PPM Data – Round Two. December 2016 ratings information has been released for Washington (D.C.), Boston, Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
Nielsen Audio's 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 all of these
PPM-markets.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1) Washington, D.C. – The list of ratings accomplishments continues to grow for
American University's WAMU, which not only makes it five successive months at #1, but by tacking on a robust
+1.5, "The Mind Is Our Medium" elevates to
11.5, the most potent 6+-share in its
PPM-history. The public station recorded its previous
best just last month (10.0, 6+, November 2016).
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned all-news WTOP (13 times) and
iHeartMedia adult contemporary WASH (seven times) are the market's only other stations to register double-digits (6+). Stuck on 4.5 (6+) in September and October, WASH picked up four-tenths in November and now adds one full-share (4.9 – 5.9, 6+), breaking from a tie at #5 landing at #3. This time last year, WASH was in third-place with a 7.0 (6+, December
2015). While unchanged at #5,
Radio One gospel WPRS "Praise 104.1" notches its fifth successive improvement for a cumulative +2.2 (2.9 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 4.6 – 4.9 – 5.1, 6+). Most of that increase from July came from October's +1.2. A gain of one-tenth to 2.5 (6+) by
Cumulus Media hot AC WRQX "Mix 107.3" (#17 to #16) halts three straight negative trends for a combined -.8 (3.2 – 3.1 – 2.9 – 2.4, 6+). This is the 13
th consecutive ratings period that
CBS Radio's similarly programmed WIAD "94.7 Fresh" is within 3.5 – 3.9 territory (3.7, +.2, #11, 6+). After seven straight monthlies without an increase for a net loss of one full-share (2.4 – 2.1 – 1.9 – 1.7 – 1.6 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.4, 6+) Spanish tropical sibling WLZL "El Zol 107.9" regains 60% of that decrease (1.4 – 2.0,
+.6, 6+) as it climbs from #20 to #17. The market's (6+) share for the all-sports format deflates by -1.5, with co-owned WJFK-FM (2.7 – 1.8, #14 to #18, 6+), and the flagship of the
NFL's Washington, D.C. franchise –
Red Zebra Broadcasting's WTEM "
ESPN 980″ (1.8, #17 to #18, 6+) – declining by nine-tenths and six-tenths, respectively. The loss by "ESPN 980" halts four successive increases that yielded a +1.1 (1.3 – 1.4 – 1.6 – 2.3 – 2.4, 6+). In addition to WTEM, iHeartMedia mainstream CHR WIHT "Hot 99.5" also regresses by six-tenths (to 4.6, fourth to sixth, 6+), ending its pattern of 5.3 – 5.2 – 5.3 – 5.2 (6+). Off for the fifth consecutive sweep resulting in a combined -2.3 (6.1 – 5.9 – 5.4 – 4.7 – 4.3 – 3.8, 6+), Radio One-owned urban AC WMMJ "Majic 102.3" slips from eighth to tenth. It is the lowest 6+-share for "Majic" since August 2015 (3.5). Off by three-tenths (5.9 – 5.6, 6+) is its direct competitor –
Howard University's WHUR – which slides from third to fourth.
