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Research Director, Inc.: Exclusive January PPM Analysis For Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix And Minneapolis
February 18, 2016
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Detroit: This Just In...
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Proving once again, the rule of threes, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC., in conjunction with the data diviners from XTRENDS, present another round of JANUARY ratings analysis. A fresh group of markets under the RDI microscope. For those who have not been keeping up, this survey covered DECEMBER 31 through JANUARY 27. It was notable for the lack of holiday music and severe weather in some markets. How it all played out will be revealed now.
Detroit: This Just In...
This was one of those markets that had two big stations succumb to the wiles of Father Christmas. Their combined share 6+ was a 21.5 and that fell to an 11.3 this time so that freed up a lot of listening. CBS RADIO News WWJ-A moved to #1 (5.8-7.8) but that could have been more weather-related. Nonetheless, it was the station’s best book since FEBRUARY. GREATER MEDIA Classic Rock WCSX advanced to #2 (6.5-6.8), its best book in over a year. But wait, there’s more. GREATER MEDIA Active Rock WRIF jumped from #6 to #3 (5.3-6.1). The holiday leader – iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC – lost almost two-thirds of its share (14.6-4.7) to fall to #4.
Last year the station was tied at #7 with a 4.8 share. The other station featuring the holiday stylings of LEROY ANDERSON was CBS RADIO Classic Hits WOMC. Its loss was less dramatic (6.9-5.6) but was good enough to drop the station three spots to #5. There it was tied by CUMULUS Talk WJR-A, which moved up a slot (4.8-5.6). Keep in mind that CBS RADIO Sports WXYT-F (THE TICKET) is not reflected here as their numbers have not been released publicly.
Last survey, the big guy ended WRIF’s six-book winning streak 25-54. He’s gone and that helped the station to land its best book in over a year and move back to the top spot. It held a commanding lead over WCSX, which advanced to #2 with a healthy increase. WNIC again lost about two-thirds of its previous share and dropped to #3. That was a far sight better than last year when the station ended up at #12. Three cluster siblings ended up tied at #4. iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX) was flat but still stepped up from #6. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKQI (CHANNEL 955) took a step forward with a solid gain while iHEARTMEDIA Urban WJLB moved in from #9 with its highest share since SEPTEMBER. WOMC dropped three places to a tie at #8 with its lowest number since APRIL.
For the second time in the last fourteen surveys, WRIF hit double digits 18-34. It also moved back to #1 after a two-book hiatus. WKQI had its best performance since OCTOBER to advance two squares to #2. However, it trailed the market leader by three shares. WJLB remained at #3 with a solid increase while CUMULUS AC WDVD inched up to #4 with its best book since JULY. Two stations joined the top five at the same time. CBS RADIO Top 40/M WDZH (AMP) moved up two spots with its largest share since SEPTEMBER while WGPR INC Urban AC WGPR took one step forward just by being flat. Not surprisingly, WNIC dropped about two-thirds of its share and fell to #7 – a better fate than last year’s tie at #10. WOMC lost share but remained at #8.
There was all sorts of movement 18-49. WRIF hit double digits here, too, and moved back to #1 after a brief respite. WDVD jumped from a tie at #7 to #2 with a huge increase and was joined in that space by WKQI, which advanced from a tie at #5 with its highest share since JUNE. WJLB repeated at #4 but with a solid gain. WNIC, which fell from the top, landed at #5. A year ago the station landed at #9. WOMC fell five places to #8, which was better than the tie at #12 it had a year ago.
Miami-Ft.Lauderdale-Hollywood: Hot Hits
This is one of the few markets that does not have a full-time, general-market holiday station so JANUARY is just another month – no hangover to contend with. For the first time since APRIL, COX RADIO Urban AC WHQT (HOT) assumed control of the 6+ demo with its highest share in exactly a year (7.6-8.5). This ended the nine-book run at #1 for ENTERCOM AC WLYF (LITE), which slipped back to second (8.3-8.0). And then, there was everyone else. UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR) remained at #3 (5.7-6.0) while COX RADIO AC WFEZ (EASY) was on cruise control at #4 with its best book since SEPTEMBER (5.5-5.8). SBS Tropical WCMQ (CLASICA) moved up to #5 with its fourth up book in a row (4.6-4.9) while cluster mate SBS Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL) slid back to a tie at #7 (4.8-4.3).
Though it was flat, WHQT managed to secure its fourth consecutive win with 25-54 and maintained a wide lead over the rest of the field. WLYF was #2 again but trailed the leader by over two shares. Two stations moved up to join forces at #3. WAMR moved up from #6 with its highest score since MARCH while COX RADIO Urban WEDR (99JAMZ) advanced from #7 with a solid increase. Then, there were three at #5. WFEZ was the incumbent and was off a bit.
UNIVISION Tropical WRTO (MIX) dropped back a spot with its smallest number since JUNE and WXDJ fell back from #3 with its lowest share since JULY. WCMQ became part of the conversation by moving up to #8 with its best book in over a year.
