PPM Data – Part Three. December 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 December 2016 survey period covered November 3 – November 30. Two particularly significant things to remember in these coverage dates are that the period began five days before the presidential election and it reflects a mainly mid-November start by some stations (the overwhelming majority of which are adult contemporary) of a transition to all-Christmas music. View all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations
here. Meanwhile,
RadioInfo managing editor
Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from these 12-
PPM markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1)
Portland – Adult contemporary KKCW "K-103" puts an end to a September – October – November mini-slide (8.6 – 7.8 – 7.7, 6+) with a
+2.1 exclamation point to 9.8 (6+) as the
iHeartMedia facility is #1 for the
30th time in the last
32 ratings periods. 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+). Back in
June 2016, "K-103" suffered a massive -1.6 to 7.1, its lowest 6+-share since June
2014 (6.6). This time last year (December
2015), "K-103" was #1 with an 11.4 (6+). Broken is the November tie at #1 between KKCW and KOPB, which, after November's +.8, drops one-tenth and slips to second (7.7 – 7.6, 6+); 7.6 was the
Oregon Public Broadcasting outlet's strongest 6+-stat since March when it hit 8.0. While KOPB is often found in the runner-up slot, November 2016 was its first time at #1 since April 2013. A gain of one-tenth by
Entercom's KWJJ "99.5 The Wolf" (eighth to fifth) is enough to halt four straight skids that resulted in the loss of two full-shares since July (6.7 – 6.0 – 5.7 – 5.0 – 4.7, 6+). Sandwiching an October 4.5 (6+) between 4.7 shares (6+) in September and November, hot AC sibling KRSK busts out a +1.4 to 6.1, marking the first time in its
PPM-history that "105.1 The Buzz – Today's Best Mix" crosses the six-share threshold (6+). In addition, "The Buzz" leaps from a three-way, eighth-place tie to third. Conversely, locked on 5.3 (6+) in October and November,
Alpha Media's similarly-formatted KBFF "Live 95.5 – The Station That Sounds Like Portland" falters by seven-tenths to skid from third to seventh (4.6, 6+). Down seven-tenths since September (5.8 – 5.2 – 5.1, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned KLTH "106.7 The Eagle – Portland's Classic Hits Station" displays a gain of one-half share to 5.6 (6+) and carries on in fourth-place. Following six consecutive months 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+), Entercom adult hits KYCH "97.1 Charlie – We Play Everything" dropped two-tenths in November and now stumbles by one-full-share (5.3 – 5.1 – 4.1, 6+). "Charlie" drifts from a tie at #4 to a three-way logjam at #9, which includes iHeartMedia CHR KKRZ "Z-100," whose down/up pattern since July is 5.1 – 4.8 – 5.3 – 4.3 – 4.7 – 4.1 (6+) for a net loss of one full-share. Unchanged at #12, public KQAC "All Classical Portland" is down four-tenths to end four straight up-trends (2.8 – 2.9 – 3.0 – 3.3 – 4.1, 6+). Prior to November
2016, the last time "All Classical Portland" crossed the four-share threshold (6+) was six years ago (4.1, 6+, November 2010). Without an increase since June – including four straight times at 3.8 – for a combined -1.4 (4.9 – 4.3 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.5, 6+), Entercom classic rocker KGON drops from #13 to #14. Albeit down for the fifth straight time for an exactly 50% drop in its 6+-share (3.6 – 3.5 – 2.6 – 2.5 – 1.9 – 1.8, 6+), iHeartMedia's KXJM "JAM'N 107.5" actually returns to the top 20 (#21 to #19). After being up or flat the past four sweeps (1.2 – 1.4 – 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.1, 6+) and achieving its best 6+-share in more than
six years (2.2, 6+, June 2010) public jazz outlet KMHD falters by two-tenths to 1.9 (6+), slipping from a four-way tie at #17 to #18.
2)
Charlotte – Owing to
September's +.3, WKQC "K-104.7" ended three consecutive downward trends that yielded a -1.3 (5.1 – 4.6 – 4.4 – 3.8, 6+), but the
Beasley Media Group adult contemporary outlet regressed by
six-tenths in
October. Up by a combined
+2.4 in November and December (3.5 – 4.3 – 5.9, 6+), "K-104.7" leaps from ninth to fourth. Three-tenths of a share separates Charlotte's top three performers. Down or flat since July for a cumulative loss of seven-tenths (5.8 – 5.7 – 5.4 – 5.1 – 5.1, 6+),
Radio One urban-rhythmic oldies WOSF not only busts out a gain of nearly two full-shares (5.1 – 7.0,
+1.9, 6+), "Old School 105.3" catapults from sixth to first. It succeeds Beasley Media Group-owned WSOC "Country's Greatest Hits" (7.6 – 6.8, -.8, 6+), which assumes the runner-up slot. "Country's Greatest Hits" occupied the penthouse the first four months of the year and shared top honors in July and August with
iHeartMedia classic rocker WRFX "The Fox." This is the weakest 6+-stat for WSOC since June's 6.4. Meanwhile, in back-to-back monthlies, "The Fox" spirals by six-tenths (7.9 – 7.3 – 6.7, 6+) as it moves from second to third and has its lowest 6+-performance since April's 6.0. Whether solo or with WSOC, "The Fox" had a six-month tenure at #1. In 3.1 – 3.7 range (6+) from May through October, Radio One gospel WPZS was -.6 in November but "Praise 100.9 Charlotte's Inspiration Station" recaptures that entire six-tenths (3.5 – 2.9 – 3.5, 6+) and returns to #13 from #15. A loss of six-tenths (5.0 – 4.4, 6+) drops iHeartMedia adult hits WLKO "102.9 The Lake – We Play Anything" from seventh to ninth, while co-owned WEND "106.5 The End Charlotte's New Rock Alternative" is off by one-half share (2.7 – 2.2, 6+) but remains at #16.
3)
Pittsburgh – Three straight down or flat trends since August (6.8 – 6.8 – 6.6 – 6.3, 6+) resulted in a one-half share loss for WSHH, but "Wish 99.7" (fifth to fourth) rebounds with a mighty +1.3 to 7.6, its strongest 6+-stat since the
Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary outlet returned to print this past April. The third straight
gain by triple A WYEP "91.3 – Where The Music Matters" is by one-half share (1.1 – 1.1 – 1.2 – 1.7, 6+), inching the
Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting outlet up from #15 to #14. Following October's one-half share gain to 10.4 – its strongest 6+-stat since November
2015's 10.9 – WDVE dropped four-tenths in November, but the
iHeartMedia rocker recoups all of it (10.4 – 10.0 – 10.4, 6+) and is #1 for the third straight time. 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+). Within 7.0 – 7.5 range (6+) the past five survey periods, CHR cluster-mate WKST "96.1 Kiss – Pittsburgh's #1 Hit Music Station" (fourth to fifth) stumbles by one-half share to 6.5, its lowest 6+-showing since January (also 6.5, 6+). This is the sixth straight time iHeartMedia alternative WXDX "The X at 105.9" (3.6 – 3.5, -.1, 6+) finishes at #11. In 2.1 – 2.9 range for the sixteenth straight time,
Steel City Media hot AC WLTJ "Q-92.9" is flat at 2.8 (6+) and remains at #12. Although steady in eighth-place,
CBS Radio's KDKA-FM "93.7 The Fan" posts its third consecutive decline that has accounted for a cumulative loss of 3.5 shares (7.6 – 6.5 – 4.7 – 4.1, 6+). Unchanged at #7, co-owned talker KDKA-AM is off by three-tenths to 5.1 (6+), thus curtailing three consecutive increases that netted more than a full-share (4.3 – 4.7 – 4.9 – 5.4, 6+); November's 5.4 was KDKA-AM's best 6+-stat since April's 6.0.
