November PPM Ratings for San Diego (the battle of the rock stations)

[PrezSquid]

San Diego

Nielsen Audio PPM Monthly Ratings San Diego (Market #19) Population: 2,842,100 Black: 155,800 – Hispanic: 973,400 Average Quarter Hour Share for Persons 6+, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid All ratings are Copyright © 2005-2024 The Nielsen Company. All rights reserved. Nielsen radio audience estimates and data...

radioinsight.com

As someone who’s always been a nerd at the rival stations (especially the ones that cater in alternative and active rock), it’s been interesting seeing there be more of a competition between the 3 stations again. For a while now, Rock 105.3 was always above 91X and 94.9, but now 91X is still doing very well! 3rd straight month of being in the high 3.0’s. It’s pretty interesting seeing this considering it looked like the classic alternative method wasn’t working at first but I’m happy it seems to be getting listeners now, since nothing has changed much outside of the currents they spin (it’s still one per hour, but the selection has been more unique compared to 94.9, it features new music from some staples of the past like Cure, Nada Surf as well as new bands I heard first on 91X like Fontaines DC and THUS LOVE).

94.9 ain’t too shabby. While I’m a bit of a 91X diehard, I do like switching to them too because they have that specific itch for some songs I love that 91X doesn’t play (or hasn’t played in a while, I.E. that new Balu Brigada song). 2.6 they rose from after being 2.5 last month.

Rock 105.3 is the one that interests me however. They’ve been a bit up and down but are now steadily going up again. I listen to them and for an active rock station it’s more oddly similar to 91X in terms of gold. A lot of classic 90’s stuff like Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, stuff like that with maybe a sprinkle of something like Rob Zombie or Metallica. And for their currents, the songs are more similar to what Alternative is playing than Active Rock (they oddly have Eminem as their most spun song, one of the only active rock stations to do so). I also found it interesting they have Fontaines DC on rotation (a strictly Triple A band who only recently charted on alternative). I wonder if the gold playlist and their morning show is what makes their ratings very well.

This market is interesting. It seems they all kinda do similar things which keeps listeners switching. I noticed 91X’s new music show playing a few songs Active Rock are playing (Sick Puppies, Serj Tankian, Coheed and Cambria), I wonder if they’re trying to get a bit of rock’s listeners for the sake of them not playing those.

Besides that it seems like the usual stations are at the top. Adult hits and all that. I’m in it for the alternative stations though. Will be interesting how it goes after Christmas.

 

[KilowattKat]

The one format hole is still AAA, either non comm or commercial. I won't be happy until that comes back somehow. And no, the KSDS HD2 does not qualify. They play mostly current music, but it's only local music, or artists/bands scheduled to do a concert in San Diego. Too limiting.

I'm glad to see KFBG doing so well. Looking at their playlist, its a nice variety from different decades, and love the fact, they still play songs from the 70's, even the occasional 60's (Beach Boys, Rolling Stones). Another plus, LOCALLY owned, and not plagued with radio ruining financial problems like iHeart.

 

[PrezSquid]

The one format hole is still AAA, either non comm or commercial. I won't be happy until that comes back somehow. And no, the KSDS HD2 does not qualify. They play mostly current music, but it's only local music, or artists/bands scheduled to do a concert in San Diego. Too limiting.

I'm glad to see KFBG doing so well. Looking at their playlist, its a nice variety from different decades, and love the fact, they still play songs from the 70's, even the occasional 60's (Beach Boys, Rolling Stones). Another plus, LOCALLY owned, and not plagued with radio ruining financial problems like iHeart.

Yeah I like the Local Media San Diego stations doing well. I noticed XHTZ doesn’t do as well as KHTS does, and I honestly can see why. For a CHR station they’re more gold based

 

[KEXPSD]

I discovered that HD2 maybe a year ago. I think I accidentally found a link on Jazz 88s page (which appears to be gone again). I like Jazz 88 a lot in general, except for female vocal type things. I like Blakey, Basie, Armstrong and others.

But I like stations like KEXP in Seattle, and also certain student radio stations like KDVS in Davis, CA or KUOI in Moscow, ID. I like how KSDS-HD2 is there for SDCC's radio/TV/film students, according to sources. It's good to hear them be able to share their work in the wider city community. I've listened about three times thus far. The first time was unpalatable. The next two times were better and better, so I look forward to checking in with this station every so often.

 

[ILOVERADIO]

The one format hole is still AAA, either non comm or commercial. I won't be happy until that comes back somehow. And no, the KSDS HD2 does not qualify. They play mostly current music, but it's only local music, or artists/bands scheduled to do a concert in San Diego. Too limiting.

I'm glad to see KFBG doing so well. Looking at their playlist, it’s a nice variety from different decades, and love the fact, they still play songs from the 70's, even the occasional 60's (Beach Boys, Rolling Stones). Another plus, LOCALLY owned, and not plagued with radio ruining financial problems like iHeart.

