Tag: "New Brunswick"

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Ashenden to Lead Entercom Portland. Radio management pro Bill Ashenden is named vice president and market manager for Entercom’s Portland cluster, effective July 10.  That station group includes sports talk duo KFXX-AM and KMTT-AM, classic rock KGON, hot AC KRSK, country KWJJ, alternative KNRK, and AC KYCH.  Ashenden previously served as the market manager and general manager for BiCoastal Media in Medford, Oregon.  He’s also served with Alpha Broadcasting, Rose City Radio, and Great American Broadcasters.

TALKERS News Notes. St. Louis news/talk KMOX is honored with three first-place awards from the Missouri Broadcasters Association.  The CBS RADIO station received the awards at this past weekend’s convention and awards ceremony in Branson.  KMOX received first-place honors for Complete Newscast, Breaking News for the coverage of the shooting of St. Louis County police officer Blake Snyder, and “The Deadly Dish,” a five-part News Series that explored the ever-growing number of those impacted by food allergies in the United States.  KMOX PD Steve Moore, says, “This is a tremendous recognition of the work and dedication that each member of the news team puts into keeping our listeners informed.”…..Beasley Media Group’s rock WDHA-FM, Dover, New Jersey and news/talk WCTC-AM, New Brunswick, New Jersey took top honors in two categories at last Wednesday’s annual New Jersey Ad Club Jersey Awards.  WCTC won Best Podcast for “The State Theatre” (program and creative director/air talent Bert Baron, host and producer).  WDHA-FM won Best Radio Spot for “Oink and Moo BBQ” (written, produced and voiced by Mike Cocheo with additional voice-overs by Dannie Schade).  SVP and regional market manager Dan Finn says, “This is the night where all the best advertising agencies in the state of New Jersey gather and announce winners across all media platforms.  We were honored to be among the winners at this year’s event.”…..Motorsport Network names Kevin Annison president of Motorsport.tv. Annison previously served with FOX Sports.

Sessions Testimony, Trump-Russia Investigation/Mueller Firing Possibility, Trump Cabinet Meeting, Megyn Kelly-Alex Jones Interview Flap, ‘Julius Caesar’ Controversy, Warriors Beat Cavaliers, and MLB Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (6/12). Anticipation of today’s testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee from Attorney General Jeff Sessions; the special counsel investigation of possible connections between Trump campaign operatives and Russian agents and the related talk of President Donald Trump possibly firing special counsel Robert Mueller; reactions to yesterday’s Trump Cabinet meeting at which members took turns publicly praising the president; the heat NBC is taking for the airing of Megyn Kelly’s upcoming interview with Alex Jones; the controversy surrounding the New York production of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” in which Caesar is costumed as President Trump; the Golden State Warrior’s game five against the Cleveland Cavaliers; and Major League Baseball Action 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. Alternative rock pro Dustin Fletcher is assigned new roles by iHeartMedia.  He’s now director of alternative rock programming for the company’s St. Louis region and program director for KDXA, Des Moines “ALT 106.3.”  He continues to program KLLT, St. Louis “ALT 104.9.”  Fletcher comments, “This is a huge opportunity leading our programming efforts at ‘ALT 106.3’ in Des Moines.  I’m extremely proud of what we’ve done with ‘ALT 104.9.’  The St. Louis region has some of the most talented programming and on-air talent in radio and I’m excited for what we have in store.”  Prior to joining ‘ALT 104.9,’ he served as program director and midday host for the company’s WRXL, Richmond ‘XL102’ and PD for CHR “96.1 The Planet” (W241AP)…..In the Boise market, Impact Radio Group moves programmer Booker from hot AC KZMG “MY 102.7” to sister hip hop KWYD “WILD 101” where he’ll be program director and midday personality.