4)
Sacramento – The top three Sacramento finishers are separated by just three-tenths of a share. One way to follow-up a November 2016 gain of +1.2 in is to
replicate it in December 2016, which is exactly what KYMX "Mix
96″ manages to accomplish (5.4 – 6.6 – 7.8, 6+). Despite the combined +2.4 in back-to-back monthlies, the
CBS Radio adult contemporary outlet remains in third-place for the fifth successive sweep. Somewhat ironically, "Mix" was a combined
-2.2 in September and October before November's +1.2. Prior to September, "Mix" had been up or flat the previous four monthlies (6.5 – 6.6 – 7.1 – 7.6 – 7.6, 6+). One-tenth ahead of "Mix" – and in the runner-up slot for the fifth straight time – is KFBK. The
iHeartMedia news-talk hybrid continues its wild ride that has seen it post a
+.8 (August);
-1.4 (September);
+1.2 (October)
.7 (November) and now
+.7 in December (7.3 – 8.1 – 6.7 – 7.9 – 7.2 – 7.9, 6+). 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. While this is
Entercom classic rock KSEG's fourth negative trend in the last five ratings periods – including November's -.8 and now December's -.7 (9.6 – 8.8 – 8.1, 6+) – "The Eagle" is #1 for the eleventh consecutive report. Its 8.1 though is the lowest 6+-share for "The Eagle" in more than two years (7.8, November 2014). 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. In addition to KSEG, other stations in California's capital city faltering by seven-tenths in December 2016 are co-owned KRXQ "98 Rock" (5.1, fourth to fifth, 6+);
Capital Public Radio-owned KXJZ (4.1, sixth to seventh, 6+); and iHeartMedia's KBEB "B-92.5 – #1 For New Country" (#12 to #16, 6+). Frozen on 4.7 (6+) in August and September, "98 Rock" added a combined +1.1 in October and November (4.7 – 4.8 – 5.8, 6+); 5.8 was its best 6+-performance since July 2014 (also 5.8).
California State University – Sacramento's KXJZ had not had a decrease in the past four sweeps (3.9 – 3.9 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.8, 6+). In November, "B-92.5" was down one full-share from 3.8, which was its best 6+-stat since June 2015 (3.9). Simultaneous with
Lotus' KMJE-FM "Vive 92.1 – Siempre Contigo"
advancing by one-half share (.4 – .9, #24, 6+), CBS Radio hot AC KZZO "Now 100.5" (3.6 – 3.1, tenth, 6+) and Entercom's KIFM-AM "
ESPN Radio 1320" (1.4 – .9, #21 to #24, 6+)
regress by that margin; "ESPN Radio 1320" was up by six-tenths in November and "Now" was down seven-tenths. Not varying from a high of 2.3 to a low of 2.1 (6+) in the last 11 sweeps (January 2016 through November 2016),
Entravision Communications' country KNTY "101.9 The Wolf" is off by four-tenths to 1.9 (6+).
5)
San Antonio – After four straight sweeps without an increase for a full-share loss (5.8 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 5.3 – 4.8, 6+),
iHeartMedia adult contemporary KQXT "Q-101.9 San Antonio's Best Variety" roars back with a gain of +1.5 to 4.8 (6+) to storm from sixth to second. One year ago at this time (December
2015), "Q-101.9" was in third-place
with a 6.1 (6+). Eight-tenths ahead of it is
Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies KONO-FM "101.1 San Antonio's Greatest Hits, which repeats at #1. It has been a seesaw lately for "San Antonio's Greatest Hits," which was
-1.0 in October;
+.9 in November; and now
-1.1 in December (8.3 – 7.3 – 8.2 – 7.1, 6+). KONO-FM departed the top spot in October 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 the lowest 6+-share for "San Antonio's Greatest Hits" since July 2015 (7.1). By way of three straight July 2016 through October 2016 positive trends (6.0 – 6.6 – 7.2 – 7.5, 6+), co-owned KCYY netted 1.5 (6+) shares but "Y-100 – San Antonio's New Country Leader" (second to third) is now a collective
-1.7 in November and December (7.5 – 7.1 – 5.8, 6+). In fifth-place is iHeartMedia's KAJA "KJ-97 – San Antonio's #1 Country Station" (5.6 – 5.4, -.2, 6+). Frozen on 4.4 (6+) in September, October, and November – co-owned CHR KXXM "Mix 96.1 – San Antonio's #1 Hit Music Station" is off by one-tenth to 4.3 (6+) yet actually moves from #11 to #10. Within 2.1 – 2.8 range (6+) for the eighteenth straight time, "Mix 96.1" format rival –
Alpha Broadcasting's KTFM "Energy 94.1 – Sounds Like San Antonio" – picks up two-tenths to 2.8 (6+), climbing from #16 to #14.
6)
Cincinnati – Stuck on 4.8 (6+) in August and September, WRRM "Warm 98" inched up one-tenth each in October and November (4.8 – 4.9 – 5.0, 6+) before the
Cumulus Media adult contemporary explodes in
December by +1.3 to 6.3, elevating from seventh to fourth. Its 5.8 (6+) in December
2015 placed "Warm 98" in fifth-place. Off the past four monthlies for a combined -1.6 (5.9 – 5.4 – 4.6 – 4.5 – 4.3, 6+),
iHeartMedia CHR WKFS "Kiss 107" recaptures well over half of that loss with a +1.1 to 5.4 (ninth to seventh, 6+). Down or flat for the third successive sweep (9.8 – 9.8 – 9.6 – 8.8, 6+), Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WGRR has lost one full-share but is in first-place for the fourth straight month. Prior to a gain in September, WGRR posted three successive negative trends resulting in a cumulative -1.7 (10.3 – 9.8 – 9.3 – 8.6, 6+). After sputtering by six-tenths in November,
Hubbard Radio country outlet WUBE "B-105" further erodes by
-1.6 (8.5 – 7.9 – 6.3, 6+), but only slips from third to fourth. As the result of a +.2 in November, rhythmic hot AC sibling WREW ended four straight decreases (5.3 – 4.8 – 4.6 – 4.4 – 4.3, 6+), but "Mix 94.9" regresses in December by eight-tenths to 3.7 (6+), returning to #10 from #8. July 2016 to October 2016 (6+) trends for WOFX were 5.0 – 4.6 – 5.0 – 4.6, but with a -.5 in November, "The Fox" broke that pattern. Now, a -.7 (4.1 – 3.4, 6+) takes the Cumulus Media classic rocker from #11 to #13. Declining by six-tenths each are iHeartMedia rocker WEBN (sixth to eighth, 6+) and
Cincinnati Public Radio's WVXU (3.5, #11 to #12, 6+). The decrease halts five straight up or flat trends for WVXU that netted a cumulative
+1.1 (3.0 – 3.2 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 4.1, 6+); 4.1 was its best 6+-share since February 2014 (also 4.1). On the other hand, WEBN is a collective
-1.1 as a result of its third straight dip (5.8 – 5.4 – 5.3 – 4.7, 6+). Dropping by one-half share each are Hubbard Radio hot AC WKRQ "Q-102 Cincinnati's Hit Music" (7.3 – 6.8, third, 6+); iHeartMedia's WCKY "
ESPN 1530" (1.4 – .9, #16 to #17, 6+); and co-owned WEBN-HD2 (also 1.4 – .9, #16 to #17, 6+). Anchored at #15, Cumulus Media's WNNF "94.1 Nash FM" has its fifth straight downward trend (3.4 – 3.2 – 2.7 – 2.3 – 2.1 – 2.0, 6+) and is -1.4 in that stretch.
