PPM Data – Round One. Information for the March 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 March 2016 survey covered February 25 – March 23.
RadioInfo managing editor
Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from these 12-
PPM markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1)
New York – A gain of six-tenths elevates
iHeartMedia CHR WHTZ "Z-100" (4.7 – 5.3, fifth to fourth) to its best 6+-share since last August (5.4). Format competitor –
CBS Radio-owned WBMP
"Amp" – is flat at 2.8, but advances from #15 to #14; it is the third time in the last four sweeps "Amp" has registered a 2.8 (6+). Steady at #6, "Amp" all-news sibling WINS scores its third successive gain (3.1 – 4.1 – 4.2 – 4.7, 6+) and is a combined +1.6 in that stretch. Up in back-to-back monthlies (2.5 – 2.7 – 3.1, 6+), similarly-formatted cluster-mate WCBS-AM regresses by two-tenths to 2.9 but remains at #13. Elsewhere in that CBS Radio cluster, hot AC WWFS "Fresh 102.7" (2.9 – 2.7, -.2, #14 to #15, 6+) changes calls to WNEW-FM. The WNEW-FM call letters were last used by CBS Radio in Washington, DC for an all-news station, which several months ago flipped to business news. After reaching #1 (6+) for the first time in its
PPM-history,
Spanish Broadcasting System's WSKQ "Mega" declines by two-tenths as it did in February (6.6 – 6.4 – 6.2, 6+). "Mega" trades places with February's runner-up, iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW "Lite-FM" (6.3 – 6.7, +.4, 6+). "Lite-FM" had been #1 the previous
16 ratings periods before slipping to #2 in February; 6.3 is its lowest 6+-share since November 2014 (5.6). Up or flat the past three sweeps (3.5 – 3.5 – 4.0 – 4.1, 6+) rhythmic CHR cluster-mate WKTU drops one-tenth to 4.0, dipping from seventh to an eighth-place tie with classic rock sibling WAXQ "Q-104.3," up for the third consecutive time (3.1 – 3.5 – 3.6 – 4.0, 6+).
2)
Los Angeles – This marks the fifth successive sweep at #1 for
iHeartMedia adult contemporary KOST "Coast 103.5" (5.7 – 5.9,
+.2, 6+). Jumping from tenth to seventh with a +.3 to 3.5 (6+), talk sibling KFI applies the brakes to seven successive monthlies without an increase (3.5 – 3.5 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 3.3 – 3.2 – 3.2, 6+) that resulted in a cumulative loss of just three-tenths. While co-owned CHR KIIS "Kiss-FM" drops four-tenths (5.5, 5.1, steady at #2), format foe –
CBS Radio's KAMP "Amp" is flat at 3.0 and is in a three-way tie at #11. "Kiss-FM" was +.8 in February notching its best 6+-performance in two years (tying its 5.5 in February 2014). Meanwhile, "Amp" improved in February by three-tenths to halt four consecutive down or flat trends (3.3 – 3.0 – 2.9 – 2.7 – 2.7, 6+). Not only is iHeartMedia's KYSR "Alt 98.7" up for the fourth straight time (2.3 – 2.4 – 2.6 – 2.9 – 3.2, 6+) for a cumulative +.9, it cracks the top ten (#14 to #10) and overtakes alternative rival (CBS Radio-owned) KROQ (3.1 – 2.9, -.2, #11 to #14). "The World Famous" KROQ had been flat or (modestly) up the past three straight times (2.8 – 2.8 – 3.0 – 3.1, 6+). Progressing from seventh to sixth, adult hits KCBS-FM has its third straight increase (2.9 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 3.7, 6+). Off for the fourth consecutive sweep (3.5 – 3.3 – 3.0 – 2.9 – 2.6, 6+),
Spanish Broadcasting System regional Mexican KLAX dips from #14 to a three-way logjam at #16. Flat at 2.8 (6+),
Emmis rhythmic CHR KPWR "Power 106" is in the 2.6 – 2.9 range or the
eighth successive survey and bumps up from #16 to #15. With KFWB discontinuing its sports format on March 1 in favor of a south Asian bollywood format as "Desi 980," three sports outlets continue in the market:
ESPN's KSPN is up one-tenth to .9 (#32, 6+); iHeartMedia's KLAC is flat at .5 (#38, 6+); and independent KLAA gains one-tenth to .3 (#39, 6+). Unlisted in March, KFWB had a .2 (6+) in February.
