Tag: "TALKERS"

October 2020 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Round Four

October 2020 PPM Data – Information for the October 2020 ratings period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

Nielsen Audio’s October 2020 survey period covered September 10 – October 7.

Managing editor Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@TALKERS.com) provides his “Takeaways” for spoken-word formats from these 12 PPM-markets.

AUSTIN

News/Talk

• Replicating September’s half-share increase (5.0 – 5.5 – 6.0, 6+), Waterloo Media Group-owned KLBJ-AM continues in third-place. “News Radio 590” regressed by seven-tenths in August.
• Posting either a .3 (6+) or a .2 (6+) in each of the last eight survey periods (.3 – .3 – .3 – .2 – .3 – .2 – .2 – .3, February 2020 through September 2020, 6+), Entercom’s KJCE “Talk Radio 1370” improves by two-tenths to .5 (unchanged at #25, 6+).

Sports Talk

• After having roughly half its 6+ AQH share slivered (-.7) through four successive decreases – including three straight drops of two-tenths (1.3 – 1.2 – 1.0 – .8 – .6, 6+) – Genuine Austin Radio’s KTXX “The Horn” halts the skid by gaining four-tenths (1.0, #24 to #21, 6+).
• In four consecutive down or flat moves, iHeartMedia-owned KVET-AM “1300 AM The Zone” has lost a total of two-tenths (.5 – .4 – .3 – .3 – .3, #25 to #26, 6+).

Public Radio News/Talk

• Entering the August sweep, KUT was an overall -3.0 in four straight downturns (10.3 – 9.8 – 8.5 – 7.8 – 7.3, 6+); however, the University of Texas at Austin-owned facility roars back with three successive positive spikes for a collective +2.9 (7.3 – 8.2 – 10.1 – 10.2, 6+) and repeats at #1. KUT was the market leader five times in a row, before segueing to the runner-up slot in June. Its recent (6+) fluctuations include: +2.0 (October 2019); -1.9 (“Holiday” 2019); +1.5 (January 2020); +.8 (March); -1.3 (May); -.7 (June); +.9 (August); and +1.9 (September).   

RALEIGH

News/Talk

• Not only is iHeartMedia’s WTKK a combined +1.0 in September/October (6.7 – 7.0 – 7.7, 6+), “106.1 Stay Connected” elevates from third to second and is eight-tenths from the lead. Its July gain of six-tenths curtailed four consecutive decreases that resulted in an overall -1.4 (7.6 – 6.9 – 6.8 – 6.6 – 6.2, 6+).
• Curtis Media Group’s WPTF regains the one-tenth it lost this time last month and improves by one ranker (1.8 – 1.7 – 1.8, #18 to #17, 6+). “News Radio 680” gained three-tenths in August to suspend three straight drops that accounted for a collective -1.2 (2.7 – 2.2 – 1.8 – 1.5, 6+).

 Sports Talk

• While remaining at #14, Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC (Carolina Hurricanes) is an overall +1.8 in three straight spikes (1.1 – 1.3 – 2.5 – 2.9, #14, 6+). This comes directly after “99.9 The Fan” notched a 1.1 (6+) in three of four sweeps (1.1 – 1.2 – 1.1 – 1.1, April – May – June – July, 6+).
• Unlisted in June, cluster-mate WCMC-HD2 resurfaced with a .2 (July, 6+); had a .1 (August and September, 6+); but breaks out an increase of three-tenths to .4 (#26 to #23).
• Co-owned WDNC “620 The Ticket” is trending: .2 – .2 – .2 – .1 – .3 – .3 (#23 to #26, 6+).
• Greensboro sibling WSJS “The Sports Hub” pops on in Raleigh with a .1 (#27, 6+).

 Public Radio News/Talk

• Five consecutive bumps by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s WUNC resulted in a collective +2.0 (6.1 – 6.7 – 6.8 – 7.1 – 7.6 – 8.1, 6+); however, “91.5 North Carolina Public Radio” surrenders 55% of that windfall with a -1.1 to 7.0 (second to third, 6+). September’s 8.1 marked the first time WUNC reached the eight-share level since August 2019’s 8.5.
• Co-owned WRQM is frozen on .1 (6+) the third time in a row (#26 to #27) – it had been locked on .3 (6+) in June and July.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

• This is the fourth uptick in succession for Emmis-owned WIBC, which is +1.8 in that June 2020 through October 2020 timeframe (7.4 – 7.5 – 8.0 – 9.1 – 9.2, 6+). “Indy’s Mobile News 93.1” repeats in the runner-up slot and has is its best 6+-showing (9.2) since April (10.3). WIBC was -2.9 in May/June (10.3 – 8.9 – 7.4, 6+), directly after four straight increases netted a +4.9 (5.4 – 7.6 – 8.0 – 8.8 – 10.3, 6+).

