RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, June 2025, Part III

July 16, 2025

Like the relentless turning of the tides, ratings days arrive, summoning us to our screens even in the height of summer. Will these numbers spark celebration, offer a collective sigh of relief, or demand a forensic examination of what went awry? It’s a journey that can feel like an emotional roller coaster, or even a dizzying tilt-a-whirl.

Enter the Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC., working hand-in-hand with the algorithmic alchemists at XTRENDS. We’re here to iron out the complexities, transforming raw data into clear insights. Or, at the very least, we’re here to dish out the latest news, seasoned with a few well-placed snarky comments.

This JUNE survey, which ran from MAY 29^TH through JUNE 25^TH, encompassed a vibrant period: graduations, summer vacations kicking off, the longest day of the year, and a big round of applause for the fathers and father figures in our lives. Ready to dive in?

SEATTLE-TACOMA: A Six Pack

For the sixth book in a row, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW was #1 6+ (7.5-7.9). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 THE JET) soared to #2 with its sixth up book in a row (5.5-5.7). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZOK dipped to #3 (5.9-5.6), while HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM 106.9) stepped down to #4 (5.6-5.2). BONNEVILLE Sports KIRO-A (SEATTLE SPORTS 710AM) rode The Big Dumper from #8 to #5 with its best book in over a year (4.2-4.7). AUDACY Active Rock KISW (THE ROCK) slipped to #6 (4.6-4.5). For the third book in a row there was a new cume leader. Thanks to an 8.5% increase KJEB was now the leader in that category (591,400-641,600). The market was up 0.9%. Market PUMM rose 2.3% from MAY and 20.9% from 2024.

There was a hard edge to the top of the 25-54 leaderboard as the top three stations played some version of music we call “rock.” KISW was #1 for the third straight survey, while a flat AUDACY Alternative KNDD (107.7 THE END) was back at #2. FRIENDS OF KEXP Alternative KEXP rose three places to #3 with its best outing in over a year. That trio was within about a half share of each other. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KBKS (HITS 106.1) dipped to #4 as it returned all of last month’s share increase. It was paired with KUOW, which stepped up from #5 with its highest score in over a year. HUBBARD Pop CHR KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5) slid from #4 to #9. Market PUMM was down 2.0% from the previous survey but up 18.3% from a year ago.

KNDD and KRWM were duking it out for the 18-34 lead. Both stations were up this survey and finished at #1 and #2, respectively. There was a noticeable gap between that duo and the #3 station, which was KJEB. It rose from #7 with its best outing in over a year. KQMV dipped to #4 with a modest decrease and was paired with KBKS, which was up from #5 with a small increase. AUDACY Country KKWF (100.7 THE WOLF) slipped to #6 with its smallest share since the geese were making more geese. KISW moved down two spots to #7. Market PUMM was off 4.1% from last month but up 24.9% from last year.

KNDD and KBKS were back at #1 and #2, respectively, 18-49. Both stations had slight decreases. KJEB went from #5 to #3 with, again, its highest mark in over a year. KISW moved down to #4, also with a slight decrease. KUOW stepped up to #5, while KQMV slipped to #6 as it returned most of last month’s share increase. Market PUMM was down 3.1% from MAY but grew 17.5% from 2024.

MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: A Return To Normalcy?

Two months ago, the 6+ reign of COX MEDIA Urban AC WHQT (HOT 105) was upended. The station languished at #2 for two straight surveys. Well, the station was back on top this time as it ended a five-book slide (6.5-6.9). AUDACY AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM) dipped to #2 (6.6-6.6), while COX MEDIA AC WFEZ (EASY 93.1) remained at #3 (6.0-6.0). AUDACY Classic Hits WMXJ (102.7 THE BEACH) repeated at #4 (5.4-5.3). However, it was not alone as TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Hot AC WAMR (AMOR 107.5) moved up to forge the tie (4.7-5.3). Despite a 5.3% drop WLYF was still the cume leader (793,000-750,800). The market fell by 3.5%. Market PUMM was down 4.7% from MAY but up 7.5% from 2024.

For the sixth book in a row WFEZ was the 25-54 leader. It had better than a share lead over iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Adult Hits WMIA (MAGIC 93.9), which leapt from #5 to #2 with its best showing since Rudolph was dealing with some issues. A flat WLYF dipped to #3, while WHQT moved up to #4 with its first up book since FEBRUARY. WMXJ slipped to #5 with a slight decrease, while SBS Spanish Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL 106.7 FM) fell five places to #9 with its smallest share since DECEMBER. Market PUMM was off 2.8% from last month but rose 6.8% from a year ago.

