“Holiday” 2019 PPM Data – Information for the “Holiday” 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 “Holiday” 2019” survey period covered December 5 (2019) – January 1 (2020). Managing editor Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@TALKERS.com) provides his “Takeaways” from the PPM-markets below.

Portland

Spoken Word Formats – Following five consecutive sweeps without a loss that yielded an overall +1.3 (4.1 – 4.7 – 4.7 – 5.1 – 5.2 – 5.4, 6+), Alpha Media-owned news/talk KXL “FM News 101 – Stay Connected” relinquishes eight-tenths to 4.6 (fourth to fifth, 6+). Several recent KXL shifts include: -1.0 (March/April); +1.1 (May/June); -.7 (July); +.6 (August); and -.8 (“Holiday” 2019). Progressing from #18 to #17, iHeartMedia’s KEX “News Radio 1190 – Depend On Us” posts its fourth straight up or flat trend for a net gain of two-tenths (2.3 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 2.5 – 2.5, 6+). Stuck on 1.3 (6+) in November and December, Alpha Media news/talk KUFO “Freedom 970” drops two-tenths to 1.1 (flat at #23, 6+). The June 2019 through “Holiday” 2019 topline for Salem Media Group’s KPAM “AM 860 The Answer” is: .3 – .3 – .3 -. 3 – .5 – .4 – .4 – .4 (#29 to #27, 6+).

When Entercom sports talk KFXX “1080 The Fan” dropped one-tenth in December to 1.5 (6+), it suspended four straight up or flat months that produced a collective half-share gain (1.1 – 1.1 – 1.5 – 1.6 – 1.6, 6+). “The Fan” repeats December’s 1.5 (6+) but advances from #22 to #21. Continuing an alternating up/down pattern that began in September (1.4 – 1.8 – 1.6 – 1.7 – 1.2, 6+), Alpha Media sports talk KXTG “The Game” slides from #21 to #22. Having nearly quadrupled (+.8) its 6+-stat in three improvements in succession (.3 – .4 – .9 – 1.1, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned KPOJ “Sports Radio 620” (Trailblazers) returns half that increase (.7, -.4, #24 to #25, 6+).

Oregon Public Broadcasting news/talk KOPB substitutes December’s increase of four-tenths with “Holiday” 2019’s loss of the equal magnitude (7.9 – 8.3 – 7.9, 6+) and carries on in the runner-up slot. KOPB, which had an October-only stay at #1, has been +1.2 (January); -2.0 (February/March); +.6 (April); -.9 (May); +.5 (August); +1.1 (October); and -.6 (November).

