MeTVFM surges in June PPM book

On 87.7 FM, MeTV FM drastically pulls better numbers than predecessor

Usually, PPM radio ratings reports are about as dull as sucking on an ice cube – hardly any changes or movement happens month-to-month.

But not this time as there has been some significant shifts in local radio listening.

According to PPM numbers released by Nielsen Audio Tuesday, Weigel Broadcasting-programmed WRME-FM – or MeTV FM as it is branded, showed drastic gains from its predecessor, The Game. The Soft AC/Oldies hybrid finished in 25th place with a 1.6, up tremendously from what WGWG earned in June 2014 – nearly four times as much.

MeTV FM also gained a full share point from its first full survey in March – a whopping 166 percent increase! MeTV FM also drew more listeners than ESPN 1000 (WMVP), WIND-AM, and WLS-AM, which tied an historic low for the once mighty “Big 89”.

And this despite the signal not being available in a lot of car radios (and punches a hole in the theory the 87.7 signal was the reason The Game couldn’t attract an audience.) Pretty impressive.

For those not able to listen to MeTV FM, you can tune in on analog Channel 6 (an LPTV station which is also 87.7 FM as they share the same frequency) and is also available on Xfinity cable systems on channel 877 (and in stereo).

In other PPM highlights:

– Thanks to the Chicago Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup run, WGN-AM posted its highest ratings in years, finishing fourth overall, with a 30 percent month-to-month increase. But without Cubs telecasts (now on WBBM-AM), WGN’s momentum would be tough to maintain.

– iHeart Media’s Kiss FM (WKSC-FM) has widened its lead over contemporary-hit rival B96 (WBBM-FM) by eight-tenths of a point – perhaps the biggest gap between the two since WKSC debuted in 2001.

– In the race between Classic Hits stations, K-Hits (WJMK) jumped 17 percent to finish sixth, far ahead of WLS-FM, which fell 15 percent month-to-month and landed in fourteenth place.

– Among country stations, newcomer Big 99.5 (WEBG) still trailed heritage US 99 (WUSN). Both were down month-to-month.

– As noted earlier, WLS-AM tied a historic low with a 1.1., flat for the third consecutive month as the station is trying to convert from a conservative talk station to a more mainstream one. Neither Jonathan Brandmeier or Steve Dahl has had an impact on the ratings thus far. Just proves recognizable names don’t always guarantee ratings success.