7)
Cleveland – Three successive negative moves by WHLK "The Lake" in September, October, and November accounted for a -2.4 (8.9 – 8.4 – 7.7 – 6.5, 6+). The
iHeartMedia adult hits property rebounds by 75% though with a
+1.8 (to 8.3, 6+), jumping from fifth to second. November's 6.5 was the weakest 6+-performance for "The
Lake" since June 2012 (6.1). Rocketing from eighth to fourth, WNCX "98.5 Cleveland's Classic Rock" dusts itself off from November's -.7 with a full-share gain (6.7 – 6.0 – 7.0, 6+). An increase of eight-tenths (5.8 – 6.6, 6+) enables hot AC sibling WQAL "Q-104" to leap from ninth to sixth. Enjoying upticks of nine-tenths each are
Radio One urban contemporary WENZ "Z-107.9" (5.5 – 6.4, tenth to seventh, 6+) and iHeartMedia mainstream CHR WAKS "96.5 Kiss-FM" (5.0 – 5.9, 6+). Returning to the top ten (#11 to #10), "Kiss" was off by seven-tenths in November. Six consecutive up or flat trends for
Ideastream's WCPN (unchanged at #13) produce a combined +.7 – the bulk of which come from December's +.5 (2.0 – 2.0 – 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.7, 6+). Up one-tenth (8.6 – 8.7, 6+), iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI is back on top after a one-month hiatus. Prior to December's +.1, "Cleveland's Greatest Hits" was off by nearly three full-shares in three straight downward trends (11.5 – 10.8 – 9.6 – 8.6, 6+) and slipped to #2. September's -.7 ended five straight gains for a cumulative +1.2 (10.3 – 10.7 – 10.9 – 11.3 – 11.4 – 11.5, 6+) and marked the first time in the previous 17 ratings periods that WMJI was
not in double-digits (6+). It departed the penthouse after ten successive sweeps there, dislodged by talk sibling WTAM, which plummets by three full-shares and freefalls to #9. In November,
Cleveland Indians flagship WTAM recorded a massive
+2.7 to 9.1, its most potent 6+-share since May 2012 when it reached 9.8. Without a decrease the past five ratings periods for a collective +2.3 including a combined +1.5 in October and November (4.2 – 5.0 – 5.0 – 5.0 – 5.8 – 6.5, 6+), co-owned WMMS surrenders 1.3 shares of that gain to drift out of the top ten (#5 to #11). The rocker last crossed the six-share threshold (6+) in August 2014 with a 6.1. It doesn't matter how much CBS Radio-owned WKRK "Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan" goes up or down (4.8 – 3.6, -1.2, 6+), the
Cleveland Browns flagship seems to always be at #12 – where it's been since
February. In a bit of an oddity, adult contemporary sibling WDOK "Star 102" (fourth to fifth), has its
fourth consecutive fluctuation of one-half share – three of which have been in the negative direction (7.8 – 7.3 – 6.8 – 7.3 – 6.8, 6+).
8)
Salt Lake City – The all-Christmas music programming strategy has always been tremendously effective in Salt Lake City. That fact is vividly underscored by a whopping November 2016 – December 2016 gain of more than
four full-shares by
Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI "FM 100.3 – Better Music Better Work Day," which reaches 11.4 with its
+4.1 (6+). Rather obviously, KSFI repeats at #1, but over and above that, it has not had a decrease since April. In that stretch of eight successive sweeps, "FM 100.3" has racked up in excess of six full-shares (5.3 – 5.7 – 6.2 – 6.3 – 6.7 – 7.0 – 7.3 – 7.3 – 11.4, 6+) and this is its best 6+-performance since "Holiday" 2015, when it scored a 15.6. KSFI is nearly three full-shares ahead of its 8.5 (#1) in December
2015. In the runner-up slot with an 8.3 (6+) is co-owned talker KSL, whose recent fluctuations are
+2.0 (October);
-.9 (November); and
+1.1 (December); 8.3 is the strongest 6+-figure for KSL in more than two years (9.1, October 2014). At #1 and #2, the Bonneville siblings account for a solid 19.7 (6+). In early-October, one of KSFI's former adult contemporary competitors –
Capital Broadcasting's KSQN ("Sunny 103" in its AC days) – flipped to "103.1 The Next Wave of New Wave." It registers a gain of six-tenths (1.1 – 1.7, 6+) and cracks the top 20 (#20). Even though it drops one-tenth (6.4 – 6.3, 6+),
iHeartMedia CHR KZHT "97.1 Salt Lake's #1 Hit Music Station" improves from fifth to fourth and registers a 6+-share between a 6.1 – 6.7 for the seventh straight sweep. Bumping up from tenth to ninth, its format rival –
Broadway Media-owned KUDD "Mix 105.1 All The Hits" – picks up three-tenths (to 4.1, 6+), thus applying the brakes to four consecutive negative trends that yielded a -1.5 (5.3 – 4.8 – 4.2 – 4.0 – 3.8, 6+). Down seven-tenths to 6.4 (6+), hot AC cluster-mate KBZN "Now 97.9 Today's Best Music" halts its 7.1 – 6.9 – 7.1 pattern. After three straight gains for a
+1.3 (5.5 – 6.2 – 6.6 – 6.8, 6+), Bonneville's KRSP "103.5 The Arrow" surrenders all of it (5.5,
-1.3, 6+), seguing from fourth to fifth. Regressing for the fourth consecutive month (5.5 – 5.2 – 4.8 – 4.6 – 3.8, 6+),
Cumulus Media country-formatted KUBL "K-Bull 93" drops from eighth to tenth and is a combined -1.7 since August. The one-half share KALL derived from three straight up-trends (.6 – .8 – .9 – 1.1, 6+) is wiped out as "700 Sports" loses six-tenths (.5, #28, 6+). Dropping by one-half share each are iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies and classic rock siblings KODJ "Salt Lake's Greatest Hits" (4.8 – 4.3, steady at #7, 6+) and KAAZ "Rock 106.7" (2.7 – 2.2, #16, 6+). When KODJ notched a +.3 in November, it curtailed four consecutive declines (6.6 – 5.5 – 5.2 – 4.6 – 4.5, 6+) for a cumulative loss of -2.1.
