PPM Data – Part Three. August 2016 ratings information has been released for Portland, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, San Antonio, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Orlando, and Columbus.
Nielsen Audio's August 2016 survey period covered July 14 – August 10.
RadioInfo managing editor
Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from these 12-
PPM markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1)
Portland – Three straight KRSK decreases in May, June, and July resulted in a combined -.7 (4.7 – 4.6 – 4.5 – 4.0, 6+), but the
Entercom hot AC rebounds in a big way with a full-share improvement to 5.0 (6+) as "105.1 The Buzz – Today's Best Mix" jumps from #11 into a three-way logjam at #6. It is the strongest 6+-performance for "The Buzz" since January (5.0, as well). Part of that tie at #6 is adult hits sibling KYCH "97.1 Charlie We Play Everything," which has its fourth straight sweep without a decrease and is +1.1 since April (3.9 – 4.2 – 4.5 – 5.0 – 5.0,
6+). Not only is
iHeartMedia adult contemporary KKCW #1 for the
26th time in the last
28 ratings periods, "K-103" tacks on seven-tenths to the one-half share it picked up in July (7.1 – 7.6 – 8.3, 6+). A one-tenth gain in
May by KKCW ended four straight sweeps without an increase (21.4 – 9.5 – 8.8 – 8.6 – 8.6, 6+); in June, "K-103" suffered a massive -1.6 to 7.1, its lowest 6+-share in two years (6.6, June 2014). Down or flat the past six sweeps for a cumulative -2.1 (7.0 – 5.8 – 5.2 – 5.2 – 5.0 – 4.9, 6+) cluster-mate KLTH "Classic Hits 106.7 The Eagle" dials up a +.6 to 5.5 (6+), zooming from seventh to fourth. A gain of one-half share takes KFIS "104.1 The Fish" (#18 to #16) to 3.1, the best 6+-share for the
Salem Media Group contemporary Christian facility since January (3.1, as well). It is a tough sweep for Portland country outlets KWJJ "99.5 The Wolf – Great Country for the Great Northwest" (
-.7, second to third, 6+) and KUPL "98.7 The Bull" (5.5 – 5.0,
-.5, 6+).
Entercom's "Wolf" ends four successive up trends that produced a combined +1.2 (5.5 – 5.6 – 6.0 – 6.5 – 6.7, 6+), while
Alpha Media's "Bull" drops from fourth to sixth. Three successive February – May up-trends by Portland's "Bull" yielded two full-shares (3.3 – 4.5 – 4.7 – 5.3, 6+) before a -.4 in June, but it bounced back in July with +.6. Prior to a +1.2 in
March, "The Bull" had four consecutive monthlies without an increase that produced a combined -2.3 (5.6 – 4.8 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 3.3, 6+). In addition to KUPL, Entercom classic rock and alternative siblings KGON (3.8, #9 to #12, 6+) and KNRK (2.4, #16 to #18, 6+) are also off by one-half share from July. Following a one-half share increase in June, KGON relinquished six-tenths in July.
2)
Charlotte – There was a tie at #1 this time last month between
Beasley Media Group-owned WSOC "Country's Greatest Hits"
(+1.1 in July) and
iHeartMedia classic rocker WRFX "The Fox" with both logging a 7.5 (6+). The first-place deadlock continues in August, as WSOC and WRFX each drop two-tenths to 7.3 (6+). "Country's Greatest Hits" occupied the #1 spot the first four months of the
year before dropping to third-place in May. June's 7.7 was the strongest 6+-share for "The Fox" since August 2014 (also 7.7). Notching its third consecutive increase (2.3 – 2.6 – 2.9 – 3.6, 6+),
Davidson College classical WDAV is +1.3 since May and climbs from #15 to a tie at #13. Its partner at #13 (unchanged from July) is
Radio One-owned gospel WPZS "Praise 100.9," which gains one-half share to 3.6, its best 6+-showing in over a year (3.9, July 2015). Over and above halting three successive downward trends (1.6 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.1, 6+),
Beasley Media Group's WFNZ explodes with a +.8 to 1.9, its highest 6+-share in more than four years (1.9, March 2012), but "Sports Radio The Fan" is unchanged at #17. Declining by seven-tenths apiece are iHeartMedia adult hits WLKO "102.9 The Lake" (4.0, sixth to ninth, 6+) and Beasley Media Group CHR WNKS "95.1 Kiss FM" (3.8, ninth to tenth, 6+). This is the fourth successive sweep without an increase for "The Lake" (5.1 – 5.1 – 5.0 – 4.7 – 4.0, 6+). Conversely, "Kiss" had been up the past three sweeps for a combined +1.2 (3.3 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 4.5, 6+); July's 4.5 was its strongest 6+-share in one year (5.5, July 2015). Three consecutive downward trends (5.1 – 4.6 – 4.4 – 3.8, 6+) result in a -1.3 for adult contemporary WKQC "K-104.7," steady at #10 – where it is tied with cluster-mate "Kiss."
