Tag: "Rich Eisen"

Monday, September 11, 2017

Radio Working Through Challenges Covering Hurricane Irma.  The major issue Floridians are dealing with today after Hurricane Irma barreled into Florida overnight is lack of power.  Some 5.7 million people are without it due to the high winds and flooding.  As of early Monday morning, Beasley Media Group reports that all of its Fort Myers FM stations are off the air due to major flooding at the studios.  In Boca Raton, all of the company’s stations are off the air.  In Tampa though, only WLLD is off the air.  Beasley says staff are working around the clock to get the stations back on air as soon as possible.   Beginning on Saturday, iHeartMedia partnered with WTVJ-TV, Miami “NBC 6” and Telemundo’s more than 51 meteorologists.  News/talk WIOD, Miami began providing non-stop coverage on the storm in both English and Spanish.  The station’s coverage was delivered to all iHeartMedia markets via Premiere Satellite and streamed on iHeartRadio.  There’s no word from iHM about the on-air status of its stations in cities such as Fort Myers, Sarasota and Tampa.

WSYR, Syracuse’s Schenk Dead at 54.  Friends, family, and co-workers are mourning the passing of WSYR, Syracuse newsman Kevin Schenk, who died on Friday in Watertown, New York after suffering a ruptured aortic aneurysm.   Schenk also worked in the market as a TV news anchor on WSTM-TV.  iHeartMedia Syracuse market president Rick Yacobush stated on the WSYR website, “Kevin was an outstanding journalist who loved to dig for a story and was always fair in his reporting.  As a coworker, Kevin was always there with his quick wit to put a smile on your face and he was a truly wonderful man.  He will be greatly missed, by not just our colleagues, but by the listeners who depended on him every afternoon.”

Radio Pro Glenn Haege Dies at 70.  After a short battle with cancer, Detroit-based, nationally syndicated home improvement talk radio host Glenn Haege died early today (9/11).  Haege was on the radio in Detroit for 34 years, starting on WXYT-AM back in 1983.  He’d been based at WJR, Detroit for the past 11 years.  His syndicated show was heard on more than 135 affiliates.  During his career, he wrote a weekly column for the Detroit News for 22 years.  Haege’s executive producer Rob David is quoted saying, “Glenn was a consummate radio professional who really cared a great deal about his audience.  He had a special way of treating every caller with respect.  Each caller was made to feel that their question was the most important one and that Glenn was answering it for the first time.”

FOX News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade Joins KWFS, Wichita Falls. Pictured above are FOX News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade (right) with Townsquare Media Texoma market president Scott Smith (left).  Kilmeade’s radio show is now heard on Townsquare’s news/talk KWFS, Wichita Falls, Texas.  Smith comments, “Brian has a very youthful and likable personality.  His visual association with ‘Fox & Friends’ on Fox News Channel adds credibility and a fresh, faster-paced structure to News Talk 1290’s daytime syndicated lineup.  The show also allows for instant Fox News alerts.  I have a lot of confidence that Brian will boost TSL after PD Mike Hendren’s morning drive program into the Rush Limbaugh show at 11:00 am.”

TALKERS News Notes.  WOR, New York morning personality Todd Schnitt – who also hosts the afternoon talk show syndicated by Compass Media Networks – is in Tampa broadcasting from the market today and tomorrow.  Schnitt, whose afternoon show is carried on WFLA-AM, Tampa, still owns a house in the Tampa area…..Madison sports talk station WTSO/W265CV “The Big 1070” tweaks its program lineup.  The iHeartMedia station adds the local 11:00 am show, “The Rundown with Jon Arias,” leading into the Drew Olson show that emanates from flagship WOKY, Milwaukee.  Off the schedule is FOX Sports Radio’s Rich Eisen program…..Salem Radio Network is partnering with Save the Children to help rush life-saving emergency supplies to children and families in Florida affected by Hurricane Irma.  To help raise funds, Lou Dobbs – host of SRN’s “Lou Dobbs Financial Reports” and “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on FOX Business Network – is lending his personal support to the campaign with messages in SRN’s nationally syndicated talk shows.  Salem Radio has helped raise more than $400,000 in emergency relief for victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

