Tag: "Sports Talk"

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Harrison Podcast Examines Charlottesville from a Talk Radio Perspective.  Charlottesville, VA was the home of two early U.S. presidents – Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe.  It is also the home of two talented radio talk show hosts heard on two significant, separately owned news/talk stations.  Joe Thomas is the PD and morning host at Monticello Media’s WCHV.  Rob Schilling is the 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm host on Saga Communications’ WINA.  Both are guests on this week’s installment of the award-winning PodcastOne series “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison.”   They discuss, in great detail, the talk radio perspective on the tragic and troubling events that took place in their city this past weekend, and then some.  Don’t miss this.  To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com.

Lundberg: New Tech Gives Hosts Control and Breeds Engagement.  Sports talk radio and TV personality Robin Lundberg writes today about a new technology for videocasting that puts control of video callers, images and more right in his hands while he hosts his Internet show, “Stick to Sports.”  He says, “Having video callers on air knocks down the wall between me and my audience.  The experience is a blast for everyone…what’s amazing is that I feel the same way, every show.  I’ve had the good fortune to be on some of the biggest sports networks and ‘Stick-to-Sports’ is like no hosting experience I’ve had before.  Putting a couple of people on air via Skype or FaceTime is not new, but the VCC platform is the first time I’ve seen it done reliably with many callers in each show.”  See more of what Lundberg has to say about this here.

Pennsylvania Host Suspended for Participation in White Nationalist Rally.  The son of WHLM, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania general manager is on suspension from his evening talk show at the station after he posted video of himself joining the white nationalists at the rally in Charlottesville. Dave Reilly is the son of Joe Reilly, who manages the Columbia Broadcasting Company talk station.  Joe Reilly said in a statement, “WHLM and the Columbia Broadcasting Company denounces, detests, disavows, condemns and has never condoned any form of racism, white supremacism, bigotry or political violence towards anyone or any group.  WHLM is currently conducting a full, internal investigation regarding allegations brought against David Reilly…We are taking this matter seriously and since it will take time to investigate this situation, we, the Columbia Broadcasting Company, have suspended David Reilly without pay until further notice.”  WNEP-TV, Scranton reports that several advertisers cancelled their buys and protests took place outside the station on Monday and Tuesday prior to the announcement of the suspension.

TALKERS News Notes. In Albany, the Daily Gazette reports that WOFX “FOX Sports 980” afternoon drive host Tred Hulse has exited the iHeartMedia station.  The piece notes that Hulse had been a DJ on the company’s hot AC WRVE “99.5 The River” prior to joining WOFX in June of 2016 after Rodger Wyland left the daypart to go across the street to host a show at Townsquare Media’s sports talk WTMM “ESPN Radio 104.5 The Team.”  WOFX is now airing FOX Sports Radio’s Doug Gottlieb show in the afternoon slot…..Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers have moved to distance the team – whose matches are heard on Alpha Media’s sports talk KXTG, Portland “750/102.9 The Game” – from comments made in June by new afternoon personality Dino Costa.  The sports talk personality made comments suggesting that drivers should run over Black Lives Matter protestors blocking traffic.  Alpha Media issued a statement to KOIN-TV, Portland saying, “Alpha Media holds the relationships with the Portland Timbers and the University of Oregon in high regard.  The ‘750/102.9 The Game’ management team took immediate and aggressive action with Dino Costa regarding the comment made during his June 7 broadcast.”  The soccer club said it would not take any action regarding its relationship with the station but wanted to clarify its stance on the matter…..Former Washington State and NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf is joining the roster of college football experts appearing on SiriusXM.  Leaf makes his debut today, alongside co-host Jason Horowitz and will be heard multiple times each week on SiriusXM’s College Sports Nation channel.

Trump’s Charlottesville Response, CEOs Exit Trump Manufacturing Council, Confederate Statues Removed, U.S.-North Korea Tensions, Iran Nuclear Deal Threatened, MLB Action, and NFL Pre-Season Activity Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/15).  Analysis of President Trump’s responses to the Charlottesville rally violence; the numerous business leaders who’ve resigned from President Trump’s manufacturing council in response to his comments on the Charlottesville violence; the destruction of a Confederate memorial in Durham, NC and the plans for removal of similar monuments in other cities; threats against the U.S. by North Korea and Kim Jong Un’s nuclear weapons program; Iran’s threat to ignore the nuclear pact if it is slapped with more sanctions; Major League Baseball action; and NFL pre-season activity were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Beasley Launches ‘Community of Caring’ Initiative. The new company-wide “Community of Caring” public service initiative will run across Beasley Media Group’s 63 radio stations.  It will consist of a rotating PSA series aimed at shining a spotlight on important issues impacting our communities, including the on-going opioid epidemic, bullying, racism and mental health awareness. The PSAs will also be supported via social media campaigns. Beasley will also host specific “Day of Caring” events throughout the year in which teams, made up of employees from each market, will adopt specific non-profit organizations within the communities they serve and volunteer during company supported work hours over the course of the year in an effort to make a difference for those in need.  Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley comments, “As a company, we take all of these issues very seriously.  The rotating PSA and social media campaigns, combined with our ‘Day of Caring’ events across all of our markets, underscores our company’s strong commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve.”

