November 7, 2025
Wrapping up the OCTOBER survey with style and some sort of substance, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—in a committed relationship with the numbers crunchers at XTRENDS—bring you our final foray into the most recent PPM numbers. We understand this may cause you to feel a sense of loss—or perhaps ennui. But that is radio life. You are now free to go back to scheduling music and working on next year’s budget.
The OCTOBER survey ran from SEPTEMBER 18TH through OCTOBER 15TH. Notable occurrences included ROSH HASHANAH, YOM KIPPUR, and the autumnal equinox, not necessarily in that order. Here’s how it unfolded:
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November 6, 2025
The siren song of OCTOBER—when radio programmers everywhere are faced with the daunting decision of how often to spin Thriller and Monster Mash. Do we treat this like CHRISTMAS music and play them beginning eight weeks out, or do we just bombard listeners with spooky tunes all day on HALLOWEEN? Fortunately, the OCTOBER survey does not reflect that. This one ran from SEPTEMBER 18TH through OCTOBER 15TH. It featured ROSH HASHANAH, YOM KIPPUR, the changing of the seasons and the beginning of a government shutdown.
As always, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—with a significant tush push from the data diviners from XTRENDS—are here to make sense of it all. Or not.
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November 5, 2025
Welcome to OCTOBER. For all intents and purposes this is likely the final survey of the year that will not be tainted by the foul stench of BURL IVES and his evil minions. Even as I write this there are stations around the country that are hanging garland in their (virtual) studios as on-air performers tense up for the endless stream of MARIAH CAREY teases. I mean, what hasn’t been said about those songs already? So, enjoy the fresh air while you can.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – with a healthy assist from the point guards at XTRENDS – bring you another round of the OCTOBER book. It ran from SEPTEMBER 18TH through OCTOBER 15TH. It featured ROSH HASHANAH, YOM KIPPUR, and the changing of the season. Here is what the numbers told us (as they whispered in our ears) …
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November 4, 2025
Let’s be honest— “Rocktober” isn’t a thing, no matter how many rock stations insist on making it the centerpiece of their fall promotions. If we’re going to rename months, can we at least pick something that doesn’t sound like a dad joke from 1997? The only thing rocking in OCTOBER Is the amount of pumpkin spice AMERICA is consuming. That, and tons of HALLOWEEN candy we steal from our kids.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – in close cooperation with the legendary logarithm leaders from XTRENDS – bring you another action splattered edition of how the numbers churn. The OCTOBER book ran from SEPTEMBER 18TH through OCTOBER 15TH. It featured ROSH HASHANAH, the Autumnal Equinox, and YOM KIPPUR. Here’s how it unfolded…
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October 27, 2025
You may have missed this, but Tesla recently announced a new version – The Model 3. It will be the lowest priced Tesla vehicle available. It lists for $38,630. I guess “cheap” is a matter of perception.
But get this. The “cheapest” model does not have an AM/FM radio. Yes, you can pay more to add that option, but Tesla is eliminating terrestrial radio from its audio package in this model.
We know that the automobile industry has been deemphasizing AM/FM radio for years. The amount of audio entertainment options available on dashboard screens seems to increase with each new model year.
Radio, we have a problem.
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