Radio Ratings Roundup, November 2023, Part IV

December 1, 2023

Welcome back to the final RRR of NOVEMBER. Let’s face it – this is also the final survey of 2023. Sure, there are still two more books to go but unless you’re unleashing GENE AUTRY or BURL IVES on the masses, you’ll likely take the results with a healthy pinch of flaky salt. Still, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with the math mavens from XTRENDS – will continue to soldier on. We are focused on the time period of OCTOBER 12^TH through NOVEMBER 8^TH. It featured millions of children on a collective sugar high, engagement of the flux capacitor to reverse time and the casting of ballots. Let us begin…

TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER: A Dove Descending

COX MEDIA AC WDUV (105.5 THE DOVE) made the Frosty flip two days before the book ended. Though it remained #1 6+, the station landed its lowest share in over a year (8.6-6.8). The station did pick up a 0.8 share from its stream. BEASLEY Country WQYK was back at #2 though it ended a strong two-book surge (6.7-6.0). Also landing at #2 was BEASLEY Classic Hits WRBQ (Q105), which advanced from #6 with its best performance since FEBRUARY (4.7-6.0). iHEARTMEDIA Country WFUS (US 103.5) dipped to #4 even with its first up book since JULY (5.0-5.4). Its former partner in a #3 tie, COX MEDIA Classic Hits WXGL (107.3 THE EAGLE), moved down to #5 with its lowest score in over a year (5.0-4.7). BEASLEY Rhythmic CHR WLLD (WiLD 94.1) ended a four-book surge (4.9-3.8) as it fell from #5 to #11. It was not alone as that space was also occupied by COX MEDIA Urban AC WTBV (101.5 THE VIBE), which rose from #14 (2.8-3.8), and iHEARTMEDIA AC WMTX (MIX 100.7), which slipped from #9 (4.3-3.8). WDUV remained the cume commander with a 2.4% decrease (588,000-574,100). The market grew by 0.5%.

Back in AUGUST, WQYK was sitting at #8 in the 25-54 rankings. The station has been on a roll since then and this time landed in the top spot with its highest share in over a year. It maintained about a half-share lead over the two #3 stations. WFUS moved up from #4 with a slight increase, while COX MEDIA Talk WHPT (102.5 THE BONE) stepped up from #3 with a slight decrease. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock WXTB had its best book since FEBRUARY as it advanced three spaces to #4. WLLD ended a six-book surge as it fell from first to fifth. WMTX dipped to #6.

There was quite a bit of movement in the 18-34 ranks. WLLD and WFUS were previously tied at #1. WLLD slipped to #2 with a small share loss, while WFUS landed at #3 as it returned most of last month’s large share increase. It was paired with WQYK, which remained in place with its fourth up book in a row. Your new demo leader was WTBV, which advanced from #3 with its best outing in over a year. WRBQ remained at #5 but was joined in that space by COX MEDIA AC WWRM (MAGIC 94.9), which rebounded from a down book.

A flat WFUS moved up to #1 18-49 after taking the last two books off. Prior to SEPTEMBER, the station had led for eight books in a row. This ended the two-book winning streak for WLLD, which stepped down to #2. WXTB moved up to #3 with a solid share increase. WQYK dipped to #4 and was partnered with WTBV, which vaulted from #11 with its highest mark since DECEMBER. BEASLEY Spanish Contemporary WYUU (92.5 MAXIMA) slid to #6 with a small share loss.

DENVER-BOULDER: Feeling Compressed

The top five 6+ stations were all within a share of one another. Previously, KSE RADIO VENTURES Classic Hits KXKL (KOOL 105) and BONNEVILLE Country KYGO were tied at #1. KXKL remained on top (5.6-6.0), while KYGO dipped to #2 (5.6-5.8). BONNEVILLE AC KOSI posted its third up book in a row (5.5-5.7) to remain a very close #3. KSE RADIO VENTURES Hot AC KIMN (MIX 100) landed its largest share since APRIL (4.4-5.1) as it rose from #9 to #4. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTCL (CHANNEL 93.3) repeated at #5 (4.9-5.0), while iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KRFX (103.5 THE FOX) slid to #6 with its smallest share since APRIL (50.-4.7). It was tied with ENTRAVISION Spanish Adult Hits KJMN (LA SUAVECITA 92.1), which arrived from #10 with its third up book in a row (4.3-4.7). KOSI padded its cume lead with an 11.0% increase (478,600-531,400). The market was off by 2.1%.

