PPM Analysis: All-News.  TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents a look at the performances of all-news stations based on Nielsen Audio’s data from the July 2017 PPM survey.  In general, news and talk stations avoided the ratings dips that usually come immediately after a presidential election cycle and, in fact, many saw increases after the November elections.  Now, eight months later, ratings for PPM market all-newsers have come down.  Kinosian reports, “Seven of 10 stations on the news panel are down June 2017 – July 2017 (70.5%); roughly one in four are up (23.5%) and the remaining 6% remain flat (6+).”  But, comparing July 2016 to July 2017 numbers, “Half the stations on our eligible sample improve July 2016 – July 2017 (50%, 6+); 44% show a decrease; and the remaining 6% are unchanged.”  However, no all-news station ranked #1 in its market in the July 2017 PPM survey.  KCBS-AM finished #2 (6+) in both the San Francisco and San Jose markets, and WTOP was #2 in the Washington market.  See more here.

More Millennial Research from Nielsen.  This is phase two of Nielsen’s “Millennials on Millennials” report that investigates the generation’s media habits and engagement.  Millennials are generally less loyal to one media platform or service that previous generations.  Their music listening habits are also different.  The report states, “Millennials are active listeners of music streaming services and are 21% more likely to frequently choose songs than to let the music play without making changes.  They also access digital music more regularly than consumers 35 and older.  While Millennials are active listeners, they’re 18% more likely to use multiple music apps on a monthly basis.  In fact, nearly 60% of Millennials use two or more apps for streaming, compared with only 39% of consumers aged 35 and up.  The recent report also sets the record straight on the frequent misconception that digital music has replaced radio for this generation. In actuality, broadcast radio penetration has remained steady in recent years. Notably, while digital radio reach has increased steadily over the past five years, Nielsen’s Total Audience Report highlights that tune-in across traditional AM/FM radio remains consistent, as 93% of Millennials listen each week.”  See more on this report here.

Trump Afghanistan Policy, Trump Phoenix Rally, Bannon’s Administration Exit, Confederate Memorials Removal, Solar Eclipse, Navy Warship Accident, U.S.-North Korea Tensions, Barcelona Terror Attack, MLB Action, and NFL Pre-Season Activity Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/21). Last night’s address by President Trump concerning his administration’s military policy in Afghanistan; the planned Trump rally in Phoenix this evening; the aftermath of former White House strategist Stephen K. Bannon’s exit; the removal of Confederate monuments; Monday’s solar eclipse; the investigation into the accident involving the U.S.S. John McCain; the military tensions between the U.S. and North Korea; the search for the perpetrator of the Barcelona terror attack; Major League Baseball action; and pre-season NFL activity were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Music Radio News and Career Moves. KROQ, Los Angeles operations manager Gene Sandbloom announces via Facebook that he’s exiting the CBS RADIO alternative rock station after a 25-year career with the station.  He wrote, “After 25 years at KROQ, I’ll be leaving next week.  It’s been an amazing run, and throw in MD at KIIS-FM, A&R Director at MCA Records and managing editor of Network 40 Magazine, that’s 35 years in the music biz in L.A. It’s time to move on.”…..In the Springfield, Missouri market, Mid-West Family Broadcasting announces the appointment of Valorie Rogers, a.k.a. Valorie Knight, to the operations manager position for the four-station group that includes rock KQRA “Q102.1,” classic rock KKLH “104.7 The Cave,” country KOMG “105.1 The Bull,” and CHR KOSP “92.9 The Beat.” She comes to Mid-West from Scripps’ crosstown station group where she was also OM.  At Mid-West, she’ll also serve as program director for KQRA.

Tags: all news, Gene Sandbloom, KCBS-AM, KROQ, Los Angeles, MCA Records, media habits, Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Mike Kinosian, Millennials, news/talk radio, Nielsen Audio, PPM survey, ratings, San Francisco, San Jose, Scripps, Talkers Magazine, Valorie Knight, Washington, WTOP

Category: Front Page News, Industry News