RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, August 2024, Part I

September 3, 2024

Since it has been well established that AUGUST are the dog days of summer, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with our faithful data-crunching companions from XTRENDS – are doggedly in pursuit analyzing and opining about the latest NIELSEN results. No tricks here. We are here to fetch the numbers. Think of us as radio’s best friend.

This survey began its incredible journey on JULY 18^th and came home on AUGUST 14^th. It was a holiday-free time frame, only clouded by the likely decline in PUMM due to vacations, or as HR prefers to call it: PTO.

We are on the clock and ready for duty. Let’s go…

NEW YORK: Same As It Ever Was

For the seventh straight survey, the top three slots on the 6+ leaderboard were filled by members of the same team. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) was back at its customary #1 spot with its first up book since APRIL (7.3-8.0). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) posted its largest share in over a year (5.9-6.5) as it stepped up to #2. Meanwhile, iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) dipped to #3 with its lowest mark since that right jolly old elf was parading around town (6.9-5.9). AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS was back at #4 (5.2-5.4), while MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS repeated at #5 with its third up book in a row (4.9-5.0). Despite losing 1.1% of its cume, WLTW remained the leader in that category (3,463,300-3,423,500). The market was off by 1.3%.

WHTZ was the 25-54 leader for the fourth straight survey and missed hitting double figures by the smallest of possible margins. WLTW ended a three-book slide as it jumped from #5 to #2 but still trailed its cluster brother by more than three shares. WAXQ slipped to #3 with its first down book since MARCH. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WKTU dipped to #4 with a slight decrease, while SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) stepped down to #5.

WLTW continued to dominate the 18-34 space and was back in double digits for the twelfth time in the last 14 surveys. WHTZ remained at #2 as it bounced back from a down book. Still, it trailed the leader by about – get this – six shares! SBS Spanish Contemporary WPAT (93.1 AMOR) pulled in its best number in over a year as it vaulted from #11 to #3. WCBS was up three slots to #4 as it regained most of last month’s share loss. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WWPR (POWER 105.1) was up for the third book in a row as it rose from #8 to #5. MEDIACO Rhythmic CHR WQHT (HOT 97) dipped to #6 as it halted a three-book surge. WKTU and WAXQ were last seen at #3 and #4, respectively. Both stations took large share hits as they landed together at #7.

WHTZ made it three 18-49 wins in a row and was also basking in a double-digit glow. WLTW inched up to #2 as it ended a three-book slide. The station just missed hitting double figures. WSKQ stepped up to #3, despite a small share loss. WAXQ dropped to #4 as it ended a very strong four-book surge. It was paired with WKTU, which returned about half of last month’s solid share increase. This duo was barely outdistancing AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7), which remained at #6 with a flat performance.

LOS ANGELES: Seven On Your Side

I have no idea – is there a Channel 7 in LA? Whatever, AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101 FM) sewed up its seventh straight 6+ win (7.1-6.8). Coming in at a somewhat distant #2 again was iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST (5.3-5.4). TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5) had its best book in over a year as it rose from #6 to #3 (4.1-5.2). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYFM) remained at #4 as it ended a three-book run of flat numbers (4.7-4.9). It was partnered with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM), which stepped down from #3 with its first down book since MARCH (5.1-4.9). AUDACY Rhythmic AC KTWV (94.7 THE WAVE) dipped to #6 (4.5-4.1). Thanks to a 3.9% increase, KOST moved back up to #1 in the cume category (1,933,100-2,008,700). The market grew 0.3%.

For the second book in a row – and third time in the last four surveys – KIIS was #1 25-54. However, it was no longer a solo act as a flat KRTH moved up from #2 to force the tie. KBIG stood alone at #3 with a slight increase, while its former partner in that space – KOST – dipped to #4 with its smallest share since OCTOBER. KLVE moved up to #5 as it bounced back from a down book. AUDACY Adult Hits KCBS (93.1 JACK FM) slipped to #6 with a small share loss.

Last month KRTH slipped from #1 to #3 18-34. The station came back with a vengeance, posting its largest share in over a year as it made a triumphant return to the top spot. It held a two-share advantage over KIIS, which stepped down to #2. KBIG dipped to #3 as it gave back most of last month’s solid share increase. MERUELO Rhythmic CHR KPWR (POWER 106) held firm at #4 with its best performance in over a year. MERUELO Classic Rock KLOS also landed its largest share in over a year as it advanced from #8 to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary KRRL (REAL 92.3) and KTWV were last spotted at #5. Both stations had the exact same share loss as they landed in tandem at #9.

