Research Director, Inc.: Exclusive June PPM Analysis For Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix & Minneapolis

Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix & Minneapolis

Maybe the third time is the charm. The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – ably assisted by the data geeks from XTRENDS – bring you another in our continuing series of how the ratings turn.  This episode focuses on the JUNE survey – a period precisely defined as encompassing 5/24 through 6/21.  This so-called month began with a big holiday weekend and featured the end of school daze coupled with the beginning of vacation relief.  For many of you, it also meant cranking out a week’s worth of logs.  But we digress … on with the numbers game.

Detroit: Mixing Things Up

This one can be labeled “out of the blue.”   iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX) – which two books ago was tied at #11 6+ – zoomed to the #1 position this time with easily its best book in over a year (5.5-6.4).  Nipping at its heels was CBS RADIO Country WYCD, which moved up two spots as it, too, posted its best number in over a year (5.8-6.2).  Also in the, ahem, mix was CBS RADIO Classic Hits WOMC, which was nearby at #3 (5.9-6.0).  iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC remained a very close #4 with its best Frosty-free share in over a year (5.8-5.9).  A couple of spoken-word outlets moved in the opposite direction.  CBS RADIO Sports WXYT-F (THE TICKET) dropped three places to #5 (6.1-5.7) while CBS RADIO News WWJ-A saw its five-book run at #1 end as the station dropped to #6 (6.3-5.6).

There was a different story 25-54.  BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF was #1 for the fourth straight survey and opened up a wide lead over #2 WXYT-F, which saw its four-book surge come to an end.  WYCD posted its best score since APRIL to step up to #3.  WMXD had the same growth spurt as seen above though this one only advanced the station to #4.  iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKQI (CHANNEL 955) gave back all of last month’s big gain – with interest – as it dropped to #5.  BEASLEY Classic Rock WCSX moved up to #6 with a solid increase. 

The song remained the same 18-34 as the top two stations were on a loop but did get closer.  WRIF won the demo for the fourth book in a row with a small increase but iHEARTMEDIA Urban WJLB closed the gap from its #2 position by posting its highest share since DECEMBER.  WGPR INC. Urban AC WGPR (HOT) has been on a strong three-book run and rose two levels to #3 with its largest share in over a year.  WKQI was off slightly and slid back to #4.  BEASLEY Rhythmic AC WMGC (BOUNCE) was down for the second straight survey and dropped back to #5.  It was tied with WYCD, which moved up three spots with – once again – its best showing in exactly one year.

WRIF extended its 18-49 win streak to four as it bounced back from last month’s downer.  WJLB moved up to #2 with a slight decrease and the two stations were more than a share apart.  WKQI slid back to #3 as it returned all of last month’s gain while WMGC moved up to #4 as it rebounded slightly from last month’s big dip.  WYCD had a slight increase but that allowed the station to take one step forward to #5.  WXYT-F dropped to #6 with a modest decrease.

Miami-Ft.Lauderdale-Hollywood: It’s Hot In Here

The top five 6+ stations remained in their exact same positions as last survey.  COX RADIO Urban AC WHQT (HOT) won for the second book in a row with its highest share since JULY (7.4-7.7).  UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR) came in at #2 (7.1-7.2) and was followed by the two AC stations.  COX RADIO AC WFEZ (EASY) was #3 with its best showing since the HOLIDAY season (6.6-6.8) while ENTERCOM AC WLYF (LITE) repeated at #4 (5.7-5.6).  Rounding out the quintet was SBS Tropical WCMQ (Z92.3), which had its highest mark since FEBRUARY (4.8-5.0).