9)
Las Vegas – Netting a +2.4 via four successive up or flat trends (5.7 – 6.4 – 7.0 – 7.0 – 8.1, 6+),
iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE "Sunny 106.5" returns to #1, again succeeding
Beasley Media Group's KKLZ (7.2 – 6.6, -.6, 6+) which trades places with "Sunny" at #2. Prior to gaining eight-tenths in November, classic hits-oldies
KKLZ was off by a combined full-share in consecutive sweeps (7.4 – 6.7 – 6.4, 6+). Following three straight downward trends netting a combined -2.4 (8.1 – 7.4 – 6.0 – 5.7, 6+), "Sunny" was +.7 in September and then +.6 in October, climbing to first – where it had been for
22 straight monthlies before July. Prior to advancing to #1 in July – and remaining there in August and September – KKLZ was in the runner-up slot for six straight months; 7.4 in
August was its best 6+-showing in over four years (7.5, July 2012). More than doubling its 6+-share as a result of four successive gains (1.4 – 1.9 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 3.0, 6+),
CBS Radio talker KXNT climbs from #17 to #14. Flashing gains of one-half share each are alternative sibling KXTE "X-107.5" (2.7 – 3.2, #14 to #12, 6+) and Beasley Media Group's KCYE "102.7 The Coyote" (2.5 – 3.0, #15 to #14, 6+). "The Coyote" was -.6 in November with 2.5 representing its lowest 6+-share since the "Holiday" 2015 report (1.8). Trending 3.5 – 4.5 – 4.5 (September – October – November, 6+), CBS Radio rhythmic hot AC KXQQ "Q-100.5" spirals by eight-tenths to 3.7 (6+), dipping from seventh to ninth. Unchanged at #10,
Lotus Broadcasting's KOMP "92.3 The Rock Station" relinquishes one-half share of the eight-tenths it dialed up in November (3.2 – 4.0 – 3.5, 6+).
10)
Kansas City – The top two Kansas City finishers are once again
Cumulus Media properties but the difference is that classic rock KCFX "The Fox" (+1.2, second to first, 6+) overtakes classic hits-oldies cluster-mate
KCMO-FM "Kansas City's Greatest Hits" (7.8 – 8.3, +.5, first to second, 6+). On top from May through September, "The Fox" has its fourth straight up-trend (7.2 – 7.3 – 7.6 – 7.7 – 8.9, 6+) for a cumulative +1.7. 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+). Before a loss of three-tenths in November, KCMO-FM registered four straight progressive trends (5.3 – 6.0 – 7.0 – 7.2 – 8.1, 6+) for a collective +1.8. Also in that cluster, unchanged at #15, KCHZ "95.7 The Vibe – All The Hits" adds two-tenths (to 2.8, 6+) to stymie four straight sweeps without an increase that produced a -1.5 (4.1 – 4.1 – 3.3 – 3.1 – 2.6, 6+). In the market's three-way country skirmish,
Steel City Media's KBEQ "Q-104 #1 for New Country" ends a (4.3 – 3.6 – 3.5, 6+) mini-slide by putting up a +.6 to 4.1, advancing from #13 to #11 (6+). "Q-104" was off by seven-tenths in October. Owing to a +.2 to 3.7 (steady at #13, 6+),
Entercom's WDAF "106.5 The Wolf" ends its string of four consecutive decreases that produced a -.7 (4.2 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.6 – 3.5, 6+). Following four straight sweeps without a loss netting a +1.1 (3.8 – 3.8 – 4.2 – 4.7 – 4.9, 6+), "Q-104" sibling KFKF "Country 94.1" falters by six-tenths (4.3, 6+) to segue from sixth to seventh. In addition to KFKF,
Union Broadcasting's WHB is down by six-tenths, thus pulling the plug on five consecutive gains that accounted for a +1.1 (1.8 – 1.9 – 2.1 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.9, 6+); "Sports Radio 810" slumps from #15 to #18. Among recent fluctuations for Entercom's similarly-formatted KCSP are
-.6 (July);
-.6 (August);
-1.3 (October); and
-1.8 (November). Up three-tenths (1.2 – 1.5, 6+), KCSP climbs from #20 to #19. Just over one year ago, the flagship of the
2015 World Series champion
Kansas City Royals occupied the #1 spot, but "610 Sports" has witnessed its 6+ AQH plummet nearly 90% from 10.6 to 1.2. Off by one-half share each are
Carter Broadcast Group urban contemporary KPRS "Hot 103 Jamz" (5.5 – 5.0, fifth, 6+) and public (
University of Northwestern St. Paul) contemporary Christian KJNW (1.9 – 1.4, #19 to #20, 6+).
11)
Orlando – It takes a mammoth move of 8.4 – 10.5 (6+) to accomplish it but – following six straight rating periods finishing in third-place –
iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMGF "Magic 107.7" progresses to the runner-up slot. Over the course of the past 16 sweeps, "Magic 107.7" shifts 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);
-.5 (October)
+.9 (November); and now
+2.1 (December). At this time last year "Magic" was #1 with a 7.7 (6+, December
2015). It trails Spanish tropical cluster-mate WRUM, which continues on its own roll. On top for the third successive month, "Rumba 100.3" follows November's +1.1 with +1.4 to 12.1 (6+), the highest 6+-share in its
PPM-history. The five most recent (6+) trends for
JVC Media country outlet WOTB have been 1.0 – 1.2 – 1.0 – 1.2 – 1.2, but "103.1 The Wolf" dials up a +.6 to 1.8 to move from #18 to a three-way logjam at #15. Up one-tenth and remaining at #14 (2.4 – 2.5, 6+), public WMFE is in 2.0 – 2.9 range for the 27th straight time. Regressing by seven-tenths each are
CBS Radio hot AC WOMX "Mix 105.1" (sixth to eighth, 6+) and CHR cluster-mate WQMP "101.9 Amp – Orlando's #1 Source For New Music" (3.5 – 2.8, #12 to #13, 6+). This is the fourth consecutive monthly without an increase for "Mix" for a net loss of -1.2 (6.2 – 5.9 – 5.7 – 5.7 – 5.0, 6+).
12)
Columbus – Apparently bored to remain at 4.0 (6+) in September, October,
and November –
iHeartMedia adult hits WODC "93.3 The Bus – We Play Anything" busts out a +2.7 to 6.7 (6+) yet can only advance from eighth
to seventh. It is nonetheless the best 6+-stat for "The Bus" since the "Holiday" 2015 report when it reached 11.5 (6+). Tacking on a +1.2 to the eight-tenths it gained in November,
Saga Communications' WLVQ "Iconic Rock Q-FM 96" progresses from fifth to fourth and is up for the third straight sweep (5.3 – 5.5 – 6.3 – 7.5, 6+). Continuing in third-place,
Radiohio's WBNS-FM "Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan" is without a loss for the sixth straight monthly (3.6 – 3.7 – 4.0 – 5.1 – 6.9 – 7.7 – 7.7, 6+), more than doubling its 6+-stat since June (+4.1 in that timeframe). Prior to November 2016, the last time "The Fan" crossed the seven-share threshold (6+) was February 2015 when it reached 7.2. Owing to an improvement of one-half share, classic hits-oldies WNND "Rewind" (#14 to #13) is back to the 2.4 (6+) it notched in July. Even though it is without an increase in each of the last five ratings periods for a collective -2.8 (12.2 – 12.1 -11.1 – 9.8 – 9.4 – 9.4, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR WNCI advances from the runner-up slot to #1. There it unseats co-owned WCOL "92.3 Columbus' #1 for New Country," which is down two full-shares to 8.2 (6+). In addition to losing #1 honors, WCOL ends its consecutive streak of achieving double-digits (6+) at 11. WNCI and WCOL had an equally-divided monopoly at #1 for the entire calendar year, with WNCI on top in December, September, August, March, February and January, compared to WCOL in November, October, July, June, May and April. After back-to-back gains of two-tenths each (5.6 – 5.8 – 6.0, 6+), talk sibling WTVN is off by one-half share to 5.5, moving from sixth to eighth. Elsewhere in that cluster, just over a week before the December 2016 sweep concluded, alternative WXZX "105.7 The X" transitioned to "Sports Radio 105.7 The Zone." The 105.7 frequency finishes with a loss of seven-tenths (1.7 – 1.0, #15 to #16, 6+). After four consecutive positive trends netting a total of six-tenths (6.5 – 6.6 – 6.8 – 6.9 – 7.1, 6+), Saga Communications adult contemporary WSNY "Sunny 95" is off by two-tenths to 6.9 (6+) and dips from fourth to sixth. Dropping six-tenths (4.4 – 3.8, 6+),
Radio One rhythmic CHR WCKX "Power 107.5" falls from seventh to ninth. Dating back to April, urban AC cluster-mate WXMG "Magic 95.5 Columbus' Best R&B" more than tripled its 6+-share (+2.8, including November's +1.2) via seven straight sweeps without a loss (1.2 – 1.6 – 1.8 – 2.1 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.8 – 4.0, 6+). "Magic" drops one-half share in December though (3.5, +) and exits the top 10 (#8 to #11).