Music Radio News and Career Moves.  New York air personality Jay Dabhi adds music director duties at CBS RADIO‘s CHR WBMP “92.3 AMP Radio” where he also hosts the afternoon mix show.  Dabhi states, “As a born and raised New Yorker, I used to run home from elementary school to record mix shows by the Latin Rascals and Red Alert,” said Dabhi. “I get that same feeling of excitement walking through the doors of 92.3 AMP Radio every day. AMP breaks new music in NYC and I am beyond thrilled to be a part of it. Thank you Michael Martin and Jim Ryan for this amazing opportunity.”…..Urban One’s Radio One division announces two programming promotions.  First, Bill Black, the current OM for the Cleveland and Cincinnati markets adds responsibility for the Columbus market.  Also, Theodore ‘Big Bink’ moves from his OM post at the Columbus cluster to Indianapolis in the same position…..The 17^th annual Power of Urban Radio Forum takes place on October 11 and 12 in Washington, DC hosted by Kizart Media Partners in association with the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters.  Kizart Media Partners founder and managing director Sherman Kizart says “The 17th annual forum offers attendees the opportunity to hear from and interact with an exceptionally powerful group of national leading advertisers, media agencies, broadcast owners and executives. Each year the Power of Urban Radio Forum is referred to as best-in-class and this year is expected to be tremendously impactful.”  Companies and organizations attending will include:  Procter and Gamble, the U.S. Army Cadet Command, Toyota USA, AARP, Burrell Communications Group, Carol H. Williams Advertising, Hearts & Science Marketing Agency, Grow Now Social Media Agency, and Uniworld Group Advertising.

July PPM Takeaways. Below are TALKERS magazine editor Mike Kinosian‘s “Twelve Takeaways” based on the July PPM ratings information released by Nielsen Audio last week.  The 12 markets addressed today are: Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Orlando, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. Nielsen’s July 2017 survey period covered June 22 – July 19.  You can view all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here.

TWELVE TAKEAWAYS

1) Portland – Nearly equally divided between Entercom-owned KWJJ “99.5 The Wolf – Great Country for the Great Northwest” (4.9 – 5.6, +.7, seventh to fourth, 6+) and Alpha Media’s KUPL “98.7 The Bull – #1 For New Country” (4.4 – 4.9, +.5, eighth to sixth, 6+), the market’s (6+) country swells by +1.2. Prior to gaining three-tenths in June, “The Wolf” was a combined -1.8 in March, April, and May (6.4 – 5.5 – 4.8 – 4.6, 6+), while “The Bull” was down in consecutive sweeps (April – May – June) for a -1.1 (5.5 – 4.5 – 4.4, 6+). The two country rivals finished back-to-back at seventh and eighth, respectively, in both May and June. Recapturing all but one-tenth of the seven-tenths it lost in June, Entercom adult hits KYCH “97.1 Charlie – We Play Everything” (4.3 – 4.9, +6, 6+) advances from ninth to a sixth-place tie with KUPL “The Bull.” As the result of four straight up or flat trends between January and May (4.0 – 4.0 – 4.5 – 4.9 – 5.0, 6+), “Charlie” gained one full-share. Co-owned KNRK “94/7 Alternative Portland” progresses by six-tenths as well (3.3 – 3.9, #15 to #12, 6+) and posts its highest 6+-share since 4.6 in February 2014. Unchanged at #3, iHeartMedia-owned KLTH gains one-half share (6.1 – 6.6, 6+) as “106.7 The Eagle – Portland’s Classic Hits Station” has its strongest 6+-showing since January 2016’s 7.0. Although down by one-half share (9.1 – 8.6, 6+), adult contemporary cluster-mate KKCW “K-103” is #1 for the 38^th time in the last 40 ratings periods. June’s 9.1 was its highest 6+-share since the 15.3 it posted in “Holiday” 2016. After progressing by six-tenths in June, Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB surrenders nine-tenths in July but remains at #2 (8.0 – 7.1, 6+). Down eight-tenths in May, KOPB was +.9 in March. As the result of six negative trends in a row (4.9 – 4.5 – 4.1 – 3.9 – 3.6 – 3.5 – 2.8, 6+), Alpha Media news/talk KXL-FM (#13 to #15) erodes by more than two full-shares. After gaining six-tenths in June, triple A sibling KINK “Uniquely Portland” forfeits one-half share (3.8 – 3.3, 6+) and slips from #11 to #13. Entering the June sweep, KINK didn’t have an increase since January and was a collective -.7 in that stretch (3.9 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.6 – 3.2, 6+). Moving from fourth to fifth, Entercom classic rocker KGON is off three-tenths (5.6 – 5.3, 6+), thus ending at five its string of successive sweeps without a loss for a collective +2.4, (3.2 – 4.0 – 5.1 – 5.1 – 5.3 – 5.6, 6+). When KGON registered a +.8 in February, it brought to an end eight straight sweeps without a gain that resulted in a combined -1.7 dating back to June 2016 (4.9 – 4.3 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.5 – 3.3 – 3.2, 6+).

