PPM Data – Round Two. October 2016 ratings information has been released for Washington (D.C.), Boston, Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
Nielsen Audio's September 2016 survey period covered September 8 – October 5.
RadioInfo managing editor
Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from all of these
PPM-markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1)
Washington, D.C. – The third successive gain by WPRS "Praise 104.1" is an impressive +1.2 lifting the
Radio One gospel
outlet from #11 to #6 (2.9 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 4.6, 6+). The last time "Praise 104.1" crossed the four-share threshold (6+) was April 2015 (4.2). Locked on 3.1 (6+) in August and September, WMAL hangs out a +.9 to 4.0, its best 6+-share since December 2015 (also 4.0), enabling the
Cumulus Media talker to zoom from #14 to #8.
Although steady at #19, the flagship of the
NFL's Washington, D.C. franchise –
Red Zebra Broadcasting's WTEM "
ESPN 980″ – improves for the third successive time (1.3 – 1.4 – 1.6 – 2.3, 6+), yielding a full-share advantage in that stretch. The highly spirited tussle carries on between
American University's WAMU "The Mind Is Our Medium" (9.0 – 9.6, +.6, repeating at #1, 6+) and
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned all-news WTOP (8.7 – 9.2, +.5, unchanged at #2, 6+). Tied at #1 in August, the two facilities were separated by three-tenths in September. Prior to tying WTOP at #1 in August, WAMU had been in the runner-up slot the previous seven sweeps. Among the recent trends for WAMU are
-1.2 (March);
+.7 (May);
+.5 (July);
+.5 (August); and
+.6 (September). Before dropping from first to second in the "Holiday" 2015 sweep, WTOP occupied the top spot the previous
12 ratings periods. The market's urban AC (6+) share suffers a combined -1.6, with
Howard University's WHUR off by nine-tenths (6.6 – 5.7, 6+) but steady at #3, while Radio One-owned WMMJ "Majic 102.3" falters by seven-tenths to slide from fourth to fifth (6+). Registering a 6.5 (6+) in May, June,
and July, WHUR has its lowest 6+-showing since February's 4.8. "Meanwhile, "Majic" is off for the third consecutive sweep resulting in a combined -1.4 (6.1 – 5.9 – 5.4 – 4.7, 6+); 4.7 is its weakest 6+-stat since March (also 4.7). Conversely, July's 6.1 was the station's strongest 6+-share in more than
six years (6.2, June 2010). This marks the sixth straight monthly without an increase for
CBS Radio Spanish tropical WLZL "El Zol 107.9" (2.4 – 2.1 – 1.9 – 1.7 – 1.6 – 1.5 – 1.5, 6+), which is flat at #20.
2)
Boston – Beantown's big winners in October are the flagships of the
New England Patriots and
Boston Red Sox, which
score a combined
+3.3 (6+). Specifically, the Patriots' key station –
CBS Radio's WBZ-FM "The Sports Hub" – dials up a blistering
+1.9 to 6.3 (6+) rocketing from eighth to third, while Red Sox flagship –
Entercom-owned WEEI-FM – trots out a highly robust
+1.4 to 6.2 (6+) as it climbs from sixth to fourth. Trending 4.3 –
4.3 – 4.4 – 4.4, 6+ (June through September), "The Sports Hub" notches its best 6+-stat since January's 6.8. The +1.4 by WEEI-FM ends a string of four straight downtrends that produced a -1.1 (5.9 – 5.7 – 5.3 – 5.1 – 4.8, 6+). Frozen on 3.3 (6+) in August and September, public WGBH erupts with a +.7 to 4.0 – its best-ever 6+
PPM showing. Moreover, WGBH enters the top ten (#13 to #9). Notwithstanding that is down by a combined -1.2 in the last three sweeps (8.6 – 8.4 – 8.1 – 7.4, 6+),
Greater Media-owned WROR "Boston's Classic Hits" is #1 for the tenth successive monthly. While its 8.6 in July was the strongest 6+-share in the station's PPM-history, the current 7.4 is the weakest since February (7.2). Adult contemporary sibling WMJX is in second-place for the seventh consecutive ratings period and with a +.3 to 6.6 (6+), "Magic 106.7" curtails three successive down or flat trends for a combined
