PPM Data – Part Three. October 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 October 2016 survey period covered September 8 – October 5.
RadioInfo managing editor
Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from these 12-
PPM markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1)
Portland – Down a combined one-half share in August and September (4.3 – 4.1 – 3.8, 6+),
Alpha Media talker KXL (tenth
to eighth) rebounds with a full-share increase to 4.8, its strongest 6+-stat in almost three years (4.9, November 2013). A little less than three months ago (8/1), co-owned classic hits-oldies KWLZ transitioned to rhythmic CHR KWEE; "WE-96.3" is up seven-tenths from September (1.1 – 1.8, 6+) finishing at #21. Performing below a one-share the past
five sweeps, sports cluster-mate KXTG "The Game" more than doubles its September .6 (6+) with a +.9 to 1.5 and checks in at #22 (6+). Jumping from seventh to a third-place tie,
Entercom adult hits KYCH "97.1 Charlie – We Play Everything" registers its sixth straight sweep without a decrease for a combined +1.4 since April (3.9 – 4.2 – 4.5 – 5.0 – 5.0 – 5.2 – 5.3, 6+). Without an increase since June, classic rock sibling KGON (#10 to #12) is at 3.8 for the third straight time (4.9 – 4.3 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.8, 6+). Following five successive down or flat trends that produced a combined -1.2 (4.3 – 4.3 – 4.0 – 3.7 – 3.3 – 3.1, 6+),
iHeartMedia's similarly programmed KFBW "105.9 The Brew – Portland's Rock Station" (#13 to #11) answers with a gain of eight-tenths to 3.9 (6+). A decline of eight-tenths by adult contemporary sibling KKCW (7.8, 6+) curtails three consecutive progressive trends that netted a +1.5 (7.1 – 7.6 – 8.3 – 8.6, 6+). Nonetheless, "K-103" is #1 for the
28th time in the last
30 ratings periods. A one-tenth gain in
May 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 since June
2014 (6.6). Following a September gain of one-half share – which ended three consecutive down or flat trends (5.4 – 5.4 – 5.1 – 4.8, 6+) – CHR sibling CHR KKRZ "Z-100" regresses by one full-share to 4.3 and drifts from sixth to tenth. It is the lowest 6+-showing for "Z-100" since December's 4.2. Public jazz outlet KMHD (steady at #19) has its third straight increase (1.2 – 1.4 – 2.0 – 2.1, 6+) and achieves its best 6+-share in more than
six years (2.2, June 2010). In the market's country contest, Alpha Media's KUPL "98.7 The Bull" (5.1, +.2, eighth to sixth, 6+) overtakes Entercom's KWJJ "99.5 The Wolf – Great Country for the Great Northwest" (-.7, fourth to seventh). "The Wolf" is down for the third straight sweep and is -1.7 since July (6.7 – 6.0 – 5.7 – 5.0, 6+). Conversely, "The Bull" halts a mini-slide that produced a -.6 (5.5 – 5.0 – 4.9, 6+). After three straight up or flat trends (4.9 – 4.9 – 5.5 – 5.8, 6+), iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KLTH "106.7 The Eagle" (third to fifth) forfeits six-tenths of the nine-tenths it gained since June.