2) Charlotte – Whereas four-tenths of a share separated Charlotte’s top four June 2017 finishers, a mere three-tenths of a share is the difference for its first six July 2017 finishers. As was the case in June, a country station is Charlotte’s pacesetter, but in July, it’s Beasley Media Group-owned WSOC. While flat at 6.0 (6+), “Country’s Hottest Hits” leapfrogs from fourth to first, supplanting iHeartMedia’s similarly-programmed WKKT “96.9 The Kat – Charlotte’s #1 For New Country” (6.4 – 5.7, -.7, 6+), which trades places with WSOC at #4. Having logged a very consistent (6+) January 2017 through May 2017 line of 5.7 – 5.9 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 5.8, “The Kat” was up six-tenths in June to 6.4 (6+). Consequently, “The Kat” bypassed “Country’s Hottest Hits,” which (in June) relinquished the six-tenths it gained in May (6.0 – 6.6 – 6.0, 6+), shifting from second to fourth. Prior to April (when it was +.8), WSOC was a cumulative -1.8 in three successive downward moves dating back to the “Holiday” 2016 report (7.0 – 6.3 – 5.8 – 5.2, 6+). Moreover, 5.2 in March was the lowest 6+-share in its PPM-history. In “Holiday” 2016, “The Kat” trailed “Country’s Hottest Hits” by three full-shares (7.0 to 4.0, 6+). After a lengthy absence and under several different formats, the call letters of Radio One’s WQNC reappeared in November 2016. Urban contemporary “92.7 The Block” hangs out a whopping +1.2 to 3.4, its highest 6+-stat since again being listed and advances from #17 to #14. In addition to having its fourth successive downward trend for a collective -1.3 (4.9 – 4.7 – 4.3 – 4.2 – 3.6, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR WHQC “Channel 96.1” departs the top ten (#10 to #13). In March, “Channel 96.1” had its string of consecutive increases that produced a cumulative +1.4 snapped at three (3.5 – 3.6 – 3.8 – 4.9, 6+). While down three-tenths (5.4 – 5.1, 6+), its format foe – Beasley Media Group-owned WNKS “Kiss 95.1 – Charlotte’s #1 Hit Music Station” – remains at #7. Without a decrease for four straight sweeps netting a full-share (3.8 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 4.8 – 4.8, 6+), “Kiss” lost two-tenths in May but rebounded in June with a gain four times that margin, +.8. Following four straight increases for a net +1.4 (4.9 – 5.0 – 5.3 – 6.0 – 6.3, 6+), urban AC cluster-mate WBAV “V-101.9” falters by one-half share to 5.8 (6+), slipping from second back to third. Regressing by one-half share as well and tied at #4 with WKKT is its classic rock sibling WRFX “99.7 The Fox,” which has lost two full-shares since March via four straight decreases (7.7 – 7.6 – 7.2 – 6.2 – 5.7, 6+). Ousted from the top spot in June and moving to third, “The Fox” had been #1 in each of the past five survey periods. Immediately in advance of its current string of four straight declines, WRFX posted three consecutive positive trends that accounted for a +1.3 (6.4 – 7.2 – 7.3 – 7.7, 6+). Its +.8 in January curtailed a series of three consecutive downward moves that yielded a -1.5 (7.9 – 7.3 – 6.7 – 6.4, 6+). Down or flat for the sixth straight time, Davidson College’s WDAV “Classical Public Radio” (#16 to #18) is a combined -1.3 (3.6 – 3.2 – 3.1 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 2.3 – 2.3, 6+).

3) San Antonio – The rollercoaster ride keeps on going for KQXT. Specifically, the iHeartMedia adult contemporary property (steady at #2) lost one full-share (-1.0) in February; was a collective +1.5 in March and April (5.2 – 4.2 – 4.7 – 5.6, 6+); regressed by -1.0 in May (5.6 – 4.6, 6+); regained May’s loss in its entirety in June (5.6, +1.0, 6+); and is now +.5 in July to 6.1. With an 11.8 (6+) in the “Holiday” 2016 report, “Q-101.9 – San Antonio’s Best Variety” finished at #1. The six-tenths of a share advantage in June that Cox Media Group’s KCYY “Y-100 San Antonio’s New Country Leader” had over iHeartMedia-owned KAJA “KJ-97 San Antonio’s #1 Country Station” is down to two-tenths. Stuck on 5.4 (6+) for the third month in a row, “Y-100” nonetheless inches up from fourth to a third-place tie, while “KJ-97” posts its third consecutive gain for a collective +.8 (4.4 – 4.7 – 4.8 – 5.2, 6+) and carries on at #5. Stymied at 7.0 (6+) in May and June, KONO-FM “101.1 San Antonio’s Greatest Hits” adds one-tenth in July to 7.1 (6+) and is #1 for the sixth successive time. The Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies outlet departed the lead position in October after nine straight sweeps there. Recent (6+) fluctuations for “101.1 San Antonio’s Greatest Hits” include October 2016’s -1.0; November’s +.9; December’s -1.1; “Holiday” 2016’s -1.3; January’s +1.1; April’s +.8; and May’s -.6. Displaying identical 3.2 – 2.7 (-.5, #16 to #17) 6+-profiles are Alpha Media CHR KTFM “Energy 94.1” and iHeartMedia’s KZEP “104.5 Latino Hits.” It is the softest 6+-showing for “Energy” since its 2.6 in November 2016. Owing to three straight increases, including May’s +1.3, KSTX nearly doubled its 6+-share (2.0 – 2.1 – 2.5 – 3.8, 6+). The Texas Public Radio news/talk outlet though regresses by one-half share in back-to-back sweeps (3.8 – 3.3 – 2.8, May – June – July, 6+) and slips from #14 to #16 It had been almost two years since KSTX reached the three-share level (August 2015, 3.0, 6+). For the sixth time in a row, iHeartMedia news/talk WOAI (unchanged at #4) is without an increase for a -1.6 (4.7 – 4.7 – 4.5 – 4.5 – 4.4 – 3.3 – 3.1, 6+). Prior to June, the last time WOAI fell below a four-share (6+) was September 2014 (3.7).

