PPM Data – Round One. Information for the December 2016 ratings period has been released for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union.
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.
RadioInfo managing editor
Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from these 12-
PPM markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1)
New York – Not only is
iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW on top for the fifth straight time, "106.7 Lite-FM" adds nearly two full-shares (6.4 – 8.3,
+1.9, 6+), widening its lead over
CBS Radio classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM "New York's Greatest Hits" (5.9 – 5.7, -.2, steady at #2, 6+) from one-half share in November to 2.6
shares (6+). "New York's Greatest Hits" was up by one-half share in November to advance from fourth to second. Off three-tenths to 6.4 (6+) in November, WLTW ended three successive up-trends (6.0 – 6.1 – 6.5 – 6.7, 6+). At this time last year, "Lite-FM" was #1 with an 8.0 (December
2015, 6+). A combined +.6 in three straight positive ratings periods (2.9 – 3.1 – 3.4 – 3.5, 6+),
Univision Radio Spanish tropical WXNY "X-96.3" surrenders all of that gain plus two-tenths (2.7,
-.8, 6+), skidding out of the top ten (#10 to #13). While steady at #3,
Emmis urban AC WBLS loses one-tenth to 5.5 (6+), thus snapping four successive sweeps without a decrease (5.1 – 5.2 – 5.3 – 5.6 – 5.6, 6+). Stuck on 1.9 (6+) in September, October,
and November –
Cumulus Media country WNSH "Nash 94.7" is off by one-tenth to 1.8 (6+) but remains at #19. This is the sixth time in the last seven sweeps that co-owned talker WABC (#23) registers a 1.4 (6+).
2)
Los Angeles – Three different shades of adult contemporary are represented in Los Angeles' top three November 2016 finishers. Posting a gain of nine-tenths (5.5 – 6.4, 6+),
iHeartMedia mainstream AC KOST
"Coast 103.5" is the market's trendsetter for the
fourteenth successive ratings period. Down by two-tenths each in back-to-back sweeps (5.8 – 5.6 – 5.4, 6+), "Coast 103.5" gained one-tenth in November and is off by six-tenths from one year ago (7.0, #1, December
2015, 6+). Mirroring KOST's impressive November 2016 – December 2016
+.9 is
hot AC sibling KBIG "My-FM" (4.7 – 5.6, 6+), which has jumped from sixth to fourth (November) to second (December). Prior to the December 2016 sweep, the 6+ trend for "My-FM" was 4.7 – 4.9 – 4.7 – 4.4 – 4.7. Netting a cumulative eight-tenths in the past four ratings periods (4.1 – 4.3 – 4.7 – 4.8 – 4.9, 6+),
CBS Radio smooth AC KTWV "The Wave" carries on at #3. In the last six ratings periods, classic hits-oldies cluster-mate KRTH "K-Earth 101" (second to third) is trending 4.8 – 4.9 – 4.9 – 4.5 – 4.9 – 4.8 (6+). Over and above notching its third consecutive gain for a cumulative +1.2 (2.6 – 3.1 – 3.5 – 3.8, 6+), iHeartMedia talker KFI has its best 6+-performance since May 2013 (also 3.8), progressing from eighth to seventh. Now that the
MLB season is over and
Vin Scully has called his last game for the
Los Angeles Dodgers (after a stunning
67-year run) the team's flagship – KFI sibling KLAC "AM Sports 570" – regresses by eight-tenths (1.7 – .9, #32, 6+). Elsewhere in the all-sports arena,
ESPN Radio's KSPN, the key
AM station of the
NFL's Los Angeles Rams, has its third straight increase, more than doubling its 6+-share in the process (.6 – .8 – 1.2 – 1.3, +.4, 6+); "ESPN 710" progresses from #30 to #28. Up four-tenths since September (3.1 – 3.2 – 3.5, 6+), iHeartMedia alternative KYSR-FM "Alt 98.7" drops one-tenth to 3.4 (6+), falling from eighth to ninth. Not only is CBS Radio's similarly-formatted KROQ without an increase for the eighth successive sweep (3.1 – 2.9 – 2.9 – 2.4 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 1.9, 6+) producing a combined -1.2, "The World Famous KROQ" exits the top 20 (#19 to #23). Unchanged at #10,
Univision Radio Spanish adult hits KRCD "Recuerdo 103.9" has been extremely consistent the last six sweeps (3.2 – 3.3 – 3.2 – 3.3 – 3.3 – 3.3, 6+).