3)
Pittsburgh – Not appearing in print since February 2012, WSHH "Wish 99.7" officially returned in April (2016) and its four
most recent (6+) trends were 5.5 (April); 5.9 (May); 5.8 (June); and 6.0 (July). The
Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary outlet busts out a +.8 in August to 6.8 (6+), climbing from seventh to sixth. Locked within 6.9 – 7.2 territory (6+) the past six monthlies,
iHeartMedia CHR WKST "96.1 Kiss FM" picks up
one-half share to 7.5 – its finest 6+-performance in exactly one year (7.9, August 2015) – and is in sole possession of third-place after a three-way tie there in July. Sibling WDVE not only extends its streak of up or flat trends to five (8.7 – 8.8 – 8.8 – 9.2 – 9.8 – 10.3, 6+), the rocker moves from second-place – where it resided since February – to first – where it was in January. Up a cumulative +1.6 since March, WDVE registers its most potent 6+-share since November's 10.9. Ousted from the top spot after six consecutive months is classic hits-oldies sibling WWSW, which regresses by one-half share after a +.5 in July and a -.5 in June (10.2 – 9.7 – 10.2 – 9.7, 6+); "3WS" segues to #2. The market's two FM country outlets produced a
+1.3 (6+) in July, but ironically they combine for a
-1.3 in August. After seven successive sweeps without a decrease for a cumulative +1.8 (2.5 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.7 – 3.2 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 4.3, 6+), iHeartMedia's WPGB "Big 104.7 #1 for New Country" was off two-tenths in June. It added one-half share in July but "Big 104.7" stumbles by nine-tenths (4.6 – 3.7, 6+), dipping from ninth to tenth. Owing to a -.4 to 6.6 (6+),
CBS Radio-owned WDSY "Y-108 Pittsburgh's Country" has its string of successive gains halted at three and plummets from a three-way tie at #3 to #7. The three straight gains by "Y-108" netted two full-shares (5.0 – 5.7 – 6.2 – 7.0, 6+).