There was a lot going on in the 18-34 sphere. WLYF was #1 again with its best book since DECEMBER. However, it was merely part of a threesome. SBS Latino Urban WRMA (RITMO 95.7) and iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WZTU (TÚ 94.9) both rebounded from down books to advance from a tie at #2 to stake their claim on the #1 spot. There was a wide gap between that trio and the rest of the field. COX MEDIA Urban Contemporary WEDR (99 JAMZ) moved from a tie at #2 to #4 as it surrendered most of last month’s increase. It was paired with WMIA, which rose from #9 with its highest score since AUGUST. Two other stations that were also previously tied at #2 did not fare as well. WXDJ dropped into a tie at #8 with AUDACY Classic Hip Hop WPOW (POWER 96). WFEZ landed in a tie at #14 with WMXJ. Market PUMM fell 5.8% from the previous survey but was up 9.1% from last year.

WFEZ was #1 18-49 for the sixth straight survey but with its smallest share since that little kid would just not stop drumming. WLYF repeated at #2 with a small increase and closed the gap to less than a half share. WZTU remained at #3 with its highest mark in over a year. WHQT rose from #8 to #4 as it halted a four-book slide. WEDR dipped to #5 where it met up with COX MEDIA Rhythmic AC WFLC (HITS 97.3), which advanced from #14. WPOW slid from #4 to #9. Market PUMM was off 2.4% from MAY but grew 4.1% from 2024.

PHOENIX: All Knotted Up

HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX was #1 6+ for the third book in a row (8.1-8.3). However, it was forced to share as iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (KEZ 99.9) moved up from second place to force the jump ball (7.4-8.3). This dynamic duo was well ahead of the rest of the pack. iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 THE MOUNTAIN) was back at #3 (4.4-4.4). It was partnered with iHEARTMEDIA N/T KFYI-A, which advanced from #6 with its best showing since NOVEMBER (3.9-4.4). AUDACY Classic Hits KOOL (BIG 94.5) slipped to #5 (4.2-4.3), while iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX dipped to #6 (4.1-4.1). Despite a 2.6% drop KESZ maintained its cume lead (990,500-964,600). The market was down 1.1%. Market PUMM was off 5.3% from MAY but rose 19.5% from 2024.

KESZ continued to dominate the 25-54 space as the station extended its long, uninterrupted string of #1 books. KSLX was back at #2 but trailed the leader by more than two and a half shares. HUBBARD Alternative KDKB (ALT AZ 93.3) rebounded from a down book to move from #6 to #3. A flat KNIX stepped up to #4, while KOOL rose three spots to #5 with its best outing in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX 96.9) slipped to #7 as its three-book surge ground to a halt. HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD fell from #3 to #8 with its smallest share in over a year. Market PUMM was down 6.9% from last month but up 21.0% from a year ago.

Thanks to a massive share influx KESZ moved up to #1 18-34. This ended the two-book string for KDKB, which dipped to #2 but with its best book in over a year. KMXP was back as a distant #3 but also landed its largest share in over a year. Last month there were four stations massed together at #4. This time only AUDACY Country KMLE remained as it bounced back from a down book. KSLX dipped to #5 and was paired with KUPD, which advanced from #9 as it also recovered from a down book. KOOL and KNIX were the other members of that #4 foursome. They landed together at #9 along with RIVIERA Hot AC KMVA (HOT 97.5/103.9). Market PUMM was down 7.1% from the previous survey but rose 12.5% from last year.

KESZ was #1 18-49 for the fourth book in a row. KDKB moved up to #2 with a strong share gain but was still about two shares off the pace. KSLX was up two slots to #3 with its best showing since APRIL. KMXP slipped to #4 as it returned some of last month’s increase. KUPD slid to #5 with its lowest score since JULY. It was tied with a stationary ENTRAVISION Mexican Regional KLNZ (LA TRICOLOR 103.5). Market PUMM was down 8.4% from MAY but up 11.7% from 2024.

Shameless plug: How much time would you save if you didn’t have to run all your reports every month? Our Instant Answer is ready to review and in your inbox within minutes of your data release. Yea, we’re that fast.

DETROIT: Ticket To Ride

Being the radio flagship for one of the hottest teams in baseball sure has its advantages. AUDACY Sports WXYT (97.1 THE TICKET) was #1 6+ for the third book in a row (8.6-8.0). The station also added a 2.3 share from the interwebs. AUDACY Classic Hits WOMC was back at #2 (7.0-7.0), while iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC remained at #3 (6.5-6.4). iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.3) inched up to #4 (6.0-6.2), while AUDACY Country WYCD dipped to #5 as it shed some of last month’s increase (6.2-5.6). WNIC still had the most cume (1,108,900-1,101,600) – a 0.7% decline. The market grew by 1.0%. Market PUMM was off 2.9% from MAY but rose 26.3% from 2024.