2)
Charlotte – After back-to-back 3.1 showings (6+) in July and August, WBT dropped to 2.7 (6+) in September. The (soon-to-be
Entercom) talk property, however, dusts itself with a mighty +1.4 to 4.1 as it rockets into the top ten (#15 to #8). This is the first time the
Carolina Panthers' flagship has reached the four-share level (6+) since January 2014 (4.2). After four successive down or flat sweeps that produced a -1.1 (5.1 – 5.1 – 5.0 – 4.7 – 4.0, 6+),
iHeartMedia adult hits WLKO added two-tenths in
September and now tacks on an
additional nine-tenths (4.2 – 5.1, 6+); "102.9 The Lake" climbs from eighth to sixth. Improving by eight-tenths each are co-owned WKKT "96.9 The Kat – Charlotte's #1 for New Country" (5.4, sixth to fifth, 6+) and
Beasley Media Group urban contemporary WPEG "Power 98" (4.7 – 5.5, fifth to fourth, 6+). Bouncing back from September's -1.4 to 4.6, its lowest 6+-stat since "Holiday" 2013 (4.3, 6+), "The Kat" had been without an increase the past four sweeps (7.0 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 6.0 – 4.6, 6+) for a combined -2.4. Tied for ninth-place are Beasley Media Group CHR WNKS "95.1 Kiss FM" (4.3 – 4.0, -.3, down from seventh, 6+) and its format rival – iHeartMedia-owned WHQC "Channel 96.1" (3.9 – 4.0, +.1, up from #11, 6+). Up one-tenth to 7.9 (6+), WRFX "The Fox" is on top for the sixth successive sweep. The iHeartMedia classic rocker shared top honors in July and August with Beasley Media Group-owned WSOC "Country's Greatest Hits," which continues in second place (7.2 – 7.3, +.1, 6+). "Country's Greatest Hits" occupied the #1 spot the first four months of the year before dropping to third-place in May. By posting a +.3 in
September, adult contemporary cluster-mate WKQC (tenth to ninth) ended three consecutive downward trends that yielded a -1.3 (5.1 – 4.6 – 4.4 – 3.8, 6+), but "K-104.7" regresses by six-tenths to 3.5 (6+) and departs the top ten (#9 to #13). Entering the
September ratings period, co-owned WBAV "V-101.9" was in 5.1 – 5.9 (6+) territory 13 straight times but notched a +.9 to 6.8 (6+). Despite returning one-half share, the urban AC remains in third-place (6.3, 6+). In four straight increases (2.3 – 2.6 – 2.9 – 3.6 – 3.7, 6+),
Davidson College-owned WDAV was a combined +1.4, but the classical outlet relinquishes nine-tenths of that increase (2.8, 6+) and skids from #12 to #15.
3)
Pittsburgh – The #1 – #2 – #3 finish by
iHeartMedia includes a gain of two-tenths by mainstream CHR WKST "Kiss
96.1″ (7.2 – 7.4, 6+) allowing it to advance from fifth to third. Owing to a loss of two-tenths in September, WDVE halted its string of positive or flat trends at five (8.7 – 8.8 – 8.8 – 9.2 – 9.8 – 10.3, 6+). Not only does it respond with a one-half share gain in October to 10.4 – its strongest 6+-stat since November's 10.9 – the iHeartMedia rocker proceeds from second-place to first.
It displaces co-owned classic hits-oldies WWSW "3WS," which erodes by -1.1 (10.6 – 9.5, 6+) and drops to the runner-up slot. WWSW was ousted from the top spot in
August after six consecutive months there. Also declining by a hefty -1.1 (7.6 – 6.5, 6+) is
CBS Radio's KDKA-FM "93.7 The Fan," which logged a +.6 in September. The
Pittsburgh Pirates flagship slumps from fourth to sixth; September's 7.6 was its strongest 6+-showing since October 2015's 10.1. This is the fourth straight time iHeartMedia alternative WXDX "The X at 105.9" holds down the #11 slot. "The X," which hadn't had an increase since May (5.6 – 5.6 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 2.9, 6+), gains four-tenths to 3.3. Although unchanged at #9, CBS Radio hot AC WBZZ "Star 100.7 Plays the Hits" registers its third straight gain of one-tenth (4.3 – 4.4 – 4.5 – 4.6, 6+), while
Steel City Media's similarly programmed WLTJ "Q-92.9" – which has been in 2.1 – 2.9 range the past 14 sweeps – is +.1 to 2.6 (steady at #12, 6+). Up a combined seven-tenths since July (7.0 – 7.3 – 7.7, 6+), adult hits cluster-mate WRRK "Bob FM" surrenders five-tenths (7.2, 6+), sliding from third to fourth. Simultaneous with iHeartMedia's WPGB "Big 104.7 – Pittsburgh's #1 for New Country"
improving by four-tenths (4.0 – 4.4, steady at #10, 6+), cross-town competitor, CBS Radio-owned WDSY "Y-108 Pittsburgh's Country" (flat at #7)
drops four-tenths and is off for the third straight sweep (7.0 – 6.6 – 6.0 – 5.6, 6+). Owing to a -.4 in
August, WDSY had its string of successive gains – which netted "Y-108" two full-shares – halted at three (5.0 – 5.7 – 6.2 – 7.0, 6+). After seven straight 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+), "Big 104.7" lost two-tenths in June and added one-half share in July before stumbling by nine-tenths in August.
