JUNE PPM results from NIELSEN AUDIO marked a third consecutive monthly increase for Country radio, bringing the format close to share levels last seen in 2014's record-setting SUMMER. Among persons 6+, the past three months have trended 7.8-8.0-8.2, inching closer to the JUNE '14 high watermark of 8.6.
Similarly, 18-34 shares have climbed steadily (9.0-9.3-9.4) in the last three months, but will need to keep growing in order to match the impressive double-digit (10.6) figures reached in JUNE of '14. Ditto persons 25-54, where Country has risen 7.6-7.8-8.1 between APRIL and JUNE of this year, just a few clicks off its 8.4 share from JUNE '14.
Country trails Top 40 in both the 18-34 (12.7-9.4) and 25-54 year-old demos (9.2-8.1), but certainly has room to continue growing. With just over two months officially remaining in SUMMER - traditionally this format's busiest concert season – there will be many more opportunities for radio to align itself promotionally with artists,Music, festivals and fairs. Read NIESLEN's full JUNE analysis here.