SPECIAL REPORT: APRIL PPM RATINGS FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC STATIONS IN PPM MARKETS

Today we have the April 2019 Nielsen Audio ratings for all Classical music stations in PPM markets. We noted 27 full-time music stations, 9 full-time music stations on HD channels and 6 part-time Classical stations on stations with dual formats.

In chart #1 we have the Top 10 stations in the nation’s largest markets ranked by AQH share. 

It is no surprise that WETA in DC leads the list. WETA is part of the fabric of our nation’s capital.

All of these stations are in large markets. 

Sometimes it is difficult to compare AQH shares because in the biggest metros their aremore competition for the listener’s ears.

So KUSC’s 2.3 AQH share in SoCal is particularly sweet to savor.

Chart #2 shows the Top 10 full-time Classical music stations ranked by estimated weekly listeners. Again, KUSC’s performance is splendid.

Readers should note the asterisk (*) by some of the numbers. 

This indicates we added listening to simulcasts of streaming audio and on HD channels to the over-the-air numbers.  

  

Stations have the choice of having listening from all sources “rolled in” to one number. This is called Total Line Reporting (TLR).  Or, stations can choose to have all sources identified.

A downside of listing all sources of audio is that a small portion of the listening may include duplicate listeners. So be aware that this might inflate some reported data.

Chart #3 shows the estimated weekly listeners to full-time Classical music stations in markets #11 to #27.

Stations #26 – KTVI in Seattle – and #27 in Milwaukee-Racine need a bit of explanation. 

KTVI is a repeater of Northwest Public Radio’s Classical network that originates from Pullman, Washington.

WGTD airs full-time Classical music that originates from Wisconsin Public Radio in Madison.   

Most of WGTD’s listeners are in the Racine area.

Dual format stations are shown in Chart #4.    

Finally, Chart #5 lists full-time Classical music stations on stand-alone HD channels. 

None of these HD channels simulcasts the HD programming on an FM translator. that we are aware of.

The ratings performance of HD channels underscores the failure of the entire HD Radio concept.

After almost twenty years of trying, consumers still not accepted HD Radio. 

This shouldn't be a surprise because HD requires a listener to tune to a station they don't want to hear and then "knock three times" on a button to get to the channel they do want to hear. 

HD Radio reminds us of "New Coke."