-1.2 (7.5 – 6.9 – 6.3 – 6.3, 6+). Conversely, its -.6 in July halted a successive string of five increases for a cumulative
+1.2 (6.3 – 6.5 – 6.8 – 7.2 – 7.3 – 7.5, 6+). Eroding by six-tenths (3.2 – 2.6, 6+),
iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR WJMN "JAM'N 94.5" dips from #14 to #17. After posting three straight gains netting a +.8 (3.7 – 4.0 – 4.2 – 4.5, 6+), CBS Radio's WZLX "Classic Rock 100.7" forfeits half of that (4.1
-.4, 6+) and slips from seventh to eighth. Also coming to an end is the streak by Greater Media rhythmic hot AC WBQT "Hot 96.9," which notched four successive up or flat trends (3.8 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 4.1 – 4.2, 6+). While steady at #9, "Hot 96.9" is off by two-tenths to 4.0 (6+). Not only is this the fourth consecutive decline for WXKS-FM "Kiss 108" (6.9 – 6.1 – 5.5 – 5.3 – 5.1, 6+) for a combined -1.8, the iHeartMedia mainstream CHR drops to #6 after six successive times at #3. Cross-town rival – CBS Radio's WODS – does not take advantage though as "Amp" (#12 to #13) is without an increase for the third consecutive sweep (4.1 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.1, 6+). In
June, "Amp" had its string of successive up or flat monthlies end at three (3.8 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 4.4, 6+).
3)
Detroit – By erasing September's -.9 with a full-share increase (5.8 – 4.9 – 5.9, 6+),
Cumulus Media talker/ key station of the
Detroit Lions WJR cruises from a seventh-place tie to third. Despite its third straight improvement (5.1 – 5.2 – 5.5 – 5.6, 6+),
Greater Media's WRIF "Rocks Detroit" moves from a third-place tie to fourth. Each sweep since February, WRIF has been between 5.1 – 5.9 (6+). Unchanged at #13,
iHeartMedia urban contemporary
WJLB "FM 98" picks up one-tenth to 3.7 6+), thus ending three straight downward trends (4.6 – 4.1 – 3.7 – 3.6, 6+). Without a gain the past four monthlies for a cumulative -.9 (5.3 – 5.3 – 4.7 – 4.6 – 4.4, 6+),
CBS Radio-owned WYCD "Detroit's Country 99.5" picks up two-thirds of that deficit (5.0,
+.6, 6+) to advance from ninth to seventh. After a one-month hiatus from the top spot, sports sibling WXYT-FM "97.1 The Ticket" returned to #1 in September and repeats there (7.7 – 7.5, -.2, 6+). "The Ticket" was on top in April, May, June, and July, before Greater Media urban-rhythmic oldies WMGC "The Bounce" displaced it in August. It was a rapid rise to #1 for "The Bounce," which transitioned from sports on July 1 and quickly posted back-to-back gains totaling a combined +7.3, vaulting from #23 (June, .7, 6+) to #15 (July, 3.1, 6+) to #1 (August, 8.0, 6+). Not only was it just a one-month stay at #1, "The Bounce" sputtered by
-2.7 in September and is now
-1.2 (8.0 – 5.3 – 4.1, 6+). Already down approximately 50% since August, "Bounce" has quickly spiraled from #1 (August) to #5 (September) to #12 (October). Surrendering the one-half share gain it achieved in September, WWJ drifts from third to seventh (5.0 – 5.5 – 5.0, 6+). A +.4 in
August by the CBS Radio all-news outlet halted six successive months without an increase (7.8 – 7.6 – 6.5 – 5.7 – 5.2 – 5.2 – 4.6, 6+) that led to a combined
-3.2; WWJ was the market leader (6+) in January and February. Although steady at #14, Cumulus Media country WDRQ "Nash FM 93.1" (3.1, -.4, 6+) has its string of successive up or flat trends – which yielded a full-share increase – halted at four (2.5 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 3.0 – 3.5, 6+); 3.5 (September) was the highest 6+-share for that frequency since December 2012 (also 3.5) when WDRQ was adult hits. Four consecutive negative trends by iHeartMedia classic rocker WDTW have produced a -1.2 (3.4 – 3.0 – 2.8 – 2.6 – 2.2, 6+), as "106.7 The D" slides from #17 to #19.
