PPM Data – Part Four. March 2016 ratings information has
been released for Austin, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Providence, Raleigh, Norfolk, Nashville, Greensboro, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Memphis, and Hartford.
Nielsen Audio's March 2016 survey period covered February 25 – March 23.
RadioInfo managing editor
Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from all of these 12-
PPM markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1)
Austin – An increase of nine-tenths by KOKE "Austin's Country Alternative" (#18 to #15) proves to be a milestone as it
transports the
Genuine Austin Radio outlet to 2.6, its best-ever 6+-share in the
PPM-era. Meanwhile, there is a mixed bag for the
iHeartMedia country siblings: KASE "Today's Country" (sixth to fifth, 6+) picks up one-tenth to overtake KVET-FM (4.6, -.4, fifth to seventh, 6+). It is the third straight increase for "Today's Country" for a +1.2 (3.7 – 4.6 – 4.8 – 4.9, 6+); KVET was locked on 5.0 (6+) in January and February.
KVET-FM and KASE were back-to-back at #5 and #6, respectively, in the two previous sweeps. Improving by one-half share each are
Entercom hot AC KAMX "Mix 94.7" (3.6 – 4.1, 6+) and
Crista Ministries contemporary Christian KFMK "Spirit 105.9" (3.0 – 3.5, steady at #12, 6+). Despite the gain, "Mix" (off eight-tenths in February after a +.8 in January) actually backslides from a tie at #9 to #10; "Spirit" is rebounding from February's -1.1, which took it to lowest 6+-performance since May 2013 (also 3.0). After chalking up a +1.6 in February to 9.4, its strongest 6+-stat since August 2014 (also 9.4),
Emmis adult hits KBPA is down three-tenths to 9.1 (6+), but "Bob" is #1 for the third consecutive sweep. Entercom Austin properties with the KKMJ calls have a tough time in March, as adult contemporary KKMJ "Majic 95.5" falters by -1.1 to segue from second to fifth, while its urban AC HD3 side channel coughs up seven-tenths (2.6 – 1.9, #16 to #18, 6+). This is the third straight slip for adult contemporary "Majic" (11.4 – 6.4 – 6.0 – 4.9, 6+) after four consecutive gains (4.7 – 5.2 – 5.9 – 6.4 – 11.4, 6+). Down or flat for the fourth straight ratings period for a -1.7 (3.9 – 3.9 – 3.6 – 2.8 – 2.2, 6+),
Univision regional Mexican KLQB "Que Buena 104.3" drops from #15 to #17. Stymied at 3.1 (6+) in January and February, triple A KGSR "Radio Austin" regresses by one-half share (3.1 – 2.6, 6+) and tumbles from #11 to #15.
2)
Milwaukee – Owing to a robust +.9 (to 6.1, 6+),
Entercom hot AC WMYX "99.1 The Mix" shakes off the funk of five straight
downward trends (7.1 – 7.0 – 6.8 – 6.0 – 5.9 – 5.2, 6+) that produced a -1.9. "Mix" climbs from sixth to fourth. Occupying the market's top spot for the
11th straight sweep,
iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WRIT "95.7 Big FM – Milwaukee's Greatest Hits" follows up February's +1.3 with a -.3 (8.7 – 10.0 – 9.7, 6+). Recent 6+-fluctuations for WRIT include
+1.7 in October;
-.7 in November;
flat in December; and
+5.6 in "Holiday." Prior to the -1.7 in October, WRIT put together seven successive positive trends (6.2 – 7.0 – 7.8 – 9.5 – 10.1 – 10.2 – 10.5 – 11.2, 6+), improving by exactly five full-shares since February. Back-to-back gains in January and February (5.2 – 6.4 – 6.7, 6+) yielded a +1.5 for WISN, but the iHeartMedia talker relinquishes roughly half of it (6.0, -.7, 6+) as it segues from third to fifth. Flat at #18, WZTI "True Oldies Channel" is up or flat for the
eighth consecutive monthly (.4 – .7 – .8 – .8 – .9 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.2 – 1.2, 6+). Owing to a one-tenth gain to 5.8 (6+),
Saga Communications' WKLH "Hometown Rock" (fifth to sixth, 6+) ends three successive sweeps without an increase (6.8 – 6.5 – 5.7 – 5.7, 6+). Off six-tenths (4.4 – 3.8, 6+) and exiting the top ten (#10 to #11) is urban cluster-mate AC WJMR "Jammin' 98.3 Today's R&B and Old School." Without a decrease in the previous four sweeps, but with only a net gain of two-tenths (2.8 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.9 – 3.0, #14 to #13, 6+),
Scripps country outlet WKTI turns over that two-tenths and is back at 2.8, but remains at #13. Cross-town competitor – iHeartMedia-owned WMIL "FM 106.1 Milwaukee's Best Country" (+.8 in February) drops one-tenth to 7.1 (6+) and continues in the runner-up slot.