Sports Talk

• Cluster-mate WFNI (Pacers) supplements September’s one-tenth gain with October’s hefty +1.0 (1.9 – 2.0 – 3.0, #15 to #12, 6+). It is the first time “The Fan – Indy’s Sports Center” has reached the three-share level since January (3.0, as well).
• Although without a loss the third time in a row for a net gain of two-tenths (.7 – .8 – .9 – .9, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WNDE “Fox Sports 1260 – Indy’s Sports Leader” slips from #19 to #20.
• Emmis’ WIBC-HD3, which logged a .1 (6+) in May, is unlisted the fifth sweep in a row.

Public Radio News/Talk

• Despite logging its sixth consecutive down or flat trend for an overall -1.9 (5.3 – 4.0 – 3.9 – 3.7 – 3.6 – 3.5 – 3.4 – 3.4, 6+), Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting’s WFYI reenters the top ten (#11 to #10). This particular streak follows three gains in succession that netted a +1.6 (3.7 – 4.6 – 4.8 – 5.3, 6+).

 MILWAUKEE

News/Talk

• An astonishing +4.4 in just three upticks in a row (6.8 – 8.6 – 10.2 – 11.2, 6+) enables iHeartMedia’s WISN to repeat at #1. Not only that, “News/Talk 1130” posts its highest 6+-stat (11.2) in the PPM-era, topping its previous record of 10.2 (6+) established … this time last month. In 2020, WISN has been on top in April, May, August, September, and October. Entering the August ratings period, “News/Talk 1130” was a collective -2.5 as a result of three declines in succession (9.3 – 8.6 – 7.2 – 6.8, 6+).
• As is the case in Salt Lake City with iHeartRadio-owned KNRS and Bonneville’s KSL, news/talk boasts a #1/#2 finish (6+) in Milwaukee, as Good Karma Brands’ WTMJ (Brewers, Bucks, Green Bay Packers) is a cumulative +2.5 in three bumps in succession (5.5 – 6.7 – 7.2 – 8.0, fourth to second, 6+). Down or flat three times in a row for a net loss of eight-tenths (6.3 – 6.1 – 5.5 – 5.5, 6+), “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” was +1.2 in March/April (5.1 – 5.7 – 6.3, 6+).
• Following consecutive postings of .3 (6+), WTMJ’s internet stream is unlisted the fourth month in a row.
• This is the third successive sweep that Alpha Media-owned WLIP is a no-show. “AM 1050 Kenosha’s News & Talk” had a March 2020 through July 2020 topline of: .5 – .6 – .5 – .6 – .5 (#18, 6+).

Sports Talk

• Five Milwaukee sports talk outlets have a combined 2.3 (6+), compared to September’s 2.1 (6+). Flat at #16, iHeartMedia-owned WRNW “97.3 The Game – Milwaukee’s Sports Talk That Rocks” posts its fifth straight report without a loss for a net gain of two-tenths (.6 – .6 -.6 – .6 – .7 – .8, #17 to #16, 6+).
• It’s a similar bottom line for Good Karma Brands’ WKTI “94.5 ESPN,” which picks up two-tenths via three up or flat moves in a row (.4 – .6 – .6 – .6, flat at #18, 6+).
• The theme continues as iHeartMedia’s WOKY “The Big 920” is a combined +.2 in September/October (.2 – .4 – .4, #20 to #19, 6+).
• Entercom’s WSSP “Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan,” however, is down one-tenth in September/October (.5 – .4 – .4, #20 to #19, 6+).
• With a .1 (6+), Good Karma Brands’ WAUK resurfaces at #25.