4)
Sacramento – Talk is the big winner in California's capital city, specifically relating to
iHeartMedia siblings KSTE (3.2, #16 to
#11, 6+) and KFBK (8.1, third to second, 6+), which are up nine-tenths and eight-tenths, respectively. KSTE had been without an increase the past four sweeps for a -.7 (3.0 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.5 – 2.3, 6+). Meanwhile, 8.1 is the best 6+-showing for talk-news hybrid KFBK since March (9.1,
6+). The two-tenths it picked up in
July ended three straight downward trends (9.1 – 7.8 – 7.4 – 7.1, 6+) for a net loss of two full-shares. Advancing from sixth to fourth,
Entercom CHR KDND "107.9 The End" is without a decrease for the fifth straight time (3.6 – 4.0 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.5 – 4.7, 6+) and has its highest 6+-share since September's 4.8. Bouncing back from July's one-half share decrease, hot AC cluster-mate KUDL "Star 106.5" adds six-tenths (2.3 – 2.9, 6+) and remains at #15; 2.3 was its lowest 6+-share since December 2011 (2.3, as well when it was KBZC). After consecutive downtrends that produced a -1.2 (10.6 – 9.8 – 9.4, -.4, 6+), classic rock sibling KSEG "The Eagle" posted a +.9 in July, but dips four-tenths in August (10.3 – 9.9, 6+). Nonetheless, "The Eagle" sets the pace for the seventh straight ratings period. When "The Eagle" faltered by eight-tenths in May, it witnessed an end to three consecutive increases (8.9 – 9.0 – 9.5 – 10.6, 6+) that netted a combined +1.7. Prior to the April 2016 sweep (when "The Eagle" reached
10.6, 6+), the only other instances of a Sacramento outlet achieving double-digits (6+) were
CBS Radio adult contemporary KYMX "Mix 96" (
11.7) and KSEG (
10.0). "Mix," by the way is up or flat for the fourth successive sweep (6.5 – 6.6 – 7.1 – 7.6 – 7.6, 6+), yet backslides from second to third. Prior to June, "Mix" finished third the previous four sweeps; 7.6 is its strongest 6+-performance since January's 9.0. A loss of six-tenths to 4.1 (fifth to seventh, 6+), however, drops its hot AC sibling KZZO "Now 100.5" to its lowest 6+-stat in just over one year (4.1 as well in July 2015). Also off by six-tenths (following July's +.5) is
Entravision regional Mexican KRCX (1.1 – 1.6 – 1.0, #18 to #20, 6+). The 1.6 (6+) by KRCX in July was its highest since May 2015 (also 1.6). Surrendering the one-half share it gained in July, iHeartMedia's KBEB "B-92.5 #1 for New Country" (3.0 – 3.5 – 3.0, 6+) exits the top ten (three-way tie at #10 to #14). The 3.5 it notched in July represented the strongest 6+-performance for "B-92.5" since June 2015 (3.9). Dating back to January – and including its current August stat – the 6+-line for Entravision-owned country KNTY is 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.1 – 2.1; "101.9 The Wolf" remains at #17.
5)
San Antonio – Progressing by nine-tenths apiece are
iHeartMedia talker WOAI (5.2, tenth to sixth, 6+) and
Cox 
Media Group hot AC KSMG "Magic 105.3 – Today's Best Music" (#12 to #9, 6+). WOAI ends three straight declines (5.2 – 4.8 – 4.7 – 4.3, 6+), wiping out the -.9 in that stretch. This marks the third consecutive gain for "Magic" (3.6 – 3.8 – 4.1 – 5.0, 6+) resulting in a combined +1.4. The last time "Magic" reached the five-share level (6+) was April 2014 (5.8). Six-tenths is the margin
of improvement for country cluster-mate KCYY "Y-100" (6.0 – 6.6, steady at #2, 6+) and
Alpha Media adult hits KJXK "102.7 Jack FM – Playing What We Want" (4.5 – 5.1, ninth to seventh, 6+); "Y-100" and "Jack" were down -.2 and -.3, respectively, in July. Up three-tenths following July's -.4, Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies KONO-FM is #1 for the eighth straight sweep. Before dropping from first to second in the "Holiday" 2015 report, KONO-FM was #1 in 17 of the previous 22 sweeps. While steady at #3, iHeartMedia adult contemporary KQXT snaps its consecutive streak of increases at four (4.2 – 4.4 – 4.7 – 5.1 – 5.8, 6+); "Q-101.9 San Antonio's Best Variety" was +1.6 in that span. A loss of nine-tenths to 4.4 – its lowest 6+-share since February (also 4.4) – sinks
Univision Radio rhythmic CHR KBBT "The Beat" from fifth to tenth.
Texas Public Radio classical outlet KPAC (#24) has its third straight decline (1.8 – 1.8 – 1.4 – .8, 6+) for a cumulative loss of one full-share.
