September 3, 2026
When was the last time your radio station surprised your listeners? I mean truly surprised them. Radio loves its formats. Our formats have rules and boundaries. Ever since the advent of PPM we, as an industry, have played it safer and safer. Eliminate the negatives! Prevent tune out! Stay in your lane!
Image by Gustavo Fring of Pexels.
As a result, we have become risk averse. We don’t take chances because—what if they fail?
The better question is—what if they work?
According to AI, a pleasant surprise creates the following cycle:
- Freeze: Cognitive function briefly pauses for a fraction of a second to stop and absorb the unexpected stimulus.
- Find: Curiosity activates as your brain tries to figure out what just happened.
- Shift: Your perception adapts and updates its view of reality based on the positive outcome.
It also releases dopamine and couldn’t we all use a bit more of that right now?
I understand that being spontaneous and unpredictable takes planning. Today’s radio programmers don’t really have that kind of “free” time. Radio staff have also been reduced to the point where there are fewer opportunities to brainstorm or spit ball ideas.
Creativity is a process. It takes time to ferment. It also needs an encouraging environment. Programmers need to feel safe to take educated risks.
I spend a lot of time looking at Nielsen data. I can tell you that playing an unexpected song that is not on your safe list is not going to kill your station’s ratings. Especially if you do this for a reason. At best it will get a listener’s attention. At worst, it’s just more audio wallpaper.
We have let things like music tests narrow our view of the music world. We have, ironically, reinforced the old listener complaint that we play the same songs “over and over.” The pure plays have given listeners control over what they hear. If radio is to grow, it needs to rethink format structure.
I hate to use the outside the box cliché, but we are so locked into our “best” and “most” slogans that we forget our primary mission is entertainment. Sorry, but ten in a row is not entertainment.
Here’s a thought. Get your staff together for a play date. Include people from other departments. Go off campus, if you can. Feed them. Then open the floor for discussion. What can you do differently? There are no bad ideas. Be outrageous. Be bold. Be daring. This is not only a great team building exercise, the results may…wait for it…surprise you.
How delightful.
Feel free to tell me I’m full of it: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
August 27, 2026
Image by Wal Saravia of Pexels.
Like almost everyone else on planet Earth, I was devastated and saddened when I heard of Dolly Parton’s passing. The world did not just lose a great songwriter and performer, but someone who transcended the barriers that separate us.
Since this is a radio centric publication, Dolly’s music is the message. How did radio respond to this passing of an icon? I don’t know. I leave that to the folks who monitor radio stations for a living.
I did see an article on how radio responded. It was a series of social media posts, many of which featured the obligatory pics of personalities and programmers with Dolly.
Kewl.
What did that do for the listener? I can tell you that on the evening of her death, the news networks were pretty much wall-to-wall with coverage and reactions. They played clips of her songs. They interviewed celebrities and those that just knew her. It was cathartic. SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel went live that night with Elizabeth Cook and took listener calls. Very emotional.
I’m asking this open question—what did your station do in the aftermath? For sure, your evening show was likely voice tracked and could not respond. Did you break format and play “9 to 5” the next day? Did you take calls to let listeners talk about how Dolly’s music affected them? Is there an Imagination Library in your town? Sounds like a perfect time for a fundraiser.
Radio gets so locked up in our “formats.” We stick to strict rules and dare not venture outside of our lanes for fear a meter might tune out. Rather than surprise our audience and live in the moment, we often retreat behind our format fortresses.
Pop music has been around for 70 plus years. There are songs and artists from bygone eras that have universal appeal. We have multiple generations of potential listeners that have extremely broad musical tastes. I’m not just talking about “formats.” We see this, for example, with how many Classic Rock/Hits stations perform with the 18-34 crowd.
I have millennial kids who grew up listening to my music. They are fans of the Beatles, Little Feat, the Allman Brothers, etc. They are also fans of the music of their generation. To them it’s all one playlist.