3)
Chicago – Hot AC WLIT "93.9 My-FM" comes within one-tenth of becoming the third
iHeartMedia outlet in the top three markets playing all-Christmas music to reach #1 in this sweep. Without an increase the past
11 ratings periods (13.9 – 4.7 – 4.5 – 4.0 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.6 – 3.5 – 3.2 – 3.1 – 2.9, 6+), "93.9 My-FM" eats into that
enormous
11-share erosion with a whopping +3.4 to 6.3 (6+), rocketing from tenth to second. It was in the runner-up slot one year ago as well with a 6.6 (6+, December
2015). Edging out "My-FM" is
CBS Radio all-news WBBM-AM (6.5 – 6.4, -.1, 6+), which is #1 for the third straight month. The
Chicago Bears' flagship was tied for the lead in September and had been on top from January through May. Despite the huge improvement by "My-FM,"
Hubbard Radio's similarly-formatted WTMX "101.9 The Mix" is up in consecutive monthlies (4.9 – 5.3 – 5.4, 6+) and continues in fourth-place. Prior to November, "Mix" had been at #3 the previous seven sweeps. Following three straight (modestly) down or flat trends that yielded a -.3 (6.0 – 6.0 – 5.8 – 5.7, 6+), iHeartMedia urban AC WVAZ "V-103 Today's R&B and Throwbacks" bounces back with a one-half share gain (6.2, 6+) and remains in third-place. Climbing from #13 to #11, Hubbard Broadcasting adult contemporary WSHE is within 2.0 – 2.9 range (6+) for the 32nd straight monthly (2.6 – 2.7, +.1, 6+). Two-tenths separates the top three stations, while one-share is the difference between ranker #8 and ranker #22 (6+). Off in each of the last four monthlies for a combined -.8 (3.0 – 2.9 – 2.8 – 2.5 – 2.2, 6+), CBS Radio's WUSN "US-99 Chicago's Hottest Country" adds one-tenth to 2.3, inching up from #19 to #17. Also adding one-tenth is iHeartMedia's WEBG "Big 95.5 Chicago's New Country" (2.0 – 2.1 #24 to #21). Two "Windy City" all-sports outlets combine for a loss of more than four full-shares. On the heels of November's +1.9, CBS Radio-owned/
Chicago Cubs flagship WSCR "670 The Score" sputters by a staggering -3.5 (6.1 – 2.6, 6+) to freefall from the
top ten (#2 to #12). It is the lowest 6+-showing for "The Score" since March (2.5). Meanwhile, cross-town WMVP "1000 AM
ESPN Chicago" coughs up the eight-tenths it gained in November and an additional one-tenth more (2.0,
-.9, 6+) to plummet from the
top 20 (#10 to #23). The loss of nine-tenths by WMVP brings to an end five straight gains that accounted for a +1.5 (1.4 – 1.5 – 1.6 – 1.7 – 2.1 – 2.9, 6+); it ranked #22 in October.
