RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, June 2024, Part I

July 9, 2024

JUNE is that month that inspires what we now call memes. Is it the month that is “bustin’ out all over”? Or are we preparing for a “JUNE swoon”? Those seem to be competing themes. And why are JUNE weddings so desired? (Trust me – you do not want to go down that Reddit rabbit hole.)

After extensive musings, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with the data-driven diviners from XTRENDS – have discovered that JUNE is merely the sixth survey of the year. It ran from MAY 23^RD through JUNE 19^TH. It featured not one but two federally mandated holidays, the day for dad and, of course, the end of the school year. Cue ALICE COOPER and read on…

NEW YORK: Win, Place & Show

The top three positions on the 6+ leaderboard were, once again, the private domain of one cluster. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) continued as the runaway leader (8.9-8.2), while iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) in its customary #2 slot (6.3-6.9). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) was back at #3 with its third up book in a row (5.6-5.7). The next two stations had their best outings since JANUARY. AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS repeated at #4 (5.2-5.6), while MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS vaulted from #8 to #5 (3.9-4.8). AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7) remained frozen at #6 but with its highest mark since DECEMBER (4.1-4.4). AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) slid to #7 (4.3-4.2), though the station did gain an additional 0.4 share from its stream. As always, WLTW was the cume leader (3,709,200-3,525,800) – a 4.9% decline. The market was up 0.1%.

In the coveted 25-54 race, the top two stations landed their largest shares in over a year. WHTZ made it back-to-back wins, while WAXQ rose from #4. WLTW dipped to #3 with its smallest share in over a year. SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) rebounded from a down book to move up to #4, while iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WKTU slipped to #5 with its lowest score since NOVEMBER. A flat WCBS stepped down to #6.

The top four 18-34 players remained in their same positions as last month with WLTW running away with the demo, thanks to another double-digit share, though it was not as robust as last month’s. WHTZ was back at #2 with a small loss, but the gap between the two stations shrank by about a share. WAXQ was still sitting at #3 with a small share loss, while WNEW remained at #4 but with its best showing in over a year. WCBS moved up to #5 with its highest mark since JULY, while WKTU slid to #7 with its fourth down book in a row.

WHTZ had its best 18-49 book in over a year as it stepped up to #1. This ended the four-book winning streak for WLTW, which dipped to #2 with its lowest total since JANUARY. WAXQ repeated at #3 with its third straight up book, while WSKQ remained at #4 as it halted a two-book slide. WNEW advanced two squares to #5 with its fifth up book in a row. WKTU slid into a tie at #6 with WCBS.

LOS ANGELES: The Good Earth

AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101) was the 6+ winner for the fifth straight survey. The station also had its best book since AUGUST (5.7-6.4). iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST was back at #2 but the station ended a five-book slide (5.2-5.8). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) stepped up to #3 with its best showing in over a year (4.6-5.1). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.1 MYFM) dipped to #4 (4.7-4.7), while TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5) repeated at #5 with its fourth up book in a row (4.4-4.5). KOST retained the cume crown with a 2.5% increase (2,157,700-2,210,900). The market was essentially flat.

Last month KIIS ended KOST’s six-book 25-54 winning streak. Those tables were turned as KOST was back at #1 with a solid share increase. A flat KIIS dipped to #2. KBIG repeated at #3 with a slight decrease, while KRTH ended a four-book slide as it rose from #7 to #4. KLVE stepped down to #5, despite landing its largest share since SEPTEMBER. SBS Mexican Regional KLAX (LA RAZA 97.9) and AUDACY Adult Hits KCBS (93.1 JACK FM) had been tied at #5. KLAX moved down to #6 with a slight decrease. KCBS landed at #8 where it was joined by AUDACY Rhythmic AC KTWV (94.7 THE WAVE) and iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7).