6)
Cincinnati – As is the case in Sacramento (see above), talk is the headline in the "Queen City" as
iHeartMedia's WKRC
registers the largest July 2016 – August 2016 improvement of any station in the 12
PPM-markets whose data was released Wednesday (
+1.4, 6+). At the same time,
Cincinnati Public Radio-owned WXVU is +.6 (3.2 – 3.8, 6+). Nearly doubling its 6+-share since April (
+3.2), WKRC enjoys its fourth successive progressive trend
(3.5 – 4.0 – 4.7 – 5.3 – 6.7, 6+) and marches from a sixth-place tie to fourth. Not only does
Hubbard Broadcasting country WUBE "B-105" put an end to three straight downward trends which resulted in a net loss of one full-share (8.6 – 8.4 – 8.2 – 7.6, 6+), it does so with an exclamation point of
+1.3 to 8.9, its best 6+-stat since 9.3 last October. Commencing with the "Holiday" 2015 report, "B-105" put together four straight up-trends (5.9 – 6.1 – 7.9 – 8.1 – 8.6, 6+). The shock of iHeartMedia talker WLW falling from first to second (in July) may have worn off by now as "The Big One" – although flat at 9.2 – returns to #1. In July, the
Cincinnati Reds flagship eroded by -1.6. It had been #1 the previous six ratings periods and in double-digits (6+) the past
29 sweeps. The station that succeeded WLW at #1 –
Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WGRR "103.5 WGRR" – declines for the third successive time resulting in a cumulative -1.7 (10.3 – 9.8 – 9.3 – 8.6, 6+) and falls to third. Down by roughly two-thirds as a result of six straight negative trends (3.3 – 3.2 – 2.9 – 2.2 – 19 – 1.8 – 1.2, 6+),
Cincinnati Public Radio classical outlet WGUC picks up four-tenths to 1.6 and remains at #16. Sputtering by one-half share each are iHeartMedia CHR WKFS "Kiss 107" (5.9 – 5.4, fifth to sixth, 6+) and Cumulus Media adult contemporary WRRM "Warm 98" (5.3 – 4.8, sixth to seventh, 6+). "Kiss" was up or flat the previous four monthlies for a combined +1.7 (4.2 – 4.4 – 5.1 – 5.1 – 5.9, 6+). In July, it had its best 6+-share (5.9) since November 2012's 6.3. Off two-tenths to 3.2 (6+), Cumulus Media country outlet WNNF "94.1 Nash FM" (#12 to #13) sees its string of up or flat trends (a combined +1.5) end at seven (1.9 – 1.9 – 2.0 – 2.4 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 3.1 – 3.4, 6+). Another country outlet, Hubbard Broadcasting's WYGY "97.3 The Wolf" (unchanged at #18) has its sixth straight sweep without an increase (1.7 – 1.5 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.2 – 1.1 – 1.1, 6+).
7)
Cleveland – After racking up four straight monthlies without a decrease (6.6 – 6.8 – 7.7 – 7.7 – 8.4, 6+),
iHeartMedia adult hits
WHLK "106.5 The Lake" dropped three-tenths in July but roars back with a +.8 to 8.9, its strongest 6+-performance since April 2015's 9.4. It is in the runner-up slot for the third consecutive report. On the heels of a seven-tenths improvement in June,
CBS Radio-owned WNCX "Cleveland's Classic Rock" relinquished all of it in July only to pick up six-tenths in August
(6.2 – 6.9 – 6.2, – 6.8, 6+), vaulting from eighth to fifth. In addition to being #1 for the eighth successive sweep, iHeartMedia-owned WMJI "Cleveland's Greatest Hits" registers its fifth straight gain for a cumulative +1.2 (10.3 – 10.7 – 10.9 – 11.3 – 11.4 – 11.5, 6+). By posting a +.4 in April, it halted three consecutive downward trends (12.3 – 11.5 – 10.6 – 10.3 – 10.7, 6+); WMJI was #1 for eight straight months before giving way in "Holiday" 2015. On the other hand, after sandwiching a 7.5 (6+, June) between 7.2-shares (6+) in May and July, co-owned country WGAR falters by nine-tenths to 6.3 (9+), tumbling from fourth to sixth; 6.3 is what "99.5 Cleveland's Country" registered in February. Although it is down or flat for the third successive sweep for a combined -1.4 (4.1 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 2.7, 6+), CBS Radio-owned WKRK "Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan" continues at #12. Mirroring "The Lake," this is the weakest 6+-stat for "The Fan" since April 2015 (2.1). Following back-to-back increases of six-tenths (5.2 – 5.8 – 6.4, 6+),
Radio One urban contemporary WENZ "Z-107.9" drops three-tenths to 6.1 (sixth to seventh, 6+).