Dolly is on that list. She transcended generations and formats. Did radio seize that moment and assert its relevance? Or did we play it safe? Again.
Sadly, this is not the last icon we will lose. What is YOUR plan to share those moments with your listeners?
I’m curious. What did your station(s) do in the wake of this stunning news?
Let me know, I’d love to share radio’s greatness: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
August 20, 2026
Image by geralt from Pixabay.
I live in a small market and because of that, I’m no more than ten minutes away from whatever I need. As a result, I spend less time in the car and, by extension, less time listening to the radio. So last week I decided to “lock in” the local rock station.
There was this one break that got me. The “Guaranteed Human” voice tracker gave this setup: “What is the most dangerous thing you can do to your ears (or words to that effect)?”
A decent tease that got me ticking through the possibilities. Then came the kicker: “I’ll tell you the answer in 18 and a half minutes.”
Wait, what? I won’t wait that long for my lunch order. In our instant world no one is going to “stick around” for an answer they can immediately Google.
My point is not to pillory the talent or the break, but to talk about what we can do to (hopefully) turn listener behavior into ratings gold.
In Diary world, teasing tune-in outcomes can have little effect on the ratings. Even with the new electronic diaries, the game is all about recall. How memorable is your product? When listeners reconstruct their broadcast days, they will record what they remember, not necessarily what they consumed. (Try this: write down everything you have had for lunch for the last seven days.)
In PPM world the rules are dramatically different. That pesky little meter records real listening, in real time. As a programmer you can have an impact on one of the key components of AQH listening. Specifically, Average Weekly Time Exposed (AWTE).
AWTE (or TSL) is composed of two elements:
- Occasions—how many times someone tunes in to your station for at least three minutes in a quarter hour.
- Duration—the length of the occasion.
We know that most average durations last between eight and eleven minutes (do you know yours?). Creating what NPR calls “driveway moments” is difficult. When most people reach their destination, they are not likely to sit in their car waiting for the payoff of a tease.
Where you can have an impact is with Occasions. Getting a weekday listener to tune in on a weekend, or vice versa, will increase your AWTE. Converting them to more horizontal occasions is an art form that can yield positive results. Or, getting that morning commuter to listen on their way home is a (somewhat) easier behavior modification to encourage.
Personalities and Programmers who live in the moment not only develop a relationship with their fans, but they also gain a level of trust with their audience. Asking for the order has more credibility if you consistently deliver on your promises with some level of value.
This whole rant falls under the heading of audience recycling. Increasing cume is a marketing issue. Growing tune-in occasions is something you control and track.
And for heaven’s sake—don’t make anyone wait 18 and a half minutes!
Feel free to tell me I’m full of it at: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
August 13, 2026
The bell has rung for the final lap of the JULY ratings race. What have we learned? Welp, predicting what will happen in any market is an inexact science. Some remain fixated on their previous positions, while others fluctuate wildly. You would think that since we have deep knowledge and experience in these matters, we could make a fortune on something like KALSHI. But betting on the meters may not be a sound investment.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC—along with the power players from XTRENDS—do our level best to give you insight and perspective every month. This one ran from JUNE 25TH through JULY 22ND. While radio folk were focused on the AC format, everyone else was focused on the AC thermostat.
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER: More Dove Love
For the sixth book in a row, COX MEDIA Soft AC WDUV (105.5 THE DOVE) was the runaway 6+ leader (11.0-9.9). COX MEDIA Classic Hits WXGL (107.3 THE EAGLE) flew up to #2 as it bounced back from a down book (5.6-6.1). RADIO TRAINING NETWORK Contemporary Christian WCIE (THE JOY FM) repeated at #3 (5.8-5.9), while iHEARTMEDIA AC WMTX (MIX 100.7) slipped to #4 as it surrendered most of last month’s share increase (6.0-5.4). BEASLEY Classic Hits WRBQ (Q105) dipped to #5 with its smallest share since the geese were making more geese (5.6-5.2). Despite a 5.4% drop, WDUV remained in cume control (626,200-592,300). The market was down 1.2%.