4)
San Francisco – Back-to-back declines by KOIT-FM in October and November produced a combined -.5 (3.9 – 3.8 – 3.4, 6+), but the
Entercom adult contemporary answers with a strong +1.4 (4.8, 6+) to leap from eighth
to third. It is the best 6+-showing since February (5.4) for KOIT-FM, which was 5.7 one year ago (December
2015, #2, 6+). San Jose's
Alpha Media-owned, similarly-programmed KBAY gains one-half share (1.5 – 2.0, 6+) and cracks the top 20 (three-way tie at #18). With KOIT-FM advancing to #3, it is the first time since February that spoken-word stations haven't held the top three spots in the Bay Area. This is the seventh straight positive trend for KQED yielding a cumulative +2.3 (4.8 – 4.9 – 5.3 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 5.9 – 6.9 – 7.1, 6+) as the
Northern California Public Broadcasting outlet repeats at #1. It was dislodged from the top spot and moved to the runner-up position in October, but registered a full-share gain in November to recapture the lead. Four-tenths behind KQED – and staying in the runner-up slot – is
CBS Radio all-news KCBS-AM, which records a gain of six-tenths. It is without a decrease for the fourth consecutive time (5.4 – 5.6 – 6.1 – 6.1 – 6.8, 6+) and is +1.4 since August. The flagship of the
NFL's
49ers –
Cumulus Media's KNBR (third to seventh) – continues its rollercoaster ride. Dating back to July, "The Sports Leader" has been
-.5; another
-.5 (August);
-.8 (September);
+.8 (October);
-.7 (November) and now in December a whopping
-1.5 (6.7 – 6.2 – 5.7 – 4.9 – 5.7 – 5.0 – 3.5, 6+). October's gain of eight-tenths halted four successive declines for "The Sports Leader" which resulted in a combined loss of nearly two full-shares (6.8 – 6.7 – 6.2 – 5.7 – 4.9, 6+). Prior to slipping to third in September, KNBR had been #1 since April. With a pair of 2.9 (6+) showings in September and October sandwiched between two 2.8 (6+) performances in August and November, KOSF "
iHeart 80s @ 103.7" falters by seven-tenths (2.2, #14 to #15, 6+). Following November's one-half gain, Cumulus Media talker KSFO forfeits all of it and another one-tenth (3.1 – 2.5,
-.6, 6+) to drift from #11 to #13. Locked on 2.9 (6+) in September and October, KSOL "Que Buena" picked up four-tenths in November, but the
Univision Radio regional Mexican sputters by one half share (3.3 – 2.8, 6+) and departs the top ten (#9 to #12). There are marginal declines for all three area hot ACs as
iHeartMedia's KIOI "Star 101.3" is 3.5 – 3.3 (-.2, seventh to eighth, 6+); CBS Radio's KLLC "Alice @ 97.3" is 3.3 – 3.2 (-.1, steady at #9, 6+); and Alpha Media's KEZR "Mix 106.5" is 1.5 – 1.4 (-.1, #25, 6+).
5)
Dallas – Several weeks ago (mid-November),
iHeartMedia jettisoned alternative KDGE "The Edge" to all-Christmas music. Using the handle "Star 102.1," KDGE posts a mighty
+1.2 (2.1 – 3.3, 6+) and catapults from #21 all the way to #10. Just ahead of it at #9 (up from November's three-way logjam at #13) is co-owned KEGL "97.1
The Eagle Rocks," which gains six-tenths (2.9 – 3.5, 6+). It is the best 6+-stat for "The Eagle" since May's 3.6. Sibling KZPS "Classic Rock Lone Star 92.5" posts its third successive increase for a combined +1.1 (3.8 – 4.3 – 4.4 – 4.9, 6+) and moves from fifth to fourth. For the past four months, four-tenths of a share separated the top three finishers; they are now separated by one-half share. The combination of a two-tenths gain by CHR cluster-mate KHKS "Kiss-FM" (5.5 – 5.7, second in November, 6+) and a one-half decline by