3)
Indianapolis – A six-tenths increase by
Cumulus Media's WJJK "Classic Hits 104.5," coupled with an eight-tenths decline
by
Emmis adult contemporary WYXB "Soft Rock B-105.7" (7.6 – 6.8, 6+) results in a tie at #1. In fourth-place in February, "Classic Hits 104.5" enjoys its third straight increase (5.4 – 5.8 – 6.2 – 6.8, 6+) and strongest 6+-share since August (also 6.8). Albeit now tied with WJJK, "Soft Rock B-105.7" repeats at #1; WYXB finished first in
December and "Holiday" 2015, as well. After improving by one-half share in January, talk sibling WIBC added six-tenths in February but forfeits nine-tenths in March (3.9 – 4.4 – 5.0 – 4.1, 6+) to fall out of the top ten (#9 to #11). A seven-tenths dip (5.4 – 4.7, 6+) drops Cumulus Media's WFMS "95.5 The Country Station" from seventh to tenth. Format foe – Emmis' WLHK "Hank" (-1.1 in February and -.8 in "Holiday" 2015) picks up one-tenth to 5.7 and remains at #5. The rollercoaster ride continues for
Entercom CHR WZPL "Indy's Hit Music Station" (6.4, second to third, 6+). Rewinding to last July, fluctuations for WZPL have been
+1.1;
+.2; flat;
+1.0;
-1.5;
-1.7;
+1.3;
-.9; and now
-.5 in March. The bottom line is "Indy's Hit Music Station" is off by one full-share in that period. This is the third (albeit modest) gain (2.8 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.5, 6+) for Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WRWM "93.9 The Beat," which stays at #12. Having gained +1.6 in four up or flat trends (3.9 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 5.5, 6+),
iHeartMedia's WOLT "Alt 103.3" is off by two-tenths (5.3, sixth to seventh, 6+). Dropping from third to fourth,
Radio One-owned WTLC-FM "Indy's R&B Leader" is down or flat for the fifth straight monthly (8.2 – 6.8 – 6.6 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 6.2, 6+).
4)
Providence – Stuck in third-place the past four sweeps,
iHeartMedia rocker WHJY trots out a +.7 to 8.4 (its best 6+-stat
since June's 9.3) and inches up to the runner-up slot, where it is sandwiched between
Cumulus Media adult contemporary and CHR siblings WWLI "Lite Rock 105" and WPRO-FM "Today's Hit Music." Not only is this the fifth successive ratings period that "Lite Rock" (11.7 – 12.1, +.4, 6+) has been #1, it has been in double-digits (6+) each time. Prior to the +.4 in March, "Lite Rock" was +.9 (February) and -7.8
(January). Following back-to-back 9.1 (6+) showings in January and February, "Today's Hit Music" regresses by eight-tenths to 8.3 (6+), sliding from second (where it had been since December) to third. Eight-tenths is just as unlucky for sibling WPRO-
AM, as the talker drops by that margin (5.6 – 4.8, 6+), but remains at #7. Although steady at #4,
Hall Communications' WCTK "Cat Country 98.1" has its third straight up-trend (6.3 – 7.0 – 7.1 – 7.3, 6+). Down six-tenths (6.3 – 5.7, 6+), iHeartMedia hot AC WSNE "Coast 93.3" stumbles from fifth to sixth.
