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Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive Holiday PPM Analysis For New York, L.A., Chicago, San Francisco, and Dallas-Ft. Worth
January 21, 2014
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. NEW YORK: A String Of Lites
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ALL ACCESS presents HOLIDAY PPM market highlights, compiled by the ratings experts at RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. and powered by XTRENDS, radio's #1 PPM and diary analysis tool. All numbers reflect subscriber-only data.
By now, the lights have come down, the NEW YEAR&rsqauo;s resolutions have been broken and the credit card bills have tragically landed in your mail box. The ghosts of CHRISTMAS past are but a fading memory. But, what to our wondering eyes should appear? None other than that magical, mystical thirteenth NIELSEN month known as the HOLIDAY book. This year’s edition covered 12/5/13 through 1/1/14 with week three ending on CHRISTMAS day, which means a full three-fourths of the survey were covered by the evil BURL IVES and his henchelves.
So, hop aboard the turntable and step into CHRISTMAS with the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.
NEW YORK: A String Of Lites
There was certainly a twinkle in the collective eyes of the folks at CCM+E AC WLTW (LITE FM). Of course, the station was #1 for the fifth straight book with a share (7.6-11.9) that was a bit larger than last year’s (11.3). YMF MEDIA Urban AC WBLS ended a three-book surge (6.8-6.1) but still managed to hold on to the #2 spot for the second – also for the fifth straight survey. CBS RADIO Classic Hits WCBS-F picked up its lowest number in over a year (5.1-4.8) yet was able to move up one rung to #3. CCM+E Top 40/M WHTZ (Z100) had its lowest total in exactly one year – perhaps a holiday effect? The station dropped one spot to #4 (5.2-4.7). SBS Tropical WSKQ (LA MEGA) held on at #5 despite posting its lowest number since JUNE (4.6-4.4). CBS RADIO News WCBS-A reversed a three-book slide (3.3-3.8) and was rewarded with a jump from #12 to #7.
The HOLIDAY hoopla continued as expected 25-54 as WLTW was #1 with a huge double-digit share that exceeded its total from the previous season. WBLS was off slightly yet bumped itself up a spot to #2 – the first time the station has ranked that high in this demo since the last HOLIDAY period. WSKQ also experienced a bit of a holiday let down but still moved forward one square to #3. Once again, WHTZ had its lowest book in exactly a year (we’re sensing a cause and effect here) to slip two places to #4. CCM+E Top 40/M WKTU remained at #5 with its lowest total since MARCH and was in a felt-footed tie with cluster brother CCM+E Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3), which moved up from #6 despite posting its lowest performance in exactly a year. As we approach the launch anniversary of CUMULUS Country WNSH (NASH FM), we found the station down for the second straight month as it moved from a tie at #17 to #19.
If sleigh bells rang, 18-34 was listening as WLTW moved from a tie at #3 to #1. It accomplished the same feat a year ago with a slightly larger share. WHTZ slipped to #2 with its lowest share in over a year – a full three points below what it had as recently as OCTOBER. Flying in the face of the blowing snow, CCM+E Urban WWPR (POWER) bounced back from a down book to move up three spots to #3. WSKQ, which has lost quite a bit of share over the last two surveys, posted its lowest number since APRIL to drop two notches to #4. EMMIS Top 40/R WQHT (HOT) remained at #5 but it was not roasting too many chestnuts as the station unwrapped its lowest total in over a year.
WLTW really shone bright 18-49. Of course, it was #1 but it posted the highest number of any of the four demos analyzed and easily beat last year’s bounty. WHTZ again posted its lowest number in over a year but held on at #2 while WSKQ moved up a spot to #3 despite earning its lowest number since APRIL. WBLS took a bit of a hit and slid one place to #4. WKTU took an even bigger hit and dropped from a tie at #4 into a tie at #5 with WWPR, which had its best book since MARCH to move up from #9.