Hurricane Irma, Hillary Clinton Book/Interviews, North Korea Threats, Bannon ’60 Minutes’ Interview, ‘Antifa’ at Portland Rally, IT Film, NFL Opening Weekend, and MLB Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend.  The anticipation of Hurricane Irma’s making landfall in Florida on Sunday night; Hillary Clinton’s book assessing her loss to Donald Trump in November and her appearances on talk shows; North Korea’s threats against the U.S.; former White House adviser Stephen K. Bannon’s interview with Charlie Rose on CBS’ “60 Minutes”; “Antifa” members are arrested for violence at Portland rally; the movie based on the Stephen King book IT dominates the weekend box office; NFL action in the opening weekend of the season; and Major League Baseball’s playoff push were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Music Radio News and Career Moves.  At the Houston operations of Radio One, Pamela B. McKay is named the new vice president/general manager.  McKay formerly served as president of the iHeartMedia Austin station group.  Radio One CEO David Kantor says, “Today is a good day for Radio One Houston.  Our team continues to literally weather the storm, but now can do so with a first-class leader who is willing to get into the trenches with them.  We’re excited to have Pam join our team and look forward to the growth of the market based on her multifaceted skill set and robust experience.”…..Over in Dallas, Radio One flips from hip hop to urban contemporary on KSOC and re-brands the station “MAJIC 94-5.”  With that change comes the return of to Tom Joyner to the market in the morning drive daypart and the addition of D.L. Hughley in afternoons.  Radio One Dallas vice president and general manager Tami Honesty comments, “We’re excited to bring a fresh, new vibe to the airwaves with ‘MAJIC 94-5’ and I think the Metroplex will like what they hear.  With today’s fast-paced news cycle, the return of Tom Joyner during mornings and the addition of D.L. Hughley in afternoons, we’ll connect with our listeners on another level giving us the right balance of music and entertainment.”…..Adams Radio Group appoints Colleen Carew program director for classic rock WGBG, Salisbury-Ocean City, Maryland.  Carew will also serve as the station’s midday personality.  She was most recently the midday personality at Shamrock Communications’ classic rock WZBA, Baltimore “100.7 The Bay.” Carew takes over for Laura Lee, who’s been serving as interim PD since the departure of Johnny Maze last month…..Programming pro Brent Henslee exits iHeartMedia where he’s been senior vice president of programming for the Macon, Georgia cluster for the past three and a half years…..The nationally syndicated “Pop Crush Nights” show hosted by Lisa Paige is added to the program schedule at Saga Communications’ CHR WNRG, Milwaukee “Energy 106-9.”  Station PD Jeremy “Cousin Ed” Schulz says, “In our competitive CHR arena, we were looking for a personality-driven night show jam packed with content.  Lisa’s got it!  It made ‘Pop Crush Nights’ an easy choice.”  “Pop Crush Nights” is syndicated by Compass Media Networks…..The fifth annual “We Can Survive” concert at the historic Hollywood Bowl – presented by CBS RADIO in honor of breast cancer awareness – takes place on October 21.  This year’s lineup includes: Alessia Cara, Harry Styles, Kesha, Khalid, Lorde, Macklemore, P!nk, Sam Hunt, and Sam Smith.  CBS RADIO EVP of programming Chris Oliviero says, “To celebrate the show’s fifth anniversary we’ve assembled our biggest ever lineup at the legendary Hollywood Bowl.  ‘We Can Survive’ is an especially unique show which brings together today’s most popular artists and their fans to raise awareness for a worthy cause and celebrate survivors.”

Round Four of August PPMs Released. The fourth and final round of August 2017 PPM ratings information from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Greensboro, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s August 2017 survey period covered July 19 – August 16. View all the 6+ numbers here.  Meanwhile, managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Takeaways” from all 12 of these PPM markets.

TWELVE TAKEAWAYS

1) Austin – Tacking on seven-tenths to July’s +.4, Entercom adult contemporary KKMJ-FM “Majic 95.5 Better Music for a Better Workday” progresses from fourth to a third-place tie (5.4 – 5.8 – 6.5, 6+) and has its best 6+-share since February’s 8.0. Meanwhile, urban AC KKMJ-HD3, which hadn’t had an increase the past five sweeps for a net loss of nine-tenths (2.4 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 1.7 – 1.5, 6+), gains one-tenth to 1.6 and returns to the top twenty (#21 to #19, 6+). A collective -1.1 via three straight decreases (4.3 – 4.0 – 3.9 – 3.2, 6+), Emmis’ KROX “101-X Alternative Austin” bounces back with an improvement of six-tenths to 3.8, climbing from #14 to #11 (6+). In addition to being without a decrease for the third consecutive time for an overall +1.3 (7.4 – 8.5 – 8.7 – 8.7, 6+), adult hits cluster-mate hits KBPA “Bob” is #1 for the seventh successive month. “Bob” was a combined -1.7 in April and May, with May’s 7.4 its lowest 6+-stat since June 2015’s 7.4. With the exception of October and the “Holiday” 2016 report, KBPA held the lead each month in calendar year 2016. By dropping two-tenths (to 3.9, +), co-owned KLBJ-AM has its string of consecutive up or flat trends that accounted for a cumulative +1.1 end at seven (3.0 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 4.1 – 4.1, 6+), but the news/talk outlet manages to return to the top ten (#11 #10). Not only is triple A cluster-mate KGSR (#16 to #15) within 2.0 – 2.9 range for the 18^th time in succession, “93.3 Radio Austin” is up for the fourth straight sweep for an overall gain of seven-tenths (2.1 – 2.2 – 2.4 – 2.7 – 2.8, 6+). It is a mixed bag for iHeartMedia’s country siblings, as KVET-FM “98.1 All Time Country Favorites,” which had been trending 6.1 – 6.2 – 6.1 (6+), improves by six-tenths to 6.7 and remains at #2 (6+). Meanwhile, KASE “Austin’s #1 For New Country” erodes by eight-downs to drop from sixth to eighth (5.0 – 4.2, 6+). Following three straight 4.6-showings (6+), KASE dropped one-tenth in June and picked up one-half share in July. The market’s other FM country outlet – “Genuine Austin Radio’s KOKE-FM “Austin’s Country Alternative” (unchanged at #17) – is without a loss for the sixth straight time and is up a cumulative one-half share in that stretch (1.7- 1.7 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 2.0 – 2.2, 6+). Trending 3.0 – 3.7 – 4.0 – 3.6 – 3.7 (6+), Crista Media contemporary Christian KFMK “Spirit 105.9” falters by seven-tenths and is back to where it was in March (3.0, #13 to #14, 6+). Off by one-half share each are iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR KPEZ “102.3 The Beat” (4.3 – 3.8, 6+), which departs the top ten (#8 to #11), and University of Texas at Austin triple A KUTX “98.9 The Austin Music Experience” (1.6 – 1.1, 6+), exiting the top twenty (#19 to #21), with its lowest 6+-share since November 2016 (1.1, as well).