The earth moved with the 18-34 crowd as KRTH shook, rattled and rolled from #5 to #1. This was the station’s first appearance in the top spot since OCTOBER. KBIG advanced two spaces to #2 with its highest mark since NOVEMBER. This ended the three-book winning streak for KIIS, which slipped to #3 with its smallest share since OCTOBER. KLVE and KCBS were cojoined at #2 last survey. KLVE was off slightly to slide to #4, while KCBS returned a good portion of last month’s huge increase as it alit at #5.

KIIS had its fourth straight up 18-49 book, each of which placed the station at #1. KBIG was flat for the second book in a row to repeat at #2. KLVE inched up to #3 with its highest score in over a year. KRTH rose two places to #4 as it halted a four-book slide. KOST remained at #5 with a slight decrease, while KLAX dropped from #3 to #6 as it returned all of last month’s share increase.

CHICAGO: Two Became One

Last month iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) and iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) were tied at #2 6+. That partnership did not endure as WLIT moved up to the top spot (6.3-6.6), while WVAZ was left behind at #2 (6.3-6.2). This ended the two-book winning streak for HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE), which slid to #3 (7.1-6.1). AUDACY News WBBM-A was back at #4 (5.2-5.4) and only added a 0.1 share from its stream. AUDACY Country WUSN (US99) repeated at #5 (5.1-5.1). Despite losing 5.9% of its previous total, WLIT was still the cume commander (1,385,500-1,304,100). The market fell by 1.1%.

WLIT had a slight share loss, but that did not prevent the station from claiming the #1 spot with the 25-54 crowd. This ended the five-book reign of TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1), which dipped to #2 with its smallest share in over a year. AUDACY AAA WXRT was flat but still moved up two places to #3. AUDACY Rhythmic Oldies WBMX (104.3 JAMS) had its best book since OCTOBER as it rose to #4. It had company as SBS Mexican Regional WLEY (LA LEY 107.9) arrived from #12 with its highest mark in over a year. Two stations exited the top five. WUSN dropped three slots to #6, while WVAZ fell from #4 to #7.

The 18-34 waters were quite turbulent. WUSN jumped from #3 to #1 with what was easily its best book in over a year. WDRV was back at #2 but with a significant share loss. WLIT ended its five-book slide to advance from #6 to #3. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) repeated at #4 but with its lowest mark since store shelves were full of eggnog. AUDACY Pop CHR WBBM (B96) soared from #10 to #5 with its highest share in exactly a year. Three stations were huddled together at #6. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI moved up a spot with a slight increase, while WVAZ stepped down from #5 with its smallest share since OCTOBER. Rounding out the triad was WOJO, which fell from #1, thus ending its five-book winning streak. The station came close to losing half its previous share.

WLIT ended a three-book 18-49 slide as it stepped up to #1. WOJO ended a five-book winning streak here, as well, as it dipped to #2 with its lowest score in over a year. WUSN was back at #3 with a slight increase. Also landing on that space was WLEY, which moved up from #9 as it regained all of last month’s huge share loss. A flat WBMX stepped up to #5. WDRV and WVAZ were tied at #3 last month. The stations remained an item but at #6 instead.

SAN FRANCISCO: And The Beat Goes On

Once again, BONNEVILLE AC KOIT was the 6+ winner. The station also ended a three-book slide (6.8-7.7). KQED INC. N/T KQED was back at #2 as it regained all of last month’s large share loss (5.9-7.1). AUDACY News KCBS repeated at #3 (5.7-5.4). It picked up an additional 0.1 share from the stream. Also landing at #3 was iHEARTMEDIA Soft AC KISQ (98.1 THE BREEZE), which blew in from #4 with its best outing since JULY (5.1-5.4). Despite the fact that the GIANTS were not lighting the world on fire, CUMULUS Sports KNBR-A (THE SPORTS LEADER) had its best book in over a year (4.2-4.5). That pushed the station up to #5. BONNEVILLE Pop CHR KMVQ (99.7 NOW) stepped down to #6 with its lowest mark since AUGUST (4.6-4.2). KOIT continued in the cume top spot with a 0.1% increase (1,207,300-1,208,200), while the market rose 1.1%

The AC format ruled the 25-54 realm. Of course, KOIT was #1 again as it rebounded from a down book. KISQ had a strong share increase as it rose from #5 to #2. Still, it was about three shares behind the leader. KMVQ dipped to #3 with its fourth straight down book, while a flat AUDACY Hot AC KLLC (ALICE @ 97.3FM) stepped down to #4. CUMULUS Classic Rock KSAN (107.7 THE BONE) moved up to #5 with its sixth up book in a row. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KMEL dropped from #3 to #6.

