Hot Topics
RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, February 2024, Part III
March 20, 2024
Here’s another useless FEBRUARY fact for you. It is the only month that can pass without having a full moon. Betcha won’t see that on Jeopardy.
But we are not here for trivial factoids or meaningless drivel. No, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – in a close-knit formation with the numbers crunchers from XTRENDS – are here to deliver industry-relatable knowledge. We are dealing with the ratings: that 28-day recurrence that can, among other things, lead us to question our very existence. Yes, it is that important (except when it isn’t).
The FEBRUARY survey ran from the 1st through the 28th, had a long holiday weekend and features a rodent predicting the weather. It does not get stranger than that.
SEATTLE-TACOMA: Cry Wolf
In seven of the nine previous surveys, AUDACY Country KKWF (100.7 THE WOLF) was #1 6+, including last month. Alas, that all changed this time as UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW moved up to the top spot with its best book since OCTOBER (6.9-7.2). Shed not a tear for KKWF as it did step down to #2 but was still very much in the hunt (7.3-7.1). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZOK repeated at #3 with its highest score since JUNE (5.8-6.4), while AUDACY Active Rock KISW was back at #4 (5.4-5.3). HUBBARD Pop CHR KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5) jumped from #11 to #5 with its best showing since MAY (4.0-4.9). AUDACY AC KSWD (94.1 THE SOUND) dipped to #6 (4.6-4.8). HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM 106.9) had the most cume again (556,900-569,900) – a 2.3% increase. The market rose by 0.9%.
After taking the last couple of books off, KKWF was back atop the 25-54 leaderboard. This dethroned KISW, which stepped down to #2. The stations were separated by less than a half share. KQMV repeated at #3 with its highest mark in over a year, while a flat FRIENDS OF KEXP Alternative KEXP remained at #4. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KBKS (HITS 106.1) held firm at #5 with a small increase.
As recently as DECEMBER, AUDACY Alternative KNDD (107.7 THE END) was languishing at #15 18-34. The station has more than doubled its share since then, and this time it wound up in first place. It was sharing the spotlight with KKWF, which was unable to duplicate last month’s double-digit performance. Two stations moved up and into a tie at #3. KZOK had been at #5 and rebounded from a down book, while KBKS had its largest share in over a year to advance from #7. Three stations were a huddled mass at #5. KQMV dropped from #2 with its lowest total since JULY, while KISW slipped from #3 as it gave back some of last month’s large increase. KRWM joined the fray from a tie at #8 with its best Frosty-free share in over a year. AUDACY Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT 103.7) fell from a tie at #5 into one at #9 with KSWD.
KQMV was, well, on the move as it arrived at #1 18-49 with its best book in over a year. KKWF stepped down to #2 and was a bit more than a half share behind the leader. KISW repeated at #3 with a slight increase, while KEXP held steady at #4 with its highest score since MARCH. KBKS maintained its presence at #5 with a solid increase. KZOK was not far behind at #6.
MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: When You’re Hot, You’re Hot
Some of you are now dealing with an unfortunate earworm… COX MEDIA Urban AC WHQT (HOT 105) may have returned some of last month’s large increase (9.4-8.2), but the station was still #1 6+. TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR 107.5) was back at #2 but with its lowest total since AUGUST (7.6-7.0). AUDACY AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM) bounced back from a down book (5.2-5.9) as it stepped up to #3. This pushed format rival COX MEDIA AC WFEZ (EASY 93.1) down to #4 (5.9-5.8). MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS N/T WLRN had its best book in exactly a year (4.1-5.1) as it moved up to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Adult Hits WMIA (MAGIC 93.9) slipped to #6 (4.4-4.8). Thanks to a 4.5% increase, WLYF retook the cume lead (684,800-715,600). The market was up 1.4%.
For the second month in a row – and sixth time in the last seven surveys – WAMR was #1 25-54. WLYF moved up to #2 as it regained all of last month’s rather large share loss. It was about a half share off the pace. WFEZ stepped up to #3 with its best outing since APRIL, while WMIA slipped to #4. Also landing its highest share since APRIL was iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WZTU (TÚ 94.9), which advanced two places to #5. For the first time in over a year, WHQT was not in the top five. It dropped to #8 with its third down book in a row.
