PPM Data – Part Four. April 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 April 2016 survey period covered March 24 – April 20.
RadioInfo managing editor
Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from all of these 12-
PPM markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1)
Austin – Powered by a hefty +1.4 (3.2 – 4.6, 6+),
Emmis regional Mexican KLZT crosses the four-share threshold (6+) for
the first time since July 2014 when it reached 4.2. Moreover, "107.1 La Z" cruises from #13 to a three-way tie at #7. Owing to a +.7 (5.8 – 6.5, 6+),
iHeartMedia CHR KHFI "96.7 Kiss FM" enjoys its best 6+-performance since last July's 6.6 as it climbs from third to second.
Having registered a 6+-share in the 4.0 – 4.8 range the past 14 sweeps, Emmis alternative KROX "101-X" dials up a +.6 to 5.0, moving up from eighth to sixth. Advancing by one-half share each are cluster-mate KLBJ-FM "93.7 The Rock of Austin" (5.3, 5.8, unchanged at #4, 6+) and
Entercom urban AC KKMJ-HD3 (2.4, 6+). This represents the best 6+-stat for "The Rock of Austin" since October 2010 (also 5.8). Flat at #18, KKMJ-HD3 had been off the past three sweeps including a -.7 in March (3.3 – 3.1 – 2.6 – 1.9, 6+). Also halting a three-month skid (11.4 – 6.4 – 6.0 – 4.9, 6+) is co-owned adult contemporary KKMJ-FM "Majic," which posts a +.2 to 5.1. Steady at #5, "Majic" had four consecutive gains (4.7 – 5.2 – 5.9 – 6.4 – 11.4, 6+) before the three straight decreases. Picking up four-tenths to 2.6 (6+),
Univision regional Mexican KLQB "Que Buena 104.3" (#17 to #16) curtails four straight down or flat trends that yielded a -1.7 (3.9 – 3.9 – 3.6 – 2.8 – 2.2, 6+). 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 in back-to-back sweeps (9.4 – 9.1 – 8.6, 6+), but "Bob" is #1 for the fourth consecutive time. A loss of one full-share (7.4 – 6.4, 6+) drops
University of Texas at
Austin's KUT from second to third. After improving by one-half share in March,
Crista Ministries contemporary Christian KFMK "Spirit 105.9" returns all of it (3.0 – 3.5 – 3.0, 6+) to back slide from #12 to #14; 3.0 (in March and April) is the lowest 6+-share for "Spirit" since May 2013 (also 3.0). With a -.3 to 4.6 (6+), the string of consecutive increases for iHeartMedia's KASE ends at three (3.7 – 4.6 – 4.8 – 4.9, 6+) with "Today's Country" falling from fifth to seventh. It is tied there with fellow country cluster-mate KVET-FM "All-Time Country Favorites" (flat at 4.6, 6+).
2)
Milwaukee – Occupying the market's top spot for the
12th straight sweep,
iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WRIT "95.7 Big
FM – Milwaukee's Greatest Hits" posts a robust +1.1 (9.7 – 10.8, 6+). Recent 6+-fluctuations for WRIT include
+1.7 (October);
-.7 (November); flat (December);
+5.6 ("Holiday");
-5.7 (January);
+1.3 (February); -.3 (March); and now
+1.1 (April). Prior to October's -1.7, 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. Climbing from eighth to seventh,
iHeartMedia urban contemporary WKKV "V-100.7 Jams" adds eight-tenths (4.8 – 5.6) for its best 6+-showing since last August (6.1). Off six-tenths in March,
Saga Communications' urban AC WJMR "Jammin' 98.3 Today's R&B and Old School" recaptures all of it plus one-tenth (4.4 – 3.8 – 4.5,
+.7, 6+) and returns to the top ten (#11 to #10). A loss of seven-tenths (7.1 – 6.4, 6+) drops iHeartMedia-owned WMIL "FM 106.1 Milwaukee's Best Country" (+.8 in
February) from the runner-up slot to #3. This is the third straight dip for public WHAD (2.1 – 1.9 – 1.8 – 1.3, 6+), which slips from #16 to #17. Up or flat the previous
eight sweeps (.4 – .7 – .8 – .8 – .9 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.2 – 1.2, 6+), WZTI "True Oldies Channel" is off one-tenth to 1.1 (6+) and reverts from #18 to #19.
