RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, June 2025, Part I

July 14, 2025

Once again, JUNE is busting out all over. And the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – with a healthy assist from the data gatherers from XTRENDS – are here to clean up the mess. This latest 28-day spree was marked by graduations, summer vacations, a salute to dear old Dad and some of the longest days of the year.

The question is – as more potential radio listeners take to the highways and byways, will we see an increase in tune-ins, occasions, durations, and PUMM? Let’s find out.

This survey ran from MAY 29^TH through JUNE 25^TH and sounded something like this:

NEW YORK: Low Lite

iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) landed its lowest 6+ share since JULY (8.0-7.5) but was still the market leader. SB Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) stood alone in second place with its best outing in over a year (5.8-6.2). It also pulled in a 0.9 share from the web. AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) dipped to #3 (5.8-6.1) but added a 0.4 share from the digital realm. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) was in fourth place by its lonesome with its first down book since they were naming streets after mythical figures (5.6-5.4). AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS stepped down to #5 (5.6-5.3). WLTW continued to have the most listeners (3,808,600-3,781,900) – a 0.7% decrease. The market was up 1.0%. Market PUMM was basically flat from MAY and up 4.0% from 2024.

Despite a small loss of shares, WLTW was back as the leading 25-54 station. However, it had to share the spot, uh, light, with WSKQ, which moved up to claim its share of the top prize just by being flat. This was the fourth time in the last five surveys that WSKQ was #1. Close behind at #3 was WHTZ, which had a slight increase. This trio led the rest of the field by more than three shares. WCBS was back at #4 with a slight decrease. MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS repeated at #5 but had company as AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7) rebounded from a down book as it rose from #7. Market PUMM was up 2.2% from last month and 7.8% from a year ago.

WCBS was in the right place at the right time. The station jumped from #3 to #1 18-34 with only a slight increase. WLTW moved down to #2 with its smallest share in over a year. Over the last two books the station has shed half its share. It was paired with WNEW, which advanced from #5 with its best showing since NOVEMBER. WSKQ slipped from #2 to #4 as it returned most of last month’s large share increase. WHTZ dipped to #5 with its lowest total since the bells were ringing the sad, sad news. Market PUMM was off 1.8% from the previous survey and 11.8% from last year.

The 18-49 contest got a bit tighter this month. WSKQ was back at #1 but with a small share loss while WHTZ stepped up to #2 with its highest mark since SEPTEMBER. The stations were separated by the slimmest of possible margins. WLTW moved down to #3 with its lowest score in over a year. MEDIACO Rhythmic CHR WQHT (HOT 97) remained at #4 with a small decrease, while WCBS was alone at #5 with a slight increase. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WWPR (POWER 105.1) slid from a tie at #5 to #8 with a small share loss. Market PUMM was up 2.8% from MAY but off 4.1% from 2024.

LOS ANGELES: The Lonely Planet

Last month AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101FM) and iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST were the 6+ co-leaders. This time KRTH stood atop the market with its best book since AUGUST (5.9-6.6). KOST dipped to #2 with its smallest share since NOVEMBER (5.9-5.6). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) moved up to #3 (4.5-4.7), while three stations settled in at #4. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MY FM) stepped down from #3 (4.7-4.5), while AUDACY News KNX remained in place (4.5-4.5). KNX added a 0.4 share from the stream. AUDACY Urban AC KTWV (94.7 THE WAVE) flowed from a tie at #8 to complete the #4 trio thanks to its best showing since JULY (4.0-4.5). KOST remained in cume control despite a 2.7% decline (2,342,800-2,279,300). The market was off 0.6%. Market PUMM was down 2.8% from MAY but up 9.5% from 2024.

A flat KRTH defied the conspiracy theory and remained #1 25-54 for the third book in a row. An equally flat KIIS moved up to #2. The stations were separated by just under a share. MEURELO Classic Rock KLOS stepped up to #3 with its third up book in a row. KBIG slipped to #4 with its smallest share since JANUARY. KOST repeated at #5 with a slight increase. Not far behind was AUDACY Alternative KROQ, which rose from #9 with its best outing in over a year. Market PUMM was down 4.4% from last month but grew by 4.3% over the previous year.

KIIS was granted a massive 18-34 share increase – its best book since OCTOBER – as it stepped up to #1. KRTH moved up to #2 with a solid share gain but trailed the leader by nearly a share and a half. KOST stepped up to #3 as it rebounded from a down book. KLOS went from first to fourth as it returned all of last month’s huge increase – plus a little extra. KBIG inched up to #5 with a slight decrease. SBS Spanish Contemporary KXOL (MEGA 96.3) slipped from #5 into a tie at #7 with KTWV. Market PUMM was down 8.7% from the previous survey and 8.4% from a year ago.

