RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, October 2024, Part I

October 28, 2024

Ahhh, OCTOBER. The foliage, the taint of pumpkin spice on, well, everything, and the MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL post-season. The time when the biggest question on everyone’s mind in – why do fans boo when the visiting pitcher attempts a pick-off? Truly one of the most profound mysteries of our time.

The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with the seam savants from XTRENDS – bring you the latest in the NIELSEN numbers. The OCTOBER survey spanned the period from SEPTEMBER 12^th through OCTOBER 9^th. There were no federally-mandated holiday breaks, most people had settled into their regular schedules, and the election buzz was intensifying. Here’s how it affected the radio landscape:

NEW YORK: The Unbearable Being Of Lite-ness

Ho-hum, iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) was the leading 6+ station again, though it did halt a two-book surge (8.5-8.2). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) continued at #2 (6.1-6.1), while MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS was up two slots to #3 with its best outing in over a year (5.1-5.8). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) remained at #4 (5.5-5.7), while AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS slipped to #5 (5.6-5.5). Making a bid to gain top five status was RED APPLE N/T WABC-A, which repeated at #6 but with its largest share in over a year (4.4-5.0). WLTW surrendered 2.2% of its cume but continued as the leader in that category (3,549,800-3,470,000). The market was off 2.0%.

Sometimes all you need to do is show up. WHTZ was flat 25-54 but cruised to its sixth win in a row. WLTW was back at #2 with a small increase and was nearly a share off the lead. SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) repeated at #3 as it gave back about half of last month’s solid increase. AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7) had its best showing in over a year as it rose to #4. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WKTU and WAXQ were previously spied at #4. WKTU dipped to #5 with a slight increase, while WAXQ landed at #6 with its smallest share since APRIL.

WLTW continued to crush it with the 18-34 crowd. The station continued its long, uninterrupted string of #1 books and was in double figures for the twelfth time in the last 14 surveys. It also had a larger share than the next two stations – combined. WAXQ leapt from #7 to #2 as it ended a steep two-book slide. WNEW stepped up to #3 with its third up book in a row. WSKQ was elevated to #4 with its highest mark since MARCH, while two stations were loitering at #5. SBS Spanish Contemporary WPAT (93.1 AMOR) remained in place with a slight increase, while WHTZ drifted down from #2 with its lowest total since we were carefully hanging our hosiery on the mantle. WCBS fell from #3 to #8 as it ended a robust two-book surge.

Though it only received a slight share increase, WLTW was both #1 and in double digits for the second straight survey. WHTZ was back at #2 but with its smallest share since APRIL. As a result, the gap between the two stations expanded to over three shares. WNEW inched up to #3 with its highest score in over a year. This pushed WSKQ, which registered a slight decrease, down to #4. WAXQ moved up to #5, which forced WCBS to step down to #6.

LOS ANGELES: The Good Earth

Despite landing its lowest share since MAY, AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101) was #1 6+ for the ninth straight survey (6.4-5.8). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) had its best book in over a year as it rose to #2 (4.9-5.3). TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5) dipped to #3 as it ended a two-book surge (5.5-5.0). It was partnered with iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYFM), which remained in place but with its first down book since APRIL (5.4-5.0). iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST slipped to #5 with its smallest share in over a year (5.4-4.8). KRTH was the new cume commander (2,018,400-2,027,000) – a 0.4% increase. The market fell by 2.2%.

The usual suspects continued to populate the 25-54 top five. KIIS moved back to #1 with, again, its best outing in over a year. The station has topped this chart in four of the last six surveys. KRTH stepped up to #2 with a slight increase, while KBIG went from first to third as it ended a strong three-book surge. KOST stepped down to #4, while KLVE stayed at #5 with a slight increase.

KIIS made it back-to-back 18-34 wins with, naturally, its best book in over a year. It held better than a two and a half share lead over the pair of stations at #2. KRTH remained in place but with its lowest score since MAY, while KBIG stepped up from #3 with a small share loss. KOST leapt from #9 to #4 with its highest mark since APRIL. MERUELO Classic Rock KLOS moved up to #5 with a small increase. MERUELO Rhythmic CHR KPWR (POWER 106 FM) slipped to #6 as it ended a strong three-book surge. KLVE fell from #5 to #13 and was tied with AUDACY Alternative KROQ.