4) Pittsburgh – Following a June improvement of six-tenths, Steel City Media adult hits WRRK “Bob FM” tacks on an additional half-share (7.3 – 7.8, 6+), inching up from fourth to third. Prior to June’s +.6, “Bob” had faltered by -1.8 in four consecutive declines (8.5 – 8.3 – 8.1 – 7.5 – 6.7, 6+). Without a decrease for the third consecutive time for a gain of seven-tenths (3.9 – 4.4 – 4.4 – 4.6, 6+), CBS Radio-owned WDSY “Y-108 Pittsburgh’s Country” advances from tenth to ninth, while iHeartMedia’s WPGB “Big 104.7 – Pittsburgh’s #1 For New Country” is up a combined nine-tenths in June and July to progress from #11 to #10 (2.9 – 3.5 – 3.8, 6+). Down or flat the past four months and off one full-share in that stretch (2.1 – 2.1 – 1.5 – 1.1 – 1.1, 6+), Renda Broadcasting-owned WHJB “Classic Hits 107.1” adds two-tenths to 1.3 (6+), climbing from #15 to #14. June’s penthouse deadlock between iHeartMedia siblings WWSW “94.5 – 3WS” and WDVE is broken as classic hits-oldies “94.5 – 3WS” repeats its 9.6 (6+) and remains on top for the fourth straight month; however, rock WDVE drops four-tenths to 9.2 (6+), shifting to the runner-up slot. After posting three consecutive increases netting a +1.3 (9.1 – 9.9 – 10.3 – 10.4, 6+), WWSW forfeited eight-tenths in June. This time last month, WDVE regained the three-tenths it lost in May (9.6 – 9.3 – 9.6, 6+) to return to #1 from the runner-up slot. Immediately before picking up eight-tenths in March, “3WS” was -4.6 since “Holiday” 2016 (13.7 – 9.3 – 9.1, 6+). A collective +1.8 as the result of four successive up or flat trends between February and June (3.3 – 3.3 – 4.1 – 5.1 – 5.1, 6+), alternative sibling WXDX “The X at 105.9” amazingly plummets by -1.8 in July and is back at 3.3 (6+), spiraling from the top ten (#7 to #11). Co-owned CHR WKST “96.1 Kiss FM – Pittsburgh’s #1 Music Station” erodes by -1.1 to 7.6, its lowest 6+-share since January’s 7.3, and falls from third to fourth. After logging a combined +2.1 in three straight increases (4.3 – 6.1 – 6.3 – 6.4, 6+), CBS Radio sports talk/Pittsburgh Pirates flagship KDKA-FM stumbles by nine-tenths to 5.5 (6+) but carries on in fifth-place.

5) Sacramento – This marks the third consecutive up or flat trend for CBS Radio hot AC KZZO for a combined gain of six-tenths (3.9 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 4.5, 6+) as “Now 100.5 – Today’s Best Hits Without the Rap” advances from seventh to sixth. Swapping places at #1 and #2 are its adult contemporary cluster-mate KYMX “Mix 96” (8.7 – 7.8, -.9, first to second, 6+) and Entercom-owned KSEG “96.9 The Eagle – Sacramento’s Classic Rock (second to first), which is actually down two-tenths and posting an 8.3 for the third time in the last four ratings periods (8.3 – 8.3 – 8.5 – 8.3, 6+). “Mix 96” had been #1 in each of the previous five sweeps. A combined -.6 in back-to-back monthlies (9.2 – 9.0 – 8.6, 6+, February – March – April), KYMX recaptured all of it in May only to drop one-half share in June (9.2 – 8.7, 6+). Ranked third for five straight sweeps before reaching #1 in “Holiday” 2016, “Mix” rebounded from January’s -4.8 with a full-share February increase (13.0 – 8.2 – 9.2, 6+). In addition to “Mix,” iHeartMedia-owned KSTE is off by nine-tenths (2.8 – 1.9, #15 to #16, 6+). When it gained four-tenths in June, “650 – Sacramento’s Talk Station” snapped at four its successive streak of downward trends that yielded a -1.5 since January (3.9 – 3.6 – 3.0 – 2.6 – 2.4, 6+). Two-tenths is the common thread in July for the market’s three FM country signals, with CBS Radio’s KNCI “New Country 105.1” up two-tenths in consecutive sweeps (5.6 – 5.8 – 6.0, 6+) and steady in fourth-place, while iHeartMedia’s KBEB “The Bull” regains the two-tenths it lost in June (3.1 – 2.9 – 3.1, #14 to #12, 6+). Conversely, Entravision-owned KNTY “101.9 – The Wolf” drops two-tenths (2.8 – 2.6, 6+) but remains at #15. As a result of a -.1 in May, “The Wolf” had its streak of successive increases which generated a +1.5 (1.9 – 2.1 – 2.3 – 2.4 – 2.7 – 3.4, 6+) end at five. June’s -.2 by “The Bull” concluded three straight improvements that netted eight-tenths (2.3 – 2.7 – 2.9 – 3.1, 6+). Down or flat for seven ratings periods in a row for a collective -2.6 (5.8 – 5.1 – 4.8 – 4.6 – 4.1 – 4.1 – 3.4 – 3.2, 6+), Entercom’s KRXQ answered back in June by making up more than half the deficit with a resounding +1.4, but “98 Rock” regresses by one-half share in July to 4.1 (6+) and slides from sixth to seventh.

