PPM Data – Part Four. “Holiday” 2016 ratings information

Monday, January 30, 2017 Jan 30th 2017, 05:56, by TALKERS PPM Data – Part Four. "Holiday" 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 "Holiday" 2016 survey period covered December 1, 2016 – January 4, 2017. Managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his "Takeaways" from all 12 of these PPM-markets. TWELVE TAKEAWAYS 1) Austin – Not only has Entercom adult contemporary KKMJ nearly tripled its 6+-share over the course of five straight up or flat trends (4.3 – 5.1 – 5.1 – 5.6 – 6.5 – 12.6, 6+), "Majic 95.5" progresses from third to first. Moreover, with the 12.6 in "Holiday" 2016, KKMJ shatters its own mark for Austin's highest-ever 6+ PPM stat – previously 11.4. Ousted from the top spot it held in November and December, Emmis adult hits KBPA "Bob" (9.6 – 7.7, -.9, 6+) drops to second-place. KBPA had been #1 each month in calendar year 2016, 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. Picking up six-tenths each are Capitol Broadcast Association classical KMFA "89.5 Classically Austin" (.8 – 1.4, #21, 6+) and University of Texas at Austin triple A KUTX "The Austin Music Experience" Conversely, "Austin Music Experience" sibling KUT plummets by a combined -2.6 in December and "Holiday" (9.0 – 7.4 – 6.4, 6+). It falls from the runner-up slot it occupied the previous five ratings periods before advancing from third in October to first. Significant month-to-month swings are common for KUT, which was +1.2 (December 2015); -.1.0 (April 2016); +.7 (July); +1.3 (August); -.9 (September); +1.3 (October); -1.6 (December); and now -1.0 in "Holiday" 2016. Prior to August, the last time KUT crossed the eight-share barrier (6+) was February 2011 when it reached 8.5. The market's country share drops by a cumulative two shares, with iHeartMedia siblings KASE "101 FM – Austin's #1 For New Country" (4.9 – 3.9, -1.0, sixth to ninth, 6+) and KVET-FM "98.1 All Time Country Favorites" (6.2 – 5.4, -.8, unchanged at #4, 6+) absorbing the majority of the decrease. Flat at #18, Genuine Austin Radio-owned KOKE "Austin's Country Alternative" drops two-tenths (2.1 – 1.9, 6+). 2) Milwaukee – Approximately 11 months ago, Milwaukee Radio Alliance hot AC WLDB began transitioning back to its previous adult contemporary format; this holiday season, "B-93.3 The 80s to Today" began playing all-Christmas music earlier than in the past. In its fourth straight progressive trend (3.7 – 4.0 – 4.3 – 4.5 – 8.3, 6+), WLDB chalks up a +3.8 and rockets from tenth to second. Ahead of "B-93.3" by nearly three full-shares and on top for the 21st successive time is iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WRIT "95.7 Big FM – Milwaukee's Greatest Hits." Recent fluctuations for "Milwaukee's Greatest Hits" include +1.7 (October 2015); -.7 (November 2015); +5.6 ("Holiday" 2015); -5.7 (January 2016); +1.3 (February); +1.1 (April); -.6 (May); -1.1 (August); -.6 (September) +1.2 (November); -.5 (December); and now +2.1 in "Holiday" 2016 (9.1 – 11.2, 6+). WRIT posts its strongest 6+-share in exactly one year (14.4, "Holiday" 2015). Entering the December sweep, Saga Communications' WHQG "102.9 The Hog – Everything That Rocks" was without a loss the previous four ratings periods for a collective +1.4 (4.6 – 5.1 – 5.1 – 5.6 – 6.0, 6+). It then sputtered by eight-tenths but now bounces back with a +.5 (6.0 – 5.2- 5.7, 6+), climbing from eighth to fifth. Following back-to-back showings of +.7 in November and December (2.3 – 3.0 – 3.7, 6+), Scripps Broadcasting's WKTI "94.5 KTI Country" falters by eight-tenths to 2.9 (6+), but remains at #13. The five latest trends for "94.5 KTI Country" have been -.6 (September); -.5 (October); +.7 (November); +.7 (December) and "Holiday" 2016's -.8. 