2)
Boston – Rarely do we see a station gain in excess of one full-share only to lose its #1 ranking. Such a situation though occurs in December 2016's Beantown report with
Beasley Media Group-owned WROR. The market
leader for 11 monthlies in succession, "Boston's Classic Hits" picks up a +1.1 (6.6 – 7.7, 6+) but must make room at the top for adult contemporary cluster-mate WMJX "Magic 106.7," which rolls out a
+1.5 (6.3 – 7.8, 6+). The two swap places: "Magic" had been in the runner-up slot since April. Prior to December's +1.1, WROR had been down by a combined two full-shares over the last four sweeps (8.6 – 8.4 – 8.1 – 7.4 – 6.6, 6+). When it registered a 6.6 in September, "Magic" halted three successive down or flat trends for a combined
-1.2 (7.5 – 6.9 – 6.3 – 6.3, 6+). A -.6 in July, meanwhile, stopped a successive string of five increases for a cumulative
+1.2 (6.3 – 6.5 – 6.8 – 7.2 – 7.3 – 7.5, 6+). One year ago, "Magic" was #1 with an 8.0 (6+, December
2015). Down by a combined one-half share in back-to-back (September-October-November) sweeps (4.2 – 4.0 – 3.7, 6+), co-owned rhythmic hot AC WBQT "Hot 96.9" regains all of it and enters the top ten (4.2,
+.5, #11 to #8, 6+). WMJX, WROR, and WBQT were formerly owned by
Greater Media. Very similar to what happens in Washington, D.C. (see above), two Boston sports outlets account for a (nearly-equally divided) combined -1.6. Having already regressed by eight-tenths in November,
Entercom's WEEI-FM falters by an additional nine-tenths (6.2 – 5.4 – 4.5, 6+); however, the
Boston Red Sox flagship carries on at #6. October's +1.4 by WEEI-FM put the brakes on four straight downtrends that produced a -1.1 (5.9 – 5.7 – 5.3 – 5.1 – 4.8, 6+); 4.5 is its weakest 6+-share since July 2015's 4.4. Sputtering by seven tenths (6.1 – 5.4, 6+) is
CBS Radio's WBZ-FM "The Sports Hub." The flagship of the
New England Patriots dips from third to fourth. Unchanged at #13, CHR sibling WODS "Amp" drops six-tenths to 2.9 (6+). A November +.4 by "Amp" halted three consecutive downward sweeps that yielded a loss of one full-share (4.1 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.1, 6+). Back in
June, "Amp" had its string of successive up or flat monthlies end at three (3.8 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 4.4, 6+). Its format rival –
iHeartMedia's WXKS-FM "Kiss 108" – doesn't capitalize as it loses four-tenths (5.6 – 5.2, 6+), but stays in fifth-place. In November, "Kiss 108" increased by one-half share to curtail four consecutive declines (6.9 – 6.1 – 5.5 – 5.3 – 5.1, 6+) that resulted in a combined -1.8. WXKS-FM fell to #6 in October, following six successive times at #3. Public WCRB (#14 to #17) was also +.5 in November, but "Classical Radio Boston" spikes downward by eight-tenths in December (2.7 – 3.2 – 2.4, 6+), thus curtailing four successive positive trends which resulted in doubling its 6+-share since July (1.6 – 1.9 – 2.4 – 2.7 – 3.2, 6+).
3)
Detroit – On the heels of November's increase of one-half share,
iHeartMedia adult contemporary WNIC more than doubles it with a +1.1 (5.2 – 5.7 – 6.8, 6+) to zoom from fourth to second. In December
2015, WNIC was #1 with an 8.0 (6+). Bouncing back from November's one-half share decline,
Radio One urban AC WDMK "105.9
Kiss-FM" hangs out a +.7 (3.1 – 2.6 – 3.3, 6+) to progress from #16 to #14. In addition to repeating at #1,
CBS Radio classic hits-oldies WOMC "104.3 Detroit's Greatest Hits" registers its fourth straight gain for a combined +1.7 (5.4 – 6.0 – 6.4 – 6.8 – 7.1, 6+). Moreover, it is the highest 6+-share for WOMC in exactly one year (7.2, December 2015). The station that "Detroit's Greatest Hits" replaced at #1 – cluster-mate WXYT-FM "97.1 The Ticket" – continues to struggle, as the
Detroit Tigers flagship is -2.9 in four straight declines (7.8 – 7.7 – 7.5 – 6.0 – 4.9, 6+), with 4.9 representing its softest 6+-share since March 2014 (4.7). After a one-month hiatus from the top spot, WXYT-FM returned to #1 in September and repeated there in October; "The Ticket" was #1 in April, May, June, and July. Off by nine-tenths and one-half share, respectively are
Beasley Media Group siblings WRIF "Everything That Rocks" (4.8, fourth to seventh, 6+) and WCSX "94.7 Detroit's Classic Rock" (5.2, three-way tie at #4 to #5, 6+). The -.9 by WRIF ends four straight (modest) improvements that netted a +.6 (5.1 – 5.2 – 5.5 – 5.6 – 5.7, 6+); "Everything That Rocks" had been between 5.1 – 5.9 (6+) in each sweep from February 2016 through November 2016. Likewise, the -.5 by "Detroit's Classic Rock" stymies three consecutive gains that yielded a +.8 (4.9 – 5.2 – 5.3 – 5.7, 6+). WRIF and WCSX were formerly the property of
Greater Media. While ending a pattern of 5.0 – 5.5 – 5.0 – 5.5 (6+) with a drop of one-tenth to 5.4 (6+), CBS Radio's all-news WWJ actually jumps from seventh to fourth. A +.4 in
August halted six successive months without an increase (7.8 – 7.6 – 6.5 – 5.7 – 5.2 – 5.2 – 4.6, 6+) that led to a combined
-3.2; WWJ was the market leader (6+) in January and February. Without a decrease in the previous three sweeps for a cumulative +.8 (3.9 – 4.2 – 4.2 – 4.7, 6+), iHeartMedia mainstream CHR WKQI "Channel 95.5 Detroit's #1 Hit Music Station" is off by three-tenths to 4.4 (6+) and slips from ninth to tenth. With each station's
September 2016 6+-stat in parentheses, these
Bell Media (Canada) properties are unlisted for the third straight month: alternative CIMX (1.6); triple A CIDR (1.3); classic hits-oldies CKWW (.2); and talk CKLW (.1).