6) Salt Lake City – Over and above occupying the #1 slot for the third straight month, Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI “FM 100.3 – Better Music Better Work Day” boasts a +1.1 to 8.0, matching its February 6+-stat. Following three straight sweeps on top, “FM 100.3” shifted to #2, having dropped 12.3 shares in January (20.6 – 8.3, 6+). Until that massive spiral, “FM 100.3” didn’t have a decrease since April 2016 (5.3 – 5.7 – 6.2 – 6.3 – 6.7 – 7.0 – 7.3 – 7.3 – 11.4 – 20.6, 6+), nearly quadrupling its 6+-stat since then with a staggering +15.3. On a roll as well is co-owned KRSP, which displays its strongest 6+-share (6.2) since last November’s 6.8. Not only is it a combined +1.6 as the result of four successive monthlies without a loss (4.6 – 4.9 – 4.9 – 5.5 – 6.2, 6+), “103.5 The Arrow – Utah’s Classic Rock” vaults from sixth to second behind “FM 100.3.” It is a different story though for news/talk cluster-mate KSL, which spirals by nine-tenths (6.1 – 5.2, 6+), leaving the runner-up slot and falling to fifth. Nine recent KSL fluctuations include +2.0 (October 2016), -.9 (November), +1.1 (December), -1.5 (“Holiday” 2016); +2.1 (January 2017); -2.1 (February); +.6 (April); -1.1 (May); and now -.9 in July. Locked on 2.7 (6+) in May and June, iHeartMedia hot AC KJMY improves by one-half share to 3.2 (6+) as “My 99.5 More Music, More Variety” bumps up from #16 to #14. Declining by six-tenths are Capital Broadcasting hot AC KBZN “Now 97.9 Today’s Best Music” (5.9 – 5.3, flat at #4, 6+); University of Utah news/talk KUER, down for the third straight time for a -1.2 (3.6 – 3.4 – 3.0 – 2.4, #14 to #16, 6+); and Broadway Media rhythmic CHR KUUU “U-92,” which is within 2.0 – 2.8 range for the 14^th consecutive sweep (2.8 – 2.2, #15 to #18, 6+). Major ups/downs continue for its CHR sibling KUDD, which was a combined +1.5 in March and April; -.9 in May; +1.6 in June; and now -.5 in July (5.7 – 5.2, 6+). “Mix 105.1 – All the Hits” proceeds at #5 – June’s 5.7 was the highest 6+-stat in its PPM-history. Prior to March, “Mix” was trending 3.5 – 3.9 – 3.5 (6+). With an extremely steady January through June line of 2.0 – 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.1 – 2.2 (6+), Cumulus Media alternative KHTB “Alt 101.9’ regresses by one-half share as well and exits the top twenty (1.7, #18 to #21). Owing to a -.1 to 6.0, 6+), independent KSOP-FM “Z-104 Utah’s #1 Country” halts at four its skein of consecutive improvements that netted a +2.1 (4.0 – 4.3 – 4.5 – 5.3 – 6.1, 6+) and shifts from second to third; June’s 6.1 represents KSOP-FM’s strongest ever 6+ PPM share. Similarly, a loss of two-tenths to 3.6 (6+) by Cumulus Media-owned KBER “101 Utah’s Rock Station” (#10 to #11) ends three straight increases that accounted for a cumulative +1.4 (2.4 – 2.8 – 3.0 – 3.8, 6+).

7) Las Vegas – In tandem with Beasley Media Group classic hits-oldies KKLZ gaining one full-share (6.1 – 7.1, 6+) and iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE “Sunny 106.5” sputtering by eight-tenths (7.5 – 6.7, 6+), the two exchange places with KKLZ moving from second to first. This is the strongest 6+-share for KKLZ “96.3 – 70s, 80s and More” since last November’s 7.2. The five most recent fluctuations (since February 2017) for “Sunny,” which had been on top in each of the last eight ratings periods, are +1.8 in March; -1.1 in April; -1.2 in May; +1.4 in June; and now -.8 in July (6.8 – 8.6 – 7.5 – 6.3 – 7.5 – 6.7, 6+). Five straight up or flat trends generated a +8.3 for “Sunny” to 7.5 (6.4 – 7.0 – 7.0 – 8.1 – 14.0, 6+) before January’s -.7.3 to 6.7 (6+). Following three successive downward trends (8.1 – 7.4 – 6.0 – 5.7, 6+), KSNE was +.7 in September and +.6 in October, climbing to first – where it had been for 22 successive ratings periods. Improving by one-half share (2.4 – 2.9, 6+), Kemp Broadcasting rhythmic CHR KVEG “Hot 97.5” advances from #17 to #14. Having notched three straight gains for a collective +1.8 (3.1 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 4.9, 6+), Beasley Media Group-owned KCYE “The Coyote – We Are Country” is off by a combined -1.2 in June and July (4.9 – 4.7 – 3.7, 6+), drifting from sixth to tenth. A loss of nine-tenths (5.6 – 4.7, 6+) takes co-owned KOAS “Old School 105.7” from third to fifth with its lowest 6+-stat since “Holiday” 2016’s 4.3. Regressing by six-tenths each are Lotus classic rock and Spanish adult hits siblings KXPT “97.1 The Point” (5.4 – 4.8, flat at #4, 6+) and KWID “La Buena 101.9” (3.7 – 3.1, #11 to #13, 6+). After being down or flat in each of the three previous sweeps (1.9 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.6, 6+), Entravision regional Mexican KQRT gained three-tenths in June, but “La Tricolor 105.1” relinquishes one-half share in July (1.9 – 1.4, 6+) and departs the top twenty (#20 to #22).

