December 2019 PPM Data – Information for the December 2019 ratings period has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. Nielsen Audio’s December 2019 survey period covered November 7 – December 4. Managing editor Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@TALKERS.com) provides his “Takeaways” from the PPM-markets below.

Portland

Spoken Word Formats – Unchanged in fourth-place, Alpha Media-owned news/talk KXL “FM News 101 – Stay Connected” is an overall +1.3 via five consecutive sweeps without a loss (4.1 – 4.7 – 4.7 – 5.1 – 5.2 – 5.4, 6+). Several recent KXL shifts include: -1.0 (March/April); +1.1 (May/June); -.7 (July); and +.6 (August). Up two-tenths as a result of three positive or neutral moves in a row (2.3 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 2.5, 6+), iHeartMedia’s KEX “News Radio 1190 – Depend On Us” climbs from #19 to #18. Alpha Media news/talk KUFO repeats November’s 6+ AQH share and market rank (1.3, #23). Thus far in 2019, “Freedom 970” has logged a 1.0 (6+) five times; a .9 (6+) five times; and a 1.3 (6+) twice. Salem Media Group’s KPAM “AM 860 The Answer” has a June 2019 through December 2019 topline of: .3 – .3 – .3 -. 3 – .5 – .4 – .4 (flat at #29, 6+).

Off two-tenths in November, Alpha Media sports talk KXTG “The Game” makes up half the deficit with a +.1 (1.6 – 1.7, 6+) and continues at #21. Without a loss the past four months for a collective half-share gain (1.1 – 1.1 – 1.5 – 1.6 – 1.6, 6+), Entercom’s similarly-programmed KFXX “1080 The Fan” forfeits one-tenth to 1.5 (#21 to #22, 6+). Unchanged at #24, iHeartMedia-owned KPOJ “Sports Radio 620” (Trailblazers) has nearly quadrupled (+.8) its 6+-stat in three spikes in a row (.3 – .4 – .9 – 1.1, 6+).

Bouncing back from November’s loss of six-tenths with a December increase of four-tenths (7.9 – 8.3, 6+), Oregon Public Broadcasting news/talk KOPB repeats at #2, after an October-only stay at #1. KOPB has been +1.2 (January); -2.0 (February/March); +.6 (April); -.9 (May); +.5 (August); +1.1 (October); and -.6 (November).

Portland Music Formats – Down a combined eight-tenths in October/November (8.2 – 8.2 – 7.4, 6+), iHeartMedia adult contemporary KKCW roars back with a +1.7 to 9.1 (6+), leaping from third to first. “K-103,” which recorded an 11.4 (6+) in December 2018, was on top in July, August, and September, before slipping to #2 in October. Its September +1.1 vaporized July/August’s -.7 (7.8 – 7.4 – 7.1, 6+). In November, classic hits-oldies sibling KLTH made an identical third to first move but “106.7 The Eagle” erodes by -1.4 (8.5 – 7.1, 6+) and is back in third-place. Entering the December ratings period, “The Eagle” was a cumulative +1.6 as a result of three positive spikes in succession (6.9 – 7.1, 8.0 – 8.5, 6+); 8.5 was its best 6+-showing since April’s 8.6. Negative or neutral trends by KINK “Uniquely Portland” the last six sweeps accounted for a -1.7 (4.5 – 3.9 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.1 – 2.8 – 2.8, 6+) but the Alpha Media triple A hangs out a December increase of eight-tenths to 3.6 (#16 to #11, 6+). An overall -2.8 in four straight decreases (5.9 – 5.5 – 4.7 – 3.8 – 3.1, 6+), immediately after logging three consecutive increases that yielded eight-tenths (5.1 – 5.5 – 5.6 – 5.9, 6+), Entercom-owned KGON “92.3 Portland’s Classic Rock” improves by seven-tenths and re-enters the top ten (3.8, #14 to #10, 6+). On the heels of November’s +.9 (2.9 – 3.8, 6+), iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR KXJM “JAM’N 107.5” forfeits seven-tenths to 3.1 (6+) and drifts from the top ten (#8 to #13). November’s 3.8 was its best 6+-stat since June’s 3.9. After being a collective +1.6 through five successive increases (1.8 – 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.8 – 3.0 – 3.4, 6+), Salem Media Group regional Mexican KRYP “93.1 El Rey” is now down eight-tenths in November/December (3.4 – 3.2 – 2.6, #13 to #17, 6+). Off seven-tenths in November/December (5.0 – 4.8 – 4.3, 6+), Alpha Media CHR KBFF “Live 95.5” slips from fifth to sixth. Entercom adult hits KYCH “97.1 Charlie We Play Everything,” which was +.6 in September/October (5.1 – 5.1 – 5.7, 6+), is now a combined -1.1 in November/December (5.7 – 4.8 – 4.6, flat at #5, 6+). After posting a 1.8 in June (#20, 6+), Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KLVP “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” is unlisted the sixth month in a row.