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+); 3.7 in December 2016 was the strongest 6+-showing for WKTI since 4.0 in December 2014. Down one-half share in December, its format rival – iHeartMedia's WMIL "FM 106.1 Milwaukee's Best Country" – regresses by eight-tenths in "Holiday" 2016 as well and departs the top ten (#9 to #12). As was the case in December, this is the closest WKTI has been to WMIL since WKTI transitioned to country from adult hits WLWK "The Lake" in late-May 2014. In four straight down or flat trends, "FM 106.1" is a combined -1.6 (5.9 – 5.9 – 5.6 – 5.1 – 4.3, 6+). Locked on 5.9 (6+) in October and November, WMYX "99.1 The Mix" gained two tenths in December but the Entercom hot AC stumbles by -1.2 (6.1 – 4.9, 6+) and slides from fourth to seventh. In addition to declining by -1.1 to halt three straight sweeps without a decrease (4.9 – 5.2 – 5.5 – 5.5, 6+), co-owned CHR WXSS "103.7 Kiss FM" leaves the top ten (#6 to #11). A combined -1.2 between September and November (3.9 – 3.1 – 2.7, 6+), iHeartMedia's similarly-formatted WRNW improved by one-half share in December but surrenders that entire margin (2.7 – 3.2 – 2.7, 6+); "97.3 Now – Milwaukee's #1 For All The Hits" carries on at #14. Also in that iHM cluster, talk WISN (5.5 – 4.6, sixth to ninth, 6+) and urban contemporary WKKX "V-100.7 Jams" (second to fifth, 6+) slip by nine-tenths and six-tenths, respectively. "V-100.7" is down one full share in three straight downward trends (6.7 – 6.6 – 6.3 – 5.7, 6+). After advancing by one-half share to 6.3 for its best 6+-stat since 6.5 in the "Holiday" 2015 report, Saga Communications' WKLH "96.5 – Milwaukee's Hometown Rock" returns all of it and is back at 5.8 (third to fourth, 6+). 3) Indianapolis – While Bonneville Salt Lake City adult contemporary KSFI boasts the highest "Holiday" 2016 6+-share of any station in the 48-PPM markets (20.6), Emmis' similarly-programmed WYXB "Soft Rock B-105.7" claims top honors for greatest December 2016 – "Holiday" 2016 (6+) increase (8.3 – 17.7, +9.4, 6+) and repeats at #1. It improved in three straight sweeps (August-September-October) for a cumulative +1.1 (6.4 – 6.6 – 7.3 – 7.5, 6+) before declining by one-half share in November – "B-105.7" is in double-digits (6+) for the first time in exactly one year (15.4, 6+, "Holiday" 2015). Within three-share range the past seven survey periods, Radio One CHR WNOW "Now 100.9" busts out a +1.6 to 5.0 to leap into the top ten (#12 to #6). After six successive positive trends for a collective +1.7 (5.3 – 5.6 – 5.7 – 6.0 – 6.2 – 6.5 – 7.0, 6+), Cumulus Media-owned WFMS "95.5 The Country Station" is off by -1.1 to 5.9 (6+, fourth to fifth, 6+). December's 7.0 was the highest 6+share for WFMS in more than three years (7.6, 6+, November 2013). Posting a +1.3 in November, WNOW gospel cluster-mate WTLC-AM "1310 The Light" follows with a combined -1.9 in December and "Holiday" (2.6 – 1.8 – .7, 6+), slipping from #14 (December) to #19 ("Holiday"). December's -.8 ended its string of five straight sweeps without a loss that netted two full-shares (6.- .7 – .7 – .9 – 1.3 – 2.6, 6+). The previous sweep, "The Light" doubled October's 1.3 and nearly tripled September's .9. In addition to WFMS and WTLC-AM, also deflating by -1.1 are WNOW's CHR rival – Entercom's WZPL (7.3 – 6.2, third to fourth, 6+). The string of consecutive up or flat trend gains that netted Cumulus Media's WJJK a combined +.7 (7.1 – 7.4 – 7.6 – 7.8 – 7.8, 6+) ends at four as "Classic Hits 104.5" collapses by twice that increase (7.8 – 6.4, -1.4, 6+), moving from second to third. A December drop of two-tenths by Emmis' country WLHK "97.1 Hank" concluded three straight sweeps without a decline for a combined +.6 (4.7 – 4.7 – – 5.2 – 5.3, 6+). Off by one full-share (5.1 – 4.1, 6+), "Hank" dips from seventh back to eighth. 