PPM Data – Part Four. December 2016 ratings information

Friday, December 23, 2016 Dec 23rd 2016, 09:18, by Mike Kinosian 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 (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from all 12 of these PPM-markets. TWELVE TAKEAWAYS 1) Austin – On the heels of November's one-half share increase, Entercom adult contemporary KKMJ "Majic 95.5" adds nine-tenths (5.1 – 5.6 – 6.5, 6+) to advance from fourth to third. Locked on 5.1 (6+) in September and October, "Majic" still boasts Austin's highest-ever 6+ PPM stat (11.4). KKMJ ranked second with a 6.4 (6+) in 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+). 2) Milwaukee – The country format grabs Milwaukee's December 2016 headline as Scripps Broadcasting's WKTI "94.5 KTI Country" duplicates the seven-tenths increase it posted in November but is still anchored at #13. 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. 3) Indianapolis – Up in three straight sweeps (August-September-October) for a cumulative +1.1 (6.4 – 6.6 – 7.3 – 7.5, 6+), Emmis adult contemporary WYXB declined by one-half share in November. A robust +1.3 in December (7.0 – 8.3, 6+) though more than compensates as "Soft Rock B-105.7" marches from third to first. It is in a very 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. 4) Providence – After having registered three straight progressive trends (July – August – September) for a collective +.5 (9.4 – 9.6 – 9.7 – 9.9, 6+), WWLI was a cumulative -.4 in October and November (9.9 – 9.8 – 9.5, 6+). "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+). 5) Raleigh – Over and above extending its successive string of up or flat trends to six (3.8 – 4.2 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 4.8 – 5.1 – 6.1, 6+), Radio One gospel WNNL does so with a full-share gain as "103.9 The Light" jumps from ninth to sixth. Recent monthly (6+) fluctuations for WRAL "Mix 101.5" include +.5 November 2015; +.6 December 2015; +5.7 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+). 6) Norfolk – Going well beyond simply pulling the plug on three straight downward trends resulting in a loss of eight-tenths (2.7 – 2.2 – 2.1 – 1.9, 6+), iHeartMedia rhythmic hot AC WMOV does so with authority with a hefty +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). 7) Nashville – A gain of two-tenths back in August by Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA "Mix 92.9" stymied seven straight downward trends (15.6 – 10.7 – 10.2 – 9.7 – 9.6 – 9.1 – 8.3 – 8.2, 6+) that yielded a net loss since the "Holiday" 2015 report of -7.4. In addition to picking up eight-tenths in the December 2016 sweep (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. 8) Greensboro – Recent (6+) fluctuations for WMAG are -.9 (March); +.5 (April); +.9 (May); -.3 (June); -.7 (July); -.5 (August); +.7 (September); -.6 (October); and +.4 (November), but it really erupts in December with a +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. 9) West Palm Beach – Another among PPM-market stations known for making larger than normal month-to-month moves is iHeartMedia-owned adult contemporary WOLL. Evidence of that can be seen over the last six ratings periods: +1.5 (July); -1.0 (August); -.8 (September); -.9 (October); +.9 (November); and now +.8 (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+). 10) Jacksonville – Many will find it surprising that the format of the station nabbing top honors for most substantial (6+) November 2016 – December 2016 increase among all signals in the 48 PPM-markets is not an AC. 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+). 11) Memphis – A gain of one full-share to 7.1 (6+) not only advances Entercom adult contemporary WRVR "104.5 The River" from fifth to a fourth-place tie, it pulls the plug on three straight downward moves that accounted for a -1.6 (7.7 – 7.1 – 6.3 – 6.1, 6+). Improving by eight-tenths each are iHeartMedia urban contemporary WHRK "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+). 12) Hartford – Three straight increases (9.3 – 9.6 – 10.1 – 10.8, 6+) produce a cumulative +1.5 for CBS Radio adult contemporary WRCH "Lite 100.5," which is #1 for the third consecutive ratings period. In November, Lite 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+). The post Friday, December 23, 2016 appeared first on RadioInfo.