Research Director, Inc.: Exclusive November PPM Analysis For New York, L.A., Chicago, S.F., Dallas

Top-5 Markets

Can you believe it’s THANKSGIVING already? As you prepare to head over the river and through the woods for your feasting festivities, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC., in partnership with the data deliverers from XTRENDS, provide you with a little light reading for your journey. When sitting with family this year, don’t discuss the election – talk about the ratings!

This particular batch is fresh from the NIELSEN oven and features the NOVEMBER results. In reality the survey covered OCTOBER 6th through NOVEMBER 2nd, but why quibble? This survey was holiday free – unless you count HALLOWEEN – and featured more NFL and the baseball playoffs. It is also the last survey not to be tainted by the stench of pine needles and peppermint potpourri.

NEW YORK: The Incredible Liteness Of Being

For the fourth month in a row, iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (LITE) was the leading 6+ station, though it did end a three-book surge (6.7-6.4). Of course, with Santa’s help the station will only go up from here. CBS RADIO Classic Hits WCBS-F had its best book since JULY (5.4-5.9) to move up a couple of places to #2. The previous occupant of that position – iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHTZ (Z100) – stepped back to #3 (5.7-5.6) and was paired with EMMIS Urban AC WBLS, which was stationary and flat (5.6-5.6). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) was also flat (4.7-4.7) and remained at #5. However, it had a new playmate in CBS RADIO News WINS-A, which had its best outing since APRIL (possibly election fueled?) to move up from #7 (4.3-4.7). SBS Tropical WSKQ (MEGA) had its lowest share in over a year (4.7-4.5) to fall back to #7.

Perhaps sensing the change of seasons, WLTW had its best 25-54 book since MARCH and vaulted back to the #1 position. This pushed cluster mate WHTZ back to #2 as it experienced its first down book since JUNE. WSKQ took a step back to #3 with a slight decrease while WBLS held steady at #4 but with its highest score since JUNE. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WWPR (POWER) was also steady as she goes – at #5 – but landed its lowest share in over a year. WCBS-F got a nice pop after several down books and clawed its way back up to #6.

For the third survey in a row, WHTZ was #1 18-34. However, this time the station scored its largest share in over a year and held almost a two-share lead over EMMIS Top 40/R WQHT (HOT). Don’t feel too badly for HOT as the station wrested control of the #2 position thanks to its best showing since MAY. WWPR dropped back to #3 with its lowest share in over a year. These two arch rivals were tied last month and this time, they were a share-and-a-half apart. WLTW also claimed a share of the #3 slot with its best book since MAY. WSKQ slipped back to #5 with – once again – its lowest share in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKTU regained some of last month’s big loss to move back up to #6. CBS RADIO Top 40/M WBMP (AMP) ended a strong two-book run as it fell back to more familiar turf at a tie at #7.

As with the previous demo, WHTZ had its best 18-49 share in over a year, which cemented its fourth straight first-place finish. WLTW jumped two places to #2 with its best book since MAY as it continued to have visions of sugar plums dancing in its headphones. The two stations knotted at #2 last month remained together but moved down to #3. Both WSKQ and WWPR were each down to their lowest share in over a year. WQHT remained at #5 but got back all of last month’s decline in share. WKTU ended a two-book slide to move up to #6.

LOS ANGELES: KOSTing Along

iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST was #1 6+ for the thirteenth consecutive survey and was also the only station in town to crack the five-share barrier (5.4-5.5). We’re going out on a limb and predicting the station will extend that run for at least the next two books. The next four stations were separated by three tenths of a point. CBS RADIO Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH) moved up to #2 as it regained all of last month’s loss (4.5-4.9). Cluster sister CBS RADIO Rhythmic AC KTWV (THE WAVE) was nipping at KRTH’s heels even though it slid back to #3 with its best book in over a year (4.7-4.8). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (MY FM) bounced back from last month’s down book (4.4-4.7) to move up to #4 while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KIIS (KISS) fell back to #5 despite a slight increase (4.5-4.6). UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE) ended a four-book run (4.5-4.1) and dropped back to #6. A couple of stations in the next tier had solid performances. CBS RADIO Adult Hits KCBS-F (JACK) was up to #7 with its best book since JUNE (3.3-3.7). And, iHEARTMEDIA Talk KFI-A used the rush of election hot air to post its highest score since MARCH (3.1-3.5) as it advanced to a tie at #8.

Everyone got moved around in the 25-54 rankings. KBIG and KIIS were tied at #2 last time. This month MY FM took back the #1 spot while KISS had to settle for being #2. Three stations were in contention for the #3 position. KLVE dropped back from first place as it lost a chunk of share. KCBS-F moved up from #5 as it regained all of last month’s loss while KRTH jumped up from #8 as it ended a three-book slide.

