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RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, October 2024, Part III
October 30, 2024
Way back in ancient days when the Romans or Greeks or whatever dead civilization was naming our months, OCTOBER made sense. At the time it was the eighth month in the calendar and “octo” means eight. Fast forward to modern times and radio decided to co-opt the name and retitle it Roctober. We’ve railed about this in the past, but there is now a new bastardization of this period of time.
Apparently, the geniuses that run the marketing for the MINI line of automobiles have coined the phrase: MotorTober. I’m sure your initial reaction was just like mine – this will clearly compel me to go out and buy a brand new car. To their credit, the automaker admits that this is a “cheeky way to invite people into their nearest MINI showroom during the month of OCTOBER to test drive a new MINI.” Are you not motivated?
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with our analytical partners from XTRENDS – will make better use of our time by dissecting more of the OCTOBER survey. This one ran from SEPTEMBER 12TH through OCTOBER 9TH and unfolded thusly:
SEATTLE-TACOMA: Wait, Wait …
… don’t tell me, but was UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW #1 6+ for the fourth book in a row? Yes, it was (8.4-8.5). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZOK repeated at #2 as it bounced back from a down book (6.1-7.1). HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM 106.9) landed its largest Frosty-free share in over a year (4.2-5.6) as it rose from #8 to #3. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 THE JET) continued to circle the #4 position but with its best book in over a year (4.9-5.5). AUDACY Active Rock KISW was down for the third straight survey (5.4-5.1) as it slid to #5. BONNEVILLE N/T KIRO and AUDACY Country KKWF (100.7 THE WOLF) were previously seen at #5. KIRO was up (4.7-5.0) as it stepped down to #6, while KKWF bedded down at #7 (4.7-4.4). KJEB was soaring as it ascended from #6 to #1 in the cume chase, thanks to a 22.2% increase (435,600-532,300). The market was up 3.5%.
Last month there were three stations wearing the #2 mantle. They were no longer aligned. HUBBARD Pop CHR KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5) moved into first place with a strong share gain. KISW remained at #2 with a moderate increase, while KKWF slipped to #4 with a slight decrease. A flat iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KBKS (HITS 106.1) went from first to third with a slight increase. AUDACY Alternative KNDD (107.7 THE END) was back at #5 with its highest score in over a year.
KBKS made it three 18-34 wins in a row, though it did not reach double figures as it had in the two previous surveys. KQMV stepped up to #2 as it regained most of last month’s massive share loss. KRWM was up three places to #3 with, again, its best Frosty-free share in over a year. KKWF slipped to #4 as it gave back a good portion of last month’s huge share increase. It was paired with KNDD, which dipped from a tie at #3 with a small decrease. KJEB dropped from the tie at #3 to #6 as it surrendered all of SEPTEMBER’s large share increase.
KQMV had its five-book 18-49 winning streak shuttered last month. The station bounced back this time to move from a tie at #2 into the leadership position. KBKS dipped to #2 with a slight increase, while a flat KKWF stepped down to #3. KNDD repeated at #4 with its highest mark since MARCH, while KRWM inched up to #5 with its fourth up book in a row. KISW drifted from #4 to #6 with a slight decrease.
MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: It’s Still Hot
The one constant in this market is that COX MEDIA Urban AC WHQT (HOT 105) will be #1. That prophesy was fulfilled once again, though the station could not duplicate last month’s double-digit feat (10.5-9.1). TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WAMR (AMOR 107.5) landed its largest share since MAY (5.1-6.4) as it rose from #5 to #2. iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Adult Hits WMIA (MAGIC 93.9) dipped to #3 as it halted a two-book surge (6.2-5.7). COX MEDIA AC WFEZ (EASY 93.1) eased its way up to #4, also with its best book since MAY (5.1-5.6). AUDACY AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM) was WFEZ’s mirror image as it slipped to #5 (5.6-5.1). MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS N/T WLRN stepped up to #6 (4.9-4.9), while SBS Spanish Contemporary WCMQ (Z92.3) fell from #3 to #7 (5.6-4.8). The station did garner a 0.3 share from its stream. WFEZ moved back up to #1 in the cume wars with a 4.9% increase (661,000-693,700). The market was off 1.0%.