3)
Chicago – This is the sixth time in the last eight survey periods that WXRT "93 'XRT" has a 2.6 (2.6 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.3 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.6, 6+). The CBS Radio triple A inches up from #16 to a three-way tie-up at #15 with
ESPN's WMVP and Hubbard's WSHE; it is
the third straight gain for WMVP (1.9 – 2.3 – 2.5 – 2.6, 6+) and third consecutive monthly without a decrease for WSHE (2.0 – 2.0 – 2.3 – 2.6, 6+). In terms of 6+-share, it is a tough month for the market's two hot ACs as
Hubbard Broadcasting's WTMX "The Mix" drops six-tenths (5.5 – 4.9, 6+) and
iHeartMedia-owned WLIT "My-FM" falters by one-half share (4.5 – 4.0, 6+). Nonetheless, "My-FM" is steady at #4 and "Mix" shifts from a second-place tie to third. Locked on 6.8 (6+) in "Holiday" 2015 and January 2016, WBBM-AM improved by one-tenth to 6.9 in February, but drops three-tenths to 6.6; even so, the
CBS Radio all-news operation is #1 for the third straight sweep. WBBM-AM has a one-share lead over iHeartMedia urban AC WVAZ "V-103" (5.5 – 5.6, +.1, 6+), which is #2 for the third consecutive ratings period. Following back-to-back up trends that produced a combined full-share gain (1.4 – 2.2 – 2.4, 6+),
Venture Technologies Group's WRME "Me TV 87.7" coughs up one-half share (to 1.9, 6+) and falls out of the top 20 (#20 to #23). Notching a .4 in January, iHeartMedia talker WVON disappeared in February, but resurfaces with a .4 in March and finishes in a three-way tie at #34.
4)
San Francisco – Owing to a strong +.6 (4.3 – 4.9, 6+),
Cumulus Media's KNBR "The Sports Leader" marches from
fourth to third. It is the best 6+performance for "The Sports Leader" since last October's 5.0. Dislodged from San Francisco's top spot in the "Holiday" 2015 report, KCBS-AM posted consecutive gains of +.4 in January and February (5.4 – 5.8 – 6.2, 6+) but drops two-tenths in March; nonetheless, the
CBS Radio all-news outlet – which had been in the top spot six successive sweeps before "Holiday" 2015 – is #1 for the third straight monthly. Over the course of three consecutive declines (10.4 – 5.6 – 5.4 – 4.6, 6+),
Entercom adult contemporary KOIT-FM "Better Variety for a Better Workday" has dropped a combined 5.8 shares or roughly 56%; it slips from second to fourth. After a trio of up trends (3.4 – 3.5 – 3.6 – 3.9, 6+),
iHeartMedia's KYLD "WiLD 94.9 The Bay's #1 Hit Music Station" drops one-tenth to 3.8, but actually
moves up from sixth to a fifth-place tie (6+). Without a decline in the previous seven sweeps for a combined +1.9 (1.7 – 2.0 – 2.0 – 2.3 – 2.7 – 2.7 – 3.4 – 3.6, 6+),
Univision regional Mexican facility KSOL "Que Buena" is off four-tenths to 3.2, but stays at #10. Eroding by six-tenths (.8 – .2) is KSJO "Bolly 92.3 – The Bay Area's Bollywood Station," which finishes at #32.
5)
Dallas – Up or flat the three previous sweeps (5.7 – 6.0 – 6.0 – 6.3, 6+),
iHeartMedia CHR KHKS "Kiss-FM" loses three-tenths to 6.0 (6+) but repeats at #1. Gaining one-half share (1.8 – 2.3,
6+),
Radio One urban-rhythmic oldies KSOC "Boom 94.5" cracks the top 20 (#20). Faltering by eight-tenths each are KLUV (unchanged at #2, 6+) and
Univision regional Mexican KFZO (1.2 – 4, #36, 6+). Not only is it the third straight dip for KLUV, the
CBS Radio classic hits-oldies outlet has lost exactly 50% of its 6+-share in that time (10.6 – 6.6 – 6.1 – 5.3, 6+). After consecutive increases (3.8 – 4.2 – 4.5, 6+), iHeartMedia hot AC KDMX "Now 102.9" sputters by six-tenths to 3.9, moving from a three-way tie at #3 to #7. After three successive performances at 2.8 (6+), CBS Radio-owned similarly-formatted KVIL improves by four-tenths to 3.2 (where it began in December) and is back in the top ten (#14 to #9). As a result of a one-tenth dip to 4.4 (6+), the streak of flat or (modest) up trends for iHeartMedia classic rocker KZPS concludes at three (3.9 – 3.9 – 4.1 – 4.5, 6+); "Lone Star 92.5" moves from a three-way tie at #3 to a three-way logjam at #4.