2) Raleigh – Following four straight down or flat monthlies for an overall -1.7 (6.0 – 6.0 – 5.4 – 4.8 – 4.3, 6+) iHeartMedia news/talk WTKK “106.1 – Stay Connected” roars back with a +1.2 to 5.5 (6+), jumping from tenth to seventh. Within 1.8 – 2.4 range (6+) in each of the last nine ratings periods, Educational Information’s WCPE “89.7 The Classical Station” erupts with a +1.2 as well (1.9 – 3.1, #17 to #15, 6+) and logs its best 6+-share since July 2016’s 3.2. A combined -1.1 in June and July (3.5 – 2.9 – 2.4, 6+), Capitol Broadcasting sports talk WCMC erases that loss in its entirety with a +1.1 as “ESPN 99.9 – The Fan” returns to 3.5 (6+) and carries on at #14. After being off by nearly two full-shares in four straight negative trends (8.5 – 7.9 – 7.2 – 7.0 – 6.7, 6+), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s WUNC notches a +.2 to 6.9 (6+) and advances from fourth to third. Not only is Radio One urban AC WFXC #1 for the third straight month, “Today’s R&B and Classic Soul” is +1.9 in five straight improvements (6.8 – 7.2 – 7.5 – 8.1 – 8.2 – 8.7, 6+) and has its highest 6+-share since 8.8 in “Holiday” 2012. Debuting this time last month at #14 with a 2.4 (6+), the stream of Curtis Media Group adult hits WBBB “96.1 BBB, Your Life – Your Music” already disappears from print. Steady in fifth-place, the actual FM signal of “96.1 BBB, Your Life – Your Music” registers its fourth successive increase for an overall gain of +2.1 (4.3 – 4.9 – 6.0 – 6.3 – 6.4, 6+). A positive spike of six-tenths in May halted three consecutive (modest) downward trends that accounted for a six-tenths’ loss (4.9 – 4.8 – 4.4 – 4.3, 6+). On the heels of July’s -.7, iHeartMedia CHR WDCG “G-105 – Raleigh’s #1 Hit Music Station” spirals by another full-share (6.2 – 5.2, 6+) and segues from sixth to eighth. This is the softest 6+-share for “G-105” since “Holiday” 2013’s 5.0. Falling by one-half share each are Curtis Media Group classic hits-oldies WKIX “Kix 102.9 – Carolina’s Greatest Hits” (4.4, eighth to ninth, 6+) and Radio Training Network contemporary Christian WRTP “HIS Radio” (1.9 – 1.4, #16 to #18, 6+). Until August’s -.5, “Kix 102.9” was an overall +1.2 as the result of five progressive trends in succession (3.7 – 4.2 – 4.3 – 4.4 – 4.8 – 4.9, 6+). A -.3 in July ended at six WRTP’s consecutive streak of up or flat trends that more than quintupled its 6+-share since “Holiday” 2016 (.4 – .6 – .7 – .7 – .8 – 1.5 – 2.2, 6+). Without an increase for the sixth successive sweep for a combined -2.1 (8.8 – 8.5 – 8.5 – 8.4 – 7.1 – 6.9 – 6.7, 6+) Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary WRAL “Mix 101.5,” which was #1 for four straight sweeps before slipping to third in June, drops to fourth-place with its weakest 6+-share since 6.5 in March 2015.

3) Indianapolis – The major August 2017 story in the “Circle City” involves iHeartMedia-owned WFBQ “Q-95 Rocks” which – in addition to boasting its eighth successive improvement for an overall gain of an eye-popping three full-shares (4.6 – 5.3 – 5.6 – 5.8 – 6.0 – 6.4 – 6.7 – 7.0 – 7.6, 6+) – marches from second to first. Two other reasons making this a monumental month for “Q-95” are that 7.6 is its highest-ever (6+) stat and it reaches #1 for the first time in the PPM-era. Down or flat in each of the last five survey periods for a collective -1.6 (7.7 – 7.2 – 6.5 – 6.5 – 6.3 – 6.1, 6+), Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WJJK answers with a gain of nine-tenths to 7.0 (6+) and cruises from fifth to second. Co-owned WFMS “95.5 The Country Station” continues its rollercoaster ride, which includes being a combined +.8 in May and June; plummeting by -.9 in July; and now registering a +.8 in August (5.9 – 6.5 – 6.7 – 5.8 – 6.6, 6+) to climb from seventh to fifth. Posting a +.8 in August as well and continuing at #8 is Entercom hot AC WNTR “107.9 The Mix – Better Variety for a Better Workday,” which dropped one-tenth in July, snapping at five its string of up or flat trends that netted a collective +1.5 (3.5 – 3.7 – 4.0 – 4.4 – 4.4 – 5.0, 6+). As the result of four consecutive up or flat trends, Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WQRA “Air 1 Positive Hits” doubles what is now its highest 6+-share since it began appearing in print last December (.8 – .9 – 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.6, #19 to #17, 6+). Both of Indy’s CHR stations erode by nine-tenths, including the one WFBQ bumped from the top spot after seven consecutive months there – Entercom’s WZPL – which slides to fourth-place (7.7 – 6.8, 6+). At the same time, Radio One’s similarly-programmed WNOW “100.9 Radio Now” falls to 3.1 (flat at #13, 6+), halting three consecutive increases which netted seven-tenths (3.3 – 3.5 – 3.6 – 4.0, 6+). Off by nine-tenths as well is WNOW’s urban AC cluster-mate WTLC-FM “Indy’s R&B Leader,” which drops out of the top ten (4.9 – 4.0, #8 to #11, 6+). Following five consecutive down or flat trends that accounted for a -2.8 (7.1 – 6.2 – 5.6 – 5.6 – 4.4 – 4.3, 6+), WTLC-FM gained six-tenths in July.