3)
Indianapolis – Boasting the largest (6+) March – April increase of any station in the 12
PPM-markets whose data was
released Thursday (5.3 – 7.0,
+1.7, 6+),
iHeartMedia-owned WOLT "Alt 103.3 Indy's Alternative" progresses from seventh to third. Not only is 7.0 the most potent 6+-share in the station's PPM-history, the next closest for the WOLT call letters (and WRZX, its previous calls) was 6.0, which has happened three
times. Before being off by two-tenths in March, "Alt 103.3" gained +1.6 in four up or flat trends (3.9 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 5.5, 6+). The fourth successive gain by WJJK "Classic Hits 104.5" is by one-full share as the
Cumulus Media property is +2.4 since the "Holiday" report (5.4 – 5.8 – 6.2 – 6.8 – 7.8, 6+). Moreover, "Classic Hits 104.5" now has sole possession of first place. March's co-occupant,
Emmis adult contemporary WYXB "Soft Rock B-105.7," falls to second, despite being up three-tenths (6.8 – 7.1, 6+). The last time WJJK reached the seven-share level (6+) was October 2014 (7.5). Within 2.8 – 3.3 (6+) the previous five sweeps, public KFYI falters by one full-share (3.2 – 2.2, 6+), segueing from #13 to #15. Transitioning from fifth to seventh, iHeartMedia's WFBQ "Q-95 Rocks" sputters by one-half share (5.7 – 5.2, 6+). Without an increase for the sixth straight monthly (8.2 – 6.8 – 6.6 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 6.2 – 6.2, 6+)
Radio One-owned WTLC-FM back slides from fourth to fifth; "Indy's R&B Leader" has lost two full-shares in that stretch. Following three (modest) gains (2.8 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.5, 6+), Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WRWM "93.9 The Beat" is off by one-tenth to 3.4, but stays at #12.
4)
Providence – With its best 6+-performance since October's 7.0,
iHeartMedia-owned classic hits-oldies WWBB "B-101"
improves by one-half share (5.9 – 6.4, 6+) and remains in fifth-place. Five of the 14 stations listed in the April 2016 report for Providence are talk outlets;
Cumulus Media's WPRO-AM (5.1, +.3, unchanged at #7, 6+) accounts for two-thirds (67%) of the market's 7.6 (6+) total talk
shares. Even though it erodes by a robust -1.5 (12.1 – 10.6, 6+), co-owned adult contemporary WWLI "Lite Rock 105" is #1 for the sixth successive ratings period and has been in double-digits (6+) each time; 10.6 though is its lowest 6+-share since November's 8.7. After a -.6 in March, iHeartMedia hot AC WSNE "Coast 93.3" stumbles by another one-half share (6.3 – 5.7 – 5.2, 6+) but remains at #6. The consecutive string of up-trends for
Hall Communications' WCTK (steady at #4) ends at three (6.3 – 7.0 – 7.1 – 7.3, 6+) as "Cat Country 98.1" declines by three-tenths to 7.0 (6+).