6)
Houston – Scoring robust gains of nine-tenths each are
Cox Media Group classic rock and country siblings KGLK "The
Eagle" (5.7 – 6.6, 6+) and KKBQ "93-Q" (5.3, sixth to fourth, 6+). "The Eagle" advances from third to second, where it is tied with
Radio One urban AC KMJQ "Majic 102.1" (6.7 – 6.6, -.1, 6+), which is in the runner-up slot for the ninth straight time. Having been without an increase the past four sweeps (5.6 – 5.6 – 4.7 – 4.7 – 4.4, 6+), "93-Q" is nine-tenths ahead of its format rival –
CBS Radio's KILT-FM "The Bull 100.3" (ninth to seventh) – up for the third successive sweep (3.7 – 3.8 – 4.3 – 4.4, 6+). Relinquishing the six-tenths it gained in February (7.2 – 7.8 – 7.2, 6+),
iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA "Sunny 99.1" nonetheless ranks first for the
19th consecutive ratings period. It is a
somewhat similar scenario for CBS Radio Spanish contemporary KLOL "Mega 101," which gained six-tenths in February only to forfeit all but one-tenth in March (2.6 – 3.2 – 2.7, -.5, 6+). The +.6 in
February allowed "Mega" to curtail three straight downward trends (3.7 – 3.5 – 2.8 – 2.6, 6+); it drops from #15 to #17. The market's two mainstream CHR outlets each drop one-tenth:
Cumulus Media's KRBE registers a 4.3 (sixth to ninth, 6+), while CBS Radio's KKHH "Hot 95.7" declines for the third straight monthly (3.7 – 3.6 – 3.3 – 3.2, 6+), sliding from #14 to #15.
7)
Philadelphia – Stuck on 3.8 (6+) in January and February,
iHeartMedia's WRFF "Radio 104.5 – Philadelphia's Alternative" explodes with a +1.3 to 5.1 and enters the top ten (#11 to #7). This
is the first time "Radio 104.5" has reached the five-share level since August 2012 (5.0). Urban contemporary sibling WUSL "Power 99" adds one-half share and is up for the third straight time (3.5 – 3.9 – 4.0 – 4.5, 6+) to progress from tenth to eighth. Despite a -.2 (7.9 – 7.7, 6+),
Jerry Lee Radio adult contemporary WBEB "More FM" is the market pacesetter for the ninth successive monthly. Back-to-back gains of one-tenth (4.2 – 4.3 – 4.4, 6+) by WIOQ are followed by a loss of seven-tenths to 3.7 (6+) as the iHeartMedia CHR exits the top ten (#8 to #11). Unable to gain ground,
CBS Radio's WZMP "Amp" falters by two-tenths to 2.8 and is unchanged at #16 (6+). Flat at 3.4, public WHYY is ensconced at #12 for the fifth straight sweep. A trio of positive trends by WMGK that yielded a combined +1.2 (4.8 – 5.5 – 6.0, 6+) is curtailed with a -.4 to 5.6, but the
Greater Media classic rocker remains in third-place. Co-owned rocker WMMR though climbs from #5 to tie WMGK at #3 and is up or flat for the third successive sweep (4.3 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 5.6, 6+).