Last month three stations were tied at #1 18-34. None of them remained in that spot. In their stead was TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WRTO (MIX 98.3). Just two books ago, the station was ranked 11th. It moved up to #5 last time and sat in first place in this survey. WZTU posted its best number in over a year but still had to step down to #2. COX MEDIA GROUP Urban Contemporary WEDR (99 JAMZ) went from first to third as it ended a four-book surge. The next two stations on our list each had their best book in over a year. SBS Spanish Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL 106.7) vaulted from #9 to share the #3 space with WEDR. AUDACY Country WKIS (KISS COUNTRY 99.9) moved from #7 to #5. WAMR fell from #1 to #6 with its lowest mark since JUNE. It was tied with WHQT, which posted its lowest number in over a year.
WMIA was #1 18-49 for the third book in a row but it was not alone. It was paired with WZTU, which over the last four books has gone #11-#8-#4-#1. Not a bad trend. WFEZ advanced two spaces to #3 with its best showing since AUGUST. WAMR slid to #4 with its lowest score since AUGUST and was partnered with WRTO, which rose from #7 with its highest number since MARCH. WLYF leapt from #11 to #6 as it bounced back from a down book. WHQT fell from #3 to #7.
Shameless plug: You know we can help you identify your biggest listeners? Let us show you how that works.
PHOENIX: Double O Seven
It would seem that iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9 KEZ) has a license to kill in the ratings. The station was #1 6+ for the seventh straight survey and hit double digits without the help of performance-enhancing music (9.6-10.1). HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX was back at #2 (7.0-6.8), while its younger and more pierced bruh HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD held steady at #3 (5.3-5.3). DESERT VALLEY Adult Hits KOAI (95.1/94.9 THE WOW FACTOR) stepped up to #4 (4.6-4.8), while iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX advanced two places to #5 (4.0-4.0). AUDACY Classic Hits KOOL (BIG 94.5) returned most of last month’s large increase (4.9-3.9) as it slipped to #6. It was joined there by iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 THE MOUNTAIN), which rose up from #9 (3.5-3.9). As usual, KESZ had the most listeners (883-800-882,600) – a 0.1% decrease. The market added 1.5%.
KESZ had its best Frosty-free share in over a year to capture the 25-54 flag for the fifth book in a row. KUPD was up to #2 with its best showing since OCTOBER and was just under a share off the lead. HUBBARD Alternative KDKB (ALT AZ 93.3) dipped to #3 and was tied with cluster brother KSLX, which moved up a spot with a slight decrease. A flat KNIX repeated at #5, while KYOT jumped from #10 to #6 with its highest score since SEPTEMBER.
For the fourth straight survey, KESZ was in double digits 18-34. This time that was enough to place the station at #1. KDKB could not extend its double-digit streak to three as it stepped down to #2. KUPD was up three slots to #3 with its best book in over a year. AUDACY Pop CHR KALV (LIVE 101.5) dipped to #4 as it returned most of last month’s big share increase. KNIX and arch nemesis AUDACY Country KMLE had been tied at #4. Both stations lost the exact same amount of share to remain together but a step down the ladder at #5.
KESZ continued to dominate the 18-49 sphere as it finished in first place for the seventh straight survey. After just missing out last month, the station was back in double figures. KUPD stepped up to #2 with a small increase but was more than four shares off the lead. KDKB dipped to #3 with its lowest score since NOVEMBER, while KNIX stood alone at #4 with a slight decrease. Two stations moved up to lay claim to the #5 position. KSLX had been at #7 and had a slight increase, while KYOT turned it up from #11 with its best showing since SEPTEMBER. KALV fell from a tie at #4 into a tie at #7 with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KZZP (104.7 KISS FM).
DETROIT: In The NIC Of Time
Proving it did not need the considerable assistance from BURL IVES and his minions, iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC was back up to #1 6+ (7.6-7.9). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKQI (CHANNEL 955) moved up to #2 with its highest mark since SEPTEMBER (6.9-7.3). As the LIONS’ Cinderella story came to an untimely end, AUDACY Sports WXYT (97.1 THE TICKET) slid from first to third with its smallest share since JULY (9.8-7.1). The station did get a 1.1 share lift from its stream. AUDACY Country WYCD inched up to #4 (6.3-6.5), while BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF stepped up to #5 with its best performance in over a year (6.0-6.2). BEASLEY Classic Rock WCSX had its smallest share since AUGUST (6.6-6.1) as it slipped to #6. It was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.3), which rose from #9 (5.3-6.1). WNIC was still #1 in cume with one miiillllion listeners (916,700-1,000,000) – a 9.1% increase. The market was up 0.1%.
