PPM Data – Part Three. November 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 November 2016 survey period covered October 6 – November 2.
RadioInfo managing editor
Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from these 12-
PPM markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
Portland – Over and above gaining eight-tenths to register its strongest 6+-stat since March when it hit 8.0,
Oregon Public Broadcasting's KOPB (6.9 – 7.7, 6+) catches
iHeartMedia adult contemporary KKCW "K-103" (7.8 – 7.7, -.1, 6+) at #1. While KOPB is often found in the runner-up slot, this is its first time at #1 since April 2013. Ironically, it was an October
decline of
eight-tenths by "K-103" that ended three consecutive progressive trends
netting a +1.5 (7.1 – 7.6 – 8.3 – 8.6, 6+). Whether tied or solo, "K-103" is #1 for the
29th time in the last
31 ratings periods. A one-tenth gain in
May ended four straight sweeps without an increase (21.4 – 9.5 – 8.8 – 8.6 – 8.6, 6+). Back in
June 2016, "K-103" suffered a massive -1.6 to 7.1, its lowest 6+-share since June
2014 (6.6). In addition to KOPB, public KQAC "All Classical Portland" also notches a gain of eight-tenths and has its fourth straight up-trend (2.8 – 2.9 – 3.0 – 3.3 – 4.1, 6+). Moreover, this is the first time "All Classical Portland" crosses the four-share threshold (6+) in exactly
six years (4.1, 6+, November 2010). The market's (6+) country share dwindles by one-half share. Specifically,
Alpha Media's KUPL "98.7 The Bull" is off two-tenths (5.1 – 4.9, 6+) but stays at #6, while
Entercom's KWJJ "99.5 The Wolf" (seventh to eighth) is down for the fourth straight sweep (6.7 – 6.0 – 5.7 – 5.0 – 4.7, 6+), losing two full-shares since July. Not quite four months ago (8/1), Alpha Media transitioned classic hits-oldies KWLZ to rhythmic CHR as KWEE "WE-96.3," creating a format battle with iHeartMedia's KXJM "JAM'N 107.5." The November contest goes to "WE-96.3," which advances from #21 to a four-way logjam at #17 (1.8 – 2.1, +.3, 6+), while KXJM declines by six-tenths and departs the top ten (#16 to #21). This is the fourth straight decline for "JAM'N" for a nearly 50% drop in the 6+-share -1.7 (3.6 – 3.5 – 2.6 – 2.5 – 1.9, 6+). Public jazz outlet KMHD is up or flat for the fourth successive sweep (1.2 – 1.4 – 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.1, 6+) and achieves its best 6+-share in more than
six years (2.2, June 2010). It progresses from #19 to that four-way tie at #17. After six straight sweeps 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" drops two-tenths to 5.1 (6+) and slips from a third-place tie to fourth. Down or flat since June, classic rock sibling KGON (#12 to #13) is at 3.8 for the fourth straight time (4.9 – 4.3 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.8, 6+).