Despite landing a down book, WMIA was #1 25-54 for the fifth straight survey. In a surprise move a pair of stations formerly seen at #9 made bold and daring moves up the chart. WAMR advanced to #2 with its highest score since MARCH, while COX MEDIA Rhythmic AC WFLC (HITS 97.3) plowed its way to #3 with its best performance in over a year. WLYF slid to #4 with a slight decrease, while the two stations formerly tied at #4 moved on. AUDACY Rhythmic Oldies WPOW (POWER 96) slipped to #5 but with its best book in over a year, while WFEZ alit at #6 with its third straight up book. SBS Spanish Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL 106.7) dropped from #3 to #15 with its lowest score in over a year.
COX MEDIA Urban Contemporary WEDR (99 JAMZ) was #1 18-34 for the third book in a row. The station was a share ahead of the two stations at #2. A flat WLYF dipped from a tie at #1 last time, while SBS Latino Urban WRMA (RITMO 95.7) moved up from a five-way tie at #4 with its biggest number in over a year. WPOW stood alone at #4, also with its largest share in over a year. WHQT, at #3 last book, and WAMR moved down the leaderboard and ended up in a tie at #5. iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WZTU (TÚ 94.9) slid from the tie at #4 to #7. It was partnered with AUDACY Country WKIS (KISS COUNTRY 99.9) and iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHE WHYI (Y100), both of which were last spotted at #14. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WMIB (103.5 THE BEAT), also previously sitting at #4, ended up at #10 this time along with WFEZ.
WMIA continued to lead the 18-49 pack, winning for the third book in a row. It held about a share and a half advantage over WPOW, which advanced from #5 to #2. WLYF dipped to #3 with a slight decrease, while WFEZ stepped up to #4 with a slight increase. WEDR moved up to #5, also with a slight increase, while WHQT dropped to #6. It was tied with a couple of upwardly mobile stations. WRMA was previously sited at #13, while WFLC rose from #15. WXDJ dropped from #2 to #14 and was partnered with three other stations.
PHOENIX: The Easy Way
As with the previous market, there is a station here that is perennially the 6+ leader. That would be iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (KEZ 99.9). The station did not disappoint this month, though it was not able to remain in double figures (10.1-8.4). HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX was back at #2 for the tenth straight survey but with its lowest share in over a year (6.2-5.5). HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD stepped up to #3 (4.2-4.6). It had company as iHEARTMEDIA N/T KFYI-A advanced from #13 with its best outing in over a year (3.0-4.6). MARICOPA N/T KJZZ also posted its best number in over a year (3.7-4.5) as it moved up to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 THE MOUNTAIN) slid to #6 with its lowest mark since FEBRUARY (4.6-4.1). AUDACY Classic Hits KOOL (BIG 94.5) dropped four places to #8 (4.2-3.8). KESZ added 1.5% to its market-leading cume total (759,400-770,500). The market grew by 2.1%.
Triskaidekaphobics may want to avert your eyes from the next sentence. KESZ was #1 25-54 for the 13th straight survey, though with its lowest share since MAY. KUPD repeated at #2 with a small increase, while KSLX jumped from #7 to #3 as it bounced back from a down book. KYOT dipped to #4 with a small decrease, while HUBBARD Alternative KDKB (ALT AZ 93.3) stepped down to #5. iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX and BONNEVILLE Sports KMVP (ARIZONA SPORTS 98.7FM) had been tied at #5. Both stations were down this month as they landed at #6 and #7, respectively.
KESZ was #1 18-34 for the fourth book in a row, the last three of which have been in double digits. KFYI-A more than doubled last month’s share as it vaulted from #10 to #2. AUDACY Pop CHR KALV (LIVE 101.5) repeated at #3, while KUPD slipped to #4 as it ended a strong two-book surge. The three stations formerly sharing the #4 space scattered to the wind. KYOT remained in place with a slight increase, while KDKB dipped to #6 with a slight decrease. KOOL slid to #7 and was tied with AUDACY Country KMLE.
KESZ’s long, uninterrupted string of #1 18-49 books was extended, though the station’s double-digit streak ended at three. KUPD was back at #2 with a slight increase. This next statement is not a typo. KFYI-A rose from #23 to #3, more than doubling its previous share. KYOT scaled two places to #4 with a slight increase, while KDKB slipped to #5 with a small decrease. KOOL fell from #5 into a tie at #13 with DESERT VALLEY Hot AC KMVA (HOT 97.5 & 103.9).