KIIS stopped a small two-book slide as it moved up to #1 18-49. KBIG dipped to #2 with its first down book since MARCH. It was joined here by KRTH, which moved up a slot despite a modest share loss. KLVE repeated at #4 with a slight decrease. KOST was back at #5 but had company as TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KSCA (LA NUEVA 101.9) arrived from #7 with its largest share in over a year.

CHICAGO: It’s News To Us

Last month AUDACY News WBBM-A and HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE) were the 6+ co-leaders. That partnership did not endure. WBBM-A remained in first place (6.0-6.3) and picked up a 0.2 share from its stream. WDRV backed up to #2 (6.0-6.0). iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) repeated at #3 but with its third down book in a row (5.8-5.4). iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) moved up to #4 as it halted a steep three-book skid (4.7-4.8). CUMULUS Classic Hits WLS was up to #5 (4.6-4.6), while AUDACY AAA WXRT was down to #6 with its smallest share since THURL RAVENSCROFT was fouling the airwaves (5.0-4.5). WLIT added 4.8% to its already market-leading cume total (1,140,300-1,195,500). The market was up 1.2%.

There was all sorts of turmoil in the 25-54 ranks. What remained a constant were the top two stations. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1) was #1 for the third book in a row. WVAZ repeated at #2 and the stations were separated by the slimmest of possible margins. WLS moved up to #3 with its third up book in a row. It was paired with WLIT, which rose from a tie at #8 as it finally ended an seven-book slide. Also previously seen at #8 was iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI. It made it to #5 with its largest share in over a year. A couple of other stations made bold moves. SBS Mexican Regional WLEY (LA LEY 107.9) advanced from #13 to #6 with a solid increase, while AUDACY Country WUSN (US99) leapt from #11 to #7 as it bounced back from a down book. A couple of other stations were excused from the top five. WXRT fell from #3 into a tie at #9 with CUMULUS Alternative WKQX (Q101) and WBBM-A. AUDACY Rhythmic Oldies WBMX (104.3 JAMS) dropped from #4 into a tie at #12 with WDRV.

Three stations moved up to create a commotion atop the 18-34 leaderboard. WUSN stepped up from #2 with a small share increase, while WGCI rose from #4 with its best book since MARCH. They were joined by TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WPPN (AMOR 106.7), which vaulted from #13 with its largest share in over a year. WOJO was up four places to #4 as it regained all of last month’s lost share. WLS and WDRV remained tied at #5 as each station had the identical share increase. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) dropped from #3 to #7 with only a slight decrease. WLIT fell from #1 to #8 as it gave back all of last month’s large share increase. WXRT went from #5 to a tie at #12 with WLEY.

WOJO made it three 18-49 wins in a row but was hearing footsteps from WGCI, which moved up to #2 with its fifth up book in a row. The stations were less than half a share apart. WUSN advanced to #3 as it regained some of last month’s lost share. WVAZ slid to #4 with a slight decrease, while WLS was up three spots to #5 with its best showing since APRIL. WLIT dipped to #6 and was partnered with WKQX. WBMX dropped from #4 into a tie at #10 with WKSC.

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DALLAS-FT. WORTH: A Two-Way Ticket

For the second book in a row, CUMULUS Sports KTCK (1310 & 96.7 THE TICKET) was #1 6+ (5.0-5.9). In a related note – how ‘bout dem COWBOYS (snort). TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) moved up to #2 with its highest score since MAY (4.5-5.0). NORTH TEXAS PUBLIC BROADCASTING N/T KERA stood alone at #3 (4.5-4.4), while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) jumped four spaces to #4 (4.2-4.3). AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) advanced from #10 to #5 (4.0-4.1). The station also picked up a 0.3 share from its stream. CUMULUS Country KSCS (NEW COUNTRY 96.3) slipped from #3 to #6 with its lowest total since JUNE (4.5-4.0). It was paired with AUDACY Classic Hits KSPF (98.7 THE SPOT), which remained in place (4.4-4.0). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) returned all of last month’s big share increase – plus a bit more – as it fell from #2 to #10 (4.8-3.7). It was tied with CUMULUS Country KPLX (99.5 THE WOLF), which stepped up from #11 (3.8-3.7). Despite a 6.7% decrease, iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1) still had the most listeners (1,062,900-991,400). The market rose by 3.7%.