For the eleventh book in a row, WEDR was #1 18-34 and though WLYF moved up to #2 with a solid gain, the margin between the two was a full share. WHQT took a step forward to #3 with its highest total in over a year while iHEARTMEDIA Urban WMIB (THE BEAT) dropped two slots to #4 with its smallest share since AUGUST. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHYI (Y100) has been on an up-and-down swing for the last several surveys. This one was up and moved the station to #5. That also displaced CBS RADIO Top 40/R WPOW (POWER), which slid back to #6 with its lowest score in over a year.
It remained a horse race at the top of the 18-49 chart. WHQT was up slightly at #1 while WLYF was down slightly at #2. WEDR inched closer at #3 with a solid increase, and there were two stations locking horns at #4. WRTO remained in place with its lowest share since MAY while WAMR took two steps forward with its highest score since MARCH. WXDJ dropped back to #6 with its least productive outing since MAY.
Seattle-Tacoma: Movin’ Day
After taking a short holiday-inspired break, HUBBARD Top 40/M KQMV (MOVIN) returned to the top of the 6+ chart with its highest share in over a year (6.8-7.7). This was the station’s tenth win in the last fourteen books. The two stations lodged at #2 were well behind the leader.
BONNEVILLE Talk KIRO-F was flat (5.6-5.6) but still moved up a spot while CBS RADIO Classic Rock KZOK moved up two places thanks to a noticeably large increase (4.5-5.6). The station with the holiday jams was HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM). It saw much share disappear (13.4-5.5) as it slid to #4. A year ago it had a similar share (5.6) and that was good for #2. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJR-F (THE JET) ended a four-book slide (4.5-4.8) but still fell back to #5. The lack of BING CROSBY tunes on the radio was a boon for CBS RADIO Country KMPS. The station had its best outing since OCTOBER (3.1-4.0) to advance eight places to #7. There was a second holiday-infused outlet – CRISTA Christian Contemporary KCMS (SPIRIT). It dropped seven places to a tie at #15 (3.5-3.1).
KQMV announced its 25-54 presence with authority as it re-acquired the lead with a double-digit share. The station came oh so close to the double-digit feat in NOVEMBER and DECEMBER and finally crashed through. ENTERCOM Active Rock KISW moved up to #2 with its best book since OCTOBER but was still three full shares in arrears. KRWM lost more than half its share as it dropped to #3. This was a much better outcome than a year ago when the station landed at #10.
KZOK had a healthy increase and rose three places to #4 where it was partnered with ENTERCOM Alternative KNDD (THE END), which took one step forward with its highest share in over a year. KIRO-F fell two places to #6 with a slight decrease while KJR-F dropped two spots to #7 with its lowest cruising altitude since MAY. KCMS actually ended a two-book slide and moved up a couple of notches to a tie at #9.
It was another huge performance for KQMV. This time it racked up double digits 18-34 to move back to #1. This was the fourth time in the last fourteen books that the station passed that magical threshold. KISW moved up to #2 with its best performance since OCTOBER and trailed the leader by just over a share. KNDD moved up a spot and into a tie at #3 as it rebounded from last book’s drop. It shared the space with KRWM, which lost a little less than half its share. A year ago the station was positioned in a tie at #9. The station formerly known as KUBE – iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KPWK – remained at #5 with its highest share since SEPTEMBER. All the dial-and-format changes the market witnessed came towards the end of the survey so it really won’t be until the FEBRUARY survey when we see how it all sorted out.
For the third time in the last four surveys, KQMV passed the double-digit barrier 18-49 and this was its highest total yet. KISW moved up a slot to #2 with a solid gain while KNDD advanced to #3 with a nice increase. KRWM lost more than half its share and dropped to #4, which was a vast improvement over last year’s #11 (tied) finish. There were four – count ‘em – four stations claiming to be #5. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KBKS (KISS) – now a Hot AC – moved up from #10 while KPWK advanced from #11 with its highest share since SEPTEMBER. KJR-F took four steps forward while ENTERCOM Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT) rose three places with a small increase.
Phoenix: No Yule, No Problem
Despite all the hype and massive ratings gains iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9KEZ) receives each year, the results generally remain the same. The station was #1 6+ despite losing a ton of share (16.5-7.9) and was in a far stronger position than last year when it was – of course – #1 but with a measly 6.0 share. The next three positions on the chart remained unchanged. HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX was #2 with a slight increase (5.8-5.9). Cluster bro’ HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD came in at #3 with its best performance since MAY (4.8-5.3). CBS RADIO Classic Hits KOOL was #4 as it bounced back from the holiday devastation (4.5-5.1). iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (THE MOUNTAIN) moved up to #5 with its highest score in over a year (4.2-4.8). This dropped fellow clusterman iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX) back to #6 (4.3-4.4). That space was shared with yet another cluster member – iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KZZP (KISS). It moved up from #10 with its best book since MAY (3.6-4.4).