Back in MARCH KRTH, KIIS and KBIG were tied at #1 18-49. For the first time since then, KRTH was back on top. This ended the five-book winning streak for KIIS, which dipped to #2 and was a share off the lead. KBIG stepped down to #3 with a slight increase. KLVE was up to #4 as it rebounded from a down book. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) had only a slight increase but that was enough to propel the station from #8 to #5. KTWV ebbed from #4 to #9.

CHICAGO: Wheels On Fire          

HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE) repeated as the 6+ champion (6.6-6.5). That makes four #1 books in the last five surveys. iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) held steady at #2 (6.5-6.1), while AUDACY News WBBM-A moved up a couple of places to #3 with its best outing since JANUARY (5.2-5.7). iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) landed its lowest share in over a year as it dipped to #4 (5.9-5.3). AUDACY AAA WXRT slipped to #5 as it gave back most of last month’s solid share increase (5.3-4.8). The station was hearing footsteps from AUDACY Country WUSN (US99), which remained at #6 as it rebounded from a down book (4.0-4.7). WLIT still had the most listeners (1,244,000-1,181,500) – a 5.0% decrease. The market was basically flat.

Despite a slight decrease, WVAZ finished at #1 25-54 for the second straight survey. However, it was not alone. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1) ended a steep three-book skid as it moved up from #5 to claim its share of the lead. The next four stations were separated by a half-share. WLIT stepped down to #3 with its sixth straight down book. WXRT dipped to #4 with its smallest share since the geese were making more geese. WUSN inched up to #5 with a small increase, while CUMULUS Classic Hits WLS rose three places to #6 with its first up book since APRIL.

Way back in MAY AUDACY Pop CHR WBBM (B96) was sitting at #10 in the 18-34 competition. Fast forward to the present day and the station leapt from #5 to #1 with its best book in over a year. WUSN was a heartbeat behind as it moved up to #2 with a slight increase. WVAZ stepped down to #3 with a small share loss, while WDRV put it in reverse moving from #1 to #4. These four stations were within a half-share of each other. Last month WOJO dropped from #6 to #15. The station bounced back this time as it landed at #5. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI moved down to #6, while WLIT fell from #3 to #7.

What a difference a month can make. In JULY WOJO dropped from #2 18-49 to #8. The station came back with gusto as it rose to the #1 position. It held a very small lead over WVAZ, which went from a tie at #1 to #2. WUSN repeated at #3 with a small share gain, while WGCI was up two slots to #4 with a slight increase. WLIT had previously been the other half of that #1 pairing. It dropped to #5 this time with its lowest score in over a year. WDRV slipped to #6, while AUDACY Rhythmic AC WBMX (104.3 JAMS) fell from #3 to #7.

SAN FRANCISCO: Quod Erat Demonstrandum

Proving that last month was no fluke, KQED INC. N/T KQED was back at #1 6+ with its best book since JANUARY (7.1-7.9). BONNEVILLE AC KOIT remained at #2 (6.7-6.7), while AUDACY News KCBS-A stepped up to #3 with its best showing since FEBRUARY (5.8-6.6). iHEARTMEDIA Soft AC KISQ (98.1 THE BREEZE) wafted its way down to #4, despite landing its fifth up book in a row (6.1-6.3). BONNEVILLE Pop CHR KMVQ (99.7 NOW) landed its largest share since MARCH to move up to #5 (4.1-4.8). UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Classical KDFC returned all of last month’s big gain – plus a little extra – as it slipped to #6 (5.0-3.8). KOIT remained in cume control with a 0.3% decrease (1,083,600-1,080,800). The market was up 0.7%.

KOIT kept its long, uninterrupted string of #1 25-54 books alive with its best showing since MARCH. KISQ remained at #2 but now trailed the leader by more than two shares. KMVQ stepped up to #3 as it ended a five-book slide. AUDACY Hot AC KLLC (ALICE @ 97.3) moved up to #4 as it came back from a down book. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KYLD (WiLD 94.9) had its best book in over a year as it advanced from #9 to #5. Three stations had previously occupied that spot. None remained. KQED dipped to #6 with a slight increase, while AUDACY Alternative KITS (LIVE 105) slipped to #7 with a small share loss. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KMEL ended up at #8 with its lowest mark since OCTOBER. CUMULUS Classic Rock KSAN (107.7 THE BONE) fell from #3 to #10.