8)
Atlanta – Boasting the largest (6+) February – March increase of any station in the 12 markets whose data was released Monday,
Cox Media Group urban AC WALR "Kiss 104.1" erupts with a +1.7 climbing from third to second. "Kiss" is two-tenths behind talk sibling WSB-AM (9.1 – 9.0, -.1, 6+), which holds the top spot for the third straight month. This is the fourth successive sweep that "Kiss" is either up or flat (6.7 – 6.7 – 6.8 – 7.1- 8.8, 6+) and its 8.8 in March eclipses last September's 8.1 as its
best-ever 6+share showing under
PPM methodology. In that vein, February's 9.1 by WSB-AM was its highest since PPM became Atlanta's ratings currency. Capturing #1 honors in January, WSB-AM was the market's runner-up the previous four sweeps. Contrasted to the
+1.7 by "Kiss," cross-town rival –
Radio One's WAMJ "Majic 107.5" – experiences the loftiest (6+) February – March
decrease of any station in the 12 markets whose data was released Monday (4.9 – 3.5,
-1.4, 6+); "Majic" – which was +.8 in February – spirals out of the top ten (#5 to #13). Meanwhile, a +.7 (3.4 – 4.1, 6+) propels
Cumulus Media's WKHX "Kicks 101.5" into the top ten (#13 to #9), overtaking
iHeartMedia's WUBL "94.9 The Bull" (#11 to #10, 6+). "The Bull" is actually up or flat for the third straight time (3.6 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 4.0, 6+). Without a decrease for the fifth successive sweep for a cumulative +1.3 (3.4 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 4.4 – 4.7, 6+), Cox Media Group's WSRV "Classic Hits 97.1 The River" vaults from eighth to fifth. Sputtering by nine-tenths each are
CBS Radio urban contemporary WVEE "V-103" (8.6 – 7.7, second to third, 6+) and Cox Media Group adult contemporary WSB-FM "B-98.5" (5.5 – 4.6, fourth to sixth, 6+). Prior to falling to second in January, "V-103" spent
12 consecutive sweeps at #1; it was +.7 in February. Off by one-half share and flat at #16, iHeartMedia's WRDA "Radio 105.7 – Atlanta's Alternative" has its string of up or flat trends end at three (2.3 – 2.5 – 2.5 2.8 – 2.3, 6+).
9)
Long Island – Having gained two-tenths in February to halt five straight sweeps without an increase (4.3 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 3.3 – 2.2 – 2.2, 6+),
Emmis urban AC WBLS busts out a +1.1 in March (2.4 –
3.5, 6+), rocketing from a three-way logjam at #18 all the way to a tie at #9. It is linked at #9 with
iHeartMedia New York City adult contemporary WLTW "Lite-FM," which returns the half-share it gained in February (3.5 – 4.0 – 4.0, 6+) and drops from #6; "Lite-FM" was -4.4 in January. Conversely,
Connoisseur Media in-market adult contemporary WKJY picks up six-tenths (3.6 – 4.2, 6+) as it jumps from eighth to sixth; it is the strongest 6+-showing for "Long Island's K-98.3" since reaching 4.3 in February 2015. In the six sweeps prior to the February report, WKTU 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 in February to 2.2 (6+), it slumped from #13 to #21. The iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR rebounds with a gain of six-tenths to 2.8 and finishes at #16. Albeit down one-tenth (5.9 – 5.8, 6+), co-owned CHR WHTZ "Z-100" repeats at #1. Its lead though over Connoisseur Media hot AC WALK-FM (5.5 – 5.7, +.2, 6+) is just one-tenth; WALK was -.9 in February and -3.7 in January (10.1 – 6.4 – 5.5, 6+). After three straight stays at #1, WALK-FM dropped to second in February. It had gained one full-share in December and was +3.9 in "Holiday" 2015. In 2.0 – 2.9 territory (6+) for the 33rd straight ratings period,
CBS Radio CHR WBMP "Amp Radio" drops three-tenths (2.5 – 2.2, 6+) and departs the top 20 (#17 to #21).
10)
Riverside – Ping-ponging 2.5 – 2.4 – 2.5 – 2.4 (December 2015 – February 2016, 6+),
Liberman regional Mexican KRQB "Que
Buena 96.1″ (eighth to seventh) notches a +.6 to 3.0, matching its November stat. Up by one-half share (6.4 – 6.9, 6+),
Entravision Spanish adult hits KLYY "Jose" is #1 for the fifth consecutive ratings period. After recording an eight-tenths increase to advance from ninth to seventh, rhythmic oldies KQIE "Old School 104.7" hands back more than half of it (1.9 – 2.7 – 2.2, -.5, 6+) and returns to ninth; 2.7 was the best 6+-performance for the KQIE frequency (formerly rhythmic CHR) since "Holiday" 2013 (2.9). Breaking February's second-place tie,
iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR KGGI gains three-tenths (5.0 – 5.3, 6+), while
Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies outlet KOLA improves by one-tenth (5.0 – 5.1, 6+). Now at #3, KOLA had been in the runner-up slot the past four sweeps. The consecutive string of up or flat monthlies for KSSE "Super Estrella" ends at 11 (.2 – .3 – .3 – .3 – .3 – .3 – .3 – .4 – .5 – .5 -.5 -.6, 6+), as the Entravision Spanish contemporary outlet dips two-tenths to 2.4 (#15 to #18, 6+).