4)
Miami – On the strength of a +.7 (3.8 – 4.5, 6+),
Spanish Broadcasting System Spanish tropical WXDJ "El Zol 106.7" inches up from ninth to seventh. Following four straight negative trends for a combined -1.7 (4.6 – 4.4 –
4.1 – 3.5 – 2.9, 6+),
Univision Radio Spanish tropical WRTO "Mix 98.3" adds three-tenths (to 3.2, 6+) and shifts from #15 to #14. Off by a combined -1.2 in back-to-back sweeps (4.9 – 4.0 – 3.7, 6+),
Cox Media Group CHR WFLC makes up half of it (4.3,
+.6, 6+) as "Hits 97.3" climbs from tenth to eighth. Adult contemporary cluster-mate WFEZ, a collective +1.1 (6.1 – 6.7 – 7.2, September – October – November, 6+) dips by one-tenth in November to 7.1 (6+), but "Easy 93.1" repeats at #1. Without an increase for the fourth straight sweep resulting in a -1.7 (8.4 – 8.4 – 7.0 – 7.0 – 6.7, 6+),
Entercom-owned, similarly-programmed WLYF "Lite FM" not only slips from second to third, it has its lowest 6+-share since September 2015's 6.2. "Lite FM" was #1 from July through October. The cumulative seven-tenths that Spanish Broadcasting System Spanish contemporary WCMQ "Zeta 92.3" gained in October and November (4.8 – 4.9 – 5.5, 6+) is more than wiped out in December (4.6,
-.9, fifth to sixth, 6+). Finishing first in
June and then second the next three sweeps, Cox Media Group urban AC WHQT "Hot 105" (third-place tie to fourth, 6+) is without an increase for the sixth straight time and is -1.9 in that stretch (8.2 – 8.0 – 7.2 – 7.1 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 6.3, 6+). A loss of six-tenths (2.6 – 2.0, 6+) takes public WLRN (#16 to #19) to its lowest 6+-share since April (2.0 as well). Dropping from seventh to ninth,
CBS Radio rhythmic CHR WPOW "Power 96" (3.9,
-.1, 6+) has its consecutive streak of monthlies without a decrease snapped at seven (3.2 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.9 – 4.0, 6+). Owing to a decline of one-half share to 4.7 (6+), Cox Media Group urban contemporary WEDR sees its string of consecutive up or flat trends that produced a +.7 end at five (4.5 – 4.5 – 4.8 – 4.9 – 4.9 – 5.2, 6+), but "99 Jamz" actually moves from sixth to fifth. After five straight monthlies without a decrease (2.6 – 2.7 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.9 – 3.6, 6+),
iHeartMedia Spanish contemporary WZTU "Donde Viven Tus Hits" (#11 to #12) drops two-tenths to 3.4 (6+); 3.6 was its strongest 6+-stat since February's 4.0.
