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Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive Sept. PPM Analysis For Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix And Minneapolis
October 1, 2014
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. DETROIT: Yea, That's The Ticket
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As you peruse our latest round of analyses, keep in mind that The Ratings Experts at RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. can apply the same data mining techniques to your station, as well. Plus, the smarm is added value! You can contact us via the various platforms listed at the end of this diatribe, er, article.
As always, we could not prepare this information without the able assistance of the gang at XTRENDS. You should check them out.
The following reviews are based on the SEPTEMBER survey, which actually covered 8/14-9/10. Keep in mind that the LABOR DAY holiday was smack dab in the middle of week #3 so the results may not be as normal as they usually are.
DETROIT: Yea, That’s The Ticket
There must be a reason why CBS RADIO Sports WXYT-F (THE TICKET) was #1 for the third book in a row (7.6-7.4). It could either be they are the TIGERS’ flagship or they have pictures of JUSTIN VERLANDER. Wait, everyone has pictures of JUSTIN VERLANDER. It must be about the game. And, with the team in the playoffs, this run could continue for a while. CBS RADIO Classic Hits WOMC was flat for the second month in a row (6.8-6.8) but that was good enough to keep it in second place. iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX) bounced back from what appears to have been an anomalous down book (5.3-6.4) to return to more familiar turf at #3. CBS RADIO News WWJ-A was up for the third straight survey (5.9-6.0) but was forced to take a step back to #4. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKQI (CHANNEL 955) had its best book in over a year (5.2-5.3) and moved back into the top five for the first time since MARCH. Things were not as rosy for CBS RADIO Country WYCD. It was down for the third straight book – its lowest share in over a year – to fall two spots to #6 (5.6-4.8). One may wonder (and we did) what effect CUMULUS Country WDRQ (NASH) had on this situation. On the surface, not much. The station remained at #17 but lost share (2.5-2.2). GREATER MEDIA Classic Rock WCSX had its smallest share since MAY (5.5-4.6) to drop two places to a tie at #7.
It may be mere coincidence that the baseball season began in APRIL and that’s exactly when WXYT-F became the #1 station 25-54. It extended the winning streak this survey. WMXD reverted to its previous form as it came back to #2 while GREATER MEDIA Active Rock WRIF had its best book in over a year to remain at #3. WKQI was flat and held on at #4 while WYCD had its lowest share since MARCH to drop three places to #5. WDRQ also dropped a spot – to #17 – with its lowest share since the flip.
We’re beginning to think this was not a particularly good month for Country radio. WYCD fell from a tie at #2 18-34 to #4 with its lowest share since MAY. WDRQ dropped a spot to #16 with its smallest showing since it converted to the format. WKQI remained at #1 but was down for the sixth consecutive survey. It has lost over two-and-a-half shares during that span. WXYT-F remained at #2 with its best book in over a year and came this close to being #1. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WJLB rebounded from its lowest share of the year to move back to #3 while WRIF was up for the second book in a row to move up to #5. WGPR INC Urban WGPR (HOT 107.5) couldn’t quite match its best book of the year from last month and fell two spots to #7.
For the second book in a row, WXYT-F was #1 18-49. That would be a twin killing (hey, we’re here all week). WKQI remained at #2 with its best share since MARCH. WRIF moved forward one step to #3 with its best book in over a year while WJLB stepped up to #4 thanks to a solid increase. WMXD also had its highest score since MARCH to move up two places to #5 while WYCD was down for the third straight book to slip three spots to #6. To complete the Country picture, WDRQ again had its lowest share since embarking on a new sound and dropped two spots to #17.
MIAMI-FT.LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: The Lite Is Brighter
Once again, COX RADIO Urban AC WHQT (HOT) was #1 (7.7-8.1) but, then again, the station is always #1. One of the bigger stories this month was generated by LINCOLN AC WLYF (LITE), which was up for the fourth book in a row (6.2-6.9) and posted its best number in over a year to remain at #2. UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR) also had a nice increase (6.1-6.4) as it held firm at #3. COX RADIO AC WFEZ (EASY) had its best book since APRIL (5.3-5.5) as it continued to occupy #4. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHYI (Y100) rounded out the top five again with its lowest total in over a year (4.5-4.4).
As recently as MAY, WLYF was tied at #9 25-54. Since then, the station has grown every book and this time moved into the captain’s chair at #1 with its best book in over a year. This dropped WHQT back to #2 for the first time in over a year. HOT had its lowest share in over a year and trailed LITE by half a point. WAMR had its best book since DECEMBER but remained at #3 while WFEZ stayed at #4 despite accomplishing its best book in over a year. WHYI was flat and happy at #5. Keep an eye on COX RADIO Top 40/M WFLC (HITS 97.3), which moved up six spots to a tie at #6 with its best share in exactly a year.