Cumulus Media's country formatted KPLX "The Wolf" (5.7 – 5.2, 6+) has "Kiss" succeeding "Wolf" at #1; "Wolf" falls to #3. Prior to its -.4 in October, "The Wolf" had gone without a decrease the previous seven sweeps (4.3 – 4.4 – 4.7 – 4.7 – 4.7 – 5.1 – 5.7 – 5.8, 6+) and was a cumulative +1.5 since February. September was the first time since May 2014 (when it registered a 6.6, 6+) that "The Wolf" occupied the top spot. After three straight increases for a combined +.7 (4.6 – 4.7 – 4.8 – 5.3, 6+),
Univision Radio regional Mexican KLNO "Que Buena 94.1" forfeits six-tenths (4.7, third to fifth, 6+). Similarly, owing to a loss of four-tenths (to 3.2, 6+), Cumulus Media sports outlet KTCK "The Ticket" has
its string of three straight gains come to an end (2.7 – 2.9 – 3.1 – 3.6, 6+). "The Ticket" was a combined +.9 in that stretch and exits the top ten (#9 to #11). Yet another streak in the market is stymied in December 2016 as iHeartMedia hot AC KDMX drops four-tenths to 4.0 (6+), thus curtailing seven straight up or flat monthlies (3.7 – 3.7 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 4.0 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.4, 6+) that netted a +.7; "Now 102.9" falls from fifth to eighth. Not only does format rival –
CBS Radio-owned KVIL – have an up/down pattern since May of 2.6 – 3.1 – 2.9 – 3.1 – 2.8 – 3.1 – 2.7 – 2.3 (6+), it spirals out of the top 20 (#16 to #21).
6)
Houston – Nearly erasing its combined -.8 in October and November (3.0 – 2.5 – 2.2, 6+) with a December improvement of seven-tenths (to 2.9, 6+),
Univision Radio Spanish contemporary KAMA "Latino Mix 104.9" is
lifted from #19 to #16. Notching increases of one-half share each are Spanish adult hits cluster-mate KOVE "106.5 Mas Variedad" (3.4 – 3.9, #13 to #11, 6+) and
iHeartMedia talker KTRH (#12 to #9, 6+). This is the third straight up or flat trend for KTRH (3.3 – 3.3 – 3.5 – 4.0, 6+); "Mas Variedad" was -.6 in November. A gain of two-tenths to 3.5 (6+) enables
Cumulus Media CHR KRBE "Houston's #1 Hit Music Station" (steady at #14) to apply the brakes to four straight declines that resulted in a combined -1.4 (4.7 – 4.6 – 4.2 – 3.8 – 3.3, 6+). In addition to registering its third straight up-trend for a cumulative +.8 (6.5 – 6.6 – 6.9 – 7.3, 6+), iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA "Sunny 99.1" regains the #1 spot. "Sunny 99.1" ranked first in
23 consecutive ratings periods before dipping to second in August. Advancing from third, "Sunny" displaces Univision Radio regional Mexican KLTN "102.9 Estereo Latino" (7.4 – 6.7, -.7, first to third), which had been first since August; KLTN was +1.3 in October. The 8.0 it registered in October is the highest 6+-share in its
PPM history. A -.3 in
September by "Estereo Latino" curtailed five successive gains that yielded a combined increase of more than two full-shares (4.9 – 5.4 – 6.3 – 6.4 – 6.9 – 7.0, 6+). Following three straight up or flat trends that netted a +1.2 (5.9 – 5.9 – 6.1 – 7.1, 6+),
Radio One urban AC KMJQ "Majic 102.1 The Real Sound of H-Town" is down by two-tenths to 6.9 but is unchanged at #2 (6+). Off by a collective -1.7 since July (5.9 – 5.2 – 4.7 – 4.2, 6+),
Cox Media Group country KKBQ "The New 93-Q" regained seven-tenths in November but returns all but one-tenth of it in December (4.9 – 4.3,
-.6, sixth to seventh, 6+). Before slipping to #7 in October, "The New Q" had been in fifth-place the previous four sweeps. Gaining ground is its format challenger –
CBS Radio's KILT-FM – which posts its third straight gain for a combined +.9 (3.1 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 4.0, 6+) as "100.3 The Bull" enters the top ten (#11 to #9).