5)
Raleigh – With a
-.3 in the "
Holiday" report,
Capitol Broadcasting sports outlet WCMC had its consecutive streak of
up-trends snapped at four (2.5 – 2.7 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 4.0, 6+). Three major positive-negative-positive fluctuations have followed, including a
+1.1 in January; a
-1.0 in February; and now a
+1.1 in March (3.7 – 4.8 – 3.8 – 4.9, 6+); "The Fan 99.9" returns to the top ten (#13 to #8, 6+). Also in that "
Holiday" report, WRAL "Mix 101.5" posted a
+5.7 but then sputtered by
-7.2 in January. The
Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary bounced back with a +.6 in February and adds six-tenths in March to remain on top for the seventh consecutive ratings period (8.6 – 14.3 – 7.1 – 7.7 – 8.3, 6+). Displaying one-half share increases are
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC (7.1 – 7.6, second, 6+);
Radio One urban contemporary WQOK "K-97.5" (5.5 – 6.0, seventh to sixth, 6+); and
Curtis Media Group classic hits-oldies WKIX "Kix 102.9" (#14 to #11, 6+). After being up in four successive ratings periods and finishing second in the "Holiday" report (5.6 – 5.8 – 5.9 – 6.2 – 6.9, 6+), WUNC did not appear in print in January but returned in February at #3. With a +.7 this time last month, "K-97.5" halted three straight declines that yielded a -2.1 (6.9 – 5.8 – 5.7 – 4.8, 6+). "Kix 102.9" is up or flat for the third straight time (3.1 – 3.6 – 3.6 – 4.1, 6+). A decline of nine-tenths (4.4 – 3.5, 6+) knocks Radio One gospel WNNL "The Light 103.9" out of the top ten (#9 to #14). Right behind it is
iHeartMedia's WNCB "B-93.9 New Country," which is off by one-half share (3.9 – 3.4, #12 to #15, 6+). The country format takes an additional seven-tenths hit as Curtis Media Group's WQDR "Today's Best Country" (second to third) trends 7.3 – 6.6 (-.7, 6+). Without an increase for the
ninth consecutive time for a net loss of -3.5 and roughly 50% of its 6+-share (7.1 – 6.1 – 5.5 – 5.2 – 5.2 – 4.5 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.1 – 3.6, 6+), adult hits sibling WBBB moves from #11 to #12; "Radio 96.1" was #3 in July (7.2, 6+). After consecutive increases producing a +1.6 (4.2 – 5.7 – 5.8, 6+), iHeartMedia FM talker WTKK surrenders one-half share to 5.3 (6+) as it moves from sixth to seventh.
6)
Norfolk – Progressing by eight-tenths each (and improving by one ranker) are
Entercom adult contemporary WWDE "2WD"
(6.1 – 6.9, fourth to third, 6+) and
Max Broadcast Group country WGH-FM "Eagle 97" (5.0 – 5.8, sixth to fifth, 6+). This is the best 6+-showing for "The Eagle" since its 6.0 in February
2015. Notching a 2.1 (6+) in three of the last four sweeps,
iHeartMedia CHR WNOH "Now 105" hangs
out a one-half share increase to 2.6, jumping from #14 to #11. Off by four-tenths (12.1 – 11.7, 6+), Entercom urban AC WVKL is #1 for the
46th consecutive ratings period. The last time "Smooth R&B From Yesterday & Today" was
not in double-digits (6+) was over two years ago (9.8, January
2014). Meaty ups/downs continue for WNOR-FM (fifth to sixth), which gained six-tenths in January; added one-half share in February; but sputters by eight-tenths in March (4.8 – 5.4 – 5.9 – 5.1, 6+). The
Saga rocker was -.9 in both "Holiday" 2015 and November. A loss of seven-tenths (3.1 – 2.4, 6+) sends iHeartMedia rhythmic hot AC WMOV "MOViN 107.7" from #11 to #13. At #10 for the third straight time, Entercom hot AC WPTE is without an increase for the fifth consecutive sweep (3.7 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.5 – 3.3 – 2.9, 6+); "The Point" is down eight-tenths in that stretch. Public urban contemporary WNSB is unlisted for the third successive month.