Duane Doobie, Jr.’s Pop Picks File:  Here’s a personal tip from TALKERS/RadioInfo music editor Duane Doobie, Jr. for curious music programmers always looking for something new and interesting to present to their listeners.  Jacobs Run is a three piece pop/rock ensemble hailing from Melbourne, Australia.  Their music blends layers of guitar and orchestration with organic classical melodies creating a powerful sound that highlights their Brit pop influences while showcasing the Australian indie/alt-rock scene. Duane Doobie, Jr says, “The single ‘Sleepwalking,’ has the drive of a James Bond soundtrack that worms its way into listeners’ ears just as offerings from similar artists Oasis and Snow Patrol have done repeatedly within the genre.”  Pictured at right are (from l-r): Michael Jacobs (guitar & vocals), Fabian Bucci (drums) and Peter Curigliano (bass).  Check out the group’s website for info and music here.

Round One of May PPM Data Released. The first of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio‘s May 2017 PPM survey period has been released for 12 markets including: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). Nielsen Audio’s May 2017 survey period covered April 27 – May 24. View all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here. Meanwhile, managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Takeaways” from these 12 PPM markets below.

TWELVE TAKEAWAYS

1) New York – Up a cumulative four-tenths via three consecutive improvements (5.3 – 5.4 – 5.6 – 5.7, 6+), Emmis urban AC WBLS “107.5 – Your #1 Source for R&B” carries on at #3.  Although the net gain is just two-tenths and it is steady at #10, iHeartMedia urban contemporary WWPR “Power 105.1” is without a decrease for the fourth successive sweep (3.6 – 3.6 – 3.6 – 3.7 – 3.8, 6+). Not only does adult contemporary sibling WLTW’s one-tenth increase to 6.1 (6+) apply the brakes to four straight declines that produced a collective -7.3 since “Holiday” 2016 (13.3 – 7.2 – 7.1 – 6.2 – 6.0, 6+), “106.7 Lite FM” catches CBS Radio classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM “101.1 New York’s Greatest Hits” (flat at 6.1, 6+) at #1. April marked the first time “New York’s Greatest Hits” reached #1 since last July, when it scored a 6.2, 6+. It is at 6.1 (6+) for the third time in the last four sweeps, while iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR WKTU (steady at #8) records a 4.1 (6+) for the fourth time in the last five survey periods (4.1 – 3.9 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 4.1, 6+). combined +1.3 (4.6 – 5.1 – 5.5 – 5.9, “Holiday” 2016 – January – February – March, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR WHTZ “Z-100” forfeits that gain in its entirety with a -.6 in April and now a -.7 in May (5.3 – 4.6, 6+), falling from fourth to sixth. Albeit managing to stay flat at 2.3 (6+), its format rival, CBS Radio’s WBMP “92.3 Amp,” slides from #17 to #19. A gain of one-tenth in April halted seven successive sweeps without an increase that resulted in a cumulative -.9 (3.1 – 2.8 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.4 – 2.3 – 2.2 – 2.2, 6+). In 2.2 – 2.7 range (6+) for ten straight survey periods, Spanish Broadcasting System Spanish contemporary WPAT “Amor 93.1” dialed up a +.6 in April, only to surrender one-half share in May (3.1 – 2.6, 6+), tumbling from #12 to #14. At #22, Cumulus Media news/talk WABC is without an increase for the fourth successive sweep (1.4 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.3, 6+), yet is only off by a collective one-tenth in that time frame. Sliding from a three-way tie at #17 to #20, public news/talk WNYC-FM has its fourth consecutive decline (2.7 – 2.6 – 2.5 – 2.3 – 2.1, 6+).