4)
Sacramento – It has been a seesaw scenario lately for
iHeartMedia's KFBK, which has been
+.8 in August;
-1.4 in
September; and now
+1.2 in October (7.3 – 8.1 – 6.7 – 7.9, 6+). The news-talk hybrid reached 9.1 (6+) in March and it remains in the runner-up slot. The two-tenths KFBK 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. Its urban-rhythmic oldies sibling KHYL "V-101" (#13 to #11) is up three-tenths to 3.2 (6+), applying the
brakes to three straight down or flat trends for a net loss of eight-tenths (3.7 – 3.7 – 3.4 – 2.9, 6+). Although steady at #10, co-owned KBEB "B-92.5 – #1 for New Country" gains six-tenths to 3.8, its best 6+-stat since June 2015 (3.9). Meanwhile,
CBS Radio-owned KNCI "New Country 105.1" (unchanged at #4) forfeits seven-tenths of September's +1.1 (4.7 – 5.8 – 5.1, 6+). Prior to September, KNCI last crossed the five-share level (6+) with a 5.1 in September 2015. Following three consecutive 2.1 showings (6+), the market's other country player –
Entravision Communications' KNTY "101.9 The Wolf" – gains two-tenths to 2.3 (#18 to #16). Going back to January and including its current October stat, the extremely consistent 6+-line for "The Wolf" is 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.3.
Capital Public Radio classical facility KXPR (#21) betters its September 6+-share by one-half share to 1.4, its strongest figure since last November's 1.7. Down eight-tenths since July (10.3 – 9.9 – 9.5, 6+), Entercom classic rock KSEG "The Eagle" picks up one-tenth to 9.6 (6+) and is #1 for the ninth straight ratings period. After consecutive downtrends (in
May and
June) that produced a -1.2 (10.6 – 9.8 – 9.4, -.4, 6+), KSEG posted a +.9 in July. 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. Following September's dramatic -1.7, CBS Radio adult contemporary KYMX "Mix 96" sputters by another one-half share (7.6 – 5.9 – 5.4, 6+) but remains in third-place for the third successive sweep. Prior to September, "Mix" had been up or flat the previous four monthlies (6.5 – 6.6 – 7.1 – 7.6 – 7.6, 6+). Backsliding from fifth to sixth,
Entercom CHR KDND "107.9 The End" drops three-tenths to 4.4 (6+), thus ending six straight up or flat trends that yielded a +1.1 (3.6 – 4.0 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.5 – 4.7 – 4.7, 6+); September 2016's 4.7 was its highest 6+-share since September
2015's 4.8. On the heels of a +.7 in September,
Lazer Broadcasting regional Mexican KGRB "Radio Lazer 94-3" surrenders all but one-tenth (1.7 – 1.1,
-.6, 6+) and drops out of the top 20 (#19 to #23). The May through August pattern for "Radio Lazer" was .9 – 1.0 – .9 – 1.0 (6+).
