Ratings skyrocket for Christmas music

93.9 MY fmIt was a Christmas to remember for WLIT FM 93.9.

More than 3.2 million listeners tuned in to the Clear Channel station each week in December while it played nothing but Christmas music around the clock for the 13th consecutive year.

Nlelsen Audio ratings released Tuesday for the so-called “holiday book” showed 93.9 My FM No. 1 overall with an 11.6 percent audience share — nearly double that of the No. 2 station, Clear Channel urban adult-contemporary WVAZ FM 102.7, which had a 6.4 share. Among listeners between 25 and 54, 93.9 My FM led the market with a 11.2 share, followed by Hubbard Radio hot adult contemporary WTMX FM 101.9 with a 5.7 share.

Mick Lee

Mick Lee

This year’s shares were up over the same period in 2012, when WLIT had a 10.0 share overall and a 10.3 share in the 25-to-54 demo. Mick Lee, program director and afternoon host, attributed the boost in part to the station’s rebranding last June from Lite FM to 93.9 My FM and its format adjustment from adult contemporary to a more current-based hot adult contemporary.

“We’ve had great listener response since the launch of Chicago’s New 93.9 MYfm,” Lee said. “Our positive momentum heading into the holiday month was a factor in the year-over-year Christmas music ratings increase.”

But if history holds, up to two-thirds of that gigantic Christmas audience bailed out as soon as the station resumed regular programming, leaving behind nothing but bragging rights — and warm holiday memories.

Here are the top 30 Chicago radio stations, as measured by Nielsen Audio from Dec. 5 through Jan. 1, followed by average share of listeners age 6 and older:

  • WLIT FM 93.9 hot adult contemporary 11.6
  • WVAZ FM 102.7 urban adult contemporary 6.4
  • WBBM AM 780/WCFS FM 105.9 all news 5.6
  • WGCI FM 107.5 urban contemporary 4.3
  • WTMX FM 101.9 modern adult contemporary 4.0
  • WBBM FM 96.3 rhythmic contemporary hit radio 3.9
  • WKSC FM 103.5 pop contemporary hit radio 3.8
  • WGN AM 720 news talk 3.6
  • WUSN FM 99.5 country 3.5
  • WDRV FM 97.1 classic hits 3.3
  • WXRT FM 93.1 album adult alternative 2.8
  • WOJO FM 105.1 Mexican regional 2.7
  • WLS FM 94.7 classic hits 2.4
  • WLUP FM 97.9 classic rock 2.4
  • WSCR AM 670 sports talk 2.4
  • WPWX FM 92.3 urban contemporary 2.3
  • WILV FM 100.3 adult contemporary 1.9
  • WNUA FM 95.5 Mexican regional 1.8
  • WPPN FM 106.7 Spanish adult hits 1.8
  • WJMK FM 104.3 adult hits 1.7
  • WKQX FM 87.7 alternative 1.7
  • WLS AM 890 news talk 1.7
  • WVIV FM 103.1 Spanish contemporary 1.7
  • WMVP AM 1000 sports talk 1.6
  • WBEZ FM 91.5 news talk 1.5
  • WIQI FM 101.1 adult hits 1.4
  • WJKL FM 94.3 contemporary Christian 1.4
  • WMBI FM 90.1 religious 1.2
  • WLEY FM 107.9 Mexican regional 1.1
  • WGRB AM 1390 contemporary inspirational 1.0
  • WFMT FM 98.7 classical 0.9

Here are the top 30 Chicago radio stations, as measured by Nielsen Audio from Dec. 5 through Jan. 1, followed by average share of listeners between 25 and 54:

  • WLIT FM 93.9 hot adult contemporary 11.2
  • WTMX FM 101.9 modern adult contemporary 5.7
  • WVAZ FM 102.7 urban adult contemporary 5.4
  • WGCI FM 107.5 urban contemporary 5.3
  • WBBM FM 96.3 rhythmic contemporary hit radio 4.5
  • WKSC FM 103.5 pop contemporary hit radio 4.4
  • WBBM AM 780/WCFS FM 105.9 all news 3.8
  • WOJO FM 105.1 Mexican regional 3.6
  • WUSN FM 99.5 country 3.5
  • WXRT FM 93.1 album adult alternative 3.0
  • WDRV FM 97.1 classic hits 2.9
  • WLUP FM 97.9 classic rock 2.8
  • WPWX FM 92.3 urban contemporary 2.8
  • WSCR AM 670 sports talk 2.6
  • WVIV FM 103.1 Spanish contemporary 2.4
  • WPPN FM 106.7 Spanish adult hits 2.3
  • WMVP AM 1000 sports talk 2.2
  • WKQX FM 87.7 alternative 2.1
  • WNUA FM 95.5 Mexican regional 2.1
  • WILV FM 100.3 adult contemporary 1.9
  • WIQI FM 101.1 adult hits 1.9
  • WJMK FM 104.3 adult hits 1.9
  • WGN AM 720 news talk 1.7
  • WLS FM 94.7 classic hits 1.7
  • WLEY FM 107.9 Mexican regional 1.6
  • WBEZ FM 91.5 news talk 1.5
  • WJKL FM 94.3 contemporary Christian 1.4
  • WLS AM 890 news talk 1.1
  • WIIL FM 95.1 album oriented rock 0.9
  • WSRB FM 106.3 urban adult contemporary 0.9