5)
Seattle – In second-place with a 6.5 (6+) this time last year (December
2015),
Hubbard Radio adult contemporary KRWM "Warm 106.9" boasts a +2.3 (4.4 – 6.7, 6+) to vault from fifth to the runner-up slot. Four-tenths ahead of "Warm" is co-owned CHR KQMV, which sputters by nine-tenths to 7.1 (6+), thus halting a string
of three straight gains that netted a +2.3 (5.7 – 6.4 – 6.9 – 8.0, 6+). Nonetheless, "MOViN 92.5 – All The Hits" is #1 for the
twelfth consecutive sweep. Owing to a +.1 to 3.1 (6+),
CBS Radio adult hits KJAQ "96.5 Jack FM" (#15 to #13) applies the brakes to five consecutive down or flat sweeps that yielded a combined -.8 (3.8 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.6 – 3.5 – 3.0, 6+). This is the thirteenth successive time that
Sinclair Broadcast Group hot AC KPLZ "Star 101.5" (3.3 – 3.4, +.1, #13 to #12, 6+) has been in three-share range (6+). Despite notching a +.2 to 1.6 (6+), which halts three downward monthlies in a row for a collective -1.1 (2.5 – 2.2 – 1.5 – 1.4, 6+),
Classic Radio classical KING must settle for a #24 to #25 move. A combined -1.6 in four successive ratings periods without an increase (4.4 – 3.7 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 2.8),
Entercom rhythmic hot AC KHTP "Hot 103.7 100% Throwbacks" plummets from #12 to #19. Down or flat for the fourth successive time for a cumulative full-share loss (5.1 – 4.8 – 4.6 – 4.1 – 4.1, 6+), CBS Radio classic rock KZOK remains in sixth-place.
6)
Phoenix – Among all stations in the 24
PPM-markets whose data has been released thus far, only
Jerry Lee Radio-owned adult contemporary WBEB "More FM," Philadelphia has a greater November 2016 to December
2016 (6+) gain (
+3.6) than
iHeartMedia's similarly-formatted KESZ (6.3 – 9.8,
+3.5, 6+). A combined -.6 in back-to-back monthlies (6.9 – 6.7 – 6.3, September – October – November, 6+), KESZ is #1 for the
27th successive ratings period and three-tenths ahead of December
2015's 9.5 (6+). Even though it was off by six-tenths this time last month,
Hubbard Radio classic rocker KSLX came within three-tenths of KESZ. The combination of that massive +3.5 by KESZ and a loss of eight-tenths by KSLX (6.0 – 5.2, 6+) though widens the lead between the first-place and second-place finishers to a much more comfortable 4.6 shares (6+). Before the -.6 in November, KSLX put together three successive upward moves (5.9 – 6.4 – 6.5 – 6.6, 6+) that accounted for a +.7. After progressing by seven-tenths in November,
CBS Radio rhythmic CHR KALV "Live 101.5 The Valley's #1 Hit Music Leader" relinquishes all but one-tenth (3.7 – 4.4 – 3.8,
-.6, 6+) to drift from fifth to ninth. Format rival –
The Yucaipa Companies' KKFR "Power" – halts a combined -.5 mini-slide (3.1 – 2.7 – 2.6, 6+) with a +.3 to 2.9 (6+) to advance from #17 to #14. Not only is it down or flat for the fourth consecutive sweep for a cumulative -.9 (4.3 – 4.0 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.4, 6+), iHeartMedia's KNIX "102.5 #1 for New Country" exits the top ten (#10 to #11). One-half share ahead of it is CBS Radio's KMLE "Country @ 107.9," which despite being down one-tenth (4.0 – 3.9, 6+), moves from eighth to seventh. KMLE was up six-tenths in November to bring to a close four straight negative trends for a combined -1.6 (5.0 – 4.1 – 4.0 – 3.9 – 3.4, 6+).