4) Milwaukee – The market’s (6+) country share balloons by +1.8, with the credit nearly equally divided between iHeartMedia-owned WMIL “FM 106.1 Milwaukee’s Best Country” (+1.0, 6+) and Scripps’ WKTI “94.5 KTI Country” (+.8, 6+). Moreover, both stations extend their existing winning streaks. Specifically, “FM 106.1” is up or flat for the fourth time in a row for a net gain of +1.4 (5.1 – 5.3 – 5.3 – 5.5 – 6.5, 6+) progressing from fifth to second, while WKTI posts its third straight gain for a collective +1.1 (3.7 – 3.8 – 4.0 – 4.8, 6+) and cracks the top ten (#11 to #8). The last time WMIL crossed the six-share threshold (6+) was in July 2016 with a 6.3. Two-tenths behind WMIL and matching the +.8 of WKTI is Entercom hot AC WMYX “99.1 The Mix” (5.5 – 6.3, fifth to third, 6+). This is the highest 6+-stat for “Mix” since last September’s 6.5. As a result of five straight positive spikes, Milwaukee Radio Alliance-owned WZTI “Milwaukee’s True Oldies Channel” has nearly quadrupled its 6+-share since March (.6 – .7 – 1.0 – 1.1 – 1.9 – 2.2, 6+) and is steady at #16. Without going higher than 1.5 or lower than 1.1 over the course of the last 19 sweeps – which covers March 2016 through August 2017, Milwaukee Public Schools’ triple A WYMS “88 Nine” (#15 to #18) has a 6+-line of: 1.2 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.5 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.2 – 1.1 – 1.2 – 1.4 – 1.4 – 1.3. After sputtering by six-tenths in July (5.5 – 4.9, 6+), Saga Communications’ WHQG “102.9 The Hog – Everything That Rocks” recoups all but one-tenth (5.4, +.5, 6+) and continues at #7. Prior to July, “The Hog” posted a 5.5 (6+) in three of the previous four survey periods. On the other hand, urban AC sibling WJMR “Jammin’ 98.3 Today’s R&B and Old School” freefalls from #5 to #13 by surrendering a whopping -1.5 to 4.0 (6+). WJMR was a combined +1.1 in June and July (4.4 – 5.1 – 5.5, 6+). Taking a significant plunge as well is iHeartMedia urban contemporary WKKV “V-100.7 Milwaukee’s Only Hip-Hop and R&B,” slipping from second to sixth and noting its weakest 6+-stat since January’s 5.7 (7.1 – 5.9, -1.2, 6+). On the heels of returning to double-digits (6+) for the fourth time in the last five sweeps as it did in July, iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WRIT “95.7 Big FM – Milwaukee’s Greatest Hits” slips to 9.6 (6+), but is #1 for the 29^th consecutive time. Recent “Big” month-to-month moves include +1.7 (October 2015); -.7 (November 2015); +5.6 (“Holiday” 2015); -5.7 (January 2016); +1.3 (February); +1.1 (April); -.6 (May); -1.1 (August); -.6 (September) +1.2 (November); -.5 (December); +2.1 (“Holiday” 2016); -2.4 (January 2017); +2.5 (March); -1.2 (May); +.8 (July); and now -1.1 in August. Slipping by six-tenths each are CHR cluster-mate WRNW “97-3 Now – Milwaukee’s #1 For All the Hits” (3.2, #12 to #14, 6+) and Scripps news/talk WTMJ “Radio 620 – Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (6.0, third to fifth, 6+). Owing to four straight improvements, “Now” had been up by an overall full-share (2.8 – 3.0 – 3.3 – 3.6 – 3.8, 6+); WTMJ was locked on 6.6 (6+) in June and July.