8) Cincinnati – Two stations representing opposite ends of the music spectrum hang out increases of eight-tenths each: Radio One urban contemporary WIZF “101.1 The Wiz” moves from seventh to sixth (4.4 – 5.2, 6+), while Cincinnati Public Radio classical WGUC “Music For Your Heart, Mind, and Spirit” climbs from #18 to #16 (1.3 – 2.1, 6+). Meanwhile, a boost of seven-tenths (3.1 – 3.8, 6+) enables Cumulus Media’s WFTK “96 Rock” to crack the top ten (#13 to #10). In the lead each month this calendar year, its classic hits-oldies sibling WGRR remains at #1 and is a combined +.7 in June and July (9.0 – 9.3 – 9.7, 6+); 9.7 is the station’s best 6+-performance since last October’s 9.8. Following a -.7 in March, WGRR posted a full-share gain in April (9.2 – 8.5 – 9.5, 6+). Prior to the “Holiday” 2016 sweep, it occupied the top spot for four straight months. A +.8 in January ended four successive down or flat sweeps that produced a -1.6 (9.8 – 9.8 – 9.6 – 8.8 – 8.2, 6+) as WGRR progressed from second to first. Not only has WKRC lost two full-shares in three straight declines (5.3 – 4.3 – 4.2 – 3.3, 6+), the iHeartMedia news/talk outlet leaves the top ten (#9 to #12). With similar call letters, Hubbard hot AC WKRQ follows June’s -.7 with a -.6 (6.8 – 6.1 – 5.5, 6+) but “Q-102 Cincinnati’s Hit Music” continues in fourth-place. Prior to logging a +.5 in May, the three most recent trends for “Q-102” were 6.3 – 6.4 – 6.3 – 6.3 (6+). Dropping six-tenths as well (5.0, fifth to seventh, 6+) is rhythmic hot AC sibling WREW “Mix 94.9,” which had been a combined +1.3 in May and June (4.3 – 5.3 – 5.6, 6+). Still in that Hubbard cluster, WUBE “B-105, Get Your Country On” is off by one-half share (8.1 – 7.6, 6+) but remains in third-place. June’s +.7 to 8.1 enabled WUBE to reach the eight-share level (6+) for the first time since last October’s 8.5. Off for the fourth successive sweep for a -1.5 (3.9 – 3.6 – 3.4 – 2.9 – 2.8 – 2.4, 6+), Radio One urban-rhythmic oldies WOSL “100.3 R&B + Old School” slides from #14 to #15.

9) Orlando – Although it remains at #8, CBS Radio-owned WOMX recaptures in its entirety the seven-tenths it squandered in June (5.4 – 4.7 – 5.4, 6+). Furthermore, “Mix 105.1” applies the brakes to four straight down or flat sweeps that accounted for a -1.4 (6.1 – 6.1 – 5.5 – 5.4 – 4.7, 6+). With four straight increases accounting for a +1.9 (3.7 – 4.2 – 4.7 – 5.5 – 5.6, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WJRR “Orlando’s Rock Station” moves from seventh to sixth. It previously showed a (6+) December 2016 – March 2017 line of 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.9 – 3.7. Nearly doubling its 6+ share (.7 – 1.3, +.6, 6+), University of Central Florida’s WUCF “89.9 Jazz and More” climbs from #20 to #18. In a genuine statistical (if not technological) noteworthy oddity, Cox Media Group’s WCFB-HD2 (Spanish contemporary) channel regains the one-half share it lost in June (1.2 – 1.7, #18 to #16, 6+); the stream of urban AC WCFB debuts with a one-half share (.0 – .5, #22); but the primary FM signal of urban AC WCFB “Star 94.5” is down by … one-half share (6.1 – 5.6, fifth to sixth, 6+). In June, WCFB-FM bounced back from May’s -.9 with a +.6. Co-owned WMMO “98.9 – Orlando’s Classic Hits” regains all but two-tenths of May’s -.7 (7.5 – 8.0, +.5, 6+), shifting from fourth to a second-place tie. The loss of seven-tenths in June halted at three WMMO’s successive increases that generated a +1.6 (6.6 – 6.8 – 7.0 – 8.2, 6+). In a similar scenario, WNUE “98.1 Salsa y Mas” dropped two-tenths in June, ending at six its successive string of increases that netted seven-tenths (1.8 – 1.9 – 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.2 – 2.3 – 2.5, 6+), but the Entravision-owned Spanish tropical answers with a +.5 (2.3 – 2.8, 6+) and moves from #14 to #13. Nearly eight full-shares ahead of “98.1 Salsa y Mas” is its direct competitor – iHeartMedia’s WRUM and, while “Rumba 100” is #1 for the seventh consecutive month, it is the only station in the 36 PPM-markets we have analyzed so far to have a 6+ June 2017 – July 2017 erosion of at least two full-shares (12.7 – 10.7, -2.0, 6+). The 12.8 it registered in April was the best-ever 6+-share in its PPM-history. Prior to January, “Rumba” was on top in October, November, and December. Slipping from second to fourth, co-owned CHR WXXL “XL-106.7” is -2.1 in three straight dips (9.9 – 8.8 – 8.1 – 7.8, 6+), following a +2.7 via four consecutive progressive trends (7.2 – 8.0 – 9.0 – 9.7 – 9.9, 6+). April’s 9.9 was its strongest 6+-share since September’s 10.4. Still in that iHeartMedia cluster, as the result of five consecutive decreases (3.6 – 3.3 – 2.9 – 2.2 – 2.0 – 1.8, 6+), FM talk WTKS (flat at #15) has lost exactly 50% of its 6+-share. Within 2.0 – 2.9 range for the 34^th straight time, Community Communications’ similarly-programmed WMFE (2.7 – 2.4, -.3, 6+) drops from #13 to #14. A collective -1.6 in four straight negative trends (5.0 – 4.7 – 4.4 – 4.1 – 3.4, 6+), Cox Media Group country WWKA “K-92.3,” departs the top ten (#10 to #11).