2)
Charlotte – Two stations in this North Carolina market with remarkably similar call letters but unshared ownership enjoy healthy October 2016 – November 2016 increases. By posting a +.3 in
September, W
KQC "K-104.7" ended three consecutive downward trends that yielded a -1.3 (5.1 – 4.6 – 4.4 –
3.8, 6+). The
Beasley Media Group adult contemporary quickly regressed by six-tenths in October but rebounds nicely with a +.8 (3.5 – 4.3, 6+) and is back in the top ten (#13 to #9). Just ahead of W
KQC (ninth to eighth) is
iHeartMedia CHR W
HQC "Channel 96.1," which gains one-half share to 4.5, its finest 6+-showing since July 2015 (4.8). It was tied in October with format rival, Beasley Media Group's WNKS "95.1 Kiss FM," which despite adding one-tenth (4.0 – 4.1, 6+), backslides from that ninth-place tie to tenth. After being on top the past six sweeps, iHeartMedia classic rocker WRFX "The Fox" sputters by six-tenths (7.9 – 7.3, 6+). It falls to the runner-up slot, where it trades places with Beasley Media Group-owned WSOC "Country's Greatest Hits" (7.3 – 7.6, +.3, 6+). The two facilities shared top honors in July and August. "Country's Greatest Hits" occupied the #1 spot the first four months of the year before dropping to third-place in May. After an eight-tenths increase in October, iHeartMedia's WKKT "96.9 The Kat – Charlotte's #1 for New Country" picks up one-tenth to 5.5 (fifth to fourth, 6+). Bouncing back from September's -1.4 to 4.6 – its lowest 6+-stat since "Holiday" 2013 (4.3, 6+) – "The Kat" had been down or flat the previous four sweeps (7.0 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 6.0 – 4.6, 6+) for a combined -2.4. Entering the
September ratings period, Beasley Media Group's WBAV "V-101.9" was in 5.1 – 5.9 (6+) territory 13 straight times before notching a +.9 to 6.8 (6+). The urban AC declined by one-half share in October and it now falters by an additional nine-tenths (6.3 – 5.2, 6+) to skid from third to fifth. This is the lowest 6+-share for "V-101.9" since April (5.1). In the spoken word arena, talk WBT (3.6, #8 to #12, 6+) and sports WFNZ (1.3, #17 to #18, 6+) each decrease by one-half share. After back-to-back 3.1 showings (6+) in July and August, the newly-acquired
Entercom property dropped to 2.7 (6+) in September; however, WBT was a robust +1.4 in October to 4.1, the first time the
Carolina Panthers' flagship reached the four-share level (6+) since January 2014 (4.2). In 3.1 – 3.7 range (6+) the past six ratings periods,
Radio One gospel WPZS "Praise 100.9 Charlotte's Inspiration Station" drops six-tenths to 2.9 (#13 to #15, 6+).
3)
Pittsburgh – A trio of outlets here improve by one-half share each, including
Steel City Media adult hits WRRK "Bob-FM" (7.2 – 7.7, fourth to third, 6+), as well as
CBS Radio siblings WDSY "Y-108 Pittsburgh's Country" (5.6 – 6.1, seventh to sixth, 6+) and talk KDKA-AM (eighth to seventh, 6+). Up a combined seven-tenths since July (7.0 – 7.3 – 7.7, 6+), "Bob" surrendered five-tenths in October. "Y-108" had been off the past three sweeps for
a cumulative -1.4 (7.0 – 6.6 – 6.0 – 5.6, 6+). Owing to a -.4 in
August, WDSY had its string of successive
gains – which netted two full-shares – halted at three (5.0 – 5.7 – 6.2 – 7.0, 6+). In three consecutive increases, KDKA-AM is a combined +1.1 (4.3 – 4.7 – 4.9 – 5.4, 6+) and has its best 6+-stat since April's 6.0. Following October's one-half share gain to 10.4 – its strongest 6+-stat since November's 10.9 –
iHeartMedia rocker WDVE (10.4 – 10.0, -.4, 6+) repeats at #1. 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+). This is the fifth straight time iHeartMedia alternative WXDX "The X at 105.9" (3.3 – 3.6, +.3, 6+) holds down the #11 slot. In 2.1 – 2.9 range for the 15
th straight time, Steel City Media hot AC WLTJ "Q-92.9" picks up two-tenths to 2.8 (6+) and remains at #12. Having already declined in October by a hefty
-1.1, CBS Radio's KDKA-FM "93.7 The Fan," which logged a +.6 in September, plummets by
-1.8 in November (7.6 – 6.5 – 4.7, 6+). The
Pittsburgh Pirates flagship slides from sixth to eighth. While September's 7.6 was its strongest 6+-showing since October 2015's 10.1, 4.7 is its softest since March 2015 (4.1). Also experiencing significant back-to-back declines (but remaining in the runner-up slot) is iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW "3WS," which eroded by -1.1 in October and now drops an additional one-half share (10.6 – 9.5 – 9.0, 6+). This represents the lowest 6+-share for "3WS" since January's 7.9. WWSW was ousted from the top spot in
August after six consecutive months there and made a return appearance at #1 in September. It somehow seems appropriate that CBS Radio hot AC WBZZ "Star 100.7 Plays the Hits" has its string of three straight gains of one-tenth each (4.3 – 4.4 – 4.5 – 4.6, 6+) end with a loss of … one-tenth (4.5, flat at #9, 6+).
