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RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, September 2024, Part III
October 2, 2024
The SEPTEMBER hits just keep on coming. We do not have an exact count, but it feels like there are more songs written about this month than any other. According to AI, this is because the month can cause a mix of emotions, including nostalgia and reflection. Or because it rhymes with “remember.” It’s a coin toss for us.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – in cahoots with the math mavens from XTRENDS – are set to dive even further into this most recent survey. In case you’re keeping score at home, this book ran from AUGUST 15TH through SEPTEMBER 11TH. School was back in session, tailgating was back, and there was a tribute to labor. Here’s how that affected the numbers in our next group of markets.
SEATTLE-TACOMA: Wait, Wait…
…don’t tell me, but UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW was #1 6+ for the third book in a row (8.6-8.4). Even though iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZOK landed its lowest share since JANUARY (7.1-6.1), the station managed to cling to its #2 ranking. AUDACY Active Rock KISW repeated at #3 (5.9-5.4), while iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 THE JET) ascended to #4 as it rebounded from a down book (4.2-4.9). BONNEVILLE N/T KIRO had its first down book since APRIL (5.3-4.7) as it dipped to #5. It was met headlong by AUDACY Country KKWF (100.7 THE WOLF), which moved up a slot as it halted a four-book slide (4.2-4.7). The station formerly known as THE SOUND, became AUDACY Hot AC KSWD (EMMA 94.1) towards the end of the survey. It fell from #5 to #10 (4.3-4.0). After a two-book hiatus, HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM 106.9) was back atop the cume heap, thanks to a 1.3% increase (464,300-470,500). The market was off 1.1%.
Sometimes you win just by showing up. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KBKS (HITS 106.1) was flat 25-54 but repeated as the demo leader. Last month four – count ’em – four stations were tied at #3. This time there was a threesome at #2. A flat HUBBARD Pop CHR KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5) remained in place. KKWF and KISW moved up from the tie at #3 to fill out the triumvirate. AUDACY Alternative KNDD (107.7 THE END) went from that #3 tie to #5 as it, ahem, ended a three-book surge. AUDACY Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT 103.7) left that #3 relationship and landed at #6.
For the second book in a row, KBKS was both #1 and in double figures with the 18-34 crowd. Last survey KKWF fell from #1 to #7. The station regained all that lost share – plus a little extra – as it vaulted to #2. There was a three-way tie at #3. KNDD remained in place with a small increase, while KQMV dipped from #2 with a rather large decrease. KJEB flew in from #5 with its best book in over a year. KRWM had its highest Frosty-free number in over a year as it rose from #10 to #6. KISW dropped from a tie at #3 to #7.
The top three 18-49 stations were separated by a very small margin. KBKS stepped up to #1 with a slight increase, while last month’s leader – KQMV – dipped to #2 with a small decrease. KKWF loped from #6 to claim its share of the #2 prize as it rebounded from a down book. KISW repeated at #4 with a small decrease and was paired with KNDD, which stepped down a spot as it halted a three-book surge. KHTP fell from #5 to #8 and was tied with KSWD.
MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: Hot Stuff
Of course, COX MEDIA Urban AC WHQT (HOT 105) was #1 6+ again. While getting dangerously close to hitting double figures in the last couple of books, the station finally made it to that hallowed ground (9.8-10.5). iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Adult Hits WMIA (MAGIC 93.9) stood alone at #2 with its highest mark in over a year (5.9-6.2). SBS Spanish Contemporary WCMQ (Z92.3) slipped from a tie at #2 into one at #3 (5.9-5.6). The station did pick up a 0.2 share from its stream. Making up the other half of that #3 relationship was AUDACY AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM), which rose from #5 (5.2-5.6). TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR 107.5) slipped to #5 (5.3-5.1) and was paired with COX MEDIA AC WFEZ (EASY 93.1), which stepped up from #6 (5.1-5.1). Last month WFEZ knocked WLYF off its cume-leading perch. WLYF was back at #1 this time with a 3.8% increase (682,200-707,800). WFEZ moved down to #2 with a 4.5% decline. The market was up 1.5%.
For the fourth book in a row, WMIA was #1 25-54, and by a wide margin. WLYF moved up to #2 but was still more than two and a half shares off the lead. SBS Spanish Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL 106.7FM) stepped up to #3 with a small increase. Two stations came bounding in from outside of the top five to join forces at #4. WFEZ improved from its #7 ranking with a slight increase, while the recently rebranded AUDACY Rhythmic Oldies WPOW (POWER96) turned it up from #11 with its highest score in over a year. WHQT slid from #2 to #6, while COX MEDIA Rhythmic AC WFLC (HITS 97.3) went from #5 into a tie at #9 with WAMR.