Charlotte

Spoken-Word Formats – Pushing up from tenth to ninth, Entercom-owned WBT “Charlotte’s News Talk” (Carolina Panthers) is without a loss the fourth straight time for a net gain of eight-tenths (3.3 – 3.7 – 4.0 – 4.1 – 4.1, 6+).

Co-owned WFNZ “The Fan – Charlotte’s Sports Leader” has a July 2019 through December 2019 topline of: 1.3 – 1.8 – 1.6 – 1.9 – 1.7 – 1.5 (unchanged at #18, 6+).

In all 12 monthly reports this year, University Radio Foundation news/talk WFAE (steady at #14) has remained within 2.1 – 2.9 range and has been in an alternating down/up pattern since May: 2.3 – 2.1 – 2.4 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.2 – 2.7 – 2.6 (6+).

Charlotte Music Formats – Not only is Beasley Media Group adult contemporary WKQC a collective +3.7 as a result of three bumps in a row (4.9 – 5.3 – 6.2 – 8.6, 6+), “K-104.7 More Music/Better Variety” jumps from third to first with its best 6+-stat (8.6) since “Holiday” 2018’s 12.9. In December 2018, WKQC logged an 8.0 (6+). Dislodged from the top spot after three successive months there is iHeartMedia classic rock WRFX “99.7 The Fox,” which is a combined -1.0 in November/December (8.3 – 8.2 – 7.3, first to second, 6+). Its November decrease curtailed four consecutive bumps that produced a collective +2.9 (5.4 – 6.4 – 6.7 – 7.5 – 8.3, 6+). Prior to September, “The Fox” last occupied Charlotte’s ratings penthouse in March 2018 (7.3, 6+). A combined +.7 in September/October (5.7 – 5.9 – 6.4, 6+), adult hits cluster-mate WLKO “102.9 The Lake” was -.5 in November to 5.9 (6+) and is now +.8 (6.7, fifth to third, 6+). Advancing from #13 to #12, alternative sibling WEND “106.5 The End” gains seven-tenths in three successive up or flat trends (2.7 – 2.7 – 2.9 – 3.4, 6+). This is its best 6+-stat since May (3.4, as well). While anchored at #12, Entercom hot AC WLNK “107.9 The Link Charlotte’s Best Mix” picks up three-tenths to 3.4 (6+), thus applying the brakes to four consecutive down or flat reports that accounted for an overall -1.5 (4.6 – 4.2 – 4.2 – 3.7 – 3.4 – 3.1, 6+). Beasley Media Group-owned WSOC “103.7 Country’s Hottest Hits” was -1.2 in September/October (6.8 – 6.1 – 5.6, 6+); +1.5 (November); and now -1.0 in December (7.1 – 6.1, second to fourth, 6+). WSOC was up eight-tenths in August after being -1.5 in June/July (7.5 – 6.9 – 6.0, 6+). Prior to segueing to June’s runner-up slot, “103.7 Country’s Hottest Hits” was on top the previous four months. One-half share behind WSOC is iHeartMedia’s similarly-programmed WKKT “96.9 The Kat – Charlotte’s #1 for New Country,” which is trending 5.5 – 5.7 – 5.4 – 5.6 (6+) and repeats at #6. In advance of August/September’s -1.1 (6.6 – 6.0 – 5.5, 6+), “The Kat” was a collective +1.3 via five successive positive or neutral moves (5.3 – 6.1 – 6.3 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 6.6, 6+). After improving by one-half share in November, Radio Training Network contemporary Christian WLFJ “HIS Radio” relinquishes six-tenths in December (1.5 – .9, 6+) but continues at #19. In addition to being a collective -1.3 via three drops in a row (5.0 – 4.6 – 4.1 – 3.7, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR WHQC “Hits 96.1” exits the top ten (#10 to #11). After recording a one-half share increase in June (2.1 – 2.6, #14, 6+), Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WRCM “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” is unlisted the sixth month in a row.