4)
Miami – It is hardly unusual that a Miami adult contemporary facility is competing for the top spot, but the significance this time
is that
Cox Media Group-owned WFEZ "Easy 93.1" (6.7, +.6, fourth to third, 6+) is just three-tenths behind perennial market leader,
Entercom AC WLYF "Lite FM," which is off by a stunning -1.4 to 7.0 (6+). Consistent over the last eight sweeps, "Easy" has been in
6.1 – 6.6 range (6+) since February, but prior to October's +.6 was down by just one-tenth in each of the last three monthlies (6.4 – 6.3 – 6.2 – 6.1, 6+). As far as "Lite FM" is concerned, it was without a decrease the last three sweeps (7.9 – 8.1 – 8.4 – 8.4, 6+) and is #1 for the fourth straight time. Not only does WPOW "Power 96" extend its successive string of monthlies without a decrease to six (3.2 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.9, 6+), the
CBS Radio rhythmic CHR cracks the top ten (#12 to #8). Co-owned WKIS "New Country 99.9" (2.0, +.1, 6+) ends five straight declines (2.7 – 2.5 – 2.3 – 2.2 – 2.0 – 1.9, 6+) but the
FM flagship of the
Miami Dolphins backslides from #19 to #20. Following 12 consecutive monthlies in two-share territory (6+), WMIA "93.9 Miami's Rhythm" slipped to 1.9 in September but the
iHeartMedia rhythmic hot AC rebounds with a +.7 to 2.6 (6+), climbing from #19 to #17. On the heels of posting a hefty +1.1 in September, Cox Media Group CHR WFLC "Hits 97.3" returns nine-tenths of it (3.8 – 4.9 – 4.0, 6+), sliding from fifth to seventh. Format competitor – iHeartMedia's WHYI "Y-100" – adds four-tenths (3.7, 6+) to curtail three successive downward sweeps (3.8 – 3.6 – 3.4 – 3.3 – 6+) with "Y-100" returning to the top ten (#13 to #9). Finishing first in June, and then second the next three sweeps, Cox Media Group urban AC WHQT "Hot 105" falls to fourth with its fourth successive decline that has produced a -1.8 (8.2 – 8.0 – 7.2 – 7.1 – 6.4, 6+). This is the first time "Hot" has been below a seven-share (6+) in exactly one year (6.4, October 2015). Down for the third straight time (4.6 – 4.4 – 4.1 – 3.5, 6+),
Univision Radio Spanish tropical WRTO "Mix 98.3" departs the top ten (#8 to #12). After nine successive ratings periods without a decline (2.6 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 3.0 – 3.2 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.7, 6+), iHeartMedia classic rocker WBGG "Big 105.9" (#11 to #13) dips by four-tenths to 3.3 (6+). Unchanged at #29,
Moody Bible Institute's WRMB is without an increase for the tenth consecutive ratings period (.8 – .7 – .7 – .6 -.5 -.4 -.4 .3 -.3 -.2 -.2, 6+).
5)
Seattle – Powered by a +1.4 (4.1 – 5.5, 6+), KUOW "94.9 News & Information" marches from seventh to third. The
University 
of Washington outlet had been within 4.0 – 4.4 range (6+) since February (2016) and last reached the five-share level in February
2015 (5.0). Recording a strong +1.1 (1.4 – 2.5, 6+),
Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned KVI "Talk Radio 570" checks in at #21. Improving by six-tenths each
and up for the third straight time are
Hubbard Broadcasting's KVRQ "Rock 98.9" (2.5 – 2.6 – 2.8 –
3.4, #19 to #11, 6+) and
iHeartMedia-owned KJR-AM "Seattle's Sports Radio 950" (1.3 – 1.4 – 1.6 – 2.2, #22, 6+). Adding one-half share to September's +.7 is Hubbard Broadcasting CHR KQMV "MOViN 92.5 – All The Hits" (5.7 – 6.4 – 6.9, 6+), #1 for the
tenth consecutive sweep. Also up by one-half share is Sinclair Broadcast Group hot AC KPLZ "Star 101.5," which rockets from #17 all the way into the top ten (3.1 – 3.6, #8, 6+). This is the eleventh successive time "Star" has been in three-share range (6+). The rollercoaster ride continues for
Entercom country outlet KKWF which was
+.8 in July;
-.6 in August;
+.8 in September; and now
-.9 in October (3.1 – 3.9 – 3.3 – 4.1 – 3.2, 6+); "100.7 The Wolf," plummets from the top ten (#7 to #16). After gaining seven-tenths in September, Hubbard Broadcasting adult contemporary KRWM "Warm 106.9" forfeits all of it plus one-tenth (4.4 – 5.1 – 4.3,
-.8, 6+) and drops from third to sixth; 4.3 is the station's lowest 6+-stat in its
PPM-history. Following back-to-back increases that netted a +.6 (3.9 – 4.4 – 4.5, 6+), Entercom rocker KISW returns it all (3.9,
-.6, fifth to seventh, 6+).
