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RadioInsight

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Nielsen: Listening to AM/FM Radio in September is Near the Highest Point in
a Year

Posted: 13 Oct 2021 11:51 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214055/nielsen-listening-to-am-fm-radio-in-september-is-near-the-highest-point-in-a-year/


Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN) released the findings of its latest Nielsen Audio
Consumer Sentiment survey, an ongoing study series addressing current
American sentiment about the COVID pandemic and how it impacts their lives.
The study revealed that Americans have substantial resilience in the face
of the pandemic and have found ways to adapt. Nearly nine in ten (86%) said they were spending the same amount or more since the Delta variant emerged. Despite the Delta variant and increasing COVID cases in the summer, more
than eight in ten (82%) don’t think their own financial situation will
change in the coming months.
The study includes insights about the Delta variant, vaccines, consumer
outlook on the economy, and weekly activities encompassing schooling, employment, transportation, and purchasing habits. The seventh study in the series was conducted in September and reflects responses from 1,022
respondents across the U.S.
Seven in ten working Americans now work outside the home, which is an 80%
jump since April 2020. The gain in those who work outside the home is a key statistic for Audio since consumers spend more time with radio when they
travel in vehicles to get to work or shop.  There were also big gains in
the area of transportation. Overall, nearly a third (31%) are spending more than an hour in their vehicles yesterday compared with 14% in April of last year. That’s a two-fold increase, and heavy radio listeners are far more likely to spend more time in their vehicles. In September, 55% of heavy
radio listeners spent more than an hour in their vehicle yesterday. “Americans have become remarkably resilient despite COVID and the Delta variant,” said Brad Kelly, Managing Director, Nielsen Audio. “Consumers are returning to more normal weekly activities like returning to work, getting
on the road in their cars and trucks, and going out to shop, dine and entertain. As more businesses open for in person and hybrid work, more time will be spent in a vehicle on their daily commute with radio as their
driving companion.”
Among the other findings from the study:


Vaccines


Currently, nearly three-quarters have gotten the vaccine or plan to do so
and the proportion who are uncertain about getting the shot has declined
from 26% in March to 8% in September. Those who do not intend to get the vaccine declined from 20% in March 2021 to 17% in September.


Those who have gotten their shot or plan to get one tend to be male and
older.


Those who are uncertain or don’t plan to get the vaccine tend to be
younger, female, and Hispanic.







Top weekly activities


The study looked at the top 10 weekly activities consumers engaged in
during the peak of the pandemic compared to September 2021. We see big
gains in September compared with April 2020 among activities that were restricted during the lockdown such as shopping at stores, getting together with friends and family, dining out, shopping for clothes, going to coffee shops, and planning vacations.


Audio listeners are more likely to engage in the top weekly activities
compared with the average. On average, radio listeners are 9% more likely
to participate in the top 10 activities and podcast listeners are 6% more likely to engage in these top activities. Radio listeners are more likely
to order take-out, dine at restaurants, shop for clothes and non-grocery
items, visit coffee shops, and plan vacations. Podcast listeners have a
similar pattern and are actively engaged in shopping, driving, going out,
and dining at restaurants.







Schooling


In June, at the end of the last school year, the proportion of children attending in-person classes was only slightly higher than those who were in
a mix of virtual and in-person. Now with the new school year in September, those attending classes in person jumped to nearly 70% compared with 13%
who go to virtual only classes or a mix of virtual and in-person classes.
This is good for audio since more in-person classes means more people in
cars getting to school and more radio listening.


Last year, nearly as many kids were getting to school on a bus as those who were getting rides from family or in a carpool. Now nearly twice as many
kids are being driven to school versus those who are taking the bus.


With more kids attending class in person and more getting to school in
vehicles there is a lot of listening to radio on the way to school.  More
than nine in ten say that the radio is sometimes or always on during the
drive to school.




How Local Shopping Has Changed


Ninety percent of American consumers say they are willing to shop at stores
in person despite the current state of the pandemic.  This is a good sign
for the coming holiday season and main street retailers who depend on foot traffic.  Roughly six in 10 say they are willing to attend outdoor events
like sports and concerts, but there is still some hesitation about indoor events with 46% willing to attend.  More than half say they are willing to work in an office setting, but that may change in the months ahead with workplace vaccination requirements.