8)
Salt Lake City – Three-tenths of a share separated the market's top four finishers in July, compared to four-tenths in
June. Tightness at the top continues as six-tenths is the margin among the first four – and that includes a tie at #1. Making identical +.4 moves of 6.3 – 6.7 (6+) and advancing from second to first are
Capital Broadcasting hot AC KBZN "Now 97.9 Today's Best Music" and
Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI "FM 100.3 – Better Music Better Work Day."
It has been a steady climb back to #1 for "FM 100.3" (#1 in "Holiday" 2015 with a 15.6, 6+), which records its fourth straight gain (5.3 – 5.7 – 6.2 – 6.3 – 6.7, 6+). In the meantime, 6.7 is the strongest 6+-share since February (also 6.7) for "Now," which was in first-place in June. Dislodged from the top spot and continuing its wild ride is Bonneville-owned classic hits-oldies KRSP "103.5 The Arrow," which forfeits 90% of July's +1.0 (5.4 – 6.4 – 5.5,
-.9, 6+) and spirals to fifth. In July, "Arrow" zoomed to first from seventh. Its one-share July gain halted four straight downward moves and recaptured the -1.0 it lost in that time (6.4 – 6.2 – 6.0 – 5.7 – 5.4, 6+). Trending 1.6 (May, 6+); 2.0 (June, 6+); and back to 1.6 (July, 6+),
Brigham Young University classical outlet KBYU racks up a +.7 to 2.3 (6+) to climb from #19 to #15. Advancing from tenth to seventh,
iHeartMedia talker KNRS doubles July's +.3 (4.6 – 5.2,
+.6, 6+). The +.3 in July halted five successive negative trends which resulted in a combined -1.5 (5.8 – 5.7 – 5.6 – 5.3 – 5.0 – 4.3, 6+). It is a tough report for KSOP-
FM "Z-104 – Utah's #1 Country" (5.9 – 4.8,
-1.1, fifth to ninth, 6+), as well as KSOP-
AM "Classic Country AM 1370" (-.5, #22, 6+). "Z-104" had been a combined +1.8 in four straight up or flat trends (4.1 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 5.0 – 5.9, 6+); KSOP-AM is without a gain for the fifth straight time (1.9 – 1.9 – 1.9 – 1.7 – 1.5 – 1.0, 6+). Relinquishing all of July's +.6 (and three-tenths more for a
-.9), iHeartMedia's KAAZ "Rock 106.7" (3.1 – 3.7 – 2.8, 6+) stumbles from #11 to #14. Prior to July, the last time "Rock 106.7" reached the four-share level was in July 2014 (4.0). In addition to KSOP-AM, other SLC outlets dropping one-half share are
Broadway Media CHR KUDD "Mix 105.1 – All The Hits" (4.8, eighth to ninth, 6+) and public KRCL (1.2 – .7, #25, 6+). Broken at four is the consecutive string of increases for "Mix" which netted a +2.1 (3.2 – 4.0 – 4.6 – 4.9 – 5.3, 6+).
9)
Las Vegas – Currently on fire,
Beasley Media Group's classic hits-oldies KKLZ adds nine-tenths to July's +1.0 (5.5 – 6.5 –
7.4, 6+) and repeats at #1. This is the best 6+-showing for KKLZ in more than four years (7.5, July 2012). It had been in the runner-up slot six straight months before advancing to #1 in July. Owing to a robust +1.2 to 4.7 – its highest 6+-share since February (also 4.7) –
Lotus-owned Spanish adult hits KWID "La Buena 101.9" catapults from #11 to #5. Notching gains of seven-tenths apiece
are
CBS Radio-owned KLUC "Las Vegas' #1 Hit Music Station" (4.3 – 5.0, ninth to fourth, 6+) and
Univision Radio Spanish contemporary KRGT "Latino Mix 99.3" (#14 to #12, 6+). In three successive up-trends (1.5 – 2.2 – 3.0 – 3.7, 6+), "Latino Mix" has more than doubled its 6+-share.