PPM Data – Part Four. December 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 December 2016 survey period covered November 3 – November 30. RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian (
December 2015. Unchanged at #19, the Spanish contemporary HD2 channel of Emmis' KLZT picks up one-half share (1.4 – 1.9, 6+). This time last month, adult hits cluster-mate KBPA "Bob" possessed the second-best (6+) October 2016 – November 2016 increase among all stations in Nielsen Audio's 48-PPM markets (a +2.5 from 8.0, 6+). Returning just over one-third of that hefty increase (10.5 – 9.6, -.9, 6+), "Bob" nonetheless repeats at #1. In addition to 10.5 being the highest-ever 6+-share for "Bob" under PPM-methodology, it is the seventh-best 6+ share by any Austin station in the PPM-era. KBPA had been #1 each month this calendar year before seguing to second in October. By gaining four-tenths in June, "Bob" halted three successive downward trends that produced a combined -1.3 (9.4 – 9.1 – 8.6 – 8.1, 6+). "Bob" regressed by -.5 in July; rebounded with a +1.1 in August; and declined -.8 in September. The station "Bob" replaced at #1 in November – University of Texas at Austin-owned KUT – plummets by -1.6 (9.0 – 7.4, 6+) but carries on in the runner-up slot that it occupied the previous five ratings periods before advancing to #1 in October. Significant month-to-month swings are not unusual as well for KUT, which was +1.2 in December 2015; -.1.0 in April; +.7 in July; +1.3 in August; -.9 in September; and +1.3 in October. Prior to August, the last time KUT crossed the eight-share barrier (6+) was February 2011 when it reached 8.5. One-tenth is the December 2016 theme for Austin's three country FM facilities. More to the point, iHeartMedia-owned siblings KVET-FM "98.1 All Time Country Favorites" (6.2, third to fourth, 6+) and KASE "101 FM – Austin's #1 For New Country" (5.0 – 4.9, flat at #6, 6+) are each off by that margin, while Genuine Austin Radio-owned KOKE "Austin's Country Alternative" increases by one-tenth (2.0 – 2.1, unchanged at #18). KVET-FM had been up the past three sweeps for a collective +.6 (5.7 – 5.8 – 5.9 – 6.3, 6+).
The four latest trends for "94.5 KTI Country" have been -.6 (September); -.5 (October); +.7 (November); and December's +.7 (2.8 – 2.3 – 3.0 – 3.7, 6+). Prior to September's -.6, "KTI Country" had been positive or flat the previous four sweeps (2.6 – 2.9 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 3.4, 6+). This marks the strongest 6+-showing for WKTI in exactly two years (4.0, 6+, December 2014). Simultaneous with WKTI's latest +.7, iHeartMedia's WMIL "FM 106.1 Milwaukee's Best Country" falters by one-half share (5.6 – 5.1, 6+), dropping from seventh to ninth. This is the closest WKTI has been to WMIL since WKTI transitioned to country from adult hits WLWK "The Lake" in late-May 2014. Advancing by one-half share each are Saga Communications' WKLH "96.5 – Milwaukee's Hometown Rock" (5.8 – 6.3, sixth to third, 6+) and iHeartMedia CHR WRNW "97.3 Now – Milwaukee's #1 For All The Hits" (3.2, #15 to #14, 6+). Within 5.2 – 5.9 range (6+) over the past 11 sweeps, "Hometown Rock" has its best 6+-stat since 6.5 in the "Holiday" 2015 report; "Now" was a combined -1.2 since September (3.9 – 3.1 – 2.7, 6+). After registering a +1.2 in November to halt four consecutive down or flat trends that yielded a cumulative loss of two full-shares since June (10.4 – 10.4 – 9.3 – 8.7 – 8.4, 6+), iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WRIT "95.7 Big FM – Milwaukee's Greatest Hits" regresses by one-half share to 9.1 (6+), but sets the pace for the 20th successive time. Recent fluctuations for "Milwaukee's Greatest Hits" include +1.7 (October 2015); -.7 (November 2015); +5.6 ("Holiday" 2015); -5.7 (January); +1.3 (February); +1.1 (April); -.6 (May); -1.1 (August); -.6 (September) +1.2 (November); and -.5 (December). Without a loss the past four ratings periods for a collective +1.4 (4.6 – 5.1 – 5.1 – 5.6 – 6.0, 6+), Saga Communications' WHQG "102.9 The Hog – Everything That Rocks" sputters by eight-tenths to 5.2 (6+), drifting from third to eighth.
similar position today than exactly one year ago when it was on top with an 8.6 (6+, December 2015). Owing to a +.2 in August, "Soft Rock" ended three straight declines (7.1 – 6.6 – 6.5 – 6.4, 6+). Notwithstanding that it registers its fourth consecutive up or flat trend gain for a combined +.7 (7.1 – 7.4 – 7.6 – 7.8 – 7.8, 6+), Cumulus Media's WJJK "Classic Hits 104.5" segues from first to the runner-up slot. Unchanged at #4, co-owned WFMS "95.5 The Country Station" boasts its sixth successive positive trend for a collective +1.7 (5.3 – 5.6 – 5.7 – 6.0 – 6.2 – 6.5 – 7.0, 6+). Moreover, this is the highest 6+share for WFMS in more than three years (7.6, 6+, November 2013). A combined +.6 over three straight sweeps without a decline (4.7 – 4.7 – – 5.2 – 5.3, 6+), crosstown format rival – Emmis' WLHK "97.1 Hank" – drops two-tenths to 5.1 (6+) but actually improves from eighth to seventh. When it added one-tenth in October, "Hank" ended four successive down or flat sweeps for a combined May through September -1.6 (6.3 – 5.3 – 5.1 – 4.7 – 4.7, 6+). Flat at 4.2 but advancing from tenth to ninth, Entercom hot AC WNTR "107.9 The Mix" – Better Variety for a Better Workday" registers a 6+-share between 4.0 – 4.9 for the 20th straight time. Owing to three straight June through September increases, iHeartMedia's WOLT was a combined +1.2 (4.4 – 4.5 – 5.4 – 5.6, 6+). "Alt 103.3 Indy's Alternative," however, relinquished three-quarters of that gain in October (-.9) and answered with a +.8 in November but spirals by -1.1 in December (5.6 – 4.7 – 5.5 – 4.4, 6+); "Alt 103.3" moves from seventh to eighth. It isn't the only Indy outlet though having a November 2016 – December 2016 erosion of -1.1, as Radio One's WHHH "Hot 96.3 – All Hip-Hop and R&B" is trending 5.0 – 3.9 (6+, ninth to tenth). The last time "Hot" fell below a four-share (6+) was in May 2014 (3.9). After posting a +1.3 in November, gospel cluster-mate WTLC-AM "1310 The Light" surrenders eight-tenths (2.6 – 1.8, 6+) to slip from #14 to #16. This curtails its string of five straight sweeps without a loss that netted two full-shares (6.- .7 – .7 – .9 – 1.3 – 2.6, 6+). In November, "The Light" doubled October's 1.3 and nearly tripled September's .9. Off by one-half share (2.6 – 2.1, 6+), Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WRWM "93.9 The Beat – Classic Hip-Hop" slips from #14 to #15.