Travel


Substantial numbers (46%) are willing to travel on airplanes now. It is possible that pent-up travel demand will make more consumers open to
business and vacation travel in the months ahead.


Only 31% say they are willing to use public transportation considering the state of the pandemic which suggests that we may experience more people on
the road as they get to work, shop, and drive their kids to school.




Listening to AM/FM Radio


Radio’s average quarter-hour (AQH) audience trend is up 4% year over year, with 7.5 million people age 12+ listening during an average quarter-hour in
PPM Markets in September 2021.


Radio’s reach trend is stable. Radio reached 121.5 million consumers in PPM markets during an average week in September 2021.


In Continuous Diary Measurement markets, Radio’s reach and AQH audience
have been remarkably stable during the past year.




About the Nielsen Survey
These results are from an ongoing series of studies looking at consumer sentiment about the COVID-19 crisis, and how people feel about what’s happening in their towns and the state of the recovery.  The study was Conducted April 2020, May 2020, June 2020, October 2020,  and March, June,
and September 2021. It is a National Online survey of 1,022 persons 18+



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KKFN To Launch Unofficial Colorado Avalanche & Denver Nuggets Postgame Shows

Posted: 13 Oct 2021 08:29 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214050/kkfn-to-launch-unofficial-colorado-avalanche-denver-nuggets-postgame-shows/


While KSE Medias Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 KKSE-FM Broomfield/Denver
continues to carry broadcasts of their co-owned Colorado Avalanche and
Denver Nuggets games, Bonneville Sports 104.3 The Fan KKFN Longmont has announced it will debut “The Fan’s Avalanche Postgame Show” and “The Fan’s
Nuggets Postgame Show” following all regular season and postseason games
for both the NHL and NBA franchises.

Sandy Clough and Shawn Drotar will host the shows on weekdays during their regular 9pm-12am show. On weekends, former Nuggets play-by-play voice Jerry Schemmel and Chad Andrus will host the basketball shows, while Mat Smith
and Drew Spevak host the hockey programs. The station is also launching two weekly shows on its digital platforms dedicated to the teams hosted by
Rachel Vigil and debuting a new Mile High Hockey podcast hosted by Mike
Evans to join its existing Mile High Hoops hosted by Zach Bye.

Bonneville Denver has announced a number of new content elements focused on
the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets. Highlighting the new additions
is the introduction of “The Fan’s Avalanche Postgame Show” and “The Fan’s
Nuggets Postgame Show,” which will air following every regular season and postseason game on Denver’s Sports Station 104.3 The Fan or 104.3 HD2.

On weekdays, Sandy Clough and Shawn Drotar will host both postgame shows.
On weekends, former voice of the Nuggets Jerry Schemmel and Chad Andrus
will anchor Nuggets postgame programming while Mat Smith and Drew Spevak
host Avalanche postgame shows. These 30-minute broadcasts will take live
calls and texts from listeners as they’re leaving Ball Arena or streaming from any location.

In addition, the station will launch two weekly digital programs, “The Fan’s Nuggets Fast Break” and “The Fan’s Avalanche Face Off.” Hosted by
Rachel Vigil, these programs will feature guests including George Karl, Jay Williams, Adrian Dater and Matt Moore. Both digital programs will be
available at DenverFan.com and across the station’s social media platforms.

Meanwhile, Zach Bye will begin his fourth season producing the “Mile High Hoops” podcast, while Mike Evans will host the new “Mile High Hockey” podcast. Both podcasts will be available to download at DenverFan.com or
major podcast distribution apps.

“We’ve received consistent feedback that our listeners want more Avalanche and Nuggets content,” said Denver’s Sports Station 104.3 The Fan Program Director Raj Sharan. “This is the most content The Fan has produced on the Avalanche and Nuggets in our more than 26 year history, and we’re hopeful these great fan bases will enjoy listening and watching.”

More information and regular updates on the team can be found at the station’s newly launched team-specific pages: DenverFan.com/Avalanche and DenverFan.com/Nuggets.


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Shelly Easton Joins WKKT As Program Director

Posted: 13 Oct 2021 07:27 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214046/shelly-easton-joins-wkkt-as-program-director/


iHeartMedia Country 96.9 The Kat WKKT Statesville/Charlotte NC has
appointed Shelly Easton as its new Program Director.