Classic Radio classical KING (#24) is off by a combined full-share in back-to-back monthlies (2.5 – 2.2 – 1.5, 6+).
6)
Phoenix – Without an increase the past four sweeps (2.4 – 2.4 – 2.3 – 2.1 – 2.1, 6+),
Bonneville-owned KMVP "Arizona Sports
98.7″ (#19 to #15) breaks out a +.8 to 2.9, the best 6+-share of the
Arizona Cardinals' flagship since January's 3.6. Stymied on 2.8 (6+) in May and June and then on 3.1 (6+) in July and August,
iHeartMedia talker KFYI eroded by
-1.3 in September but
regains one-half share (3.1 – 1.8 – 2.3, 6+) as it inches from #22 to #21. Albeit down two-tenths to 6.7 (6+), adult contemporary cluster-mate KESZ is #1 for the
25th successive ratings period. Modestly up or flat the past three sweeps (1.3 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.5, 6+),
Family Life Radio contemporary Christian KFLR falters by seven-tenths to .8 (#29). Declining by one-share each and tied at #11 from #9 with identical 3.9 – 3.4 trends are
CBS Radio's KMLE "Country @ 107.9" and iHeartMedia CHR KZZP "104.7 Kiss-FM." This is the fourth straight dip for KMLE producing a -1.6 (5.0 – 4.1 – 4.0 – 3.9 – 3.4, 6+). Following six straight increases that nearly doubled its 6+-share (1.9 – 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.5 – 2.7 – 3.1 – 3.7, 6+),
The Yucaipa Companies' hot AC KMVA "Hot" regresses by three-tenths to 3.4 (6+), but actually moves from #12 to a three-way tie at #11. In a similar vein, adult contemporary sibling KOAI "The Oasis," which was up or flat the past seven sweeps more than tripling its 6+-share since February (.6 – .6 – .9 – 1.1 – 1.2 – 1.2 – 1.8 – 2.0, 6+), drops one-tenth to 1.9 (6+) and exits the top 20 (#20 to #22). Despite having its fourth consecutive decline (2.1 – 2.0 – 1.8 – 1.3 – 1.2, 6+),
Entravision Spanish adult hits KVVA "Jose" actually climbs from #26 to #25.
7)
Minneapolis – The only station in the 24
PPM-markets whose data has been released thus far to improve by at least
two 
full-shares (September 2016 – October 2016, 6+) is
iHeartMedia's KFXN. Not only does the flagship of the
NFL's
Minnesota Vikings tack on a mammoth
+2.2 to September's
+1.4, "Sports Radio FM 100.3 K-FAN" progresses from fourth to first and boasts the best 6+-share in its PPM-history. For added measure, this is
actually the station's fourth straight gain (4.4 – 4.8 – 5.3 – 6.7 – 8.9, 6+) with "K-FAN more than doubling its 6+-share since June (
+4.5, 6+). Evicted from the top spot and dropping to third is CHR cluster-mate KDWB "The Twin Cities' #1 Hit Music Station," down six-tenths after September's one-half share gain (7.6 – 8.1 – 7.5, 6+). The 8.1 in September was the best 6+-showing for KDWB since June 2015's 8.5. Off a cumulative nine-tenths in the previous three sweeps (7.1 – 7.1 – 6.9 – 6.2, 6+),
Cumulus Media-owned KQRS "Minnesota's Classic Rock" recaptures all of it with a +.9, returning to 7.1 and advancing from fifth to fourth. Owing to a -.8 (5.8 – 5.0, 6+),
University of Northwestern St. Paul contemporary Christian KTIS-FM exits the top ten (#7 to #11). Regressing by one-half share each are Cumulus Media rocker KXXR "93-X" (5.4, sixth to eighth, 6+) and
CBS Radio country outlet KMNB "BUZ'N @102.9" (unchanged at #13, 6+). This is the fourth successive decline for KMNB (5.0 – 4.7 – 4.3 – 4.1 – 3.6, 6+) and lowest 6+-share since the "Holiday" 2015 report (3.5); KXXR had been up or flat the past three ratings periods (5.0 – 5.8 – 5.9 – 5.9, 6+). Dropping from third to fifth, iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KQQL "Kool 108" falters for the fourth straight ratings period for a combined -1.5 (8.0 – 7.5 – 7.2 – 6.8 – 6.5, 6+).
