RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, May 2025, Part I

June 16, 2025

Ah, MAY—the month that can’t decide whether it wants to be spring or summer. It’s the time when allergies wage war with your sinuses, and the promise of warmer weather is just enough to lure you outside, only for you to realize you’re woefully unprepared for the sudden downpour. Somehow, MAY manages to be both charming and infuriating, like a radio host that talks over your favorite song.

This was also the rare month when the calendar matched NIELSEN’s approximations as the survey ran from MAY 1^ST through the 28^TH. We all saluted Mom and there was a three-day federal holiday contained within the 28 day sweep.

The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – in close cooperation with our cohorts at XTRENDS – present, for your dining and dancing pleasure – MAY.

NEW YORK: The Second Place Scramble

As per usual, iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) was the leading 6+ station, by a wide margin (7.8-8.0). Then there were five – count ‘em – five stations within a share of second place. AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) held steady (6.0-5.8), while SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) stepped up to claim its share of the #2 spot with its best book in over a year (5.5-5.8). Both stations also reaped a 0.6 share from their respective digital assets. AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS was back at #4 (5.3-5.6) and it was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100), which stepped up from a tie at #5 (5.1-5.6). MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS dipped to #6 (5.1-5.0). WLTW maintained cume control with a 4.9% increase (3,631,600-3,808,600), while the market rose by 0.7%. Market PUMM was up 0.5% from APRIL and 0.6% from 2024.

After taking the last three books off, WLTW was back at #1 25-54 with its best Frosty-free share in over a year. This ended the three-survey winning streak for WSKQ, which dipped to #2 despite posting its best number in over a year. WHTZ had its best outing since NOVEMBER as it stepped down to #3. There was a wide gap between that trio and WCBS, which was up to #4 with a slight increase. WBLS moved down to #5 with a small decrease. AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7) slid to #7 with its smallest share in over a year. It was partnered with WINS and iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WWPR (POWER 105.1). Market PUMM grew 3.5% from last month and 1.0% from a year ago.

Big changes were afoot in the 18-34 arena. WLTW extended its long running winning string but finally fell out of double figures for the first time in over a year. The station shed close to half its previous share. WSKQ was back at #2 with, again, its best showing in over a year. It trailed the leader by the smallest of measurable margins. WCBS rebounded from a down book as it rose two places to #3. WHTZ slipped two slots to #4 despite a small increase. WNEW stepped up to #5 with its highest mark since NOVEMBER. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WKTU (103.5 KTU) fell from #4 to #8 and was tied with WWPR and iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3). Market PUMM was off 4.7% from the previous survey and 15.6% from last year.

And just like that there was a new 18-49 champion. WSKQ moved up to #1 with, naturally, its highest score in over a year. This snapped the nine-book heater for WLTW, which moved down to #2 with its least productive outing in over a year. The stations were separated by a full share. WHTZ repeated at #3 with a slight decrease, while MEDIACO Rhythmic CHR WQHT (HOT 97FM) remained at #4 with its fourth up book in a row. WCBS was back at #5 but was forced to share the moment with WWPR, which advanced from #8 as it ended a two-book skid. WKTU fell from #5 to #8. Market PUMM was down 0.5% from APRIL and 11.9% from last year.

LOS ANGELES: Sharing Is Caring

Maybe not in the dog-eat-dog world of radio ratings. iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST was #1 6+ for the seventh straight survey (5.9-5.9). However, it was not alone as AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101) forged the tie thanks to its best showing since SEPTEMBER (5.6-5.9). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MY FM) repeated at #3 (4.8-4.7), while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) moved up two slots to #4 (4.2-4.5). iHEARTMEDIA News KNX dipped to #4 (4.8-4.5). It did pick up a 0.4 share from the interwebs. TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5) stepped down to #6 (4.5-4.2). KOST kept cume control despite a 0.3% decline (2,349,800-2,342,800). The market was down 0.6%. Market PUMM was up 1.3% from APRIL and 9.1% from 2024.

KRTH made it back-to-back 25-54 wins and landed its largest share in over a year. KBIG was back at #2 with a slight increase and was a half-share off the lead. KIIS remained at #3 with a slight decrease. MEURELO Classic Rock KLOS posted its best number in over a year as it rose from #7 to #4. KOST dipped to #5 with a slight decrease, while SBS Mexican Regional KLAX (LA RAZA 97.9) slid to #7 as it ended a three-book surge. Market PUMM was up 4.3% from last month and 3.7% from a year ago.

