PPM Data – Round One. Information for the February 2016 ratings period has been released for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union.
Nielsen Audio's February 2016 survey covered January 28 – February 24.
RadioInfo managing editor
Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from these 12-
PPM markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1)
New York – Back-to-back benchmarks for
Spanish Broadcasting System's WSKQ: This time last month, "Mega
97.9″ crossed the six-share threshold (6+) for the first time ever in its
PPM-history; now, the Spanish tropical registers its inaugural #1 showing (6+). There are several downsides though as "Mega" is off by two-tenths (to 6.4, 6+); its lead over
iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW "Lite-FM" (6.7 – 6.3, -.4, #1 to #2) is a slim one-tenth; and the
decline by "Mega" halts four straight gains that yielded a cumulative increase of two full shares (4.6 – 4.9 – 5.4 – 5.3 – 6.6, 6+). "Lite-FM" had been #1 the past
16 ratings periods; 6.3 is its lowest 6+-share since November 2014 (5.6). Without an increase the past five sweeps (6.2 – 6.2 – 6.1 – 5.8 – 5.4 – 5.2, 6+), Emmis urban AC WBLS is up one-tenth to 5.3 (6+) and remains at #4. After posting a +.8 (6+) in January, thus halting a string of three successive declines (4.2 – 3.9 – 3.2 – 3.0, 6+) producing a combined -1.2,
CBS Radio-owned WFAN "The Fan" regresses by one-half share (3.8 – 3.3), slipping from ninth to tenth. Debuting with a .3 (#37) is the stream of public talker WNYC-FM. Up or flat for the third straight time (3.5 – 3.5 – 4.0 – 4.1, 6+) iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR WKTU inches up from eighth to seventh, but actually loses ground to Emmis' similarly formatted WQHT "Hot 97," which adds four-tenths (2.8 – 3.2, #13 to #11).
2)
Los Angeles – It is a healthy growth month for the market's two mainstream CHR outlets, as
iHeartMedia's KIIS "Kiss-FM"
hangs out an striking +.8 (4.7 – 5.5, third to second, 6+), while
CBS Radio-owned KAMP "Amp" improves by three-tenths to 3.0 (6+), sailing from #16 to #12. It is the best 6+-performance for "Kiss-FM" in exactly two years (tying its 5.5 in February 2014). "Kiss"
trails adult contemporary cluster-mate KOST "Coast 103.5" (5.9 – 5.7, -.2, 6+) by two-tenths, with "Coast" repeating at #1 for the fourth successive sweep. Meanwhile, "Amp" applies the brakes to four consecutive down or flat trends (3.3 – 3.0 – 2.9 – 2.7 – 2.7, 6+). Alternative rivals KROQ (2.8 – 2.8 – 3.0 – 3.1, 6+) and KYSR "Alt 98.7" (2.3 – 2.4 – 2.6 – 2.9, 6+) are each up or flat for the third straight time. CBS Radio's "World Famous KROQ" is steady at #11 and iHeartMedia's "Alt 98.7′ jumps from #17 to #14. Off for the third straight time (3.5 – 3.3 – 3.0 – 2.9, 6+),
Spanish Broadcasting System regional Mexican KLAX dips from #11 to #14. Following a four-tenths gain,
Univision's similarly formatted KSCA "Zona Mx 101.9" falters by one-half share (2.5 – 2.9 – 2.4, 6+), sinking from #14 to #19. With a loss of six-tenths to 3.9 (6+), co-owned Spanish contemporary KLVE "K-Love" drops from fifth to sixth and is back in the three-share range after three straight showings between 4.2 – 4.5 (6+). Cracking the top 20 for the first time is
Santa Monica Community College-owned KRCW (2.2, +.1, #20). Despite the fact this marks the
seventh consecutive time KFI (ninth to tenth) hasn't registered an increase, the iHeartMedia talker hasn't varied more than three-tenths in that time frame (3.5 – 3.5 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 3.3 – 3.2 – 3.2, 6+). For the
seventh successive survey,
Emmis rhythmic CHR KPWR "Power 106" (+.2, #17 – #16) is in the 2.6 – 2.9 range (6+).