There was a changing of the 25-54 guards as WDUV’s five-book winning string came to an end. The station moved down to #3. Two stations replaced it at #1. WRBQ rose from #3 as it rebounded from a down book, while iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock WXTB (98 ROCK) advanced from #4 with its third up book in a row. Also coming in at #3 was COX MEDIA Hot AC WWRM (MAGIC 94.9), which moved up from #5 with a slight increase. WMTX slid from #2 to #5 with its smallest share since MARCH. WCIE dipped to #6 and was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WFLZ (93.3 FLZ).
The 18-34 contest was both shaken and stirred. WXGL vaulted from #14 to #1 as it more than doubled its last number. It was being chased by three stations at #2, all of which improved their previous status. WCIE was up from #4 with a small share loss, while WFLZ rose from #5 with a slight increase. WWRM moved up from #6 as it regained a small portion of last month’s massive share loss. WDUV snapped its four-book winning string and dropped down to #5. It was met there by COX MEDIA Urban AC WTBV (101.5 THE VIBE), which was up from #8 with its largest share since SEPTEMBER. WXTB and WMTX were last seen at #2 and #3, respectively. They fell as one into a tie at #7.
Though WMTX returned all of last survey’s increase, the station still managed to repeat at #1 18-49. WWRM was up two slots to #2 with a slight increase and was paired with WFLZ, which advanced from #7 with its highest score since MARCH. They trailed the leader by less than a half share. WCIE stepped down to #4 with its lowest mark since AUGUST. WDUV slipped from #2 to #5 and was joined there by WRBQ, which rose from #8. WXTB slid from #4 to #7 but was very close to remaining in the top five.
DENVER-BOULDER: It’s Cozy, Not Koozie
Just wanted to clear up any confusion. For the third book in a row, BONNEVILLE AC KOSI (KOSI 101.1) was #1 6+ (6.9-6.9). BONNEVILLE Country KYGO rose to #2 with its best outing since SEPTEMBER (5.3-6.0). AUDACY Classic Rock KQMT (99.5 THE MOUNTAIN) slid to #3 with its smallest share since OCTOBER (6.0-5.2). It was tied with the stationary iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTCL (CHANNEL 93.3), which returned all of last month’s share gain (5.7-5.2). Also landing in third place was AUDACY Modern AC KALC (ALICE 105.9), which rose from a tie at #6 as it ended a two-book slide (4.8-5.2). iHEARTMEDIA AAA KBCO just missed joining that party as it stayed behind at #6 (4.8-5.1). KSE MEDIA Classic Hits KXKL (KOOL 105) went from #4 to #7 with its lowest total since JANUARY (5.3-4.9). KOSI kept the cume lead despite a 6.8% decline (488,200-455,100). The market was off 0.6%.
KTCL continued to be the dominant 25-54 player. While it was flat this month it did extend its string of #1 books to seven. KALC inched up to #2 as it rebounded from a down book. KOSI dipped to #3 with a slight decrease. Two stations came charging up the chart to land at #4. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDHT (HITS 93.7) advanced from #9 with its best showing in over a year. ENTRAVISION Mexican Regional KXPK (LA TRICOLOR 96.5) leapt from #7 with its highest score since AUGUST. KQMT and KXKL were tied at #4. They fell to #7 and #8, respectively.
KXPK exploded in the 18-34 realm. The station more than doubled last month’s share, landed in double figures, and moved from #3 to #1. This ended KTCL’s three-book winning streak though it did land its fourth double-digit book in a row. KOSI and KDHT moved their pairing from #4 to #3 with large share increases. KXKL slid from #2 to #5 and was joined there by COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO N/T KCFR, which advanced from #8 with its best showing in over a year. KQMT and KSE MEDIA Hot AC KIMN (MIX 100) fell together from #4 to #9.