Portland Music Formats – After losing eight-tenths in October/November (8.2 – 8.2 – 7.4, 6+), iHeartMedia adult contemporary KKCW “K-103,” answers with a combined December “Holiday” 2019 +6.5 (7.4 – 9.1 – 13.9, 6+) and repeats at #1. This (13.9) is its highest 6+-share since “Holiday” 2018’s 16.2. KKCW was on top in July, August, and September, before slipping to #2 in October. Its September +1.1 dispelled July/August’s -.7 (7.8 – 7.4 – 7.1, 6+). A combined -1.1 in November/December (5.7 – 4.8 – 4.6, 6+), Entercom adult hits KYCH “97.1 Charlie We Play Everything” hauls out a “Holiday” 2019 +2.1 to 6.7 (fifth to third, 6+). “Charlie” was up six-tenths in September/October (5.1 – 5.1 – 5.7, 6+). Improving by six-tenths (each) are KYCH cluster-mate KGON “92.3 Portland’s Classic Rock” (tenth to sixth) and Salem Media Group contemporary Christian KFIS “104.1 The Fish” (3.0, #19 to #12, 6+). KGON is a combined +1.3 in December/“Holiday” 2019 (3.1 – 3.8 – 4.4, 6+), directly after being an overall -2.8 in four straight decreases (5.9 – 5.5 – 4.7 – 3.8 – 3.1, 6+). KFIS had been trending 2.5 – 2.8 – 2.4 (October – November – December, 6+). Its regional Mexican cluster-mate, KRYP “93.1 El Rey,” picks up one-half share (3.1, #17 to #11, 6+). “El Rey” was down eight-tenths in November/December (3.4 – 3.2 – 2.6, 6+). Up one-half share in November/December (3.6 – 3.8 – 4.1, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR KKRZ “Z-100” spirals by -1.3 to 2.8 (6+) and fades from the top ten (#8 to #14). On the heels of December’s -1.4 (8.5 – 7.1, 6+), classic hits-oldies sibling KLTH “106.7 The Eagle” further falters by -1.2 (5.9 third to fourth, 6+). Entering the December ratings period, “The Eagle” – which had a November-only stay at #1 – was an overall +1.6 via three upticks in a row (6.9 – 7.1, 8.0 – 8.5, 6+); 8.5 was its best 6+-showing since April’s 8.6. The recent rollercoaster ride for Alpha Media triple A KINK “Uniquely Portland” includes six straight down or flat moves accounting for a -1.7 (4.5 – 3.9 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.1 – 2.8 – 2.8, 6+), directly followed by a +.8 (December), and now a -1.0 in “Holiday” 2019 (3.6 – 2.6, #11 to #16, 6+). The market’s (6+) country share shrinks by -1.5 as Alpha Media’s KUPL “98.7 The Bull – #1 For New Country” sputters by eight-tenths (#15 to #19) and Entercom-owned KWJJ “99.5 The Wolf” – The Northwest’s Hottest Country” drops seven-tenths (3.2, ninth to tenth, 6+). “The Bull” is an overall -1.5 in its third straight decrease (3.7 – 3.4 – 3.0 – 2.2, 6+); “The Wolf” was up two-tenths in November/December (3.7 – 3.8 – 3.9, 6+). KUPL rebounded from September’s -1.2 with an October +.8 (to 3.7, 6+), thus halting three consecutive setbacks in which it lost roughly half (-2.8) its 6+ AQH share (5.7 – 4.4 – 4.1 – 2.9, 6+). A combined +1.5 in August/September (3.5 – 3.7 – 5.0, 6+), with September’s 5.0 its strongest (6+) showing since August 2017’s 5.2, KWJJ erased September’s +1.3 with an October -1.3 (3.7 – 5.0 – 3.7, 6+). Off one-half share, Entercom hot AC KRSK “105.1 The Buzz Today’s Best Mix” is trending 2.8 – 2.5 – 2.9 – 2.3 (October – November – December – “Holiday” 2019, #16 to #18, 6+).

Charlotte

Spoken-Word Formats – After gaining eight-tenths via four successive up or flat trends (3.3 – 3.7 – 4.0 – 4.1 – 4.1, 6+), Entercom news/talk WBT (Carolina Panthers) forfeits 75% of that increase (3.5, -.6, 6+) but remains in ninth-place.

Co-owned WFNZ “The Fan – Charlotte’s Sports Leader” has lost a total of seven-tenths in three straight drops (1.9 – 1.7 – 1.5 – 1.2, unchanged at #18, 6+).

Albeit down six-tenths (2.6 – 2.0, #14 to #17, 6+), University Radio Foundation news/talk WFAE has remained within 2.1 – 2.9 range (6+) in all 13 monthly reports for calendar year 2019.