4)
Sacramento – Much of the considerable significant October 2016 – November 2016 (6+) movement that occurs in California's capital city is found in the top six rankers. Down a combined
-2.2 in September and October,
CBS Radio adult contemporary KYMX "Mix 96" answers in November with a
solid
+1.2 (7.6 – 5.9 – 5.4 – 6.6, 6+) and continues in third-place for the fourth successive sweep. Prior to September, "Mix" had been up or flat the previous four monthlies (6.5 – 6.6 – 7.1 – 7.6 – 7.6, 6+). Locked on 4.7 (6+) in August and September,
Entercom's KRXQ "98 Rock" added one-tenth in October but it now explodes with a full-share increase in November (4.8 – 5.8, 6+), inching up from fifth to fourth. "Rock 98" has its best 6+-performance since July 2014 (also 5.8). Posting gains of one-half share each are CBS Radio's KNCI "New Country 105.1" (5.1 – 5.6, fourth to fifth, 6+);
Capital Public Radio-owned KXJZ (4.8, seventh to sixth, 6+); and
Lazer Broadcasting's KGRB "Radio Lazer 94-3" (1.1 – 1.6, #23 to #20, 6+). In October, "New Country" forfeited seven-tenths of September's +1.1 (4.7 – 5.8 – 5.1, 6+). At the same time, iHeartMedia's KBEB "B-92.5 – #1 For New Country" sputters by one full-share (3.8 – 2.8, 6+) and slides from #10 to #12; October's 3.8 was its best 6+-stat since June 2015 (3.9). The market's other country player –
Entravision Communications' KNTY "101.9 The Wolf" – is flat at 2.3 (#16 to #17). Amazingly, in the last 11 sweeps (January 2016 through November 2016), the 6+-line for "The Wolf" has not varied from a high of 2.3 to a low of 2.1 (2.2 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.3 – 2.3, 6+). Given that KXJZ was stuck on 3.9 (6+) in July and August and then on 4.3 (6+) in September and October, this marks its fourth straight sweep without a decrease. In October, "Radio Lazer 94-3" relinquished all but one-tenth of September's +.7. It had a (6+) May through August ping-pong pattern of .9, 1.0, .9, 1.0. Gaining six-tenths (.8 – 1.4, 6+), Entercom's KIFM-AM "
ESPN Radio 1320" checks in at #21, tying CBS Radio's similarly programmed KHTK "Sports 1140" (1.7 – 1.4, -.3, 6+). Notwithstanding it is down by eight-tenths to 8.8 – its lowest 6+-share in exactly one year (8.8 as well in November
2015) – Entercom classic rock KSEG "The Eagle" remains on top for the tenth straight ratings period. After consecutive downtrends (in
May and
June) that produced a -1.2 (10.6 – 9.8 – 9.4, -.4, 6+), KSEG posted a +.9 in July. When "The Eagle" faltered by eight-tenths in
May, it witnessed an end to three consecutive increases (8.9 – 9.0 – 9.5 – 10.6, 6+) that netted a combined +1.7. While it remains in the runner-up slot for the fourth consecutive sweep,
iHeartMedia news-talk hybrid KFBK continues its wild ride that has seen it go
+.8 (August);
-1.4 (September);
+1.2 (October) and now
.7 in November (7.3 – 8.1 – 6.7 – 7.9 – 7.2, 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. In addition to KFBK, CBS Radio hot AC KZZO "Now 100.5" is also off by seven-tenths (4.3 – 3.6, seventh to ninth, 6+). "Now" had not been below a four-share (6+) since the "Holiday" 2014 report (3.9).