5)
Raleigh – Locked on 6.4 (February and March, 6+) and ranked fifth in March,
iHeartMedia CHR WDCG "G-105" explodes with
a +1.3 to 7.7 to catch
Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary WRAL "Mix 101.5" (8.3 – 7.7, -.6, 6+) at #1. It is the best 6+-performance for "G-105" since August (also 7.7). "Mix 101.5" posted a
+5.7 in the "
Holiday" report; sputtered by
-7.2 in January; bounced back with a
+.6 in February; and was
+.6 in March. It remains on top
for the eighth consecutive ratings period. "G-105" sibling WRDU advances by nine-tenths (4.8 – 5.7, 6+), as "Classic Rock 100.7" climbs from ninth to seventh. Improving by eight-tenths each are WCPE and
Radio One gospel WNNL "The Light 103.9" (3.5 – 4.3, #14 to #12, 6+). Not only is this the sixth successive sweep without a decrease for WCPE (2.2 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 3.5 – 3.6 – 4.4, 6+), the public classical facility has doubled its 6+share since November and it enters the top ten (#12 to #10). On top of that, it is the first time WCPE has reached the four-share level (6+) since October 2012 (4.0). Meanwhile, "The Light" bounces back from a -.9 in March. A one-tenth gain (to 3.7, 6+) is good enough to apply the brakes to nine straight down or flat trends for
Curtis Media Group adult hits WBBB. In that time, "Radio 96.1" (#12 to #13) had 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+). For the second time in a row, cluster-mate WQDR "Today's Best Country" declines by seven-tenths (7.3 – 6.6 – 5.9, 6+) as it slides from third to sixth. Among a quartet of market outlets sputtering by one-half share are iHeartMedia FM talker WTKK (4.8, seventh to eighth, 6+);
Capitol Broadcasting sports outlet WCMC "The Fan" (eighth to tenth, 6+); Curtis Media Group classic hits-oldies WKIX "Kix 102.9" (3.6, #11 to #14, 6+); and regional Mexican sibling WYMY (2.1, flat at #16, 6+). WTKK was down one-half share in March as well. With a
-.3 in the "
Holiday" report, "The Fan" had its consecutive streak of up-trends snapped at four (2.5 – 2.7 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 4.0, 6+). Significant fluctuations followed, including a
+1.1 (January);
-1.0 (February);
+1.1 (March); and now a
-.5 in April (3.7 – 4.8 – 3.8 – 4.9 – 4.4, 6+). "Kix 102.9" had been up or flat the previous three survey periods (3.1 – 3.6 – 3.6 – 4.1, 6+).
6)
Norfolk – Frozen on .7 (6+) in January, February,
and March,
Saga Communications' WJOI "Great Songs, Great Memories"
more than doubles that stat with a +.8 to 1.5 (#17 to #16), the first time the adult standards property has reached at least a one-share (6+) since August (1.0). Displaying gains of seven-tenths each are
iHeartMedia urban contemporary WOWI "Jamz 103" (8.3, steady at #2, 6+) and
Max Broadcast Group classic hits-oldies
WVBW "92.9 The Wave" (6.5 – 7.2, fourth to third, 6+). "Jamz" had been within 7.0 – 7.7 territory (6+) the last seven sweeps. Without an increase for the third straight time (12.1 – 12.1 – 11.7 – 11.6 (6+),
Entercom urban AC WVKL is nonetheless #1 for the
47th consecutive ratings period. The last time "Smooth R&B From Yesterday & Today" was
not in double-digits (6+) was when it registered a 9.8 in January
2014. After progressing by eight-tenths in March, co-owned adult contemporary WWDE (third to fourth) coughs up twice that amount (6.1 – 6.9 – 5.3,
-1.6, 6+); 5.3 is its lowest 6+-share for "2WD" since August (5.1). Eroding by six-tenths each are Max Broadcast Group country and sports siblings WGH-FM "Eagle 97" (5.8 – 5.2, unchanged at #5, 6+) and WVSP (2.6 – 2.0, #11 to #14, 6+), as well as Saga Communications' WNOR "FM 99 Rocks" (sixth to seventh, 6+). "Eagle 97" was +.8 in March. The seesaw continues for "FM 99 Rocks," which has recently been
+.6 (January);
+.5 (February);
-.8 (March); and now
-.6 in April (4.8 – 5.4 – 5.9 – 5.1 – 4.5, 6+). The Saga rocker was
-.9 in
both "Holiday" 2015
and November. Without an increase for the sixth consecutive sweep and down eight-tenths in that stretch (3.7 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.5 – 3.3 – 2.9 – 2.9, 6+), Entercom hot AC WPTE "The Point" finishes at #10 for the fourth straight time.