5) Nashville – Up one-tenth in both June and July (4.7 – 4.8 – 4.9, 6+), Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7 WTN” busts out a +.8 to 5.7, its strongest 6+-stat since January’s 5.8, and advances from ninth to seventh. After regressing six-tenths in July (3.3 – 2.7, 6+), sports talk sibling WGFX bounces back with a one-half share increase to 3.2 (6+) as “104.5 The Zone” remains at #14. In June, WGFX returned in its entirety May’s one-half share increase. Prior to May’s +.5, “The Zone” plummeted by more than four full-shares in six successive decreases (7.6 – 6.8 – 5.9 – 5.3 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.3, 6+). Steady at #3, iHeartMedia urban contemporary sibling WUBT “101.1 The Beat Nashville’s Home for Hip-Hop and R&B” improves by four-tenths to 7.0 (6+), curtailing three successive downward moves that accounted for a loss of nine-tenths (7.5 – 7.2 – 7.1 – 6.6, 6+). All three Nashville FM country outlets improve from July and they combine for an overall increase of one full-share. Specifically: In addition to picking up four-tenths, Cumulus Media’s WKDF “103.3 Nash FM” enters the top ten (3.9 – 4.3, #11 to #10, 6+); co-owned WSM-FM “95.5 Nash Icon” adds four-tenths as well, but remains at #10 (4.1 – 4.5, 6+); and iHeartMedia’s WSIX “The Big 98 – Nashville’s #1 for New Country” gains two-tenths and is unchanged at #8 (5.4 – 5.6, 6+). Meanwhile, this is the second straight survey period that Ryman Hospitality Properties classic country WSM-AM is unlisted; “650 AM – The Most Famed Country Music Station in the World” had a 1.8 (#16, 6+) in June. From July 2016 through August 2017, WAY Media contemporary Christian WAYM has consistently been in 1.0 – 1.8 territory (6+). Its current 1.7 (+.6 from July, #18 to #16, 6+) is the highest for “WAY-FM Uplifting-Upbeat-Real” since November’s 1.8. By doubling June’s gain of six-tenths with a +1.2 in July (7.1 – 8.3, 6+), Midwest Communications’ adult hits WCJK escaped a three-way logjam in the runner-up slot and climbed to #1. While it remains on top, “96.3 Jack-FM – Playing What We Want” returns exactly half of July’s gain (7.7, -.6, 6+). Prior to a -.7 in May, Nashville’s “Jack” was up or flat the previous four months gaining +1.9 (5.3 – 6.9 – 6.9 – 7.2 – 7.2, 6+). On the heels of making a positive spike of nine-tenths, Nashville Public Radio classical WFCL surrenders a whopping -1.5 (2.5 – 1.0, #15 to #18, 6+). July’s +.9 increase ended at four its string of down or flat monthlies that generated an overall loss of one-half share (2.1 – 1.9 – 1.6 – 1.6 – 1.6, 6+). Slumping by one-half share each are Cumulus Media urban AC WQQK “92-Q” (5.9, fifth to sixth, 6+), which had been trending 6.4 – 6.5 – 6.4 (6+), and Cromwell Group’s WQZQ “Classic Hits 93.3” (1.3 – .8, 6+), exiting the top twenty (#17 to #22).

6) Providence – As the result of five increases in succession (4.8 – 4.9 – 5.0 – 5.2 – 5.3 – 5.7, 6+), iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWBB “B-101” gains a cumulative nine-tenths and advances from sixth to fifth. Locked on 2.9 (6+) in April and May and then on 2.6 (6+) in June and July, Entercom sports talk WVEI upticks to 2.7 ((unchanged at #8, 6+), mirroring what it logged in March. Dropping six-tenths in both May and June (11.0 – 10.4 – 9.8, 6+), Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI “Lite Rock 105” bounces back in July and August with a cumulative gain of one full-share (9.8 – 10.0 – 10.8, 6+) and is #1 for the 23rd consecutive ratings period. Having eroded by more than seven full-shares in January to 10.7 (6+), WWLI was a combined -.4 in February and March (10.7 – 10.6 – 10.3, 6+) and then up seven-tenths in April. Down in each of the last three sweeps by an overall -1.5 (9.8 – 9.1 – 8.4 – 8.3, 6+), therefore erasing in its entirety May’s +1.5, CHR cluster-mate WPRO-FM “Today’s Hit Music” drops from second to third. Immediately before the May ratings period, WPRO-FM had been trending 8.7 – 8.5 – 8.6 – 8.3 (6+); 9.8 was its highest 6+-share since February 2015 (also 9.8). Flat at #7, co-owned news/talk WPRO-AM continues its up/down pattern that it began in February (3.7 – 4.0 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 3.5 – 3.7 – 3.3, 6+) and has lost four-tenths in that timeframe. Elsewhere in the news/talk arena, iHeartMedia’s WHJJ “News Radio 920” doubles its 6+-share in four successive up or flat trends (.6 – .6 – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.2, 6+), but backslides from #11 to #12, while Cumulus Media’s WPRV “AM 790 – Talk & Business” improves by an overall four-tenths in four consecutive sweeps without a loss (.3 – .3 – .4 – .5 – .7, 6+), yet slips from #13 to #14. Accounting for these particular ranker drops despite 6+ AQH gains is the addition in print of Red Wolf Broadcasting Spanish tropical WKKB “Latina 100.3,” debuting at #11 with a 1.8 (6+). Additionally, that company’s WSKP “Good Times – Great Oldies” surfaces in August with a .2 (#16, 6+). Three straight sweeps without a decrease produced a +1.2 for Hall Communications’ WCTK (7.2 – 7.6 – 8.4 – 8.4, 6+), but “Cat Country 98.1” drops one-half share to 7.9 and segues from second to fourth (6+). In addition to posting its fourth straight decrease for an overall loss of -1.5 (6.6 – 6.0 – 5.7 – 5.5 – 5.1, 6+), iHeartMedia hot AC WSNE “Coast 93.3” slips from fifth to sixth and has its lowest 6+-share since 4.6 in “Holiday” 2016.