5)
San Antonio – Not only does KONO-FM "101.1 San Antonio's Greatest Hits" erase 90% of October's one-share loss with a +.9 (8.3 – 7.3 – 8.2, 6+), the
Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies outlet returns to #1. It 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 was the lowest 6+-share for "San Antonio's
Greatest Hits" since July 2015 (7.1). Evicted from the penthouse is co-owned KCYY "Y-100 – San Antonio's New Country Leader" (7.5 – 7.1, -.4, 6), which netted +1.5 in three straight positive trends (6.0 – 6.6 – 7.2 – 7.5, 6+). In October, cross-town rival – iHeartMedia's KAJA – coughed up the six-tenths it garnered in September, but "KJ-97" posts a +.1 in November (5.6, 6+) to inch up from fifth to fourth; September's 6.1 was the highest 6+-stat for KAJA since last November (also 6.1). Within 1.8 – 2.3 range (6+) the past 18 sweeps,
Univision Radio's KMYO "YO! 95.1 Classic Jams" busts out a +.8 (2.0 – 2.8, 6+) to advance from #18 to #15. Displaying identical 4.0 – 4. 5 (tenth to seventh, 6+) profiles are KMYO rhythmic CHR sibling KBBT "98.5 The Beat" and
Alpha Media adult hits KJXK "102.7 Jack FM – Playing What We Want." The one-half share gain by "The Beat" snaps four straight ratings periods without an increase that yielded a -1.4 (5.4 – 5.3 – 4.4 – 4.4 – 4.0, 6+). Meanwhile, "Jack" is coming off back-to-back decreases (5.1 – 4.6 – 4.0, 6+) that produced a -1.1. In addition to "The Beat" and "Jack,"
iHeartMedia talker WOAI also notches a one-half share increase (4.3 – 4.8, 6+) to climb from ninth to seventh. Unchanged at #3, Cox Media Group's KISS "Rocks San Antonio" drops one-tenth to 5.7 (6+), curtailing three consecutive up-trends (4.9 – 5.1 – 5.6 – 5.8, 6+) that netted nine-tenths. October's 5.8 (6+) matched what KISS recorded in the "Holiday" 2015 report. Owing to a decline of six-tenths to 5.2 (6+), Univision Radio regional Mexican KROM "Que Buena 92.9" (third to fifth) has its string of up or flat trends end at five (5.1 – 5.1 – 5.3 – 5.4 – 5.4 – 5.8, 6+). Surrendering in its entirety the one-half share gained in October is KZAR "Air 1 Positive Hits" (1.3 – 1.8 – 1.3, #20 to #21, 6+); 1.8 (October 2016) was KZAR's best 6+-stat since February 2012 when it reached 1.9. Others off by one-half share in November are iHeartMedia adult contemporary KQXT "Q-101.9 San Antonio's Best Variety" (steady at #6, 6+) and Alpha Media regional Mexican KSAH-FM "Norteno 104.1" (3.4 – 2.9, #13 to #14, 6+). This is the fourth straight sweep without an increase for "Q-101.9" (5.8 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 5.3 – 4.8, 6+) for a full-share loss; "Norteno 104.1" posted an impressive +1.2 in October.