Outside of alternative rock, San Diego radio has enormous gaps IMO:

1) No classical station on traditional FM
2) No Classic country
3) No standards (40s and 50s)
4) No folk music shows on traditional radio
5) Unlike Barstow, we lack a cool fast food train with every junk food restaurant known in America. I think David E and Mike H disagree about this train being a positive.

I know my demographic is older, so I end up using phone apps and Sirius XM, but I don’t understand why there’s a full time jazz station with very low ratings and no classical station (2 hours on KPBS Sunday night is a joke, though the San Diego Symphony is good).

But then San Diego has wonderful weather, beaches (minus the stink in South Bay), lovely mountains and is arguably the funnest place to live in the US.

 

[michael hagerty]

5) Unlike Barstow, we lack a cool fast food train with every junk food restaurant known in America. I think David E and Mike H disagree about this train being a positive.

When I lived in San Diego---(Oh, God---50 years ago) there were so many Jack in the Box drive-thrus (it is JITB's hometown), that I'd actually send mail to friends with my return address as "Jack in the Box, CA 92108".

Every corner was two gas stations, a fast food and a 7-11 or other convenience market.

What is in Barstow (besides a looming heart attack and type 2 diabetes) that isn't in San Diego?

 

[ILOVERADIO]

When I lived in San Diego---(Oh, God---50 years ago) there were so many Jack in the Box drive-thrus (it is JITB's hometown), that I'd actually send mail to friends with my return address as "Jack in the Box, CA 92108".

Every corner was two gas stations, a fast food and a 7-11 or other convenience market.

What is in Barstow (besides a looming heart attack and type 2 diabetes) that isn't in San Diego?

I love the Barstow train with its one stop junk food haven. I’ve never seen so many junk food restaurants in one location. I annoyed my family when I insisted on stopping there on our way to Vegas. Gives me lots of laughs. It’s amazing how much Variety of unhealthy food they sell at one Barstow train. I’m thinking of writing a country song about it. Mike H. and David E could produce it if I can find some money to pay them.

 

[michael hagerty]

I love the Barstow train with its one stop junk food haven. I’ve never seen so many junk food restaurants in one location. I annoyed my family when I insisted on stopping there on our way to Vegas. Gives me lots of laughs. It’s amazing how much Variety of unhealthy food they sell at one Barstow train. I’m thinking of writing a country song about it. Mike H. and David E could produce it if I can find some money to pay them.

Hear that, @DavidEduardo?

You and I could be the Dre and Timbaland of "The Barstow Sound".






























Or...y'know......not.

 

[michael hagerty]

I love the Barstow train with its one stop junk food haven. I’ve never seen so many junk food restaurants in one location.

I don't know what it was like when you were a kid, but apparently now it's a mini-mart (with a Thrifty ice cream counter---"Oh boy! Just like Rite-Aid!"), a McDonalds, Subway, Panda Express, Dunkin Donuts, Popeye's and Wetzel's Pretzels.

I mean, pretty much ANY shopping mall food court I've ever seen.

Seriously, if I lived in San Diego and wanted to commit suicide via burger, I'd be at Hodad's in OB:

Hodad's Ocean Beach - Food Menu

Our mission: The Hodad’s Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on working closely with our communities to provide a variety of charitable efforts. These include: contributing to l...

hodadsoceanbeach.com

 

[radiofan2023]

I love the Barstow train with its one stop junk food haven. I’ve never seen so many junk food restaurants in one location. I annoyed my family when I insisted on stopping there on our way to Vegas. Gives me lots of laughs. It’s amazing how much Variety of unhealthy food they sell at one Barstow train. I’m thinking of writing a country song about it. Mike H. and David E could produce it if I can find some money to pay them.

You guys should check out the Dekalb Oasis if you're ever in Illinois. Panda Express, McDonald's, etc.

 

[ILOVERADIO]

Hear that, @DavidEduardo?

You and I could be the Dre and Timbaland of "The Barstow Sound".






























Or...y'know......not.

😀

 

[ILOVERADIO]

I don't know what it was like when you were a kid, but apparently now it's a mini-mart (with a Thrifty ice cream counter---"Oh boy! Just like Rite-Aid!"), a McDonalds, Subway, Panda Express, Dunkin Donuts, Popeye's and Wetzel's Pretzels.

I mean, pretty much ANY shopping mall food court I've ever seen.

Seriously, if I lived in San Diego and wanted to commit suicide via burger, I'd be at Hodad's in OB:

Hodad's Ocean Beach - Food Menu

Our mission: The Hodad’s Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on working closely with our communities to provide a variety of charitable efforts. These include: contributing to l...

hodadsoceanbeach.com

I admit Hodads has delicious burgers and shakes. Ocean Beach is a fun area too for those who like junk food, tattoo parlors, bars, and beaches. The elite media would rank it higher than the Barstow train, but I remain undecided.