Easton most recently served as VP Music Programming for Audacy Philadelphia until exiting at the end of 2020. He entire programming career has been
spent in Pennsylvania with stints at Country Bob 94.9 WRBT Harrisburg from
1995 to 2002, Operations Manager at Cat Country 96 WCTO and AC 100.7 WLEV Allentown and Country Format Captain for Citadel, programming 92.5 WXTU Philadelphia for Beasley and CBS Radio from 2009 to 2017, and then
overseeing CHR 96.5 TDY WTDY-FM, Classic Hits 98.1 WOGL, and AC B101 WBEB
for Audacy.

Easton succeeds Chuck DZL Thompson, who departed earlier this year.

iHeartMedia Charlotte announced today that Shelly Easton has been named
Program Director for 96.9 The Kat , Charlotte’s #1 for New Country,
effective October 18. iHeartMedia Charlotte has a strong cross-platform presence and includes a number of iconic brands and franchises — both broadcast and digital — encompassing more than six stations comprised of music, talk and news formats.

iHeartMedia has the leading consumer reach and influence across multiple platforms and delivers more live programming than any other media company.
As Program Director, Easton will be responsible for managing all aspects of day-to-day programming operations and delivering unique content for 96.9
The Kat. She will report to A.J., Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Charlotte.

“We are extremely pleased to have Shelly join our remarkable programming family,” said A.J., Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Charlotte. “Her vision, passion and commitment to the country music
community makes her the perfect fit to lead 96.9 The Kat. Shelly’s wealth
of format knowledge and proven track record sets her apart in driving
ongoing advancement of this successful brand.”

Easton brings over 25 years of programming expertise to her new role. Her programming career began at WBRT-FM in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania before she moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania and became Operations Manager, Program Director and Country Format Captain of WCTO-FM and WLEV-FM. Easton then programmed WXTU-FM for almost 10 years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and oversaw programming for WBEB-FM, WOGL-FM and WTDY-FM, ultimately becoming
Vice President of Music Programming. In 2017, Easton was named one of
Radio Ink’s Top Program Directors.

“I am so thrilled to be back in the country format. To be able to rejoin
the company where I launched my programming career, is a dream come true,” said Easton. “The country battle in Charlotte is long-standing and 96.9 The Kat is primed for continued success. A huge thanks to the entire
iHeartMedia senior leadership team for their support and this incredible opportunity.”


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Gabby Diaz Joins KIIS-FM As Midday Host

Posted: 13 Oct 2021 07:20 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214044/gabby-diaz-joins-kiis-fm-as-midday-host/


iHeartMedia CHR 102.7 KIIS-FM Los Angeles has announced Gabby Diaz will
join the station as midday host from 11am-3pm.

Diaz will continue to also host afternoons on Wild 94.9 KYLD San Francisco.
She has been filling-in on middays at KIIS-FM since Raphs return to the
United States National Guard this past summer. Diaz has been at KYLD since
2015 after stints at iHearts 99.1 KGGI Riverside and Channel 93.3 KHTS-FM
San Diego.

iHeartMedia Los Angeles’ 102.7 KIIS FM, L.A.’s #1 Hit Music Station, announced today that Gabby Diaz will officially take over the Mid-Day slot
(11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) on the station, effective immediately. In addition,
Diaz will continue to anchor her live Afternoon Drive shift (3 p.m.to
7p.m.) for iHeartMedia San Francisco’s WiLD 94.9, where she has hosted Afternoon Drive since 2015. Diaz will broadcast live on both stations in
both cities daily, Monday through Friday.

Diaz is a Southern California native and has made her way up and down the
West Coast during the ten-year span of her radio career, including on-air stints at Channel 933 in San Diego and 99.1 KGGI in Riverside. Born and
raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Diaz credits her parents with her
lifelong passion for music. She recently moved back to the Los Angeles
after living in the Bay Area for the last six years.

“Im so excited to be home,” said Diaz. “To be able to be on the legendary KIIS FM is a dream come true. I’ve listened to KIIS since I was a kid, and having the chance to host daily live shows in two amazing cities at these
two remarkable iHeartRadio brands seems unreal. I could not be more humbled
or excited. Thank you iHeartMedia for this incredible opportunity.”

“Gabby fits KIIS like a glove,” said John Ivey, President of CHR Programming Strategies for iHeartMedia and Program Director for KIIS FM.
“She is from L.A. and loves and understands what KIIS is all about. We are extremely lucky to have Gabby join our stellar KIIS family.”

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