3)
Chicago – Owing to a +.6 (2.6 – 3.2, 6+), WDRV "The Drive 97.1" not only escapes a massive five-way logjam at #12 to move to
#8, the
Hubbard Broadcasting classic rocker has its best 6+-performance since last July's 3.5. Locked on 6.8 (6+) in "Holiday" 2015 and January 2016,
CBS Radio all-news operation WBBM-AM improves by one-tenth to 6.9 and repeats at #1. It is the third successive major bounce for
Tribune Media talker WGN, which was off by one-half share in "Holiday" 2015; rolled out a gain of nine-tenths in
January; and now coughs up six-tenths in February (3.8 – 3.3 – 4.2 – 3.6, 6+) to drop back to seventh from fifth. Prior to January's 4.2, WGN had been in the 3.3 – 3.8 range the previous
seven sweeps. Sputtering by one-half share each are
iHeartMedia urban AC WVAZ "V-103" (6.0 – 5.5, steady at #2, 6+) and
Univision regional Mexican WOJO (3.6 – 3.1, seventh to tenth, 6+). Up from #3 in January and catching "V-103" at #2 is Hubbard Broadcasting hot AC WTMX "The Mix" (5.2 – 5.5, +.3, 6+). Following four successive monthlies without an increase (3.3 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.6, 6+),
Cumulus Media-owned WLS-FM "Chicago's Classic Hits" notches a +.3 to 2.9 (6+), but remains at #12. Despite being flat, CBS Radio triple A WXRT skids from that five-way tie-up at #12 to #16; this is the fifth time in the last seven survey periods that "93 'XRT" has a 2.6 (6+).
4)
San Francisco – Finishing at #3 in "Holiday" 2015 with a 4.9 (6+), KQED was unlisted in January 2016, but the public facility
reappears in February and is again at #3 (5.1, 6+). Over and above being the seventh straight sweep without a decline for KSOL, the
Univision regional Mexican facility has more than doubled its 6+-share in that time (1.7 – 2.0 – 2.0 – 2.3 – 2.7 – 2.7 – 3.4 – 3.6, 6+). Even so, "Que Buena" backslides from ninth to tenth. After six successive monthlies
without registering an increase for a combined -1.4 (3.8 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.3 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.4, 6+),
Entercom rhythmic hot AC KRBQ "Q-102.1 The Throwback Station" dials up a +.4 to 2.8 (6+), climbing from #14 to #11. A gain of one-half share (1.9 – 2.4, 6+) enables
iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KOSF "Big 103.7" to climb from a tie at #19 in January to a tie at #15. It is linked there with
Cumulus Media talker KSFO, which follows January's
increase of eight-tenths (and an eleventh-place finish) with a one-half share
loss (2.1 – 2.9 – 2.4, 6+). Dislodged from San Francisco's top spot in the "Holiday" 2015 report,
CBS Radio all-news outlet KCBS-AM posts its second straight +.4 (5.4 – 5.8 – 6.2, 6+) and repeats at #1; it had been in the top spot six successive sweeps before "Holiday" 2015.
5)
Dallas – Nearly tripling its January 6+-share (.7 – 1.9, +1.2),
Liberman Broadcasting regional Mexican KBOC "Luna 98.3"
checks in at #21.Co-owned similarly-programmed KNOR "La Raza 93.7," however, drops one-half share (1.8 – 1.3, 6+) and slides from a three-way tie at #21 to #27; "La Raza 93.7" was +.7 in January. Still in the same format,
CBS Radio-owned KMVK "La Grande 107.5" – which did not have an increase in four straight sweeps before January's +.1
(2.9 – 2.3 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 1.9, 6+) – adds six-tenths (2.0 – 2.6, 6+) to climb from #20 to #18. Sports cluster-mate KRLD-FM "The Fan 105.3," however, stumbles by more than one full-share (2.9 – 1.8, -1.1, 6+) to plummet from the top 20 (#12 to #22). Public KERA improves by one-half share (2.3 – 2.8, 6+) to zoom from #19 to #14, where it ties CBS Radio hot AC KVIL (2.8, 6+, for the third straight ratings period). Following three successive sweeps at #1, KVIL classic hits-oldies sibling KLUV (6.6 – 6.1, -.5, #1 to #2, 6+) relinquishes the penthouse to
iHeartMedia CHR KHKS "Kiss-FM," which is up or flat for the third consecutive time (5.7 – 6.0 – 6.0 – 6.3, #2 to #1, 6+). Off by eight-tenths (4.2 – 3.4, 6+),
Salem Media Group contemporary Christian KLTY "Safe for the Whole Family" drops from sixth to eighth and has its lowest 6+-share since September
2009 (also 3.4). Down or flat the past six sweeps (2.4 – 2.1 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.7 – 1.6 – 1.5, 6+), format rival KCBI picks up one-tenth to 1.6 (6+), yet actually moves from #25 to #26. After three straight gains (3.1 – 3.5 – 4.3 – 4.8, 6+),
Service Broadcasting-owned KRNB "Smooth R&B 105.7" dips by three-tenths to 4.5 (6+), but stays at #3.