The heat remained on as WHQT dominated the 25-54 demo for the fifth straight survey.  Though the station was off slightly, it led #2 WAMR by well over two shares as AMOR had a modest decrease.  WFEZ leapt four places to #3 with its best performance in over a year while WLYF remained at #4 with a slight decrease.  The two rivals were separated by the smallest of margins.  COX RADIO Top 40/M WFLC (HITS) took a modest hit and dropped back to #5 while its cluster sibling – COX RADIO Urban WEDR (99JAMZ) – remained at #6 with a slight decrease.  CBS RADIO Top 40/R WPOW (POWER) saw its three-book surge cease to be as it fell two slots to #7.

This was the fourth straight 18-34 down book for WEDR.  It did not affect the station’s standing as it was #1 for the tenth survey in a row.  However, a lead that was once close to six shares has shrunk to just over one.  iHEARTMEDIA Urban WMIB (THE BEAT) remained at #2 but with its smallest share since JANUARY.  WPOW repeated at #3 as it ended a two-book slide.  WFEZ made the leap of the month, climbing from a tie at #9 to #4 with easily its best book in over a year. WLYF held firm at #5 with a flat showing.  WHQT was also flat and steady – at #6 – but was joined by iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHYI (Y100), which fell back from #4, thus ending its two-book surge.

The trio atop the 18-49 leaderboard did not change from last month.  WEDR continued to lead the charge though it was down for the fourth book in a row.  WHQT was flat at #2 but saw the gap narrow to a half share.  WFLC continued at #3 with a small decrease while three stations were fighting over who should be called #4.  WPOW was the incumbent and had a small decrease. WLYF took one step forward with a slight decrease while WHYI advanced from a tie at #9 with its highest score since JANUARY.  Just a tick behind was WFEZ, which – once again – had its best book in over a year.

Seattle-Tacoma: All Movin, All The Time

In a world where one station owns all demos, HUBBARD Top 40/M KQMV (MOVIN) stands alone. The station was #1 6+ for the sixth straight survey (7.4-7.4) and saw its lead grow wider over the two stations now occupying the #2 position.  UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW was there last time (6.0-5.8) and was joined by iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJR-F (THE JET) (5.9-5.8).  The next tier down was led by HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM), which remained at #4 but with its lowest share since NOVEMBER (5.6-5.0).  There was a threesome at #5.  CBS RADIO Classic Rock KZOK was there before and is there again with its lowest share since the big guy was in town (5.3-4.9).  ENTERCOM Active Rock KISW moved up from #7 with its best book in over a year (4.5-4.9).  The surprise contestant was FRIENDS OF 88.5 FM Jazz KNKX, which moved up from #9 with easily its largest share since it changed its name back in AUGUST (4.1-4.9).

Though KQMV was off slightly 25-54, it was another dominant win for the station.  KISW continued at #2 and, after posting its best number in over a year, managed to narrow the gap to a little over a share.  KJR-F moved up to #3 despite a modest decrease.  CBS RADIO Adult Hits KJAQ (JACK) dropped back to #4 as it returned all of last month’s big increase.  It was joined by ENTERCOM Alternative KNDD (THE END), which moved up a spot with its fifth up book in a row.

It was win number four in a row for KQMV 18-34 as the station halted a two-book slide.  KISW remained at #2 but ended a three-book surge.  KNDD repeated at #3 with a slight decrease while ENTERCOM Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT) held steady at #4 but with its fourth straight down book. Bolting into the top five was HUBBARD Rock KVRQ, which jumped from #12 with a huge increase.  KJR-F stepped back to #6 with a small decrease.

The top four positions 18-49 were the same as they were the last time we were here.  KQMV naturally won but #2 KISW had its best book in over a year to narrow the gap to under two shares. KNDD was flat and happy at #3 while KJAQ repeated at #4 despite ending a three-book surge. KHTP was also a repeat performer – at #5 – with a slight decrease.  However, it was joined by KJR-F, which moved one step forward with a flat performance.

