Internet listening set new record in November; Pandora widened market lead

For the second consecutive month Internet listening reached an all-time high in November, according to data released by Triton Digital in its Webcast Metrics Top 20 Ranker. Top-line listening growth represents a slim 1% percent gain from the previous month. The key metric is Average Active Sessions, measured in a 6:00am – 12:00am day, Monday through Sunday. The cumulative number of AAS was 2,222,748 for domestic listening.

Within the ranking, the best nominal month-over-month success belonged to market leader Pandora, which dramatically led the top-20 field by gaining over 63,000 average active sessions. In percentage terms the monthly top-gainer was Townsquare Media, which grew active sessions by 24 percent. (Townsquare had strong gains in October, too.) The largest monthly drop-off is attributed to Cumulus, whose November metrics tracked at 82% of October.

After Pandora, the top five market leaders all lost monthly listenership in November.

The long-term historical trend of the top five leaders (see chart below) shows Pandora’s dramatic climb over the past four years, and its increasing dominance in November against a general monthly downtrend.

Triton historical November 2013 640w

Year-over-year, we see 18% growth in cumulative listening over November, 2012, based on Average Active Sessions. In this longer timeframe, Pandora grew its number by 21%, or over 297,000 sessions. The percentage growth leader in this view was NPR, which grew its sessions by 59%. Townsquare also showed vigorous year-over-year growth of 47%.

The following chart illustrates cumulative year-over-year listening growth, with the top five market leaders called out.

Triton YoY November 2013 640w

We notice a growth leadership group for the Sep.-Nov. reporting period, encompassing three Triton Rankers. Just three publishers established month-over-month-over-month gains: Pandora (10% total growth over the period), New York Public Radio (26%), and Townsquare Media (39%). The chart below illustrates the three-month positions of this cohort.

Triton 3-month growth leaders November 2013

Here is the Top 20 domestic list from Triton Digital, organized by Average Active Sessions, domestic streams from 6:00am to midnight Monday through Sunday:

Triton November 2013 Domestic Ranker sheet

Brad Hill