Last month’s tie at the top in 18-34 was broken. COX RADIO Urban WEDR remained in place – its third straight #1 book – with a slight increase. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WMIB (THE BEAT) ended its three-book surge and landed back at #4. There was a tie for second place. BEASLEY Top 40/R WPOW (POWER) had a slight increase to move up from #4 while WHYI was flat as it arose from #3. WHQT had a solid increase and returned to the top five for the first time in four months. iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WMGE (MEGA) dropped to #6 with its lowest share since MAY. WFLC had a solid book in its target demo as it moved from #12 to #9.
The turnaround of WLYF has been nothing short of amazing. It was #1 18-49 for the second straight survey but as recently as MAY it was at #10. WHQT was up for the third book in a row and had its best book since FEBRUARY as it moved forward one square to #2. Two stations were joined at the hip at #3. WHYI slipped from #2 with a flat book while WFEZ moved up from a tie at #5 with its best book in over a year. WEDR dropped a spot to #5 despite a slight increase. WPOW was also up slightly but had to take a step back to #6. WFLC continued its growth spurt as it moved from #12 to #8.
SEATTLE-TACOMA: Move Along
HUBBARD Top 40/M KQMV (MOVIN) has placed a virtual stranglehold on the market. The station was #1 for the third month in a row (6.2-6.3) and held a commanding lead over its nearest challengers. Part of the reason for this has been due to the fact that most of the pursuers have regressed while KQMV has continued to grow. ENTERCOM Active Rock KISW had its best book since MAY (4.9-5.0) to move up two spots to #2. ENTERCOM Country KKWF (THE WOLF) remained at #3 despite a bit of slippage (5.0-4.8). HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM) was likely having visions of roasting chestnuts as it dropped two spots to a tie at #4 with its lowest share since NOVEMBER (5.8-4.6). Though there was only one regular season game within this survey, it is likely the power of the shield that contributed to the gain for BONNEVILLE Talk KIRO-F. The station had its best book since MARCH (4.3-4.6) to move up three places into a tie at #4. CRISTA Christian Contemporary KCMS (SPIRIT) was flat (4.5-4.5) as it dropped to a tie at #6. BONNEVILLE Sports KIRO-A used the ultimately futile playoff push by the MARINERS to score its best book in over a year (3.7-4.5) as it moved up three spots to claim a share of the #6 spot. This was the first book in the post-BOB RIVERS era for iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJR-F (THE JET). The station was up slightly (3.7-3.8) but dropped two places to a tie at #11.
Last month, KISW unseated KQMV as the #1 station 25-54. This month, MOVIN returned the favor with its best share in over a year. KKWF remained a solid #3 despite a small loss of share while KIRO-F marched up the field two places to #4 with its best showing since MARCH. Three stations were rubbing elbows at #5. KCMS moved in from #7 with a modest increase. Two cluster mates that were tied at #4 last time dropped into this three-way from above. CBS RADIO Classic Rock KZOK was off for the second straight book while CBS RADIO Adult Hits KJAQ (JACK FM) was down the exact same amount. Otherwise they wouldn’t still be tied. It’s a math thing. KIRO-A advanced four places in the standings to #8 thanks to MLB. It was the station’s best book in over a year. Of course, it’s the first time in several years that the hometown nine were playing meaningful games during this time frame.
The same three stations that occupied the top three spots in the previous two demos were at it again 18-34. KQMV was #1 for the fifth book in a row with a small decrease. KISW and KKWF swapped roles as the former had its best book since MAY while the latter was off for the second month in a row. This would mark the third book that ENTERCOM Alternative KNDD (THE END) had been promoting the #2MinutePromise. The station remained at #4. Though the shares have fallen since the first month, the station is still well above its previous threshold. The two cluster brothers who were tied at #5 last time were united no more. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R KUBE remained in place with a slight loss while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KBKS (KISS) dropped to #6 with its smallest total in over a year.
Make it five in a row at #1 18-49 for KQMV as the station posted its best number in over a year. The most recent share is a full two points higher than last year’s. KISW remained at #2 with a slight increase while KKWF was down slightly but held on at #3. KCMS used a small gain to jump two spots to #4. There was a meeting of the minds at #5. KJAQ remained in place with a slight decrease while KBKS posted a modest gain and moved up from #9. ENTERCOM Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT) could not hold on to the strong gain it had last month and dropped four places to #8.