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+). Within 5.4 – 5.7 range (6+) the past five sweeps, iHeartMedia's WFBQ "Q-95 Indy's Classic Rock" sputters by nine-tenths to 4.6 (sixth to seventh, 6+). Owing to three straight June through September increases, co-owned 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); answered with a +.8 in November; -1.1 in December; and is -.8 in "Holiday" (5.6 – 4.7 – 5.5 – 4.4 – 3.6, 6+). "Alt 103.3" departs the top ten (#8 to #12). This is the tenth straight time that Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting's WFYI (2.8 – 2.1, -.7, #13 to #14, 6+) is in 2.1 – 2.8 range (6+). Down one-half share (4.2 – 3.7, 6+) and slipping from ninth to tenth, Entercom hot AC WNTR "107.9 The Mix" – Better Variety for a Better Workday" concludes its consecutive string of registering a 6+-share between 4.0 – 4.9 at 20. 4) Providence – A collective +8.5 in December and "Holiday" (9.5 – 10.6 – 18.0, 6+), Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI "Lite Rock 105" is #1 for the fifteenth successive ratings period. "Lite Rock 105" registered three straight progressive trends (July – August – September) netting one-half share (9.4 – 9.6 – 9.7 – 9.9, 6+) and was a cumulative -.4 in October and November (9.9 – 9.8 – 9.5, 6+). At this time last year, WWLI was #1 as well with an 18.6 (6+, "Holiday" 2015). Trending 4.1 – 5.0 – 4.6 – 5.0 (September-October-November-December, 6+) talk sibling WPRO-AM spirals by -1.6 to 3.4, moving from sixth to seventh. CHR cluster-mate WPRO-FM "Today's Hit Music 92 PRO FM" flounders by one full-share (8.7 – 7.7, 6+) and is caught in the runner-up position by iHeartMedia's WHJY "94-HJY Providence's Home of Rock and Roll" (8.3 – 7.7, -.6, 6+). In December, "Providence's Home of Rock and Roll" returned more than half of the eight-tenths it gained in November (8.8 – 8.3, -.5, 6+). Off by eight-tenths each are WHJY's hot AC and classic hits-oldies siblings WSNE "Coast 93.3" (5.4 – 4.6, flat at #5, 6+) and WWBB "B-101," which has its fourth straight decline for a net loss of -1.4 (5.3 – 4.9 – 4.8 – 4.7 – 3.9, 6+) yet bumps up from seventh to sixth. Unchanged at #4, Hall Communications' WCTK "Cat Country 98.1" falters by seven-tenths (7.3 – 6.6, 6+), while Cumulus Media rhythmic CHR WWKX "Hot 106" registers its third consecutive sweep without an increase (3.0 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.0, 6+) but remains at #9. 5) Raleigh – Fourteen (14) recent (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; -.5 in November 2016; +.9 December; and now a +5.2 in "Holiday" 2016. The Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary repeats at #1 (8.0 – 13.2, 6+) and enjoys its finest 6+-showing since "Holiday" 2015's 14.3. In an October 2015 – December 2016 timeframe, "Mix 101.5" has been in sole possession of first-place eight times and shared top honors three times. Not only does Radio One gospel WNNL climb from sixth to fourth, "103.9 The Light" extends its successive string of up or flat trends to seven (3.8 – 4.2 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 4.8 – 5.1 – 6.1 – 6.6, 6+) for a cumulative +2.8. Stuck on 5.7 (6+) in November and December, iHeartMedia talker WTKK sinks by -1.3 to 4.4, dipping from seventh to eighth. Falling from fourth to sixth (6.0, -1.1, 6+), Curtis Media