7)
Philadelphia – Following a collective gain of eight-tenths (6.8 – 7.4 – 7.6, August – September – October, 6+),
Jerry Lee Radio adult contemporary WBEB "More FM" dropped one-tenth in November, only to come roaring back in December with a humongous
+3.6. Over and above being #1 for the fourth consecutive monthly, "More
FM" boasts the highest 6+ share among all stations in the 12
PPM markets whose data was released Monday (7.5 –
11.1, 6+). Its
September +.6 halted three successive downward moves for a combined loss of one full-share (7.8 – 7.4 – 6.9 – 6.8, 6+); "More FM" occupied the market's top spot for
12 consecutive survey periods (August 2015 through June 2016). Consistently registering a 6+-share between 1.5 – 1.7 from June 2016 through November 2016,
Radio One gospel outlet WPPZ "Praise 107.9 Philadelphia's Inspiration Station" displays a +.6 to 2.3 (6+), advancing from #20 to #18. Up or flat for the fourth straight time (4.4 – 4.4 – 4.6 – 5.1 – 5.3, 6+),
CBS Radio all-news KYW progresses from sixth to fifth. The last four (6+) trends for WOGL have been 6.9 – 6.9 – 6.7 – 6.8, but the classic hits-oldies sibling of KYW regresses by -1.1 to 5.7, the first time it has dropped below a six-share (6+) since January's 5.9. Nonetheless, WOGL carries on in third-place. A loss of eight-tenths by
Beasley Media Group's WMMR "93.3 Rocks" (5.8 – 5.0, fifth to sixth, 6+) drops the former
Greater Media outlet to its lowest 6+-share since the "Holiday" 2015 report (4.3). Taking downward moves of six-tenths each are cluster-mate WMGK "Classic Rock 102.9 MGK" (unchanged at #4, 6+); CBS Radio sports outlet/
Philadelphia Eagles flagship WIP-FM (4.9 – 4.3, seventh, 6+); and
iHeartMedia-owned WRFF "Radio 104.5 Philly's Alternative" (#9 to #11, 6+). "Classic Rock 102.9" ends three straight progressive trends (5.5 – 5.7 – 5.8 – 6.0, 6+), while "Philly's Alternative" has its third successive decline (5.0 – 4.9 – 4.1 – 3.5, 6+) for a collective -1.5. A drop of one-tenth by WIP-FM in
November stopped three straight improvements that netted a +1.3 (3.7 – 3.8 – 4.0 – 5.0, 6+). Even though iHeartMedia urban contemporary WUSL "Power 99" is down or flat for the fifth successive time (4.9 – 4.9 – 4.7 – 4.1 – 4.0 – 4.0, 6+), it actually improves from tenth to eighth.