6)
Houston – Ranking first for the
18th consecutive ratings period – and picking up six-tenths to boot – is
iHeartMedia adult
contemporary KODA (7.2 – 7.8, 6+). Also improving by six-tenths each are co-owned urban contemporary KQBT "The Beat" (3.4 – 4.0, 6+) and
CBS Radio Spanish contemporary KLOL "Mega 101" (2.6 – 3.2, 6+). Locked on 3.2 in November, December, and "Holiday" 2015, "The Beat" climbs from #14 to #11; "Mega" curtails three straight downward
trends (3.7 – 3.5 – 2.8 – 2.6, 6+) and progresses from #18 to #15. While CBS Radio country outlet KILT
-FM "The Bull 100.3" improves by one-half share (3.8 – 4.3, 6+) and inches up from tenth to ninth, cluster-mate KILT-
AM "Sports Radio 610" regresses by six-tenths (2.1 – 1.5) and drops out of the top 20 (#19 to #21). Down or flat the previous six ratings periods (2.6 – 2.4 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 1.9 – 1.8, 6+),
Univision Spanish contemporary KAMA picks up two tenths to 2.0 (6+) and enters the top 20 (#21 to #19). Although it is in the runner-up slot for the eighth straight time,
Radio One urban AC KMJQ "Majic 102.1" is down one-tenth (6.7, 6+), ending three consecutive positive trends (6.2 – 6.5 – 6.6 – 6.8, +.2, 6+).
7)
Philadelphia – On top for the eighth successive sweep,
Jerry Lee Radio adult contemporary WBEB "More FM" posts a +.1 to
7.9 (6+). A -8.5 in January to 7.8 ended a string of four straight "More FM" positive trends (6.8 – 7.3 – 8.0 – 10.7 – 16.3, 6+). Nine-tenths is good news for
CBS Radio talker WPHT, which is
up nine-tenths (1.7 – 2.6, #20 to #18, 6+), but bad news for co-owned sports outlet WIP, which falters by
that margin (5.0 – 4.1, sixth to ninth, 6+). Over the last
16 survey periods, WPHT had been between 1.3 – 1.8 (6+) – including 1.5 in October, November,
and December. With a +.7 in January, WIP ended three straight downward trends (5.1 – 4.6 – 4.5 – 4.3, 6+). Improving by one-half share each are
Greater Media's WMGK "Classic Rock 102.9" (5.5 – 6.0, unchanged at #3, 6+) and
iHeartMedia urban AC WDAS-FM (5.0 – 5.5, sixth to fifth). "Classic Rock 102.9" declined by eight-tenths in "Holiday" 2015, but regained seven-tenths of it in January. As for WDAS-FM, 5.5 is its highest 6+-share since last July (also 5.5). Conversely,
University of Pennsylvania-owned triple A WXPN declines by one-half share (1.8 – 1.3, 6+) and departs the top 20 (#19 to #21). Ensconced at #12 for the fourth straight sweep, WHYY is down three-tenths to 3.4. Recent trends for the public outlet are
+.8 (December);
-.6 ("Holiday"); and
+.6 in January (2.9 – 3.7 – 3.1 – 3.7 – 3.4, 6+).
8)
Atlanta – Having spent
12 consecutive sweeps at #1,
CBS Radio urban contemporary WVEE "V-103" fell to second in
January. While remaining at #2, "V-103" trots out a +.7 (7.9 – 8.6, 6+). It is one-half share behind
Cox Media Group-owned frontrunner (talk) WSB-AM (+.1), which registers a 9.1 – the loftiest 6+-stat in its
PPM-history. Before capturing the top spot in January, WSB-AM was at #2 the
previous four sweeps; it was +1.0 in December and -.9 in "Holiday." Up or flat for the fourth successive sweep (3.4 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 4.4, 6+), WSB-AM cluster-mate WSRV "Classic Hits 97.1 The River" (+.5, 6+) climbs from tenth to eighth. Having regressed by -1.3 in January,
Radio One urban AC WAMJ "Majic 107.5" recaptures eight-tenths (5.4 – 4.1 – 4.9, 6+) to advance from eighth to fifth. Off by eight-tenths in January,
Entercom hot AC WSTR "Star 94" bounces back with a +.6 (4.1 – 3.3 – 3.9, 6+) and returns to the top ten (#14 to #10). Sputtering by a whopping -1.3 (3.4 – 2.1, 6+), CBS Radio's WZGC "The Game 92.9" freefalls from #13 to #18. The (6+) share for the market's two CHRs drops by nearly two full-shares. Following a strong +.9 in January,
Cumulus Media CHR WWWQ "All The Hits Q-100" forfeits all of it – plus one-tenth more (3.7 – 4.6 – 3.6, -1.0, 6+) and exits the top 10 (#7 to #12). Meanwhile, cross-town rival –
iHeartMedia's WWPW "Power 96.1" – declines by nine-tenths (5.7 – 4.8, 6+), skidding from fourth to seventh.