5)
San Antonio – Three of the top four October 2016 finishers are
Cox Media Group properties, including KCYY "Y-100 – San
Antonio's New Country Leader," which is up for the third straight time for a net +1.5 (6.0 – 6.6 – 7.2 – 7.5, 6+). Cruising from second to first, "Y-100" posts its best 6+-stat since April 2015's 8.1. Co-owned classic hits-oldies KONO-FM (first to second) though is off by one full-share (8.3 – 7.3, 6+) and exits the top spot after nine straight
sweeps there. Before dropping from #1 to #2 in the "Holiday" 2015 report, KONO-FM was #1 in 17 of the previous 22 monthlies; 7.1 is its lowest 6+-share since July 2015 (7.1). Also in the top three is cluster-mate KISS "Rocks San Antonio," up for the third consecutive ratings period (4.9 – 5.1 – 5.6 – 5.8, fourth to third, 6+) and matching the 5.8 it recorded in the "Holiday" 2015 report. A +1.2 (2.2 – 3.4, 6+) enables
Alpha Media regional Mexican KSAH-FM "Norteno 104.1" to climb from #15 to #13. Enjoying its best 6+-stat since February 2012 (when it reached 1.9, 6+),
Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KZAR "Air 1 Positive Hits" gains one-half share to 1.8 and enters the top 20 (#20). Returning in its entirety the six-tenths it garnered in September,
iHeartMedia country outlet KAJA "KJ-97" drops from third to fifth (5.5 – 6.1 – 5.5, 6+); September's 6.1 was the highest 6+-stat for "KJ-97" since last November (also 6.1). Also faltering by six-tenths – following a one-half share decline in September – is Alpha Media adult hits KJXK "102.7 Jack FM – Playing What We Want" (5.1 – 4.6 – 4.0, eighth to tenth), 6+).
6)
Cincinnati – Boasting gains of eight-tenths each are
Hubbard Broadcasting hot AC WKRQ "Q-102 Cincinnati's Hit
Music" (6.1 – 6.9, steady at #4, 6+) and
Radio One urban-rhythmic oldies WOSL "Old School 100.3" (2.7 – 3.5, #14 to #13, 6+). "Q-102" had been without an increase the past five sweeps (8.1 – 7.5 – 6.8 – 6.8 – 6.5 – 6.1, 6+), losing two full-shares since April. Over the previous 13 survey periods, "Old School 100.3" was in 2.0 – 2.9 range (6+). Good news for the
market's two
iHeartMedia all-sports outlets as WCKY "
ESPN 1530″ improves by seven-tenths (1.0 – 1.7, #19 to #16, 6+) and sibling WSAI "Fox Sports 1360" is up one-half share (.3 – .8, #21, 6+). It is the best 6+showing for WCKY since February (also 1.7), while the WSAI increase halts a consecutive string of down or flat trends at six (1.0 – .6 – .6 – .5 – .4 – .3 – .3, 6+). Steady at 9.8 (6+) after September's +1.2,
Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WGRR "103.5 WGRR" repeats at #1. Before the September gain, WGRR posted three successive negative trends resulting in a cumulative -1.7 (10.3 – 9.8 – 9.3 – 8.6, 6+). Albeit steady at #9, iHeartMedia CHR WKFS "Kiss 107" is off for the third successive time for a combined -1.4 (5.9 – 5.4 – 4.6 – 4.5, 6+). In September, co-owned WLW fell below a
nine-share (6+) for the first time since March 2014 (8.8). Now the heritage talker/
Cincinnati Reds flagship slips below an
eight-share (9.2 – 8.2 – 7.9, 6+) with the longtime dominant "Big One" segueing from a second-place tie to an even more unaccustomed third-place.
7)
Cleveland – Notwithstanding that it has been frozen at #12 since
February,
CBS Radio's WKRK "Sports Radio 92.3 The
Fan" doubles September's +.6 with a
+1.2 (2.7 – 3.3 – 4.5, 6+). The +.6 this time last month by the
Cleveland Browns flagship ended three consecutive down or flat trends for a combined -1.4 (4.1 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 2.7, 6+). Stuck on 5.0 (6+) in July, August,
and September,
iHeartMedia rocker WMMS erupts with a +.8 to 5.8,
its best 6+-stat since August 2014 (6.1), and cracks the top ten (#11 to #8). A loss of seven-tenths in
September by classic hits-oldies sibling WMJI brought to a close five straight gains for a cumulative
+1.2 (10.3 – 10.7 – 10.9 – 11.3 – 11.4 – 11.5, 6+). With a
-1.2 (10.8 – 9.6, 6+), October proves to be even tougher for "Cleveland's Greatest Hits," but it is #1 for the tenth successive sweep. By posting a +.4 in
April, WMJI halted three consecutive downward trends (12.3 – 11.5 – 10.6 – 10.3 – 10.7, 6+). This is the first time in the last 17 ratings periods that WMJI is
not in double-digits (6+). Stuck on 6.1 (6+) in August and September,
Radio One urban contemporary WENZ "Z-107.9" falters by nine-tenths to 5.2 (6+) and exits the top ten (#7 to #11). After each declined in September by one-half share, iHeartMedia adult hits WHLK "106.5 The Lake" (8.9 – 8.4 – 7.7, second to third, 6+) and CBS Radio adult contemporary WDOK "Star 102" (7.8 – 7.3 – 6.8, unchanged at #4, 6+) now regress by seven-tenths and (another) one-half share, respectively. Racking up four straight monthlies without a decrease (6.6 – 6.8 – 7.7 – 7.7 – 8.4, 6+), "The Lake" dropped three-tenths in July but posted a +.8 in August; it had been in the runner-up slot the past four reports. "Star" notched a 7.8 (6+) in May, July, and August.