2) Los Angeles – For the second straight survey period, no Los Angeles station appearing in print gains or loses more than one-half share. Progressing from #15 to a three-way logjam at #11, Entercom classic rock KSWD “The Sound” is up a collective full-share in five straight progressive or flat sweeps (1.9 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 2.6 – 2.9, 6+). Despite logging its fourth successive ratings period without erosion for a +.6 (2.2 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.7 – 2.8, 6+), Mount Wilson FM Broadcasters’ KKGO “Go Country 105” backslides from a tie at #13 to #14. The slim one-tenth advantage front-runner KBIG “My-FM” had over runner-up KTWV “The Wave” in April widens a bit as iHeartMedia hot AC “My-FM” picks up two-tenths (5.6 – 5.8, #1 for the fourth consecutive time, 6+), while CBS Radio smooth AC “The Wave” is off by that same margin and finishes second for the third straight sweep (6+). When “My-FM” dropped one-tenth in April, it ended three straight uptrends (4.7 – 5.1 – 5.2 – 5.7, 6+), which netted a combined full-share gain. February’s +.1 (5.1 – 5.2, 6+) was enough for it to depart the runner-up slot it held the previous three sweeps and take over at #1, unseating adult contemporary sibling KOST “Coast 103.5,” which had been on top in each of the last 16 ratings periods. Meanwhile, “The Wave” sits across the five-share threshold for the fourth time in the last five sweeps (5.0 – 4.8 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 5.3, 6+). Co-owned classic hits-oldies KRTH regresses by two-tenths to 4.8 (6+) to curtail four straight sweeps without a loss that yielded a gain of nine-tenths (4.1 – 4.3 – 4.9 – 4.9 – 5.0, 6+). Even so, “K-Earth 101” repeats at #3. Prior to April, “K-Earth” last reached the five-share level in December 2015 (5.1, 6+). Flat at #19, alternative cluster-mate KROQ is up or flat for the fifth consecutive monthly for a +.4 in that period (1.8 – 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.2 – 2.2, 6+). Conversely, its format rival, iHeartMedia’s KYSR-FM, is down by a margin of one-tenth for the third straight time (3.2 – 3.1 – 3.0 – 2.9, 6+), with “ALT 98.7 – LA’s New Alternative” dropping out of the top ten (#10 to #11). The January through May 6+-trending for co-owned news/talk KFI (unchanged at #7) is: 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 3.5. Even though Liberman Broadcasting regional Mexican KBUE slips by one-tenth to 1.8 (6+), thus ending four straight up or flat trends (1.5 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.9, 6+), “Que Buena” actually advances from #23 to #22. Owing to four straight decreases (2.3 – 2.1 – 1.8 – 1.7 – 1.6, 6+), Taxi Productions urban AC KJLH is a collective -.7. In each monthly report this calendar year, Cumulus Media news/talk KABC (#36) has registered a .7 (6+). In a similar vein, this marks the ninth time in the last ten sweeps and fifth time in a row that Salem Media Group contemporary Christian KFSH “95.9 The Fish – Safe for the Whole Family” logs a .6 (#37, 6+).

3) Chicago – In the contemporary hit arena, CBS Radio’s WBBM-FM (3.7 – 4.0, sixth to fourth) adds three-tenths to April’s +.5 enabling “B-96” to leapfrog iHeartMedia-owned WKSC “103.5 Kiss FM – Chicago’s #1 Hit Music Station” (3.9 – 3.7, -.2, fourth to fifth). When “B-96” was off by three-tenths in March, it stopped a streak of four successive up or flat trends that netted one-half share (3.0 – 3.0 – 3.1 – 3.5 – 3.5, 6+). Before it fell by three-tenths in April, “Kiss” was a combined +.7, which it gained in three consecutive increases (3.5 – 3.7 – 3.9 – 4.2, 6+). Steady at #12 – and a combined +.8 since last November – Merlin Media-owned/Cumulus Media-operated alternative WKQX is up or flat for the seventh straight ratings period (2.1 – 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.8 – 2.9, 6+). Stuck on 5.6 (6+) in March and April, iHeartMedia urban AC WVAZ “V-103 Today’s R&B and Throwbacks” improves by two-tenths to 5.8 (6+) and is #1 for the fourth successive month; 5.6 represented its lowest 6+-share since last July (also 5.6). This represents the fourth straight sweep without an increase for WBBM-AM for a collective -1.5 (6.3 – 5.4 – 5.4 – 4.9 – 4.8, 6+), but the all-news operation remains in the runner-up slot. After registering a +1.5 in April (2.2 – 3.7, 6+) to rocket from #21 to #6, CBS Radio-owned WSCR “670 The Score” perhaps has the greatest non-move as it is unchanged at 3.7 (6+). Nevertheless, the Cubs flagship does manage to elevate to a fifth-place tie. On the heels of slipping by three-tenths in April, stymying three consecutive ratings periods without a loss for a collective gain of one-half share (3.7 – 4.0 – 4.2 – 4.2, 6+), Tribune Media Company news/talk WGN (once the longtime Cubs flagship) flounders by another six-tenths (3.9 – 3.3, 6+) to drift from fourth to ninth. Having nearly doubled its 6+-stat by posting eight consecutive up or flat trends (1.2 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.5 – 1.6 – 1.8 – 1.9 – 1.9 – 2.3, 6+), Spanish Broadcasting System regional Mexican WLEY-FM “La Ley 107.9” drops three-tenths to 2.0 (6+) and exits the top 20 (#20 to #23). With a gain of three-tenths (2.0 – 2.3, 6+), public news/talk WBEZ returns to the top 20 (#20). While it remains solid at #3 (two-tenths behind WBBM-AM), Hubbard hot AC WTMX “Mix” hasn’t had an increase in the last four sweeps (5.3 – 49 – 4.8 – 4.8 – 4.6, 6+) and is down seven-tenths in that stretch. Strange but true: 30% of the stations finishing in the top 20 can be found at #12 (2.9, 6+, May 2017).

