Nielsen Audio has released Day 2 of its monthly four day sweep of ratings in PPM markets.
Today’s releases include Washington DC, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
All the numbers can be found at RadioInsight.com/Ratings.
Numbers of note for this month:
- EMF’s acquisition of 107.3 Washington DC affected numerous stations in the market. With the Hot AC of “Mix 107.3” WRQX gone the station dropped from a 4.1 to 2.2. The former audience scattered with iHeartMedia’s trio of AC 97.1 WASH rising from 4.5 to 5.3, CHR “Hot 99.5” WIHT from 3.7 to 4.6, and Country 98.7 WMZQ up 3.5 to 4.1. The new format also affected incumbent Christian AC 91.9 WGTS, which fell from a 5.2 to 4.2.
- Ratings expert Chris Huff notes that Cumulus News/Talk 760 WJR Detroit had its lowest recorded numbers ever as the station fell below a three share with a 3.5 – 3.1 – 2.6 three month trend.
- The top two stations in Boston went in opposite directions as Beasley Classic Hits 105.7 WROR rose from a 7.6 to 8.2, while iHeartMedia CHR “Kiss 108” WXKS-FM dropped 7.6 to 7.2.
- In its final full monthly before its shift to Rhythmic Classic Hits, iHeartMedia Adult R&B 97.7 WKAF Boston registered a 2.7 share.
- The top of the Denver market saw movement as Bonneville Country 98.5 KYGO rose 5.0 to 6.0 to reclaim the market lead. iHeartMedia Classic Rock “103.5 The Fox” KRFX was up 4.9 – 5.8 for second and Entercom Classic Rock “99.5 The Mountain” KQMT rose 5.2 – 5.6 for third. iHeartMedia Alternative “Channel 93.3” KTCL held steady at a 5.4 but fell from second to fourth, News/Talk 850/94.1 KOA rose 4.9 – 5.2 for fifth while Colorado Public Radio’s Public News/Talk 90.1 KCFR tumbled from first at a 6.2 to sixth at 4.6.
- KSE Media Hot AC “Mix 100” KIMN Denver is on the rebound with a three month trend of 3.3 – 3.7 – 4.1
- iHeartMedia Variety Hits “95.5 The Mountain” KYOT Phoenix regains all of its lost audience from last month to rebound from a 5.4 to 6.6 and back to the top of the market. Sister AC “99.9 KEZ” KESZ was right behind it with a 5.9 to 6.5 rise. Entercom Classic Hits 94.5 KOOL-FM is back on the rebound with a three month trend of 4.1 – 5.0 – 5.3.
- Urban One continues its dominance of Baltimore, but Adult R&B “Magic 95.9” WWIN-FM rises from a 7.3 to 8.1 share to leap ahead of Hip-Hop “92Q” WERQ, which has a three month trend line downward from 9.8 to 8.8 to 8.0.
I’m still shocked no one has picked up the hot AC format in DC…Mix had respectable numbers prior to EMF’s takeover. There’s a gaping format hole there for sure.
Only a matter of time I’m guessing
No one is going to pick up the Hot AC format in D.C.
There is zero reason for iHeart to flip any of their signals (they’ve already reaped the rewards), I cannot see Entercom dumping The Drive or WPGC, and all other worthy FM signals in the market earn decent ratings with their existing formats.
Unless 105.1 can be pried from Salem’s hands or Entercom relegates one of its incumbent music formats to 99.1 (unlikely), I’d say there is zero chance of this format returning.