7) Norfolk – No sooner does Saga Communications’ WNOR register a gain of six-tenths in July to 7.4, the highest 6+ share to that point in its PPM-history, “FM 99 Rocks” doubles that +.6 with a +1.2 in August to 8.6 (6+), thus setting a new milestone. Even so, WNOR (unchanged at #2) is more than five full-shares behind Entercom urban AC WVKL “Smooth R&B from Yesterday & Today,” which follows July’s +1.4 with a gain of three-tenths (12.0 – 13.4 – 13.7, 6+) and is #1 for the eighth time in a row, after an earlier tenure of 55 consecutive ratings periods on top. It registers a 6+-share of 11.0 or higher for the 16^th time in the last 17 ratings periods. Furthermore, 13.7 is the highest 6+-stat reached by any Norfolk station ever in the PPM-era. Continuing this record-setting theme, we return to the Saga cluster, where classic rock WAFX notches its fourth straight sweep without a loss for an overall +1.2 (5.3 – 5.5 – 5.9 – 5.9 – 6.5, steady at #4, 6+); its current 6.5 is the strongest 6+-share for “106.9 The Fox” in more than seven years (6.6, July 2010). A collective +.9 via three straight improvements (3.6 – 4.0 – 4.4 – 4.5, 6+), Entercom rhythmic CHR WNVZ “Z-104 All The Hits” returns all but two-tenths of that increase (3.8, -.7, 6+) and flips from fifth to sixth. Apparently, “seven” is the key word for hot AC cluster-mate WPTE “94.9 The Point,” which carries on in seventh place, but its consecutive string of up or flat trends for an overall increase of +1.4 (2.7 – 2.7 – 2.8 – 2.8 – 3.1 – 3.5 – 3.9 – 4.1, 6+) ends at seven with a -.4 to 3.7 (6+). Co-owned adult contemporary WWDE is down or flat for the fifth straight month and is -1.7 since March (6.0 – 5.3 – 5.1 – 4.3 – 4.3 – 4.3, 6+), however, “2WD” manages to climb from sixth to fifth. While it continues in ninth-place, iHeartMedia rhythmic hot AC WMOV “Movin’ 107.7 – The Rhythm of Hampton Roads” has lost one full-share as the result of three straight downward moves (2.8 – 2.7 – 2.1 – 1.8 (6+).

8) Greensboro – Following a July gain of one-half share (8.8 – 9.3, 6+), Entercom adult hits WSMW tacks on eight-tenths to 10.1, enabling “98.7 Simon says We Play Everything” to reach double-digits (6+) for the first time since January (10.3) and cruise from third to second. By replicating July’s +.7, co-owned country WPAW “93.1 The Wolf” likewise makes a one-notch ranker move (6.3 – 7.0 – 7.7, fifth to fourth, 6+). “The Wolf” was a cumulative +1.5 in January and February (4.8 – 5.6 – 6.3, 6+); -.7 in March; bounced back with a combined +1.0 in April and May; and lost three-tenths in June. This is the highest 6+-share for Greensboro’s “Wolf” since its 9.0 nearly three years ago (September 2014). Six-tenths behind “Wolf” and steady in sixth-place is iHeartMedia’s WTQR “New Country Q-104.1” (6.9 – 7.1, +.2, 6+). A July loss of three-tenths by “Q-104.1” pulled the plug on six consecutive up or flat trends that yielded a +2.5 (4.7 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 5.9 – 6.1 – 6.3 – 7.2, 6+). Sandwiched between the two country rivals is iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMAG “99.5 – The Triad’s Best Mix,” which despite being a combined +1.5 in three straight gains (5.7 – 6.5 – 7.1 – 7.2, 6+) immediately after three straight negative trends that accounted for a -1.1 (6.8 – 6.7 – 5.9 – 5.7, 6+), backslides from fourth to fifth. This is the strongest 6+-stat for WMAG since “Holiday” 2016’s 15.2. Over and above achieving double-digits (6+) for the ninth straight sweep and posting a gain of three-tenths to 11.2 (6+), Entercom urban AC WQMG is #1 for the third straight time. An impressive +1.5 in June to 11.6 – its most potent 6+-share in over three years (11.9, March 2014) – “97.1 QMG The Best R&B and Old School” faltered by seven-tenths in July. Up or flat in four consecutive ratings periods accounting for a +1.2 (9.7 – 9.7 – 10.1 – 10.5 – 10.9, 6+), WQMG surrendered six-tenths in March and has occupied the top spot each month this calendar year except April and May. After cobbling together three straight improvements for a combined +1.2 (9.5 – 9.9 – 10.1 – 10.7, 6+), rhythmic CHR sibling WJMH “102 Jamz” follows with four successive losses accounting for a collective -2.1 (10.7 – 10.4 – 10.1 – 9.6 – 8.6, 6+), dipping from second to third. Over the course of the last 14 survey periods (August 2016 – August 2017), “Jamz” has been in double-digits (6+) 10 times, missing out this year in January, February, July, and now in August. Flat at #10, iHeartMedia CHR WMKS “100.3 Kiss FM” has its fourth decrease in succession for an overall loss of -1.5 (4.2 – 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.0 – 2.7, 6+) and registers the lowest 6+-share in its PPM-history.