4) San Francisco – Sharing honors for largest (6+) gain (one-half share) by any top-four market PPM-outlet appearing in print are CBS Radio-owned KLLC “Alice @ 97.3” (3.7 – 4.2, seventh to fourth, 6+) and Univision

Radio Spanish adult hits KBRG “100.3 Mas Variedad” (2.8 – 3.3, #11 to #8). Prior to dropping two-tenths in April, “Alice @ 97.3” was +.7 in three consecutive up or flat trends (3.1 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.9, 6+). An improvement of three-tenths to 2.0 (6+) by Entercom’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” puts an end to its 1.7 – 1.8 – 1.7 – 1.8 – 1.7 (6+) trending and the flagship of the Oakland A’s returns to the top twenty (#22 to #19). At the same time, unchanged at #5, the Giants’ key station – Cumulus Media’s KNBR “The Sports Leader” (3.0 – 4.2 in April, 6+) – returns one-tenth of April’s +1.2 to 4.1 (6+). Notwithstanding it has eroded by one full-share in three straight downward trends (7.7 – 7.3 – 7.0 – 6.7, 6+), Northern California Public Broadcasting’s news/talk KQED-FM is #1 as it has been every month this calendar year. In the runner-up slot for the fifth successive time is CBS Radio all-news KCBS-AM (6.3 – 6.1, -.2, 6+). After posting four consecutive gains netting a +.6 (2.1 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 2.5 – 2.7, 6+), iHeartMedia’s KOSF “103.7 – 80s Music for San Francisco” forfeits all of it (-.6, 2.1, 6+), spiraling from #12 to #17. Down for the third straight time for a combined -.7 (4.5 – 4.4 – 4.3 – 3.8, 6+), adult contemporary sibling KISQ “98.1 The Breeze” segues from fourth to seventh. For the second straight month, Entercom-owned KUFX is unlisted; “98.5 K-Fox – The South Bay’s Classic Rock” had a 1.5 (6+) in March.

