RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, July 2024, Part III

August 7, 2024

As the chants of “USA, USA, USA” cascade in the background, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC – along with the Olympic-level mathletes from XTRENDS – are ready to bring you the thrills of victory and the agonies of defeat from the JULY survey. We have already witnessed the procession to the podium of our first 10 markets. It is now time to see who the medal winners are in this round of the competition.

This survey ran from JUNE 20^TH through JULY 17^TH. It featured the end of mandatory school attendance, the beginning of the vacation season and, of course, a federal holiday that had the potential to mess with two weeks of your data. It really stinks when reality intrudes on our nicely ordered radio universe. Speaking of reality, let’s get on with the show.

MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: It’s A Blowout

As is usually the case, COX MEDIA Urban AC WHQT (HOT 105) was the runaway 6+ leader. But this is just piling on. The station landed its largest share in over a year (8.3-9.6), while TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR 107.5) moved up two slots to #2 (5.4-5.5). That’s not a gap; it’s a chasm. AUDACY AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM) dipped to #3 with its smallest share since JANUARY (6.9-5.3). COX MEDIA AC WFEZ (EASY 93.1) stepped up to #4 (5.2-4.9), while iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Adult Hits WMIA (MAGIC 93.9) dropped two slots to #5 (5.6-4.8). This gave hope to the #6 station – SBS Spanish Contemporary WCMQ (Z92.3) – which remained in place (4.4-4.6). WLYF shed 9.2% of its cume but was still #1 in that category (751,800-682,300). The market was down 3.8%.

Though WMIA lost all of last month’s large share increase, the station repeated as the leading 25-54 station. It has been #1 for four of the last five surveys. WLYF was back at #2 but with its lowest score since NOVEMBER. WHQT bounced back from a down book to vault from a tie at #7 to #3. These three entities were within a half share of one another. A flat WAMR repeated at #4, while SBS Spanish Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL 106.7 FM) moved from a tie at #7 to #5 with a small increase. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WMIB (103.5 THE BEAT) fell four places and was in a tie at #8 with AUDACY Rhythmic Oldies WPOW (POWER96). COX MEDIA Urban Contemporary WEDR (99 JAMZ) dropped from #3 to #11 with its lowest mark since FEBRUARY.

WHQT had its best 18-34 showing since NOVEMBER as it rose from #5 to #1. Meanwhile, WLYF had a down book but still stepped up to forge a tie atop the leaderboard. This ended WEDR’s four-book winning streak as it slipped to #3. Last month AUDACY Country WKIS (KISS COUNTRY 99.9) fell from #2 to #10. The station regained some of that lost share to move back up to #4. WFEZ and WMIB had been tied at #3. They had the identical share loss to remain an item but at #5. Joining that duo in that space was WXDJ, which arrived from #12 as it ended a steep three-book skid. SBS Latino Urban WRMA (RITMO 95.7) landed its lowest number since FEBRUARY as it dropped from #5 into a tie at #9 with iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WZTU (TÚ 94.9).

In JUNE WHQT dropped from #2 to #6 18-49. The station rebounded nicely and landed at #1 in this survey. WLYF stepped up to #2 with a down book and was a share and a half off the lead. WMIA and WEDR were co-leaders last month. Both stations experienced rather large share losses this time and ended up at #3 and #4, respectively. WFEZ repeated at #5 with a modest share loss, while WMIB slipped to #6.

SEATTLE-TACOMA: Welcome Back

For the first time since FEBRUARY, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW was #1 6+. It helped that the station had its best book in over a year (6.6-7.7). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZOK ended its four-book run at #1 as it stepped down to #2 (7.7-6.6). AUDACY Active Rock KISW (THE ROCK) remained firmly in place at #3 with its highest mark in over a year (5.9-6.4). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 THE JET) climbed from #6 to #4 with its highest score since DECEMBER (4.6-5.3). BONNEVILLE N/T KIRO repeated at #5 (4.9-4.9), while AUDACY Country KKWF (100.7 THE WOLF) was down for the third straight survey as it slipped to #6 (5.3-4.8). KZOK jumped from #5 to #1 in the cume wars with a 5.5% increase (504,500-532,100). The market fell by 2.9%.

