RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, AUGUST 2023, PART III

September 7, 2023

The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with the buckaroos from XTRENDS – are back in the saddle again for our final look at the AUGUST survey. This has been a labor of love for nearly 11 years, and we will always appreciate the fact that JOEL DENVER with All Access got us started on this journey.

Henceforth – a word that is not used often enough – this is our new home. If you like to keep up with the ratings fates and fortunes in the top PPM markets, make sure you sign up for our Hot Topics blog (link below).

This survey ran from JULY 20^th through AUGUST 16^th. It was devoid of any pesky three-day weekends. However, many of your fans were likely taking vacations so this could have an effect on listening levels. Let us proceed….

SEATTLE-TACOMA: Baying At The Moon

For the third straight survey, AUDACY Country KKWF (100.7 THE WOLF) was the overall 6+ leader. The station continued to set ratings highs (7.7-7.9). To put this in perspective, a year ago it ranked #16 with a 2.8 share. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW stepped up to #2 with its highest share in over a year (4.5-6.8). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 THE JET) descended to #3 (6.1-5.9) and was paired with the stationary iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZOK (5.8-5.9). AUDACY AC KSWD (94.1 THE SOUND) lost about half of last month’s share increase (5.7-5.2) as it dipped to #5. AUDACY Active Rock KISW repeated at #6 (4.8-4.9), while BONNEVILLE Talk KIRO slipped to #7 (4.9-4.7). KSWD became the most listened to radio station with a 1.0% increase (537,300-542,500). The market was off by 0.2%.

KKWF became the 25-54 apex predator as it tracked down its best book in over a year. This ended the three-book reign for a flat KISW, which dipped to #2. The stations were about a half share apart. An equally flat FRIENDS OF KEXP Alternative KEXP stepped up to #3, where it was joined by HUBBARD Top 40/M KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5), which rose from #5 as it ended a steep two-book slide. BONNEVILLE Sports KIRO-A (SEATTLE SPORTS 710 AM) landed its largest share since NOVEMBER to motor from #10 to #5. KJEB had its lowest total since Rudolph was whizzin’ like a Sabre jet as it dropped from #3 to #7. It was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KBKS (HITS 106.1). iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KJAQ (96.5 JACK FM) halted a two-book surge and faded from #5 to a tie with KUOW at #9.

Last month KKWF rose from #7 to #1 18-34. The station was even stronger this survey and finished in first place again. KQMV was up two places to #2 as it bounced back from a down book. KEXP dropped from #1 to #3, while KZOK slipped to #4. Both stations had slight decreases. KJEB soared from #8 to #5 as it regained some of last month’s huge share loss. AUDACY Rhythmic AC KHTP (HOT 103.7) fell from #5 to #14. Just two books ago it was #2.

KKWF completed the demo sweep as it moved up to #1 18-49 with, naturally, its best book in over a year. KISW stepped down to #2 as its three-book winning streak came to an end. The station was up slightly. Last survey KQMV dropped from #3 to #7. This month it got back some of that lost share as it returned to its #3 position. KJEB dipped to #4 with its lowest mark since JANUARY. KEXP moved down a spot to #5 where it was tied with KZOK, which remained in place with a slight decrease.

MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: Some Like It Hot

There was actually some movement in the 6+ top five this survey, but the top two stations remained the same. Last month COX MEDIA Urban AC WHQT (HOT 105) and COX MEDIA AC WFEZ (EASY 93.1) were anointed as co-leaders. WHQT remained in first place for the sixth straight survey (8.0-7.9), while WFEZ stepped down to #2 with its smallest share in over a year (8.0-6.9). AUDACY AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM) had its best outing since it was playing that performance-enhancing holiday tunage as it moved up to #3 (5.0-5.7). TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR 107.5) slipped to #4 (6.2-5.6), while two stations moved up and into a tie at #5. SBS Spanish Contemporary WCMQ (Z92.3) was up from #7 (4.0-4.3), while AUDACY Country WKIS (KISS COUNTRY 99.9) advanced from #10 with its largest share in over a year (3.6-4.3). COX MEDIA Hot AC WFLC (HITS 97.3) dropped three places to #8 (4.4-3.9). Despite a 7.5% decrease, WFEZ still had the cume lead (806,000-745,500). The market was up by 0.9%.