WXYT was also #1 for the third book in a row with the 25-54 crowd. The station’s stream came in at #14. BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF repeated at #2 but was now a full share off the lead. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKQI (CHANNEL 955) ended a four-book slide as it stepped up to #3. WOMC dipped to #4 with a down book and was tied with the stationary WYCD, which received a small increase. Market PUMM was down 5.4% from last month but up 24.9% from last year.

WRIF was #1 18-34 for the third book in a row but was not able to remain in double figures. As a result, WYCD moved up to force a tie as it landed its largest share in over a year. WKQI inched up to #3 as it bounced back from a down book. WXYT dipped to #4 with its least productive outing in over a year. It was tied with WOMC, which moved up a slot despite a down book. Not far behind was AUDACY Alternative WDZH (ALT 98.7), which rose to #6 with its highest score since SEPTEMBER. Market PUMM was down 3.2% from the previous survey but up 26.7%from a year ago.

The 18-49 contest got considerably tighter. WRIF was #1 for the third straight survey but with a down book. WKQI was up two slots to #2 as it ended a four-book slide. That narrowed WRIF’s lead to a very small margin. WYCD dipped to #3 with a slight decrease, while WXYT stepped down to #4. CUMULUS Hot AC WDVD was up to #5 with its highest mark in over a year. WOMC slipped to #6 with a small share loss. Market PUMM was off 5.9% from MAY but grew 24.2% from 2024.

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: Hitting The Fan

Though the station posted its lowest 6+ share since AUGUST, iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (KFAN FM 100.3) was #1 for the sixth straight survey (9.8-8.4). HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) was back at #2 (7.5-7.1), while iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) moved up to #3 (6.9-7.0). UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST. PAUL Contemporary Christian KTIS dipped to #4 (7.0-6.9). MPR N/T KNOW repeated at #5 as it rebounded from a down book (5.9-6.6). The station also picked up a 1.4 share from the stream. iHEARTMEDIA Country KEEY (K102) was up to #6 with its best outing in exactly a year (4.9-5.8). KQQL remained in cume control with a 2.3% decrease (812,200-793,800). The market was down 2.2%. Market PUMM was off 5.9% from MAY but up 10.9% from 2024.

There was quite the battle in the 25-54 arena. MPR AAA KCMP (89.3 THE CURRENT) moved up to #1 with its best book in over a year. It held the slimmest of leads over KFXN, which dipped to #2 as its five-book heater came to a close. KSTP repeated at #3 with a small increase, while KQQL stood alone at #4. A flat AUDACY Adult Hits KZJK (104.1 JACK FM) slipped to #5. Not far behind was CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X), which was up to #6 with a slight decrease. Market PUMM was down 5.0% from the previous survey but rose 14.3% from a year ago.

Doing what it wants KZJK moved up to #1 18-34. This ended the two-book winning string for KFXN, which dipped to #2. Both stations were in double figures. KCMP vaulted from #8 to #3 with its best showing since JANUARY. KQQL slipped to #4 as it surrendered most of last month’s massive increase. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDWB stepped down to #5 as it also gave back most of last survey’s large share gain. It was paired with the stationary KXXR. Market PUMM fell 12.3% from last month but rose 11.2% when compared with the previous year.

KFXN was #1 18-49 for the sixth straight survey but failed to extend its double-digit streak to four, though it was close to doing so. KCMP advanced from #7 to #2 with its highest score in over a year but was a share and a half off the lead. A flat KSTP was back at #3, while KQQL slipped to #4 with a small share loss. KZJK stepped down to #5, while KDWB dipped to #6. Both stations had down books. Market PUMM was down 7.2% from MAY but up 14.7% from 2024.

And so it goes. Still more ratings hijinks to come. Up next in the queue are TAMPA, DENVER, SAN DIEGO, CHARLOTTE, and NASSAU-SUFFOLK.

If someone in your circle of friends or colleagues might also enjoy our radio ratings reporting blended with a healthy dose of snark and industry know-how, send them this link.

As always, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. stand ready to help you grow your ratings and revenue. Click the link below to get the gruesome details.

-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant

About XTrends: XTrends is radio’s favorite Nielsen ratings analysis tool, used by all major groups. Learn why here.

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