7)
Minneapolis – Faltering in the last five straight ratings periods for a combined
-1.7 (8.0 – 7.5 – 7.2 – 6.8 – 6.5 – 6.3, 6+),
iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KQQL nearly recaptures all of it with a
+1.3 to 7.6 (6+) as "Kool 108 Minnesota's Greatest Hits" rockets from fifth all the way to first. Dislodged from the top spot and tumbling by -1.1 (8.5 – 7.4, first to second,
6+) is co-owned KFXN, which more than doubled its 6+-share between June and October with a cumulative
+4.5 (6+). A -.4 in November, however, brought to an end four straight gains (4.4 – 4.8 – 5.3 – 6.7 – 8.9, 6+). The flagship of the
NFL's
Minnesota Vikings was a combined
+3.6 in September and October. With an 8.9 in October, "Sports Radio FM 100.3 K-FAN" boasted the best 6+-share in its
PPM-history. Two spoken-word outlets account for a combined
+1.2:
Minnesota Public Radio's KNOW (
+.7, eighth to sixth) is up for the third straight time (4.9 – 5.1 – 5.2 – 5.9, 6+), while iHeartMedia's KTLK-AM (
+.5, #15 to #14) is without a loss for the sixth successive sweep (1.4 – 1.5 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.8 – 2.1 – 2.6, #15 to #14, 6+). Down or flat the past five ratings periods for a collective -1.2 (6.3 – 5.8 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 5.3 – 5.1, 6+), co-owned KEEY "K-102 Minnesota's Country Station" adds one-tenth (to 5.2, 6+) and climbs from tenth to eighth. Meanwhile, after registering four successive declines that totaled a -1.4 (5.0 – 4.7 – 4.3 – 4.1 – 3.6, 6+),
CBS Radio's similarly-formatted KMNB "BUZ'N @102.9" (flat at #13, 6+) picked up three-tenths in November only to return it in December (3.6 – 3.9 – 3.6, 6+); 3.6 is its lowest 6+-share since the "Holiday" 2015 report. From December
2015 forward, KBEM has registered a 6+share between .3 and .7, but
Minnesota Public Schools' "Jazz 88 FM" improves by one-half share to 1.0, which is good enough to crack the top 20 (#20, 6+). Faltering by six-tenths each are
Cumulus Media rocker KXXR "93-X" (5.6 – 5.0, seventh to ninth, 6+) and iHeartMedia hot AC KTCZ "The Cities" (5.2 – 4.6, #8 to #11, 6+). Unchanged at #3,
Hubbard Broadcasting's similarly-formatted KSTP-FM "KS-95 Today's Variety" has not had an increase since February and has lost more than three full-shares (-3.1, 6+) or roughly 30% of its 6+-share in that stretch (10.2 – .8 – 9.8 – 9.8 – 9.1 – 9.1 – 8.9 – 7.7 – 7.6 – 7.1 – 7.1, 6+). By picking up one-half share in November, CBS Radio adult hits KZJK "104.1 Jack FM Playing What We Want" crossed the six-share level for the first time since the "Holiday" 2015 report when it reached 6.1, but "Jack" returns the +.5 in its entirety (5.7 – 6.2 – 5.7, 6+) and drops from sixth to seventh. Over the previous ten monthlies, "Jack" had been exclusively in five-share territory.
8)
San Diego – Just one full-share separates the top nine finishers, while one-half share is the difference between the first three. Following November's gain of seven-tenths that put it in a three-way tie at #7, KOGO duplicates the
feat (3.8 – 4.5 – 5.2, 6+) and leaps to the runner-up slot. Prior to November, the
iHeartMedia talker had been in three-share range the previous 16 sweeps. Without an increase for eight consecutive ratings periods resulting in a -1.4 since March (5.5 – 5.1 – 5.1 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 4.4 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.1, 6+), urban-rhythmic oldies XHRM "Magic 92.5 The Beat of San Diego" ends the drought with a gain of one-half share (4.6, tenth to seventh, 6+). In addition to "Magic 92.5," iHeartMedia-owned KGB "San Diego's Classic Rock Music" (#14 to #12) also improves by one-half share (3.3 – 3.8, 6+) and is in three-share range for the thirteenth straight time. Eight consecutive up or flat trends for KFMB-AM have produced a gain of eight-tenths of a share (1.5 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.9 – 1.9 – 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.3, 6+) – the
