Nielsen Mum As L.A. Radio Ratings Arrive

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iTunespics 346According to Nielsen, the No. 1 radio station among listeners 6+ in the nation’s second-largest market by size, Los Angeles, is KOST-FM.


The iHeartRadio AC scored a 5.8 share, up from a 5.4 share in July ’16, in the just-released August 2016 Nielsen Audio radio ratings estimates.

The ratings results arrive minus 2% of the average daily in-tab missing—thanks to “irregular compliance patterns” found in some 35 Southland homes.

In a note sent August 22 to clients, Nielsen explained that it had conducted “an extensive investigation,” which determined that Nielsen’s quality standards were not followed.

“Out of an abundance of caution,” Nielsen tossed 35 households participating in the Los Angeles PPM panel.

These households represented 55 average daily in-tab persons for the first two weeks of August.

This accounts for 2% of the average daily in-tab and contributed less than 1% of listening for these weeks, Nielsen said.

With Nielsen conducting an impact analysis of 2016 data for the Los Angeles market to determine what, if any, actions may be required for prior months, it’s unknown how owners, GMs and GSMs at L.A.’s radio stations will utilize the August results—or the results from any prior months that may be tainted.

Executives at several radio stations contacted by RBR + TVBR did not respond to inquiries seeking comment on the situation.

At the same time, Nielsen has not provided an official statement regarding the release of August PPM data for L.A.

Nielsen is also investigating every other market in which the Portable People Meter is used to provide radio listening and exposure estimates.

“We are conducting an aggressive review of protocols and will be taking a number of steps to prevent recurrence,” Nielsen said upon announcing the problems in Los Angeles.

Nielsen added that it is committed “to upholding the highest standards of data integrity and market transparency in order to provide the most effective audience measurement solutions to meet client needs.”

The August 2016 6+ ratings for Los Angeles, based on PPM panelist exposure to radio stations and their listening habits, show iHeartRadio Hot AC KBIG “My 104.3” and CBS Radio’s 80s-centric Classic Hits KRTH “K-Earth 101” tied for second place with a 4.9 share.

The market’s two big CHRs—pop KIIS-FM and rhythmic KAMP-FM “Amp Radio 97.1”—each saw declines. KIIS dropped 4.9-4.6 to finish in fourth place, while KAMP slipped 3.8-3.1 and is in 12th place. Smooth Jazz-turned-Urban AC KTWV “94.7 The Wave,” a CBS Radio station, fell 4.2-4.1 to take fifth place.

Meanwhile, several Spanish-language stations saw gains: Univision’s Spanish AC KLVE-FM “Radio Amor” climbed 3.9-4.0 to take sixth place, while siblings regional Mexican KSCA-FM and KRCD-FM each have a 3.3 share.

 

KROQ SLUMPS AGAINST ‘ALT’

The other big takeaway from Los Angeles is the wide disparity in listening between iHeart Radio’s Alternative KYSR-FM “Alt 98.7” and CBS Radio’s heritage Alternative KROQ-FM 106.7.

KYSR climbed 3.2-3.4 and is tied for eighth place, 6+, with Urban sister KRRL-FM 92.3.

Meanwhile, KROQ slipped 2.4-2.3 and is now ranked No. 19 6+, behind Entercom Classic Rocker KSWD-FM “100.3 The Sound” and Cumulus Media’s Rock KLOS-FM 95.5.