It has been over a year since WHQT was not the leading 25-54 station. The station extended that streak as it ended a four-book slide. WKIS advanced from #5 to #2 with its best outing in over a year. SBS Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL 106.7) stepped up to #3 with its highest mark since MARCH, while WFEZ slid to #4 with a slight decrease. WAMR was down two places to #5, thanks to a small decrease.

COX MEDIA Urban WEDR (99 JAMZ) captured the 18-34 flag for the fifth straight survey. It held better than a share advantage over WHQT, which moved up to #2 with a strong share increase. TELEVISAUNIVISION Tropical WRTO (MIX 98.3) stood alone at #3 with its highest score since MARCH, while WAMR slid to #4 as it returned a portion of last month’s massive share increase. WFLC inched up to #5 with a slight increase, while WFEZ fell from #3 to #9, where it was tied with WKIS and iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WZTU (TÚ 94.9).

As we saw in the 25-54 scenario, WHQT had been the leading 18-49 station for well over a year. The string continued this month as the station had a solid share increase. WEDR moved up to #2 as it ended a two-book slide. It was still about a share off the lead. WFEZ stood alone at #3 with a slight decrease, while WXDJ advanced three spaces to #4 with a strong share increase. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WMIB (103.5 THE BEAT) also moved up three slots – to #5 – with its largest share in over a year. WAMR fell from #2 to #6, while WFLC slipped two places to #7.

We pause now for a brief message. The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. are here to help you to grow your ratings and revenue. Find out how by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

PHOENIX: Rockin’ The Classics

For the third book in a row, HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX was in first place with the 6+ crowd. The station was off slightly (7.8-7.6) but had enough dry powder to maintain a healthy lead over iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9 KEZ), which moved up to #2 despite landing its fourth down book in row (6.3-6.1). DESERT VALLEY Adult Hits KOAI (95.1/94.9 THE WOW FACTOR) had its smallest share since MARCH (5.4-4.6) but did move up to #3. It was tied with HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD, which advanced from #8 with its best showing in over a year (3.6-4.6). iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 THE MOUNTAIN) remained at #5 (4.4-4.4). AUDACY Classic Hits KOOL (BIG 94.5) dipped to #6 (4.4-4.2), while MARICOPA N/T KJZZ fell five places to #7 with its lowest score in over a year (6.5-4.1). KESZ retained the cume crown (870,300-848,500) – a 2.5% decline. The market rose by 1.8%.

It was a pretty good month for the HUBBARD cluster as it captured three of the top four slots on the 25-54 leaderboard. KSLX was #1 for the third straight survey, and for the seventh time in the last eight books. KUPD stepped up to #2 as it rebounded from a down book. KESZ dipped to #3 with its smallest share in over a year. HUBBARD Alternative KDKB (ALT AZ 93.3) landed its largest share in over a year as it moved up to #4. AUDACY Top 40/M KALV (LIVE 101.5) slipped to #5 and was tied with a flat KOOL.

There was utter chaos in the 18-34 ranks. KDKB and iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KZZP (104.7 KISS FM) were tied at #1. KDKB leapt from #7 with its best book since MAY. KZZP advanced from #8 with its largest share in over a year. Just two books ago, it was languishing at #14. Not to be completely outdone, iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX 96.9) zoomed from #12 to #3 with its highest mark since APRIL. AUDACY Country KMLE rebounded from a down book to maintain its presence at #4. KALV dropped three places to #5 as it returned all of last month’s large share increase. KESZ saw its five-book winning streak come to a screeching halt as it dropped to #6. KYOT slid from #5 into a tie at #7 with KUPD and TELEVISAUNIVISION Regional Mexican KHOT (QUÉ BUENA 105.9). iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX also fell from #5 but landed in a tie at #10 with KOOL.

The 18-49 paradigm has shifted. Last month KALV and KESZ were tied at #1. KALV dipped to #2, while KESZ dropped to #4. This marked the first time in over a year that KESZ was not #1. Moving up to that cherished position was KUPD, which advanced from #4 with its best book in over a year. KSLX repeated at #3 with a small decrease. KDKB moved from #8 to #5 and was tied with KMXP, which arrived from #10. Both stations had their best performances since MAY. KOOL dropped from #4 to #8.

