RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, April 2025, Part I

May 19, 2025

Welcome to the APRIL survey. That glorious month of… well, unpredictability. Just when you think you can finally pack away those bulky winter coats and embrace the gentle caress of spring, April swoops in with a mischievous grin and a bipolar weather forecast. One day it’s sunshine and daisies, the next it’s a surprise hailstorm, just to keep you on your toes. Because who needs consistency, right?

Except, of course, when it comes to ratings. And that’s where we enter the chat. The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – in a close order formation with the masters of the algorithm from XTRENDS – bring you another action splattered edition of the ratings wars.

This book ran from APRIL 3^RD through the 30^TH and featured Passover, Easter Sunday, and National Zipper Day—for those of you that celebrate. Here’s what happened:

NEW YORK: Status Meet Quo

The top five 6+ stations were unchanged from last with one addition. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) was in its usual #1 position (8.0-7.8), while AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) was back at #2 with its highest reported number in over a year (5.9-6.0). It also gained a 1.0 share from the digital realm. SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) repeated at #3 (5.7-5.5). It was also granted some cyber share to the tune of a 0.8 addition. AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS remained at #4 (5.4-5.3), while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) held steady at #5 (5.0-5.1). However, it was not alone as MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS moved up to claim its share of fifth place (4.9-5.1). WLTW was still in cume control despite a 2.3% decline (3,717,600-3,631,600). The market was down 0.4%. Market PUMM shrank 1.6% from MARCH but grew 2.6% from 2024.

WSKQ was not only #1 25-54 for the third straight survey the station landed its largest share in over a year. WLTW was still at #2 with a small share increase but was joined in that space by WHTZ, which after two flat books in a row had its first up survey since AUGUST. A flat WBLS rose two places to #4, while AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7) was back at #5 with a down book. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WKTU (103.5 KTU) slipped to #6 and was tied with WCBS. Market PUMM was off 4.0% from last month but up 2.9% from a year ago.

WLTW kept its long running #1 slash double-digit 18-34 streak alive with its best Frosty-free share since OCTOBER. WSKQ was back at #2 with its first down book since DECEMBER and was paired with a flat WHTZ, which advanced from #5. WKTU repeated at #4 as it halted a three-book surge. WCBS fell three places to #5 with its smallest share since the place was lousy with leaping lords. Market PUMM rose 0.2% from the previous book but dropped 13.1% from last year.

WLTW extended its 18-49 winning string to nine with a strong share increase. WSKQ remained at #2 with a slight decrease, while WHTZ repeated at #3 with a small share gain. MEDIACO Rhythmic CHR WQHT (HOT 97) jumped from #7 to #4 with its best showing in over a year. WKTU dipped to #5 with its smallest share since SEPTEMBER and was tied with WCBS. Market PUMM was off 2.3% from MARCH and 8.5% from 2024.

LOS ANGELES: A Six Pack

For the sixth straight survey iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST was #1 6+ (6.3-5.9). Nipping at its heels was AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101FM) which repeated at #2 (5.8-5.6). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MY FM) was back at #3 though it ended a three-book surge (5.3-4.8). It was tied with AUDACY News KNX which stepped up from #4 (4.7-4.8). TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5) was up to #5 (4.2-4.5), while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) slipped into a three-way tie at #6 (4.3-4.2). Joining that triumvirate was SBS Mexican Regional KLAX (LA RAZA 97.9)(3.9-4.2) and iHEARTMEDIA N/T KFI (4.0-4.2). KOST still had the most listeners (2,458,900-2,349,800) – a 4.4% decline. The market was up 1.1%. Market PUMM was down 1.7% from MARCH but rose 12.1% from 2024.

The top three 25-54 stations were each separated by the slimmest of margins. A, ahem, flat KRTH was up to #1 for the first time since AUGUST, while KBIG stood alone at #2 with a slight increase. KIIS inched up to #3, also with a slight increase. KOST went from first to fourth with its smallest share since NOVEMBER. KLAX was back at #5 with a small increase, while KLVE remained at #6. MERUELO Classic Rock KLOS rose from #10 to #7 with its best book in over a year. Market PUMM was down 2.2% from last month but rose 4.0% from a year ago.

The 18-34 race was also very tight as the top three stations were within a half share of each other. KRTH and KIIS were back at #1 and #2, respectively, as both stations experienced down books. KOST narrowed the gap from its #3 position with its best Frosty-free share in over a year. KLOS repeated at #4 with a solid increase, while SBS Spanish Contemporary KXOL (MEGA 96.3) remained at #5. Market PUMM was up 0.6% on a monthly basis and 0.7% from last year.