Griping about the local gridiron squad was a boon for KTCK as it moved up to #1 25-54 with its highest output in over a year. This ended the two-book winning streak for KLNO, which dipped to #2 despite regaining all of last month’s share loss. AUDACY Mexican Regional WMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5) moved up to #3 with its fifth straight up book. KSCS slipped to #4 as it ended a three-book surge. It was tied with two other upwardly mobile stations. KERA moved up from #6 with a slight increase, while KDGE advanced from #7 with its best Frosty-free share in over a year. KJKK slid three places to #7 with its lowest total in over a year.

Last month KLNO saw its seven-book 18-34 winning streak come to a crashing halt. The station came back with vengeance this time as it rose from #3 to #1 with its best outing since MARCH. KDGE stepped down to #2 with a small share loss, while EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION Contemporary Christian KYDA ascended from #11 to #3 with its biggest number in over a year. KSCS slipped to #4 with its lowest mark since the swans were doing laps. SERVICE Urban Contemporary KKDA (K104) dipped to #5 with a small decrease. KHKS soared from #17 to #6 as it began to recover from a couple of down books. It was tied with KJKK and KTCK. Three stations were previously an item at #5. KDMX dropped to #9 as it gave back most of last month’s share gain. It was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KEGL (97.1 THE EAGLE). KPLX landed at #11, while URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBFB (97.9 THE BEAT) fell into a tie at #12 with AUDACY Alternative KVIL (ALT 103.7).

KLNO was the 18-49 leader for the tenth book in a row. KTCK repeated at #2 with its best showing in over a year. The stations were separated by a half share. KMVK moved up to #3 with its best book since JANUARY, while KHKS continued its redemption tour as it rose from #9 to #4. KDGE dipped to #5 with a slight decrease, while KSCS fell four slots to #7.

SAN FRANCISCO: What Are Words for

We’re back to our customary 6+ leaderboard as the top two stations eschew the playing of music. KQED INC N/T KQED was #1 for the fourth straight survey with its highest score in over a year (8.3-8.6). AUDACY News KCBS-A repeated at #2 with its fourth up book in a row (6.9-7.0). The leading music station was BONNEVILLE AC KOIT, which was back at #3 but with its smallest share in over a year (6.4-5.5). iHEARTMEDIA Soft AC KISQ (98.1 THE BREEZE) repeated at #4 (5.4-5.0), while BONNEVILLE Pop CHR KMVQ (99.7 NOW) held steady at #5 (5.0-4.8). Despite a 10.5% drop, KOIT still had the largest cume (1,075,300-962,200). The market was down 2.1%.

KOIT continued to dominate the 25-54 space as it racked up yet another #1 book. It had about a share and a half lead over the two stations occupying the #2 position. KQED stepped up from #3, while KMVQ advanced from #4. Both stations had small increases. KISQ slipped two places to #4 with its third down book in a row. It was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KMEL, which moved up from #6 with its best outing since MARCH. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KYLD (WiLD 94.9) fell from #5 to #12 with its lowest mark since FEBRUARY.

Last month KMEL dropped from first to second 18-34. This time the station regained all of that lost share – plus a bit more – as it moved back into the top spot. KISQ was forced to step down to #2, despite landing its largest share in over a year. The two stations were about a half share apart. They, in turn, were about two shares ahead of the trio of stations at #3. KOIT dipped from #2 with its lowest score in over a year, while AUDACY Alternative KITS (LIVE 105) inched up from #4 with a slight increase. KMVQ advanced from #5 as it got back about half of last month’s share loss.

Nothing lasts forever. KOIT’s year-plus 18-49 winning streak finally came to an end. The station surrendered about a third of its previous share as it dropped to #3. KMVQ assumed command of the demo with its best book since APRIL. KQED moved up to #2 with its highest score in over a year. KMEL stepped up to #4 with a solid increase, while KITS was up to #5, also with its highest share since NOVEMBER. KISQ slipped to #6 with its third down book in a row. KYLD fell from #5 to #11 and was tied with BONNEVILLE Urban AC KBLX.

We’ve only just begun. Next up in the queue: HOUSTON, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON D.C., PHILADELPHIA and BOSTON in that order.

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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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