Hot Topics
RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, July 2024, Part IV
August 8, 2024
We’re back! Yes, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – in league with the math magicians from XTRENDS – are here to wrap up the JULY survey. A book most notable for the annual celebration of our country’s birth. When we threw off the yoke of British oppression and, well, kind of made things up. And you would think that we are alone in celebrating our independence in this specific month. Well, you would be wrong.
Did you know that there at least 19 other countries that also celebrate shedding the shackles of colonization in JULY? It’s true (and the Internet is never wrong). Among those blowing out birthday candles this month are Belgium, the Maldives, Burundi and Australia. Wonder how many celebrate with fireworks and cookouts?
The JULY ratings period ran from JUNE 20TH through JULY 17TH and unfolded thusly…
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER: Dove Love
As usual, COX MEDIA Soft AC WDUV (105.5 THE DOVE) flew well above the rest of the 6+ flock. The station also captured its sixth double-digit book in a row (12.1-10.4). BEASLEY Country WQYK moved up to #2 with its best book since OCTOBER (5.2-6.6), while iHEARTMEDIA AC WMTX (MIX 100.7) advanced two squares to #3 as it recovered from a down book (5.7-6.2). COX MEDIA Urban AC WTBV (101.5 THE VIBE) repeated at #4 with its highest mark in over a year (5.8-6.1). The station also pocketed a 0.5 share from its stream. COX MEDIA Classic Hits WXGL (107.3 THE EAGLE) stepped up to #5 (5.6-5.4), while iHEARTMEDIA Country WFUS (US 103.5) returned all of last month’s share increase – plus a little extra – as it fell from #2 to #6 (6.6-5.1). WDUV was still the cume leader with a 3.4% drop (634,000-612,200). The market was off 1.0%.
WMTX was the 25-54 leader for the third straight survey and held more than a share-and-a-half edge over iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock WXTB , which moved up to #2 despite a down book. WFUS and WDUV were previously spied at #2. Both stations were off this survey and ended up at #3 and #4, respectively. Also coming in at #4 was WTBV, which moved up a spot with a slight increase.
There were some foundational changes to the 18-34 leaderboard. WMTX went from #3 to #1 with its best book since it was fouling the airwaves with the likes of BURL IVES. WQYK was up two slots to #2 with its best outing in over a year. It was tied with archnemesis WFUS, which remained in place but with a down book. Last month WDUV had the monster book of monster books. That marked the station’s seventh win in a row. Alas, this time it lost close to two-thirds of its previous share as it joined the #2 crowd. BEASLEY Rhythmic CHR WLLD (WiLD 94.1) stood alone at #5 but with a solid share increase. It had been sharing that space with two other stations. Despite a slight increase, WTBV dipped to a tie at #6 with WXGL, while WXTB landed at #8 with its third straight down book. It was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WFLZ.
Thanks to a slight share increase, WXTB was able to claim the 18-49 crown. WMTX rebounded from a down book to move up to #2, while WFUS dipped to #3 as it surrendered most of last month’s massive share gain. It was paired with WQYK, which advanced from #5 as it halted a three-book slide. WDUV went from first to fifth as it shed almost half of its previous number.
SAN DIEGO: The Sunny Also Rises
Last month witnessed an end to the three-book 6+ winning streak for AUDACY Classic Hits KXSN (SUNNY 98.1) as the station dipped to #2. It came roaring back this time, moving up to #1 with its highest score in over a year (7.1-8.3). This pushed SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY N/T KPBS down to #2 (7.4-7.2). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMYI (STAR 94.1) was up two places to #3, also with its highest share in over a year (5.0-6.2). LOCAL MEDIA Rhythmic AC XHRM (MAGIC 92.5) dipped to #4 (5.4-5.0), while its cluster mate – LOCAL MEDIA Adult Hits KFBG (100.7 BIG FM) – leapt from #8 to #5 with its best showing since AUGUST (4.3-4.8). AUDACY AC KYXY slipped to #6 as it ended a three-book surge (5.1-4.5). KXSN padded its cume lead with an 18.4% increase (498,100-589,800). The market was up by 2.6%.
The top two 25-54 stations each posted their best numbers in over a year. KXSN was #1 for the fifth straight survey, while KMYI advanced from #6 to #2. KXSN had a three-share lead. Conversely, XHRM slipped to #3 with its smallest share in over a year. It was partnered with TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNV (QUÉ BUENA 106.5), which rose from #5 with a slight increase. LOCAL MEDIA Alternative XTRA (91X) vaulted from #11 to #5, also with its best outing in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KIOZ gave back all of last month’s impressive share gain as it dropped three places to #6. AUDACY Sports KWFN (97.3 THE FAN) dropped from #4 into a tie at #9 with KYXY.