KRTH made it three 18-49 wins in a row but was forced to share that accolade as KIIS moved up a slot to claim its share of the lead. KOST was up to #3 with a slight increase, while KBIG dipped to #4 with a small share loss. KLOS was back at a distant #5 with a slight decrease. Market PUMM fell 5.9% from MAY but rose 3.7% from 2024.

CHICAGO: Drive Time

HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE) motored from #2 to #1 6+ with its most horsepower since NOVEMBER (5.3-5.8). AUDACY Country WUSN (US99) leapt from #4 to #2 with its largest share in exactly a year (4.6-5.0). iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) ended its two-book winning streak as it slipped to #3 with its lowest score since JANUARY (5.4-4.8). CUMULUS Classic Hits WLS-F advanced from #8 to #4 with its best performance in over a year (3.9-4.7). AUDACY News WBBM-A slipped to #5 (4.8-4.5). It did pick up a 0.7 share from the interwebs. Also coming in at #5 was HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX), which moved up a slot (4.3-4.5). AUDACY AAA WXRT (93XRT) dropped to #7 (4.4-4.3). WLIT remained the cume leader (1,463,200-1,375,000) – a 6.0% decline. The market was down 0.7%. Market PUMM was off 1.3% from MAY but grew by 14.1% when compared with 2024.

WTMX was #1 25-54 for the sixth straight survey. However, it was feeling pressure from iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM), which rose from a tie at #5 to #2 with its best book in over a year. WUSN was also last seen at #5. It moved up to #3 with a solid share increase. CUMULUS Alternative WKQX (Q101) slipped to #4 with a slight decrease. WDRV produced its best number in over a year as it raced from #13 to #5. WLIT slipped into a tie at #6 with WLS-F. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI landed its smallest share since NOVEMBER as it fell from #3 to #8. Market PUMM was down 4.2% from last month but up 9.6% from a year ago.

After taking the last two books off WKSC was back at #1 18-34 with its best showing in over a year. WLIT dropped down to #2 and was two shares off the pace. WDRV moved up to #3 with a slight increase. WLS-F rose to #4 with its highest mark since JANUARY. It was partnered with iHEARTMEDIA Mainstream Rock WCHI (ROCK 95.5), which advanced from #9 with its largest share in over a year. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1) fell four places to #6 as it surrendered most of last month’s large share increase. WTMX slipped from #5 to #7. Market PUMM was up 10.0% from the previous survey and 6.1% from last year.

WKSC ended a four-book slide as it vaulted from #5 to #1 18-49. This ended the four-book string of #1’s for WTMX as it stepped down to #2. The stations were about a half share apart. WLIT dipped to #3, while three stations were languishing at #4. WKQX remained in place with a slight decrease, while WUSN moved up from #7 with a small increase. WLS-F joined the party from #8 with its third up book in a row. WGCI fell from #3 to #7. WOJO dropped from #5 to #10 and was tied with WXRT. Market PUMM was down 1.2% from MAY but up 10.4% from 2024.

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DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Win, Place, & Show

The top three 6+ spots were in the hands of a single cluster. CUMULUS Country KPLX (99.5 THE WOLF) became the apex predator as it moved from #4 to #1 with its best book in over a year (4.8-5.3). This ended the two-book winning streak for CUMULUS Sports KTCK (THE TICKET 96.7FM/1310AM) which moved down to #2 with its smallest share since SEPTEMBER (5.9-5.1). CUMULUS Country KSCS (New Country 96.3) dipped to #3 as it ended a strong four-book surge (5.7-5.0). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) rose from #9 to #4 as it bounced back from a down book (4.1-4.5). AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) repeated at #5 (4.5-4.4), while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) fell from #3 to #9 with its least productive outing since AUGUST (4.9-3.9). iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1) held the cume lead despite a 12% drop (1,268,400-1,116,600). The market was down 2.1%. Market PUMM fell 7.8% from MAY but was up 17.4% from 2024.

KPLX’s good fortune continued 25-54 as the station jumped from a tie at #4 to #1 with, again, its best book in over a year. This halted the five-book winning streak for KTCK which dipped to #2. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) stepped up to #3 as it regained some of last month’s lost share. KDMX flew from #9 to #4, while two stations arrived at #5. AUDACY Alternative KVIL (ALT 103.7) slipped from #3, while a flat KSCS moved up from #7. KHKS fell from #4 to #10 with its smallest share since OCTOBER. AUDACY Mexican Regional KMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5) dropped from #2 to #11 with its lowest mark since JULY. Market PUMM was down 9.0% from last month but grew 15.7% when compared with last year.

