Nielsen: Christmas Music Format Gained Strength

While AC stations typically lead the ratings pack when it comes to Christmas music, 2014 was a standout year for holiday programming among several leading formats across the nation, according to Nielsen.

After two consecutive years of declining listener shares in the holiday book, AC reversed course in 2014 by posting higher shares among audiences 6 and older (12.7% up from 12.1 in 2013), 18-34 (10.4%) and 25-54 (12.0%).

This was enough to rank the format No. 1 across the PPM markets in the holiday book for 6+ and 25-54 listeners, and second behind only Pop Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) in the 18-34 demographic.

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