After 130+ Arbitrons at #1 ...

... it's no longer KMOX as the market leader.  That's, like, a gazillion years.

Bonneville's WARH-FM takes over at the top, 6+ and 12+ effective immediately.

Here's a PDF of their press release.

Gotta tell ya,  The Arch's debut in April of 2006 2005* was less than auspicious.  But Bonneville has worked steadily at making it an extremely listenable radio station, and now they not only claim the top of the heap in STL, but they lay claim to being the #1 Adult Radio Station in America.

That claim, of course, remains to be seen as further ratings results come in.

Nonetheless, congrats to Bonneville and The Arch and PD Kevin Robinson and staff  for a sterling performance in the first full PPM book in STL!

From Tom Taylor:

A 37-year Arbitron winning streak of KMOX ends with the first St. Louis PPMs.

It’s truly historic, though the two “pre-currency” months suggested that Bonneville’s classic hits “Arch” KARH (106.5) would likely vanquish news/talk KMOX (1120) - and that’s the way it happened “for real” in September. The Arch had an 8.8. KMOX was second with a 7.1.

Supreme Guardian of the Ratings History Book Chris Huff says “I’m still rubbing my eyes.” So when was the last time KMOX not #1 in the ratings? Literally – nobody knows. Chris says “KMOX has been #1 in every Arbitron I have for the market, going back to Spring 1972, when it had a 27.6 share. As far as I can tell, this ends the longest winning streak of any radio station, anywhere.” Longer even than news/talk KGO, San Francisco. KGO also had an amazing consecutive-win streak snapped by the PPM, though it’s since regained its perch.

The new St. Louis PPMs are a bummer for “Voice of St. Louis” KMOX, but awesome for the Arch.

*thanks to Jay Philpott for the date correction.

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