5) Dallas –For the seventh successive ratings period, Service Broadcasting urban contemporary KKDA-FM is either up or flat for a full-share gain (2.4 – 2.6 – 2.6 – 2.8 – 3.2 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.4, 6+). “K-104” jumps from tenth to eighth and is tied there with iHeartMedia’s KEGL “97.1 The Eagle Rocks” (3.4, +.4, 6+), which improves from #13 and curtails a streak of three consecutive downward moves that generated a -.9 (3.9 – 3.6 – 3.5 – 3.0, 6+). By dialing up a gain of eight-tenths (2.3 – 3.1, 6+), CBS Radio regional Mexican KMVK “La Grande 107.5” breaks out of a three-way logjam at #18 to climb to #13. Frozen on 2.9 (6+) the past four sweeps, Cumulus Media’s KTCK not only gains four-tenths to 3.3 (6+), “The Ticket” cracks the top ten (#14 to #10). Without a decrease for four successive sweeps netting a collective +1.1 (3.2 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 4.3 – 4.3, 6+), co-owned KSCS faltered by one-half share in April but “New Country 96.3” recaptures all of it (3.8 – 4.3, 6+) and carries on at #6. Similarly-formatted cluster-mate KPLX “The Wolf” adds one-tenth to the two-tenths it picked up in April (6.0 – 6.2 – 6.3, 6+) and finishes first for the fifth successive time. Tied at #1 with “The Wolf” in March – iHeartMedia CHR KHKS “106.1 Kiss-FM” – sputters by seven-tenths (5.9 – 5.2, 6+) and slips from second in April to third. Continuing on a seesaw, CBS Radio classic hits-oldies KLUV “98.7 K-LUV” surrenders every bit of the eight-tenths it gained in April and an additional one-tenth (4.7 – 5.5 – 4.6, -.9, 6+), sliding from third back to fourth. April’s +.8 halted a loss of over two full-shares in three straight downward moves (6.8 – 5.2 – 4.8 – 4.7, 6+). Plummeting from the top ten (#10 to #15), adult contemporary sibling KDGE “Star 102.1” is off by one-half share to 2.9 (6+), thus pulling the plug on three successive up or flat trends (2.8 – 2.8 – 3.3 – 3.4, 6+) that produced a gain of six-tenths. In mid-November (2016), KDGE jettisoned its alternative format and “Edge” identity and in “Holiday” 2016, “Star 102.1” more than doubled December’s 3.3 to 7.7, rocketing from tenth to first.

6) Houston – The wild ride is ongoing for Radio One-owned urban AC KMJQ “Majic 102.1 The People’s Station,” which is #1 for the fourth consecutive sweep. Up a combined full-share in back-to-back monthlies (6.9 – 7.2 – 7.9, January-February-March, 6+), “Majic” returned all of it in April (6.9, 6+), but it rebounds with a +1.4 (7.9 – 6.9 – 8.3, 6+), the heftiest (6+) increase of any station in the 12 PPM-markets whose data was released on Monday. Five successive up or flat trends by KQQK “El Norte 107.9” have netted a +1.1 (1.6 – 1.7 – 1.9 – 1.9 – 2.7 – 2.7, 6+), as the Liberman regional Mexican advances from #18 to #17. This is the finest 6+-showing for “El Norte” since last August (2.7, as well). Debuting with a one-half share, the HD2 channel of University of Houston-owned KUHF checks in at #27. Trending 4.6 – 4.5 – 4.6 – 4.2 (6+) since January, CBS Radio Spanish contemporary KLOL “Mega 101” falters by seven-tenths to 3.5 – its weakest 6+-showing since April 2016’s 2.9 – as it departs the top ten (#9 to #13). After progressing by seven-tenths in April, noncommercial contemporary Christian KSBJ “God Listens” returns all but one-tenth (5.6 – 5.0, -.6, 6+), falling from fourth to fifth. KSBJ improved by +1.0 in January to 5.9, its highest 6+-share in more than four years (6.0, November 2012); was -.5 in both February and March (5.9 – 5.4 – 4.9, 6+); +.7 in April; and now -.6 in May. Following a massive +1.6 in March, Cox Media Group-owned country KKBQ “The New 93-Q” forfeited just over half of it in April (4.2 – 5.8 – 4.9, -.9, 6+) and flounders by another half-share in May to 4.4 (6+) as it moves from sixth to seventh; 5.8 was the strongest 6+-showing for KKBQ since last July’s 5.9 (6+). Off by one-half share as well is classic country cluster-mate KTHT “Country Legends” (2.5 – 2.0, 6+), which departs the top 20 (#19 to #21). Following four straight gains that yielded a cumulative +1.3 (2.3 – 2.5 – 2.7 – 3.1 – 3.6, 6+), CBS Radio hot AC KHMX “Mix 96.5” (#13 to #15) slumps by four-tenths to 3.2 (6+).