8)
Atlanta – Part of a three-way
November logjam at #11,
Radio One gospel WPZE "Praise 102.5 – Atlanta's Inspiration Station" gains one-half share (3.7 – 4.2, 6+) to take sole possession of ninth-place. The 4.2 (6+)
matches what "Praise 102.5" recorded in July. Owing to an increase of three-tenths (9.9 – 10.2, 6+), WSB-AM not only holds the top spot for the
eleventh straight month, the
Cox Media Group talker has its best-ever (6+)
PPM-performance. Its previous record was achieved just two months ago (October 2016) with a +1.2 to 10.1. The market's urban AC contest finds Radio One's WAMJ "Majic The Real Sound of Atlanta" (steady at #10) enjoying its fifth straight monthly without a decrease for a combined +1.2 (2.9 – 3.2 – 3.7 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 4.1, 6+), while Cox Media Group's WALR "Kiss 104.1 Atlanta's R&B," stuck on 5.1 (6+) in October and November, advances to 5.5 (fourth to third, 6+). This is the best 6+-stat for "Majic" since February's 4.9. Both country FMs improve from November 2016, as
Cumulus Media's WKHX "Kicks 101.5," which was -1.4 in October and +1.3 in September, picks up three-tenths (3.7 – 4.0, flat at #11, 6+) and
iHeartMedia-owned WUBL "94.9 The Bull – Atlanta's New Country Leader" is up one-tenth (3.1 – 3.2, 6+), climbing from #15 to #14. September's 5.2 was the most potent 6+-share for "Kicks 101.5" since April 2011 (5.2 as well); "The Bull" was down by six-tenths in November. In 4.0 – 4.5 range (6+) each sweep since June,
Entercom hot AC WSTR regresses by eight-tenths to 3.7, its weakest 6+-stat since January's 3.3, as "Star 94.1" exits the top ten (#8 to #12). After posting a +.7 in
November, Radio One urban contemporary WHTA "Hot 107.9" relinquishes one-half share (5.2 – 5.9 – 5.4, 6+), dropping from a second-place tie to fourth. Meanwhile, the station with which "Hot" was tied in November – format rival WVEE "V-103" – picks up four-tenths to 6.3 and takes over the runner-up slot;
CBS Radio-owned "V-103 was down by one-half share in November. After four successive up-trends (.9 – 1.1 – 1.2 – 1.5 – 1.9, 6+),
Radio Training Network contemporary Christian WVFJ "93.3 The Joy FM" loses one-tenth and slips from #18 to #19. Unchanged at #7 and flat at 4.6 (6+),
Salem Media Group's similarly-formatted WFSH "104.7 The Fish" repeats its weakest 6+-showing since April's 4.3. Moreover, "The Fish" is without an increase for the sixth successive sweep for a collective loss of -1.5 (6.1 – 5.9 – 5.3 – 5.3 – 5.1 – 4.6 – 4.6, 6+). While iHeartMedia's WGST "640 Talk Radio" (#27) is frozen on
.4 for the fourth consecutive ratings period, CBS Radio's similarly-formatted WAOK "1380 The Voice of the Community" (#28) slips to a .3, after logging a
.4 in eight of the last nine sweeps – including the last seven.
9)
Long Island – Down a combined four-tenths in three straight (minor) downtrends (3.7 – 3.6 – 3.5 – 3.3, 6+),
iHeartMedia New York City adult contemporary WLTW "Lite-FM" roars back with a +.9 to 4.2 – its best 6+- showing in Long Island since 7.9 in the "Holiday" 2015 report. In the process, "Lite-FM" zooms from #12 to #6. A
-.7 in November by WCBS-
FM ended five straight up or flat trends for a net gain of +1.2 (3.3 – 3.3 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 4.3 – 4.5, 6+), but the New York City
CBS Radio classic hits-oldies facility dials up a +.8 to 4.6, the strongest 6+-stat since October 2015's 5.4; "New York's Greatest Hits" proceeds from ninth to fourth. The cumulative +1.1, however, that co-owned WCBS-
AM racked up in four straight up or flat trends (3.5 – 3.6 – 4.0 – 4.6 – 4.6, 6+) is wiped out as the all-news property sputters by -1.3 and freefalls from a tie at #3 out of the top ten (#12); 4.6 in October and November was the best 6+-stat for WCBS-AM in Long Island since February (also 4.6). With a gain of seven-tenths from 5.1 (6+),
Connoisseur Media hot AC WALK-FM matches the 5.8 (6+) it notched in May – "Real Variety 97.5" carries on in the runner-up slot. Eight-tenths ahead of WALK-FM and flat at 6.6 (6+) is iHeartMedia CHR WHTZ "Z-100," which is #1 in Long Island for the
eleventh successive sweep. Following three straight declines that totaled a combined -.7 (6.7 – 6.4 – 6.2 – 6.0, 6+), "Z-100" posted a +.6 in November to 6.6; a -.3 in
August erased four straight monthlies where "Z-100" was up or flat (5.8 – 5.8 – 5.9 – 6.1 – 6.7, 6+). New York City hot AC rivals WPLJ (2.5 – 2.5, 6+) and WNEW-FM "Fresh 102.7" (2.3 – 2.3, 6+) are both flat;
Cumulus Media's WPLJ "95.5 PLJ" remains at #17, while CBS Radio-owned "Fresh" advances from #20 to #18. Following a November gain of one-half share, iHeartMedia classic rocker WAXQ "Q-104.3" surrenders eight-tenths (3.1 – 3.6 – 2.8, 6+) and spirals from #10 to #15. This is the
24th straight sweep that
Emmis rhythmic CHR WQHT "Hot 97" (#19 to #20) is in 2.0 – 2.9 range (2.4 – 2.1, -.3, 6+).