KRTH experienced a slight decrease, while KIIS experienced a slight increase which evened out the stations as they moved up to be co-leaders in the 18-49 space. KBIG moved up to #3, while KOST slid to #4 with its lowest mark since NOVEMBER. KLVE stood alone at #5, while its former partner – TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KSCA (LA NUEVA 101.9) – slid to #7. Market PUMM was down 2.8% from MARCH but grew 5.4% when compared with 2024.

CHICAGO: The Incredible Lite-ness Of Being

iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) rose to #1 6+ with its third up book in a row and highest Frosty-free share since JULY (5.2-5.7). HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE) stepped up to #2 with its best performance since DECEMBER (5.1-5.3). AUDACY News WBBM-A slipped to #3 with its smallest share in over a year (6.1-4.8). The station did add a 1.0 share from the interwebs. iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) and HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX) were last seen at #7. Both stations had up books as WVAZ was up to #4 (4.3-4.5), while WTMX arrived at #5 (4.3-4.4). AUDACY Country WUSN (US99) slipped to #6 (4.7-4.3), while AUDACY AAA WXRT fell to #7 (4.5-4.2). It was paired with CUMULUS Classic Hits WLS-F which moved up from #9 (4.0-4.2). WLIT added 12.8% to its already market leading cume total (1,310,600-1,477,800). The market was up 1.2%. Market PUMM grew 1.8% from MARCH and 15.8% from 2024.

There was a lot of movement in the 25-54 ranks but one thing did not change. WTMX was #1 for the fourth straight survey. It held a share and a half lead over the three stations that settled in at #2. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) stepped up from #3 with a slight decrease. It was joined by CUMULUS Alternative WKQX (Q101) and iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI which were previously found at #4. WUSN slid from #2 to #5 as it surrendered most of last month’s rather large increase. It was partnered with WLIT, which turned it up from #11 with a strong share gain. Market PUMM was off 0.9% from last month but grew by 6.3% when compared to last year.

WLIT moved up to #1 18-34 as it bounced back from a down book. WKSC dipped to #2 and was about a share behind the leader. WDRV leapt from #10 to #3 with its best book since JULY. WTMX moved from #6 to #4 with a slight decrease, while WKQX moved from #7 to #4 with a small increase. WLS-F, WUSN and TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1) were last seen at #3. WLS-F and WUSN fell in tandem to #6, while WOJO ended up at #8. Market PUMM was up 2.7% from the previous survey but down 0.3% from a year ago.

WTMX was #1 18-49 for the third book in a row with a slight decrease. WGCI rose from #5 to #2 as it halted a three-book slide. WLIT advanced from #6 to #3 with its best Frosty-free outing since JULY. WKQX was back at #4 with a small decrease. It was tied with WKSC which slid from a tie at #2. WUSN was also last spotted at #2. It dropped to #6 as it gave back most of last month’s solid increase. Market PUMM was up 1.9% on a monthly basis and 6.4% from 2024.

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DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Win, Place And Show

Once cluster completed the 6+ medal sweep. CUMULUS Sports KTCK (THE TICKET 96.7FM/1310AM) was back at #1as it ended a two-book slide (5.2-5.7). CUMULUS Country KSCS (New Country 96.3) rose from #5 to #2 with its best book since DECEMBER (4.9-5.4). CUMULUS Country KPLX (99.5 THE WOLF) slipped to #3 as it returned some of last month’s massive increase (6.0-5.1). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) dipped to #4 ending a three-book heater (5.1-4.8). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) moved up to #5 (4.4-4.6), while AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) fell to #6 with its first down book since FEBRUARY (5.1-4.4). iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1) remained the cume leader with a 1.0% increase (1,259,300-1,271,700). The market was up 0.4%. Market PUMM grew 9.4% from MARCH and 14.3% from 2024.

A flat KTCK was #1 25-54 for the fourth book in a row. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) was back at #2 with a slight increase and was about a half share off the lead. AUDACY Mexican Regional KMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5) landed its largest share in over a year as it advanced from #9 to #3. KSCS repeated at #4 with a slight decrease, while AUDACY Alternative KVIL (ALT 103.7) jumped from #8 to #5 as it rebounded from a down book. KDMX dipped to #6, while KPLX fell from #2 to #7 as it returned all of last month’s solid increase. Market PUMM rose 7.0% from last month and 12.8% from a year ago.