11)
San Jose – Off a combined four-tenths in the past two monthlies (1.9 – 1.7 – 1.5, 6+),
Entercom rhythmic hot AC KRBQ "Q-102 The Throwback Station" roars back with a +.9 to 2.4 (#13,
6+). Frozen on .6 (6+) in December and "Holiday" and then on .7 (6+) in January and February, urban AC KBLX "102.9 The Bay's R&B" dials up a +.8 to 1.5, taking it to a three-way tie at #23. Improving by six-tenths each are
Cumulus Media's KNBR "The Sports Leader" and
iHeartMedia urban-rhythmic oldies KISQ "Kiss 98.1" (1.7 – 2.3, #14). Unchanged at #2, "The Sports Leader" regains the six-tenths it lost in February (6.5 – 5.9 – 6.5, 6+). The February -.6 by KNBR curtailed three straight gains (5.1 – 5.4 – 5.6 – 6.5, 6+). "The Sports Leader" is one-tenth behind
Univision Spanish adult hits KBRG Mas Variedad 100.3″ which – despite being flat at 6.6 (6+) – repeats at #1. Duplicating its February accomplishment,
Empire Broadcasting-owned KRTY gains one-half share (3.6 – 4.1 – 4.6, 6+) as "Hot Country 95.3" inches up from seventh to sixth. "Hot Country" was stuck on 3.6 (6+) in "Holiday" 2015 and January 2016. Also improving by +.5 is iHeartMedia hot AC KIOI "Star 101.3" (2.6 – 3.1, 6+), which enters the top ten (#12 to #10). The -1.1 that KSJO "Bolly 92.3 – The Bay Area's Bollywood Station" endures in San Jose (1.5 – .4, #30) is nearly twice the -.6 it had in San Francisco (see above). In 1.0 – 1.8 territory for the 12th straight sweep,
Cumulus Media triple A KFOG "The Bay Area's Original" drops one-half share (1.8 – 1.3, 6+) and freefalls out of the top 20 (#20 to #26). Faltering for the third consecutive ratings period (8.9 – 5.8 – 5.1 – 4.7, 6+),
Alpha Media adult contemporary KBAY (third to fourth) is off a combined 4.2 shares and roughly 47%. Prior to falling to third-place in January, KBAY had been anchored at #1 the previous
14 sweeps. Without a decrease in the last seven sweeps and up one full-share in that time (1.6 – 1.8 – 2.0 – 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.3 – 2.6, 6+),
CBS Radio alternative KITS "Live 105" drops four-tenths to 2.2; ironically it moves from a
three-way tie at #12 to a
three-way logjam at #15.
12)
Middlesex – For the sixth straight ratings period, WBLS is either up or flat and is a cumulative +1.3 in that stretch (4.3 – 4.4 –
4.6 – 4.7 – 5.1 – 5.1 – 5.6, 6+). The +.5 in March pushes the
Emmis urban AC from fifth to fourth. Also improving by one-half share is
Cumulus Media talker WABC (1.7 – 2.2, 6+), which is in a three-way tie at #18. A loss of nine-tenths (3.0 – 2.1, 6+) spirals
Spanish Broadcasting System-owned Spanish contemporary WPAT-FM "93.1 Amor" out of the top 20 (#14 to #21). After crossing the nine-share threshold (6+) for the first time in its
PPM-history,
Townsquare Media talker WKXW "New Jersey 101.5" is off by two-tenths (9.1 – 8.9, 6+), but remains at #1 for the third straight time. Up or flat for the fifth straight time in Middlesex-Somerset-Union (2.9 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 4.2 – 4.3 – 4.3, 6+), Spanish Broadcasting System Spanish tropical WSKQ "Mega 97.9" is unchanged at #8. Following a
+.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+),
Univision Spanish tropical WXNY "X-96.3" is off by a modest one-tenth to 3.6, falling from ninth to tenth (6+).