University of Nevada jazz outlet KUNV posts a +.6 (.4 – 1.0, 6+) and checks in at #22. Following three successive progressive trends netting a +2.2 (3.4 – 3.9 – 5.2 – 5.6, 6+),
iHeartMedia's KWNR "95.5 The Bull – Las Vegas' New Country" (fourth to seventh) freefalls by -1.3 to 4.3 (6+). The rollercoaster ride plays on for Lotus-owned KOMP "92.3 The Rock Station," which was up or flat in four straight ratings periods including back-to-back increases of
+.9 (April) and
+1.1 (May), before a
-1.1 in June. "The Rock Station" bounced back with a
+1.0 in July, but is now
-.9 in August (3.7 – 4.8 – 3.7 – 4.7 – 3.8, 6+); it drops out of the top ten (three-way tie at #6 to #11). Part of that three-way July logjam at #6, Beasley Media Group urban-rhythmic oldies KOAS sputters by one-half share to 4.2 (its lowest 6+-stat since "Holiday" 2015 – also 4.2) with "Old School 105.7" falling to #9. Owing to a -.1 to 5.8 (6+), Lotus classic rocker KXPT "97.1 The Point" is down for the first time since January (4.4 – 4.7 – 4.9 – 5.3 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 5.9, 6+) – it was a combined +1.5 in that timeframe. Even so, "The Point" manages to inch back up from third to second. Down for the third straight sweep for a combined -2.4 (8.1 – 7.4 – 6.0 – 5.7, 6+), iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE "Sunny 106.5" slips from second to third. Until July, "Sunny" was on top for 22 straight monthlies. Slipping from sixth to seventh and off by a cumulative -1.5 since March,
CBS Radio hot AC KMXB "Mix 94.1" is without an increase for the fifth consecutive report (5.8 – 5.4 – 5.4 – 5.4 – 4.7 – 4.3, 6+).
10)
Kansas City – It is a strong monthly for
Entercom talk siblings KMBZ-
FM (4.1 – 4.7,
+.6, #11 to #7, 6+) and KMBZ-
AM 
(
+.9, #20 to #18, 6+), with the latter up or flat for the third straight time (1.4 – 1.6 – 1.6 – 2.5, 6+). When KCMO-FM registered a -.9 in June to 5.3 (6+), it ended a successive string of four up or flat trends (5.2 – 5.4- 6.0 – 6.2 – 6.2, 6+). The
Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies facility bounces back with a
+.7 in July and an even stronger
+1.0
in August (5.3 – 6.0 – 7.0, 6+), jumping from fourth to second; "Kansas City's Greatest Hits" had an 8.9 (6+) in the "Holiday" 2015 report. After improving by six-tenths in June, Entercom alternative KRBZ "96.5 The Buzz" lost one-half share in July, ending its streak of successive sweeps without a decrease at four (4.4 – 4.5 – 4.8 – 4.8 – 5.4, 6+). "The Buzz," however, recoups that half-share (5.4 – 4.9 – 5.4, 6+) and moves from fifth to fourth. Without a decrease in the past four monthlies yielding a +1.5 (5.9 – 6.4 – 6.8 – 7.4 – 7.4, 6+), Cumulus Media classic rock KCFX "The Fox" drops two-tenths to 7.2 (6+), but is #1 for the fourth straight time. With its lowest 6+-share (5.2) since the "Holiday" 2015 report (5.2, as well), Entercom hot AC KZPT "99.7 The Point" falters by nine-tenths to slide from third to fifth. Replicating July's -.6 (4.7 – 4.1 – 3.5, 6+), cluster-mate/
Kansas City Royals flagship KCSP "610 Sports" drifts from #11 to #15. Three consecutive gains in May, June, and July (4.8 – 4.9 – 5.9 – 6.2, 6+) net KPRS "Hot 103" a +1.4, but the
Carter Broadcast urban contemporary outlet declines by one-half share in August to 5.7 (6+) and segues from second to third.