DETROIT: Don’t Change The Channel

iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKQI (CHANNEL 955) continued to dominate the 6+ space. The station was #1 for the third book in a row (9.6-9.2). AUDACY Sports WXYT (97.1 THE TICKET) ended a two-book slide as it moved up to a somewhat distant #2 (6.7-7.2). However, the station did gain an additional 1.3 share from its stream. After landing its best book in over a year, AUDACY Country WYCD found itself three places higher in the standings at #3 (5.4-6.9). iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.3) slid to #4 (7.1-6.7), while AUDACY Classic Hits WOMC remained at #5 but with its biggest share since OCTOBER (5.7-6.6). BEASLEY Classic Rock WCSX slipped to #6 (6.2-6.1). iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC was still the cume leader with a 1.2% increase (852,600-863,100). The market rose by 0.4%.

WKQI was the 25-54 leader for the fourth straight survey, the last three of which have been in double digits. WXYT was back at #2 with its highest score since the bells were ringing the sad, sad news but was three shares off the pace. WMXD stepped up to #3 with a slight increase, while BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF dipped to #4 with a tiny decrease. BEASLEY Rhythmic AC WMGC (105.1 THE BOUNCE) repeated at #5 with its largest share in over a year. WNIC dropped from a tie at #5 to #8, despite a slight increase.

This was the eighth straight 18-34 win for WKQI, though the station’s double-digit streak ended at seven. WYCD had its best book in over a year as it rose four slots to #2. It was also less than a half-share behind the leader. WRIF repeated at #3 with its highest mark since FEBRUARY, while WMXD slipped to #4, despite landing its largest share in over a year. WMGC accomplished the same feat as it dipped to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WJLB slipped from a tie at #4 to #6 with a small decrease.

WKQI was the 18-49 leader for the seventh straight survey and hit double digits for the fourth book in a row. WRIF remained at #2 as it halted a three-book slide. WMGC was up two spots to #3 while WMXD repeated at #4. Both stations were sporting their best books in over a year. WXYT slid three places to #5 with a slight decrease.

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MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: A Religious Experience

The folks at UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST. PAUL Christian Contemporary KTIS are likely in high spirits as the station was #1 6+ for the fifth straight survey, the last three of which have been in double digits (11.6-10.7). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) moved up to #2 with its best Frosty-free share in over a year (7.4-8.3), while HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) dipped to #3 as it bounced back from a down book (7.708.2). MPR N/T KNOW repeated at #4 (6.7-6.2). The station also had a 1.2 share for its stream. iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K102) was back at #5 but with its lowest share since there was drumming, so much drumming (6.3-5.8). KQQL still had the most cume (770,100-818,800 – a 6.3% rise. The market fell by 1.7%.

KSTP continued its domination of the 25-54 arena as it finished in first place for the sixth straight survey. It also hit double digits for the fourth time during that span. CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) had its best book in over a year to move up to #2. The station was also up for the third book in a row. KQQL advanced from #7 to #3 as it ended a two-book slide. KTIS slipped two places to #4 as it returned a good portion of last month’s massive share increase. iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (K-FAN FM 100.3) halted a steep three-book slide as it jumped from #9 to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KDWB dipped to #6 with its lowest mark since MARCH. AUDACY Adult Hits KZJK (104.1 JACK FM) slipped three places to #7 as it ended a solid two-book surge.

KDWB maintained its 18-34 hot streak. The station was #1 for the fifth book in a row. It also landed in double-digits for the thirteenth time in the last 14 surveys. The only one it missed was DECEMBER. KXXR moved up to #2 with its best outing since JANUARY. The station was flirting with double digits. KEEY and KSTP had been tied at #2. Both stations had down books and ended up at #3 and #4, respectively. KQQL jumped from #8 to #5 as it ended a four-book slide, while KNOW was up four slots to #6 with its best book in exactly a year. CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS dipped to #7.

KSTP was the 18-49 winner for the eighth straight survey. It hit double digits for the fourth book in a row and the sixth time during this streak. KXXR was in double-digit territory for the first time in over a year as it moved up to #2. KTIS left double-digit land as it ended a strong four-book surge and dipped to #3. KDWB stepped down to #4 with its lowest mark since DECEMBER, while two stations moved up and into a tie at #5. KQQL advanced from #7 with its best Frosty-free number since SEPTEMBER, while KFXN arrived from #8 as it halted a three-book slide. KEEY slipped to #7.

-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant 

This concludes part three of our Radio Ratings Roundup for AUGUST. To ensure prompt delivery of the SEPTEMBER edition, subscribe to our blog here. Also, please share this in your industry circle.

As always, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. stand ready to help you grow your ratings and revenue. Click here to find out more. See you in SEPTEMBER. That might be a good prompt for a song….

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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 email info@ResearchDirectorInc.com or sallan@ResearchDirectorInc.com.

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