Midwest Television talker climbs from #19 to a three-way tie at #18. Also part of that three-way tie-up at #18 is
Entercom-owned KBZT "94.9 San Diego's Alternative," which is in 2.1 – 2.6 range (6+) for the thirteenth straight monthly (2.2 – 2.3, +.1, 6+). Albeit down four-tenths to 5.4 (6+) to snap its successive string of up or flat trends that yielded eight-tenths at four (5.1 – 5.3 – 5.3 – 5.8 – 5.9, 6+), adult contemporary cluster-mate KXSN "Sunny 98.1" repeats at #1; November's 5.9 was its best 6+-performance since May's 6.6. "Sunny" advanced from the runner-up spot to #1 in November, displacing iHeartMedia hot AC KMYI "Star 94.1," which had been on top the past five monthlies. Eroding by eight-tenths in December (5.6 – 4.8, 6+), "Star" slips from third to fifth. It is the first time "Star" has been below a five-share (6+) since January's 4.9. After notching six-tenths in November, co-owned mainstream CHR KHTS "Channel 93.3 – San Diego's #1 Hit Music Station" sputters by eight-tenths as well (5.1 – 5.7 – 4.9, 6+) to segue from second to fourth. Its 5.7 was the best (6+) showing for "Channel 93.3" since May 2015 (also 5.7). Off by one-half share (3.9 – 3.4, 6+), sibling KIOZ "Rock 105.3" falls from #12 to #14. Following four consecutive up or flat ratings period that produced a full-share (3.9 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 4.4 – 4.9, 6+), XHTZ "Z-90.3 Today's Hit Music" is down by one-tenth, moving from fourth to fifth.
9)
Tampa – Up for the fifth consecutive time for a cumulative full-share increase (5.5 – 5.6 – 6.0 – 6.1 – 6.2 – 6.5, 6+),
Cox Media Group's WXGL "Classic Hits 107-3 The Eagle" returns to the runner-up slot from #3. Notwithstanding that co-owned adult contemporary WDUV slips by one-tenth in back-to-back sweeps (9.5 – 9.4 –
9.3, 6+), "Lite Favorites" reaches a genuine milestone: It is #1 for the
50th successive ratings period. As co-owned CHR WPOI "Hot 101.5 – All The Hits"
loses one-tenth (5.1 – 5.0, fifth to sixth, 6+),
iHeartMedia's similarly-formatted WFLZ "Tampa Bay's #1 Hit Music Channel"
gains one-tenth (4.3 – 4.4, ninth to seventh, 6+). "Hot" rebounded from October's -.5 with a +.9 in November; the last time it reached the five-share level (6+) was August 2015 (5.0). Steady at #14, iHeartMedia hot AC WMTX "Mix 100.7" adds one-tenth to 3.4 (6+), thus applying the brakes to six consecutive sweeps without an increase for a combined -1.3 (4.6 – 4.3 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 3.4 – 3.3 – 3.3, 6+). This time last month, the market's (6+) country share increased by eight-tenths as
Beasley Media Group's WQYK was +.5 and iHeartMedia-owned WFUS "US-103.5 Tampa Bay's New Country Leader" added three-tenths. While "US-103.5" (#5 to #4) continues on a roll with its fourth straight gain for a net of +1.3 (4.0 – 4.6 – 4.8 – 5.1 – 5.3, 6+), things change in December for "99.5 QYK," which surrenders more than one full-share (5.5 – 4.4,
-1.1, 6+) and dips from fourth to seventh. Beasley Media Group Spanish contemporary WYUU "92.5 Maxima" forfeits the one-half share it gained in November (3.9 – 4.4 – 3.9, 6+) and departs the top ten (#8 to #11). "Maxima" had been in 3.1 – 3.9 range (6+) the previous ten survey periods. Also regressing by one-half share are iHeartMedia urban contemporary WBTP "95.7 The Beat" (6.3 – 5.8, second to third, 6+) and co-owned
Tampa Bay Buccaneers flagship WDAE "Tampa Bay's Sports Radio" (3.1 – 2.6, #16 to #17, 6+). After notching a combined
+1.4 in September and October (2.4 – 3.3 – 3.8, 6+), WDAE lost half that margin in November (
-.7). In advance of September's +.9, WDAE hadn't had an increase the previous four sweeps resulting in a -1.1 (3.5 – 3.5 – 2.8 – 2.6 – 2.4, 6+).