For the first time since JUNE, iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) was #1 18-34. The station accomplished that feat with a flourish as it posted its largest share in over a year. KIIS had its best book since MAY but still dropped back to #2 and trailed the leader by a half share. EMMIS Top 40/R KPWR (POWER) had its best outing since JULY as it moved up to #3. CBS RADIO Top 40/M KAMP (AMP) got back almost all of last month’s loss as it moved up to #4. KBIG had a partial recovery from a down survey as it moved up to #5. KLVE slid back to #6 with a flat performance. iHEARTMEDIA Urban KRRL (REAL 92.3) had its lowest score since JUNE as it dropped four places to #7.

It was a clean medal sweep for the iHEARTMEDIA cluster in the 18-49 hunger games (OK, we’re mixing references here … got it. There were no medals in the Hunger Games …). KIIS was #1 again with a small increase. However, KBIG was just this far behind. It moved up to #2 while picking up all of last month’s decline. KYSR again had its best book in over a year and it advanced two places to #3. KLVE dropped a couple of slots to #4 as it ended a four-book surge. KOST had a slight loss and dropped back to #5. Two cluster siblings were tied at #6. KCBS-F took one small step forward with its highest total since JUNE while KRTH moved up from #10 as it ended a three-book slide. UNIVISION Regional Mexican KSCA (ZONAMX) dropped three places to #8.

CHICAGO: The Cubs Don’t Win

That headline probably caused a few CUBS fans to catch their breath. Maybe it was all just a dream ... nope, you won. However, your fervent passion was not enough to keep CBS RADIO News WBBM-A from winning its fifth straight 6+ title (6.8-6.5). CBS RADIO Sports WSCR-A (THE SCORE) had to settle for #2, though the station did have its biggest book in over a year (4.2-6.1). If we fondly look back a year, we see that the station was tied at #20 with a 2.2 share. Think they’re sending THEO EPSTEIN a fruit basket this week? iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) slipped back to #3 (5.8-5.7). HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (MIX) bounced back from last month’s down book (4.9-5.3) though it still dropped back to #4. There was a tie at #5. TRIBUNE N/T WGN-A remained in place (4.3-4.0) while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKSC (KISS) took a step back (4.4-4.0). The halo of the WORLD SERIES also seemed to benefit ABC RADIO Sports WMVP-A. The station had its best book in over a year (2.1-2.9) as it vaulted from a tie at #23 to a tie at #10.

WTMX turned it up to eleven as it remained #1 25-54 with its best showing since FEBRUARY. WSCR-A jumped from #7 to #2 with – shocker – its best book in over a year. As with the previous demo, last year the station was tied at #20. WKSC slipped back to #3 with its lowest share since MAY. WVAZ stepped up to #4 with a small increase. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WGCI took one step forward to #5 with a slight increase. HUBBARD Classic Hits WDRV (THE DRIVE) returned half of last month’s gain and slid two places to #6. WBBM-A gave back all of last month’s increase – and a little more – as it dropped from #3 to #7.

WGCI also turned it up to eleven. That’s how many books in a row the station has been #1 18-34. It bounced back – a little – from last month’s big loss and held a slim advantage over WTMX, which moved up to #2 with its best book in over a year. WKSC was down for the second month in a row and dropped back to #3. CBS RADIO Top 40/M WBBM-F (B96) remained at #4 but with its lowest total since MAY. CUMULUS Alternative WKQX held steady at #5 after returning almost all of last month’s big increase. And what of our baseball flagship? WSCR-A was up seven slots to a tie at #7 with – naturally – its best book in over a year. Last NOVEMBER it was tied at #26.

After a two-book hiatus, WTMX returned to the top spot 18-49 with its best score since FEBRUARY. WSCR-A moved from a tie at #8 to #2, which compared favorably with last year when it was #22. WKSC slipped from first to third with its lowest share since MAY. WGCI stepped back to #4 with a small increase while WVAZ was up to #5 with a flat performance. The two stations previously tied at #4 had down books and fell to a tie at #7. They were UNIVISION Regional Mexican WOJO (QUE BUENA) and WBBM-F.

SAN FRANCISCO: Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me

For the third time in the last four surveys, KQED INC. N/T KQED was #1 6+. This time the station also popped its biggest share in over a year (5.9-6.9). This opened up a comfortable lead over CBS RADIO News KCBS-A, which slipped back to #2 with a flat showing (6.1-6.1). The ultimately doomed GIANTS playoff run also led to some ratings deflation for CUMULUS Sports KNBR-A. The station remained at #3 but lost most of last month’s big gain (5.7-5.0). CBS RADIO Top 40/M KMVQ (NOW) was again the leading music station. It held steady at #4 (4.2-4.1). iHEARTMEDIA AC KISQ (THE BREEZE) was up for the second straight survey (3.7-4.0) to move up to #5. ENTERCOM AC KOIT had its lowest share in over a year (3.8-3.4) to fall three places to #8. The rescue sleigh bells you hear in the distance will likely reverse this trend.