For the first time since SEPTEMBER, WKQI was #1 25-54 and had a huge lead over the next three stations, two of which were clumped together at #2. WRIF moved up a spot with a slight increase, while WNIC rose from #4 with its best Frosty-free share in over a year. WXYT was close behind as it slipped from first to fourth. WMXD had its highest mark since SEPTEMBER to move up two places to #5. WYCD stepped down to #6 despite a small increase. It narrowly defeated BEASLEY Rhythmic AC WMGC (105.1 THE BOUNCE), which landed at #7 with its best book since AUGUST.
For the eleventh time in the last 14 surveys, WKQI was back in double figures 18-34 to take first place. It also held a better than a six-share lead over the three stations claiming to be #2. WRIF was up from #4 with a small decrease, while WYCD rose from #5 with a small increase. WNIC advanced from #6 with its best Frosty-free share in exactly a year. Two stations dropped down and into a tie at #5. WXYT was at #2 but landed its lowest number since SEPTEMBER. AUDACY Classic Hits WOMC slid from #3 as it surrendered a good portion of last month’s massive share increase.
After taking a breather for the last three books, WKQI was back at #1 and in double digits 18-49. WNIC moved up to #2 with a strong share increase but remained more than two shares off the pace. WXYT fell from first to third and was tied with WRIF, which held steady with a slight decrease. WMGC jumped three places to #5 with its highest score since AUGUST. WYCD dipped to #6 with a small share loss.
Shameless plug: Our sales clients show they close a lot of business thanks to our help. We can show you how we can increase your revenue.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: The Mission Continues
For the seventh time in the last 10 books, UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST. PAUL Contemporary Christian KTIS was both #1 and in double digits 6+ (10.7-10.5). MPR N/T KNOW was truly “in the know” as it moved up to #2 with its best showing in over a year (6.6-7.4). The station also garnered an additional 0.7 share from its stream. iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (K-FAN FM 100.3) dipped to #3 (7.5-7.1), while HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) continued its post-holiday recovery as it leapt from #7 to #4 (5.4-6.4). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) posted its lowest score in over a year (6.7-6.1) as it drifted down to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K102) slipped to #6 (5.7-5.2). KQQL still gathered the most cume (732,300-706,400), despite a 3.5% decrease. The market was off by 1.0%.
KSTP completed its 25-54 redemption tour. Back in NOVEMBER, the evil elves ended the station’s eight-book winning streak. Well, it was back on top this time and possessed nearly a share lead over CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X), which repeated at #2. KFXN went from first to third and was tied with KTIS, which moved up a spot as it bounced back from a down book. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDWB had its highest total since OCTOBER as it rose from #7 to #5. It basically changed places with KEEY, which slid to #7 as it gave back some of last month’s huge share increase.
Up until the HOLIDAY book, KDWB was riding a nine-book 18-34 winning streak. The station was back at #1 this month with its first up book since OCTOBER. KEEY stepped down to #2 as it lost most of last month’s massive increase. It was paired with KQQL, which moved up from a three-way tie at #4 with its best Frosty-free share since MARCH. KSTP continued to hover at #4 with a modest increase, while AUDACY AC KZJK (104.1 JACK FM) dropped from the tie at #4 into one at #5 with KXXR, which posted its lowest number since MAY.
After a three-book hiatus, KSTP was back at #1 18-49 and flirting with double digits. KXXR returned most of last month’s large increase as it dipped to #2. A flat KTIS held steady at #3, while the tie at #4 was broken. KFXN remained in place with a modest decrease, while KZJK slipped to #5, thus ending its three-book surge. Not far behind was KDWB, which was up to #6 with a small share gain.
We appreciate your studious perusal of this missive. Our fourth and final installment is in the oven and baking the results for TAMPA, DENVER, SAN DIEGO, NASSAU-SUFFOLK, and CHARLOTTE.
If you haven’t done so, please subscribe to our blog here.
As always, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. stand ready to help you grow your ratings and revenue. Click the link below to get the gruesome details.
-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant
About XTrends: XTrends creates simple pictures of sometimes complex and difficult-to-understand information. To more easily navigate Nielsen ratings click here!
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.
Comments