Phoenix: Rock On

For the third time in the last four surveys, HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX was #1 6+ (7.3-7.0).  iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9KEZ) was close behind at #2 (7.2-6.8) as these two stations were well clear of the rest of the field.  iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX) had its best book in exactly a year (4.9-5.6) to move up to #3.  CBS RADIO Classic Hits KOOL also took a step forward – to #4 – with its highest share since AUGUST (4.7-5.3).  HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD dropped to #5 as it returned most of last month’s increase (5.6-5.0). 

The 25-54 race grew considerably tighter as the top three stations were separated by less than a half share.  KUPD was #1 for the third time in the last four books but lost a bit of share.  KMXP moved up to #2 with its best book in exactly a year while KSLX was close behind at #3 as it ended a two-book slide.  KOOL was next in line at #4 with a strong increase while KESZ dropped to #5 with its smallest share since SEPTEMBER. 

At the beginning of the year, KMXP was #7 18-34.  Then, the station started to get on a roll, which culminated with its reaching #1 with its highest share in over a year.  KUPD dropped back to #2, thus ending its four-book stay at the top.  HUBBARD Alternative KDKB (ALT AZ 93.3) was up for the fifth straight survey as it moved up two slots to #3.  KESZ was also up a bit but dropped back into a tie at #4 with iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KZZP (KISS), which was stationary but did land its largest share in over a year. 

For the fifth book in a row, KUPD was #1 18-49 but the station was forced to share with KMXP, which moved up from a tie at #2 thanks to its fourth straight up book.  KESZ slid back to #3 with a small decrease while KDKB moved up to #4 with its highest share in over a year.  KSLX took a step back to #5 with its third down book in a row.  KOOL was close behind at #6 thanks to its best performance since NOVEMBER.

Minneapolis-St.Paul: Top Of The Pops

iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KDWB won the 6+ beauty contest for the third book in a row and widened its lead, thanks to its largest share since OCTOBER (6.8-7.4).  HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) repeated at #2 (6.6-6.6) and was sharing the space with cluster buddy iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL), which moved up, thanks to its best book unaided by adding in some BURL IVES, since SEPTEMBER (6.4-6.6).  CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS slipped back to #4 (6.4-6.3) where it was partnered with iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K102), which advanced from #7 with its best outing in exactly one year (5.6-6.3).  CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) slid back to #6 (5.9-5.6) where it was paired with MPR N/T KNOW, which moved up from #8 as it rebounded a bit from last month’s dip (5.4-5.6).

It has been over a year since KDWB was #1 25-54.  So, when the station landed its largest share since SEPTEMBER, it was mission accomplished.  KSTP remained at #2 as it ended a two-book slide while KXXR dropped from the lead to #3 after returning a large portion of last month’s big increase.  KQRS moved up two places to #4 with its best outing since JANUARY.  CBS RADIO Adult Hits KZJK (JACK) dropped to #5 as it ended a two-book surge.  iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (K-FAN) slipped back to #6 with its least productive outing since JULY.

This was the second book in a row where the top two stations 18-34 managed to score a double-digit share.  Naturally, KDWB was #1 as it ended a two-book slide.  KXXR was down at #2 but still hit the magic number.  KEEY was a distant #3 despite posting its best score in a year.  KSTP remained a more distant #4 with a slight decrease while KZJK moved up to #5 with its highest share since a guy by the name of Jack was nipping at your nose.  Appropriate, no?  KFXN fell three places in the standings to #8 with its third consecutive down book.

After a one-book hiatus, KDWB returned to double-digit land 18-49 and was almost two shares ahead of #2 KXXR, which gave back a lot of last month’s big gain.  KSTP repeated at #3 with a flat performance while KEEY was up to #4 with its fifth straight up book.  KZJK slid back to #5 as it returned all of last month’s big increase – plus a little extra for good measure.  KFXN stepped back to #6 with its lowest run total in over a year.

As always, thank you for participating in our survey.  No, wait, that’s something completely different.  The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. stand ready to serve any of your ratings interpretation needs.  You can find us via the platforms below.  We vow to return in a month and repeat this process.

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