Everyone loves a success story. Back in JANUARY, XTRA was ranked #16 18-34. The station has been on a roll since then and this time landed at #1 with its highest mark in over a year. This ended the two-book run at #1 for XHRM, which slipped into a tie at #2 with KMYI, which rose from #6. It was #14 just two books ago. There was a foursome at #4. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHTS (CHANNEL 933) slipped from #2 with its smallest share since JANUARY, while LOCAL MEDIA Pop CHR XHTZ (Z90.3) stepped up from #5 with a slight decrease. AUDACY Alternative KBZT moved in from #8 with its best book in a year. KPBS advanced from #10, thanks to its best performance since FEBRUARY. KXSN fell from #4 into a tie at #8 with KWFN and iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KGB.
Here’s the three-book 18-49 story arc for KMYI: #9 to #4 to #1, with its highest score in over a year. KXSN stood alone at #2 as it bounced back from a down book. XHRM stepped down to #3, while KLNV repeated at #4. Both stations had down books. In JUNE KIOZ jumped from #4 to #1. It fell to #5 this time and was paired with XTRA, which advanced from #10 as it halted a two-book slide.
DENVER-BOULDER: A Close Contest
The 6+ race was very tight as the top four stations were separated by about a half-share. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KRFX (103.5 THE FOX) stepped up to #1 for the first time since FEBRUARY with its third up book in a row (7.0-7.1). BONNEVILLE Country KYGO ended a two-book slide as it moved up two places to #2 (5.7-6.9). KSE VENTURES Classic Hits KXKL (KOOL 105.1) remained at #3 but with its highest share in over a year (6.3-6.8). BONNEVILLE AC KOSI (KOSI 101.1) ended its two-book winning streak as it went from first to fourth (7.3-6.5). Rounding out the top five was iHEARTMEDIA AAA KBCO, which saw its three-book surge come to a halt (5.6-5.2). KOSI remained the cume leader with an 8.2% drop (595,400-546,600). The market was down 3.5%.
Last month iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTCL (CHANNEL 93.3) saw its five-book 25-54 winning streak come to an end. The station was back at #1 this time with its first up book since FEBRUARY. KXKL moved up to #2 and was less than a half-share off the lead. A flat KRFX leveled up to #3 and was joined there by KYGO, which rose from #6 with its highest score in over a year. KBCO remained at #5 with its fourth straight up book. KOSI landed its lowest share since AUGUST as it fell from #1 to #7.
KRFX made it back-to-back 18-34 wins but could not quite duplicate last month’s double-digit feat. KOSI repeated at #2 with a small share loss, while KXKL stepped up to #3 with its best showing in over a year. KTCL dipped to #4 as it regained a bit of last survey’s big share loss. AUDACY Rhythmic CHR KQKS (KS 107.5) slipped to #5, despite a small increase. KYGO went from a tie at #4 into an arrangement at #7 with ENTRAVISION Mexican Regional KXPK (LA TRICOLOR 96.5).
It was a good month for KXKL, which rose to #1 18-49 with – once again – its highest share in over a year. This snapped the six-book winning streak for KTCL, which moved down to #2 with its fourth down book in a row. KBCO rose from #5 to #3, while KYGO advanced from #6 to #4. Both stations had solid share increases. KRFX dipped to #5, ending its four-book surge. It was tied with KOSI, which fell from #2 as it surrendered all of last month’s huge increase.
NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND): Crushing The Competition
For the seventh book in a row – and 13th time in the last 14 surveys – COX MEDIA Classic Rock WBAB was the clear 6+ winner. Though the station had a down book (9.1-8.0), it had a wide lead over iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100), which stepped up to #2 (4.9-5.4). AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) dipped to #3 with its first down book since MARCH (5.2-5.0). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) slipped to #4 as it gave back most of last month’s increase (4.9-4.1). CONNOISSEUR Hot AC WALK (WALK FM) inched up to #5 (4.5-4.0). It was joined in that space by COX MEDIA Pop CHR WBLI, which rose from #8 with its best outing since DECEMBER (3.2-4.0). CONNOISSEUR AC WKJY (K-JOY 98.3) had its lowest score since OCTOBER (4.9-3.4) as it dropped from #3 to #8. It was tied with CONNOISSEUR Country WWWF (103.1 THE WOLF) (3.0-3.4). WBAB continued to have the most cume (479,600-443,800) – a 7.5% decrease. The market was down by 2.4%.