7)
Nashville – Even though it recaptures six-tenths of the seven-tenths it lost in March (2.3 – 1.6 – 2.2, 6+),
WAY Media 
contemporary Christian WAYM remains at #17. There is virtually no March – April movement with the market's top two stations as
Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA "Mix 92.9" (-.1, 6+) has a 2.1-share advantage over
iHeartMedia CHR WRVW "The River" (flat at 7.5, 6+). While this is the fourth straight slip for "Mix" (15.6 – 10.7 – 10.2 – 9.7 – 9.6, 6+), it is #1 for
(a benchmark!)
50th consecutive ratings period. This is only the second time since November – and third occurrence since August – that "Mix" has
not been in double-digits (6+). "The River" improved by eight-tenths in March and is at #2 for the fifth time in the last six sweeps. "Mix" adult hits sibling WCJK "Jack FM" is without an increase for the fifth successive monthly (7.6 – 7.1 – 7.1 – 6.8 – 6.3 – 6.0, 6+) and -1.6 since December but carries on at #5. Four consecutive progressive trends (.8 – 1.4 – 1.6 – 2.1 – 2.4) enable
Ryman Hospitality Properties classic country WSM-AM (unchanged at #16) to triple its 6+-share. Model of consistency WNFN is in two-share range for the 28th successive sweep; the
Joule Broadcasting CHR is up three-tenths to 2.6 (6+), moving from #15 to #14. Good news/bad news for
Cumulus Media's WWTN "Super Talk 97": It improves from seventh to sixth, but with a -.1 to 5.1 (6+) has its string of successive up-trends (for a combined +1.9) end at three (3.3 – 3.6 – 4.6 – 5.2, 6+). Owing to a one-half share decline to 3.9 (6+),
Cromwell Group alternative WBUZ "102.9 The Buzz" has its successive streak of positive trends snapped at five (2.4 – 3.1 – 3.5 – 4.2 – 4.3 – 4.4, 6+); "The Buzz" was up two full-shares since November and drops out of the top ten (#10 to #12). Following four straight monthlies without a decrease for a combined +1.6 (3.7 – 4.3 – 5.0 – 5.3 – 5.3, 6+), Cumulus Media's WSM-FM is off four-tenths to 4.9 (6+). "Nash Icon" drops from sixth to ninth – just in front of iHeartMedia's WSIX "The Big 98 #1 For New Country" (4.4 – 4.5, +.1, steady at #10). Unchanged at #13, the market's other country FM – Cumulus Media's WKDF "Nash-FM 103.3" is without an increase for the third straight sweep (3.4 – 3.4 – 3.1 – 2.9, 6+).
8)
Greensboro – The market's top nine finishers in April are owned by
Entercom (#1, #2, #3, and #7) and
iHeartMedia 
(#4, #5, #6, #8, and #9). Dusting itself off from a one-half share decline in March following February's -.7, Entercom country outlet WPAW "93.1 The Wolf" answers with a +.6 (5.4 – 4.7 – 4.2 – 4.8, 6+) and advances from eighth to seventh. The 4.2 in March was the weakest 6+-showing for "The Wolf" in its
PPM-history.