The 18-34 arena was all about togetherness. COX MEDIA Urban Contemporary WEDR (99 JAMZ) was #1 for the second straight survey and for the eighth time in the last 10 books. However, it was forced to share as WLYF moved up from a tie at #4 when it bounced back from a down book. A flat WHQT stepped up from the tie at #4 to #3. Then you had five stations massed together at #4. WPOW rose from #9 with a small increase, while a flat SBS Latino Urban WRMA (RITMO 95.7) moved up from #7. iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WZTU (TÚ 94.9) was up from #11 as it ended a three-book slide. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WMIB (103.5 THE BEAT) arrived from a tie at #13 as it bounced back from a down book. And finally, WAMR advanced from #16 with its best outing since MARCH. But wait, there’s more. WFEZ dropped from a tie at #2 into a three-way situation at #9 with WXDJ and TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WRTO (MIX 98.3). We’re not finished. WCMQ fell from that tie at #2 into an arrangement at #14 with AUDACY Country WKIS (KISS COUNTRY 99.9) and iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHYI (Y100). Whew!
WMIA was the runaway 18-49 leader for the second straight survey. It had about a two-share lead over the two stations that moved up to force a tie at #2. WLYF advanced from #6 as it rebounded from a down book, while WXDJ arrived from #5 with its highest score since DECEMBER. WHQT slid to #4 with a modest decrease, while WFEZ dropped to #5 with a slight decrease. It was partnered with WPOW, which moved up from #11 with, once again, its best book in over a year. WCMQ fell from a tie at #3 into one at #8 with WRTO and WZTU.
PHOENIX: Hit The Easy Button
Ho Hum. iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9 KEZ) was #1 6+ again. Tell us something new. OK, the station made it consecutive double-digit performances (10.1-10.1). HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX returned at #2 (6.1-6.2), while iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 THE MOUNTAIN) remained resolute at #3 (4.6-4.6). HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD repeated at #4 (4.5-4.2). It was forced to share that spot with AUDACY Classic Hits KOOL (BIG 94.5), which rose from #7 (3.9-4.2). iHEARTMEDIA N/T KFYI-A ended a four-book surge (4.2-3.0) as it fell from #5 to #13. KESZ shed 10.6% of its cume but was still #1 (849,100-759,400). The market was up 1.0%.
KESZ made it an even dozen – twelve #1 25-54 books in a row. The station was unable to extend its two-book double-digit streak. KUPD repeated at #2 but was more than three shares off the lead. KYOT moved up two places to #3 with a slight decrease, while HUBBARD Alternative KDKB (ALT AZ 93.3) dipped to #4 with its lowest mark since NOVEMBER. iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX was up three slots to #5 with a small share increase. It was paired with BONNEVILLE Sports KMVP (ARIZONA SPORTS 98.7FM), which advanced from #13, most likely thanks to the DIAMONDBACKS’ ultimately unsuccessful playoff run. KSLX slid from #4 into a tie at #7 with ENTRAVISION Mexican Regional KLNZ (LA TRICOLOR 103.5).
KESZ made it three straight 18-34 wins and hit double figures for the second straight survey. It also had more share than the next two stations combined. KUPD moved up to #2 with its best book in over a year, while AUDACY Pop CHR KALV (LIVE 101.5) dipped to #3 as it returned most of last month’s massive increase. KDKB had its smallest share in over a year as it dipped to #4. It was tied with KYOT, which stepped up from #5, and KOOL, which advanced from #8 with its first up book since MAY. SIERRA H Rhythmic AC KZCE (101.1 THE BOUNCE) bounded from #5 to #10 where it was partnered with KFYI-A and DESERT VALLEY Hot AC KMVA (HOT 97.5 & 103.9).
For the eighth time in the last 14 surveys, KESZ was in double figures with the 18-49 group. Of course, the station continued its long, uninterrupted string of #1 books. KUPD was back at #2 with a slight decrease and was nearly five shares off the pace. KDKB repeated at #3 but with its lowest mark in exactly a year. KNIX leapt from #8 to #4 with a small increase, while KOOL advanced from #10 to #5 as it stopped a three-book slide. KSLX went from a tie at #5 to #7. KALV was also previously seen at #5. It slid to #8 and was tied with KZCE, which dropped from #4.