8)
Salt Lake City – Among all the stations in the
36 PPM-markets whose data has been released so far, only
iHeartMedia 
Minneapolis sports outlet KFXN has a larger (6+) September 2016 – October 2016 increase (+2.2, 6+) than
Bonneville Salt Lake City talker KSL (6.1 – 8.1,
+2.0, 6+), which vaults from fifth to first. It is the most potent 6+-figure for KSL in exactly two years (9.1, October 2014). Departing the top spot (that it held in September and shared in
August with Bonneville AC KSFI) is
Capital Broadcasting hot AC KBZN "Now 97.9 Today's Best Music" (7.1 – 6.9, -.2, 6+), which shifts to third. As far as KSFI is concerned, "FM 100.3 – Better Music Better Work Day" registers its
sixth straight gain (5.3 – 5.7 – 6.2 – 6.3 – 6.7 – 7.0 – 7.3, 6+). It is up two full-shares since April and repeats in the runner-up slot. Back in the "Holiday" 2015 report, "FM 100.3" was #1 with a 15.6 (6+). Improving by one-half share is
Alpha Media regional Mexican KDUT "102.3 La Gran D (.8 – 1.3, 6+), which checks in at #23. Even though it remains flat at 4.9 (6+), KSOP-FM "Z-104 Utah's #1 Country" not only inches up from seventh to sixth, it overtakes format rival
Cumulus Media's KUBL "K-Bull 93" (5.2 – 4.8, -.4, sixth to seventh, 6+). Also in the market's country format,
Broadway Media-owned KEGA "101.5 The Eagle" (#21) picks up three-tenths to 1.8, its best 6+-stat since May (1.9). Although steady at #10, co-owned CHR KUDD "Mix 105.1 – All The Hits" is down for the third consecutive time (5.3 – 4.8 – 4.2 – 4.0, 6+) and is -1.3 since July. Slipping from eighth to ninth, iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KODJ "Salt Lake's Greatest Hits" has its fourth consecutive decline (6.6 – 5.5 – 5.2 – 4.6 – 4.5, 6+) for a cumulative loss of just over two full-shares. Registering a .5 (6+) in September, co-owned KJMY-HD2 disappears.
9)
Las Vegas – Within 3.3 – 3.7 range (6+) the past six sweeps,
CBS Radio rhythmic hot AC KXQQ not only busts out a full-
share increase to 4.5 (6+), "Q-100.5" rockets from #11 to a three-way tie at #4. It is the best 6+-stat for "Q-100.5" since last November (also 4.5). Down a combined two shares in August and September (5.6 – 4.3 – 3.6, 6+),
iHeartMedia's KWNR "95.5 The Bull – Las Vegas' New Country" regains 45% of it with a +.9 to 4.4 and is part of that three-way logjam at #4; "The Bull" was tenth in September. Prior to August, KWNR had three successive progressive trends netting a +2.2 (3.4 – 3.9 – 5.2 – 5.6, 6+).