San Antonio

Spoken-Word Formats – Following four straight sweeps without a loss for an overall +1.4 (4.3 – 5.0 – 5.6 – 5.6 – 5.7, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WOAI “News Radio 1200 – San Antonio’s News, Traffic, & Weather” drops four-tenths in November/December (5.7 – 5.4 – 5.3, third to fourth, 6+). The August 2019 through December 2019 topline for Alpha Media news/talk KTSA “Stay Connected” is: 1.8 – 1.7 – 2.0 – 1.8 – 1.7 (#21 to #20, 6+).

Finishing at #29 and #32, respectively, are iHeartMedia sports talk KTKR “Ticket 760 – San Antonio’s Sports Station” (.7 – .6, -.1, #27 to #29, 6+) and Alpha Media’s similarly-programmed KZDC “ESPN San Antonio,” which records its fourth straight report without a loss for a net gain of three-tenths (.2 – .3 – .3 – .5 – .5, #30 to #29, 6+).

Texas Public Radio news/talk KSTX, which was up one-half share in three improvements in a row (3.0 – 3.1 – 3.2 – 3.5, 6+), drops two-tenths to 3.3 (flat at #13, 6+).

San Antonio Music Formats – After trending 3.6 – 3.5 – 3.6 (September – October – November, 6+), iHeartMedia adult contemporary KQXT erupts with a +2.9 to 6.5 (6+) and rockets from #12 to #2; “Q-101.9” notched a 9.5 (6+) in December 2018. Turning around October/November’s -.5 (4.2 – 4.1 – 3.7, 6+) with a December spike of six-tenths, Univision Radio rhythmic CHR KBBT “98.5 The Beat” cracks the top ten (4.3, #11 to #6). In addition to being #1 the tenth consecutive time, Apollo Global Management/Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies KONO-FM “101.1 San Antonio’s Greatest Hits” is a cumulative +1.8 as a result of four consecutive bumps (6.7 – 7.2 – 7.8 – 8.2 – 8.5, 6+). September’s increase interrupted three decreases in succession that accounted for an overall -1.8 (8.5 – 8.2 – 7.1 – 6.7, 6+). This is its highest 6+-stat since May (8.5, as well); August’s 6.7 (6+) is KONO-FM’s lowest since 6.0 (6+) in “Holiday” 2018. “San Antonio’s Greatest Hits” had been the runner-up five successive times before progressing to #1 in March. Following five up or flat trends that generated a collective +1.6 (3.8 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 4.9 – 4.9 – 5.4, 6+), Alpha Media adult hits KJXK “102.7 Jack FM Playing What We Want” returns all but one-half share of that increase (4.3, -1.1, third to sixth, 6+). November 2019 marked the first time San Antonio’s “Jack” reached the five-share threshold (5.4, 6+) since its 5.3 in November 2018. A combined +1.2 in September/October (4.3 – 5.1 – 5.5, 6+), Apollo Global Management/Cox Media Group hot AC KSMG “Magic 105.3” is -1.3 in November/December (5.5 – 4.9 – 4.2, fifth to eighth, 6+). Co-owned classic country KKYX “Country Legends” falters by six-tenths (2.1 – 1.5, 6+) and departs the top twenty (#19 to #21) with its lowest 6+ stat since June 2018 (1.5, as well). On the heels of breaking out a November gain of seven-tenths, iHeartMedia Spanish contemporary KZEP “Latino Hits 104.5” surrenders one-half share (3.2 – 2.7, flat at #15, 6+). Finishing at #3 and #5, respectively, are Apollo Global Management/Cox Media Group-owned KCYY “Y-100 San Antonio’s New Country Leader” (5.8 – 5.7, -.1, second to third, 6+) and iHeartMedia’s KAJA “KJ-97 San Antonio’s #1 Country Station” (4.6 – 4.4, -.2, sixth to fifth, 6+). KCYY’s one-tenth spike in November halted five straight decreases that accounted for an overall -1.5 (7.2 – 6.9 – 6.4 – 6.2 – 6.1 – 5.7, 6+). Recent shifts for “Y-100” include: +1.8 (January 2019); +.6 (February); -.6 (March); +.6 (May); and -.5 (July). “KJ-97” answered October’s -1.1 with a November gain of three-tenths. Before September’s +.3, KAJA was -1.1 in three consecutive losses (6.2 – 6.0 – 5.5 – 5.1, 6+). “KJ-97” has been -1.0 (“Holiday” 2018); +3.0 (January 2019); –1.9 (March); -.5 (July); and -1.1 (October).