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DETROIT: The Sporting Life
It is a good time to be a MOTOR CITY sports fan. MICHIGAN football has promise, the LIONS have SUPER BOWL aspirations, and the freaking TIGERS are in the playoffs? All grist for the mill for AUDACY Sports WXYT (97.1 THE TICKET). The station captured its second consecutive #1 6+ book and was up third straight survey (8.5-9.0). Oh, and it also landed a 1.6 share from its stream. iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC was back at #2 (7.3-7.3), while two stations were huddled together at #3. AUDACY Classic Hits WOMC stepped up from #4 with its best outing in a year (6.1-6.5). It was joined there by iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKQI (CHANNEL 955), which rose from #5 (5.9-6.5). AUDACY Country WYCD drifted down to #5 (6.4-6.4), while iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.3) inched up to #6 as it rebounded from a down book (5.6-6.2). BEASLEY Classic Rock WCSX had its least productive outing in over a year (5.9-5.6) as it slid to #7. WNIC still had the most listeners (937,400-900,900) – a 3.9% decline. The market fell by 0.6%.
WXYT was #1 25-54 again and hit double figures for the first time since JANUARY. WKQI stepped up to #2 as it halted a three-book slide. It was about a share behind the leader. WNIC dipped to #3 with a modest share loss, while WYCD was back at #4 as it got back a small portion of last month’s huge share loss. AUDACY Alternative WDZH (ALT 98.7) was up three places to #5 with its highest score in over a year. BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF dipped to #6 with its smallest share since some kid was hoping for dental work from Santa. Talk about your low expectations. Also coming in at #6 were WMXD and WOMC.
WXYT leapt from #5 to #1 18-34 and hit double digits for the first time since NOVEMBER. This brought the eight-book winning streak for WKQI to a close as it slipped to #2. However, the station remained in double figures for the 13th time in the last 14 surveys. WYCD leveled up to #3 with a small loss, while WRIF landed its lowest share since FEBRUARY as it slid to #4. WDZH stepped up to #5, again with its best performance in over a year. WNIC had its smallest share since OCTOBER as it fell from #2 into a tie at #7 with iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WJLB.
WKQI was #1 18-49 for the sixth straight survey and the station halted its three-book slide. However, it had to make room at the top for WXYT, which stepped up to forge the tie with its best book since JANUARY. Three stations were lumped together at #3. WNIC held steady with a modest share loss, while WYCD inched up from #4 with a slight increase. WDZH advanced from #8 with – you guessed it – its best book in over a year. WOMC dipped from a tie at #5 to #6. WRIF was also last spotted at #5. It made its way down to #7 where it met up with WMXD.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: Football Is Life
SAM DARNOLD? Seriously? Though the survey only reflected one regular season contest for the VIKINGS, clearly the buzz was high. iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (KFAN FM 100.3) soared from #5 to #1 6+ with its most productive offensive performance in over a year (7.0-10.3). This ended the eight-book winning streak for UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST PAUL Contemporary Christian KTIS. It stepped down to #2 (8.7-8.9). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) dipped to #3 as it gave back some of last month’s large share increase (8.4-7.9). MPR N/T KNOW moved from a tie at #3 to #4 with its first down book since MAY (7.3-6.5). The station did garner a 0.9 share from its stream. HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) posted its lowest number since JANUARY (7.3-6.2) as it slipped from the tie at #3 into one at #5 with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDWB (6.3-6.2). KQQL was still in cume control, despite a 6.6% decrease (708,000-661,300). The market was up 0.9%.
KFXN hit double figures 25-54 and posted its largest share since NOVEMBER as it rose from #6 to #1. This stopped the three-book double-digit winning string for KSTP, which dipped to #2 with its lowest mark since JANUARY. Also coming in at #2 was KTIS, which moved up a spot with a small increase. KQQL slipped to #4 as it surrendered a small portion of last month’s huge share increase. It was tied with the stationary KDWB, which landed its largest share in over a year. CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) stepped down to #6.
For the second book in a row, CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS was #1 18-34, though it could not quite duplicate last month’s double-digit effort. KFXN sprang from #9 to #2 with its largest share in over a year. KDWB dipped to #3 with its third down book in a row. It was paired with KXXR, which moved up from #6 with its fourth straight up book. KSTP slipped from a tie at #3 to #5. AUDACY AC KZJK (104.1 JACK FM) and iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K102) were also last seen at #3. They dropped in tandem to #7 where they were joined by KTIS.
KFXN vaulted from #7 to #1 18-49 with its first double-digit performance since NOVEMBER. This brought KSTP’s seven-book winning streak to a close as the station dipped to #2. KTIS stepped up to #3 with a solid share gain, while KQQL slid to #4. KDWB remained at #5 as it ended a two-book slide. KXXR fell from #3 to #6.
Thanks for the eyeballs – a phrase that conjured up a far different image a few decades ago. We’re not done with this ratings stuff. On the horizon are TAMPA, DENVER, SAN DIEGO, CHARLOTTE, and NASSAU-SUFFOLK.
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