10)
Riverside – Over and above hanging out a +.8 (7.5 – 8.3, 6+),
Entravision Spanish adult hits KLYY "Jose" is #1 for the
thirteenth consecutive ratings period and 8.3 is its best 6+showing since August 2015 (8.5).
Following a one-share increase in
June, which halted back-to-back downward trends that produced a combined -.4, "Jose" fell by two-tenths in
July but bounced back with a +.8 in August. Trending 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.4 (6+) since July,
Univision Radio Spanish adult hits KRCD "Recuerdo 103.9" explodes with a +.7 to 2.1(6+) and cracks the top ten (#12 to #9). The seventh straight positive or flat trend for co-owned Spanish contemporary KLVE "K-LOVE 107.5" (fifth to third) is a +.6. Going back to May, "K-LOVE" has nearly doubled its 6+-share and is a cumulative +2.9 (3.1 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 5.4 – 6.0, 6+). The rollercoaster ride continues for regional Mexican sibling KSCA, whose latest trends are
+.8 (September);
-.6 (October);
+.9 (November); and
-1.1 (December); "Zona MX 101.9" (5.5 – 4.4, 6+) dips from fourth to fifth. Prior to September's +.8, "Zona MX 101.9" was down or flat the previous three Inland Empire monthlies (5.5 – 4.7 – 4.4 – 4.4, 6+). Without an increase for the fifth successive sweep for a collective -1.2 (6.2 – 6.0 – 6.0 – 5.9 – 5.7 – 5.0, 6+),
iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR KGGI "99.1 Riverside's Hottest Hit Music" slides from third to fourth. Even though it regresses by one-half share in back-to-back ratings periods (7.1 – 6.6 – 6.1, 6+),
Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA (6.6, 6+) is in the runner-up slot for the sixth consecutive ratings period. Prior to November, KOLA was up or flat the previous six times for a net gain of +2.2 (4.9 – 4.9 – 5.6 – 6.5 – 6.8 – 6.9 – 7.1, 6+). Dropping from #13 to #14,
San Bernardino Community College-owned KVCR is off by three-tenths to 1.0 (6+), thus curtailing five successive up or flat trends that yielded a +.8 (.5 – .7 – .7 – .8 – .8 – 1.3, 6+). In November. KVCR reached the one-share level (6+) for the first time since February's 1.3. For the tenth consecutive time,
CBS Radio country outlet KXFG (#22 to #23) has a .1.