A lot was happening in the 25-54 realm as the top four stations all had up books. KISW and KKWF were tied at #1 last month. KISW held steady with its best outing since MARCH, while KKWF trotted down to #3, despite a slight increase. This ended the station’s five-book reign at #1. In between was HUBBARD Pop CHR KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5), which stepped up to #2 with a solid share increase. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KBKS (HITS 106.1) repeated at #4 with its third straight up book. FRIENDS OF KEXP Alternative KEXP was back at #5 with a slight decrease.

The 18-34 arena was pure chaos. KKWF had its best showing since JANUARY as it rocketed from #9 to #1. KQMV was up to #2 as it rebounded from a down book. The two stations were separated by about a half share. KISW more than doubled last month’s share as it advanced from #13 to #3. KBKS slipped to #4 as it ended a three-book surge. It was paired with KJEB, which moved up a slot with its highest mark in over a year. Three stations fell into a tie at #6. AUDACY Alternative KNDD (107.7 THE END) and HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM 106.9) were previously spotted at #5. The third station was KZOK, which landed there from #1, thanks to its smallest share in over a year. AUDACY Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT 103.7) fell from the tie at #5 into an arrangement at #9 with iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KJAQ (96.5 JACK FM). Last month BONNEVILLE Sports KIRO-A (SEATTLE SPORTS 710AM) leapt from #11 to #3. The station reverted to its previous status this month.

KQMV won the 18-49 award for the fourth straight survey. KISW ended a three-book slide as it moved up to #2 and was about a half-share behind the leader. KBKS dipped to #3 with a small increase, while KKWF stepped down to #4, despite ending a steep three-book skid. KEXP moved down to #5 with a slight decrease and met up with KNDD, which had been ranked #6.

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PHOENIX: An Even Dozen

The top three 6+ stations remained unchanged for the fourth straight survey. iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9 KEZ) was #1 for the twelfth book in a row (8.9-9.5). HUBBARD Classic Rock KLSX was back at #2 with its highest score in over a year (7.4-8.3). iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 THE MOUNTAIN) remained at #3 but with its smallest share since MARCH (6.6-5.3). AUDACY Classic Hits KOOL (BIG 94.5) was up two places to #4 (4.2-4.2), while HUBBARD Alternative KDKB (ALT AZ 93.3)also made the two-slot jump up to #5 (4.1-4.0). HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD dipped to #6 with its lowest mark in exactly a year (4.3-3.8). It was paired with iHEARTMEDIA N/T KFYI-A (3.5-3.8). DESERT VALLEY Adult Hits KOAI (95.1/94.9 THE WOW FACTOR) had its least productive outing in over a year (4.6-3.5) as it dropped from #4 into a tie at #8 with AUDACY Country KMLE (3.8-3.5). Losing 8.5% of its cume was merely a flesh wound for KESZ as it still had the most listeners (805,000-736,500). The market was off by 3.3%.

Not only did KESZ finish #1 25-54 for the tenth book in a row, the station also landed in double-digit territory. KSLX moved up to #2 with its largest share since AUGUST, yet still trailed the leader by more than three shares. KYOT dipped to #3 with a rather large share loss, while a flat KDKB repeated at #4. KUPD slipped to #5 with its smallest share in over a year.

KESZ halted a rather precipitous three-book slide and leapt from #3 to #1 18-34. KDKB remained #2 with a slight increase. Last month KYOT climbed from #6 to #1. It descended to #3 this survey as it returned a healthy portion of JUNE’s hefty share increase. SIERRA H Rhythmic AC KZCE (101.1 THE BOUNCE) pogoed from #6 to #4 with its highest score in over a year. Three stations moved up and into a tie at #5. KMLE and AUDACY Pop CHR KALV (LIVE 101.5) were last seen at #9, while a flat KOOL inched up from #6. KUPD fell from #4 into a tie at #10 with KSLX. Last month iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX 96.9) vaulted from #11 to #4. The station landed at #13 this time around.

The 18-49 race was for second place. KESZ was the market leader for the twelfth book in a row and posted a large double-digit share. KSLX stepped up to #2 with its best outing in over a year, while KDKB inched up to #3 with a slight increase. KYOT slid to #4 as it gave back most of last month’s huge share increase. KZCE worked it from #9 to #5 with its best book in over a year. KUPD dipped to #6 with a modest share loss.

