Chicago PPM September results

Back to school, fool! Last month's radio PPM results from Arbitron:

(Remember, these are based only on 6+ numbers:)

Winners:

WOJO-FM, WGCI-FM, WDRV-FM (The Drive), WKSC-FM (Kiss), WILV-FM. WMVP-AM (ESPN 1000)

Honorable Mention:

WBBM-FM (B96), WIND-AM, WLFM

Shocking Big Drop:

The Mix (WTMX)

Disappointing:

WLS-AM, WLIT-FM (The Lite)

Losers:

WPWX-FM (Power 92), WSRB-FM (Soul 106.3), WPPN-FM, WKQX-FM (Q101)

Analysis:

- A strong month for local radio as kids head back to school and people return from summer vacation. Many stations showed healthy increases, while others took it on the chin - notably WTMX:...


- In a shocking development, Bonneville's WTMX-FM had a stunning 26% drop, falling into a tie for ninth place. Meanwhile, sister station WILV-FM scored the frequency's highest rating in years, finishing 11th, up 18% from last month. Do you think WILV is cannibalizing off WTMX?

- Meanwhile, WGCI scored its highest number in the PPM era, surging all the way to 12th place with a 19% increase, while its rival (WPWX, Power 92) continues to lose steam with an 11% drop. Just a few months ago, the two urban music rivals were actually neck and neck.

- Crawford's Soul 106.3 did not benefit from having Tom Joyner in its lineup, with the Urban AC station posting its lowest numbers ever in the PPM era. Whatever momentum Crawford had in this market is now gone and maybe gone for good.

- Mirroring a national trend, it was a good month for top 40 radio as both B96 and Kiss grew month-to-month.

- Remarkable! WLFM, which took on the Smooth Jazz format after WNUA-FM dropped it, had a surprisingly good survey, finishing ahead of Soul 106.3, WGRB, WFMT, and WCPT despite its status as a low-powered FM station. 

- Although contingent  on the key male 25-54 demo, it looks good for WMVP, which went up 25% from last month.