I'm sure everyone has noticed how great the AC format is doing with PPM. Summer was a weak time of the year for AC with the diary but check out the huge August is in so many of the PPM markets. For example WLTW/NY, WLYF/Miami, and KBAY/San Jose just to name a few. They are getting numbers that used to be only seen during holiday season with the diary. I'm sure PPM is picking up lot's of AC listening that wouldn't have been recorded in a diary.
Here's why I think the success AC is having with PPM is here to stay. Remember how in the late 80s, pre-consolidation many markets were over ACed? Several markets had 4, 5, or even 6 ACs. 2009 couldn't be more different. Today the majority of markets have one (non-hot) AC. Whenever you hear of a format flip, it's never to AC. The closest you'll get is a "FRESH FM" type station which is brighter and hotter than the heritage AC. Notice these stations rarely make a dent in the numbers of the pre-existing AC. That's because they have no clear position, they are stuck in a black hole between AC and Hot AC.
The only way a high rated heritage AC will lose any of their audience is if a softer station comes on. But this is considered extremely taboo. So not only will AC stay dominant, because they have no threat of direct or softer competition they can get away with being brighter themselves.
Here's why I think the success AC is having with PPM is here to stay. Remember how in the late 80s, pre-consolidation many markets were over ACed? Several markets had 4, 5, or even 6 ACs. 2009 couldn't be more different. Today the majority of markets have one (non-hot) AC. Whenever you hear of a format flip, it's never to AC. The closest you'll get is a "FRESH FM" type station which is brighter and hotter than the heritage AC. Notice these stations rarely make a dent in the numbers of the pre-existing AC. That's because they have no clear position, they are stuck in a black hole between AC and Hot AC.
The only way a high rated heritage AC will lose any of their audience is if a softer station comes on. But this is considered extremely taboo. So not only will AC stay dominant, because they have no threat of direct or softer competition they can get away with being brighter themselves.