9)
Long Island – On the heels of its +.6 in January,
Connoisseur Media classic hits-oldies WBZO "103.1 Max-FM"
tacks on an additional +.5 (4.2 – 4.7, 6+) to inch up from fifth to fourth. In advance of a -.8 in the "Holiday" report, "Max" notched five straight up trends yielding a combined +1.1 (3.3 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 4.1 – 4.3 – 4.4, 6+). Also displaying a one-half share increase is
iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW "Lite-FM" (3.5 – 4.0, eighth to sixth, 6+); "Lite-FM" was
-4.4 in January. Having eroded by -3.7 in January, Connoisseur Media hot AC WALK-FM regresses by another nine-tenths (10.1 – 6.4 – 5.5, 6+) and – after three straight stays at #1 – drops to second. WALK-FM had gained one full-share in December and was +3.9 in "Holiday" 2015. Succeeding it at #1 (up from the runner-up slot) is iHeartMedia CHR WHTZ "Z-100," which is actually down two-tenths, following a
-.8 in "Holiday" and a
+.8 in January (6.1 – 5.3 – 6.1 – 5.9, 6+). Before the -.8 in "Holiday," Z-100″ put together four straight up-trends (5.0 – 5.4 – 5.8 – 5.9 – 6.1, 6+). Inflated by a +1.7 in January,
CBS Radio's WFAN "The Fan" returns approximately half of it (5.8 – 4.9, -.9, 6+), but remains at #3. Prior to January's +1.7, "The Fan" had been off the previous three ratings periods (5.4 – 5.1 – 4.2 – 4.1, 6+); 5.8 is its highest 6+-share in Long Island since last April (also 5.8). In the last six sweeps, WKTU has recorded either a 2.6 or a 2.9 (2.6 – 2.6 – 2.9 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.9, 6+), but by dropping seven-tenths to 2.2 (6+), the iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR freefalls out of the top 20 (#13 to #21). Declining by one-half share (1.2 – .7, #30, 6+) is
Fordham University triple A WFUV. In 2.0 – 2.9 territory (6+) for the 32nd straight ratings period, CBS Radio CHR WBMP "Amp Radio" picks up two-tenths in back-to-back sweeps (2.1 – 2.3 – 2.5, 6+) and moves from #18 to #17. Gaining two-tenths to 2.4 (6+),
Emmis urban AC WBLS halts five straight sweeps without an increase (4.3 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 3.3 – 2.2 – 2.2, 6+); it is in a three-way tie at #18 (up from #19 in January).
10)
Riverside – The combination of a +.4 by
iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR KGGI (4.6 – 5.0, 6+) and a -.3 by
Anaheim 
Broadcasting classic hits-oldies outlet KOLA (5.3 – 5.0, 6+) has the two stations tied at #2. This is the fourth straight time at #2 for KOLA, while KGGI was tied for fifth in January. Rhythmic oldies KQIE "Old School 104.7" rolls out an eight-tenths increase (1.9 – 2.7, 6+) to advance from
ninth to seventh. It is the best 6+-performance for the KQIE frequency (formerly rhythmic CHR) since "Holiday" 2013 (2.9). Up four-tenths (6.0 – 6.4, 6+),
Entravision Spanish adult hits KLYY "Jose" is #1 for the fourth successive ratings period. Co-owned Spanish contemporary KSSE "Super Estrella" has not been down in the last 11 sweeps and has tripled its 6+-numbers since then (.2 – .3 – .3 – .3 – .3 – .3 – .3 – .4 – .5 – .5 -.5 -.6, 6+); despite the increase, it drops from a three-way tie at #14 to a tie at #15. After four straight positive trends (2.9 – 3.1 – 4.4 – 4.5 – 4.6, 6+),
Univision regional Mexican KSCA dips two-tenths to 4.4 (6+) and slides from fifth to sixth.
