.  WHTZ remained stoic at #3 with a slight increase while WSKQ had a rather large increase but had to settle for staying put at #4.  iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKTU moved up to #5 with its highest share in over a year, which forced WLTW to take a step back to #6.

While WWPR may have taken it on the chin in the previous demo, it remained steadfast 18-49.  The station was #1 for the third book in a row despite a noticeable loss of share.  WHTZ was up slightly and advanced to #2, which pushed WLTW back to #3.  WSKQ and WQHT swapped spots at #4 and #5, respectively.  The former had a small increase while the latter dropped a bit of share.

LOS ANGELES: The Earth Moved

Probably not the best line for SOCAL but it certainly fits as CBS RADIO Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH) took the 6+ honors this survey after posting its best score in over a year (5.1-5.7).  It also happened to be the highest share any station in this market has landed in 2015.  Two cluster mates were conjoined at #2.  iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (MY FM) moved up from #3 with its best book since JULY (4.8-5.2) while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KIIS (KISS) dropped from the top spot just by maintaining an even keel (5.2-5.2).  This was the month when ELLEN K moved into the morning slot at iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST.  The station remained at #4 but it did end a three-book losing streak (4.5-5.0).  Next stop – tinsel town.  CBS RADIO Urban AC KTWV (THE WAVE) moved up a slot to #5 (3.8-4.0) while UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE) dropped back to #6 (3.9-3.8).  It was joined in that space by CBS RADIO Adult Hits KCBS-F (JACK), which advanced from #8 (3.5-3.8).

There was also a changing of the guard 25-54 as KBIG returned to the top with its best book since MAY.  KRTH also moved up – to #2 – with its highest share in over a year.  To put the station’s recent rise into perspective, it is worth noting that exactly a year ago K-EARTH was tied at #10 in this demo.  Also appearing in the #2 position was KIIS, which fell from the top thanks to a slight decrease.  KOST ended a three-book slide as it moved up a slot to #4 while KLVE fell back to #5 with its smallest number since JULY.

One thing that did not change this month was KIIS’ continued dominance 18-34.  Though the station was down for the second month in a row, it continued to lead the rest of the market by a wide margin.  iHEARTMEDIA Urban KRRL (REAL 92.3) was flat for the second straight survey to remain a distant #2.  KBIG moved forward two paces to #3 with a small increase while KRTH jumped three slots to #4 with – once again – its best book in over a year.  iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) was up for the sixth book in a row and remained tied at #5, though with a new partner.  EMMIS Top 40/R KPWR (POWER) slid back from #3 with its lowest total since JULY.  CBS RADIO Top 40/M KAMP (AMP) fell three places to a tie at #7 with its lowest score in over a year.

Though KIIS was flat 18-49, the station managed to cop its eleventh consecutive #1 book.  KBIG was in the runner-up position for the tenth straight survey.  The station also had its best book since MAY.  KRTH had a healthy increase to remain at #3 while KOST was even healthier as it rose two spots to #4.  The previous tie at #4 was broken as both stations exited the space.  KRRL dropped to #5 with a small decrease while KAMP fell to a tie at #7 with its smallest share in over a year.

CHICAGO: The Three Amigos

The top three stations 6+ continued to be a group apart.  iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) had its highest share since JUNE (5.8-6.0) to break the tie and claim the top spot to itself.  CBS RADIO News WBBM-A had its highest share since MARCH (5.8-5.9) but still dropped back to #2.  HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (MIX) was up slightly (5.3-5.4) to remain at #3.  And then, there was everyone else.  UNIVISION Regional Mexican WOJO (LA QUE BUENA) held firm at #4 by being flat (3.7-3.7) and was joined by CUMULUS Alternative WKQX, which moved up from a tie at #6 thanks to its best book in over a year (3.5-3.7).  TRIBUNE N/T WGN-A bounced back from last month’s down book (3.3-3.6) to move back up to #6.  iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKSC (KISS) fell two places to #7 with its lowest share in over a year (3.6-3.5).

WTMX was #1 25-54 for the fifth book in a row and opened up a share plus lead over #2 WVAZ, which was off slightly.  This turned out to be a good month to be WKQX.  The station was up for the fourth book in a row as it moved up to #3 with its highest share in over a year.  The two stations knotted at #3 last time were untied and moved lower in the standings.  WOJO ended up at #4 with a flat performance while WKSC slid to #5 with its smallest number in over a year.

Did we mention it was a good month to be the Alternative station in the WINDY CITY?  WKQX was #1 18-34 for the second month in a row and – again – had its best performance in over a year.  Two stations improved their respective lots and advanced to #2.  WKSC – which had been beaten up a bit in the previous two demos – moved up two slots as it ended a four-book slide.  iHEARTMEDIA Urban WGCI took one step forward as it was flat for the second book in a row.  WOJO had its highest score in exactly a year to move up a slot to #4 while WTMX had a small increase in moving forward two places to #5.  It was not the kindest of months for WVAZ as the station dropped from #2 to #7.

While the top five 18-49 players did not change, there were some alterations in the rankings.  WTMX notched its sixth straight #1 book.  WKQX moved up a spot to #2 with – yup – its best book in over a year.  WVAZ stepped back to #3 with a small decrease.  Two of the stations that were part of a three way at #3 last time remained a package but at a lower rate.  WKSC and WOJO ended up at #4 with slight decreases.