7)
Nashville – The (6+)
January gap between
Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA "Mix 92.9" and
iHeartMedia CHR WRVW "The River" was
2.9 shares, and then
3.5 shares in
February. For the
49th consecutive time, "Mix" ranks first but it is off by one-half share in March (10.2 – 9.7, 6+), while "The River" improves by eight-tenths (6.7 – 7.5, 6+). Consequently, the lead for "Mix" is 2.2 shares. Third-ranked in February, "The River" returns to #2, where it was in December, "Holiday,"
and January.
This is the first time since November – and second occurrence since August – that "Mix" has
not been in double-digits (6+). Adult hits sibling WCJK "Jack FM" is without an increase for the fourth successive sweep (7.6 – 7.1 – 7.1 – 6.8 – 6.3, 6+) and slumps from second to fifth. Following February's full-share increase,
Cumulus Media's WWTN "Super Talk 97" adds another six-tenths (3.6 – 4.6 – 5.2, 6+) to climb from tenth to seventh. Returning to the top ten (#11 to #10),
Cromwell Group alternative WBUZ "102.9 The Buzz" extends its consecutive streak of positive trends to five (2.4 – 3.1 – 3.5 – 4.2 – 4.3 – 4.4, 6+) and is up two full-shares in that stretch. Notwithstanding that it is steady at 5.3, Cumulus Media's WSM-FM inches up from eighth to sixth; country-formatted "Nash Icon" hasn't had a decrease in the past four monthlies (3.7 – 4.3 – 5.0 – 5.3 – 5.3, 6+). After a +.8 in February, iHeartMedia's similarly programmed WSIX-FM "The Big 98" returns half of it (4.0 – 4.8 – 4.4, -.4, 6+) to move from ninth to tenth. Unchanged at #13, the market's other country FM – Cumulus Media's WKDF "Nash-FM 103.3" – drops three-tenths (3.4 – 3.1, 6+). On the basis of three successive progressive trends,
Ryman Hospitality Properties classic country WSM-AM has nearly tripled its 6+-share (.8 – 1.4 – 1.6 – 2.1, #17 to #16). In 5.3 – 5.7 range (6+) the past nine ratings periods, Cumulus Media urban AC WQQK "92-Q" falters by nine-tenths (5.7 – 4.8, 6+), dropping from sixth to ninth. This is the 27th successive sweep in which
Joule Broadcasting CHR WNFN is in two-share range (flat at 2.3, #14 to #15, 6+). Owing to a -.7 (2.3 – 1.6, 6+),
WAY Media contemporary Christian WAYM slips from #14 to #17.
