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

Exclusive Analysis

As promised – and threatened – the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC., along with the masters of the algorithm at XTRENDS, bring you our third thrilling installment of how NOVEMBER turns. This survey actually spanned most of the previous month – 10/11 through 11/8 – but why quibble about calendar discrepancies?  This particular survey is somewhat historic in nature as it is the final full book for stations previously affiliated with the Tiffany network.  Also, it is the final full book unsullied by THE CHRISTMAS SHOES (Why, we ask, why?).

Detroit: Almost Saint NIC

While it is a bit premature, as iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC did not actually flip the Santa switch until just after this book ended, the station still had its best Frosty-free 6+ book in over a year (6.9-7.7).  This was its third straight first-place finish, and it would be safe to assume that streak will continue.  BEASLEY Classic Rock WCSX remained #2 (6.6-6.5) while two stations were in the running for the coveted #3 title.  ENTERCOM Classic Hits WOMC was there last month (6.0-5.9) and entertained a new partner as its cluster bud ENTERCOM News WWJ-A moved up from #5 with its best book since MAY (5.8-5.9).  ENTERCOM Sports WXYT-F (THE TICKET) moved back to #5 (6.0-5.5) while BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF was up to #6 (4.8-5.1).  In its last full book as an Adult Hits outlet, iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WDTW (ALT 106.7) remained at #19 (2.2-2.1).

The top three 25-54 stations had some impressive gains.  WRIF was #1 for the second month in a row with its largest share since JANUARY.  WNIC moved up to #2 with – again – its best book without the aid of BURL IVES in over a year.  It was locked in place with iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKQI (CHANNEL 955), which also had its best outing in over a year.  WXYT-F fell back to #4 with its lowest share since JULY while WCSX slid back to #5 with a slight decrease.  CUMULUS Hot AC WDVD dropped to #6 with a slight decrease, as well, while ENTERCOM Country WYCD remained at #7 but with its first up book since JUNE.

WRIF continued to dominate the 18-34 competition.  The station was #1 for the ninth book in a row and led the runner up by over three shares.  WYCD was the new #2 as it moved up with a small increase.  WCSX dipped back to #3 as it ended a two-book surge while WKQI moved up to #4 as it ended a five-book slide.  WNIC advanced two places to #5 with – yup – its highest non-holiday-influenced share in over a year.  iHEARTMEDIA Urban WJLB dropped to #6 with a slight decrease while WDVD fell six slots to #9 with its least productive outing since JUNE.
As with the previous demo, WRIF reigned supreme 18-49 though its victory margin was a mere two-plus shares.  WKQI assumed control of the #2 position with a slight increase while WNIC moved up three slots to #3 with another big increase.  You know that story already.  WCSX remained alone at #4 with a slight decrease while the two previous occupants of the #2 position split apart and dropped back.  WXYT-F landed at #5 while the end of WDVD’s four-book surge dropped the station to #6.

Miami-Ft.Lauderdale-Hollywood: The Forecast Is Hot

COX RADIO Urban AC WHQT (HOT) extended its 6+ winning streak to seven though it did land its lowest number since APRIL (7.8-7.0).  With #2 COX RADIO AC WFEZ (EASY) gaining a small increase (6.4-6.6), the gap between the two stations narrowed to less than half a share.  SBS Tropical WCMQ (Z92.3) had its largest share in over a year (5.4-5.8) and moved up a couple of places to #3.  ENTERCOM AC WLYF (LITE) was flat and happy at #4 (5.7-5.7) while ENTERCOM Classic Hits WMXJ (THE BEACH) inched up to #5 with its best book in over a year (4.8-5.6).  UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR) fell back to #6 with its least productive outing in over a year (6.2-5.5).

For the tenth book in a row, WHQT was #1 25-54.  Once again, the station had its lowest share since APRIL and, with WLYF moving up to #2 with its best performance since FEBRUARY, the two were under a half share apart.  WAMR slid back to #3 with a small decrease while COX RADIO Top 40/M WFLC (HITS) remained stable at #4 with a small decrease.  iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHYI (Y100) moved up to #5 with a slight increase and this pushed WFEZ back to #6.