"Lite Rock 105" roars back with a +1.1 to 10.6 (6+) and is #1 for the fourteenth successive ratings period. The Cumulus Media adult contemporary property is in a virtually identical spot as this time last year (#1, 10.7, 6+, December 2015). A +.2 in July 2016 put an end to three consecutive downward stats totaling -2.7 (12.1 – 10.6 – 10.3 – 9.4, 6+); June's 9.4 was the lowest 6+-share for "Lite Rock" since November's 8.7. Following three successive upticks that netted a +1.3 (2.4 – 2.7 – 3.5 – 3.7, 6+), Entercom sports outlet WVEI sputters by seven-tenths to 3.0 (6+) but the Red Sox Radio Network affiliate carries on in eighth-place. Returning more than half of the eight-tenths it gained in November (8.8 – 8.3, -.5, 6+), iHeartMedia's WHJY "94-HJY Providence's Home of Rock and Roll" remains at #3. A one-tenth gain by WHJY in September ended three successive declines that resulted in an eight-tenths' loss (9.2 – 8.9 – 8.7 – 8.4, 6+), but "Providence's Home of Rock and Roll" then faltered by one-half share in October. The third straight (modest) decline by classic hits-oldies cluster-mate WWBB (5.3 – 4.9 – 4.8 – 4.7, 6+) sends "B-101" from sixth to seventh. Five of the 14 stations listed in print in Providence's December 2016 sweep are talk-intensive facilities that yield a collective 9.2 shares. Accounting for more than half that total by itself is Cumulus Media's WPRO-AM, which is trending 4.1 – 5.0 – 4.6 – 5.0 (6+) and inches up from seventh to sixth. Appearing in succession are (Boston) public outlet WGBH (2.0 – 2.2, +.2, steady at #10, 6+); iHeartMedia's WHJJ (1.0 – .8, -.2, unchanged at #11, 6+); public WELH (flat at .7, flat at #12, 6+); and Cumulus Media's WPRV (.7 – .5, -.2, #12 to #13, 6+).
Holiday 2015; -7.2 January 2016; +.6 February; +.6 March; -.6 April; +.5 May; +.5 July; +.9 September; +1.0 October; and -.5 in November. The Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary now adds a December 2016 +.9 to that list enabling it to march from fourth to first. In an October 2015 – December 2016 timeframe, "Mix 101.5" has been in sole possession of first-place eight times (including December 2015 with an 8.6, 6+) and shared top honors three times. Three-tenths behind "Mix" is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's WUNC (7.7, 6), which remains in a narrow 7.6 – 7.8 (6+) window for the sixth successive time, including 7.7 in three of the last four sweeps. Exiting the top spot and drifting to fifth is Curtis Media Group CHR WDCG "G-105 The Hit Music Channel," which ironically made a fourth to first move in November. Similar to "Mix," "G-105" seems to make sweeping month-to-moves. Its six most recent trends, for example, are +.6 (July); -.6 (August); +1.3 (September); -.9 (October); +.5 (November); and now -.9 in December (7.0 – 7.6 – 7.0 – 8.3 – 7.4 – 7.9 – 7.0, 6+). Once the dust settles though WDCG is exactly where it was in June (7.0, 6+). Prior to September, "G-105" last reached the eight-share level (6+) more than four years ago (8.4, July 2012). Notching its fifth straight improvement for a combined +1.5 (5.6 – 6.2 – 6.3 – 6.6 – 7.0 – 7.1, 6+), Curtis Media Group-owned WQDR "94.7 Today's Best Country" inches up from fifth to fourth, while iHeartMedia's WNCB "B-93.9 #1 for New Country" (flat at #14) drops two-tenths to 3.0 (6+). "B-93.9" gained one-tenth in November to halt four straight downward trends (3.8 – 3.7 – 3.5 – 3.4 – 3.1, 6+). A decline of seven-tenths by public WCPE (flat at #15) takes "89.7 The Classical Station" to 2.3, its lowest 6+-share since November 2015's 2.2. Although unchanged at #12, Capitol Broadcasting's WCMC "99.9 The Fan" falters by one-half share (3.6 – 3.1, 6+).
+2.1, more than doubling its 6+-stat to 4.0 (6+). Appropriately enough, "MOViN 107.7" moves to #7 (from ninth). Powered by a +1.8 (4.5 – 6.3, 6+), Entercom adult contemporary WWDE "2WD" progresses from fourth to third. WWDE gained a collective one-half share in back-to-back sweeps (4.8 – 5.2 – 5.3, August – September – October, 6+) before slumping by eight-tenths in November to 4.5, its lowest 6+-share since June 2015's 4.4. By way of comparison, "2WD" was in third-place in December 2015 with a 6.7 (6+). Making up for the four-tenths it lost since September (5.7 – 5.4 – 5.3, 6+), Saga Communications' WNOR "FM 99 Rocks" dials up a one-half share gain to 5.8, but backslides from third to fourth. For the seventh time in the last eight ratings periods, Entercom urban AC WVKL manages to trot out a 6+share between 12.0 – 12.7. Up three-tenths to 12.3, "Smooth R&B From Yesterday & Today" is #1 for the 55th consecutive ratings period. The last time WVKL was not in double-digits (6+) was when it registered a 9.8 in January 2014. Mostly flat since August (4.0 – 4.0 – 4.1 – 4.2 – 4.2, 6+), rhythmic CHR sibling WNVZ "Z-104" improves from sixth to fifth and is in four-share range (6+) for the twelfth straight time. Similarly, this is the twelfth successive sweep that iHeartMedia urban contemporary WOWI occupies the runner-up slot but "Jamz 103" regresses by nine-tenths (8.0 – 7.1, 6+). After a +.6 in August and a -.7 in September, "Jamz 103" answered with a 1.1 in October (6.7 – 7.3 – 6.6 – 7.7, 6+). Back in June, WOWI was -1.3 to 6.3, the first time it had been below a seven-share (6+) since April 2014 (6.8). For the fifth consecutive sweep, Max Broadcast Group Norfolk stations are no longer Nielsen Audio subscribers. With data cited from the June 2016 ratings period, they are classic hits-oldies WVBW (#3, 6.0); country WGH-FM (5.0, #7); CHR WVHT (#9, 3.8); sports WVSP (#12, 2.3); and gospel WGH-AM (#15, 1.9).