 

[MarkW]

San Diego

Nielsen Audio PPM Monthly Ratings San Diego (Market #19) Population: 2,842,100 Black: 155,800 – Hispanic: 973,400 Average Quarter Hour Share for Persons 6+, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid All ratings are Copyright © 2005-2024 The Nielsen Company. All rights reserved. Nielsen radio audience estimates and data...

radioinsight.com

As someone who’s always been a nerd at the rival stations (especially the ones that cater in alternative and active rock), it’s been interesting seeing there be more of a competition between the 3 stations again. For a while now, Rock 105.3 was always above 91X and 94.9, but now 91X is still doing very well! 3rd straight month of being in the high 3.0’s. It’s pretty interesting seeing this considering it looked like the classic alternative method wasn’t working at first but I’m happy it seems to be getting listeners now, since nothing has changed much outside of the currents they spin (it’s still one per hour, but the selection has been more unique compared to 94.9, it features new music from some staples of the past like Cure, Nada Surf as well as new bands I heard first on 91X like Fontaines DC and THUS LOVE).

94.9 ain’t too shabby. While I’m a bit of a 91X diehard, I do like switching to them too because they have that specific itch for some songs I love that 91X doesn’t play (or hasn’t played in a while, I.E. that new Balu Brigada song). 2.6 they rose from after being 2.5 last month.

Rock 105.3 is the one that interests me however. They’ve been a bit up and down but are now steadily going up again. I listen to them and for an active rock station it’s more oddly similar to 91X in terms of gold. A lot of classic 90’s stuff like Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, stuff like that with maybe a sprinkle of something like Rob Zombie or Metallica. And for their currents, the songs are more similar to what Alternative is playing than Active Rock (they oddly have Eminem as their most spun song, one of the only active rock stations to do so). I also found it interesting they have Fontaines DC on rotation (a strictly Triple A band who only recently charted on alternative). I wonder if the gold playlist and their morning show is what makes their ratings very well.

This market is interesting. It seems they all kinda do similar things which keeps listeners switching. I noticed 91X’s new music show playing a few songs Active Rock are playing (Sick Puppies, Serj Tankian, Coheed and Cambria), I wonder if they’re trying to get a bit of rock’s listeners for the sake of them not playing those.

Besides that it seems like the usual stations are at the top. Adult hits and all that. I’m in it for the alternative stations though. Will be interesting how it goes after Christmas.

A sound argument can be made that San Diego has the very best FM dial in the United States. A very wide set of format options for the listener, multiple ownership groups, and well-executed programming with quality on-air talent.

 

[Neel]

The one format hole is still AAA, either non comm or commercial. I won't be happy until that comes back somehow. And no, the KSDS HD2 does not qualify. They play mostly current music, but it's only local music, or artists/bands scheduled to do a concert in San Diego. Too limiting.

I'm glad to see KFBG doing so well. Looking at their playlist, its a nice variety from different decades, and love the fact, they still play songs from the 70's, even the occasional 60's (Beach Boys, Rolling Stones). Another plus, LOCALLY owned, and not plagued with radio ruining financial problems like iHeart.

I really like BIG FM, streaming it here at my work in LA. I feel they go deeper into the playlist and are true "variety hits." What Jack FM used to be.... Jack is more predictable now, almost a cross between KRTH and KROQ.

 

[sdwulfdawg]

Outside of alternative rock, San Diego radio has enormous gaps IMO:

1) No classical station on traditional FM
2) No Classic country
3) No standards (40s and 50s)
4) No folk music shows on traditional radio
5) Unlike Barstow, we lack a cool fast food train with every junk food restaurant known in America. I think David E and Mike H disagree about this train being a positive.

I know my demographic is older, so I end up using phone apps and Sirius XM, but I don’t understand why there’s a full time jazz station with very low ratings and no classical station (2 hours on KPBS Sunday night is a joke, though the San Diego Symphony is good).

But then San Diego has wonderful weather, beaches (minus the stink in South Bay), lovely mountains and is arguably the funnest place to live in the US.

KPBS (the last I heard) does Classical24 on its HD2 digital channel.

 

[ILOVERADIO]

KPBS (the last I heard) does Classical24 on its HD2 digital channel.

That’s right and why I qualified no classical music on traditional radio. HD for many of us is inconvenient but it does provide a useful service.

 

[KilowattKat]

That’s right and why I qualified no classical music on traditional radio. HD for many of us is inconvenient but it does provide a useful service.

Totally agree, in fact KPBS HD2 (Classical24) barely showed up in the PPM with a 0.1. Most people who do have an HD receiver, it's only in their vehicle. As we know, HD radio has never caught on.

 

[david]

Totally agree, in fact KPBS HD2 (Classical24) barely showed up in the PPM with a 0.1. Most people who do have an HD receiver, it's only in their vehicle. As we know, HD radio has never caught on.

I think it is partially due to the power limitation of the HD signals. I have HD in my vehicles and find it often frustrating to tune in chosen HD channels due to their signal dropping and then resuming. When I have other passengers in the car they often ask "what happened to the radio"? As such, if I understand this article correctly - FCC's New HD Radio Expansion Rules Get November Start Date - Radio Ink - then there may be hope that HD side channels may finally now be allowed to have more broadcast power allocated.