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RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, December 2024, Part I
December 23, 2024
And so it begins. The DECEMBER survey has been unleashed, and it’s marred by the annual release of the scourge of Scrooge upon a fully suspecting populace. Beginning early in this time frame – which ran from NOVEMBER 7TH through DECEMBER 4TH – almost every single stinkin’ market had that one station that decided to play DEAN MARTIN records. As we shall see, the results will speak for themselves … though it must be said that The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – with a healthy assist from the playmakers at XTRENDS – will provide our own snide remarks in a hope to liven up the festivities. Besides the inception of Santa’s reign, DECEMBER also featured a three-day weekend and the ritual stuffing of the turkey.
NEW YORK: Bright Lite, Big City
iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) made the Frosty flip early in week three of the survey. It reaped the expected results as the station remained atop the 6+ leaderboard (7.8-9.7). However, it did not match last year’s 11.3 share. MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS rose to #2 with its best outing in over a year (5.5-6.0). Meanwhile, iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) dipped to #3 with its smallest share in over a year (6.0-5.5). SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) advanced two places to #4 (4.9-5.1) and also picked up a 0.8 share from its stream. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) stepped down to #5 (5.4-4.9) where it ran into AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7), which moved up from #9 with its highest score in over a year (4.2-4.9). AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS was down for the third book in a row as it dropped from #5 to #8 (5.3-4.5). WLTW increased its #1 cume total by 3.7% (3,513,500-3,642,900). The market was off by 2.2%.
The top three 25-54 stations were as we last left them. Santa’s tailwind propelled WLTW to its fifth up book in a row. WHTZ was back at #2 but with its lowest mark since APRIL, while WSKQ repeated at #3 with a slight decrease. WNEW inched up to #4 as it bounced back from a down book. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WKTU (103.5 KTU) dipped to #5 despite a slight increase.
WLTW kept its long string of #1 18-34 books alive and hit double figures for the 13th time in the last 14 surveys. WAXQ stepped up to #2 despite a modest decrease. WNEW slipped to #3 as it halted a four-book surge. WBLS was granted a rather large share increase as it leapt from #11 to #4. WSKQ remained in place at #5, though it ended a strong three-book surge. WHTZ slid to #6, the station’s first appearance outside of the top five in over a year.
For the fourth book in a row, WLTW was #1 and in double digits with the 18-49 crowd. WSKQ and WHTZ were last seen together at #2. WSKQ held steady with a small decrease, while WHTZ stepped down to #3 with its smallest share since the last time BURL IVES was hollying and jollying his butt off. WAXQ moved up to #4, which pushed WNEW down to #5. Both stations endured share losses. WKTU was this close to cracking the top five. It remained at #6 with its third up book in a row.
LOS ANGELES: It Must Be Santa
iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST went all merry and bright about halfway through the third week of the book. As a result, it rose from #5 to #1 6+ (4.7-8.3). This fell short of last year’s 10.1 share. It also snapped the ten-book winning streak for AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101FM), which dipped to #2 with its fifth down book in a row (5.6-5.5). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) stepped down to #3 with its smallest share since MAY (5.1-4.8). It was met there by iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYFM), which remained in place (4.9-4.8). TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5) slipped to #5 with its lowest mark since JULY (4.8-4.1). KOST jumped back on top of the cume chart, thanks to a 29.8% increase (1,880,000-2,440,200). It is worth noting that the current cume was 300,000 less than last year’s DECEMBER figure. The market fell by 0.8%.
As with the previous demo, KOST rose from #5 to #1 25-54 thanks to the Santa tush push. KIIS dipped to #2 with its lowest total since AUGUST, while KRTH held firm at #3 as it regained all of last month’s lost share. KBIG slid two places to #4 with its smallest share since JANUARY. SBS Mexican Regional KLAX (LA RAZA 97.9) posted its best number since JUNE as it moved up two slots to #5. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KSCA (LA NUEVA 101.9) stepped down to #6 as it ended a three-book surge.