10)
Denver – Trending 5.7 – 5.4 – 5.6 (September – October – November, 6+),
Bonneville adult contemporary KOSI "101 – Real – Music – Variety" erupts with a gain of nine-tenths to 6.5 (6+) to march from third to first. This
time last year, KOSI ranked second with a 6.1 (6+, December
2015). Exiting the penthouse and drifting to fifth-place is
iHeartMedia's KTCL, which ends four straight up or flat sweeps that produced a
+1.3 (5.3 – 6.3 – 6.6 – 6.6 – 6.6, 6+). Its -1.3 takes "Modern Rock Channel 93-3" back to 5.3 (6+). KTCL had been at #1 the past four survey periods. Having posted either a 2.8 (6+) or 2.9 (6+) in six of the last seven sweeps,
Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KLDV "Positive & Encouraging K-LOVE" dials up a +.8 (2.5 – 3.3, 6+) to progress from #18 to #16. In 3.3 – 3.8 range (6+) the past six sweeps,
Entercom hot AC KALC "Alice 105.9" registers a gain of seven-tenths (3.6 – 4.3, 6+) and zooms from #14 to #8; 4.3 (6+) matches what "Alice" notched in May. Powered by a +.6 to 6.0 (6+), co-owned classic rock KQMT "The Mountain" (#5 to #2, 6+) pulls the plug on five straight down sweeps that resulted in a cumulative -2.2 (7.6 – 6.9 – 6.1 – 6.0 – 5.5 – 5.4, 6+). A loss of six-tenths in November by
Bonneville's KKFN halted four successive up or flat trends which netted two full-shares (2.9 – 2.9 – 3.5 – 3.6 – 4.9, 6+); October's 4.9 represents its most potent 6+ showing under
PPM methodology. Off by an additional nine-tenths in December (4.9 – 4.3 – 3.4, 6+), "Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan" freefalls from #8 to #14, where it is tied with iHeartMedia triple A KBCO "World Class Rock" (3.4,
-.8, 6+), which was #9 in November. Jumping from #16 to #12, sibling KBPI "Rocks the Rockies" is in 3.0 – 3.8 range for the thirteenth successive sweep (3.4 – 3.8, +.4, 6+). Dropping from #12 to #13, Entercom rhythmic CHR KQKS "KS-107.5" sputters for the third straight time and is a combined -1.6 since September (5.2 – 4.4 – 3.9 – 3.6, 6+).
11)
Baltimore – Four-tenths of a share separates the market's top three finishers. The wild ride continues for
CBS Radio adult contemporary WLIF "Today's 101.9," which was
+.5 in October;
-1.1 in November; and now
+1.1 in December (7.8 – 8.3 – 7.2 – 8.3, 6+) as it returns to second from third. With a 9.1 (6+), WLIF was the
market's December
2015 pacesetter. A -.4 in September 2016 by "Today's 101.9" ended its string of successive increases – which netted (appropriately) a
+1.1 – at three (7.1 – 7.4 – 7.8 – 8.2, 6+). Down a combined -1.2 as the result of four straight down or flat trends (9.2 – 8.4 – 8.4 – 8.2 – 8.0, 6+),
Radio One urban contemporary WERQ "Q-92 Jams" not only answers with a one-half share gain to 8.5 (6+), it displaces co-owned urban AC WWIN-FM "Magic 95.9," which had been on top the past four sweeps. Without an increase for the sixth consecutive sweep (9.8 – 8.6 – 8.5 – 8.5 – 8.4 – 8.4 – 8.1, 6+), "Magic 95.9" is a cumulative -1.7 since June and segues to third-place. As a result of a -1.2 in July, "Magic 95.9" exited the top spot. Before that, "Magic 95.9" put together four straight increases for a combined
+3.7 (6.1 – 6.5 – 7.1 – 8.2 – 9.8, 6+). In fourth-place for the seventh consecutive sweep,
iHeartMedia-owned WPOC "Baltimore's #1 for New Country" is down by nine-tenths since October (7.2 – 6.9 – 6.3, 6+). After four straight increases for a combined +1.5 (2.8 – 3.0 – 3.6 – 4.2 – 4.3, 6+),
Peter & John Radio Fellowship's WRBS-FM "95.1 Shine" regresses by six-tenths to 3.7 (6+) and exits the top ten (#7 to #11). Back in
August, the contemporary Christian facility picked up two-tenths to halt six successive downward trends (5.7 – 5.6 – 4.4 – 4.2 – 3.9 – 3.2 – 2.8, 6+) which eroded roughly 50% of its 6+-share (and a combined -2.9). Trending 4.2 – 4.1 – 4.0 – 4.2 (6+), CBS Radio hot AC WWMX "Mix 106.5" (ninth in November) slips by one-half share to 3.7 (6+) and ties "Shine" at #11.