(8.3 – 9.1), "Mix 92.9" is Nashville's pacesetter for the 58th consecutive ratings period and widens the gap over the runner-up, iHeartMedia CHR WRVW "107.5 The River" (7.0 – 7.2, +.2, 6+), by nearly two full-shares. With a gain of two-tenths to 5.1 (6+), WRVW cluster-mate WNRQ "105.9 The Rock" (ninth to eighth) applies the brakes to seven straight down or flat sweeps for a combined loss of -2.1 (7.0 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 6.2 – 6.2 – 6.0 – 5.3 – 4.9, 6+). It is a clean sweep for Nashville's three country FMs, with all posting (6+) November 2016 – December 2016 increases resulting in a net gain for the format of eight-tenths. Cumulus Media's WSM-FM "Nash Icon" picks up one-tenth (5.6 – 5.5, eighth to seventh, 6+); iHeartMedia's WSIX-FM "The Big 98 – Nashville's #1 for New Country" adds three-tenths (4.7 – 5.0, tenth to ninth, 6+); and the big winner is Cumulus Media's WKDF "103.3 Nash FM" (3.3 – 3.7, +.4, #14 to #12, 6+). "Nash Icon," which lost four-tenths in November, registered its strongest-ever 6+-PPM stat (7.3) in July; "The Big 98" was +.3 in November; and "Nash FM" dropped three-tenths in November. Rebounding from a combined loss of eight-tenths in three consecutive downward trends (5.0 – 4.4 – 4.3 – 4.2, 6+), Nashville Public Radio's WPLN posts a one-half share gain to 4.7 (6+) and carries on at #11. Breaking an August to November pattern of 6.1 – 5.9 – 6.2 – 5.9 (6+), iHeartMedia urban contemporary WUBT "101.1 The Beat" spirals by one full-share to 4.9 (6+), dropping from fifth to tenth. The last time "The Beat" was below a five-share (6+) was in July 2013 (4.8). When Cumulus Media sports outlet WGFX lost two-tenths in November, it ended a string of three consecutive improvements which resulted in a massive +4.1 since July (3.7 – 4.0 – 5.4 – 7.8, 6+). The Tennessee Titans flagship now regresses by another eight-tenths (7.6 – 6.8, 6+) and slides from second to third. Handing back the one-half share increase it logged in November (3.2 – 3.7 – 3.2, 6+), Midwest Communications CHR WNFN "All the Hits 106.7" returns to #14 from #12; WNFN has registered a 3.2 in five of the last seven sweeps.
+2.4 (7.3 – 9.7, 6+), enabling the iHeartMedia adult contemporary facility to jump from fourth to second. This time last year, WMAG topped the market with a 9.9 (6+, December 2015). With WMAG in the runner-up slot, the consecutive string of Entercom owning the #1 – #2 – #3 (6+) finishers ends at 11. Two full-shares ahead of WMAG is Entercom rhythmic CHR WJMH "102 Jamz The Hip-Hop Station," which despite a decline of seven-tenths (12.4 – 11.7, 6+), is #1 for the fourth successive sweep. The -.7 halts five straight increases that generated a collective +3.8 since June (8.6 – 9.8 – 10.0 – 10.1 – 10.6 – 12.4, 6+); November's 12.4 is the best-ever (6+) showing for "102 Jamz" in its PPM-history. Flat at 9.7 (6+) – and tying WMAG – is Entercom urban AC WQMG, which is in the runner-up slot for the fourth consecutive ratings period. "The Best R&B and Old School" had three straight increases totaling +2.5; followed by three successive decreases yielding a -2.6; back-to-back gains of +1.1 in September and October (8.1 – 9.2 – 10.3, 6+); and a -.6 in November (to 9.7, 6+). The market's country rivals are separated by one-tenth and are back-to-back at #6 and #7, with Entercom's WPAW "93.1 The Wolf" (5.1 – 5.2, +.1, steady at #6, 6+) overtaking iHeartMedia's WTQR "New Country Q-104.1," which surrenders the three-tenths it gained in November (5.4 – 5.1, #5 to #7, 6+). The +.3 "Q-104.1" posted in November stopped three successive down-trending monthlies that produced a cumulative loss of more than two full-shares (7.2 – 7.0 – 6.5 – 5.1, 6+). In September, "Q-104.1" held a 1.9-share lead over "The Wolf." Prior to reaching 5.0 in October, "The Wolf" had been in 4.2 – 4.8 range (6+) the previous eight sweeps. A combined +1.1 in October and November (3.9 – 4.4 – 5.0, 6+), iHeartMedia talker WPTI forfeits nearly half of it (4.5, -.5, 6+) to dip from seventh to eighth.
(December). As a result of its December boost to 6.5 (6+), "Today's Kool 105.5" (third to second) leapfrogs Alpha Media adult contemporary WEAT "Sunny 107.9," which gains four-tenths to 6.4 (second to third, 6+). In fact, the increase by "Sunny" halts a three-month slide for a cumulative -1.9 (7.9 – 7.6 – 6.3 – 6.0, 6+). November's 6.0 was the softest 6+-showing for "Sunny" since December 2015 (6.0 as well). These two adult contemporary properties – and the rest of the market – are trailing Alpha Media hot AC WRMF. Up one-half share to 8.2 (6+), WRMF is #1 for the fifth straight time. A collective +1.9 in August and September, WRMF followed October's -.8 with a loss of another six-tenths in November. It fell to second in July, after 23 successive sweeps at #1. The previous sweep, WRMF gained three-tenths to end four successive decreases yielding a cumulative -2.2 (9.5 – 9.3 – 8.2 – 8.1 – 7.3, 6+). September's 9.1 was its strongest 6+-stat since February's 9.3. Back-to-back October and November increases (3.8 – 4.3 – 4.7, 6+) gave urban AC sibling WMBX a collective +.9, but "X-102.3X" returns seven-tenths (4.0, eighth, 6+) as it skids from a three-way tie at #4 to #7. Without a loss in the last four monthlies in which it gained a combined +1.2 (1.7 – 2.1 – 2.7 – 2.7 – 2.9, 6+), iHeartMedia's WZZR "94.3 – Real Talk for The Palm Beaches" sheds one-half share to 2.0 (ninth to tenth, 6+).