Sleigh bells rang and the market was listening as KOST advanced from #7 to #1 18-34. This stopped the three-book winning streak for KIIS, which dipped to #2. KRTH moved down to #3 with its fourth straight down book. KSCA stood alone at #4 with a slight increase. Its two former partners in that space did not fare as well. A flat iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) slipped to #5. It was tied with KBIG, which dropped from #3 with its lowest score in over a year. MERUELO Rhythmic CHR KPWR (POWER 106) went from the three-way tie at #4 into a similar situation at #8. Its new partners were AUDACY Adult Hits KCBS (93.1 JACK FM) and MERUELO Classic Rock KLOS.
KOST came close to doubling its previous 18-49 share as it vaulted from #5 to #1. KIIS was forced to move down to #2, while KRTH was back at #3 with a slight increase. KBIG slid two places to #4, while KSCA was down to #5 with a slight decrease. KLVE went from #5 to #7 with its least productive outing in over a year.
CHICAGO: And So This Is Christmas
iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) hauled out the decorations towards the end of the NOVEMBER book, so this one was all about the Claus. The station moved from #3 to #1 6+ (5.5-9.8) but fell short of last year’s 12.3 share. AUDACY News WBBM-A remained at #2 (6.4-6.2) as it pocketed a 0.4 share from the stream. HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE) landed its lowest share in over a year (6.5-5.6) as it went from first to third. iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) was back at #4 (5.0-5.0), while CUMULUS Classic Hits WLS-F repeated at #5 ending a string of three consecutive flat books (4.6-4.7). WLIT added 25.6% to its already market-leading cume total (1,195,300-1,501,600). Compared to last December, this month’s cume was 400,000 lower. The market was down 1.0%.
Rudolph led the way for WLIT, which stepped up to #1 25-54. The station had a four-share lead over the rest of the pack. A flat WLS-F was up to #2, while TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1) slipped to #3 as its four-book winning streak ground to a halt. Also coming in at #3 was iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI, which landed its largest share in over a year. AUDACY Country WUSN (US 99) moved down to #5 as it returned most of last month’s solid increase. It was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM), which vaulted from #10 with its fourth up book in a row. WDRV and HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX) had been tied at #5. WDRV fell into a tie at #9 with CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA N/T WBEZ. WTMX landed at #12 along with CUMULUS Alternative WKQX (Q101) and AUDACY Pop CHR WBBM-F (B96).
WLIT more than doubled its previous 18-34 share as it rose from #4 to the 18-34 rooftop. WKSC stepped up to #2 with a slight decrease. It was paired with WLS-F, which advanced from #6 with its best book in over a year. WUSN was up two places to #4 with a small increase. WOJO dropped from #2 to #5, ending a robust two-book surge. WGCI landed its smallest share in exactly a year as it fell from #1 to #8. TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WPPN (AMOR 106.7) dropped from #4 into a tie at #11 with AUDACY AAA WXRT (93XRT) and WBBM-A.
As with the previous demo, WLIT more than doubled its 18-49 share as it went from #4 to #1. WUSN was back at #2 with a slight decrease, while WGCI repeated at #3 with a slight increase. WOJO saw its four-book winning streak come to an end as it fell to #4 with its lowest mark since JULY. WKSC stepped up to #5 with a slight increase, while a flat WLS-F dipped to #6.
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DALLAS-FT. WORTH: When You Wish Upon A Star
…it shall be granted as long as you stuff the playlist with holiday tunes, which is exactly what iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1) did. The station flipped at the beginning of week #2. This drove it from #9 to #1 6+ (3.9-7.1). This did not reach last year’s 8.6 share. CUMULUS Sports KTCK (96.7 & 1310 THE TICKET) stepped down to #2, which ended its three-book winning streak (5.9-5.7). CUMULUS Country KSCS (NEW COUNTRY 96.3) had its best outing in over a year (4.1-5.5) as it vaulted from #6 to #3. NORTH TEXAS PUBLIC BROADCASTING N/T KERA was back at #4 (4.7-4.5) while two stations were huddled together at #5. AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) remained in place (4.2-4.4), while TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) dropped in from #2 (4.9-4.4). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) slid from #3 to #7 as it gave back all of last month’s share increase (4.8-4.3). KDGE was still the cume commander but with a hefty 20.9% increase (1.024,000-1,237,900). The market was up 0.3%.