Progressing by one-half share each and remaining at #3 and #4, respectively, are co-owned adult hits WSMW "Simon" (8.1 – 8.6, 6+) and iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMAG "The Triad's Best Mix" (6.9 – 7.4, 6+). It is the strongest 6+-performance for "Simon" since May (9.0); WMAG was without an increase the past three sweeps for a combined -8.3 or an approximately 55% erosion (15.2 – 7.8 – 7.8 – 6.9, 6+). Prior to that, WMAG had back-to-back gains totaling +8.3 (6.9 – 9.9 – 15.2, 6+). Tied for the top spot in January and finishing second in February, Entercom rhythmic CHR WJMH "102 Jamz" returned to #1 in March. It not only continues there, "Jamz" registers its third straight increase (8.3 – 8.6 – 9.4 – 9.8, 6+). Also continuing a positive streak is urban AC cluster-mate WQMG "The Best R&B and Old School," which hasn't had a decrease in the past five sweeps and is up two full-shares since December (7.7 – 7.7 – 8.2 – 9.1 – 9.3 – 9.7, 6+). Going into the
January ratings period, WQMG had not had an increase in the three previous sweeps (8.9 – 8.2 – 7.7 – 7.7, 6+). Just as it did in March, "The Best R&B and Old School" trails sibling "102 Jamz" by just one-tenth. Off two-tenths to 4.5 (seventh to eighth, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned FM talker WPTI has its string of successive up-trends – which produced a cumulative +2.1 – end at three (2.6 – 3.4 – 4.1 – 4.7, 6+); 4.7 was the best 6+-performance in the station's
PPM-history. This marks the eighth 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 – After placing fourth the past four sweeps and registering a 5.5 (6+) in four of the last six ratings periods,
Alpha Media-owned WIRK busts out a full-share increase to 6.2, its best 6+-showing since September's 6.4 (6+); "South Florida Country" climbs to third-place. Off by a combined -1.6 in back-to-book monthlies (5.0 – 3.5 – 3.4, 6+),
WAY Media contemporary Christian WAYF bounces back with a +.9 to 4.3
(seventh to sixth, 6+). Owing to a +.6 (to 2.0, 6+),
iHeartMedia Spanish contemporary WRLX (#12 to #11) applies the brakes to five straight down or flat trends (2.5 – 1.9 – 1.6 – 1.5 – 1.4 – 1.4, 6+). Steady at #8, CHR cluster-mate WLDI "WiLD 95.5" gains one-half share (2.8 – 3.3, 6+). This is the fourth successive progressive trend for co-owned talker WJNO (1.3 – 1.6 – 1.9 – 2.4 – 2.6, 6+), which doubles its 6+share since the "Holiday" 2015 ratings period. Prior to reaching 2.4 in March, WJNO had been in 1.3 – 1.9 (6+) range the previous 13 sweeps. Albeit down for the third time in a row (9.5 – 9.3 – 8.2 – 8.1, 6+), Alpha Media hot AC sibling WRMF holds down the top spot for the
21st consecutive time. Following a trio of consecutive progressive trends yielding a combined +1.3 (3.9 – 4.5 – 5.0 – 5.2, 6+), urban AC cluster-mate WMBX "X-102.3" sputters by seven-tenths to 4.5 (6+), moving from fourth to fifth.
10)
Jacksonville – On the heels of a +.8 in March,
Cox Media Group CHR WAPE follows with a roaring +1.3 (6.7 – 7.5 – 8.8,
6+), shaking loose from a third-place tie to second. The last time WAPE reached the eight-share level was February 2014 (8.5, 6+). Inching up from #14 to #13, adult contemporary sibling WEZI "Easy 106.5" racks up a +1.2 to 3.2, its highest 6+-share since flipping to
AC in late-September (2015). After improving by one-half share in March,
iHeartMedia CHR WKSL "Kiss FM" adds another seven-tenths (4.3 – 4.8 – 5.5, 6+) to climb from ninth to seventh. "Kiss" had been in 4.0 – 4.9 range (6+) the past 11 sweeps following a 5.2 last May. Steady at #6, urban-rhythmic oldies sibling WSOL "V-101.5" adds one-half share (5.3 – 5.8, 6+). Up four-tenths (9.5 – 9.9, 6+),
Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ "Lite 96.1 – Today's Variety" is #1 for the sixth straight time. Prior to dropping to #2 in November, "Lite" had been on top the previous
17 sweeps. While it is unchanged at #11, WJCT drops one-half share to 4.1 (6+), thus ending the talk station's streak of successive positive trends at three (3.1 – 4.3 – 4.5 – 4.6, 6+).
