January 2, 2018, Issue 582
Good News, Glad News: 2017
To exactly nobody’s surprise, format-wide PPM ratings took a hit in December monthlies published last week (details on page 10). According to Nielsen Audio, Country was down November to December 7.5 to 7.1 (Persons 6+), 8.3 to 7.7 (P18-34) and 7.1 to 6.6 (P25-54). The format was up by one tenth of a point from December 2016 (P6+), however. Expectedly, AC enjoyed the biggest share of holiday listening, delivering a 10.5 P6+ for December. Drill down on those numbers here. Year over year, however, Country radio listening grew in 2017, at least as measured in PPM markets 6+. With the exception of December, each month of last year exceeded the aggregate share of 2016 (see graph page 10). Taken as a whole, January-to-December shares were up 2% over 2016 in metered markets. With a new major market sign-on in Denver, could 2018 be poised for even more growth?
Programming Note
Charts will return with next week’s issue (Jan. 8) and as always to start a new year will run trendless – no bullets, last week rank, or plus-or-minus points and plays. And now, on with stories that happened over the break...
Finally, A Use For Algebra
BMI won its consent decree against the U.S. Dept. of Justice, allowing for the practice of fractional licensing. While the performing rights org was ebullient, broadcasters were less so. “This is a massive victory for songwriters, composers, music publishers and the entire industry,” says BMI Pres./CEO Mike O’Neill. “We have said from the very beginning that BMI’s consent decree allowed for fractional licensing, and we are incredibly Mike O’Neill gratified that Judge Stanton and the Second
Pumped Up Kix: The WGKX (Kix)/Memphis team celebrates money raised during their St. Jude radiothon. Pictured (l-r) are the station’s Ariel Sawyer, Lana DeLuca, Kay Manley, Rachel Mueller, Duane Shannon, Abby Summers and Cory Wiggs and St. Jude staffers.
Circuit agreed with our position. We thank all the songwriters, composers, publishers and organizations who supported us throughout this process, which unfortunately, has been a nearly two-year distraction from our original intent, which was to update our outdated consent decree and modernize music licensing. We look forward to our continued efforts to protect and Dennis Wharton grow the value of music.” Meanwhile, NAB VP/Communications Dennis Wharton said, “NAB is extremely disappointed with the court’s decision allowing fractional licensing of BMI songs played on radio and television stations, as well as in countless venues
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