Last month the 18-34 race between COX RADIO Urban WEDR (99JAMZ) and iHEARTMEDIA Urban WMIB (THE BEAT) became more heated as the stations were separated by less than a share.  This time it was almost a dead heat.  WEDR won again and narrowly edged out THE BEAT.  ENTERCOM Top 40/R WPOW (POWER 96) moved up to #3 as it rebounded slightly from last month’s big hit.  WFLC dropped back to #4 as it returned all of last month’s big gain.  The two previous #6 stations dissolved their partnership.  iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WZTU (TU 94.9) moved up to #5 with its highest share since APRIL while ENTERCOM Alternative WSFS (THE SHARK) remained in place despite getting back most of last month’s loss.  UNIVISION Tropical WRTO (MIX) had a big gain, recording its best book in over a year and climbing from #12 to #7.

There was a lot of jostling going on in the 18-49 ranks but one constant remained – WEDR was #1 again.  However, WLYF moved up to #2 with its best showing since FEBRUARY and the two stations were separated by the slimmest of possible margins.  WFLC stepped back to #3 with its lowest share since JULY while WHYI dropped to #4 with a slight decrease.  WZTU was steady at #5 with its third up book in a row while WMIB fell back to #6 with a slight decrease. WPOW remained at #7 with a small increase while SBS Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL) jumped six places to #8 with its best performance since FEBRUARY.

Seattle-Tacoma: In The KUOW

Ever since assuming command of the 6+ demo in AUGUST, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW has been a model of consistency.  The station was #1 again with its best share since FEBRUARY (6.3-6.5).  HUBBARD Top 40/M KQMV (MOVIN) was flat and steady at #2 (6.0-6.0) but was forced to share the moment with BONNEVILLE Talk KIRO-F (5.7-6.0), which had its best book in over a year.  iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJR-F (THE JET) and HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM) remained tied at #4. THE JET had its highest share since JUNE (4.9-5.3) while WARM regained most of last month’s loss (4.9-5.3).

KQMV has had quite the three-book 25-54 run.  The station was #1 again but with its largest share since JUNE.  With #2 ENTERCOM Active Rock KISW being off slightly, the two were now over two shares apart.  KJR-F moved up a couple of spots to #3 with its highest total since MAY.  The ENTERCOM DIVESTITURE TRUST Adult Hits KJAQ (JACK) dropped back to #4 as it ended a two-book surge.  KIRO-F slipped to #5 with a flat performance while KUOW remained at #6 but with its highest mark since FEBRUARY.

KQMV was not quite able to duplicate last month’s double-digit 18-34 share but the station was still #1 for the ninth book in a row.  KISW remained at #2 with a slight decrease and was just over a share off the pace.  ENTERCOM Alternative KNDD (THE END) was off slightly at #3 while ENTERCOM Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT) held steady at #4 with its highest score since JUNE.  KJR-F moved up to #5 as it regained most of what it lost last month while ENTERCOM Country KMPS jumped to #6 with its best book since JULY.  HUBBARD Rock KVRQ fell to a tie at #8 as it returned all of last month’s increase plus a little extra.

It was another big 18-49 win for KQMV.  The station has been #1 all year and just posted its biggest share since JUNE.  KISW remained #2 with its lowest score since FEBRUARY and the gap between the two widened to over two and a half shares.  KNDD was steady at #3 with a small increase while KJR-F moved up to #4 with a solid gain.  KIRO-F slipped back to #5 with a flat performance.  KJAQ dropped to #6 as it was flat, as well.  Also moving into the #6 position was KHTP, which advanced four squares with its best outing since JULY.

Phoenix: A Bustle In The Hedgerow

For the seventh consecutive survey, HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX ruled the 6+ roost.  The station was down for the third book in a row (7.2-7.0) but easily outpaces #2 iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9KEZ), which returned half of last month’s increase (6.6-6.2).  ENTERCOM Classic Hits KOOL ended a pretty severe three-book slide (4.4-5.4) to advance four places to #3.  HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD slipped to #4 with its lowest mark since APRIL (5.6-4.9).  Last month’s three-way confab at #4 was broken up.  iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX) dropped to #5 (4.5-4.5) while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KZZP (KISS) slid to #6 (4.5-4.4).  The last remaining member of that trio – iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (THE MOUNTAIN) – ended up at #7 (4.5-4.3).