While KXPK was not quite as explosive 18-49, the station did go from #4 to #1 with its highest total in over a year. Once again, KTCL dipped to #2 as its three-book winning streak was halted. KOSI dipped to #3 with a slight increase. KALC and KDHT moved as a unit from #5 to #4 with solid increases. KXKL slid from #3 to #6.
SAN DIEGO: Sunny Side Of The Street
We’re running out of headline cliches for AUDACY Classic Hits KXSN (SUNNY 98.1). The station was #1 6+ for the fourth book in a row (7.5-7.8). SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY N/T KPBS was back at #2 (6.5-6.4), while GROUPO IMAGEN Spanish AC XLTN (RADIO LATINA 104.5FM) rose two places to #3 with its best showing in over a year (5.0-5.6). AUDACY AC KYXY dipped to #4 (5.3-5.3), while iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMYI (STAR 94.1) remained at #5 (5.0-5.0). LOCAL MEDIA Rhythmic AC XHRM (MAGIC 92.5) landed its smallest share in over a year as it fell from #3 to #7 (5.3-4.3). It was paired with TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNV (QUÉ BUENA 106.5), which moved up a spot (4.2-4.3). KXSN was still the cume leader with a 0.2% decrease (597,200-596,300). The market was down 0.3%.
In JUNE, KXSN and LOCAL MEDIA Alternative XTRA (91X) shared the 25-54 lead. KXSN remained in place with a small increase, while XTRA moved down to #3 as it returned most of last month’s huge increase. In between them was KLNV, which vaulted from #9 to #2 with its largest number since NOVEMBER. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KIOZ (ROCK 105.3) dipped to #4 with its lowest mark since we were pretending a snowman was a member of the clergy. KMYI stepped up to #4 with a slight decrease, while XHRM went from #3 to #6.
KXSN was #1 18-34 for the fifth straight survey and hit the double-digit number in the process. KMYI inched to #2 though it gave up a chunk of last month’s increase. XLTN was up two places to #3 with a small increase. It was paired with KPBS, which advanced from #8 with its highest score in over a year. XTRA slipped from #2 to #5. It was partnered with KYXY, down from #4, and KLNV, up from #6.
For the third month in a row, KXSN was #1 18-49. KLNV rose from #5 to #2 and was about a half share off the lead. KMYI inched up to #3 with a slight increase, while XHRM dipped to #4. XTRA fell from #2 to #5 as it lost about half of last month’s rather large increase. KYXY stepped down to #6 with a small decrease.
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CHARLOTTE-GASTONIA-ROCK HILL: Annnd…We’re Back
After taking last month off, UNIVERSITY RADIO FOUNDATION N/T WFAE was back at #1 6+ for the third time in the last four books (5.9-7.0). This relegated iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits WLKO (102.9 THE LAKE) down to #2 (6.7-6.6). PACIFIC BROADCASTING Classic Hits WXRC (95.7FM THE RIDE) motored down to #3 as it stopped a strong three-book surge (6.6-6.0). It was double parked with iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WRFX (99.7 THE FOX), which advanced from #7 with its best book in over a year (5.2-6.0). iHEARTMEDIA Country WKKT (96.9 THE KAT) repeated at #5 (5.8-5.7), while iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WEND (106.5 THE END) fell from a tie at #3 to #10 with its lowest score since MARCH (5.9-4.7). WLKO still wore the cume crown despite a 5.3% decline (554,700-525,100). The market was down 1.5%.
WEND did end a strong three-book surge but the station was #1 25-54 for the fourth straight survey. However, its margin over #2 WRFX shrank from over two and a half shares to less than a half point. WLKO was back at #3 as it regained all of last month’s lost share. WFAE repeated at #4 as it bounced back from a down book. WKKT and BEASLEY Urban Contemporary WPEG (POWER 98) traded spaces with the former up to #5 and the latter down to #6.
