Posts in "Hot Topics"
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…
Read More…
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.
Read More…
June 12, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Time Waits For No One
Your time is valuable—and it’s finite. Today’s radio programmers are juggling more responsibilities than ever. While we often joke about our ability to multi-task, the reality is that no one can truly master multiple tasks at once. There’s always something else pulling at our attention.
Read More…
June 5, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
That seems to be the “phrase that pays” so far in 2025. On that topic, did you see the article in Inside Radio last week about programmatic advertising? As is often the case, it highlighted the power and pitfalls of digital advertising.
Read More…
May 29, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
We’re now four surveys into the new reality of the three-minute qualifier in PPM markets, and one thing is clear: radio has benefited from this new reporting procedure. If you’re a faithful follower of this missive, you know we compared Q1 2024 with Q1 2025 and found that, across several demos, all the major dayparts, and the most common formats, AQH is up in double digits. (If you haven’t seen those comparisons, the links are below.)
So, what’s next? What can Nielsen do to provide an even more accurate account of radio listening? Read More…
May 22, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Why is it that in some markets we see status quo in survey after survey, while in others we witness wild swings almost every month? Is it market conditions? Are some stations actually marketing? Or is it just the mood swings of the panel? These are some of the great mysteries of radio life.
Alas, while The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with the number’s gurus from XTRENDS – may have some insight into this after years of observations, the sad truth is that every market has its own idiosyncrasies.
As we wrap up the fourth month under the new three-minute reality, we find the one consistent theme has been a lack of consistent themes. The APRIL survey began on APRIL 3RD and ground to a halt on APRIL 30TH. Here’s our final look at this survey:
Read More…
May 21, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
It’s that time again – time to marvel at the magical numbers that tell us just how much people love their radios. Or, if we’re honest, at least how much they tolerate them between Spotify sessions. Wait, did I say the last part out loud?
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – in quiet collaboration with the math mages from XTRENDS – are back to demonstrate the power of radio. Yes, we believe – and if you’re reading this here missive, you do, too.
We are now four months into the three-minute reality, and we have seen PUMMS on the rise. Every market is different and these next five are a perfect example. The APRIL survey ran from APRIL 3RD through APRIL 30TH and unfolded thusly:
Read More…
May 20, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Well, dear friends, here we are again, digging through the dirt of the radio ratings trenches. APRIL has been a rollercoaster of numbers, surprises, and the usual drama, which pretty much sums up every survey. Just when you thought you could predict the winners and losers, the universe throws a curveball or a sweeper. Honestly, I don’t know the difference.
This specific 28-day segment began on APRIL 3RD and concluded on APRIL 30TH. It featured some rather important religious holidays, baseball was being played for real, and you were likely having some pleasant discussions with your accountant.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with our partners in data from XTRENDS – are here with all the juicy details.
Read More…
May 19, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Welcome to the APRIL survey. That glorious month of… well, unpredictability. Just when you think you can finally pack away those bulky winter coats and embrace the gentle caress of spring, April swoops in with a mischievous grin and a bipolar weather forecast. One day it’s sunshine and daisies, the next it’s a surprise hailstorm, just to keep you on your toes. Because who needs consistency, right?
Except, of course, when it comes to ratings. And that’s where we enter the chat. The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – in a close order formation with the masters of the algorithm from XTRENDS – bring you another action splattered edition of the ratings wars.
This book ran from APRIL 3RD through the 30TH and featured Passover, Easter Sunday, and National Zipper Day—for those of you that celebrate. Here’s what happened:
Read More…
May 15, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
For those of you keeping score at home, last week’s missive compared Q1 2024 with Q1 2025 to see how the change in Nielsen’s reporting procedures affected radio listening. We covered six demos across all the major dayparts. If you missed that one, there will be a link at the end of this article.
This time we are once again teaming up with the wizards from XTRENDS to see how the new rules affected different formats. We focused on total week and Adults 18-49 and 25-54. The data was compiled from 48 of the 49 PPM markets. We also list how many stations were included in each format group.
Here’s the chart:
Read More…