Baseball continued to be very, very good for KNBR-A’s 25-54 ratings. The station, for the second book in a row – and seventh time in the last eight surveys – was #1, despite a small decrease. Just inches behind was KQED, which continued as the #2 station but with a huge increase – again, its best book in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KYLD (WILD) repeated at #3 with a flat performance. The station was forced to share the space with KMVQ, which took one step forward with a slight increase. There was also a tie at #5. CBS RADIO Hot AC KLLC (ALICE) slid back from #4 while being flat. It was joined by UNIVISION Regional Mexican KSOL (QUE BUENA), which advanced from a tie at #7 with its highest score in over a year.

KYLD and cluster sister iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R KMEL continued to run neck and neck in the 18-34 demo. Both stations were down and remained #1 and #2, respectively. However, the gap had narrowed to the slimmest of possible numerical margins. KMVQ was well back as it maintained its presence at #3 but with a down book. KNBR-A was off slightly but remained at #4. It was going into extra innings with KSOL, which made the move from #8 with its best outing since FEBRUARY. Though KQED did not budge from the #6 position, it again posted its biggest number in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KIOI (STAR) fell to #7 just by being flat.

The 18-49 arena turned into a three-team race. KMVQ was #1 for the second book in a row but led #2 KYLD by the tiniest of margins. KQED continued this book’s trend of landing its best book in over a year. The station moved up four slots to #3 and was dangerously close to the other two stations. KNBR-A was off slightly but unmovable at #4. KMEL dropped two places to #5 with its lowest score in over a year. It was partnered with KLLC, which moved up a spot with a small increase. KSOL was up one slot to #7 with its largest share since FEBRUARY. ENTERCOM Top 40/R KRBQ (Q102) had its lowest mark since FEBRUARY, which dropped the station from #5 to #8.

DALLAS-FT.WORTH: The Howl Of The Wolf News

After a brief one-month hiatus, CUMULUS Country KPLX (THE WOLF) was back at #1 6+ as the station regained most of what it lost last survey (5.4-5.7). Last book’s co-leader – iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KHKS (KISS) slipped back to #2 (5.8-5.5). The other half of the previous #1 tandem – CBS RADIO Classic Hits KLUV (K-LOVE) slipped to #4 with its lowest share in exactly a year (5.8-5.1). In between was UNIVISION Regional Mexican KLNO (QUE BUENA), which took a step up to #3 with its highest share in over a year (4.8-5.3). The two stations tied at #5 last month remained so this time. They were iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (NOW) and iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZPS (LONE STAR). Both went 4.3-4.4. In an uncanny convergence, last month’s #8 pair remained united and moved up to #7. That would be election-fueled CUMULUS Talk WBAP-A and CBS RADIO Adult Hits KJKK (JACK). Both went 3.5-4.1 – the highest share for each station in over a year.

KHKS’ nine-month run at #1 25-54 came to an end. KLNO moved up to the top spot with its best book in over a year. KISS dropped back to #2 with its lowest total since MAY. CUMULUS Sports KTCK-A (THE TICKET) had its best outing since JUNE and moved up to #3 while KJKK jumped four places to #4 with its highest score since DECEMBER. KZPS was up for the second book in a row to move up to #5. How ‘bout dem COWBOYS! Well, CBS RADIO Sports KRLD-F was down three places to a tie at #8 with its lowest point total since JUNE.

The real shocker this month was that KHKS was not #1 18-34. This is a station that even beat Santa in this demo. The new leader was KLNO, which was up for the fifth straight survey. What is even more noteworthy is the station has more than doubled its share during the run. KISS dropped back to a somewhat distant #2 with its smallest share since DECEMBER. KPLX loped up to #3 with its best showing in over a year while KDMX slid back to #4 with its first down book since MARCH. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KEGL (EAGLE) moved up to #5 with a small increase while KRLD-F was flat and stable at #6. KLUV was down for the second month in a row and fell four places to #9.

This is the first time since we have been doing these analyses that KHKS was not #1 in at least one demo. For the longest time, the station swept all four. Not so this time as KLNO swept to the top of the 18-49 heap with its highest share in over a year. KHKS dropped back to #2 as it returned all of last month’s modest gain. There was a three-way at #3 and KTCK-A and KPLX had their best books in over a year. KJKK had its best book since December. KTCK-A was up from #5 while KPLX took one step forward. KJKK advanced from #9 to form the trio.

This concludes round one of our analysis. Our lips are smacking for the next group. That, or we are anxiously anticipating some stuffing. The soon-to-be gorged Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. are in the prep kitchen getting ready to serve up HOUSTON-GALVESTON, WASHINGTON, DC, PHILADELPHIA, and ATLANTA, with a side of BOSTON. Stay tuned ...

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