Last month KTCL’s four-book 25-54 string was snapped by KOSI. This time KTCL was back in the leadership position with a solid increase, while KOSI stepped down to #2 with a down book. A flat KXKL was back at #3, while KJMN leapt from #10 to #4 with its highest mark in over a year. KYGO inched up to #5 as it regained some of last month’s share loss. KRFX slid three places to #7 with its lowest total since MARCH. EMF Christian Contemporary KLDV (K-LOVE) dropped from #5 to #13.

KTCL continued to dominate the 18-34 space. The station was #1 for the ninth book in a row and led a trio of #2 stations by about three-and-a-half shares. AUDACY Hot AC KALC (ALICE 105.9) remained in place, though it returned some of last month’s massive increase. KIMN moved up from #5 with its best book since MARCH, while KXKL advanced from #8 with its highest score in over a year. KOSI repeated at #5 with a slight increase. KRFX slid three places to #6. AUDACY Classic Rock KQMT (99.5 THE MOUNTAIN) slid from a tie at #5 into a three-way meetup at #9. It was huddled with AUDACY Top 40/R KQKS (KS 107.5) – which fell from #3 – and iHEARTMEDIA Country KWBL (106.7 THE BULL), which moved up from #12.

For the sixth straight survey, KTCL was #1 18-49. It also had its first up book since JULY. KXKL was #2 for the third straight survey, while KOSI was back at #3 with a slight increase. Two stations moved up and into a tie at #4. KYGO advanced from #6 with a small increase, while KJMN arrived from #8 with its highest share in over a year. KRFX and ENTRAVISION Regional Mexican KXPK (LA TRICOLOR 96.5) were tied at #4 last month. This time the stations landed at #10 and #11, respectively.

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SAN DIEGO: It’s Always Sunny In…

Got that straight from the local tourism board. It also applies to AUDACY Classic Hits KXSN (SUNNY 98.1), which was #1 6+ for the third book in a row and ninth time in the last ten surveys (6.7-7.0). SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY N/T KPBS moved up to #2 (6.3-6.2). LOCAL MEDIA Rhythmic AC XHRM (MAGIC 92.5) slipped to #3 with its smallest share since JUNE (6.4-6.1). AUDACY Country KSON repeated at #4 with its first down book since JULY (6.0-5.6). LOCAL MEDIA Adult Hits KFBG (100.7 BIG FM) came out of two books’ worth of ratings doldrums as it leapt from #10 to #5 (3.4-4.4). iHEARTMEDIA N/T KOGO-A landed its lowest number in over a year (5.4-4.2) to slip to #6. It was not alone. TELEVISAUNIVISION Regional Mexican KLNV (QUÉ BUENA 106.5) was up from #8 (3.8-4.2), while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KHTS (CHANNEL 933) was up from #9 as it bounced back from a down book (3.7-4.2). KXSN remained in the cume lead with a 6.1% increase (517,800-549,400). The market fell by 2.7%.

For the first time since MARCH, KXSN was #1 25-54. The station also posted its best number since, well, MARCH. This stopped the seven-book winning streak for XHRM, which stepped down to #2 with its smallest share since JUNE. KSON dipped to #3 as it halted a three-book surge. Last month KHTS fell from a tie at #2 to #6. The station rebounded and found itself at #4. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KIOZ had its best book since MAY as it rose two places to #5. KLNV slipped to #6, despite being up for the fourth straight month. AUDACY Sports KWFN (97.3 FM THE FAN) dropped from #4 to #8 with its least productive outing since MARCH.

XHRM had its best 18-34 showing since FEBRUARY as the station notched its fourth win in a row. KSON was back at #2 but with its highest share in over a year. Previously, there was a threesome at #5. KHTS was up to #3 as it got back most of last month’s large share loss. KIOZ stepped up to #4 with its best outing since JULY. KXSN remained in place with a small increase. It had company as LOCAL MEDIA Top 40/M XHTZ (Z90.3) dropped down from a tie at #3. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R KSSX (JAM’N 95.7) also fell out of the tie at #3. It ended up in a tie at #7 with KLNV, which arrived from #13.

For the fifth straight survey, XHRM was #1 18-49 but with a down book. KLNV remained at #2 with its best result since JUNE. This reduced the gap between the two stations to a half-share. KHTS moved up two slots to #3, while KIOZ made a three-square jump to share that spot. KXSN and KWFN had been tied at #2. A flat KXSN dropped to #5, while KWFN fell to #8.

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND): Doin’ Fine On Cloud 9

COX MEDIA Classic Rock WBAB continued to dominate the 6+ paradigm. The station was #1 for the ninth book in a row (8.6-7.8). COX MEDIA Top 40/M WBLI stepped up to #2 with its highest mark in over a year (4.7-5.6). iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHTZ (Z100) stood alone at #3 (4.7-5.0), while AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS slid to #4 (5.0-4.9). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) repeated at #5 (4.6-4.6). For the second straight survey, WBAB had the most cume (426,300-428,300 – a 0.5% increase. The market rose by 0.8%.