Two books ago NORSAN Mexican Regional WOLS (LA RAZA 106.1) was #15 18-34. Last month it vaulted to #2 and this time it landed at #1 and in double figures. WRFX moved up to #2 with a solid increase, while WEND slipped to #3 as it left double-digit land. BEASLEY Classic Hits WKQC (K104.7FM) jumped from #7 to #4 as it regained some of last survey’s massive share loss. WLKO remained at #5 and was partnered with WFAE, which rose from #10 as it recovered from a down book. BEASLEY Pop CHR WNKS (KISS 95.1), in perhaps its last full survey fell from #3 to #7 as it surrendered most of last month’s large increase. It was not alone in that space. BEASLEY Urban AC WBAV (V101.9) slipped from #5 to #7. But wait, there’s more. WXRC stepped up from #8, while NORSAN Spanish Tropical WGSP (LATINA 102.3/107.5) rose from #15. It was #23 just two books ago.
Those sly folks at WRFX stepped up to #1 18-49, which ended the two-book run at #1 for WEND. It dipped to #2 and was a share off the lead. WFAE inched up to #3 as it got back some of last month’s share loss. It was paired with WOLS, which advanced from #8 with a huge share gain. WKQC and WLKO moved their partnership from #6 to #5, They were flat. WPEG slipped to #7 with its smallest share since NOVEMBER, while WNKS fell from #3 to #8.
NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND): For The Wins
This was the seventh straight 6+ win for AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) (7.7-7.0). IHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) rocketed from #9 to #2 with its largest Frosty-free share in over a year (4.2-6.0). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) dipped to #3 with its lowest total since FEBRUARY (6.8-5.9). AUDACY Sports WFAN (SPORTS Radio 101.9FM/66AM) was as flat as the YANKEES without AARON JUDGE as it stepped down to #4 (5.7-5.7). RED APPLE MEDIA N/T WABC-A was back at #5 (5.2-5.5). It narrowly defeated CONNOISSEUR Hot AC WALK (WALK FM), which held steady at #6 but with its best book since FEBRUARY (4.8-5.4). COX MEDIA Pop CHR WBLI slipped three places to #7 (5.3-5.2). Moving from #4 to #1 in the cume parade was WLTW, thanks to a 7.6% increase (367,300-395,200). The market was off by 4.1%.
WHTZ was a solid #1 25-54 for the fifth straight survey. However, it could not build upon its two-book double-digit streak. WALK remained at #2 as it bounced back from a down book, while WLTW inched up to #3 with a rather large share gain. WBLI moved down to #4 with its lowest score since some dude named Jack was invading our personal spaces. It was partnered with two other stations. WFAN was up a spot with a slight increase, while AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7) rose from #9 as it recovered from a down book.
It was a good month to be WLTW. The station jumped from #5 to #1 18-34, more than doubling its last book and hitting double figures. WALK repeated at #2 with a slight increase but was about three shares in arrears. This stopped the three-book winning string for WBLI, which drifted down to #3 with its first down book since JANUARY. MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS advanced from #11 to #4 as it also more than doubled its previous share. WHTZ slid from #2 to #5, while CONNOISSEUR AC WKJY (K-JOY 98.3) went from #4 to #6. Both stations had noticeable share losses. AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS fell from #5 into a tie at #9 with CONNOISSEUR Country WWWF (103.1 THE WOLF).
WLTW didn’t quite double last month’s share, but it did quite well as it rose from #4 to #1 18-49. This stopped the four-book winning string for WHTZ, which dipped to #2. WALK remained at #3 with a small increase, while WBLI slipped two places to #4. WFAN was back at #5 with a small increase. It was joined there by WNEW, which advanced from #10.
Thanks for slogging along with us. Less than four weeks from now AUGUST will be here. It…just…never…ends. We’re always open to your thoughts, suggestions, critiques, and complaints about this here missive. A real human will answer this email: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com.