WHTZ had its best 25-54 book in over a year as it captured the flag for the seventh straight survey. WBAB repeated at #2 with its fourth up book in a row. WBLI had its best showing since NOVEMBER as it vaulted from #8 to #3. Last month three stations were hovering around the #3 marker. WAXQ was flat as it dipped to #4, while WALK slid to #5 with a small decrease. WINS dropped to #7 and was in another three-way with iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WKTU and WWWF.
The 18-34 arena was controlled by four stations. WBLI moved back up to #1 with a huge increase, while WWWF remained at #2 with its fourth up book in a row. WBAB returned most of last month’s huge share gain as it went from first to third. It was paired with WHTZ, which rebounded from a down book. WKJY stepped up to a distant #5 with a small share loss. WINS dropped from #5 into a tie at #10 with WKTU, Audacy Classic Hits WCBS, and CONNOISSEUR Mainstream Rock WWSK (94.3 THE SHARK).
For the seventh straight survey, WHTZ was #1 and in double figures 18-49. WBLI moved up to #2 and cut the gap between the two stations from more than four shares to about a share. Three stations were mingling about at #3. WALK dipped from #2 with its lowest total since FEBRUARY, while WBAB moved up from #4 with its best book in exactly a year. WWWF swooped in from #5 with its highest mark since the format change.
CHARLOTTE-GASTONIA-ROCK HILL: A Country Six-Pack
BEASLEY Country WSOC was the 6+ leader for the sixth straight survey. However, the station had its smallest share since FEBRUARY (8.6-7.4), which allowed #2 iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits WLKO (102.9 THE LAKE) to come within striking distance of the lead (7.3-7.1). BEASLEY Urban AC WBAV (V101.9) inched up to #3 (6.6-6.7), while PACIFIC Classic Hits WXRC (95.7 THE RIDE) moved up to #4 (4.8-5.5). iHEARTMEDIA Country WKKT (96.9 THE KAT) landed its lowest share since JANUARY (7.7-5.3) as it fell three places to #5. URBAN ONE N/T WBT-AM slid from #5 (5.0-4.5) into a tie at #9 with DAVIDSON COLLEGE Classical WDAV (3.5-4.5). WLKO continued to have the most listeners (417,300-365,500) – a 12.4% decrease. The market fell by 3.0%.
For the last two surveys, BEASLEY Urban WPEG (POWER 98 FM) and WSOC were tied atop the 25-54 leaderboard. This month WPEG stood alone with it fourth straight #1 finish, while WSOC dipped to #2. The stations were separated by about a half-share. WLKO moved up to #3 with its best Frosty-free share since AUGUST, while WBAV dipped to #4 with a slight decrease. Two stations moved up and joined forces at #5. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WEND (106.5 THE END) was last seen at #7 and was off slightly this survey, while URBAN ONE Urban Oldies WOSF (105.3 RnB) advanced from #8 with its first up book since MARCH. URBAN ONE Sports WFNZ moved from #5 into a tie at #7 with URBAN ONE AC WLNK (THE MIX 107.9). WKKT gave back most of last month’s huge increase as it dropped from #4 to #9.
WPEG was #1 18-34 for the third book in a row and, after getting close the last couple of times, it finally cracked the double-digit ceiling. WBAV was back at #2 as it ended a two-book surge and trailed the leader by better than five shares. WOSF and WSOC were previously found at #7. Both stations had solid increases as they moved in tandem up to #3. WFNZ dipped to #5 with its lowest score since FEBRUARY. It had company as BEASLEY AC WKQC (K104.7) moved up from #9 with its best Frosty-free share since NOVEMBER and WLNK rose from a tie at #11 with its highest mark in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WRFX (99.7 THE FOX) and WLKO dropped from a tie at #4 into one at #8. They were joined by BEASLEY Pop CHR WNKS (KISS 95.1), which advanced from a tie at #11. WKKT dropped from #3 to #11. It found a fellowship at that spot with WEND, WXRC, and iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHQC (HITS 96.1).
WPEG repeated at #1 18-49 and was forced to share the moment with WSOC, which stepped up from #2. WBAV remained at #3 as it recovered from a down book. WLKO stepped up to #4 with its best Frosty-free share since SEPTEMBER. WEND dipped to #5 with a small decrease. It was tied with WOSF, which rose from #7 with a solid increase. WKKT slipped from a tie at #5 into a grouping at #7 with WFNZ, WLNK and WNKS.
That’s a wrap for JULY. Thank you for your attention. We’ll be back in a month to dissect the AUGUST survey.
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.
-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.
Comments