DETROIT: The Rule Of Threes

The top three 6+ stations were as we last saw them. iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC was #1 for the third book in a row (8.1-8.2). AUDACY Sports WXYT (97.1 THE TICKET) was back at #2 as it ended a two-book slide (7.5-7.8). It also garnered a 1.1 share from its online presence. AUDACY Country WYCD repeated at #3 (7.2-7.6). BEASLEY Classic Rock WCSX remained at #4 but with its first down book since FEBRUARY (7.1-6.4). It was partnered with iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.3), which rose from #6 with its best showing since OCTOBER (6.0-6.4). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKQI (CHANNEL 955) dipped to #6 with its least productive outing since the weather outside was frightful (6.3-5.7). WNIC maintained cume control with a 0.7% increase (933,300-939,700). The market was off by 2.2%.

The 25-54 race was being hotly contested as the top four stations were separated by about a half-share. WYCD moved up to #1 with its best book in over a year. The next two stations rebounded from down books. WNIC stepped up to #2, while WXYT moved from #5 to #3. This halted the two-book winning streak for WKQI, which slid to #4 with only a slight decrease. BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF was well back of that quartet as it dropped to #5 with its smallest share since the pipers were doing what pipers do.

WKQI was #1 18-34 and in double figures for the seventh straight survey. WRIF was back at #2 but could not duplicate last month’s double-digit feat. WYCD moved up to #3 with its best outing since NOVEMBER, while WXYT slipped to #4 with a slight decrease. AUDACY Alternative WDZH (ALT 98.7) also experienced a slight decrease, but it was able to step up to #5. WNIC dropped two places to #6 with its lowest score since JANUARY and was tied with WMXD.

Despite a slight decrease, WKQI was #1 18-49 for the fourth book in a row. However, it was not alone. WYCD advanced from #4 to force the jump ball, thanks to its largest share in over a year. A flat WNIC dipped to #3, while WXYT was up to #4 with a small increase. WRIF slid to #5 with its third down book in a row.

Shameless plug #2: Nah, I got nothin’ – but made you look.

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: Seventh Heaven

This was the seventh straight 6+ win for UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST PAUL Contemporary Christian KTIS, though the station did fall off the double-digit cloud (11.4-9.3). HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) was back at #2 with its highest share in over a year (8.0-8.3). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) regained some of last month’s lost share as it moved up to #3 (6.5-7.0). iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (KFAN FM 100.3) dipped to #4 (6.7-6.7). It was paired with MPR N/T KNOW, which rose from #8 with its best outing since MARCH (6.0-6.7). The station also pocketed a 0.6 share from its stream. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDWB saw its seven-book surge grind to a halt as it fell from a tie at #3 to #6 (6.7-6.1). KQQL still had the most listeners (716,500-726,200) – a 1.4% increase. The market was off by 0.4%.

KSTP was both #1 and in double figures 25-54 for the second book in a row. KTIS was back at #2 but with a large share loss. The stations were about three shares apart. KDWB stepped up to #3 with a slight decrease, while CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) ended a three-book slide as it rose from #7 to #4. AUDACY AC KZJK (104.1 JACK FM) slipped to #5 as it ended a robust four-book surge. It was partnered with KFXN, which idled in place with a small decrease.

There was a dramatic turn of events in the 18-34 drama. Last month KDWB was #1 while three stations were linked together at #2. KDWB was back on top, though it gave back about half of JUNE’s huge increase. It was joined at the summit by a flat iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K102). KSTP and KZJK dropped from that tie for second to #3 and #4, respectively. KSTP ended a three-book surge, while KZJK had its first down book since figgy pudding recipes abounded. KQQL inched up to #5 as it regained all of last month’s lost share. CUMUMUS Classic Rock KQRS slid to #7 with its third down book in a row.

KSTP was #1 18-49 for the sixth straight survey and made it back-to-back double-digit performances. KXXR had its first up book since MARCH as it advanced from #6 to #2. KTIS dipped to #3 with a significant share drop, while KDWB repeated at #4, also with a down book. KEEY returned at #5 but with its lowest total since MARCH. KZJK dropped from #3 into a tie at #5 with KFXN.

So ends round three. We will take a brief respite to watch some Olympic handball. If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe to our blog right now. Feel free to share it with your network.

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.

Still to come: our final attempt at insight as we dive into TAMPA, SAN DIEGO, DENVER, NASSAU-SUFFOLK and CHARLOTTE.

-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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