11)
San Jose – Following an impressive +1.3 in January,
Univision regional Mexican KSOL piles on another seven-tenths
(2.3 – 3.6 – 4.3, 6+), progressing from eighth to sixth; it is the highest 6+-share for "Que Buena" since December 2012 (4.5). Gaining one-half share each are Spanish adult hits sibling KBRG Mas Variedad 100.3″ (6.1 – 6.6, 6+);
Empire Broadcasting-owned KRTY "Hot Country 95.3" (4.1, eighth to seventh, 6+); and
iHeartMedia
classic hits-oldies KOSF "Big 103.7" (1.3 – 1.8, #20, 6+). The increase lifts "Mas Variedad" from second to first, displacing
Cumulus Media's KNBR "The Sports Leader" (5.9, -.6, #1 to #2, 6+), which advanced from fourth to first in January. The February -.6 by KNBR curtails three straight gains (5.1 – 5.4 – 5.6 – 6.5, 6+). "Hot Country" was stuck on 3.6 (6+) in "Holiday" 2015 and January. In addition to KNBR, Empire news facility KLIV (2.0, #18, 6+) and Cumulus Media classic rocker KSAN "The Bone" (2.2 – 1.6, 6+) are also off by six-tenths. KLIV dropped one-half share in "Holiday" but rebounded in January with a full-share improvement (2.1 – 1.6 – 2.6, 6+); "The Bone" spirals out of the top 20 (#17 to #23, 6+). Co-owned talker KSFO, which dialed up a +.8 in January, forfeits nearly twice that gain (3.3 – 4.1 – 2.6, -1.5, 6+) to plummet from #6 to #12; (January's) 4.1 is the highest 6+-share for KSFO since last March (4.2). Following a -3.1 in January, adult contemporary KBAY (unchanged at #3) falters by an addition seven-tenths (8.9 – 5.8 – 5.1, 6+). Prior to falling to third-place in January, KBAY had been anchored at #1 the previous
14 sweeps. For the seventh successive ratings period,
CBS Radio alternative KITS "Live 105" (#15 to a three-way tie #12) has not suffered a decrease (1.6 – 1.8 – 2.0 – 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.3 – 2.6, 6+) and is up one full-share in that time. Meanwhile,
iHeartMedia urban contemporary KMEL "#1 For Hip-Hop & R&B" picks up two-tenths to 2.1 (#18 – #17, 6+), thus applying the brakes to five consecutive monthlies without an increase (3.2 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.5 – 2.1 – 1.9, 6+).
12)
Middlesex – This New Jersey metro claims the largest (6+)
increase of any station in the 12-
PPM markets whose data was
released Monday – as well as the most significant (6+)
decrease. On the plus side,
CBS Radio all-news WCBS-AM racks up a +1.3 (1.8 – 3.1, 6+) to rocket from #20 to #12. It is the best 6+-stat for WCBS-AM in Middlesex-Somerset-
Union in exactly two years (3.3, February 2014). As far as month-to-month increases are concerned,
iHeartMedia classic rock WAXQ is just one-tenth behind WCBS-AM with a +1.2 (4.5 – 5.7, 6+), elevating "Q-104.3" from eighth to third. After surrendering more than four full-shares in January to slide from first to second, iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW "Lite-FM" plummets by another -1.6 (11.2 – 6.8, 5.2, 6+), falling to fourth; 5.2 is the weakest 6+-share in this market for "Lite-FM' since last July (4.8). Shaking off a six-tenths "Holiday" 2015 slump, CBS Radio's WFAN "The Fan" improved by seven-tenths in January only to sputter by twice that much in February (4.4 – 3.8 – 4.5 – 3.1, -1.4, 6+) to fall out of the top ten (#8 to #12). The rollercoaster ride continues for
Univision Spanish tropical WXNY, which was
+.7 in November;
+.6 in December;
-.9 in "Holiday"; a robust
+1.5 in January; and
-1.2 in February (3.0 – 3.7 – 4.3 – 3.4 – 4.9, 3.7, 6+); "X-96.3" drops from sixth to ninth. While a +.2 (8.9 – 9.1, 6+) by WKXW is not as dramatic as January's +1.4, the
Townsquare Media talker repeats at #1. Moreover, it is the first time in its PPM-history that "New Jersey 101.5" crosses the nine-share threshold (6+). Up for the fourth straight time in Middlesex-Somerset-Union (2.9 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 4.2 – 4.3, 6+),
Spanish Broadcasting System Spanish tropical WSKQ "Mega 97.9" registers a +.1, progressing from tenth to eighth; (see above) "Mega" is #1 in New York City (6+).