12)
St. Louis – It would actually be easier to do a list of St. Louis stations that
didn't make dramatic November 2016 – December 2016 fluctuations. In back-to-back September – October – November sweeps,
Radio One urban-
rhythmic oldies WFUN "95.5 R&B + Old School for The Lou" was off by a combined half share but responded in November with a +1.1 (5.1 – 4.9 – 4.6 – 5.7, 6+). WFUN adds another full-share to 6.7 (6+) to jump from fifth to second. Improving for the third straight time for a combined +2.2 (5.4 – 6.3 – 6.7 – 7.6, 6+),
Hubbard Radio adult hits WARH "The Arch" marches from third to first. That marks the end at #1 for KSHE, which held that spot the past 11 ratings periods. The
Emmis rocker nosedives by more than two full-shares to 6.5 (-2.1, 6+) and lands at #4. Before gaining nine-tenths in November, KSHE was without an increase the previous four ratings periods for a -1.5 (9.2 – 8.3 – 8.3 – 8.1 – 7.7, 6+). In addition to "The Arch," KSHE talk sibling KFTK (#17 to #14) and
CBS Radio adult contemporary KEZK (eighth to sixth) are each up by nine-tenths. This is KFTK's fifth straight increase (2.3 – 2.4 – 2.6 – 3.1 – 3.3 – 4.2, 6+) and third consecutive one for KEZK (4.3 – 4.6 – 4.9 – 5.8, 6+). Radio One urban contemporary WHHL "Hot 104.1" returns to the top ten (#12 to #7). Its rollercoaster now includes September's
+1.6; October's
-.7; November's
-1.1; and December's
+.7 (4.9 – 6.5 – 5.8 – 4.7 – 5.4, 6+). Prior to September, the last time "Hot" crossed the six-share threshold (6+) was December
2014 (6.4). Gaining six-tenths each are
University of Missouri-owned KWMU (tenth to seventh) and
iHeartMedia's KLLT "Alt 104.9" (steady at #19). KWMU is up for the third time in a row (4.2 – 4.6 – 4.8 – 5.4, 6+), while "Alt 104.9" (formerly rhythmic CHR KBWX) had been without an increase the past five sweeps (1.9 – 1.9 – 1.8 – 1.6 – 1.6 – 1.4, 6+). Conversely, Emmis-owned KPNT "105.7 The Point Everything Alternative" drops six-tenths (5.2 – 4.6, 6+) to skid from seventh to tenth. Locked on 6.1 (6+) in October and November, CBS Radio hot AC KYKY "Y-98" (fourth to third) trots out a +.5 to 6.6, its best 6+-showing since May's 7.0. Up a combined +1.3 in October and November (6.4 – 6.9 – 7.7, 6+), iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies outlet KLOU relinquishes all of that plus three-tenths more (6.1,
-1.6, 6+) to slide from second to fifth. Before a +.5 in October, KLOU had been down or flat the previous four sweeps (7.4 – 7.4 – 6.7 – 6.5 – 6.4, 6+) for a net loss of one full-share. In five straight up or flat trends (2.4 – 2.4 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 3.3 – 3.8, 6+), Hubbard Radio's WXOS was a combined +1.4 and had its best 6+-stat since January's 4.1, but "101 Sports" sinks by nine-tenths to 2.9 (#14 to #17, 6+). Shifting from sixth to ninth, co-owned country WIL-FM follows November's -.4 with a loss of six-tenths (5.9 – 5.5 – 4.9, 6+). Previous to November's -.4, WIL notched six consecutive ratings periods without a decrease for a net gain of +1.5 (4.4 – 4.4 – 4.9 – 5.2 – 5.8 – 5.9 – 5.9, 6+).