6)
Cincinnati – Off in back-to-back ratings periods by just over one full-share (6.7 – 5.8 – 5.6, 6+),
iHeartMedia talker WKRC rebounds with a gain of six-tenths to 6.2 (6+) and carries on in fifth-place. Elsewhere in the spoken-word genre, a gain of four-tenths to 8.3 (6+) by co-owned, similarly-
formatted WLW applies the brakes to six successive sweeps without an increase that resulted in the loss of nearly four full-shares (11.7 – 11.0 – 10.8 – 9.2 – 9.2 – 8.2 – 7.9, 6+); WLW moves from third to second. In addition,
Cincinnati Public Radio's WVXU posts its fifth straight up or flat trend (3.0 – 3.2 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 4.1, 6+) for a cumulative +1.1. Although WVXU remains at #11, it has its best 6+-share since February 2014 (also 4.1). Locked on 9.8 (6+) in September and October,
Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WGRR drops two-tenths to 9.6 (6+) but "103.5 WGRR" is in first-place for the third straight month. Prior to September's gain, it posted three successive negative trends resulting in a cumulative -1.7 (10.3 – 9.8 – 9.3 – 8.6, 6+). As the result of a +.2 to 4.5 (6+),
Hubbard Broadcasting rhythmic hot AC WREW "Mix 94.9" progresses from tenth to eighth and ends four straight decreases (5.3 – 4.8 – 4.6 – 4.4 – 4.3, 6+). Sputtering by six-tenths (8.5 – 7.9, 6+), country cluster-mate WUBE "B-105" segues from second to third. Unchanged at #15, format challenger – Cumulus Media's WNNF "94.1 Nash FM" – declines for the fourth straight time (3.4 – 3.2 – 2.7 – 2.3 – 2.1, 6+) and is -1.3 in that stretch. Going back to July, the 6+ trend for Cumulus Media classic rock WOFX is 5.0 – 4.6 – 5.0 – 4.6. The redundant pattern breaks though as "The Fox" falters by one-half share to 4.1 and departs the top ten (#8 to #11). Anchored at #9, iHeartMedia CHR WKFS "Kiss 107" is off for the fourth successive time for a combined -1.6 (5.9 – 5.4 – 4.6 – 4.5 – 4.3, 6+).
7)
Cleveland – Despite the fact that the
Cleveland Indians couldn't accomplish their goal of winning their first World Series title since 1948, the team's flagship – WTAM – boasts the largest (6+) October 2016 – November 2016 increase of any station in the 36
PPM-markets whose data has thus far been released. Above and beyond its eye-popping
+2.7, the
iHeartMedia talker rockets from seventh to first and has its most potent 6+-share (9.1)
since May 2012 when it reached 9.8. Incidentally, the
second-largest (6+) October 2016 – November 2016 gain we've seen to this point
(+1.9) is by
CBS Radio's WSCR "The Score," the key station of the
Chicago Cubs, the winner of the 2016 World Series. Among those impacted by WTAM's success is classic hits-oldies sibling WMJI, which departs the top spot after ten successive sweeps there. Off by nearly three full-shares in three straight downward trends (11.5 – 10.8 – 9.6 – 8.6, 6+), "Cleveland's Greatest Hits" slips 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+). Co-owned WMMS adds seven-tenths to the +.8 it posted in October (when it finished eighth) and is without a decrease for the fifth consecutive ratings period (4.2 – 5.0 – 5.0 – 5.0 – 5.8 – 6.5, 6+) for a cumulative +2.3. The rocker last crossed the (6+) six-share threshold in August 2014 with a 6.1. It is tied at #5 with adult hits cluster-mate WHLK "The Lake," which slips from #3 and records its third successive negative move (8.9 – 8.4 – 7.7 – 6.5, 6+) accounting for a -2.4. This is the weakest 6+-performance for "The Lake" since June 2012 (6.1). Mainstream CHR sibling WAKS "96.5 Kiss-FM" falters by seven-tenths (5.7 – 5.0, 6+) and drops out of the top ten (#9 to #11). Over in the CBS Radio cluster, adult contemporary WDOK "Star 102" has its third consecutive fluctuation of one-half share. Steady at #4, "Star 102" was
off by that margin in September and October, but
adds one-half share in November (7.8 – 7.3 – 6.8 – 7.3, 6+). Sibling WNCX "98.5 Cleveland's Classic Rock," however, regresses by seven-tenths to 6.0, drifting from fifth to eighth. Stymied at #12 since
February, co-owned
Cleveland Browns flagship, WKRK "Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan," gains three-tenths (4.5 – 4.8, 6+).