8)
Greensboro – Tied for the top spot in January and finishing second in February,
Entercom rhythmic CHR WJMH "102
Jamz" powers back to #1 with a +.8 to 9.4, its highest 6+-share since July (9.7). Coming into the January ratings period, co-owned WQMG had not had an increase in the three previous sweeps (8.9 – 8.2 – 7.7 – 7.7, 6+), but the urban AC picked up one-half share in January;
nine-tenths in February; and is up two-tenths in March (8.2 – 9.1 – 9.3, 6+); "The Best R&B and Old School" is just one-tenth behind "102 Jamz." Down six-tenths in "
Holiday,"
iHeartMedia-owned WPTI answered with a +.8 in January; tacked on another seven-tenths in February; and piles on six-tenths in March (3.2 – 2.6 – 3.4 – 4.1 – 4.7, 6+). Over and above inching up from eighth to seventh, 4.7 is the best 6+-performance in the FM talker's
PPM-history. After back-to-back gains totaling +8.3 (6.9 – 9.9 – 15.2, 6+), adult contemporary cluster-mate WMAG (unchanged at #4) is down or flat for the third straight monthly (15.2 – 7.8 – 7.8 – 6.9, 6+) for an approximately 55% erosion. Sibling WTQR "New Country Q-104.1" (-1.3 in February) is steady in both 6+-share (6.6) and rank (#5). Cross-town Entercom-owned rival WPAW meanwhile falters by one-half share following February's -.7 (5.7 – 4.7 – 4.2, seventh to eighth, 6+) and "The Wolf" suffers its weakest 6+-showing in its
PPM-history; 6.6 is the lowest 6+share for "Q-104.1" since February 2015 (6.1). This is the seventh successive survey period that
Dick Broadcasting CHR WKZL "The #1 Hit Music Station" and classic rock sibling WKRR "Rock 92" do not appear in print.
9)
West Palm Beach – Notching one-half share increases are
iHeartMedia classic rock and talk cluster-mates WKGR "Gater
98.7″ (3.3 – 3.8, seventh to sixth, 6+) and WJNO (tenth to ninth, 6+). This is the third successive progressive trend (1.3 – 1.6 – 1.9 – 2.4, 6+) for WJNO, which had been in 1.3 – 1.9 (6+) range the past 13 sweeps. Having added a cumulative +1.1 in November and December,
Alpha Media urban AC WMBX "X-102.3" (fifth to fourth) returned all of it in "Holiday"; bounced back with a +.6 in January; added one-
half share in February; and is +.2 in March (3.9- 4.3 – 5.0 – 3.9 – 4.5 – 5.0 – 5.2, 6+). The 5.2 is its best 6+-share since "Holiday" 2014 (also 5.2). Holding down the top spot for the
20th consecutive time, hot AC sibling WRMF is off by -1.1 (9.3 – 8.2, 6+). The last time WRMF fell below a nine-share (6+) was "Holiday" 2014 (8.3). Co-owned WIRK "South Florida Country" had registered a 5.5 (6+) in four of the last five ratings periods, but drops to 5.2 (-.3, 6+); WIRK is #4 for the fourth consecutive time. One-tenth separates the market's two adult contemporary properties as
iHeartMedia's WOLL "Today's KOOL 105.5" gains three-tenths (5.8 – 6.1, 6+), while Alpha Media-owned WEAT "Sunny 107.9" is off one-tenth (6.3 – 6.2, 6+); they remain at second and third, respectively.
10)
Jacksonville – Locked on 6.7 (6+) in January and February, WAPE (fourth to third) busts out a +.8 to 7.5, the first time the
Cox Media Group CHR reaches the seven-share level since June (7.1). Without an increase in the last three ratings periods (5.7 – 4.8 – 4.8 – 4.6, 6+),
iHeartMedia urban contemporary WJBT "93.3 The Beat" logs a +.6 and climbs from ninth to seventh (6+). Improving by one-half
share each are CHR sibling WKSL "Kiss FM" (4.3 – 4.8, #11 to #9, 6+) and Cox Media Group's WJGL-HD2 (3.1, unchanged at #13, 6+). This represents the best 6+-performance for "Kiss" since August (4.9) and the 11th straight time it is in 4.0 – 4.9 range; WJGL-HD2 was at 2.6 in three of the last four sweeps. Suffering a –
10.5 in January,
Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ "Lite 96.1 – Today's Variety" surrenders half the +.6 it notched in February (19.7 – 9.2 – 9.8 – 9.5, 6+) but is #1 for the fifth straight time. Prior to dropping to #2 in November, "Lite" had been on top the previous
17 sweeps. Also off by three-tenths (2.3 – 2.0, 6+) is its adult contemporary rival – Cox Media Group's WEZI "Easy 106.5," which trails "Lite" by 7.5 shares and is steady at #14 (6+). Contemporary Christian WMUV "The Promise 100.7" erodes by one-half share (2.1 – 1.6, 6+) but continues at #15. Although up two-tenths to 6.8 (6+), Cox Media Group talker WOKV backslides to #5 from #4, where it had been the past four sweeps.