LOS ANGELES: He Can Take The Freeway Down
Need evidence of the power of the CLAUS? CCM+E AC KOST almost tripled its share since it began with all the ho-ho-ho-ing. This time the station moved 6.3-10.4 to remain at #1 and eclipse last year’s 10.2 share. This meant that the top three spots in the standings were occupied by the same cluster. CCM+E Hot AC KBIG (MY FM) remained at #2 while posting its lowest number in exactly a year (5.4-5.0) while CCM+E Top 40/M KIIS (KISS FM) did the exact same thing to remain at #3 (5.2-4.9). EMMIS Top 40/R KPWR (POWER) held on at #4 (4.6-4.4) and is almost a full share stronger than it was a year ago. There was a bit of a swap within the same cluster at the bottom of this order. CBS RADIO Top 40/M KAMP (AMP) was up slightly (4.0-4.1) to move from #6 to #5, trading spaces with CBS RADIO Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH), which had its lowest total since AUGUST (4.1-3.5).
It looked like the egg nog really kicked in 25-54 as KOST moved up to the top spot with a number that – again – is almost triple what it had in NOVEMBER. This year’s harvest was just slightly bigger than last. KBIG dropped back to #2 with its lowest number in over a year and was tied with cluster sister KIIS, which moved up from #3 and seemed unaffected by the holiday hoo-ha. CBS RADIO Alternative KROQ was flat to remain at #4 while KPWR was off slightly to drop a spot to #5.
When you add almost six shares to your total in two months, something must be going on. KOST was a lord a-leaping as it moved from #6 to #1 18-34, just barely beating last year’s number. KIIS was off a bit – but not dramatically – to slide back to #2 while KPWR was in a similar position as it dropped to #3. KAMP was actually flat to remain at #4 where it was joined in song by KBIG, which slipped from #3 with its lowest note since JUNE. KROQ dropped out of the top 5, landing at #6 with a slight down trend.
Any guess who the market leader 18-49 was? If you selected KOST – you win! The station moved up from #4 and just barely beat its total from 2012. KIIS was down just a little to move back to #2 while KPWR saw its three-book surge end as it remained at #3. KBIG again had its lowest book since the last time the reindeer were prancing and dropped two spots to #4. Last month’s tie at #5 was broken. KAMP was up slightly to take control of the position while KROQ was flat and fell to #6.
CHICAGO: Whizzing Like A Saber Jet
Behold the power of FROSTY. In NOVEMBER, CCM+E newly minted Hot AC WLIT (MY FM) was languishing at #12 with a 3 share. Then, SANTA came to town and after his most recent visit, he left the station at #1 (6.5-11.6). This was a far larger present than he left last year when the station was #1 with a paltry 10 share. Cluster brother CCM+E Urban AC WVAZ abdicated the top spot for the first time in exactly one year (6.7-6.4) as it took a step down to #2. CBS RADIO News WBBM-A was down for the third straight survey (5.9-5.6) but held on at #3. At this point, the gap between the top three stations and the rest of the market widens, with stations four through ten separated by a single share. CCM+E Urban WGCI was flat (4.3-4.3) to remain at #4. Meanwhile, HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (MIX) continued its typically trending, eight-month slide (4.3-4.0) and dropped from a tie at #4 to #5. The station was in a similar position a year ago but rebounded quickly.
Man, this figgy pudding packs quite the punch. WLIT moved from #3 to #1 25-54 and almost quadrupled its share from NOVEMBER. It also eclipsed last year’s total by almost a full share. While WTMX was down for the third straight book to remain at #2, it is still over a full share stronger than it was at this point last year. WVAZ had its lowest book since SEPTEMBER to actually fall two places to #3 – this, after moving up to #1 for the first time in over a year. WGCI had its best book in over a year to remain at #4 and was dangerously close to passing WVAZ. Two Top 40s swapped spots. CBS RADIO Top 40/M WBBM-F (B96) was up slightly to move up a spot to #5, switching places with CCM+E Top 40/M WKSC (KISS), which scored its lowest book since JUNE.