11)
Orlando – Off by a combined -1.4 in March and April (6.2 – 5.0 – 4.8, 6+), WCFB rebounded with
back-to-back gains of
+.6 in
May and June (4.8 – 5.4 – 6.0, 6+). The
Cox Media Group urban AC was
-.5 in July but now posts a hefty
+1.1 in August (5.4 – 6.0 – 5.5 – 6.6, 6+), as "Star 94.5" climbs from seventh to fifth. Steady at #8, rhythmic CHR sibling WPYO "Power 95.3" is up or flat for the fourth straight time (3.5 – 3.5 – 4.6 – 5.3 – 5.3, 6+) for a combined
+1.8, mostly coming from June's +1.1. Owing to a +.8 (5.7 – 6.5, 6+),
CBS Radio classic hits-oldies WOCL "105.9 Sunny FM" (unchanged at #6) has its strongest 6+-share since November's 7.0. Flat in June and then down by nine-tenths in July,
iHeartMedia's WTKS bounces back with a one-half share increase (3.5 – 3.5 – 2.6 – 3.1, 6+) but stays at #13. Powered by a +1.2 in June, Spanish tropical sibling WRUM shifted from second to first; stayed there in July; and – despite a -.9 in August – continues at #1 in August (10.6 – 10.4, – 9.5, 6+). Starting in February, "Rumba" was down or flat in three consecutive monthlies (10.3 – 10.3 – 9.8 – 9.4, 6+). In the last 12 sweeps, co-owned adult contemporary WMGF "Magic 107.7" (7.3, unchanged at #3, 6+) is trending
+.5 (October);
-1.0 (November);
+1.6 (December);
+5.2 ("Holiday" 2015);
-4.7 (January);
-1.2 (February);
+1.3 (March);
+.7 (April);
+.6 (May);
-.8 (June);
-1.1 (July); and
-.4 (August).
12)
Columbus – On the strength of an eight-tenths' improvement (1.9 – 2.7, 6+),
iHeartMedia alternative WXZX "105.7 The X"
registers its most potent 6+share since last September's 2.9 and jumps from #14 to #11. Although off nine-tenths (to 23.9) from July's combined 24.8 (6+), its CHR and country siblings WNCI "97.9 Columbus' Hit Music" (12.2 – 12.1, -.1, 6+) and WCOL (12.6 – 11.8, -.8, 6+) still dominate the market.
This is the eighth straight time they have occupied the top two spots and seventh successive ratings period each logs double-digits (6+). They swap places from this time last month though and WCOL forfeits – in its entirety – the eight-tenths it racked up in July. Owing to a one-half share loss to 4.3 (6+), co-owned urban contemporary WZCB "106.7 The Beat" (unchanged at #6) has its streak of four consecutive progressive trends stymied (3.8 – 4.2 – 4.4 – 4.6 – 4.8, 6+). After three consecutive increases netting a gain of one-half share (2.9 – 3.0 – 3.2 – 3.4, 6+),
Saga Communications hot AC WVMX "Mix 107.9" surrenders more than twice that increase (2.3,
-1.1, 6+) and departs the top ten (#10 to #13). Also in that cluster, classic rock WLVQ "Q-FM 96" (6.0, third to fourth, 6+) and adult hits WNND "Rewind Columbus' Greatest Hits" (#12 to #14, 6+) are each off by six-tenths. Prior to the -.6, "Q-FM 96" had put together four successive gains for a cumulative +2.3 (4.3 – 4.5 – 5.5 – 6.4 – 6.6, 6+). Meanwhile, this marks the third successive decline for "Rewind" (3.0 – 2.9 – 2.4 – 1.8, 6+), which erodes by 40% since May. Down in four successive sweeps (4.4 – 3.6 – 3.3 – 2.6 – 2.5, 6+) and finishing #13 in June, contemporary Christian WCVO "Uplifting & Encouraging 104.9 The River" was unlisted in July and it does not appear in August.
