Posts in "Hot Topics"
July 17, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – basically the Gandalf and Dumbledore of data, perpetually intertwined with the XTRENDS crew (who we’re pretty sure communicate via interpretive dance and spreadsheets) – have been doing this ratings rodeo since before your favorite influencer was even a twinkle in a TikTok algorithm. And let us tell you, we’ve seen things. We’re talking Bigfoot sightings, alien abductions, and, yes, even volatility in the 6+ and 25-54 ranks.
But those glory days of chaos? Long gone, my friends. Nowadays, it’s pretty much the same five stations playing musical chairs at the top. Occasionally, a rogue station tries to sneak in, but it’s usually just a brief, awkward cameo before they’re ushered back to the ratings kiddie table.
However, if you’re looking for drama, the 18-34 demo is where the real party’s at. That leaderboard changes faster than a teenager’s ‘favorite’ band. Why? Is it the complete absence of brand loyalty? Attention spans shorter than a Vine video? Tastes that shift with the wind, or maybe the panel just got a new batch of restless spirits? Honestly, we’re not paid enough to figure that out. We just report the numbers, often with a bewildered shrug.
Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re climbing off our antique, creaky soapbox to unveil our final, glorious dive into JUNE! This survey, running from MAY 29TH through the 25TH of JUNE, was chock-full of graduations (cue the Pomp and Circumstance!), vacations (wish we were on one!), the longest day of the year (finally, more time to lament ratings!), and a salute to all the dads we cherish so much. Let’s do this…
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July 16, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Like the relentless turning of the tides, ratings days arrive, summoning us to our screens even in the height of summer. Will these numbers spark celebration, offer a collective sigh of relief, or demand a forensic examination of what went awry? It’s a journey that can feel like an emotional roller coaster, or even a dizzying tilt-a-whirl.
Enter the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC., working hand-in-hand with the algorithmic alchemists at XTRENDS. We’re here to iron out the complexities, transforming raw data into clear insights. Or, at the very least, we’re here to dish out the latest news, seasoned with a few well-placed snarky comments.
This JUNE survey, which ran from MAY 29TH through JUNE 25TH, encompassed a vibrant period: graduations, summer vacations kicking off, the longest day of the year, and a big round of applause for the fathers and father figures in our lives. Ready to dive in?
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July 15, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Six down, seven to go. The JUNE survey kind of marks the halfway point in our ratings year. If you want to be more precise, we are actually more than past the midpoint as the final two books of the year are contaminated by that foul holiday music.
This book ran from MAY 29TH through JUNE 25TH. Some radio stations were adding ALICE COOPER to their rotations, many were taking to the highways and byways in search of some relaxation, and there was a long holiday weekend nestled perfectly into week #4. How did all of this affect radio listening? That’s why The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – with a healthy assist from the number’s nerds at XTRENDS – are paid the big bucks.
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July 14, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Once again, JUNE is busting out all over. And the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – with a healthy assist from the data gatherers from XTRENDS – are here to clean up the mess. This latest 28-day spree was marked by graduations, summer vacations, a salute to dear old Dad and some of the longest days of the year.
The question is – as more potential radio listeners take to the highways and byways, will we see an increase in tune-ins, occasions, durations, and PUMM? Let’s find out.
This survey ran from MAY 29TH through JUNE 25TH and sounded something like this:
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July 10, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Welcome to the Buc-ee’s Cult
I have a confession: I am now a proud member of the Buc-ee’s cult. It happened fast. One day, I was blissfully unaware; the next, I was circling a parking lot in Virginia like a vulture over a brisket sandwich, desperately seeking a spot. Buc-ee’s had landed just ten miles from my house, and apparently, the entire state got the memo—except me. No local ads, no radio blitz, just a line that wrapped around the building like folks were waiting for Taylor Swift tickets.
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June 26, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
I finally got around to watching the movie A Complete Unknown. This is not a review, though Timothy Chalamet was brilliant. It’s more of an observation. Re-hearing so many groundbreaking songs that Bob Dylan created further re-affirmed not only his brilliance, but his immense contributions to the world of music.
I will now resurrect an old question – how will radio handle Bob Dylan’s eventual passing. The man is 84 years old and, not to be morbid, will eventually shuffle off this mortal coil.
How will radio react to this event? You can be sure that the New York Times, AP, Reuter’s, etc. already have obits in the can. CNN and other television networks will produce five-minute retrospectives. You can be sure Sirius/XM will devote an entire channel to the artist. What’s radio’s plan?
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June 20, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Welcome back for our final tour of the MAY radio ratings landscape. So far we have seen the usual spate of the usual suspects scoring their usual numbers. We have also had some surprising plot twists to keep us entertained. Not to mention seeing how the three-minute rule has changed PUMM levels as compared to last year. The one consistent theme of that data is that there is no consistency from market to market.
As always, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC., would be unable to bring you this vital information 13 times a year without the strong support from the crew at XTRENDS.
The MAY book ran from MAY 1ST through the 28TH and did feature the Memorial Day holiday. Buckle up, here we go…
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June 18, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Here we go again. Another spate of radio ratings to digest. Belly up to the buffet, dear friends, as The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with the ratings royalty from XTRENDS – wield our Ginsu knives with perfection to slice and dice the numbers into a consumable form. Whether you’re a picky eater or a true gourmand, there is something here for everyone.
The MAY survey ran from MAY 1ST through the 28TH. This was a time period punctuated by strange weather and another holiday weekend. Here’s what happened…
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June 17, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with the intrepid data diviners from XTRENDS – are back to regale you with more stories and sagas from the MAY survey. There were the requisite number of triumphs and tragedies, victories and defeats along with the mind-numbing regularity of the same old trends. Fortunes rose and fell based on a small percentage of the population. Yes, it’s a system that causes those outside of our industry to cock their heads like a curious dog. But it’s what we signed up for.
The book ran from MAY 1ST through the 28TH. It was an odd weather month that culminated in a three-day holiday weekend. Let us begin…
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June 16, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Ah, MAY—the month that can’t decide whether it wants to be spring or summer. It’s the time when allergies wage war with your sinuses, and the promise of warmer weather is just enough to lure you outside, only for you to realize you’re woefully unprepared for the sudden downpour. Somehow, MAY manages to be both charming and infuriating, like a radio host that talks over your favorite song.
This was also the rare month when the calendar matched NIELSEN’s approximations as the survey ran from MAY 1ST through the 28TH. We all saluted Mom and there was a three-day federal holiday contained within the 28 day sweep.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – in close cooperation with our cohorts at XTRENDS – present, for your dining and dancing pleasure – MAY.
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