While WBAB was #1 25-54 for the third book in a row, the station did take a noticeable share hit. This allowed WHTZ – which was off slightly – to move up and claim a share of the lead. WBLI stepped up to #3 with its best showing in over a year. WCBS dipped to #4 despite a small share increase. WAXQ moved up to #5 and was joined by GOOD KARMA Sports WEPN (ESPN NY 98.7FM), which advanced from #10 with its best outing in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) dropped from #5 to #12 with its lowest score since MARCH.

A flat WBLI was the clear 18-34 winner for the third straight survey. Two books ago, WEPN was languishing at #18. It moved up to #8 last month and landed at #2 this time. The station has more than tripled its share during this run. WHTZ moved up to #3 with a slight decrease, while WLTW dipped to #4. It was tied with WBAB, which descended from #2 as it ended a strong two-book surge. SBS Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) fell from #5 to #10.

In our last episode, WHTZ and WBLI were tied atop the 18-49 leaderboard. WHTZ had a slight increase to stand alone at the summit, while a flat WBLI drifted down to #2. WCBS and WBAB had been tied at #3. WCBS remained in place with a slight decrease, while WBAB stepped down to #4 with a somewhat larger decrease. CONNOISSEUR Hot AC WALK (WALK FM) stepped up to #5 with its first up book since JULY. It was paired with WEPN, which rose from #7. WLTW dropped six places to #11.

CHARLOTTE-GASTONIA-ROCK HILL: Feel The Vibe

For the second book in a row, BEASLEY Urban AC WBAV (V101.9) was #1 6+ (8.4-8.4). For the third consecutive month, URBAN ONE Urban AC WOSF (105.3 RnB) was in second place but with its smallest share since APRIL (7.1-6.8). BEASLEY Country WSOC repeated at #3 but with its lowest mark since JUNE (6.7-5.8). BEASLEY Urban WPEG (POWER 98) had its best outing in over a year (4.7-5.6) as it jumped from #8 to #4. URBAN ONE Talk WBT-A was close behind at #5 (5.3-5.5). iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits WLKO (102.9 THE LAKE) spent the last six days of the survey all draped in its holiday finery. The station had its lowest score in over a year (5.9-4.6) as it fell four places to #8. It was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WRFX (99.7 THE FOX), which dipped from #7 (5.0-4.6). WLKO still had the most cume but with an 18.0% decrease (447,100-366,400). The market shrank by 1.0%.

WPEG received a massive influx of 25-54 share as it leapt from #3 to #1. WOSF was back at #2 with a small decrease and trailed the leader by almost two shares. WBAV inched up to #3 with its highest mark since APRIL. WSOC saw its three-book winning streak grind to a halt as it sank to #4. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WEND (106.5 THE END) stepped up to #5 with its best book since JULY. WLKO dropped four places to land in a tie at #9 with BEASLEY Top 40/M WNKS (KISS 95.1).

Here’s what’s been happening in the 18-34 sphere. Last month WSOC was #1 and in double digits for the third book in a row. WBAV was at #2 but also in double digits. That all changed in this survey. Neither station remained in double-digit territory as WBAV moved up to #1 while WSOC dipped to #2. iHEARTMEDIA Country WKKT (96.9 THE KAT) remained at #3 but moved closer to the leaders, thanks to its best showing since APRIL. WPEG was up two slots to #4 as it halted a steep two-book slide. WNKS advanced three spaces to #5 with its highest score since MAY. BEASLEY AC WKQC (K104.7) also spent the last six days of the book with BURL IVES and his minions. The station slipped to #6 and was tied with WOSF.

WBAV had a flat 18-49 book, but that was sufficient to move the station up to #1 for the first time since APRIL. WOSF stepped down to #2 where it was met by WPEG, which rose from #4 with its best book in over a year. WSOC slipped to #4 with its third down book in a row. Last month there were three stations comingling at #5. WEND stood alone this month with a small increase. WNKS moved down to #6 with a modest decrease. WLKO landed at #7 with its smallest share in over a year.

That’s a wrap on the NOVEMBER survey. Thank you for playing along. Make sure you don’t miss our next adventure by subscribing to our blog here. Feel free to share. And if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints, just send us an e-mail.

-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant

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About Research Director, Inc.: Research Director, Inc. is based in Annapolis, Maryland. We help radio stations’ programming and sales departments maximize the value of their research. For more information, visit www.ResearchDirectorInc.com, call 410-295-6619, or e-mail info@ResearchDirectorInc.com or sallan@ResearchDirectorInc.com.

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