8)
Salt Lake City – The top three stations are separated by two-tenths of a share. Frozen on 2.7 (6+) in September and October,
University of Utah-owned KUER improves by six-tenths to 3.3, inching up from #13 to #11. Conversely,
Bonneville talker KSL forfeits nearly one-half of October's
mammoth +2.0 (8.1 – 7.2,
-.9, 6+) to segue from first to second. The 8.1 it notched this time last month was the strongest 6+-figure for KSL in two years (9.1, October 2014). Trending 4.6 – 4.7 – 4.9 (6+),
iHeartMedia talker KNRS advances from eighth to sixth. Taking over from KSL at #1 is co-owned adult contemporary KSFI "FM 100.3 – Better Music Better Work Day," which has not had a decrease since April. In that stretch of seven successive sweeps, "FM 100.3" has netted exactly two full-shares (5.3 – 5.7 – 6.2 – 6.3 – 6.7 – 7.0 – 7.3 – 7.3, 6+) and has its best 6+-performance since "Holiday" 2015, when it scored a 15.6. For the fourth time in the last six ratings periods, fellow adult contemporary,
Cumulus Media-owned KBEE (#13 to #14), registers a 2.7 (6). Progressing from ninth to seventh with a +.3 to 4.8 (6+), iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KODJ "Salt Lake's Greatest Hits" halts four consecutive declines (6.6 – 5.5 – 5.2 – 4.6 – 4.5, 6+) for a cumulative loss of -2.1. Exactly two shares ahead of it and steady at #4 is Bonneville's similarly-formatted KRSP "103.5 The Arrow," up for the third straight time (5.5 – 6.2 – 6.6 – 6.8, 6+). Albeit that it is regresses for the third consecutive month (5.5 – 5.2 – 4.8 – 4.6, 6+), Cumulus Media's country KUBL "K-Bull 93″ (seventh to eighth) overtakes format foe KSOP-FM "Z-104 Utah's #1 Country," which sputters by six-tenths (4.9 – 4.3, sixth to ninth, 6+). Unchanged at #10,
Broadway Media-owned mainstream CHR KUDD "Mix 105.1 All The Hits" is down for the fourth consecutive time (5.3 – 4.8 – 4.2 – 4.0 – 3.8, 6+) for a combined -1.5. It is the weakest 6+-share for "Mix" since March (3.2). Format rival – KZHT "97.1 Salt Lake's #1 Hit Music Station" (6.2 – 6.4, +.2) – is in six-share range (6+) for the sixth straight sweep and continues at #5. Remaining flat at 3.1 and 2.1 (6+), respectively, and each dropping by one ranker are the market's two alternative outlets – Broadway Media's KXRK "X-96" (#11 to #12) and Cumulus Media's KHTB "Alt 101.9" (#17 to #18).
9)
Las Vegas – Four successive negative trends entering the November ratings period by
Beasley Media Group urban-rhythmic oldies KOAS have produced a combined -1.5 (5.0 – 4.7 – 4.2 – 3.9 – 3.5, 6+). Not only does "Old School 105.7" gain nearly all of it back with a
+1.3 to 4.8 (6+), it zooms from #11 all the way to #4. Conversely, a move of 1.3 is bad news for
Lotus Communications' KXPT "97.1 The Point – #1 for Classic Rock," which
falters by that amount (5.9 – 4.6,
-1.3, 6+) to slide from third to sixth. It is the lowest 6+-stat for "The Point" since January's 4.4. Co-owned Spanish adult hits KWID "La Buena 101.9" rebounds from October's -.6 with an increase of one full-share (3.7 – 4.7, 6+) to progress from ninth to fifth. Cluster-mate KOMP "92.3 The Rock Station" dials up a robust gain of eight-tenths (3.2 – 4.0, 6+) to move from #12 to #10. In addition to matching an increase of that maginitude (to 7.2, 6+), Beasley Media Group's KKLZ returns to the lead from the runner-up slot. Prior to November's +.8, the classic hits-oldies outlet was off by a combined full-share in consecutive sweeps (7.4 – 6.7 – 6.4, 6+). Flat at 7.0 (6+),
iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE "Sunny 106.5" trades places with KKLZ. 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 more than four years (7.5, July 2012). Down a cumulative two shares in August and September (5.6 – 4.3 – 3.6, 6+), iHeartMedia's KWNR "95.5 The Bull – Las Vegas' New Country" regained 45% of it in October with a +.9 and tacks on additional one-half share in November (4.5 – 5.0, 6+), inching up from a three-way tie at #4 to #3. Before the August sweep, KWNR had three successive progressive trends netting a +2.2 (3.4 – 3.9 – 5.2 – 5.6, 6+). Meanwhile, dropping from #15 to #13, format rival – Beasley Media Group's KCYE "102.7 The Coyote" – regresses by six-tenths to 2.5, its lowest 6+-share since the "Holiday" 2015 report (1.8). Also declining by six-tenths (to 1.5, #20 to #22, 6+) is
Entravision regional Mexican KQRT "La Tricolor 105.1," which had been in two-share territory the past 14 sweeps. Off a collective nine-tenths in July and August,
Faith Communications contemporary Christian KSOS regained all of it in September, only to plummet
-1.8 in October. "Radio For Life" now sputters by another one-half share (5.4 – 4.8 – 4.5 – 5.4 – 3.6 – 3.1, 6+) to exit the top ten (#10 to #12). This represents the lowest 6+-share for KSOS since February's 2.9. Down by one-half share as well is Beasley Media Group hot AC KVGS "Star 107.9" (#15 to #19, 6+), which had been up or flat the past three months (2.3 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.8, 6+).
10)
Kansas City – It's one thing to post back-to-back gains of a few-tenths and quite another to accomplish what
Entercom alternative KRBZ "96.5 The Buzz" just did
which is to replicate October's
+1.1 (5.0 – 6.1 – 7.2, 6+). September's then fifth-ranked "Buzz" was more than two shares away from
being #1, but – while steady from October at #3 – it now trails
Cumulus Media-owned classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM "Kansas City's Greatest Hits" (7.8, 6+) by just six-tenths. "Kansas City's Greatest Hits" remains at the top after supplanting its classic rock sibling KCFX "The Fox" in October. Before dropping three-tenths in November, KCMO-FM registered four straight progressive trends (5.3 – 6.0 – 7.0 – 7.2 – 8.1, 6+) for a combined +1.8. Continuing in the runner-up slot, "The Fox" – #1 May through September – has its third straight up-trend (7.2 – 7.3 – 7.6 – 7.7, 6+). 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+). An improvement of eight-tenths propels
University of Missouri-owned KCUR (#14 to #11) to 4.0, its best 6+-share since February (also 4.0). Unchanged at #8,
Steel City Media CHR KMXV picks up one-tenth to 4.4 (6+), halting its string of five consecutive sweeps without an increase (5.5 – 5.5 – 4.9 – 4.8 – 4.8 – 4.3, 6+); "Mix 93.3" was a collective -1.2 (6+) since May. In the market's country tussle, co-owned KFKF has its fourth straight sweep without a loss (3.8 – 3.8 – 4.2 – 4.7 – 4.9, 6+) as "Country 94.1" climbs from seventh to sixth. After being tied at
#12 in October, co-owned KBEQ "Q-104 #1 for New Country" and Entercom's WDAF "106.5 The Wolf" are now deadlocked at
#13 (3.6 – 3.5, -.1, 6+). This is the fourth consecutive loss for "The Wolf" (4.2 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.6 – 3.5, 6+); "Q-104" was off by seven-tenths in October. Boasting a 10.6 (6+) this time last year (November
2015), Entercom's KCSP – the flagship of the 2015 World Series champion
Kansas City Royals – occupied the #1 spot. To say the least, things though have been quite bumpy this calendar year for "610 Sports," which was
-.6 (July);
-.6 (August);
-1.3 (October); and now a whopping
-1.8. From November 2015 to November 2016, KCSP not only slumps from #1 to #20, its 6+ AQH plummets nearly 90% from 10.6 to 1.2. At the same time, cross-town
Union Broadcasting's WHB "Sports Radio 810" posts its fifth consecutive gain netting +1.1 (1.8 – 1.9 – 2.1 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.9, 6+) and progresses from #17 to #15. Without an increase for the fourth straight time for a cumulative -1.5 (4.1 – 4.1 – 3.3 – 3.1 – 2.6, 6+), Cumulus Media's KCHZ "95.7 The Vibe – All The Hits" slips from #15 to #16.