8)
San Diego – Displaying gains of one-half share each are
Entercom adult contemporary KXSN "Sunny 98.1" (5.8, third to
second, 6+) and
San Diego State University's KPBS (4.2 – 4.7, seventh to fifth, 6+). Stuck on 5.3 (6+) in August and September, "Sunny" now trails
iHeartMedia hot AC KMYI "Star 94.1" – #1 for the fifth straight time – by just one-tenth as "Star" is +.1 (5.8 – 5.9, 6+). Co-owned KGB "San Diego's Classic Rock" (3.8 – 3.4, -.4 #11 to #13, 6+) is in 3.0 – 3.8 range (6+) for the tenth
successive time. Without an increase for the seventh consecutive ratings period (5.5 – 5.1 – 5.1 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 4.4 – 4.3 – 4.3, 6+), urban-rhythmic oldies XHRM "Magic 92.5 The Beat of San Diego" slides from sixth to eighth. In 2.1 – 2.6 range (6+) for the eleventh straight monthly, Entercom-owned KBZT "94.9 San Diego's Alternative" (2.3 – 2.1, -.3, 6+) is now tied at #18 with format rival XTRA "91-X" (2.0 – 2.1, +.16+); KBZT was #18 in September and "91-X" moves up from #20. Prior to a -.5 in September, "91-X" had been up or flat the previous five sweeps (2.0 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.5, 6+). For the 16th straight monthly, KOGO has a 6+-share between 3.1 – 3.8 (3.6 – 3.8, +.2, 6+); the iHeartMedia talker climbs from #13 to #12.
9)
Tampa – After not having an increase the previous four sweeps resulting in a -1.1 (3.5 – 3.5 – 2.8 – 2.6 – 2.4, 6+),
iHeartMedia–
owned WDAE "Tampa Bay's Sports Radio" notched a +.9 in September and the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers flagship now adds another half-share (2.4 – 3.3 – 3.8, 6+) to progress from #15 to #13. Also in the spoken-word arena and gaining one-half share is co-owned talker WFLA, which was frozen on 2.5 (6+) in August and
September but improves to 3.0 (flat at #17, 6+). Off by a combined -1.3 in back-to-back sweeps (10.6 – 9.9 – 9.3, 6+),
Cox Media Group adult contemporary WDUV regains two-tenths to 9.5 (6+) as "Lite Favorites" is #1 for the
48th successive ratings period. As a result of replicating September's -.6,
University of South Florida-owned WUSF has surrendered in its entirety the +1.2 it gained in August (3.9 – 5.1 – 4.5 – 3.9, 6+) and slides from ninth to tenth. Also sputtering by six-tenths (3.8, #10 to #13, 6+) is
Radio Training Network contemporary Christian WCIE "The Joy FM," which was without a decrease the past six survey periods (3.7 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 4.2 – 4.4, 6+). In third-place the past three monthlies, Cox Media Group's WXGL "Classic Hits 107-3 The Eagle" is up for the third consecutive time (5.5 – 5.6 – 6.0 – 6.1, 6+), inching up to the runner-up slot. Deflating by one-half share each are
Beasley Media Group's similarly formatted WRBQ "Q-105" (5.1, fourth to fifth, 6+) and Cox Media Group CHR WPOI "Hot 101.15 – All The Hits" (4.7 – 4.2, seventh to ninth, 6+). The -.5 ends three straight increases by "Q-105" that netted a +1.1 (4.5 – 4.7 – 5.1 – 5.6, 6+). "Hot," which led format foe – iHeartMedia's WFLZ "Tampa Bay's #1 Hit Music Channel" – by one-half share in September, now trails WFLZ (4.2 – 4.5, +.3, #11 to #8, 6+) by three-tenths. Meanwhile in the country tussle, Beasley Media Group's WQYK drops four-tenths to 5.0 (fifth to sixth, 6+) and now leads iHeartMedia's WFUS "US-103.5" by just two-tenths as "US-103.5" is up two-tenths to 4.8 (eighth to seventh, 6+); WQYK was +.7 in September and WFUS was +.6. Owing to five consecutive down or flat trends, iHeartMedia hot AC WMTX "Mix 100.7" (#14 to #16) is a combined -1.3 (4.6 – 4.3 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 3.4 – 3.3, 6+).