The previous two demos have been relatively unkind to KHKS, but the station was #1 18-34 for the fourth straight survey. However, it was feeling the heat from KLNO which moved up two slots to #2 and was less than a half share behind the leader. KSCS leapt from #9 to #3 as it bounced back from a down book. It was paired with TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KDXX (LATINO MIX 107.9/107.1) which moved up from a tie at #4 with its fourth up book in a row. KDMX was up to #5 as it got back a good portion of last month’s huge share loss. URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBFB (97.9 THE BEAT) and KTCK were last spotted at #2. KBFB dropped to #8, while KTCK landed at #10. Both stations returned a good portion of last month’s huge share increases. Market PUMM was down 8.4% from the previous survey but up 9.6% from a year ago.

Wholesale changes were made to the 18-49 lineup card. KPLX zoomed from #6 to #1 with its highest mark in over a year. KDMX regained all of last month’s lost share as it vaulted from #7 to #2. KSCS moved from a tie at #8 to #3 with a bounce-back performance. KLNO rose from a tie at #8 to #4 as it stopped a four-book slide. Also coming in at #4 was KHKS which ended a three-book winning streak. KTCK slid from #2 to #7, while KVIL dropped from a tie at #4 to #9. KMVK went from #3 to #12 with its lowest total in over a year. Market PUMM was off 8.2% from MAY but grew by 20.8% from 2024.

SAN FRANCISCO: More Of The Same

The 6+ leaderboard was relatively untouched from last month. KQED INC. N/T KQED was #1 for the sixth straight survey with its highest share in over a year (9.6-11.3). AUDACY News KCBS-A was back at #2 (7.2-7.2), while BONNEVILLE AC KOIT continued as the leading music station with its best Frosty-free share since AUGUST (5.5-6.5). USC Classical KDFC (Classical California) repeated at #4 (4.3-4.3), while iHEARTMEDIA Soft AC KISQ (98.1 THE BREEZE) stood alone at #5 (3.8-3.9). BONNEVILLE Pop CHR KMVQ (99.7 NOW) slid from a tie at #5 to #10 with its lowest score in over a year (3.8-3.1). KOIT was still the cume leader with a 0.9% increase (1,080,400-1,090,400). The market was down 2.0%. Market PUMM was down 5.1% from MAY but up 12.4% from 2024.

KQED landed its fourth straight 25-54 win with a slight increase in share. KOIT stood alone at #2 as it ended a five-book slide. AUDACY Alternative KITS (LIVE 105) dipped to #3 despite posting its best number in over a year. KMVQ slipped to #4 with its sixth straight down book. It was paired with KISQ which rose from a tie at #8 as it regained some of last month’s share loss. AUDACY Hot AC KLLC (ALICE @ 97.3) fell from #5 into a tie at #9 with iHEARTMEDIA AC KIOI (STAR 101.3). Market PUMM was down 11.0% from last month and 6.4% from a year ago.

KOIT was #1 18-34 for the fifth book in a row and landed its largest Frosty-free share in exactly a year. It also had a two and a half share lead over the four – count ‘em – four stations at #2. KMVQ was up from #3 but with its lowest score since SEPTEMBER. KQED and iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KYLD (WiLD 94.9) rose from a tie at #6 with a solid increase. KITS arrived from #8 with its best outing since FEBRUARY. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KMEL dropped from a tie at #1 to #6 as it returned most of last month’s massive share increase. It was joined in that space by KISQ which slipped from #4. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KOSF (CLASSIC HITS 103.7) fell from #5 into an arrangement at #9 with BONNEVILLE Classic Rock KUFX (98.5 KFOX). Market PUMM fell 6.3% from the previous survey and 11.4% from last year.

Despite a slight decrease KQED was #1 18-49 for the fourth book in a row. However, KITS posted its best number in over a year as it moved up to forge a tie for the lead. KOIT repeated at #3 as it halted a three-book slide. A flat KISQ stepped up to #4. KYLD and KOSF were #8 and #9, respectively. KYLD was flat while KOSF was up slightly as the tandem moved up to #5. KMVQ and KMEL were #4 and #5, respectively. They landed together at #7. Market PUMM was down 8.0% from MAY and 4.7% from 2024.

Thank you for playing along. We hope this has met your expectations. Please stay on the line to complete a short survey while we prepare the next roundup. It will spotlight HOUSTON, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON D.C., PHILADELPHIA, and BOSTON in that order.

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-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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