For the first time in over a year, the #1 18-34 station was not sporting the KOIT call letters. Your new market leader was KMEL, which rose from #2 with its best outing since MAY. KOIT stepped down to #2 with its fifth down book in a row. The stations were about a half-share apart. KISQ inched up to #3 with a slight increase. It was paired with KMVQ, which vaulted from #6 with its highest score since FEBRUARY. KYLD moved from #7 to #5 with its largest share in over a year. KITS dropped three places to #6, while KSAN fell from #4 to #8.

KOIT extended its long 18-49 winning streak as it bounced back from a down book. It was more than three shares in front of KMVQ, which stepped up to #2 as it ended a five-book skid. KISQ dipped to #3 as it returned all of last month’s strong increase. KMEL repeated at #4 with a slight increase. KYLD moved up to #5 with its third up book in a row. This pushed KITS down to #6.

DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Market Volatility

It is not often you see the dramatic swings in the 6+ shares as we are about to present. AUDACY Classic Hits KSPF (98.7 THE SPOT) was #1 for the third book in a row but with a dramatic share loss (6.4-4.8). It was also forced to share the spotlight as NORTH TEXAS PUBLIC RADIO N/T KERA zoomed from #14 to claim its share of the lead with its best book in over a year (2.9-4.8). AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) dipped to #3 as it returned most of last month’s large increase (5.6-4.6). It was partnered with TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUE BUENA 94.1), which rose from #5 (4.4-4.6). SERVICE Urban AC KRNB (SMOOTH R&B 105.7) worked it from #9 to #5 with its best outing since APRIL (4.0-4.5). CUMULUS Country KSCS stepped up from a tie to #6 with a tiny increase (4.2-4.3), while CUMULUS Country KPLX (99.5 THE WOLF) slipped to #7 (4.4-4.2). It was tied with cluster bro CUMULUS Sports KTCK (1310 & 96.7 THE TICKET), which remained in place (4.2-4.2). SALEM AC KLTY fell from #3 to #10 with its smallest share since MARCH (4.6-3.7). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) posted its lowest number since BURL IVES was fouling the airwaves as it dropped from #4 to #11 (4.5-3.5). We’re not done yet. Though iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1) was sitting at #15 in the share category (3.1-2.9), it moved back to #1 in cume despite an 8.0% decrease (1,005,300-925,300). The market fell by 1.1%. Whew!

There was less drama in the 25-54 arena, but things were not exactly stable. KLNO rose from #5 to #1 as it regained most of last month’s large share loss. KSCS was up two places to #2 with a slight increase. KPLX dipped to #3 as it surrendered most of last month’s big increase. KJKK went from first to fourth with a noticeable loss of share. AUDACY Mexican Regional KMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5) advanced four squares to #5 with its highest mark since JANUARY. KERA rose from #12 to #6. KHKS dropped from #3 to #9.

Despite a slight decrease, KLNO was the 18-34 winner for the seventh straight survey. Two stations moved up to forge a tie at #2. KSCS had been at #4 and posted its largest share in over a year. SERVICE Urban Contemporary KKDA (K104) stepped up from #3 with its best showing in exactly a year. URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBFB (97.9 THE BEAT) advanced four spaces to #4 with its best book in over a year. Those four stations were within a half share of one another. Two stations moved up to a distant #5 tie. KPLX inched up from #6 with its lowest mark since APRIL, while KDGE arrived from #10 as it halted a seven-book slide. KJKK dropped from #5 to #11 with a rather large share loss. KHKS fell from #1 to #13, shedding more than half its previous share in the process.

The 18-49 turmoil was bubbling below the surface as KLNO was #1 for the eighth book in a row. KSCS moved from #6 to #2 with its best showing since OCTOBER. Two books ago KRNB was sitting at #16. This time it was resting comfortably at #3 with its highest score in over a year. KERA rocketed from #16 to #4, while three stations were huddled together at #5. KMVK and KBFB rose in unison from #9, while KKDA stepped down from #4. KHKS dropped from #2 into a tie at #8 with KPLX and KTCK. KJKK dropped eight places to #11.

We appreciate your patience and indulgence. We still have another 15 markets to dissect.  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

About XTrends: XTrends is radio’s favorite tool for reviewing ratings. Click here to see why all of radio’s major groups love XTrends!

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.

• Tweet