Group's WQDR "94.7 Today's Best Country" sees its streak of consecutive progressive trends – which netted a +1.5 – end at five (5.6 – 6.2 – 6.3 – 6.6 – 7.0 – 7.1, 6+). Registering a 7.7 (6+) in three of the last four sweeps and in 7.6 – 7.8 range the past six monthlies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's WUNC (#2 to #3) deflates by nine-tenths (7.7 – 6.8, 6+). Off by one-half share each are iHeartMedia's WRDU "Classic Rock 100.7" (4.9 – 4.4, ninth to eighth, 6+) and Curtis Media Group classic hits-oldies WPTK "Just Right Radio" (1.1 – .6, flat at #19, 6+). 6) Norfolk – There is genuinely major news in this Virginia market and it happens within the Entercom cluster as adult contemporary WWDE "101.3 2WD" logs a massive +7.1 (6.3 – 14.4, 6+) to storm from third to first. That means "2WD" unseats urban AC sibling WVKL (12.3 – 11.0, -1.3, first to second, 6), which had been in the driver's seat the past 55 ratings periods. Even so, "Smooth R&B From Yesterday & Today" is in 11.0 – 12.7-share range for the eighth time in the last nine sweeps. The last time WVKL was not in double-digits (6+) was when it registered a 9.8 in January 2014. As for "2WD," it 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, WWDE was in second-place in "Holiday" 2015 with an 11.8 (6+). Having notched 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 "MOViN 107.7" rebounds with a combined +5.5 in December and "Holiday" (1.9 – 4.0 – 7.4, 6+), jumping from seventh (in December) to third. Regressing by one full-share each are urban contemporary cluster-mate WOWI "103 Jamz" (7.1 – 6.1, 6+) and Entercom rhythmic CHR WNVZ "Z-104 All The Hits" (3.2, fifth to seventh, 6+). Segueing to fourth, "Jamz" had occupied the runner-up slot the past twelve sweeps; it was -.9 in December. Following 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+). In four-share range (6+) for the 13th straight time, "Z-104" has May through December (6+) trends of 4.2 – 4.0 – 4.2 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 4.1 – 4.2 – 4.2. This marks the sixth consecutive sweep that 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 – Powered by an improvement of four full-shares (9.1 – 13.1, 6+), Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA "Mix 92.9" returns to double-digits for the first time since February 2016's 10.2 (6+) and is #1 for the 59th consecutive ratings period. This is the best (6+) performance for "Mix" since its 15.6 in "Holiday" 2015. A +.2 back in August stymied seven straight downward trends that yielded a net loss since the "Holiday" 2015 report of -7.4 (15.6 – 10.7 – 10.2 – 9.7 – 9.6 – 9.1 – 8.3 – 8.2, 6+). When WUBT "101.1 The Beat" lost one full-share in December to 4.9 (6+), it not only broke an August to November pattern of 6.1 – 5.9 – 6.2 – 5.9 (6+), it sent the iHeartMedia urban contemporary to below a five-share (6+) for the first time since July 2013 (4.8). By bouncing back and recapturing that one-share in its entirety though, "The Beat" jumps from tenth to third (4.9 – 5.9, 6+). Stuck on 1.0 (6+) in four of the last six sweeps and on .9 (6+) in the other two, Cromwell Group's WPRT "ESPN Nashville 102.5 The Game" adds one-half share (1.0 – 1.5, 6+) to inch up from #19 to #17. When Cumulus Media's similarly-programmed WGFX lost two-tenths in November, it ended a string of three consecutive improvements which resulted in a +4.1 since July (3.7 – 4.0 – 5.4 – 7.8, 6+). Now in back-to-back monthlies, the Tennessee Titans flagship is a combined -1.7 (7.6 – 6.8 – 5.9, 6+) but remains in third-place. Albeit off by one full share, iHeartMedia CHR WRVW "107.5 The River" (7.2 – 6.2, 