9) West Palm Beach – Five successive positive spikes by iHeartMedia’s WKGR have accounted for an overall +1.7 (4.8 – 5.1 – 5.9 – 6.1 – 6.2 – 6.5, 6+), and “98.7 The Gater – The Palm Beaches’ Rock Station” finishes in the runner-up position for the third time in a row. As a result of gaining six-tenths (4.6 – 5.2, 6+), co-owned adult contemporary WOLL “Today’s KOOL 105.5” has its best 6+-share since January’s 5.9 and marches from fifth to third. Following three successive months without a gain in which it lost more than two full-shares (6.6 – 5.9 – 4.5 – 4.5, 6+), “Today’s KOOL 105.5” was a combined +.6 in April and May (4.5 – 4.6 – 5.1, 6+). On the flipside, Alpha Media’s similarly-formatted WEAT “Sunny 107.9” erodes by a collective -1.8 in its third straight dip (6.5 – 5.4 – 5.1 – 4.7, 6+) and trades places with WOLL (third to fifth). This is the lowest 6+-share for “Sunny” since its 4.6 in November 2015. The market’s other adult contemporary property – JVC Media’s WSVU – is without an increase for the fifth time in a row with “South Florida’s 95.9 – The Palm” down approximately 50% since March (1.3 – 1.3 – 1.2 – .9 – .7 – .7, #15 to #16, 6+). An overall -1.6 in June and July (5.6 – 5.1 – 4.0, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR WLDI upticks to 4.1 (6+) and remains in eighth-place. Just prior to June, “Wild 95.5 – The Palm Beaches’ #1 Hit Music Station” was a collective +1.3 in three straight increases (4.3 – 4.5 – 4.9 – 5.6, 6+). Sibling WJNO “1290 The Palm Beaches’ News & Talk” doubles its 6+share from May by registering its third straight improvement (1.6 – 2.8 – 2.9 – 3.2, steady at #9, 6+). Unchanged at #15, Alpha Media’s WFTL “News Talk 850” is up two-tenths to .9 (6+), thus pulling the plug on four straight down or flat trends that resulted in a roughly 50% loss of its 6+-share (1.5 – 1.5 – 1.2 – 1.2 – .7, 6+). Winning ways continue for its hot AC cluster-mate WRMF, which not only registers its fourth straight increase for an overall +1.6 (9.3 – 9.4 – 9.5 – 10.4 – 10.9, 6+), “97.9 Variety from the 90s and Now” ranks first for the eighth consecutive month and has its strongest 6+-share since November 2015’s 11.3. In advance of the “Holiday” 2016 report, WRMF was #1 the previous five ratings periods. It fell to second in July 2016, after 23 successive sweeps at #1. Off a combined -1.4 the last two ratings periods (5.9 – 5.1 – 4.5, 6+), co-owned WIRK “103.1 – South Florida’s Country Music” picks up three-tenths to 4.8 (6+), jumping from seventh to fourth.

10) Jacksonville –No station in any of PPM’s 48 electronically-measured markets has a higher (6+) July 2017 – August 2017 increase in excess of the +1.9 by iHeartMedia adult hits WWJK “107.3 The River – We Play Anything” (3.8 – 5.7, 6+), which leaps from tenth to sixth and matches its 5.7 from June 2016. Conversely, the -2.7 by Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WJGL-FM “96.9 The Eagle” (9.1 – 6.4, 6+) is the largest July 2017 – August 2017 decrease by any station in the 48 PPM-markets. “The Eagle” was down one-half share in July after a +.9 in June. Sputtering by one-half share this time last month, public news/talk WJCT rebounds with a +.7 (2.6 – 3.3, 6+) to climb from #13 to #12. Trending 7.6 – 7.9 – 7.6 – 7.6 – 7.9 (March through July, 6+), Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ “96.1 Jacksonville’s Official Work Station” drops four-tenths to 7.5, but manages to inch up from fourth to third (6+). On the other hand, Cox Media Group’s similarly-formatted WEZI advances by one-half share to 3.2 – its strongest 6+-share since December’s 3.4 – yet “Easy 106.5” backslides from #12 to #13. This is its third straight sweep without a decrease (2.6 – 2.6 – 2.7 – 3.2, 6+). Improving by one-half share as well is iHeartMedia gospel WKSL-HD3, which began appearing in print in February and is trending 2.0 – 2.0 – 2.3 – 2.1 – 1.9 – 1.9 – 2.4 (#15 to #14, 6+). Eroding by a combined -1.8 in July and August (12.2 – 11.6 – 10.4, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WQIK “99.1 – Jacksonville’s Country” is nonetheless on top for the eighth straight time. A January +2.1 to 12.8 produced its best-ever (6+) PPM-performance. Continuing on the topic of significant month-to-month fluctuations, the five most recent shifts by urban-rhythmic oldies cluster-mate WSOL “V-101.5” are: -.6 (in April, ending a 6+-sequence of 4.9 – 5.1 – 5.1 – 4.9, 6+); +.8 (May): -.7 (June); a stunning +1.7 (July); and now -.9 to 5.2 (sixth to seventh, 6+). July’s 6.1 was its highest 6+-performance since 6.3 in May 2016. Likewise, the rollercoaster ride plays on for Cox Media Group-owned WXXJ “X-102.9 Jacksonville’s New Alternative,” which was down by one-half share in June; recaptured completely that -.5 in July; and regresses by six-tenths in August (4.0 – 3.5 – 4.0 – 3.4, 6+) to exit the top ten (#9 to #11). Prior to June’s -.5, “X-102.9” had been up or flat in each of the last five sweeps netting seven-tenths (3.3 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 3.7 – 3.8 – 4.0, 6+). As noted in the above introduction, the August 2017 survey period covered July 20 – August 16, (obviously) several weeks prior to the arrival and devastating impact of hurricane Irma in Florida (PPM) markets Miami, Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Jacksonville.