11)
San Jose – Accounting for a combined
+2.7 are
Alpha Media-owned adult contemporary KBAY (
+1.2, fifth to second, 6+) and
Entercom's similarly-programmed KOIT-FM (2.9 – 4.4,
+1.5, #11 to #5, 6+). In six straight sweeps without a loss, KBAY is a cumulative +2.1 (3.4 – 3.8 – 4.1 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 5.5, 6+). A comfortable 2.4
shares (6+) ahead of KBAY is KCBS-AM, which is not only first for the third successive time, but the
CBS Radio all-news operation improves by one full-share and is up for the fifth consecutive sweep netting a +3.5 (4.4 – 5.6 – 5.7 – 6.7 – 6.9 – 7.9, 6+). It was deadlocked for the top spot in August
and September with
Univision Radio Spanish adult hits KBRG "100.3 Mas Variedad," which is off six-tenths (to 5.1, 6+) and slips from second to third. KBRG was stymied on 5.7 (6+) in September, October, and November. Trending 5.3 – 5.1 – 5.3 (August – September – October, 6+),
Cumulus Media's KNBR is a combined
-2.2 in November and December (5.3 – 4.6 – 3.1, 6+), with the "The Sports Leader" plummeting from fourth to tenth. This is the softest 6+-figure for KNBR in San Jose since February 2015 (2.7). Locked on 1.7 (6+) in September, October, and November,
Spanish Broadcasting System regional Mexican KRZZ "93.3 La Raza" erodes by seven-tenths to 1.0, finishing at #24. Having been in 3.3 – 3.9 range from May through October (3.3 – 3.7 – 3.8 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.8, 6+), CBS Radio CHR KMVQ "Now 99.7 New Hit Music" falters by one-half share for the second straight sweep (3.8 – 3.3 – 2.8, 6+) and departs the top ten (#10 to #12).
12)
Middlesex – It is a clean sweep for
iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW "Lite-FM," which is
+1.9 in New York City;
+.9 in Long Island; and 4.5 – 5.2,
+.7, fifth to third in Middlesex for a combined
+3.5 (November
2016 – December 2016, 6+). On the strength of a +.6 (3.1 – 3.7, 6+),
Spanish Broadcasting System Spanish contemporary WPAT-FM "93.1 Amor" breaks into the top ten (#13 to #10). Improving by one-half share each are
Cumulus Media country WNSH "94.7 Nash FM" (2.5, #16 to a three-way tie at #11, 6+) and iHeartMedia talker WOR (#18 to #14). The +.5 by "94.7 Nash FM" ends three successive negative trends for a combined -.9 (3.9 – 3.7 – 3.6 – 3.0, 6+). A loss of seven-tenths by WOR in
November curtailed three straight gains in Middlesex-Somerset-Union (1.7 – 2.1 – 2.2 – 3.2, 6+) that nearly doubled its 6+-share here. After being without an increase the past five sweeps for a cumulative -1.6 (6.6 – 6.2 – 6.0 – 6.0 – 5.5 – 5.0, 6+), iHeartMedia classic rocker WAXQ "Q-104.3" picks up one-tenth to 5.1 (steady at #4, 6+); November's 5.0 was the lowest 6+-share in Middlesex for "Q-104.3" since January's 4.5. Down a combined one-share in October and November (8.2 – 7.6 – 7.2, 6+),
Townsquare Media talker WKXW picks up three-tenths to 7.5 (6+) and is on top for the
twelfth consecutive ratings period. In September, "New Jersey 101.5" wiped out an August -.6 with an increase of seven-tenths. Owing to a four-tenths gain in July, it halted four straight negative trends that had resulted in a combined -1.4 (9.1 – 8.9 – 8.5 – 8.1 – 7.7, 6+). Within 3.1 – 3.6 range (6+) the past seven sweeps, iHeartMedia urban contemporary WWPR "Power 105.1" sputters by eight-tenths to 2.8 (6+), spiraling from #11 to #16. Dropping by six-tenths to 2.5 – its lowest 6+ stat in Middlesex since January (also 2.5) –
Emmis rhythmic CHR WQHT "Hot 97 Where Hip-Hop Lives" drifts from #13 to #19. Continuing a down/up pattern started in July (5.2 – 4.9 – 5.1 – 4.8 – 5.1 – 4.6, 6+) iHeartMedia CHR WHTZ "Z-100" stumbles from third to sixth.