Though it was unable to duplicate last month’s double-digit 18-34 share KHKS was still #1. KSCS and KDMX remained tied at #2 with identical share losses. They were better than three shares off the lead. KLNO was back at #4 as it regained a small portion of last survey’s huge share loss. EMF Contemporary Christian KYDA (AIR1) rose from #11 to #5 as it bounced back from a down book. KJKK advanced from #13 to #6 with its best showing since JULY. AUDACY Classic Hits KSPF (98.7 THE SPOT) slid three places to #7 with a small share loss. Market PUMM was up 14.7% from the last book and 12.2% from last year.

KHKS was #1 18-49 for the second book in a row. KTCK advanced from #7 to #2 as it rebounded from a down book. The stations were about a half share apart. KLNO dipped from #2 to #3, KDMX stepped down to #4 and KSCS slipped to #5. All three stations had slight decreases. KDGE fell from #5 to #9 with its lowest total since AUGUST. Market PUMM gained 11.2% from MARCH and 14.5% from a year ago.

SAN FRANCISCO:  The Song Remains The Same

Or in this case, the spoken word continues to rule. KQED INC. N/T KQED was #1 6+ for the fourth book in a row (10.5-10.6). AUDACY News KCBS (ALL NEWS 106.9FM/740AM) was back at #2 but with its lowest total since DECEMBER (6.5-6.3). Bonneville AC KOIT remained at #3 (5.6-5.6), while iHEARTMEDIA AC KISQ (98.1 THE BREEZE) moved up to #4 with its fourth up book in a row (4.4-4.5). BONNEVILLE Pop CHR KMVQ (99.7 NOW) stepped up to #5 (4.0-4.1). USC Classical KDFC (Classical California) slipped to #6 with its lowest score since AUGUST (5.0-4.0). Despite a 5.5% drop KOIT remained the cume leader (1,120,200-1,059,100). The market was flat. Market PUMM was down 1.7% from MARCH but up 19.6% from 2024.

A flat KQED repeated as the 25-54 leader. KOIT was back at #2 but with its fourth down book in a row. KMVQ repeated at #3 with a small decrease. It was paired with KISQ which rose from #8 with its best showing since AUGUST. BONNEVILLE Urban AC KBLX advanced from #12 to #5 with its highest mark in over a year. AUDACY Hot AC KLLC (ALICE @ 97.3) dropped three slots to #7 as it gave back all of last month’s solid increase. Market PUMM was off 1.2% from last month but gained 12.5% when compared to a year ago.

KOIT was off slightly 18-34 but remained #1 for the third straight survey. However, it was forced to share as KMVQ moved up from #3 to claim its share of the lead as it halted a four-book skid. KQED and iHEARTMEDIA AC KIOI (STAR 101.3) were last seen at #7. KQED rose to #3 with its best outing in over a year, while KIOI advanced to #4 with its fourth up book in a row. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KMEL slipped from #2 into a tie at #5 with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KYLD (WiLD 94.9). KISQ dropped from a tie at #5 to #7, while SBS Mexican Regional KRZZ (LA RAZA 93.3) fell six places to #9 with its lowest mark since SEPTEMBER. Market PUMM declined by 1.0% from last month but was up 3.2% from a year ago.

The top three 18-49 stations were the same as we last saw them. KQED was #1 with a slight decrease, while KOIT was #2 with a small share loss. KMVQ repeated at #3 with a small increase. KISQ vaulted from #7 to #4 with its best book since SEPTEMBER. A flat AUDACY Alternative KITS (LIVE 105) slipped to #5, while KIOI stepped down to #6. Market PUMM dropped 2.4% from the previous book but rose 4.9% from last year.

Thank you for slogging through the numbers with us. We’re putting things together for round two which will feature the zany antics of HOUSTON, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON D.C., PHILADELPHIA,   and BOSTON in that order.

If you’re a first-time caller but long-time listener, be sure to sign up for this here missive. And feel free to pass it along to others in your chat group.

-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant

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About Research Director, Inc.: Research Director, Inc. is based in Annapolis, Maryland. We help radio stations’ programming and sales departments maximize the value of their research. For more information, visit www.ResearchDirectorInc.com, call 410-295-6619, or e-mail info@ResearchDirectorInc.com or sallan@ResearchDirectorInc.com.

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