Internet listening remained essentially flat in December over November, according to data released by Triton Digital in its Webcast Metrics Top 20 Ranker. Top-line listening growth represents a fractional percent gain from the previous month, barely nudging total listening into new-high territory. In November, Internet listening reached a new high for the second consecutive 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 2,227,344 for domestic listening.
Within the ranking, the best nominal month-over-month success belonged to market leader Pandora, which led the top-20 field by gaining over 17,000 average active sessions. In percentage terms the monthly top-gainer was Idobi, which grew active sessions by 32 percent. The largest monthly drop-off is attributed to Cumulus, whose November metrics tracked at 84% of November. Cumulus suffered the largest percentage slip in the October-November view also, when it dropped from 4th place to 5th in the Triton Ranker. It held that ranking in December.
The top five terrestrial broadcasters, viewed as a group, lost Internet listenership for the second straight month.
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 December against a two-month terrestrial downtrend.
Year-over-year, Triton shows 13% growth in cumulative listening over December, 2013, based on Average Active Sessions. In this longer time frame, Pandora grew its number by 13%, or over 201,000 sessions. The percentage growth leader in this view was NPR, which grew its sessions by 75%. Univision and Townsquare also showed vigorous year-over-year growth of 65% and 59% respectively.
The following chart illustrates cumulative year-over-year listening growth, with the top five market leaders called out.