Public Radio News/Talk

• Down one-half share in August/September (9 – 3.5 – 3.4, 6+), University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM expunges 60% of the deficit with a gain of three-tenths to 3.7 (tenth to eighth, 6+).
• Three increases in succession netted Wisconsin Public Radio’s WHAD one-half share (.9 – 1.0 – 1.3 – 1.4, 6+), but the streak ends with a one-tenth loss to 1.3 (unchanged at #13, 6+). WHAD had lost one-half share via three straight down or flat reports (1.4 – 1.4 – 1.0 – .9, 6+).
• WHAD’s internet stream repeats September’s average quarter share and market rank (.1, #25, 6+).
• Gateway Technical College’s public radio news/talk-classical-jazz hybrid WGTD is trending .1 – .2 .2 (#23, 6+).

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

• Albeit down one-tenth in September/October (5.7 – 5.6 – 5.6, 6+) Cumulus Media-owned WWTN advances from seventh to sixth. “Super Talk 99.7” was a combined +1.1 in July/August (4.6 – 4.8 – 5.7, 6+).
• Flat at #17, iHeartMedia’s WLAC is off three-tenths in September/October (2.2 – 2.1 – 1.9, 6+). “Talk Radio 1510” gained one-half share in March/April (2.2 – 2.3 – 2.7, 6+); was -1.0 in three downturns in succession (2.7 – 2.4 – 2.0 – 1.7, 6+); and +.5 in August.

Sports Talk

• Dusting itself off from September’s loss of three-tenths is Cumulus Media’s WGFX, which boasts the largest 6+ September 2020 – October 2020 increase of any station in these 12 PPM-markets (2.9 – 5.3, +2.4, 6+). As a result, “104.5 The Zone” (Tennessee Titans) leaps from #12 to #8.
• It’s not quite as dramatic, but Cromwell Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” (Predators) shakes off a September decline of two-tenths with an October boost of nine-tenths (.6 – .4 – 1.3, 6+) to crack the top twenty (#22 to #19). An August gain of three-tenths suspended six straight down or flat sweeps that resulted in a 70% loss (-.7) of its 6+ AQH share (1.0 – .6 – .4 – .4 – .3 – .3 – .3, 6+).
• Following four straight down or flat trends that resulted in a loss of one-tenth (2 – .2 – .2 – .1 – .1, 6+), co-owned WBUZ-HD3 adds two-tenths to .3 (6+) yet backslides from #23 to #24.

News

• This is the third time in succession that iHeartMedia-owned/Black Information Network affiliate WNRQ-HD2 posts a .1 (#25, 6+).

Public Radio News/Talk

• Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM “NPR News and Classical Music” logs its third consecutive bump for a collective +1.0 and repeats in tenth-place (3.8 – 4.2 – 4.3 – 4.8, 6+).

PROVIDENCE

News/Talk

• After being a collective -2.1 in five consecutive losses (6.1 – 5.6 – 4.7 – 4.4 – 4.2 – 4.0, 6+), Cumulus Media-owned WPRO-AM removes roughly half the shortfall with a +1.1 to 5.1 (seventh to fifth, 6+). Immediately prior, “News Talk 630” more than doubled (+3.6) its 6+ AQH share in four straight positive or neutral trends (2.5 – 3.7 – 3.7 – 3.8 – 6.1, 6+).
• In addition to netting six-tenths through three successive modest gains (1.2 – 1.3 – 1.7 – 1.8, 6+), iHeartMedia’s WHJJ “News Radio 920”enters the top ten (#13 to #10) with its best 6+-performance (1.8)  since March 2019 (1.9).
• Cumulus Media’s WPRV “AM 790 Talk & Business” is in an alternating down/up pattern which includes October’s loss of two-tenths (.5 – .4 – .6 – .4, July – August – September – October, #20 to #21, 6+).

 Sports Talk

• In that same July 2020 – October 2020 stretch, Entercom’s WVEI is in a rotating up/down sequence (0 – 2.5 – 2.2 – 2.5, steady at #9, 6+). In six straight down or flat survey periods, “Sports Radio 103.7” basically lost half (-2.1) its 6+ AQH share (4.1 – 3.4 – 3.1 – 2.4 – 2.4 – 2.1 – 2.0, 6+).

News-Talk

• Despite having its fourth straight down or flat report for a net loss of three-tenths (1.5 – 1.5 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.2, 6+), iHeartMedia Boston’s WBZ-AM “News Radio 1030” progresses from #15 to #14.