6+) repeats in the runner-up slot. It trailed "Mix" by 1.9 shares (6+) in December but "Mix" has widened the gap to 6.9 shares. After a string of three consecutive progressive trends that produced a combined +.8 (5.2 – 5.4 – 5.9 – 6.0, 6+), sibling WWTN "Super Talk 99.7" surrenders that eight-tenths completely and is back at 5.2 (6+, fifth to seventh). Sputtering by seven-tenths each are country cluster-mate WSM-FM "Nash Icon" (5.5 – 5.0, seventh to eighth, 6+) and Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WLVU "Positive and Encouraging K-LOVE" (2.6 – 1.9, #15 to #16, 6+). Without a decrease in the past five sweeps for a cumulative +.9 (5.2 – 5.2 – 5.3 – 5.8 – 6.1 – 6.1, 6+), Cumulus Media urban AC WQQK "92-Q" (fourth to fifth) is down by one-half share to 5.6 (6+). Two talkers – Nashville Public Radio's WPLN (flat at #11, 6+) and iHeartMedia's WLAC (1.2, #17 to #19, 6+) – decrease by one-half share as well, with WPLN returning December's +.5 (4.2 – 4.7 – 4.2, 6+). WLAC had been up the past three ratings periods (.8 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.7, 6+) for a combined +.9. 8) Greensboro – On the strength of its third straight gain, iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMAG marches from second to first and matches the 15.2 (6+) it logged exactly one year ago ("Holiday" 2015). Its last 11 (6+) fluctuations are -.9 (March); +.5 (April); +.9 (May); -.3 (June); -.7 (July); -.5 (August); +.7 (September); -.6 (October); +.4 (November), +2.4 (December) and now this robust +5.5 in "Holiday" 2016. A gain of one-half share (2.2 – 2.7, 6+) propels Curtis Media Group regional Mexican WYMY "La Ley 101.1" into the top ten (#11 to #10, 6+). It is the 17th straight time that "La Ley" is in two-share range. Following four successive sweeps in the lead, Entercom rhythmic CHR WJMH "102 Jamz The Hip-Hop Station," a combined -1.9 in December and "Holiday" 2016 (12.4 – 11.7 10.5, 6+), shifts to #2. The -.7 by WJMH in December halted five straight increases that generated a collective +3.8 since June (8.6 – 9.8 – 10.0 – 10.1 – 10.6 – 12.4, 6+); 12.4 (November 2016) is the best-ever (6+) showing for "102 Jamz" in its PPM-history. Unchanged at #4, adult hits sibling WSMW "Simon" spikes by -1.1 (9.4 – 8.3, 6+). A combined +1.1 in October and November (3.9 – 4.4 – 5.0, 6+), iHeartMedia talker WPTI (flat at #8) forfeits all of it in December and "Holiday" (5.0 – 4.5 – 3.9, -1.1, 6+), while co-owned WVBZ is down seven-tenths (3.7 – 3.0, 6+) and is unchanged at #9. The market's country rivals are each down by four-tenths and remain separated by one-tenth: Entercom's WPAW "93.1 The Wolf" is 5.2 – 4.8, (steady at #6, 6+) while iHeartMedia's WTQR "New Country Q-104.1" is 5.1 – 4.7 (flat at #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. 9) West Palm Beach – Taking advantage of a +2.7 (6.4 – 9.1, 6+), Alpha Media adult contemporary WEAT "Sunny 107.9" (ranked third in December) leapfrogs hot AC sibling WRMF to cruise into the top spot. December's +.4 by "Sunny" curtailed a three-month slide for a cumulative -1.9 (7.9 – 7.6 – 6.3 – 6.0, 6+). Its 9.1 in "Holiday" 2016 is two-tenths ahead of what "Sunny" posted one year ago (8.9, 6+, "Holiday" 2015). On top the past five ratings periods, WRMF takes over at #2, fully relinquishing the one-half share it picked up in December (7.7 – 8.2 – 7.7, 6+). 