7) Atlanta – Winning ways continue for Cox Media Group-owned WSRV “Classic Hits 97.1 The River” and Cumulus Media’s WNNX “100.5 – Atlanta’s Rock Station,” as both stations log their fifth consecutive gain. In the case of the former, “The River” is a +2.3 in that stretch (4.4 – 4.6 – 5.1 – 5.9 – 6.2 – 6.7, 6+) and moves from a second-place tie to sole possession of the runner-up slot. A combined +1.5 since the “Holiday” 2016 report (1.7 – 2.0 – 2.0 – 2.2 – 2.7 – 3.2, 6+), WNNX, meanwhile, inches up from #16 to #15. Notching a one-half share gain as well (to 4.7, ninth to fifth, 6+) is Radio One urban contemporary WHTA “Hot 107.9,” which – conversely – hadn’t had an increase since last November (5.9 – 5.4 – 4.9 – 4.7 – 4.5 – 4.5 – 4.2, 6+) and was a combined -1.7. Shifting to the market’s country tussle, the two players were tied at #12 in April and both are up in May; however, iHeartMedia’s WUBL “94.9 The Bull” (3.6 – 4.0, +.4, #11, 6+) pulls ahead of Cumulus Media’s WKHX “Kicks 101.5” (3.6 – 3.9, +.3, #13, 6+). As noted above with WSRV and WNNX, five also proves to be a lucky number for “The Bull” as this represents its fifth straight improvement (2.6 – 2.8 – 2.9 – 3.4 – 3.6 – 4.0, 6+) for a collective +1.4. At #30, news/talk sibling WGST is up one-tenth to .3 (6+), thus ending eight consecutive ratings periods without an increase (.4 – .4 – .4 – .4 – .4 – .3 – .2 – .2 – .2, 6+). Although down or flat for the fourth straight sweep for a combined loss of more than two full-shares (10.7 – 9.9 – 9.5 – 9.5 – 8.6, 6+), Cox Media Group news/talk WSB-AM is #1 for the 17^th straight ratings period. Prior to March, its most recent fluctuations were -2.3 (“Holiday” 2016); +2.8 (January); and -.8 (February). January’s 10.7 represents the station’s best-ever (6+) performance, eclipsing the 10.2 in December 2016; 8.6 though is the station’s weakest 6+-showing since the “Holiday” 2016 report (7.9). Likewise, Salem Media Group contemporary Christian WFSH “The Fish” has its softest 6+-performance in more than a year (4.3, April 2016) as a result of regressing by one-half share (5.0 – 4.5, fifth to sixth, 6+).

8) Philadelphia – Via three straight increases (3.9 – 4.1 – 4.8 – 5.5, sixth, 6+), CBS Radio sports outlet/Philadelphia Phillies’ flagship WIP (unchanged at #6) is a collective +1.6. When WIP improved by two-tenths in March, it ended at five a consecutive string of downward or flat trends that yielded a cumulative -1.1 (5.0 – 4.9 – 4.3 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 3.9, 6+). Putting together its third successive positive trend as well is WMGK “Classic Rock 102.9 MGK,” which nets one full share in that stretch (5.9 – 6.2 – 6.4 – 6.9, 6+). The Beasley Media Group property advances from fourth to second, trailing iHeartMedia-owned urban AC WDAS-FM “Philly’s Best R&B and Throwbacks” (6.7 – 7.0, +.3, second to first). WDAS-FM unseats CBS Radio classic hits-oldies WOGL (6.9 – 6.8, -.1, 6+), which transitions from first to third. WOGL registered a +1.3 in January; +.5 in February; and unseated Jerry Lee Radio adult contemporary WBEB “Today’s 101 More FM” at #1 in March. A model of consistency over the last nine ratings periods, (4.1 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 4.1 – 4.2 – 4.1 – 4.3 – 4.3, 6+), iHeartMedia urban contemporary WUSL “Power 99” progresses from tenth to eighth. Dropping from eighth to tenth, co-owned WRFF “Radio 104.5 – Philadelphia’s Alternative Rock” forfeits all but one-tenth of April’s +.6 (4.1 – 4.7 – 4.2, -.5, 6+); 4.7 was its strongest 6+-showing since last October’s 4.9. A combined +1.1 “Holiday” 2016 – January – February (2.9 – 3.9 – 4.0, 6+), CBS Radio news/talk WPHT is now -1.2 in February – March – April – May (4.0 – 3.5 – 2.9 – 2.8, 6+), sliding from #15 to #17.