Charlotte Music Formats – Through four straight upticks (4.9 – 5.3 – 6.2 – 8.6 – 14.5, 6+), Beasley Media Group adult contemporary WKQC is a cumulative +9.6; “K-104.7 More Music/Better Variety” repeats at #1. This time last year, “K-104.7” posted a 12.9 (“Holiday” 2018, 6+). Similar to what happened in Portland (see above), Charlotte’s two country outlets are negatively impacted by the extremely strong “Holiday” 2019 showing of an adult contemporary outlet (WKQC) that played all-Christmas music. Specifically in Charlotte, Beasley Media Group-owned WSOC “103.7 Country’s Hottest Hits” is -1.2 (fourth to seventh) and iHeartMedia’s WKKT “96.9 The Kat – Charlotte’s #1 for New Country” is -1.1 (4.5, sixth to eighth, 6+). Wild swings are not uncommon lately for WSOC, which was -1.5 in June/July (7.5 – 6.9 – 6.0, 6+); +.8 (August); -1.2 in September/October (6.8 – 6.1 – 5.6, 6+); +1.5 (November); -1.0 (December) and now -1.2 in “Holiday” 2019 (6.1 – 4.9, 6+). Prior to segueing to June’s runner-up slot, “103.7 Country’s Hottest Hits” was on top the previous four months. Meanwhile, as it entered the “Holiday” 2019 sweep, WKKT was trending 5.5 – 5.7 – 5.4 – 5.6 (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+). Immediately following December’s +.8, adult hits cluster-mate WLKO “102.9 The Lake” spirals by -1.0 (6.7 – 5.7, third to fourth, 6+). WLKO was a combined +.7 in September/October (5.7 – 5.9 – 6.4, 6+) but then -.5 in November. Still in that iHeartMedia cluster, classic rock WRFX “99.7 The Fox” is an overall -1.9 via three straight setbacks (8.3 – 8.2 – 7.3 – 6.4, 6+) but repeats at #2. “The Fox” was ousted from the top spot in December, after three successive months there. November’s decrease halted four consecutive improvements that accounted for a +2.9 (5.4 – 6.4 – 6.7 – 7.5 – 8.3, 6+). Prior to September, WRFX last reached #1 in March 2018 (7.3, 6+). This is the fourth consecutive sweep without an increase for Beasley Media Group CHR WNKS “Kiss 95.1,” which is -1.8 in that stretch and falls below a four-share (5.1 – 4.7 – 4.4 – 4.1 – 3.3, #9 to #12, 6+). Despite being a collective -1.5 through four straight decreases (5.0 – 4.6 – 4.1 – 3.7 – 3.5, 6+), iHeartMedia’s similarly-formatted WHQC “Hits 96.1” reenters the top ten (#11 to #9). In three successive up or flat trends, alternative sibling WEND gained seven-tenths (2.7 – 2.7 – 2.9 – 3.4, 6+) but “106.5 The End” surrenders one-half share to 2.9 (#12 to #13, 6+).

San Antonio

Spoken-Word Formats – Even though iHeartMedia-owned WOAI  (Spurs) is off a total of four-tenths in three straight sweeps without an increase (5.7 – 5.4 – 5.3 – 5.3, 6+), “News Radio 1200 – San Antonio’s News, Traffic, & Weather” progresses from fourth to third. Immediately prior, WOAI was an overall +1.4 in four successive up or flat moves (4.3 – 5.0 – 5.6 – 5.6 – 5.7, 6+). In addition to being down seven-tenths in three consecutive slips (2.0 – 1.8 – 1.7 – 1.3, 6+), Alpha Media news/talk KTSA “Stay Connected” exits the top twenty (#20 to #22).

Without a loss the fifth straight report and tripling (+.4) its 6+ AQH share in that timeframe (.2 – .3 – .3 – .5 – .5 – .6, 6+), Alpha Media sports talk KZDC “ESPN San Antonio” checks in at #28. Meanwhile, iHeartMedia’s similarly-programmed KTKR “Ticket 760 – San Antonio’s Sports Station” is down or flat the fourth time in a row for a net loss of three-tenths (.7 – .7 – .7 – .6 – .4, #31, 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+), is now off a total of eight-tenths in December/“Holiday” 2019 (3.5 – 3.3 – 2.7, #13 to #16, 6+).