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. Consecutive increases in October and November (3.8 – 4.3 – 4.7, 6+) gave co-owned WMBX a collective +.9, but "X-102.3" returned seven-tenths of it in December. The urban AC recaptures that seven-tenths in "Holiday" 2016 (4.0 – 4.7, 6+) as it carries on at #8. As WAY Media contemporary Christian WAYF gains one-half share (4.3 – 4.8, seventh to sixth, 6+), public WLRN slips by that margin (2.8 – 2.3, 6+) but stays at #9. The fact that WLRN records a decrease is rather significant as it had avoided one in the last ten sweeps (1.8 – 1.9 – 1.9 – 2.0 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.7 – 2.8, 6+), yielding one full-share. 10) Jacksonville – Energized by a +.5.8 (8.9 – 14.7, 6+), Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ "Lite 96.1 – Today's Variety" returns to double-digits (6+) for the first time since July's 10.2 as it surges from second to first. One year ago at this time ("Holiday" 2015), "Lite 96.1" was #1 with a 19.7 (6+). Owing to December's +4.5 (6.8 – 11.3, 6+), iHeartMedia WQIK jumped from fifth to first. With a loss of six-tenths, however, "99.1 – Jacksonville's Country" takes over in the runner-up slot vacated by "Lite 96.1" Prior to a modest one-tenth gain in November, "Jacksonville's Country" was down two full-shares as a result of being without 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 was 11.3 the best-ever 6+-stat for WQIK, it is the eighth-highest 6+-share of any Jacksonville station in the PPM-era. "Lite 96.1" has the top seven 6+-showings, including 14.7 in "Holiday" 2016. Among other Jacksonville outlets impacted by WEJZ's +5.8 is Cox Media Group's similarly-formatted WEZI "Easy 106.5," which deflates by -1.3 (3.4 – 2.1, #13 to #14, 6+). Returning to third from fifth with a gain of three-tenths to 7.4 (6+), co-owned WJGL "Eagle 96.9 Jacksonville's Classic Hits" pulls the plug on three consecutive monthlies without an increase (9.3 – 8.1 – 8.1 – 7.1, 6+) that produced a -2.2; 7.1 was its lowest 6+-share since 5.8 in the "Holiday" 2014 report. A combined +2.4 in October and November (6.5 – 7.2 – 8.9, 6+), talk sibling WOKV is a collective -2.3 though in December and "Holiday" 2016 (8.9 – 8.1 – 6.6, 6+), tumbling from third to fifth; November 2016's 8.9 was the highest 6+-stat for WOKV since November 2012 (9.9). Locked on 3.8 (6+) in November and December, iHeartMedia adult hits WWJK "107.3 Jack FM" regresses by one full-share to 2.8 (6+) and departs the top ten (#10 – #12). Within 2.0 – 2.9 range (6+) for the ninth successive sweep, CHR sibling WKSL "97.9 Kiss FM" drops one-half share (4.5 – 4.0, 6+) to slip from eighth to ninth. 11) Memphis – On the strength of a hefty gain of five full-shares (7.1 – 12.1, 6+), Entercom adult contemporary WRVR "104.5 The River" busts out of a fourth-place tie and sails to #1. When "The River" added one full-share in December, it ended three straight downward moves that accounted for a -1.6 (7.7 – 7.1 – 6.3 – 6.1, 6+). This is the strongest 6+-showing since 14.0 in Holiday 2015 for "The River," which dislodges iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS "V-101" from the lead. Without an increase for the eighth straight time (12.5 – 11.6 – 10.7 – 10.5 – 10.2 – 9.9 – 9.9 – 9.3 – 9.3, 6+), "V-101" is -3.2 in that stretch. It had been #1 the past ten monthlies but slides to #2. Down a combined eight-tenths in consecutive sweeps (5.8 – 5.3 – 5.0, October-November-December, 6+), gospel cluster-mate WHAL "Halleluiah" answers with a +1.3 (6+, seventh to fifth) and has its best 6+-stat (6.3) since March (6.6). Despite posting a gain of one-half share (8.6 – 9.1, 6+), Cumulus Media's WRBO "Soul Classics & Today's R&B," which had been in the runner-up spot the past seven survey periods, moves to #3. WRBO regains the one-half share it lost in December, following November's +.8 (8.3 – 9.1 – 8.6, 6+). Back-to-back modest declines by "Soul