With a gargantuan +4.5 (6.8 to 11.3 (6+), iHeartMedia-owned WQIK "99.1 – Jacksonville's Country" vaults from fifth to first. Prior to a modest one-tenth gain in November, "Jacksonville's Country" was down two full-shares as a result of not having an increase since February (8.7 – 8.7 – 8.4 – 8.2 – 8.1 – 7.7 – 7.7 – 7.3 – 6.7, 6+). Not only is this the best-ever 6+-stat for WQIK, it is the seventh-highest 6+-share of any Jacksonville station in the PPM-era. Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ "Lite 96.1 – Today's Variety" has the top six 6+-showings. Gaining two-tenths after November's -.5 (9.2 – 8.7 – 8.9, 6+), "Lite 96.1" remains at #2. By way of comparison, the top two stations in December 2015 were WEJZ (10.3, 6+) and WQIK (8.7, 6+). It was a one-month stay at #1 for WOKV, which was a combined +2.4 in October and November (6.5 – 7.2 – 8.9, 6+). The Cox Media Group talker, however, surrenders one-third of that bounty (8.1, -.8, 6+) and tumbles to third; November 2016's 8.9 was the most potent 6+-stat for WOKV since November 2012 (9.9). The classic hits-oldies HD2 channel of iHeartMedia's WSOL notches a gain of six-tenths (.1 – .7, 6+) and checks in at #16. Regarding WSOL "V-101.5 Throwback Hip-Hop and R&B," the urban-rhythmic oldies station gains one-tenth to 4.5 (ninth to eighth, 6+), endings six straight down or flat sweeps (6.3 – 5.9 – 5.4 – 5.4 – 5.2 – 5.1 – 4.4, 6+) for a cumulative -1.9. Without an increase for the third consecutive monthly, Cox Media Group-owned WJGL "Eagle 96.9 Jacksonville's Classic Hits" (third to fifth) is off by one full-share and has its lowest 6+-share since 5.8 in the "Holiday" 2014 report (9.3 – 8.1 – 8.1 – 7.1, 6+). When iHeartMedia urban contemporary WJBT "93.3 The Beat" dropped six-tenths in November, it curtailed a steak of five consecutive improvements for a combined +1.8 (5.2 – 5.5 – 6.1 – 6.3 – 6.4 – 7.0, 6+). Although steady at #6, "The Beat" regresses by another six-tenths to 5.8 (6+); October 2016's 7.0 was the strongest 6+-stat for "The Beat" in three years (also 7.0 in October 2013). Handing back in its entirety the one-half share gain it logged in November (.8 – 1.3 – .8, 6+), Brunswick, Georgia-licensed independent contemporary Christian WMUV "The Promise" remains at #15. November's increase halted three successive downward trends by "The Promise" (1.1 – 1.1 – 1.0 – .8, 6+). Declining by one-half share as well – and most likely feeling the impact of WQIK's +4.5 – is Renda Broadcasting's WGNE "99 Gator Country" (5.3 – 4.8, flat at #7, 6+).
"K-97.1" (6.8 – 7.6, steady at #3, 6+) and talk sibling WREC (3.5 – 4.3, 6+). It is the strongest 6+-stat for "K-97.1" since May (8.3). Unchanged at #10, WREC was off by one-tenth in November, ending four consecutive progressive trends which netted a +.9 (2.7 – 2.8 – 3.1 – 3.3 – 3.6, 6+). Two Entercom-owned properties – hot AC WMC-FM "FM 100 Today's Best Mix" (steady at #4) and country WLFP "94.1 The Wolf" (2.9 – 3.4, #12 to #11, 6+) – progress by one-half share each. This is the sixth successive improvement for "FM 100" netting over two full-shares (5.0 – 5.4 – 5.7 – 6.0 – 6.4 – 6.6 – 7.1, 6+), while "The Wolf" has its finest 6+-performance since August 2014 (3.5). Its format rival, Cumulus Media's WGKX "Kix 106 Today's Best Country" relinquishes all but one-tenth of November's eight-tenths' gain (5.1 – 4.4, -.7, 6+) but moves from ninth (where it had been the past four sweeps) to an eighth-place tie. A +.3 in October by "Kix 106" curtailed three successive negative trends that produced a -.7 (4.7 – 4.6 – 4.4 – 4.0, 6+). Flat at #8, rock sibling WXMX netted +2.4 since April in seven straight up or flat trends (2.8 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 4.0 – 4.7 – 4.9 – 5.2, 6+), but "98.1 The Max" spirals by eight-tenths in December (5.2 – 4.4, 6+). Without an increase for the seventh straight time (12.5 – 11.6 – 10.7 – 10.5 – 10.2 – 9.9 – 9.9 – 9.3, 6+), iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS is -3.2 in that stretch. Nonetheless, "V-101," which achieved double-digits (6+) from March through September, is #1 for the tenth consecutive monthly. Seven-tenths behind "V-101" – and in the runner-up spot for the seventh straight survey period – is Cumulus Media's WRBO "Soul Classics & Today's R&B," which sputters by one-half share following November's +.8 (8.3 – 9.1 – 8.6, 6+). Back-to-back modest declines by WRBO in August and September produced a combined loss of six-tenths (8.5 – 8.2 – 7.8, 6+), but "Soul Classics & Today's R&B" wiped out virtually all of it with a one-half share gain in October. After four straight up or flat trends that produced a gain of eight-tenths (2.2 – 2.2 – 2.5 – 2.8 – 3.0, 6+), Entercom's WMFS "ESPN Sports Radio" (#11 to #12) slips by three-tenths to 2.7 (6+).
100.5" returned to double-digits (6+) after a two-month hiatus. "Lite" had been in double-digits (6+) for 13 straight ratings periods before posting a 9.3 in September and a 9.6 in October; 9.3 was its lowest 6+-showing since August 2015, when it recorded an 8.7. Entering the September sweep, "Lite" was on top for 15 straight ratings periods and 23 of the previous 24 but it declined by -1.1 and dropped to second-place. This time last year, "Lite" was on top with an 11.9 (6+, December 2015). After three straight regressions producing a collective -2.3 and the station's lowest 6+-share since March (10.1 – 9.7 – 9.2 – 7.8, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WWYZ "Country 92-5" (unchanged at #3) picks up four-tenths to 8.2 (6+). "Country 92-5" took over the top spot from WRCH in September with a decrease of four-tenths, which halted five straight positive or flat monthlies (7.2 – 7.9 – 7.9 – 9.0 – 9.5 – 10.1, 6+). Owing to a +.2 to 5.2 (6+), mainstream CHR sibling WKSS "Kiss 95.7 – All the Hits" applies the brakes to five successive down or flat trends that accounted for a collective -1.5 since June (6.5 – 6.3 – 6.0 – 6.0 – 5.3 – 5.0, 6+). Progressing from seventh to sixth, Connecticut Public Broadcasting's WNPR boasts its sixth consecutive improvement (3.1 – 3.3 – 3.9 – 4.0 – 5.0 – 5.4 – 5.8, 6+) for an overall +2.7. Posting gains of one-half share each are iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WHCN "105.9 The River" (unchanged at #4, 6+) and Connoisseur Media talker WDRC-AM (#13 to #12, 6+). In four straight improvements, "The River" picks up a cumulative +1.5 (6.6 – 7.3 – 7.5 – 7.6 – 8.1, 6+), while WDRC-AM is up or flat for the fifth consecutive time (.4 – .4 -.5 – .7 – .8 – 1.3, 6+). It crosses the one-share threshold (6+) for the first time since a 1.4 in the "Holiday" 2015 report. Conversely, flat at #9, co-owned WDRC-FM "102.9 The Whale – Hartford's Classic Rock" is without an increase for the sixth straight sweep accounting for a -2.1 (6.0 – 5.9 – 5.6 – 5.2 – 4.7 – 4.5 – 3.9, 6+). In four consecutive negative trends, CBS Radio rhythmic CHR WZMX "Hot 93.7" (sixth to eighth) has eroded by nearly three full-shares (7.5 – 7.4 – 6.2 – 5.9 – 4.8, 6+).