Following three straight downward trends netting a combined -2.4 (8.1 – 7.4 – 6.0 – 5.7, 6+), adult contemporary cluster-mate KSNE "Sunny 106.5" posted a +.7 in September and follows it up in October with a +.6 (5.7 – 6.4 – 7.0, 6+). As a result, "Sunny" climbs from third to second to first – where it had been for
22 straight monthlies before July. It succeeds
Beasley Media Group's classic hits-oldies KKLZ, which had been on top the past three sweeps. Prior to advancing to #1 in July, KKLZ was in the runner-up slot for six straight months; 7.4 in
August was its best 6+-showing in more than four years (7.5, July 2012). Having performed below a one-share (6+) the past 12 survey periods, talk sibling KDWN dials up a +.7 to 1.2 and checks in at #24. Similarly,
Lotus Communications sports outlet KWWN (#23) improves by one-half share to 1.3, its highest 6+-stat since January (also 1.3). Off a combined nine-tenths in July and August,
Faith Communications contemporary Christian KSOS regained all of it in September – but in October – "Radio For Life" spirals by
-1.8 (5.4 – 4.8 – 4.5 – 5.4 – 3.6, 6+) to drift from fourth to tenth. This represents the lowest 6+-share for KSOS since March (3.4). Faltering by six-tenths each are CBS Radio hot AC KMXB "Mix 94.1" (5.1 – 4.5, 6+); co-owned KLUC "98.5 Las Vegas' #1 Hit Music Station" (4.6 – 4.0, sixth to eighth, 6+); and Lotus Communications Spanish adult hits KWID "La Buena 101.9" (4.3 – 3.7, eighth to ninth, 6+). Without an increase the previous five survey periods for a cumulative -1.5 since March (5.8 – 5.4 – 5.4 – 5.4 – 4.7 – 4.3, 6+), "Mix 94.1" posted a +.8 in September; it is the third station in that three-way tie at #4 (up from #5).
10)
Kansas City – There is no shortage of noteworthy (6+) September 2016 – October 2016 fluctuations here, including a
+1.1 by
Entercom alternative KRBZ, which lifts "96.5 The Buzz" from fifth to third (5.0 – 6.1, 6+). It is the strongest 6+-stat for "The Buzz" since its 6.1 in July 2015. Up nearly three shares since June via four straight progressive trends (5.3 – 6.0 – 7.0 – 7.2 – 8.1, 6+),
Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM "Kansas City's Greatest Hits" displaces classic rock sibling KCFX "The Fox" (7.3 –
7.6, +.3, 6+) at #1. 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+). Segueing to #2, "The Fox" had been #1 the past five sweeps. By dropping two-tenths in August, it closed four successive up or flat monthlies yielding a +1.5 (5.9 – 6.4 – 6.8 – 7.4 – 7.4, 6+). Improving by six-tenths each are Entercom hot AC KZPT "99.7 The Point" (5.2 – 5.8, flat at #4, 6+) and cluster-mate KQRC "98.9 The Rock" (3.5 – 4.1, #14 to #10, 6+). Stuck on 4.6 (6+) in June, July, and August, Cumulus Media urban AC KMJK "Magic 107.3" dropped two-tenths to 4.4 in September but racks up a one-half gain in October (4.9, 6+) to climb from eighth to sixth. In the market's three-way country battle,
Steel City Media's KFKF "Country 94.1" cracks the top ten (#11 to #7) and has its third straight sweep without a loss (3.8 – 3.8 – 4.2 – 4.7, 6+); 4.7 is its strongest 6+-showing in exactly one year (4.8, October 2015). Meanwhile, tied at #12 are co-owned KBEQ "Q-104 #1 for New Country" (4.3 – 3.6, -.7, down from #9, 6+) and Entercom's WDAF "106.5 The Wolf" (up from #13, 6+). This is the third consecutive loss for "The Wolf" (4.2 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.6, 6+). The wild ride continues for cluster-mate KCSP "610 Sports," which was
-.6 in July;
-.6 in August;
+.8 in September; and is
-1.3 in October (4.7 – 4.1 – 3.5 – 4.3 – 3.0, 6+). The
Kansas City Royals flagship freefalls from #9 to #16 and has its lowest 6+-share since March (2.4). After being up or flat the past four sweeps yielding a cumulative +1.1 (1.4 – 1.6 – 1.6 – 2.5 – 2.5, 6+), talk sibling KMBZ-
AM drops two-tenths to 2.3 but remains at #18 (6+). Floundering by eight-tenths are co-owned talker KMBZ-
FM (3.9, 6+) and Cumulus Media alternative KCJK "X-105.1" (3.1 – 2.3, #17 to #18, 6+). Locked on 4.7 in August and September, KMBZ-FM departs the top ten (#7 to #11, 6+). Without an increase for the fifth straight time (5.5 – 5.5 – 4.9 – 4.8 – 4.8 – 4.3, 6+), Steel City Media CHR KMXV "Mix 93.3" (sixth to eighth) is -1.2 (6+) since May.