San Antonio Music Formats – Stacking a “Holiday” 2019 +4.0 onto November/December’s +3.0 (3.5 – 3.6 – 6.5 – 10.5, 6+), iHeartMedia adult contemporary KQXT “Q-101.9” pushes up from second to first. This (10.5) is its best 6+-showing since “Holiday” 2018’s 14.9. Down or flat the past four reports for a collective -1.0 (3.4 – 3.4 – 2.7 – 2.4 – 2.4, 6+), Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian KZLV “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” erupts with a +1.9 to 5.3 (6+) and catapults from #17 all the way to #3. Conversely, co-owned/similarly-formatted KZAR “Air 1 – Worship Now” was up seven-tenths in October/November (.9 – 1.0 – 1.6, 6+), but loses 50% (-.8) of its 6+ AQH share in December/“Holiday” 2019 (1.6 – 1.4 – .8, #26, 6+). Off one-tenth in November/December (1.5 – 1.5 – 1.4, 6+), Texas Public Radio’s classical KPAC answers with a gain of six-tenths to 2.0 (6+) and enters the top twenty at #18. Setting the pace the past ten ratings periods, Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies KONO-FM “101.1 San Antonio’s Greatest Hits” plummets by -1.8 (8.5 – 6.7, 6+) and segues to second-place. Furthermore, the loss curtails four consecutive upticks, fully erasing the cumulative +1.8 (6.7 – 7.2 – 7.8 – 8.2 – 8.5, 6+). In a further irony, September’s increase interrupted three decreases in succession that accounted for an overall -1.8 (8.5 – 8.2 – 7.1 – 6.7, 6+). “San Antonio’s Greatest Hits” had been the runner-up five successive times before progressing to #1 in March. This is yet another market (see Portland and Charlotte above) where two country stations are squeezed by an adult contemporary station (KQXT) that played wall-to-wall Christmas music in the “Holiday” sweep. In this particular Texas metro, Cox Media Group-owned KCYY “Y-100 San Antonio’s New Country Leader” spirals by -1.0 (5.7 – 4.7, third to fifth, 6+), while iHeartMedia’s KAJA “KJ-97 San Antonio’s #1 Country Station” sputters by six-tenths (4.4 – 3.8, fifth to seventh, 6+). “Y-100” was off one-tenth in December and “KJ-97” lost two-tenths. KCYY’s one-tenth increase in November suspended 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); -.5 (July); and -1.0 (“Holiday” 2019). “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); -1.1 (October); and -.6 (“Holiday” 2019). In three straight down or flat reports, Alpha Media CHR KTFM is an overall -1.3 (4.6 – 4.2 – 4.2 – 3.3, 6+); “Energy 94.1” leaves the top ten (#8 to #13). Dropping one-half share (each) are Univision Radio rhythmic CHR KBBT “98.5 The Beat”  (4.3 – 3.8, sixth to seventh, 6+); regional Mexican cluster-mate KROM “Que Buena 92.9” (eighth to ninth); and Cox Media Group hot AC KSMG “Magic 105.3” (eighth to ninth, as well). “The Beat” was up six-tenths in December. “Que Buena” has lost eight-tenths as a result of three consecutive setbacks (4.5 – 4.3 – 4.2 – 3.7, 6+), while “Magic” is -1.8 in three straight drops (5.5 – 4.9 – 4.2 – 3.7, 6+).

Sacramento

Spoken-Word Formats – Following five successive sweeps without a loss that netted a +1.5 (5.2 – 5.2 – 5.7 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 6.7, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned news/talk KFBK is down eight-tenths in December/“Holiday” 2019 (6.7 – 6.2 – 5.9, 6+) but carries on in third-place. November’s 6.7 was the best 6+-stat for “Sacramento’s News, Weather and Traffic Station” since February (7.0). In five downturns in succession, co-owned KSTE “Talk 650” is an overall -1.8 (3.3 – 3.0 – 2.8 – 2.3 – 1.7 – 1.5, #16 to #17, 6+).