9) Long Island – Six-tenths of a share separated the top seven stations in April. It’s still incredibly tight at the top, where one-tenth is the margin among the top three, including a bona fide rarity where format foes share the lead – each posting identical profiles (5.0 – 5.4, +.4, second to first, 6+). Specifically, Cox Media Group-owned CHR WBLI “Long Island’s #1 For All the Hits” has gained +1.4 in five straight up or flat trends, (4.0 – 4.5 – 4.5 – 4.8 – 5.0 – 5.4, 6+), while iHeartMedia New York City’s similarly-programmed WHTZ “Z-100” rebounds from April’s -1.1 (6.1 – 5.0, 6+). Having registered 11 successive sweeps at #1 in the Long Island report, “Z-100” spiraled by -1.5 in “Holiday” 2016 (6.6 – 5.1, 6+), sliding to third. It then gained eight-tenths in January 2017 to reappear at #1 and repeated at the top in February and March. Just one-tenth behind the two CHRs – and actually up two-tenths (5.1 – 5.3, first to third, 6+) – is Connoisseur Media hot AC WALK-FM “Real Variety 97.5.” The tables have turned on WALK-FM, which gained nine-tenths in April to rocket from seventh to first, clinging in April to a one-tenth advantage over WBLI and WHTZ. A full-share loss by WALK-FM in March (5.2 – 4.2, 6+) resulted in “Real Variety 97.5” tumbling from fourth to seventh. By posting a gain of six-tenths to 4.2 (6+), CBS Radio New York City all-news property WINS (eighth to seventh) terminates a mini-skid that resulted in a loss of eight-tenths (4.4 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 3.6, 6+). Similarly, iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR WKTU – which had been down or flat the past three sweeps (2.5 – 2.4 – 2.3 – 2.3, 6+) – improves by one-half share to 2.8, climbing from #17 to #15. For the 30^th straight sweep, Emmis rhythmic CHR WQHT “Hot 97” is in 2.0 – 2.9 range (2.3 – 2.4, +.1, #17 to #18, 6+).

10) Riverside – In the runner-up slot for the fifth successive ratings period, Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies outlet KOLA tacks on six-tenths to the four-tenths it regained in April (5.6 – 5.2 – 5.6 – 6.2, 6+). The loss of four-tenths in March ended at five KOLA’s string of consecutive fluctuations by one-half share (7.1 – 6.6 – 6.1 – 5.6 – 6.1 – 5.6, 6+) for a collective -1.5; KOLA was at #2 six straight times before dropping to third in “Holiday” 2016. Prior to November, it was up or flat the previous six times for a net gain of +2.2 (4.9 – 4.9 – 5.6 – 6.5 – 6.8 – 6.9 – 7.1, 6+). It is chasing Entravision Spanish adult hits KLYY, which is #1 for the 19^th consecutive ratings period, although “Jose” registers its fourth consecutive decrease for a -1.3 (9.4 – 9.2 – 8.6 – 8.3 – 8.1, 6+). Following five consecutive sweeps without a decrease which produced a +2.2 (7.2 – 7.5 – 7.5 – 8.3 – 8.7 – 9.4, 6+), “Jose” lost two-tenths in February. The dubious distinction for recording the largest (6+) decrease of any station in the 12 PPM-markets whose data was released on Monday falls to Univision Radio regional Mexican KSCA “Zona MX 101.9” (4.9 – 3.5, -1.4, third to sixth, 6+). It is the first time “Zona MX 101.9” has fallen below a four-share (6+) in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario since November 2015 (3.1). After more than doubling its 6+-share by way of three straight increases (.9 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 2.1, 6+), All-Pro Broadcasting’s KHTI “Hot 103.9 – Move to the Music” erodes by three-tenths to 1.8 (6+) and dips from ninth to tenth. A combined +.7 in the past two sweeps, adult contemporary cluster-mate KATY “Mix 101.3” surrenders that increase in its entirety (.8 – 1.0 – 1.5 – .8, 6+), dropping from #12 to #14; the 1.0 in March represented the first time “Mix 101.3” crossed the one-share level (6+) since December 2015’s 1.1.