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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 email info@ResearchDirectorInc.com or sallan@ResearchDirectorInc.com.
August 12, 2026
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—along with the data diviners from XTRENDS—are back to take another stab at the JULY ratings scene. Perhaps “stab” is not the best choice of words. That does imply a potentially inappropriate level of aggressiveness. We’re here to massage the numbers. No, that’s not right. How about—we’re all about parsing the numbers while providing perspective and context.
Yea, that sounds much more professional.
The JULY book ran from JUNE 25TH through JULY 22ND. There were no major holiday breaks, but we were contending with heat domes, wildfires, dogs and cats living together. Let’s see what happened:
MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: Miami Vise
There were six stations atop the 6+ leaderboard all within a share of first place. AUDACY AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM) moved from #3 to #1 (5.8-6.0), while COX MEDIA AC WFEZ (EASY 93.1) was back at #2 (5.9-5.9). AUDACY Classic Hits WMXH (102.7 THE BEACH) leapt from #7 to #3 with its best outing since DECEMBER (5.2-5.5). COX MEDIA Urban AC WHQT (HOT 105) remained at #4 (5.7-5.4), while iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Adult Hits WMIA (MAGIC 93.9) dropped from #1 to #5 (6.1-5.1). TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Hot AC WAMR (AMOR 107.5) repeated at #6 (5.3-5.0), while SBS Spanish Contemporary WCMQ (Z92.3) slipped to #7 (5.5-4.6). Making a big move was EMF Contemporary Christian WMLV (K-LOVE), which rose from #15 to #8 with its third up book in a row (3.1-4.2). WLYF continued to lead the cume wars with a 1.5% decline (714,200-703,800). The market was down 2.1%.
WLYF was #1 25-54 for the fourth straight survey. WFEZ continued at #2 and trailed the leader by a half share. WMXJ stepped up to #3, while WHQT inched up to #4. Both stations had small share losses. WMLV vaulted from #12 to #5 with its highest score in over a year. It was tied with COX MEDIA Rhythmic AC WFLC (HITS 97.3), which moved up a spot. WMIA dropped from #3 to #7 with its lowest total since FEBRUARY. It was paired with AUDACY Classic Hip Hop WPOW (POWER 96).
Not only was COX MEDIA Urban Contemporary WEDR (99 JAMZ) #1 18-34 for the third book in a row, the station barreled through the double-digit barrier. WLYF remained at #2 but with a massive share increase. These two stations clearly outdistanced the rest of the field. WFEZ advanced from #7 to #3 with its best book since AUGUST. WMIA slipped to #4 and was met there by WPOW, which rose from #7 with its highest mark in over a year. Last month there were three stations resting at #4. WFLC slipped to #6, while WHQT dropped into a tie at #7 with WCMQ. WMXJ fell all the way to #11 and was partnered with iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WMIB (103.5 THE BEAT).
WLYF was the 18-49 leader for the fourth book in a row. WEDR jumped from #5 to #2 with its best showing in over a year. WMLV accomplished the same feat as it advanced from #11 to #3. WPOW rose from #8 to #4, while two stations were residing at #5. WFLC remained in place and was joined by WHQT, which slid from a tie at #2. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WBGG (BIG 105.9) went from #5 to #7. WMIA and WMXJ were previously spotted at #2T and #4. They dropped into a tie at #8.
SEATTLE-TACOMA: No Tunes For You
For the fourth straight survey, the top two 6+ stations were lacking a playlist. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW was #1 (7.4-7.7), while BONNEVILLE Sports KIRO-A (SEATTLE SPORTS 710AM) was #2 (7.3-6.4). The next two stations rebounded from down books. AUDACY Active Rock KISW (THE ROCK) moved up to #3 (4.9-5.5), while iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZOK made its way from #7 to #4 (4.5-5.2). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 THE JET) taxied down to #5 with its smallest share since a certain sleigh was on the radar (6.2-5.0). CRISTA Contemporary Christian KCMS (SPIRIT 105.3) dipped to #6 (4.7-4.6). KJEB remained on top of the cume heap despite a 10.2% drop (669,500-601,300). The market was off by 1.9%.