KOIT posted its lowest 18-34 number since JULY, but that did not prevent the station from finishing in first place for the twelfth straight survey. KMEL was back at #2, though with a noticeable share loss. AUDACY Alternative KITS (LIVE 105) was up for the third book in a row to remain at #3. KMVQ repeated at #4 with a slight increase. It was joined in that space by iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KYLW (WiLD 94.9), which advanced from #6 with its largest share in over a year. KSAN slipped to #6 and was in league with KISQ.

KOIT was flirting with double figures as it continued its long #1 18-49 string. KMVQ was back at #2 with a small share loss. It was paired with KISQ, which rose from #4 with its best book since FEBRUARY. KMEL dipped to #4 with its smallest share since OCTOBER. A flat KITS repeated at #5 and it had company as KYLD came up from #10 with, once again, its best book in over a year.

DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Spot On

After applying liberal layers of sunscreen, AUDACY Classic Hits KSPF (98.7 THE SPOT) landed its largest share in over a year (4.6-6.0) as it leapt from #4 to #1 in the 6+ arena. This pushed CUMULUS Sports KTCK (1310 & 96.7 THE TICKET) down to #2 (5.3-5.1). TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) dipped to #3 (5.2-4.9), while two stations took up residence at #4. CUMULUS Country KPLX (99.5 THE WOLF) stepped down from #3 as it gave back most of last month’s share increase (5.0-4.5). AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) was up two slots as it bounced back from a down book (4.0-4.5). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) fell from #4 to #7 (4.6-3.9). Despite an 8.1% decline, iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1) was back as the cume leader (1,089,900-998,100). The market was off by 3.3%.

KTCK did experience a small 25-54 share loss, but the station was still able to repeat as the demo leader. KLNO was back at #2, and the two competitors were less than a half share apart. KJKK advanced two spaces to #3 as it regained most of last month’s share loss. KPLX dipped to #4, while two stations moving in opposite directions met up at #5. CUMULUS Country KSCS moved down a spot with a small decrease, while KSPF rose from #7 with its best outing since OCTOBER. Shout out to SERVICE Urban Contemporary KKDA (K104), which made the leap o’ the month, moving from #20 to #8.

KLNO was down but notched its fifth 18-34 win in a row, while KSCS moved up to #2 with a slight increase. The gap between them was nearly two shares. KHKS landed its lowest number since figgy pudding was on the menu as it dipped to #3. KPLX was back at #4, while AUDACY Alternative KVIL (ALT 103.7) repeated at #5. Both stations had small share decreases.

For the sixth straight survey, KLNO was perched atop the 18-49 leaderboard. The station had its first up book since MARCH. KTCK moved up two slots to #2 with its most productive outing in over a year. KHKS and KSCS were formerly partners at #2. Both stations were down this survey and landed at #3 and #4, respectively. KKDA vaulted from #17 to #5 and narrowly defeated iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9), which turned it up from #11 to #6. KPLX and KDGE were last seen hanging out at #5. KPLX dropped to #9 as it gave back most of last month’s solid share increase. KDGE fell to #10 and was tied with AUDACY Mexican Regional KMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5) and iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KEGL (97.1 THE EAGLE).

One down, three to go. Thanks for being a part of our cume. If you know of someone who still does not know we have migrated here after the demise of ALL ACCESS, send them this link.

Next up in the queue: HOUSTON, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON D.C., PHILADELPHIA and BOSTON, in that order.

-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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