10)
Denver – Up or flat for the fourth consecutive sweep netting two full-shares (2.9 – 2.9 – 3.5 – 3.6 – 4.9, 6+),
Bonneville's
KKFN "Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan" soars from #13 into the top ten (#6). While "The Fan" scored a 4.5 in January, this represents its most potent 6+ showing ever under
PPM methodology. Returning to the top ten (#11 to #10),
iHeartMedia triple A KBCO "World Class Rock" is up two-tenths to 4.0 (6+), thus
ending three straight declines (4.8 – 4.3 – 4.1 – 3.8, 6+) that resulted in a net loss of one full-share. Flashing gains of one-half share each are KOA (#13 to #9, 6+);
Entercom hot AC KALC "Alice 105.9" (3.3 – 3.8, #15 to #12, 6+); and
Entravision regional Mexican KXPK "La Tricolor 96.5" (2.4 – 2.9, #18 to #17, 6+). It is the third successive gain for iHeartMedia talker/
Denver Broncos AM flagship KOA (3.3 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 4.1, 6+) and its best 6+-showing in exactly one year (4.4, October 2015). Picking up one one-tenth to 2.9 (6+) and remaining at #17,
Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KLDV "K-LOVE" curtails five straight down or flat sweeps (3.6 – 2.9 – 2.9 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.8, 6+). Without a decrease for the third straight sweep (5.3 – 6.3 – 6.6 – 6.6, 6+), cluster-mate KTCL "Modern Rock Channel 93-3" is #1 – as it was in September and August. Prior to August (
2016), the last time "Channel 93-3" reached the six-share level (6+) was just over one year ago (6.0, 6+, August
2015). Eroding by eight-tenths each are Entercom rhythmic CHR KQKS "KS-107.5" (5.2 – 4.4, sixth to eighth, 6+) and
Colorado Public Radio outlet KCFR (4.6 – 3.8), which falls out of the top ten (#8 to #12). Fluctuations for KCFR this calendar year include
+.7 (January);
-.7 (February);
+.7 (March);
-.7 (April);
-.7 (June);
+.7 (July); and now
-.8 (October). Three market stations floundering by one-half share include Entercom-owned classic rock KQMT "The Mountain" (second to third, 6+), and iHeartMedia mainstream CHR and rock siblings KPTT "95.7 The Party" (#9 to #14, 6+); and KBPI (3.8 – 3.3, #11 to #15, 6+). "The Mountain" is down for the fourth straight sweep (7.6 – 6.9 – 6.1 – 6.0 – 5.5, 6+) for a cumulative -2.1, while "The Party" has its third consecutive decline for a -1.0 (4.6 – 4.5 – 4.1 – 3.6, 6+). This is the eleventh successive sweep that KBPI is in 3.0 – 3.8 range (6+).