Prior to Santa’s arrival, KUPD had put together a string of seven consecutive #1 25-54 books. After a couple of surveys off, the station returned to the top with its highest score since JUNE. KESZ lost more than half its share and stepped back to #2. This was the same position it found itself in last year but this time it was over a share heftier. KYOT remained at #3 with a modest gain while KZZP moved up two spots to #4 with its highest share since APRIL. KSLX dropped back to #5 with its lowest share since APRIL. KOOL had a nice increase to move up to #6 while KMXP fell two slots to #7 despite a modest gain.
Things were moving all over the place 18-34. KZZP had its best book in over a year and moved up to #1. KESZ lost just under half its share to drop back to #2. That’s the same as last year but it was a little beefier this time. RIVIERA Top 40/R KKFR (POWER) moved up to #3 with its best performance in over a year while CBS RADIO Top 40/M KZON (LIVE 101.5) slipped back to #4 with its lowest total since AUGUST. KYOT was steady at #5 with a solid gain and was joined by CBS RADIO Country KMLE, which moved in from #8 as it bounced back nicely from the holiday effect. FARMWORKER Regional Mexican KNAI (LA CAMPESINA) had its highest share in over a year to advance four squares to #7. iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX had its lowest score in over a year and dropped six spots to a tie at #10.
After taking a couple of books off, KUPD returned to more familiar surroundings at #1 18-49. It also scored its best share since SEPTEMBER. KESZ lost about half its share as it stepped back to #2. A year ago it ended up in a tie at #3. KZZP moved up to #3 with its best share since APRIL while KYOT slid back to #4 despite posting its best number since JULY. KKFR took two steps forward to #5 with its largest share in over a year. KNAI moved up six places to #6 with its best book in over a year and was joined by KSLX, which dropped a spot by being flat. KZON fell three places to #8 with only a small decrease.
Minneapolis-St.Paul: See Ya Santa
And, don’t let the damper hit you in the butt on the way up. There were two CHRISTMAS stations in town and the clear leader was iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL). However, the aftermath was not pretty as the station lost almost ten shares (16.5-6.6) to drop to #4. (It was #2 with a 7.3 a year ago.) This was good news for the rest of the market – especially HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95). The station roared to #1 with easily its best book in over a year (6.3-9.7) to open up a massive lead over the rest of the market. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KDWB had its best book since OCTOBER (6.0-6.9) to advance three squares to #2. iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (KFAN) rebounded well (6.3-6.7) but stepped back to the #3 point line (sorry). iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K-102) ended a two-book slide and moved up to #5 (5.9-6.5). The other holiday-themed station was UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST.PAUL Christian Contemporary KTIS. It actually went up after all the hoopla (5.6-6.4) and moved up to #6. CBS RADIO Adult Hits KZJK (JACK) saw its three-book surge come to an end (6.1-5.4) as it fell four places to #8.
It was quite the 25-54 story for KSTP. The station increased its share by a third as it rose from #6 to #1 – missing double digits by this much (see fingers spread apart). However, this was not the station’s best performance in the last year as it did pass the double-digit threshold in MAY and JUNE. KFXN was flat and a solid #2. KEEY remained at #3 but with a nice increase while KDWB advanced three places to #4 with its first up book in over a year. KZJK dropped back to #5 as it lost a chunk of share. CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS was down for the third consecutive survey and slipped back to #6. KQQL lost about nine shares and fell from #1 to #8. A year ago it landed at #6. KTIS was up but did not move from the #9 position.
The only thing that can keep KDWB from being #1 18-34 with double-digit shares has left the building. The station ended a three-book slide this time. CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) moved up to #2 with its best book since AUGUST while KEEY remained at #3 with a small increase. KSTP had its highest share since OCTOBER to move five paces forward to #4. CBS RADIO Country KMNB (BUZ’N) moved up to #5 with a strong increase. There were three stations well off the pace at #6. KZJK lost some share but remained in place while KFXN moved up a spot by being flat. KTIS took four steps forward with its best performance in over a year. KQQL lost about two-thirds of its HOLIDAY share and dropped ten places to #11. Last year it hit #12.
KDWB returned to the top spot 18-49 after a three-book hiatus that saw the station post some of its lowest numbers ever. KSTP jumped five places to #2 with its best performance since SEPTEMBER. KFXN was off a bit and dropped back to #3 while KEEY took a step forward to #4 with a solid increase. KXXR also took a step up to #5 with a strong gain while KZJK dropped to #6 with a modest decrease. KQQL fell from #1 to #10. A year ago it was in a tie at #8. KTIS had its highest share since JUNE but could not turn it up from #11.
Thank you for rolling with us on the JANUARY survey. The Ratings Experts will now go into hiding for another month. However, we can easily be found through a variety of platforms in case you wanted to discuss your ratings situation.
Email: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
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