Public Radio News/Talk

• An overall +1.0 via three straight bumps (1.9 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.9, 6+), WGBH Educational Foundation Boston’s WGBH continues in eighth-place. This directly follows four straight sweeps without an increase for a net loss of -1.3 (3.2 – 3.0 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 1.9, 6+).
• After three consecutive 1.6 showings (6+), Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN follows with a combined loss of three-tenths in September/October (2.1 – 2.0 – 1.8, 6+), but remains at #10. WNPN had been off one-half share in three straight sweeps without an increase (2.1 – 1.6 – 1.6 – 1.6, 6+).
• In five down or flat trends in succession, The Wheeler School-owned WELH “89.3 The Public’s Radio” has lost a total of one-tenth (.4 – .4 – .3 – .3 – .3 – .3, unchanged at #22, 6+).

NORFOLK

Sports Talk

• An increase of two-tenths (1.4 – 1.6, 6+) is sufficient to push Max Broadcast Group’s WVSP into the top ten (#11 to #10). Before regressing by one-tenth this time last month, “ESPN Radio 94.1” was +.5 in July/August (1.0 – 1.3 – 1.5, 6+). May’s increase of two tenths pulled the plug on seven straight down or flat reports that accounted for a net loss of nine-tenths (2.2 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.1 – 1.9 – 1.9 – 1.7 – 1.3, 6+).

News

• With a July 2020 through October 2020 topline of .7 – .6 – .6 – .8 (6+), iHeartMedia-owned/Black Information Network affiliate WNOH remains at #14.

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

• After back-to-back months in the runner-up slot, Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM dials up a half-share increase (10.2 – 10.7, 6+) and marches to #1. This (10.7) is the best 6+-stat since April’s 13.4 for “104.5 Jacksonville’s News, Weather, and Traffic,” which has been on top in January, March, April, and October. Just prior to August’s +.9, WOKV-FM was an overall -3.9 via three drops in a row (13.4 – 10.4 – 9.9 – 9.5, 6+).

Sports Talk

• March 2020 through October 2020’s alternating up/down pattern for iHeartMedia-owned WFXJ “930 The Game – Jacksonville’s Sports Leader” includes October’s one-tenth gain: 1.2 – 1.4 – .8 – .9 – .6 – .9 – .6 – .7 (#21 to #19, 6+).
• Cox Media Group’s WOKV-AM “ESPN Jacksonville 690 AM” logs a .1 (6+) the third time in the last four sweeps (.1 – .3 – .1 – .1, #24 to #25, 6+).

Public Radio News/Talk

• After posting back-to-back losses of seven-tenths (3.9 – 3.2 – 2.5, 6+), WJCT was a combined +1.5 in June/July (2.5 – 3.7 – 4.0, 6+); -.4 (August); +.8 (September); and now -.5 in October (4.4 – 3.9, #8 to #11, 6+).

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

• This is the fourth time in the last five survey periods that iHeartMedia-owned WJNO “1290 The Palm Beaches’ News & Talk” has racked up a 3.9 (3.9 – 3.9 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 3.9, unchanged at #7, 6+). WJNO netted an overall +1.9 via four consecutive reports without a decrease (8 – 3.2 – 3.2 – 3.5 – 4.7, 6+).
• Co-owned WZZR “Real Radio 94.3,” which gained one-tenth in back-to-back reports (1.9 – 2.0 – 2.1, 6+), forfeits three-tenths to 1.8 (#12 to #13, 6+). August’s increase interrupted three consecutive down or flat sweeps that produced a net loss of three-tenths (2.2 – 2.0 – 1.9 – 1.9, 6+).
• After more than doubling (+.9) its 6+ AQH share through five straight up or flat trends (.7 – 1.1 – 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.6 – 1.6, 6+), Hubbard Broadcasting’s WFTL “News Talk 850” drops four-tenths to 1.2 (#14 to #16, 6+).
• Down a collective three-tenths in six straight sweeps without an increase (.7 – .7 – .6 – .6 – .6 – .4 – .4, 6+), iHeartMedia Miami’s WIOD “610 News Radio” dips from #22 to #23.

 Sports Talk

• Hubbard Broadcasting’s WMEN notched a .2 in five of the last six sweeps including the last four in a row (.2 – .7 – .2 – .2 – .2 – .2, 6+); however, “Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida” doubles it to .4 (#24 to #23, 6+).  

Public Radio News/Talk

• Even though it regains the three-tenths that was lost this time last month (3.2 – 3.5 – 3.2, 6+), Dade County School Board’s WLRN backslides from eighth to ninth. Prior to May’s loss of one-tenth, WLRN was an overall +.9 in four straight up or flat reports (2.0 – 2.5 – 2.9 – 2.9 – 2.9, 6+).
• Unlisted in June and July, WLRN-HD2 resurfaced in August and records its third straight .2 (#24 to #25, 6+).