11)
Baltimore – In 5.3 – 5.8 territory (6+) since April,
CBS Radio sports outlet/
Baltimore Orioles flagship WJZ-FM
(unchanged at #5) trots out a full-share increase to 6.5 (6+). It is the first time "Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan" reaches the six-share level (6+) since May 2015 (6.0). Repeating its +.6 in September,
Peter & John Radio Fellowship contemporary Christian WRBS-FM "95.1 Shine" (3.0 – 3.6 – 4.2, 6+) progresses from tenth to seventh. In
August, "Shine" picked
up two-tenths to halt six successive downward trends (5.7 – 5.6 – 4.4 – 4.2 – 3.9 – 3.2 – 2.8, 6+) which eroded roughly 50% of its 6+-share (and a combined -2.9). After four straight months without an increase (7.7 – 7.1 – 6.8 – 6.8 – 6.8, 6+),
iHeartMedia-owned WPOC "Baltimore's #1 for New Country" gains four-tenths to 7.2 (6+) and is #4 for the fifth consecutive sweep. By adding one-half share (7.8 – 8.3, 6+), CBS Radio adult contemporary WLIF "Today's 101.9" bumps up from third to second. A -.4 in September though ended its string of successive increases – which netted a +1.1- at three (7.1 – 7.4 – 7.8 – 8.2, 6+). Just one-tenth ahead of WLIF is
Radio One urban AC WWIN, which is #1 for the third straight month –
but "Magic 95.9" is without an increase for the fourth consecutive sweep (9.8 – 8.6 – 8.5 – 8.5 – 8.4, 6+). A -1.2 in July necessitated "Magic 95.9" to segue from the top spot. Before that, "Magic 95.9" put together four straight increases for a combined
+3.7 (6.1 – 6.5 – 7.1 – 8.2 – 9.8, 6+). Four straight negative trends by iHeartMedia CHR WZFT "Z-104.3" (seventh to tenth) result in a loss of one full-share (4.9 – 4.6 – 4.5 – 4.2 – 3.9, 6+). Also without an increase for the fourth successive ratings period is
Shamrock Communications classic rocker WZBA "100.7 The Bay" (4.0 – 4.0 – 3.6 – 3.4 – 3.1, 6+), which segues from #11 to #12.
12)
St. Louis – A gain of nine-tenths (5.4 – 6.3, 6+) propels
Hubbard Broadcasting adult hits WARH "The Arch" from
eighth to fourth. "The Arch" last reached the six-share level just over one year ago (6.1, September 2015). Seven-tenths proves to be lucky for cluster-mate WXOS "101 Sports" (2.6 – 3.3,
+7, 6+) and
Emmis CHR KNOU "Now 96.3" (3.5,
+.7, 6+), although they remain at #16 and #15, respectively. "Now" was locked on 3.0 (6+) in June and July and then on 2.8 (6+) in
August and September. Ironically, "101 Sports" has a similar profile of 2.4 (6+) in June and July and then 2.6 (6+) in August and September. Improving by one-half share each are
iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KLOU (6.9, fourth to second, 6+) and Emmis talker KFTK (#16 to #17, 6+). KLOU had been down or flat the past four sweeps (7.4 – 7.4 – 6.7 – 6.5 – 6.4, 6+) for a net loss of one full-share, while this is the third straight gain for KFTK (2.3 – 2.4 – 2.6 – 3.1, 6+). Without an increase for the fourth consecutive sweep (9.2 – 8.3 – 8.3 – 8.1 – 7.7, 6+), rock sibling KSHE is nevertheless #1 for the tenth straight time. When KSHE lost one-half share in May, it ended a streak of nine successive ratings periods in which it hadn't had a decrease for a combined +2.4 (6.2 – 6.2 – 6.7 – 6.9 – 7.1 – 7.7 – 7.9 – 8.5 – 8.5 – 8.6, 6+). Following a massive +1.6 in September,
Radio One urban contemporary WHHL "Hot 104.1" returns nearly half of it (6.5 – 5.8,
-.7, 6+) and drifts from third to seventh. Prior to September, the last time "Hot" crossed the six-share threshold (6+) was December 2014 (6.4). Sliding from #13 to #14, iHeartMedia country KSD-FM "93.7 The Bull" regresses by six-tenths to 3.6, its lowest 6+-stat since January's 3.5. On the flipside, format rival – Hubbard Broadcasting's WIL-FM (unchanged at #6) – has its sixth consecutive ratings period without a decrease for a net gain of +1.5 (4.4 – 4.4 – 4.9 – 5.2 – 5.8 – 5.9 – 5.9, 6+).