Advancing from #20 to #17, Entercom sports talk KIFM-AM “ESPN Radio 1320” continues an alternating up/down pattern that commenced in August (.8 – 1.0 – .9 – 1.3 – 1.1 – 1.5, 6+). Bonneville’s KHTK “Sports 1140” (Kings) is up three-tenths in December/“Holiday” 2019 (.8 – .9 – 1.1, flat at #21, 6+). These two sports talkers were tied in July, August, and October.

Up nine-tenths in November (5.1 – 6.0, 6+), Capital Public Radio news/talk KXJZ is now a combined -1.6 in December/“Holiday” 2019 (6.0 – 5.6 – 4.4, fifth to seventh, 6+). December 2018’s 6.9 is the highest 6+-stat in its PPM-history.

Sacramento Music Formats – Not only does Bonneville adult contemporary KYMX exactly triple (+8.4) its 6+ AQH share through four consecutive spikes (4.2 – 4.5 – 4.5 – 6.1 – 12.6, 6+), “Mix 96” progresses from fourth to first. This (12.6) is its largest 6+-stat since “Holiday” 2018’s 13.8. Meanwhile, iHeartMedia’s similarly-formatted KBEB “92.5 The Breeze” has been a combined +.9 (August/September); -.9 (October); +.6 (November); and -.8 in December/“Holiday” 2019 (4.5 – 4.3 – 3.7, ninth to tenth, 6+). In the 15 reports since KBEB’s format switch from country to AC in mid-November 2018, “Mix” has prevailed 13 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. Having faltered by an overall -1.5 in three straight decreases (4.7 – 4.3 – 3.9 – 3.2, 6+), Entercom alternative KKDO halts the skid with a +.8 to 4.0 (6+); “Alt 94.7” reenters the top ten (#12 to #8). Co-owned rhythmic CHR KSFM is up seven-tenths in December/“Holiday” 2019 (3.1 – 3.2 – 3.8, 6+) and cracks the top ten (#12 to #9) with its best 6+-stat since August 2018 (3.8, as well). Entravision’s similarly-formatted KHHM “Hot Hits Fuego 103.5,” which was a collective +1.0 through four straight sweeps without a loss (1.7 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.2 – 2.7, 6+), forfeits four-tenths to 2.3 (#14 to #15, 6+). It is a December-only stay at #1 for Bonneville-owned KNCI, as “New Country 105.1” plummets by -1.5 to 5.9 (6+) and segues from first to third. Entering the “Holiday” 2019 sweep, KNCI was up or flat three times in a row for a net gain of one-half share (6.9 – 7.3 – 7.4 – 7.4, 6+). When Entercom-owned CHR KUDL picked up three-tenths in December, it interrupted six consecutive sweeps without an increase that led to an overall -1.5 (6.0 – 5.7 – 5.7 – 5.5 – 4.9 – 4.7 – 4.5, 6+). In “Holiday” 2019, however, “106.5 The End” erodes by -1.2 (4.8 – 3.6, 6+) and exits the top ten (#6 to #11). Departing the top ten as well is Bonneville hot AC KZZO “Now 100.5 Today’s Best Hits,” which is -1.8 as a result of three straight dips (4.4 – 3.8 – 3.5 – 2.6, #10 to #13, 6+). Recent fluctuations for Entercom’s KSEG “96.9 The Eagle – Sacramento’s Classic Rock” include: +1.0 (February); -.5 (April); +.9 (May); -.6 (June); -.5 (July); and -.8 in “Holiday” 2019 (7.3 – 6.5, flat at #2, 6+). In December, KSEG shifted from first to second. “The Eagle” had been on top the previous ten months. Its July 2019 through November 2019 topline was: 7.8 – 7.9 – 7.6 – 7.8 – 7.6 (6+). After doubling (+1.3) its 6+-stat through three consecutive bumps (1.3 – 1.7 – 2.0 – 2.6, 6+), Lotus Communications regional Mexican KVMX-FM “La Ranchera” slips by one-tenth to 2.5 (6+) but advances from #15 to #14.

Category: Ratings Takeaways