10) Cleveland – In addition to enjoying a spike of +1.1 to 9.1, its strongest 6+-share since 9.8 in “Holiday” 2016, iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI progresses from second to first. “Majic 105.7 Cleveland’s Greatest Hits had been at #1 from January through April and in the runner-up slot May and June. Displaced at #1 after back-to-back months there is CBS Radio-owned WNCX “98.5 Cleveland’s Classic Rock,” which returns the half-share it picked up in June (7.9 – 8.4 – 7.9, 6+) and takes over in second-place. Following a 6+-trending of 5.9 – 6.0 – 5.9, co-owned hot AC WQAL “Q-104” zooms from ninth to fifth, exploding by +1.1 to 7.0, its finest 6+-showing since December 2013’s 7.1. A combined +1.3 via four straight increases (5.3 – 5.4 – 5.8 – 6.4 – 6.6, 6+), Radio One urban contemporary WENZ “Z-107.9” carries on in seventh-place. Having notched six successive sweeps without a loss that netted a +1.9 (5.4 – 5.9 – 6.1 – 6.1 – 7.0 – 7.0 – 7.3, 6+), iHeartMedia news/talk and Cleveland Indians’ flagship WTAM relinquishes six-tenths to 6.7 (6+) and slips from fifth to sixth. The last six (6+) trends for adult hits sibling WHLK “106.5 The Lake – We Play Anything” (unchanged at #3) are 7.3 – 7.6 – 7.5 – 7.5 – 7.6 – 7.7. Trending 4.6 – 4.4 – 4.2 – 4.5 (February through May, 6+), CHR cluster-mate WAKS flashed a full-share increase to 5.5, its strongest 6+-share since December’s 5.9. Even though it returns half of it (5.4, -.5, 6+), “96.5 Kiss FM – Cleveland’s #1 Hit Music Station” nonetheless continues at #10. Cluster-mate WGAR “99.5 Cleveland’s Country” (sixth to seventh) is off seven-tenths in three consecutive decreases (7.3 – 7.1 – 6.9 – 6.6, 6+). Flat at #11, co-owned WMMS “100.7 – Cleveland’s Rock Station” is -1.4 in three successive declines (6.2 – 5.8 – 5.1 – 4.8, 6+), while its alternative HD2 channel (flat at #15) is down or flat for the tenth straight time (1.3 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.2 – 1.1 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.0 – .9 – .9, 6+) yet is only off four-tenths in the period that began last October. Continuing in that same vein, Ideastream news/talk WCPN (#12 to #13) loses nine-tenths in three negative trends in a row (3.4 – 3.1 – 2.9 – 2.5, 6+), while Moody Bible Institute’s WCRF “Moody Radio Cleveland” (#15 to #16) is without an increase for the fifth straight sweep for an overall -1.4 (2.3 – 1.9 – 1.2 – 1.2 – .9 – .7, 6+).