11)
Orlando – Having advanced back to first from second in October,
iHeartMedia Spanish tropical WRUM remains there by applying a November +1.1 exclamation point to 10.7, eclipsing the 10.6 "Rumba 100.3" notched in June. Third-ranked for the sixth straight ratings period, adult contemporary cluster-mate WMGF "Magic 107.7" rebounds from October's one-half share loss with a gain of nearly twice that (8.0 – 7.5 – 8.4, 6+). Over the course of
the past 15 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) and
+.9 (November). "Magic" has its best 6+-share since June's 8.8. Regressing by one-half share each are CHR cluster-mate WXXL "XL-106.7" (unchanged at #2, 6+);
CBS Radio classic hits-oldies WOCL "105.9 Sunny FM" (6.2, fourth to fifth, 6+); and
Cox Media Group urban AC WCFB "Star 94.5" (6.2 – 5.7, steady at #6, 6+). On the strength of +1.5 to 10.4, its best-ever (6+) performance in the
PPM-era, "XL-106.7" had a one-month stay at #1 (September) but is a combined -1.6 in October and November (10.4 – 9.3 – 8.8, 6+). Without a loss in the previous four sweeps, "Sunny" netted a +1.3 (5.4 – 5.7 – 5.5 – 6.7 – 6.7, 6+). Although off by one-tenth and remaining at #14 (2.5 – 2.4, 6+), public WMFE is in 2.0 – 2.9 range for the 26th straight time.
12)
Columbus – It has been quite a positive roll lately for
Radio One urban AC WXMG "Magic 95.5 Columbus' Best R&B," which, in addition to flaunting a +1.2, posts its seventh straight sweep without a loss. Dating back to April, "Magic 95.5" has more than tripled its 6+-share (1.2 – 1.6 – 1.8 –
2.1 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.8 – 4.0, 6+) and cracks the top ten (#11 to #8). In a similar vein,
Radiohio's WBNS-FM "Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan" boasts its fifth straight gain (3.6 – 3.7 – 4.0 – 5.1 – 6.9 – 7.7, 6+), more than doubling its 6+-stat since June (+4.1 in that timeframe) and continues in third-place. The last time "The Fan" crossed the seven-share threshold (6+) was February 2015 when it reached 7.2. Gaining eight-tenths as well and inching up from sixth to fifth is
Saga Communications' WLVQ "Iconic Rock Q-FM 96" (5.5 – 6.3, 6+). This is the fourth consecutive positive trend for adult contemporary sibling WSNY (6.5 – 6.6 – 6.8 – 6.9 – 7.1, 6+), but after three straight appearances at #3, "Sunny 95" backslides to #4. Sputtering by one-half share (2.7 – 2.2, 6+), hot AC cluster-mate WVMX "Mix 107.9" dips from #12 to #13. Albeit down two-tenths (10.4 – 10.2, 6+),
iHeartMedia's WCOL "92.3 Columbus' #1 for New Country" repeats at #1 and is in double-digits (6+) for the eleventh straight time. Down in each of the last four ratings periods (12.2 – 12.1 -11.1 – 9.8 – 9.4, 6+), co-owned CHR WNCI (flat at #2) is a collective -2.8 in that stretch. In 4.2 – 4.8 range (6+) the past seven ratings periods, urban contemporary sibling WZCB "106.7 The Beat" falters by nine-tenths to 3.7 (6+), skidding from seventh to tenth.