Ties were all the rage 25-54.  KUPD and KSLX were conjoined at the top of the chart.  Both had down books but still held a large lead over the duo at #3.  KESZ remained in place with a slight decrease while KOOL advanced from #9 as it ended that dramatic three-book slide.  The two stations previously tied at #4 went their separate ways.  KZZP slid to #5 with a small decrease while KMXP dropped to #6 with its lowest share since APRIL.  It was tied – naturally – with HUBBARD Alternative KDKB, which moved up a spot as it slowly rebounded from last month’s devastating hit.

It was a cluster party atop the 18-34 leaderboard that had a bit of a hard edge to it as three HUBBARD stations led the way.  KDKB moved up to #1 as it got back most of what it surrendered last time.  KUPD stepped back to #2 with its second straight down book.  KSLX advanced five squares to #3 with easily its best book in over a year.  ENTERCOM Top 40/M KALV (LIVE 101.5) moved up three slots to #4 as it, too, copped its best share in over a year.  KESZ dropped back to #5 as it returned a good portion of last month’s increase.  KZZP took a couple of steps back to #6 with its lowest share since the maids were a-milking.  The two stations formerly known as #5 broke up and sank.  KMXP dropped to a tie at #9 with its lowest mark since the lords were a-leaping while RIVIERA Top 40/R KKFR (POWER) turned it down to a tie at #11 with its lowest total in over a year.

The rock troika led the way 18-49, as well.  KUPD remained on top but with its lowest share since APRIL.  KSLX moved up three places to #2 with its best showing since MARCH.  KDKB dropped back to #3 despite a small increase.  KOOL took four steps forward to #4 with its highest mark since JULY.  The two stations previously paired at #2 remained an item but fell to #5.  KMXP was down for the fifth book in a row while KESZ simply returned all of last month’s increase.

Minneapolis-St.Paul: The Vikings Invasion

You know, when your local NFL team is having a good season, it can be a boon for the radio flagship.  Witness iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (KFAN).  The station was #1 6+ for the second straight survey (7.3-7.2).  However, it was hearing footsteps as HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) moved up to a very close #2 with its best book since JULY (6.9-7.1).  iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KDWB slipped back to #3 with its lowest score since MAY (7.0-6.8).  CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS was flat and happy at #4 (6.5-6.5).  iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL) – the ghost of CHRISTMAS future – held steady at #5 (6.3-6.4).

The top five 25-54 was essentially unchanged from last month.  KFXN repeated at #1 with a small decrease and maintained a slim margin over #2 KSTP, which was also off a bit.  KQRS was also off slightly but not far behind at #3.  These three stations were within a half share of each other.  KDWB became the sole proprietor of the #4 position with a small increase.  This pushed CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) back to #5 as it was off slightly.
This is a rare occurrence.  The top three 18-34 stations all crashed through the double-digit barrier.  This is a regular occurrence for KDWB and the station maintained its stranglehold on the demo.  KXXR was up to #2 with its fifth double-digit performance of the year.  KFXN was in doubles for the second book in a row but slid back to #3.  KSTP was alone again at #4 as it ended a two-book run.  ENTERCOM Country KMNB (BUZ’N) held on at #5 as it ended a two-book surge.  But, really, this demo is a three-team race.

While the 18-49 top shares were not quite as stratospheric as in the previous demo, they were still quite large.  KDWB was #1 for the eleventh book in a row and had a half share edge over #2 KXXR, which had a small increase.  About a share behind those two was KSTP, which moved up to #3 with a slight increase.  This forced KFXN to retreat to #4 as it was off slightly.  KQQL moved up to #5 as it regained last month’s loss.  KQRS was stable at #6 with a slight decrease and was joined by MPR AAA KCMP, which was up two slots with its highest share in over a year.  ENTERCOM Adult Hits KZJK (JACK) dropped to #8 with its lowest score in over a year.

As always, the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. appreciate the time you take to peruse these analyses.  If you have any questions, comments, or critiques, reach out to Joel … or you can contact us via the platforms listed below.  We’ll be back in a month to see how Santa has shaken things up. 

Email: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
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