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DETROIT: Lions And Tigers and…
…Wolverines? Surely a sign of the apocalypse is having the TIGERS in the postseason and the LIONS as SUPER BOWL contenders, right? Those situations continued to be a boon for AUDACY Sports WXYT (97.1 THE TICKET), which was #1 6+ for the third book in a row (9.0-11.4). The station also picked up a whopping 2.7 share from its online property. iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC was back at #2 with its second straight flat book (7.3-7.3). AUDACY Classic Hits WOMC stood alone at #3 with its highest mark in over a year (6.5-7.0). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKQI (CHANNEL 955) dipped to #4 (6.5-6.4), while iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.3) stepped up to #5 (6.2-6.0). AUDACY Country WYCD had its lowest share since ELMO & PATSY were in the building (6.4-5.4) as it slipped to #6. WNIC still had the most listeners (900,900-896,700) – a 0.5% decline. The market was down 0.6%.
WXYT has been on a 25-54 tear. The station was up for the fourth book in a row, copped its third straight win and made it back-to-back double-digit efforts. WKQI repeated at #2 with its best outing in exactly a year, while a flat WNIC was back at #3. WOMC once again landed its largest share in over a year as it moved from a tie at #6 to #4. BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF had also been a part of that #6 scene. It stepped up to #5 as it rebounded from a down book. WYCD slid to #6 with its lowest score since JANUARY, while AUDACY Alternative WDZH (ALT 98.7) dropped to #8 as it stopped a strong two-book surge.
Two stations were dominating the 18-34 space. WXYT was #1 and in double figures for the second book in a row. WKQI remained at #2 but hit double figures for the 10th straight survey and 13th time in the last 14 books. WRIF moved up to #3 and was dangerously close to joining the double-digit club. WNIC advanced three spaces to #4 as it regained most of last month’s huge share loss. WOMC stepped up to #5 with its fourth straight up book. WYCD slid three places to #6 with its lowest total since MAY. WDZH fell from #5 into a tie at #8 with iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WJLB.
Last month WXYT and WKQI were tied atop the 18-49 leaderboard and were flirting with double-digit status. This month WXYT did reach that rarefied air as it stood alone at #1, while a flat WKQI dipped to #2. WNIC repeated at #3 with its first up book since MAY. WOMC was up to #4 with its best showing in over a year, while WRIF advanced two places to #5 as it stopped a five-book skid. WYCD dropped from a tie at #3 to #6. WDZH was also previously spotted at #3. It fell into a tie at #7 with WMXD.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: Same As It Ever Was
The top five 6+ stations were pretty much as we last saw them. iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (KFAN 100.3 FM) was #1 and in double figures again (10.3-13.0), while UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST. PAUL Contemporary Christian KTIS was back at #2 but with its lowest score in over a year (8.9-8.5). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) remained at #3 (7.9-7.4), while MPR N/T KNOW held firm at #4 (6.5-6.7). KNOW added a 1.2 share from its stream. HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) again rounded out the top five (6.2-6.1). CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS stepped up to #6 (5.6-5.1), while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDWB fell from a tie at #5 to #7 with its smallest share since MARCH (6.2-5.0). KQQL was the cume commander again with a 6.9% increase (661,300-706,900). The market was off 0.3%.
There wasn’t much change to the 25-54 leaderboard either. KFXN was #1 and in double figures again, while KTIS repeated at #2 with its third up book in a row. A flat KQQL stepped up to #3. KSTP slid from #2 to #4 with its lowest mark in over a year. KDWB dipped to #5 with its least productive outing since JANUARY. It narrowly defeated CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X), which remained at #6.
Both KFXN and KXXR crashed through the double-digit barrier 18-34. KFXN landed at #1, while KXXR finished at #2. The stations were less than a half share apart. This ended the two-book winning streak for KQRS, which ended up at #3 with only a small decrease. KTIS had its best showing in over a year as it leapt from #7 to #4. KDWB slid to #5 with its fourth down book in a row. It was paired with KQQL, which stepped up from #6 with a solid increase. KSTP went from #5 to #7 with its lowest score since MARCH.
KFXN was #1 and in double figures again in the 18-49 space. KTIS inched up to #2 and was within shouting distance of double-digit territory. KQQL stepped up to #3 as it bounced back from a down book, while KSTP slid to #4 with its lowest total in over a year. KXXR was up to #5 with a small decrease, which forced KDWB down to #6.
Rounding third and heading for home as we are close to wrapping up OCTOBER. Thank you for participating. We will conclude our ratings run shortly with TAMPA, DENVER, SAN DIEGO, NASSAU-SUFFOLK and CHARLOTTE.
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