Classics" in August and September produced a combined loss of seven-tenths (8.5 – 8.2 – 7.8, 6+), but WRBO wiped out most of it with a one-half share gain in October. Deflating by -1.1 each are iHeartMedia talker WREC (4.3 – 3.2, 6+) and Entercom hot AC WMC-FM "FM 100 Today's Best Mix" (6.0, fourth to sixth, 6+). Flat 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+) but was then +.8 in December. Immediately prior to the -1.1 in "Holiday" 2016, "FM 100" put together six successive improvements netting over two full-shares (5.0 – 5.4 – 5.7 – 6.0 – 6.4 – 6.6 – 7.1, 6+). Co-owned country WLFP was up by one-half share in December as well (2.9 – 3.4, 6+), having its finest 6+-performance since August 2014 (3.5); however, "94.1 The Wolf" sputters by six-tenths to 2.8 (6+, flat at #11. Its format rival, Cumulus Media's WGKX, relinquished all but one-tenth of November's eight-tenths' gain in December (5.1 – 4.4, -.7, 6+) and now "Kix 106 Today's Best Country" further erodes by one-half share to 3.9 moving from an eighth-place tie to ninth. October's +.3 curtailed three successive negative trends by "Kix 106" that produced a -.7 (4.7 – 4.6 – 4.4 – 4.0, 6+). 12) Hartford – Over and above being #1 for the fourth consecutive ratings period, CBS Radio adult contemporary WRCH "Lite 100.5" trots out a whopping +7.6 for its fourth straight increase (9.3 – 9.6 – 10.1 – 10.8 – 18.4, 6+), producing a cumulative +9.1 (nearly doubling September's 9.3). Lite" eclipses the 17.8 (6+) it logged in "Holiday" 2015.  In November, Lite 100.5" returned to double-digits (6+) after a two-month hiatus. It 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 "Lite" recorded an 8.7. Entering the September sweep, WRCH 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. Up three-tenths to 5.1 (6+), rhythmic CHR sibling WZMX "Hot 93.7" (eighth to sixth) pulls the plug on four consecutive negative trends that accounted for a loss of nearly three full-shares (7.5 – 7.4 – 6.2 – 5.9 – 4.8, 6+). After posting a gain of one-half share in December, iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WHCN "105.9 The River" (fourth to fifth, 6+) spirals by -1.5 to 6.6 (6+). This decrease completely erases the cumulative +1.5 "The River" picked up in four straight improvements (6.6 – 7.3 – 7.5 – 7.6 – 8.1, 6+). Floundering by -1.4 each are co-owned WWYZ "Country 92-5" (8.2 – 6.8, third to fourth, 6+) and public WNPR (4.4, seventh to eighth). 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+), "Country 92-5" picked up four-tenths in December. It 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+). This constitutes the first decrease for Connecticut Public Broadcasting's WNPR in the last six ratings periods where it accumulated a +2.7 (3.1 – 3.3 – 3.9 – 4.0 – 5.0 – 5.4 – 5.8, 6+). Slipping by six-tenths each are Connoisseur Media talker WDRC-AM (#12 to #13) and the HD2 channel of Red Wolf Broadcasting's WMRQ (2.5 – 1.9, flat at #11). WDRC-AM had been up or flat in each of the last five sweeps (.4 – .4 -.5 – .7 – .8 – 1.3, 6+) and in December, it crossed the one-share threshold (6+) for the first time since a 1.4 in the "Holiday" 2015 report. Unchanged at #9, co-owned WDRC-FM "102.9 The Whale – Hartford's Classic Rock" is without an increase for the seventh straight sweep accounting for a -2.6 (6.0 – 5.9 – 5.6 – 5.2 – 4.7 – 4.5 – 3.9 – 3.4, 6+). In addition to WDRC-FM, iHeartMedia CHR WKSS "Kiss 95.7 – All the Hits" drops one-half share as well (5.2 – 4.7, 6+). As a result of December's +.2, "Kiss" curtailed five successive down or flat trends that produced a collective -1.5 since June (6.5 – 6.3 – 6.0 – 6.0 – 5.3 – 5.0, 6+).