Wow, WLIT more than quadrupled its 18-34 share from NOVEMBER as it moved from a tie at #5 to #1. Its share also was significantly higher than last year’s. WGCI was flat but saw its seven-book run at #1 come to a stop as it dipped to #2. WBBM-F was also flat and also dropped a spot – in this case to #3. WKSC had its lowest book since MARCH to step back one place to #4 while CRAWFORD Urban WPWX (POWER) moved back one spot to #5 with its lowest total since FEBRUARY. WVAZ had been on a roll but lost a full share to drop out of a tie at #5 to land into a tie at #6.
In NOVEMBER, WLIT was tied at #14 18-49. The results of this most recent survey revealed that the station exactly quadrupled its shares since then as it climbed from #2 to #1. As we have seen in the other demos, WLIT significantly outpaced itself from last year. WGCI had its best book in over a year – a full two shares better than 2012 – yet still dropped from #1 to #2. WTMX managed to move up a spot to #3 despite posting its lowest number in over a year. There was the three-way Yule logjam at #4. WVAZ slipped from #3 with its lowest score since SEPTEMBER while WKSC moved up from #5 despite its second straight down book. WBBM-F had the exact same share for three out of the last four books and moved up from #6.
SAN FRANCISCO: Santa’s Big Scene
Even though there were two stations enjoying the holiday spirit, ENTERCOM AC KOIT took home the prize as it moved from a tie at #3 to #1 (4.9-8.9). What was even better news was that this was noticeably higher than last season’s 7.8 share. CBS RADIO News KCBS-A saw its six-book stay at the top come to an end (5.1-4.8) as it slid to #2 with its lowest number since JUNE. Cluster sister CBS RADIO Top 40/M KMVQ (NOW) also had its lowest share since JUNE (5.0-4.5) and dropped from #2 into a tie at #3 with KQED INC N/T KQED, which was in the same position the station occupied the previous month (4.9-4.5). CCM+E Top 40/R KMEL was completely flat (3.8-3.8) yet moved up a spot to #5 while UNIVISION Spanish Adult Hits KBRG dropped out of the top 5 (4.0-3.6) to land at #7. The other CHRISTMAS playah is technically from SAN JOSE – NEXTMEDIA Hot AC KBAY – but it did benefit from the spreading of the holiday cheer as it rose from a tie at #20 into a tie at #12 (2.0-2.6).
On every street corner, at least those occupied by 25-54s, you were hearing KOIT as the station jumped from #4 to #1. This year’s score was significantly larger than 2012’s. KMVQ saw its three-book run at #1 come to an end as it slipped to #2 while KQED had its lowest total since AUGUST to drop a spot to #3. KBRG moved from #3 to #4 but is still way ahead of last year’s pace when it clocked in at a tie at #15. Last month’s fifth-place tie was broken. CCM+E Rhythmic AC KISQ (KISS) was up slightly to remain in place while CCM+E Hot AC KIOI (STAR) faded a bit as it posted its lowest number in over a year to slip to #6.
There was a SCROOGE-like tinge to the 18-34 results as the jolly guy did not end up on top. KMEL may have landed its lowest book in over a year but it still claimed the #1 crown. KOIT made a valiant effort – moving from #6 to #2 – but still fell noticeably short. Still, compared to last year KOIT was over two shares stronger. CCM+E Top 40/R KYLD (WILD) had its lowest book in over a year to slip a spot to #3 while KMVQ was in the same predicament and dropped to #4. Though KBRG dropped one position to #5, it is still better than where it was in SEPTEMBER when it was tied for #11. UNIVISION Regional Mexican KSOL (ESTEREO SOL) saw its recent two-book surge come to a crashing halt as it dropped from #5 into a tie at #8.
KOIT was all dressed up in holiday style as it took control of the 18-49 demo – rising from #5, with a much larger audience share than last year. KMVQ slipped back to #2 but is still way ahead of where it was last year when it sat at #6. KMEL had its lowest share in over a year to drop a spot to #3 while KBRG dropped to #4 – well ahead of last year when it was tied at #12. KYLD was down for the sixth straight survey yet managed to move up one place to #5. KQED was not as fortunate as it picked up its lowest total since AUGUST to drop two places into a tie at #6.
DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Giddy Up, Let’s Go
This was an interesting market for CHRISTMAS ratings watchers like us. The franchise was controlled for many years by CBS RADIO AC KVIL, and last year the station was #1 with an 8.5. However, a funny thing happened on the way to the NORTH POLE. The franchise was moved to a new locale – CBS RADIO Classic Hits KLUV (K-LOVE) and while the station did move up to #1 this survey, its share was not quite the equal of its stable mate (5.2-7.2). CCM+E Top 40/M KHKS (KISS) moved back to #2 for the first time in a year with its lowest total since JULY (7.9-7.0). Undoubtedly, CUMULUS Country KPLX (THE WOLF) was hunting for venison as the station was flat (5.2-5.2) but dropped from a tie at #2 to #3. Complicating the whole holiday music scene was SALEM Christian Contemporary KLTY – which flipped the switch just before the beginning of the book. It did seem to pay some dividends as the station moved up two spots to #4 (4.4-5.1). SERVICE Urban KKDA (K104) had its best book in over a year (4.6-4.8) to remain at #5. CCM+E Classic Rock KZPS (LONE STAR) had its lowest number since SEPTEMBER (4.9-4.3) to drop three places to #7. And what of last year’s market leader? KVIL was flat (3.4-3.4) to remain at #8.
A year ago at this time KLUV was #17 25-54. Add a little CHRISTMAS magic and – voila – the station is #1, though with a number that was over a share lighter than KVIL’s last year. KHKS predictably dropped a spot to #2 but has a higher number than last year’s. CCM+E Hot AC KDMX (NOW) ended a pretty dramatic five-book slide to jump from #9 to #3. KLTY did not get much lift from all the caroling as the station was flat and dropped from a tie at #3 to #4. With visions of reindeer prey dancing in its head, KPLX was off slightly and dropped from that same tie at #3 to #5. Last month, two stations were tied at #5 but they dropped out of that group this time. KKDA fell to #6 with its lowest book since AUGUST while KZPS landed in a tie at #7 with its lowest total in over a year. KVIL was off slightly but moved up two spots to #17.
Despite the presence of the NORTH POLE warriors, KHKS maintained its hold on the #1 spot 18-34. Surprisingly, SANTA was not #2 as KDMX had a huge book to jump from #4 to #2, which forced KKDA to take one step back as it was down for the second straight book. Finally, the elves landed at #4 as KLUV moved up from a tie at #9. By comparison, last year KVIL settled in at #2 with a larger share. KLTY bounced back from a very bad book to climb three spots to #5. Three stations excused themselves from the top five this survey. KPLX dropped to #6 despite having its best book since SEPTEMBER. RADIO ONE Top 40/R KBFB (THE BEAT) had its lowest number since AUGUST to fall four places to #7. UNIVISION Regional Mexican KLNO (LA QUE BUENA) took a tumble as it slid from a tie at #5 to #10. And, for those playing along at home, KVIL was down a bit but still rose two places to a tie at #13.
A year ago, KHKS took a step back 18-49 to allow SANTA to sit atop the chart. Not this year, as it held on to its #1 ranking for the thirteenth straight book. KLUV was ranked #17 a year ago but thanks to sleigh power, it rose five places to #2 this survey. KDMX had its best performance since APRIL to move up two spots to #3 while KLTY dropped one place to #4 despite a solid book. KKDA had its lowest number since AUGUST to drop three places to #5 while KPLX fell three spots to #6 even though its share grew. KLNO posted its lowest number in over a year and fell from a tie at #5 into a tie at #10. Last year’s market leader KVIL was flat and did not budge from #17.
So concludes round one of our exclusive ratings analysis for ALL ACCESS. As always, we invite you to correct, comment, or elaborate on any of our observations. You can find us in the usual places:
E-mail: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
TWITTER: @ResearchDirectr
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ResearchDirectorInc
Web: www.researchdirectorinc.com
Stay tuned for our next action-splattered edition when we examine the effects of all that fruit cake on HOUSTON-GALVESTON; WASHINGTON, DC; PHILADELPHIA; ATLANTA; and BOSTON. -
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