SAN FRANCISCO: The Newsies

This is the first market we have examined so far that was not affected by the enhanced CBET roll-out in this survey.  The schedule called for SAN FRANCISCO to begin the first day of the next survey.  To more present concerns, CBS RADIO News KCBS-A was #1 6+ for the fifth book in a row – and the tenth time in the last eleven surveys.  The station also had its best share since MAY (6.0-6.1).  ENTERCOM AC KOIT was warming up the hearth as it moved up to #2 (4.8-5.3).  Two stations moved up and into a relationship at #3.  KQED INC N/T KQED advanced from a tie at #5 with a small increase (4.2-4.4) while iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KIOI (STAR) dimmed a bit (4.5-4.4) even though it moved up from #4.  CUMULUS Sports KNBR-A was GIANTS-free and dropped three spots to #5 with its lowest score since MARCH (5.0-4.1).  CBS RADIO Hot AC KLLC (ALICE) had its first down book since JULY (4.2-4.0) as it fell back to #6.

For the fifth month in a row, KOIT was #1 25-54 and that number should easily reach seven as the playlist will dramatically change for the next survey.  KLLC was off slightly but moved up to #2 while KIOI dropped back to #3 with a modest decrease.  iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KYLD (WILD) held fast at #4 with a slight increase while CBS RADIO Top 40/M KMVQ (NOW) advanced to #5 with an aura of flatness.  ENTERCOM Top 40/R KRBQ (Q102) had its lowest share since JUNE and dropped back into a tie at #6 with KQED and KNBR-A.

Last month, the 18-34 guard was changed as KYLD wrested control of the demo away from cluster brother iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R KMEL.  Their relative positions remained unchanged this time as both stations were off a bit.  KIOI had its lowest total since JUNE but still moved up a spot to #3.  This forced KRBQ to take a step back to #4 as Q102 had its lowest total since MARCH.  Also joining the #4 team was KOIT, which advanced from #6 with a solid increase.  KMVQ had its smallest share in over a year as it fell back to #6.

The 18-49 script was flipped this survey.  KOIT assumed control thanks to its highest frost-free share in over a year.  This sent KYLD packing back to #2 as it was off slightly.  KMEL broke out of a tie at #5 to advance to #3 with a slight increase.  The two occupants of the #3 slot last time went their separate ways.  KMVQ dropped down to #4 with a slight decrease while KLLC ended up at #5 as its three-book surge came to an end.  KRBQ moved down to a tie at #6 thanks to its lowest share since JUNE.

DALLAS-FT. WORTH: What Goes Down …

Last survey was noteworthy for a couple of things.  First, most of the top-rated stations 6+ were down.  Second, iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KHKS (KISS) had its lowest book in over a year.  This survey many of those same stations were up – including KISS.  However, this was the second book in a row the station failed to crack the six-share mark (5.6-5.9).  CUMULUS Country KPLX (THE WOLF) remained at #2 as it bounced back from last month’s down book (4.6-5.1).  iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (NOW) ended a rather stark two-book slide (4.1-4.9) and moved up three slots to #3. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZPS (LONE STAR) was up for the third book in a row (4.3-4.6) to move up a slot to #4.  Two other stations moved down the list to spend time at #5.  CBS RADIO Classic Hits KLUV (K-LOVE) had its smallest share since JANUARY (4.5-4.3) to fall from #3 while SALEM Christian Contemporary KLTY slid from #4 (4.4-4.3).

KHKS bounced back from its lowest 25-54 score in over a year – but just barely.  The station remained #1 but saw its lead shrink to less than a point because KZPS – which moved up to #2 from #4 – had its best showing since JULY.  UNIVISION Regional Mexican KLNO (LA QUE BUENA) remained at #3.  Though the station had the smallest of increases, it did post its best number in over a year.  KLTY had quite the month.  The station jumped six places to #4 with its highest total since JUNE.  Last month’s #5 duo expanded to a trio.  KPLX and CBS RADIO Adult Hits KJKK (JACK) remained in place with small increases.  They were joined by KDMX, which moved up from a tie at #8 as it ended a two-book slide.  Not only does no ROMO equal no wins, it appears the lack of quality quarterback play equals lower ratings.  CBS RADIO Sports KRLD-F (THE FAN) dropped six places to #8.  That almost matched the COWBOYS losing streak.

It has been well established that last month was not kind to KHKS.  However, the station rebounded quite nicely this time in the 18-34 demo – returning to more familiar share turf.  Even though #2 SERVICE Urban KKDA (K104) had its highest total since MAY, the gap between the two stations widened to over two shares.  It was much narrower last survey.  KDMX remained at #3 as it ended a rather dramatic two-book slide.  It was joined in that space by KLNO, which moved up from #6 with its best book since JULY.  RADIO ONE Top 40/R KBFB (THE BEAT) was off a bit as it fell back to #5.  KRLD was sacked for a loss as it dropped three places to #8.

KHKS recovered from last month’s disaster with a strong showing 18-49. Though the station was not all the way back to its usual lofty levels, it continued to dominate the demo.  Last month there were four – count ‘em, four – stations tied at #2.  This month there was only one in that slot.  KDMX was the one as it bounced back from a down book.  KLNO advanced four squares to #3 thanks to its best book in over a year.  It was sharing the space with KKDA, which dropped back a spot despite a small increase.  The remaining two former #2s remained a partnership but at #5 instead.  Both KJKK and KBFB were off slightly.

Thus endeth our first look at the NOVEMBER survey.  Fret not as we have two more to go.  Our next issue will feature HOUSTON, WASHINGTON, DC, PHILADELPHIA, ATLANTA, and BOSTON.  In the meantime, if you ever need any assistance making sense out of your numbers, the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. stand ready to serve.  Feel free to reach out to us via any of the listed platforms.

E-mail: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
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