PHOENIX: KOOL As The Other Side Of The Pillow
CBS RADIO Classic Hits KOOL was flat this survey (6.2-6.2). However, that was plenty good enough for the station to capture its third straight #1 crown. The next three spots were the sole province of one particular cluster. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX) ended a two-book slide (4.7-5.1) to move up a couple of ranks to #2. iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9KEZ) dropped a spot to #3 with its lowest share in over a year (5.5-4.9). iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX was also flat (4.8-4.8) but dropped back to #4. HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX remained at #5 with a slight increase. iHEARTMEDIA Talk KFYI-A was up again (4.4-4.5) and claimed sole possession of the #6 slot.
There aren’t very many markets where an Active Rock station leads the brigade 25-54 – PHILADELPHIA comes to mind. But, HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD just did it for the third book in a row – and the fourth time in the last five. It also scored its highest share in over a year. KNIX had its best book since APRIL to remain at #2 while KMXP jumped two places to #3 as it ended a two-book slide. KSLX dropped back to #4 even though it, too, ended a two-book slide. iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (THE MOUNTAIN) bounced back from a down book and moved back to #5 while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KZZP (KISS) dropped three spots to a tie at #6 with its smallest number in exactly one year. CBS RADIO Country KMLE was on the move as it advanced five spots to that tie at #6 with its highest total in over a year.
This was the sixth straight #1 18-34 win for KUPD. Even with a slight loss of share, it maintained a healthy advantage over RIVIERA Top 40/R KKFR (POWER), which had its highest share since MARCH but remained at #2. KMLE moved up a spot to #3 with its best showing in over a year. It was a mere two books ago that the station was in a tie at #11. KMXP rebounded from last month’s weak book to move ahead two places to #4. KZZP was up slightly but stayed at #5. CBS RADIO Top 40/M KZON (LIVE 101.5) had its lowest share since sleigh bells were a-jingling and fell three places to a tie at #6. KYOT had quite the month as it scaled from #18 to a tie at #9.
KUPD continued to grow. It posted its best 18-49 share since the beginning of the year and copped the #1 slot for the third straight book. KNIX was still #2 as it ended a two-book slide while KMXP moved up to #3 with another rebound effort. KYOT landed its biggest share in over a year as it moved up two spots to #4. KZZP was down slightly as it dropped two places to a tie at #5. The other resident at #5, KMLE, leapt four spots, and has been steadily increasing its share since JANUARY, gaining nearly two shares in the process. Like KZZP, KKFR also performed the two-step drop but it ended up at #7.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST.PAUL: Order Has Been Restored
Last month, one of the seven signs was fulfilled as iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KDWB dropped from the top spot. And, since that was the second time in the last five months, everyone was looking for locusts. Well, we can all stand down – at least temporarily – as the station returned to #1 even though it posted its lowest share in over a year (7.9-7.5). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL) had its best FROSTY-free book in over a year (7.0-7.4) to move up to #2. Last month’s leader – CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS – fell two places to #3 with its smallest number since FEBRUARY (8.1-7.1). CBS RADIO Country KMNB (BUZ’N) cracked the top five for the first time since NOVEMBER as it moved up to #4 (6.3-6.8). HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) dropped back to #5 with its fifth straight down (or flat) book (6.8-6.7). CBS RADIO Adult Hits KZJK (JACK FM) also had its lowest share since FEBRUARY and dropped back into a tie at #6 (6.4-6.3) with iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K102), which remained in place with a flat book (6.3-6.3).
After a two-book hiatus, KDWB returned to the lead position 25-54 – even though it had its smallest share in over a year. KSTP was flat yet managed to advance two places to #2. KZJK was down for the third month in a row but remained at #3, though it was tied with KQRS, which dropped from the lead with its smallest output since FEBRUARY. KQQL also dipped slightly but did not move from the #5 hole.
Yes, KDWB did have its smallest 18-34 share in over a year. And, yes it was down for the sixth book in a row. But, it was still #1 and still had a double-digit share. That said, CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) returned to double digits after a two-month absence and trailed the leader by just over a point. Could there be a true battle brewing here? KMNB and KZJK switched places as the former was up a bit while the latter was down an equal bit. There was another swap in the rankings. KSTP was up to #5 with a small decrease while KEEY dropped to #6 with its lowest share since MARCH.
This marked the second month in a row that KDWB did not post a double-digit share 18-49. Still, it maintained its #1 standing with a solid lead over KXXR, which moved up to #2 while ending a two-book slide. KZJK fell back to #3 with its lowest number since FEBRUARY. Two stations were spending time together at #4. KSTP dropped from #3 with its lowest share since JANUARY while KMNB bounced back from a down book to move up from a tie at #5.
Thus ends our analysis of the SEPTEMBER survey. Questions, comments, complaints? Feel free to contact us via the listed platforms. See you next month when we explore the wilds of OCTOBER.
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