11) Memphis – Following back-to-back increases that produced a gain of one full-share (4.9 – 5.2 – 5.9, 6+), Cumulus Media’s WGKX was off by four-tenths in July, but “Kix 106 – Today’s Best Country” bounces back with a gain twice the margin of that loss (5.5 – 6.3, +.8, 6+), progressing from seventh to fifth with its highest 6+-stat since February’s 6.6. Its format rival – Entercom’s WLFP “94.1 The Wolf” – has its third straight increase and is +1.1 in that stretch (2.4 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.5, 6+), cracking the top ten (#11 to #10). Posting gains of seven-tenths each are Cumulus Media-owned WXMX “98.1 The Max, Maximum Rock” (4.5, steady at #8, 6+) and iHeartMedia’s WEGR “Rock 103 – Memphis Classic Rock” (3.0, #13 to #12, 6+), which was a combined -1.4 in June and July (3.7 – 2.4 – 2.3, 6+). With a December 2016 through June 2017 6+-share consistently between 4.2 and 4.8, “The Max” spiraled by one full-share in July to 3.8, ending three consecutive sweeps without a loss for a modest gain of three-tenths (4.5 – 4.7 – 4.7 – 4.8, 6+). As the result of three successive positive upticks, Entercom adult contemporary WRVR “104.5 The River Continuous Soft Rock” is a cumulative +1.8 (5.7 – 6.0 – 6.9 – 7.5, unchanged at #4, 6+) and notes its best 6+-stat since February’s 7.7. Despite gaining one-tenth to 1.0 (6+) to end eight straight down or flat sweeps that accounted for a -1.0 (1.9 – 1.8 – 1.4 – 1.2 – 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.0 – .9 – .9, 6+), iHeartMedia CHR KWNW “101.9 Kiss FM – All The Hits” backslides from #15 to #16. Extremely consistent with its March through August trending (9.1 – 9.3 – 9.3 – 9.4 – 9.4 – 9.3, 6+), Cumulus Media-owned WRBO “103.5 Soul Classics and Today’s R&B” marches from second to first. It supplants iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS, which had been #1 the past six survey periods but segues to the runner-up slot. It had on top for ten consecutive monthlies before sliding to #2 in “Holiday” 2016. Off by one full-share in August (10.2 – 9.2, 6+), KJMS curtails seven straight up or flat trends that netted a +1.4 (8.8 – 9.0 – 9.3 – 9.3 – 9.5 – 9.9 10.2, 6+). Prior to July, the last time “V-101” reached double-digits (6+) was September 2016 (10.2, as well). Another winning streak in that iHeartMedia cluster comes to an end as urban contemporary WHRK “K-97 Memphis’ Only Hip-Hop and R&B,” a collective +1.8 as the result of three straight sweeps without a decrease (6.5 – 7.4 – 7.5 – 8.3 – 8.3, 6+), falters by seven-tenths to 7.6 (6+) but is in third-place for the fifth month in succession. Losing one-half share each are Entercom hot AC WMC-FM “FM 100 – Today’s Best Mix,” down or flat for the third straight time for an overall -1.3 (7.0 – 6.2- 6.2 – 5.7, fifth to seventh, 6+), and Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WKIM “98.9 The Vibe – Classic Hip-Hop,” which drops out of the top ten (3.6 – 3.1, #9 to #11, 6+).

12) Hartford – Rebounding from July’s one-half share loss with a gain nearly twice that amount Connoisseur Media-owned WDRC-FM “102.9 The Whale Hartford’s Classic Rock” advances from seventh to sixth (5.7 – 5.2 – 6.1, +.9, 6+). Whereas August’s 6.1 is the highest 6+-share for “The Whale” since December 2015’s 6.8, July’s 5.2 was its lowest since February’s 4.9. Climbing from sixth to fifth and matching June 2016’s 6.5, CBS Radio CHR WKSS “Kiss 95.7 All The Hits” is a combined +.8 in July and August (5.7 – 6.4 – 6.5, 6+). Up three-tenths (9.9 – 10.2, 6+), adult contemporary cluster-mate WRCH “Lite 100.5” is the market pacesetter for the 12^th successive ratings period. Prior to July, it had been in double-digits (6+) eight times in the previous nine sweeps. “Lite” was up by a cumulative nine-tenths in February and March (10.2 – 10.5 – 11.1, 6+), but then down by an overall -1.4 in April and May (11.1 – 10.0 – 9.7, 6+). Its online stream, however, which scored a .5 in each of the last four sweeps and was #14 in July (6+) disappears from print. Co-owned hot AC WTIC-FM dips by four-tenths and slips from second to third (8.3 – 7.9, 6+); its stream is trending .1 – .2 – .2 – .2 – (#16 to #15). Faltering by seven-tenths is co-owned news/talk WTIC-AM (eighth to ninth), posting its seventh straight decrease. Moreover, its 6+-share has been carved exactly in half since January (8.8 – 8.3 – 8.1 – 7.3 – 6.9 – 6.7 – 5.1 – 4.4, 6+) and WTIC-AM has the softest 6+-share in its PPM-history. Off by seven-tenths as well is iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WHCN “105.9 The River” (5.8, fifth to seventh, 6+), which had been within 6.1 – 6.5 territory in each of the last six sweeps (6.3 – 6.2 – 6.5 – 6.4 – 6.1 – 6.5, 6+). The last time “The River” fell below a six-share (6+) was February 2015 (5.6). After gaining one full-share in June and then dropping one-half share in July (7.8 – 8.8 – 8.3, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WWYZ “92-5 Connecticut’s Country Music” is flat at 8.3 and carries on in the runner-up slot. Without an increase for the fourth time in succession, Red Wolf Spanish tropical WMRQ-HD2 is an overall -1.2 (2.7 – 1.9 – 1.5 – 1.5 – 1.5, #11 to #12, 6+).