11)
Orlando – Powered by a +.8 (3.0 – 3.8, 6+),
iHeartMedia FM talker WTKS (#13 to #12) has its best 6+-stat since a 4.0 in
January. Improving by one-half share (2.0 – 2.5, #15 to #14, 6+), model of consistency public WMFE has been in 2.0 – 2.9 range the past 25 ratings periods. Swapping places at the top are iHeartMedia Spanish tropical WRUM "Rumba 100.3" (9.5 – 9.6, +.1, second to first, 6+) and mainstream CHR WXXL "XL-106.7" (9.3,
-1.1, first to second, 6+). It was just a one-month stay
at #1 for "XL-106.7," which logged a +1.5 to 10.4, its best-ever (6+) performance in the
PPM-era. Ironically, the station it displaced in September was … "Rumba." Also in the Spanish tropical format,
Entravision Communications' WNUE "Salsa 98.1," which has been trending 2.1 – 2.3 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.6 (6+), is off by one-half share (2.1, #14 to #15, 6+). Following four successive progressive trends that produced a +1.5 since May (3.6 – 4.1 – 4.8 – 5.0 – 5.1, 6+), iHeartMedia's WJRR "101.1 Orlando's Rock Station" regresses by nine-tenths to 4.2 (6+), exiting the top ten (#8 to #11). In third-place for the fifth straight ratings period, adult contemporary cluster-mate WMGF "Magic 107.7" declines by one-half share (8.0 – 7.5, 6+). Over the course of the past 14 sweeps, "Magic 107.7" is shifting by
+.5 (October 2015);
-1.0 (November 2015);
+1.6 (December 2015);
+5.2 ("Holiday" 2015);
-4.7 (January);
-1.2 (February);
+1.3 (March);
+.7 (April);
+.6 (May);
-.8 (June);
-1.1 (July);
-.4 (August);
+.7 (September); and
-.5 (October).
12)
Columbus – Having registered a
+1.1 in September,
Radiohio's WBNS-FM "Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan" delivers an
even more robust
+1.8 and jumps from sixth to third. This actually represents the
fourth straight gain for "The Fan" (3.6 – 3.7 – 4.0 – 5.1 – 6.9, 6+), which is up over three full-shares since June. Columbus' "Fan" last reached the six-share level (6+) in December (6.5). Once
again,
iHeartMedia siblings WNCI and WCOL exchange places. Although flat at 10.4 WCOL "92.3 Columbus' #1 for New Country" advances from second to first, while (CHR) WNCI "97.9 Columbus' Hit Music Station" erodes by -1.3 and drops from first to second. Both stations had been in double-digits (6+) the past nine sweeps. Down in each of the last three ratings periods (12.2 – 12.1 -11.1 – 9.8, 6+), WNCI is a combined -2.4 in that stretch. Following an eight-tenths' improvement in August alternative sibling WXZX (#14 to #15) forfeited seven-tenths in September and now regresses by another six-tenths (2.7 – 2.0 – 1.4, 6+). Since August, "105.7 The X" has lost roughly 50% of its 6+-share. In
third-place for the
third successive sweep, Saga Communications adult contemporary WSNY "Sunny 95" improves – appropriately enough – for the
third consecutive time (6.5 – 6.6 – 6.8 – 6.9, 6+). An increase of just over one full-share in September propelled
Radio One's WCKX "Power 107.5" to 4.8 – its highest 6+-share since January. The rhythmic CHR, however, surrenders seven-tenths and slips from seventh to eighth (4.1, 6+). Prior to September, "Power" had been down or flat the previous three survey periods for a cumulative -.6 (4.3 – 4.3 – 4.1 – 3.7, 6+).
