TOP 40 ON THE RISE

Top 40 stations are making a comeback.

The recent success of the format owes to a revamping of programming strategy. With a new mix of currents and recurrents, stations like Los Angeles' KIIS FM and Detroit's WKQI have been catapulted to the top of the ratings.

Thanks to PD Beata Murphy and MD Sisanie, KIIS rose from a 3.0 to a 5.0 share in the most recent report (March), landing the station in second place behind Classic Hits outlet KRTH. It's prioritized new music under Murphy's leadership, premiering tracks by emerging and established artists alike—and making the station a potential bellwether for the Pop format.

WKQI, led by PD Tony Travatto and APD/MD Sean Strife, has gone from a 4.3 to an 8.3 rating, putting it in the #1 position.

This revamping of programming strategy and resulting ratings increases, among other indicators, signal renewed promise for Top 40. Stay tuned...