11) San Jose – Without an increase the last three ratings periods for a net loss of one-half share (2.5 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.0, 6+), CBS Radio hot AC KLLC “Alice @ 97.3” recaptures all of that decrease plus one-tenth (2.6, +.6, 6+) and cracks the top twenty at #17. Meanwhile, Univision Radio rhythmic CHR KVVF “San Jose’s Hottest Music” (#18 to #16) notches its third straight gain and is up one full-share since February (1.9 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.9, 6+). A combined -1.2 since September via eight straight down or flat trends (2.8 – 2.6 – 2.4 – 2.1 – 2.0 – 2.0 – 1.9 – 1.7 – 1.6, 6+), Entercom rhythmic hot AC KRBQ “The Beat of the Bay” adds one-tenth in May to 1.7 (6+) and carries on at #25. Not only does KCBS-AM pick up three-tenths (6.4, 6+) to end a string of three consecutive down or flat trends that produced a -.6 (6.7 – 6.7 – 6.3 – 6.1 (6+), the CBS Radio all-news operation marches from second to first. It dislodges Northern California Public Broadcasting’s KQED, which falters for the third straight sweep for a cumulative -1.3 (7.6 – 7.5 – 7.2 – 6.3) and slides to #2. Unlisted in San Jose since posting a 5.1 (6+) in the “Holiday” 2015 report, KQED returned in January 2017 by recording a 6.9 (6+) to finish at #1 and had been there ever since. Slipping from fifth to sixth, iHeartMedia adult contemporary KISQ “98.1 The Breeze” falters by three-tenths to 4.3 (6+), curtailing at four a consecutive string of increases that netted more than two full-shares (2.3 – 2.4 – 3.2 – 4.1 – 4.6, 6+).

12) Middlesex – In addition to pulling the plug on three straight negative trends that accounted for a loss of one-half share (2.6 – 2.5 – 2.3 – 2.1, 6+), iHeartMedia New York City news/talker-New York Mets flagship WOR gains six-tenths to 2.7 (6+) and enters the top twenty at #20. At the same time, CBS Radio New York City sports outlet-New York Yankees key station WFAN “The Fan” adds one-half share in back-to-back sweeps (2.6 – 3.1 – 3.6, 6+), jumping from #15 to #11. Without a decrease for the fifth straight sweep for a net gain of +1.8 (2.4 – 2.7 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 4.2, 6+), Emmis rhythmic CHR WQHT “Hot 97” inches up from eighth to sixth. Its format rival – iHeartMedia’s WKTU (#19 – #16) – is up or flat for the sixth consecutive ratings period scoring a +.8 in that stretch (2.2 – 2.2 – 2.7 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 3.0, 6+). Following a combined loss of -1.4 in back-to-back sweeps (7.9 – 7.4 – 6.5, 6+), Townsquare Media news/talk WKXW gains three-tenths to 6.8 (6+) and is #1 for the fifth consecutive ratings period. As a result of hanging out a “Holiday” 2016 – January 2017 increase of one-full-share (6.8 – 7.8, 6+), “New Jersey 101.5” returned to #1 following one turn in the runner-up slot. Prior to “Holiday” 2016, when it was -.7, (6+), “New Jersey 101.5” spent 12 consecutive ratings periods on top. While it is in the runner-up slot for the third consecutive time, Emmis urban AC WBLS “107.5 – Your #1 Source for R&B” regresses by eight-tenths to 5.2, its lowest 6+-share in this New Jersey market since its 5.2 last September. Off for the third straight sweep in Middlesex-Somerset-Union – this time by a whopping -1.1 – iHeartMedia New York City CHR WHTZ “Z-100” freefalls from #6 to #14. Dating back to March, “Z-100” is -2.2 (5.4 – 4.5 – 4.3 – 3.2, 6+). Down or flat for the ninth straight time and -1.6 since September (4.5 – 4.3 – 4.0 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.7 – 3.5 – 3.5 – 3.3 – 2.9, 6+), CBS Radio New York City’s similarly-formatted WBMP “Amp” skids from #14 to #17.