Say hello to your new 18-34 leader. KLOS vaulted from #4 to #1 with its best outing in over a year. Consider that a year ago the station was #14 with less than half its current share. KIIS repeated at #2 with a small increase. KRTH slipped to #3 as its two-book reign came to a close. KOST moved down to #4, while SBS Spanish Contemporary KXOL (MEGA 96.3FM) held firm at #5 but with its highest mark in over a year. It narrowly defeated KBIG, which repeated at #6 with a solid increase. Market PUMM was up 2.0% from the previous survey but off 3.5% from last year.

Last month KRTH and KIIS were the 18-49 co-leaders. Both stations had up books but KRTH’s was a bit better as it remained at #1, while KIIS dipped to #2. KBIG was close behind as it repeated at #3, while a flat KOST was back at #4. KLOS advanced from #8 to #5 with a small increase, while KLVE slid from #5 to #8 with a modest share loss. Market PUMM was up 2.1% from APRIL and 4.2% from 2024.

CHICAGO: Feeling Compressed

The top five 6+ stations were all within a share of first place. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) was back at #1(5.7-5.4), while HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE) was still idling at #2 (5.3-5.3). AUDACY News WBBM-A remained at #3 (4.8-4.8) but was granted a 0.8 share from the digital realm. AUDACY Country WUSN (US 99) moved up two spots to #4 (4.3-4.6), while AUDACY AAA WXRT (93XRT) moved from #7 to #5 (4.2-4.4). iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) slipped to #6 (4.5-4.3) and was joined by HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX), which dipped from #5 (4.4-4.3). Despite a 1.0% decline WLIT still had the most listeners (1,477,800-1,463,200). The market was up 1.6%. Market PUMM rose 3.3% from APRIL and 11.7% from 2024.

Despite landing its first down book since DECEMBER, WTMX was #1 25-54 for the fifth straight survey. Last month three stations were massed together at #2. Only one remained this time and it was CUMULUS Alternative WKQX (Q101), which was up for the sixth book in a row. It narrowly edged iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI, which dipped to #3 despite a slight increase. WLIT stepped up to #4, also with a slight share gain. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) slid three places to #5 with a slight decrease and was tied with a flat WUSN. Market PUMM grew 5.2% from last month and 8.7% from a year ago.

WLIT had a modest 18-34 share loss but comfortably won the demo for the second book in a row. WKSC remained at #2 with a slight decrease but was forced to share with TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1), which advanced from #8 with its highest score in exactly a year. WDRV stepped down to #4, while WTMX dipped to #5. WKQX fell from a tie at #4 to #10. Market PUMM was down 0.7% from the previous survey and 13.6% from a year ago.

WTMX was #1 18-49 for the fourth straight survey despite experiencing a down book. WLIT stepped up to #2 with a slight increase, which pushed a flat WGCI to #3. WKQX stood alone at #4, while its former partner WKSC dipped to #5. It WKSC had a new roommate in WOJO, which moved up from #7. Market PUMM was up 3.9% from APRIL and 5.2% from 2024.

Shameless plug: You know what is one of the best reasons to work with RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.? We save you time. Sure, our reports help you get the most of your NIELSEN investment. But we really, really save you a lot of time when it comes to this stuff. We’d love to show you how all that works.

DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Ticket To Ride

For the fourth time in the last five surveys CUMULUS Sports KTCK (THE TICKET 96.7FM/1310AM) was #1 6+ (5.7-5.9). That’s a pretty solid batting average. However, it was hearing footsteps from CUMULUS Country KSCS (NEW COUNTRY 96.3), which was back at #2 but with its best performance in over a year (5.4-5.7). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) inched up to #3 (4.8-4.9), while CUMULUS Country KPLX (99.5 THE WOLF) dipped to #4 (5.1-4.8). AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) stepped up to #5 (4.4-4.5). Keep an eye on AUDACY Mexican Regional KMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5). It rose from #12 to #6 with its best book in over a year (3.6-4.4). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) slid from #5 to #9 (4.6-4.1). iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1) remained the cume leader (1,271,700 -1,268,400) – a 0.3% decrease. The market was up 0.3%. Market PUMM grew 0.5% from APRIL and 14.0% from 2024.

The 25-54 contest was in a state of flux except for the top of the chart. KTCK was #1 for the fifth straight survey. KMVK stepped up to #2 with a small increase and was about a half share off the lead. AUDACY Alternative KVIL (ALT 103.7) rose from #5 to #3 with a small increase. Three stations were in a confab at #4. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) slid from #2 with its lowest total since we were assaulted by the incessant drumming of the drums. KPLX moved up from #7, while KHKS advanced from #8. Both stations had solid increases. KSCS slipped from #4 to #7 by just missed that fourth place tie by the slimmest of margins. Market PUMM was up 1.2% from last month and 13.2% from a year ago.