KDGE almost doubled its 25-54 share as the station ascended from #9 to #1. KTCK stepped down to #2, but the stations were less than a half-share apart. KLNO dipped to #3 with a slight increase. There had been a foursome at #4, but only KSCS occupied that spot this month as it ended a two-book slide. A flat KHKS was down two spots to #5. What became of those other former #4s? CUMULUS Country KPLX (99.5 THE WOLF) slipped to #6 with a small increase, while AUDACY Mexican Regional KMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5FM) ended up at #7 with a slight increase. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZPS (LONE STAR 92.5) landed at #14 as it surrendered most of last month’s large increase.
KDGE pulled off the 18-34 trifecta. The station rose from #5 to #1, more than doubled its previous share and landed in double-digit territory. KLNO repeated at #2 and regained most of last month’s big share loss. EMF Contemporary Christian KYDA (AIR1) went from first to third as it returned a chunk of last month’s massive increase. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) dipped from a tie at #3 to #4 with a slight decrease, while its former partner KHKS landed at #5.
Though KDGE did not quite double last month’s 18-49 share, the station did rise from a tie at #4 to #1. This stopped the eleven-book winning streak of KLNO, which dipped to #2 with a slight increase. KHKS returned at #3 with a small share loss. KTCK dropped two places in the standings to #4 with its lowest score since AUGUST. KMVK stepped up to #5 with a slight increase. KPLX was off slightly but that dropped the station from the tie at #4 into a tie at #6 with KSCS and KDMX.
SAN FRANCISCO: Santa Stymied
BONNEVILLE AC KOIT got its jingle on during week #3 of the survey. That allowed the station to move up to #2 6+ (5.4-7.2). Last year the station achieved a 10.1 share. For the sixth straight survey, your market leader was KQED INC N/T KQED (10.3-10.1). USC Classical KDFC (CLASSICAL CALIFORNIA) stepped up to #3 with its fourth up book in a row (5.1-6.3). AUDACY News KCBS-A (ALL NEWS 106.9FM/740AM) slipped to #4 with its smallest share since JULY (6.5-6.1). BONNEVILLE Pop CHR KMVQ (99.7 NOW) inched up to #5 (4.5-4.4), while iHEARTMEDIA Soft AC KISQ (98.1 THE BREEZE) wafted down to #6 with its lowest mark since JANUARY (4.9-4.0). KOIT remained the cume leader with a 13.4% increase (948,400-1,075,200). The market was off by 3.0%.
Last month, for the first time in over a year, KOIT was not the #1 25-54 station. Thanks to that right jolly old elf, KOIT was back on top this survey. It narrowly eclipsed KQED, which dipped to #2 as it surrendered some of last month’s big increase. KMVQ repeated at #3 with a slight increase, while AUDACY Alternative KITS (LIVE 105) stepped up to #4 with its best showing in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KYLD (WiLD 94.9) rose three places to #5, also with its best book in over a year. AUDACY Hot AC KLLC (ALICE @ 97.3) slipped to #6 as it halted a strong two-book surge. SBS Mexican Regional KRZZ (93.3 LA RAZA) dropped to #7 and met up with KISQ.
The top five 18-34 players remained the same but with a different seating arrangement. KOIT went from #3 to #1 with the expected huge share increase. KITS rose from #5 to #2, again with its best book in over a year. KMVQ was up to #3 with a small share gain. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KMEL dropped from #1 to #4 with its smallest share in exactly a year. KISQ slid three places to #5 with its lowest total since MAY.
Santa was denied once again as KQED made it back-to-back 18-49 triumphs. KOIT made its way up to #2 but was more than a half share off the pace. KMVQ dipped to #3 with a small decrease, while KITS was up to #4 with – you guessed it – the station’s best book in over a year. KYLD rose two places to #5 with a solid increase, while KRZZ fell three slots to #6 as it returned a good portion of last month’s share increase. KMEL went from #5 to #7 with its lowest mark in over a year.
As we all head over and through rivers and woods, we will take a break from the roundups. Our second report will be in your inbox on Boxing Day and will spotlight HOUSTON, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON D.C., PHILADELPHIA and BOSTON in that order. Have a safe and happy holiday!
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-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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