KISW was the leading 25-54 station for the fourth book in a row. AUDACY Alternative KNDD (107.7 THE END) jumped from #5 to #2 with its best book in a year but was still about a share behind its cluster bruh. KIRO-A stepped down to #3 as it ended a four-book surge, while KUOW dipped to #4 with a slight increase. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KBKS (HITS 106.1) stepped up to #5, also with a slight increase. KJEB descended from #3 to #7.
KIRO-A repeated as the 18-34 leader but was forced to share as KISW moved up from #2. Both stations had down books. KBKS was up to #3 with its best outing since JANUARY, while KNDD moved from #6 to #4 with a small share gain. KCMS was up two places to #5 with its highest mark in over a year. It was tied with AUDACY Country KKWF (100.7 THE WOLF), which dipped from #4 with its third straight down book. KJEB fell from #2 into a four-way tie at #7.
The 18-49 race was very close. KISW moved up to #1, while KNDD stepped up to #2. They were separated by a slim margin. KIRO-A went from first to third, while KBKS remained at #4 but with its fourth straight up book. HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM 106.9) moved up to #5 with its best showing since JANUARY. KKWF slipped to #6 as it ended a strong three-book surge.
PHOENIX: Sharing Is Caring
While they may not be sitting around a campfire singing Kumbaya, two stations did move up and into a share of the 6+ lead. iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9 KEZ) inched up from #2 (6.6-6.4), while HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX rose from #3 as it bounced back from a down book (5.4-6.4). Last month’s leader was iHEARTMEDIA N/T KFYI-A and it went from first to third (6.7-6.0). MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGE N/T KJZZ moved up to #4 (4.8-4.9), which pushed iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (99.5 THE MOUNTAIN) down to #5 (5.1-4.7). iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX dipped to #6 (4.8-4.5). Despite a 7.5% drop KESZ still had the most listeners (913,800-845,500). The market dropped by 0.8%.
KESZ turned it up to eleven, capturing the 25-54 flag for the eleventh straight survey. KYOT stood alone at #2 but was nearly two shares off the pace. HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD moved down to #3 as its three-book surge ground to a halt. ENTRAVISION Mexican Regional KLNZ (LA TRICOLOR 103.5) remained at #4 with its smallest share since JANUARY. It was joined there by iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX 96.9), which vaulted from #16 with its best showing since SEPTEMBER. KSLX dipped to #6 with a small decrease. It was met there by TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Adult Hits KOMR (AMOR 106.3), which rose from #8.
KESZ moved back up to #1 18-34 with its best Frosty-free share in exactly a year. This ended the two-book winning string for KYOT, which moved down to #2. KUPD was back at #3 and was tied with AUDACY Pop CHR KALV (LIVE 101.5), which stepped up from #4. Both stations had down books. They were partnered with another station as KOMR advanced from #12 with its largest share in over a year. KNIX slipped to #7 and was paired with KMXP, which rose from #13.
KESZ swapped places with KUPD to become the 18-49 winner. Both stations had down books. As did KYOT, which remained at #3. KALV repeated at #4 and was tied with KMXP, which rocketed up from #16. ZELUS Hot AC KMVA (HOT 97.5/103.9) also moved up to #4 with a slight increase.
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DETROIT: Same Time, Same Station
The 6+ chart was relatively unchanged from JUNE. Same players, slightly different arrangement. AUDACY Sports WXYT (97.1 THE TICKET) was #1 for the seventh straight survey (9.3-9.2). Coming in at #2 for the third book in a row was AUDACY Classic Hits WOMC (8.1-7.5). AUDACY Country WYCD repeated at #3 (7.2-7.2). iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC stepped up to #4 as it rebounded from a down book (5.8-6.4). This pushed iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.5) down to #5 (6.5-6.1). WNIC may have lost 9.3% of its listening audience but it was still #1 in your cume program (1,004,600-911,500). The market shrank by 2.4%.