11) Kansas City – In what proves to be a highly-memorable sweep for Cumulus Media classic rocker KCFX, “The Fox” posts its fifth straight increase for a whopping cumulative +2.8 (7.5 – 8.5 – 8.7 – 9.4 – 10.3, 6+); is #1 for the seventh consecutive time; and reaches double-digits 6+ (10.3) – only the fifth time a Kansas City station has done that since PPM became the market’s ratings currency. In that regard, “The Fox” joins KFKF (11.4 and 11.0, 6+); KCMO-FM (10.8, 6+); and KCSP (10.6, 6+). “The Fox” bounced back from a -.8 in March with a full-share gain in April. Before that, KCFX registered three consecutive declines accounting for a -1.5 (9.0 – 8.5 – 8.3 – 7.5, 6+). Without a loss for the fourth consecutive sweep and up one full-share in that stretch (3.8 – 3.9 – 4.7 – 4.7 – 4.8, 6+), co-owned urban AC KMJK “Magic 107.3 Kansas City’s Best Mix of R&B” elevates from seventh to sixth, while sibling KCJK “X-105.1 Kansas City’s Alternative” (#17 to #16) is up or flat for the sixth straight time for an overall gain of seven-tenths (1.9 – 2.3 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.5 – 2.6, 6+). Aforementioned KCSP posts its fourth consecutive up or flat trend more than tripling its 6+-share in that stretch (1.2 – 2.7 – 2.7 – 3.1 – 3.7, 6+) as Entercom’s “610 Sports Radio” inches up from #15 to #13 with its highest 6+-share since last September’s 4.3. After faltering the past three sweeps for a combined loss of more than two full-shares (3.6 – 2.5 – 2.1 – 1.5, 6+), its format rival – Union Broadcasting’s WHB “Sports Radio 810” – adds one-tenth to 1.6 (6+) and remains at #20. More than making up for a one-half share loss in May, Cumulus Media CHR KCHZ is an overall +1.3 in June and July (3.3 – 4.1 – 4.6, 6+) with “95-7 The Vibe – All the Hits” cruising from tenth to seventh. Prior to May’s -.5, “The Vibe” had been without a loss in each of the past six survey periods netting a +1.2 (2.6 – 2.8 – 3.1 – 3.4 – 3.5 – 3.7 – 3.8, 6+). Picking up one-half share as well is Steel City Media adult contemporary KCKC “KC 102.1 Today’s Best Variety,” which enters the top ten (3.7 – 4.2, #13 to #9, 6+). Up or flat the previous three ratings periods for a gain of four-tenths (4.8 – 4.8 – 5.0 – 5.2, 6+), Entercom hot AC KZPT “99.7 The Point” flounders by twice that increase (5.2 – 4.4, -.8, sixth to eighth, 6+). Within 7.3 – 7.8 range (6+) since January, Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM boasted a +1.5 in June to 8.9, the strongest 6+-stat for “94.9 Kansas City’s Greatest Hits” since “Holiday” 2016’s 10.8. Surrendering roughly half of that gain in July (8.9 – 8.1, -.8, 6+), “KC’s Greatest Hits” is nevertheless steady in the runner-up slot. Owing to a loss of three-tenths to 4.2 (6+), Entercom-owned KQRC “98.8 Kansas City’s Rock Station” (eighth to ninth) halts at six its successive string of up or flat trends that generated a +1.1 (3.4 – 3.8 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.4 – 4.5 – 4.5, 6+). Without an increase for the sixth successive time, University of Missouri-owned news/talk KCUR is down by two full-shares (3.9 – 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.1 – 3.0 – 2.2 – 1.9, 6+), but stays at #18.

12) Columbus – In just two back-to-back ratings periods, iHeartMedia country property WCOL rather remarkably produces a whopping +3.5 (9.2 – 10.6 – 12.7, 6+), as it easily grabs honors for largest 6+ June 2017 – July 2017 increase (+2.1) in the 36 PPM-markets we have summarized thus far in our three “Takeaway” overviews. Moreover, WCOL advances from second to first, succeeding CHR sibling WNCI “97.9 Columbus’ Hit Music” (10.6, -1.1, first to second, 6+), and boasting the highest 6+-share by any Columbus station in exactly two years – when WCOL reached 12.9 in July 2015. It was +2.2 in January; -1.2 in February; +.8 in March; -1.3 in May; +1.4 in June; and now +2.1 in July (10.5 – 9.3 – 10.1 – 10.5 – 9.2 – 10.6 – 12.7, 6+). As for WNCI, its July -1.1 curtails at three a consecutive skein of upticks that yielded a +2.8 (8.9 – 9.4 – 9.9 – 11.7, 6+). With a combined improvement of two full-shares over the January and February sweeps (7.8 – 9.1 – 9.8, 6+), “97.9 Columbus’ Hit Music” advanced from second to first in February. Prior to January, however, WNCI was down or flat in each of the previous six surveys for a collective -4.4 (12.2 – 12.1 -11.1 – 9.8 – 9.4 – 9.4 – 7.8, 6+). From January through June, Saga Communications classic hits-oldies WNND has been trending 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.0 – 2.3 – 2.1 – 2.2, (6+), but a spike of six-tenths takes “Rewind” to 2.8, its best 6+-performance since June 2016’s 2.9, and into the top ten (#14 to #10). Climbing from ninth to eighth, Ohio State University news/talk WOSU is up a combined seven-tenths in three straight up or flat trends (2.8 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 3.5, 6+). Spiraling by seven-tenths for the second straight month is Saga Communications adult contemporary WSNY “Sunny” (5.3, unchanged at #5, 6+). After back-to-back upticks in April and May (6.1 – 6.6 – 6.7, 6+), “Sunny” was off by seven-tenths in June and now by the same margin in July. Down by seven-tenths in July as well is Radiohio-owned WBNS-FM “Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan” (1.9, #11 to #14, 6+), which ended its (6+) February through May sequence of 3.9 – 4.2 – 3.9 – 4.1 by plummeting -1.5 (to 2.6, 6+) in June. Without an increase in each of the last four sweeps for a -1.3 (4.5 – 4.2 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.2, 6+), iHeartMedia urban contemporary WZCB “106.7 The Beat – Columbus Real Hip-Hop and R&B” slips from eighth to ninth.