CBS Radio’s focus on strengthening its programming lineup nationwide paid off in 2009 with stations in the top 10 markets showing an overall average 10% growth in 12+ AQH audience share according to the most recently released Arbitrons. As part of its strategy, CBS Radio changed the format at a number of stations this past year including the launch of CHR/Top 40 stations in LA (KAMP-FM, February 2009), New York (WXRK-FM; March 2009) and Detroit (WVMV-FM; October 2009) which are proving to be strong contenders against established players in their markets.
AMP Radio increased its share of the audience by a staggering 120% and is among the market’s most popular listening destinations. Anchoring AMP in morning drive is noted radio and television personality Carson Daly who marked his return to his broadcasting roots yesterday. 92.3 NOW, New York’s Hit Music Channel, saw an improvement in its audience share by more than 50% year to year and is now performing at its highest level since Fall 2005. The positive momentum the station has enjoyed will continue with the debut of Nick Cannon weekday mornings beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Additional 2009 highlights include:
► KMVK-FM in Dallas grew its share by more than 50% following a move from a Rhythmic AC format to Spanish;
► Product updates in Washington, D.C. included the launch of 94.7 Fresh (Adult Contemporary) and WJFK-FM (sports), and resulted in increases of 9% and 67%, respectively;
► The audience share for the new WBZ-FM, Boston’s first FM sports talk station, is up 41% over figures for the previous rock format;
► San Francisco’s leading all-news source, KCBS-AM/KFRC-FM, proved it could grow its audience in a non-election year with increases of nearly 25%. KCBS added KFRC as an additional distribution outlet in October 2008;
► KKHH-FM’s introduction of a CHR format to Houston listeners was a big win for CBS Radio in 2008 and the station continued to rise in popularity in 2009 with year to year increases of over 55%.
In addition, CBS Radio finished the year as the No. 1 cluster in five of the Top 10 markets (New York, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia; Boston). And not only did the company remain No. 1 in New York, but it grew its share of audience. CBS Radio also overtook last Fall’s leading cluster in Chicago by increasing its AQH share by 11% – the most of any major market operator in the market.
All comparisons and percentage increases throughout the release are based on Arbitron PPM AQH share data for Persons 12+, Mon-Sun 6:00AM-12:00Midnight, Dec. 2009 vs. Dec. 2008 with the exception of Boston – Fall Diary 2008 vs. Dec. 2009 PPM.