There was a lot going on in the 18-34 space. A flat KHKS was #1 for the third book in a row and led by better than three shares. KTCK-A leapt from a tie at #11 to #2 with its best outing in over a year. It was joined there by URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBFB (97.9 THE BEAT), which rose from #13 with its highest score since AUGUST. KLNO repeated at #4 and was paired with TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KDXX (107.9 & 107.1 LATINO MIX), which was last seen at #9. KDGE moved from a tie at #11 to #6. KDMX fell from a tie at #2 into one at #7 with KVIL. KSCS was also previously tied at #2. It fell to #9 and was paired with KJKK. Market PUMM grew 1.8% from the previous survey and 9.0% from last year.

KHKS was #1 18-49 for the third book in a row and held a half-share lead over KTCK, which repeated at #2. Both stations had up books. KMVK rose three places to #3, while two stations advanced into a tie at #4. KVIL was up from #7 with a slight increase, while KDGE arrived from #9 as it rebounded from a down book. KDMX slid from #4 to #7. KLNO and KSCS were last ranked #3 and #5, respectively. Both stations had down books as they dropped into a tie at #8. Market PUMM was up 0.6% from APRIL and 14.1% from 2024.

SAN FRANCISCO: Quite Easily Done

For the fifth book in a row the top two 6+ stations do not have to worry about BMI payments. KQED INC. N/T KQED was #1 but could not extend its two-book double digit streak (10.6-9.6). AUDACY News KCBS-A  was still #2 as it stopped a two-book skid (6.3-7.2). BONNEVILLE AC KOIT remained the leading music station (5.6-5.5), while USC Classical KDFC (CLASSICAL CALIFORNIA) moved up to #4 (4.0-4.3). iHEARTMEDIA Soft AC KISQ (98.1 THE BREEZE) wafted down to #5 (4.5-3.8) and was paired with the stationary BONNEVILLE Pop CHR KMVQ (99.7 NOW) (4.1-3.8). KOIT was still #1 in cume (1,059,100-1,080,400) – a 2.0% increase. The market was down 1.2%. Market PUMM grew 0.2% from APRIL and 18.1% from 2024.

Despite a down book KQED was #1 25-54 for the third straight survey. It had a nearly two-share lead over a trio of stations at #2. KOIT remained in place but with its smallest share in over a year. KMVQ stepped up from #3 with a slight decrease, while AUDACY Alternative KITS (LIVE 105) advanced from #6 with a small increase. A flat AUDACY Hot AC KLLC (ALICE @ 97.3) moved up to #5, while KISQ fell from a tie at #3 to #8. It was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KYLD (WiLD 94.9). BONNEVILLE Urban AC KBLX dropped from #5 to #10 as it returned most of last month’s large share increase. It was tied with TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KSOL (QUÉ BUENA 98.9 & 99.1). Market PUMM was up 0.3% from last month and 6.6% from a year ago.

Last month KOIT and KMVQ were tied at #1 18-34. KOIT remained there with a slight decrease, while KMVQ slipped to #3. Also claiming a share of the lead this month was iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KMEL, which vaulted from #5 as it got back almost all of last month’s huge share loss. KISQ was up three places to #4 as it also bounced back from a down book. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KOSF (CLASSIC HITS 103.7) rose from #11 to #5 with a rather large share increase. KQED slid from #3 to #6 as it returned all of last month’s share gain, plus a bit extra. It was paired with KYLD, which dipped from #5 with a slight decrease. iHEARTMEDIA AC KIOI (STAR 101.3) slid from #4 to #8 with its smallest share since JANUARY. It was tied with KITS. Market PUMM was down 0.8% from the previous survey and 4.3% from last year.

KQED was the 18-49 leader for the third straight survey despite a down book. KITS leapt from #5 to #2 with a small increase and was about a half share off the pace. KOIT dipped to #3 with its lowest score since NOVEMBER. KMVQ stepped down to #4 with a small decrease, while KISQ was down to #5. It was tied with KMEL, which moved up from #9. Market PUMM was up 3.8% from APRIL and 4.1% from 2024.

We appreciate your attention to this matter. We are gathering our forces or girding our loins as we prepare round two. It will spotlight 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

About XTrends: XTrends is radio’s favorite tool for reviewing ratings. Click here to see why all of radio’s major groups love XTrends!

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.

• Tweet