11)
Memphis – Over and above segueing from second to first, KJMS "V-101" does so in grand fashion by hanging out a
whopping +1.9 to 10.2, its strongest 6+-share since July when it reached 10.4. The
iHeartMedia urban AC dislodges urban contemporary cluster-mate WHRK "K-97.1" (8.6 – 8.4, -.2, 6+), which takes over at #2. Ironically, the two siblings swapped places at #1/#2 in February. Prior to a -1.4 in "Holiday" 2015, "V-101" had not had a decline in the previous four sweeps
(8.9 – 9.2 – 9.3 – 9.3 – 10.0, 6+). Registering a 1.5 (6+) three times in the last six sweeps and a 1.6 (6+) the other three times, WKIM (#16 to #14) erupts with a +.7 to 2.2, the highest 6+-share for the
Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies facility since last September's 2.3. Rock cluster-mate WXMX "98.1 The Max" improves by six-tenths (2.5 – 3.1, 6+) and enters the top ten (#11 to #10); 3.1 is its best 6+-share since last April's 3.6. Going into the January monthly, urban-rhythmic oldies sibling WRBO had been in 7.0 – 7.8 range the previous five ratings periods, but with a +.4, it crossed the eight-share barrier. In February, "Soul Classics and Today's R&B" extended its streak of consecutive progressive trends to four (7.0 – 7.4 – 7.8 – 8.2 – 8.3, 6+), but it is off by four-tenths in March to 7.9 (second to third, 6+). January was the first time since November 2014 (8.1, 6+) that WRBO reached eight-share territory. Following three straight downward trends (3.2 – 2.8 – 2.5 – 2.3, 6+), iHeartMedia's WEGR "Rock 103" gains one half share to 2.8 to inch up from #13 to #12 (6+). Up by nine-tenths in February
Entercom hot AC WMC-FM "FM 100 Today's Best Mix" relinquishes one-half share (5.6 – 6.5 – 6.0, 6+) but stays at #6 for the sixth successive ratings period.
12)
Hartford – Climbing from a fourth-place tie to third,
iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WHCN-FM "The River 105.9"
improves by eight-tenths to 7.9, the most potent 6+-share in its
PPM-history. Without a decrease for the sixth straight sweep (5.7 – 5.9 – 5.9 – 6.3 – 7.1 – 7.1 – 7.6, 6+),
CBS Radio talker WTIC-AM repeats at #4. Despite being down for the third straight sweep for a -6.8 (17.8 – 12.1 – 11.9 – 11.0, 6+), co-owned adult contemporary WRCH is the market leader for the
18th time in the last 19 sweeps – including the past 10. In
January, "Lite 100.5" had its string of five straight increases snapped (8.7 – 10.8 – 11.1 – 11.6 – 11.9 – 17.8 – 12.1, 6+). Following hefty back-to-back gains that yielded a
+3.4, rhythmic CHR sibling WZMX "Hot 93.7" returns about 20% of that combined increase (6.7 – 8.2 – 10.1 – 9.4, -.7, 6+) but is in the runner-up slot for the third consecutive time. February's 10.1 by "Hot" is its best-ever 6+-share in the PPM-era. WZMX is Hartford's third station to register double-digits (6+): "Lite 100.5" has done it 40 times and
iHeartMedia's WWYZ "Country 92-5" has reached double-digits on six occasions. Unlisted for the past two sweeps,
University of Massachusetts-owned WFCR is off by eight-tenths (1.1 -.3, 6+) and ranks #11.