11)
Memphis – Not only does it repeat at #1,
iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS "V-101" follows a massive +1.9 in March with a
full-share increase to 11.2, its loftiest 6+-share since "Holiday"
2012 (also 11.2). In March, "V-101" dislodged urban contemporary cluster-mate WHRK "K-97.1" from the top spot. The two siblings swapped places at #1/#2 in February as well. 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+). Conversely, gospel cluster-mate WHAL "Halleluiah" regresses by one full-share (6.6 – 5.6, 6+) and slips from fifth to sixth; "Halleluiah" registered a 5.6 (6+) in the Holiday" 2015 report. After six successive ratings periods at #6,
Entercom hot AC WMC-FM "FM 100 Today's Best Mix" advances to #5 (6.0 – 6.2, +.2, 6+); "FM 100" was off by one-half share in March. This urban-rhythmic oldies-intensive market has all three format players register an increase. Entering the January monthly,
Cumulus Media's 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+). Off four-tenths in March, WRBO gains three-tenths in April to 8.2 (6+) and remains at #3. Cluster-mate WKIM (#14 to #13) erupted with a +.7 in March and adds four-tenths in April (2.6, 6+). Meanwhile, after sandwiching a 4.4 (February, 6+) between two 4.6 shares (January and March, 6+), iHeartMedia's WDIA "AM 1070 The Heart & Soul of Memphis" improves by two-tenths to 4.8 (6+) and is steady at #7. Without an increase for the fourth straight time for a roughly 52% erosion (14.0 – 7.3 – 7.3 – 7.1 – 6.7, 6+), adult contemporary WRVR "The River Continuous Soft Rock" remains at #4. At the very least, WMC-AM (#18) is consistent: The Entercom sports outlet is .1 for the sixth straight sweep.
12)
Hartford – Jumping from seventh to fourth,
CBS Radio hot AC WTIC-FM logs an increase of one full-share to 7.4 (6+),
matching what it registered in November. Aided by a +.7 (7.2 – 7.9),
iHeartMedia's WWYZ marches from fifth to third; 7.9 is the best 6+-performance for "Country 92-5" since last October (8.1). Unchanged at #8,
Connoisseur Media-owned WDRC-FM "Hartford's Classic
Rock 102.9 The Whale" improves by one-half share (5.2 – 5.7, 6+). Halting a three-month slide that resulted in a -6.8 (17.8 – 12.1 – 11.9 – 11.0, 6+),
CBS Radio adult contemporary WRCH gains three-tenths to 11.3 (6+). "Lite 100.5" is the market leader for the
19th time in the last 20 sweeps – including the past 11. Snapped in
January was its string of five straight
increases (8.7 – 10.8 – 11.1 – 11.6 – 11.9 – 17.8 – 12.1, 6+). Up or flat the last six ratings periods for a
+1.9 (5.7 – 5.9 – 5.9 – 6.3 – 7.1 – 7.1 – 7.6, 6+),
CBS Radio talker WTIC-AM forfeits more than half in one fell swoop with a
-1.1 to 6.5 and drifts from fourth to seventh. Off by eight-tenths each are rhythmic CHR sibling WZMX "Hot 93.7" (#2 for the fourth consecutive time, 6+) and iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WHCN-FM "The River 105.9" (7.9 – 7.1, third to fifth, 6+). In back-to-back monthlies, "Hot" is a combined -1.5 (10.1 – 9.4 – 8.6, 6+); February's 10.1 was its best-ever 6+-share in the
PPM-era. Likewise, it was just this time last month "The River 105.9" improved by eight-tenths to 7.9, the most potent 6+-share in
its PPM-history. Following three straight gains (2.4 – 2.7 – 2.9 – 3.3, 6+), public WNPR regresses by one-half share to 2.8 (6+) but stays at #9.