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

• As a result of three consecutive bumps, iHeartMedia’s WPTI “94.5 Your News, Talk, & Sports Station” is an overall +1.7 (4.2 – 5.0 – 5.2 – 5.9, seventh to sixth, 6+). Four gains in a row yielding a +2.6 (3.0 – 3.9 – 4.7 – 5.1 – 5.6, 6+) preceded three straight drops that accounted for a -1.4 (5.6 – 5.0 – 4.8 – 4.2, 6+).

 Sports Talk

• After almost doubling (+.3) its 6+ AQH share in three straight reports without a loss (.4 – .6 – .6 – .7, 6+), Curtis Media Group-owned WSJS “The Sports Hub” drops two-tenths to .5 (6+) and remains at #15.

Public Radio News/Talk

• Wake Forest University’s WFDD, which was a cumulative +1.3 via four successive spikes (2.8 – 3.1 – 3.6 – 3.9 – 4.1, 6+), falters by one-half share to 3.6 (6+), but is unchanged at #10.
• Up four-tenths as a result of three straight positive or neutral moves (1.4 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.8, 6+), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s WUNC remains at #13.

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

• Three consecutive drops by iHeartMedia-owned WREC led to an overall -1.4 (5.5 – 5.4 – 4.5 – 4.1, 6+), but “600 AM – Memphis’ News, Traffic, & Weather” wipes away just over half that shortfall with a +.8 to 4.9 (ninth to seventh, 6+).

Sports Talk

• A combined -.9 in September/October (2.5 – 2.0 – 1.6, 6+), Entercom’s WMFS “ESPN Sports Radio” carries on at #14. August’s 2.5 was its best 6+-stat since February (3.1).
• Up four-tenths this time last month, WMFS’ internet stream returns half the increase (.7 – .5, -.2, flat at #17, 6+).
• Entercom-owned WMC-AM “680 AM ESPN Sports Radio” repeats September’s average quarter hour share and market rank (.3, #19, 6+).

Public Radio News/Talk

• On the heels of September’s +1.1 to 2.6 (6+), Mid-South Public Communications Foundation-owned WKNO “91.1 NPR For The Mid-South” regresses by four-tenths to 2.2 (#12 to #13, 6+). September’s 2.2 (6+) enabled WKNO to cross the two-share level for the first time since February (2.0).  

HARTFORD

News/Talk

• Owing to three upticks in succession, Entercom-owned WTIC-AM is an overall +1.7 (6.1- 6.9 – 7.3 – 7.8, 6+) and remains in the runner-up slot. Prior to being -1.7 in July, “News Talk 1080” was +2.1 via six successive up or flat moves (5.7 – 6.1 – 6.2 – 7.2 – 7.6 – 7.8 – 7.8, 6+).
• Continuing a rotating up/down pattern that began in February and includes October’s loss of six-tenths (.8 – 1.2 -.7 – .8 – .7 – 1.3 – 1.0 – 1.3 – .7, 6+), Red Wolf Broadcasting’s WDRC-AM “AM 1360 The Talk of Connecticut” slips from #13 to #14.
• This is the third time in a row that iHeartMedia’s WPOP “News Radio 1410” has had a fluctuation of one-tenth (.2 – .3 – .4 – .3, #16 to #15, 6+).

Sports Talk

• Regaining the three-tenths it lost this time last month (1.0 – .7 – 1.0, 6+), co-owned WUCS “97.9 ESPN Hartford” climbs from #15 to #13.

Public Radio News/Talk

• Not quite doubling (+2.2) its 6+ AQH share through four straight spikes (2.6 – 2.9 – 3.0 – 3.6 – 4.8, 6+), Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network-owned WNPR “Connecticut’s Public Media Source for News & Ideas” continues in ninth-place. Four successive reports without an increase resulted in a -2.0 (4.6 – 4.3 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 2.6, 6+).
• University of Massachusetts-owned WFCR “New England Public Radio” notches a .2 (6+) the third time in the last four sweeps (.2 – .3 – .2 – .2, 6+) and drops from #17 to #18. In advance of the August report, WFCR lost half (-.2) its 6+ AQH share through six consecutive down or flat sweeps (.4 – .3 – .2 – .2 – .2 – .2 – .2, 6+).