Sacramento

Spoken-Word Formats – A collective +1.5 via five successive sweeps without a loss (5.2 – 5.2 – 5.7 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 6.7, 6+), iHeartMedia–owned news/talk KFBK surrenders one-third of that increase (6.2, -.5, 6+) but continues in third-place. November’s 6.7 was the best 6+-stat for “Sacramento’s News, Weather and Traffic Station” since February (7.0). Co-owned KSTE “Talk 650” is -1.6 as a result of four downturns in a row and drops below a two-share (3.3 – 3.0 – 2.8 – 2.3 – 1.7, #14 to #16, 6+).

Continuing an alternating up/down pattern that commenced in August (.8 – 1.0 – .9 – 1.3 – 1.1, 6+), Entercom sports talk KIFM-AM “ESPN Radio 1320” slips from #19 to #20. Bonneville’s KHTK “Sports 1140” has an August 2019 through December 2019 topline of: 8 – .9 – .9 – .8 – .9 (#22 to #21, 6+). These two sports talkers were tied in July, August, and October.

Capital Public Radio news/talk KXJZ continues an alternating up/down pattern that began in June: 4.7 – 5.0 – 4.8 – 5.3 – 5.1 – 6.0 – 5.6 (fourth to fifth, 6+). December 2018’s 6.9 is the highest 6+-stat in its PPM-history.

Sacramento Music Formats – In addition to advancing from seventh to fourth, Bonneville adult contemporary KYMX “Mix 96” nets a +1.9 through three consecutive sweeps without a loss (4.2 – 4.5 – 4.5 – 6.1, 6+). By way of comparison, “Mix” notched an 8.8 (6+) in December 2018. Its format rival (as of mid-November 2018), iHeartMedia’s KBEB “92.5 The Breeze,” has been a combined +.9 (August/September); -.9 (October); +.6 (November); and now -.2 in December (4.5 – 4.3, seventh to ninth, 6+). In the 14 reports since KBEB’s format switch from country to AC, “Mix” has prevailed 12 times; “The Breeze” has come on top once (September, 4.8 to 4.2, 6+); and the two AC rivals were tied in November 2019. Doubling (+1.3) its 6+-stat via three spikes in succession (1.3 – 1.7 – 2.0 – 2.6, 6+), Lotus Communications regional Mexican KVMX-FM “La Ranchera” advances from #16 to #15. A collective +1.0 as a result of four straight up or flat trends (1.7 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.2 – 2.7, 6+), Entravision rhythmic CHR KHHM “Hot Hits Fuego 103.5” pushes up from #15 to #14. The combination of Bonneville-owned KNCI “New Country 105.1” remaining flat and Entercom’s KSEG “96.9 The Eagle – Sacramento’s Classic Rock” dropping three-tenths to 7.3 (6+) results in KNCI progressing from second to first and KSEG segueing from first to second. “New Country” is without a loss the third time in a row for a net gain of one-half share (6.9 – 7.3 – 7.4 – 7.4, 6+). “The Eagle” had been on top the past ten months. Its July 2019 through November 2019 topline was: 7.8 – 7.9 – 7.6 – 7.8 – 7.6 (6+). “The Eagle” held the lead position ten consecutive survey periods before shifting to #2 in December 2018. Its recent fluctuations include: +1.0 (February); -.5 (April); +.9 (May); -.6 (June); and -.5 (July). After logging a one-half share increase in November, Entercom’s KRXQ “98 Rock” erodes by twice that margin (5.8 – 4.8, -1.0, fifth to sixth, 6+). After three successive gains generated a +1.1 (5.0 – 5.2 – 6.0 – 6.1, 6+), “98 Rock” regressed by eight-tenths in October. It is tied with co-owned CHR KUDL “106.5 The End,” which picks up three-tenths to 4.8 (seventh to sixth, 6+), thus halting six down or flat trends in succession that led to an overall -1.5 (6.0 – 5.7 – 5.7 – 5.5 – 4.9 – 4.7 – 4.5, 6+). Still in that Entercom cluster, alternative KKDO “Alt 94.7” falters by an overall -1.5 in three straight drops (4.7 – 4.3 – 3.9 – 3.2, 6+) and departs the top ten (#10 to #12).

Category: Ratings Takeaways