WXYT continued to dominate the 25-54 space. The station was #1—and in double figures—for the seventh straight survey. BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF remained at #2 but managed to narrow the deficit to two shares. WRIF was also up for the fourth book in a row. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKQI (CHANNEL 955) was up two places to #3 as it halted a three-book slide. WOMC repeated at #4 with a slight decrease, while iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WJLB slid to #5 with its lowest total since JANUARY.
A lot happened in the 18-34 world. WJLB was #1 for the fourth book in a row and just missed extending its double-digit string to five. WRIF moved up to claim its share of the lead and also narrowly missed double figures. Just three surveys ago WRIF sat at 11. WKQI dipped to #3 and was less than a half share behind the leaders. WYCD stepped up to #4 with its largest share in over a year. WXYT dipped to #5 with a slight decrease, while WOMC moved down to #6.
WRIF was up 18-49 for the fourth book in a row and posted its best number in over a year as it moved up to #1. WXYT was up to #2 with a slight increase. WJLB went from #1 to #3 with its smallest share since FEBRUARY. WKQI maintained its #4 presence with a solid increase, while WYCD inched up to #5, again with its best outing in over a year. WOMC went from #4 to #6 with a small share loss.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: Hitting The Fan
Keen observers of this missive have noticed that the ratings picture in some markets is somewhat incomplete. We are bound by duty and law to only list those stations that subscribe to NIELSEN. The delisted stations are still on the air, still attract listeners, and still serve advertisers. If we shared their numbers with you, well, we’d have to kill you—and no one wants that. Now, back to the countdown…
After falling to #3 6+ last month, iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (KFAN FM 100.3) was back on top this survey (7.2-8.2). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) stepped down to #2 (8.0-7.5), while iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K102) dipped to #3 (7.3-7.3). MPR N/T KNOW was back at #4 (6.8-6.8). The station did generate a 0.7 share from cyberspace. UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST. PAUL Contemporary Christian KTIS moved up two slots to #5 (5.3-5.8), while HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) was back at #6 (5.7-5.6). AUDACY Adult Hits KZJK (104.1 JACK FM) slipped to #7 with its first down book since MARCH (6.0-5.4). It was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDWB, which moved up from #9 (5.2-5.4). KQQL remained the cume leader with a 4.6% decline (750,400-715,900). The market was down 0.8%.
KFXN remained hot 25-54. The station was #1 for the twelfth time in the last 14 surveys and in double figures for the 13th time during that span. MPR AAA KCMP (89.3 THE CURRENT) stepped up to #2 with its highest mark since DECEMBER. KQQL dipped to #3 as it returned all of last month’s increase, plus a bit more. KEEY moved up to #4 as it bounced back from a down book. KDWB repeated at #5 with a slight decrease.
KQQL was both #1 and in double figures 18-34 for the third book in a row. KCMP leapt from #5 to #2 as it rebounded from a down book. It remained about two shares off the lead. KZJK held steady at #3 with a small decrease, while two stations were nestled together at #4. KDWB dropped from #2 with its lowest total since MARCH, while KEEY inched up from #5 with a slight decrease.
Thirteen out of fourteen. That’s how many times KFXN has been #1 and in double-digits 18-49 over the last year. The rest of the top five was the same as before. KCMP finished in second place for the seventh straight survey, while KDWB was back at #3 though it ended a three-book surge. KQQL was again at #4, while a flat KZJK repeated at #5.
But wait…there’s more. Stay tuned for TAMPA, DENVER, SAN DIEGO, CHARLOTTE, and NASSAU-SUFFOLK.
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