RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, August 2025, Part II

September 10, 2025

The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with our number crunching cohorts from XTRENDS – are back to bring the heat, fan the flames, to smoke, cook and burn the AUGUST data. We’re here with our usual sizzling hot takes, blowing the top off of the Scoville scale. Let’s just say – we’re on fire!

The AUGUST survey ran from JULY 24^th through AUGUST 20^th. There were no major holidays, but it did feature a lot of heat and humidity.

HOUSTON-GALVESTON: Do You Believe In Majic?

The folks at URBAN ONE Urban AC KMJQ (MAJIC 102.1) certainly do as the station leapt from #3 to #1 6+ with its highest mark in over a year (6.5-6.7). This ended the twelve-book winning streak for iHEARTMEDIA AC KODA (SUNNY 99.1), which dipped to #2 with its smallest share in over a year (7.2-6.4). HOPE MEDIA Contemporary Christian KSBJ slipped to #3 (6.9-6.3), while RADIO ONE Country KKBQ (93Q COUNTRY) moved up a spot to #4 (5.2-5.5). RADIO ONE Classic Rock KGLK (THE EAGLE 106.9/107.5) dipped to #5 as it returned all of last month’s share increase – plus a little extra (6.0-5.3). KODA was still the cume leader with a 0.2% decline (1,841,800-1,838,700). The market was up 0.6%. Market PUMM rose by 4.5% from JULY and 23.1% from 2024.

KODA was the 25-54 leader for the tenth straight survey. However, its share loss combined with the increase #2 iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTBZ (94.5 THE BUZZ) experienced narrowed the gap between the two stations to a half share. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary KQBT (93.7 THE BEAT) had its best outing in over a year as it moved up to #3. KSBJ slipped two slots to #4, while a flat KMJQ dipped to #5. Market PUMM was up 3.0% from last month and 27.9% from a year ago.

KTBZ was #1 18-34 for the seventh book in row. This time, however, it was forced to share as KKBQ moved up from #3 with its best book since JANUARY. KQBT rebounded from a down book to move up to #3, while URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBXX (97.9 THE BOX) stepped up to #4 as it regained some of last month’s large share loss. KODA posted its lowest score in over a year as it slid from #2 to #5. Market PUMM was up 6.1% from the previous survey and 26.2% from last year.

There was a changing of the guard in the 18-49 ranks. KTBZ bounced back from its lowest book of the year to move up to #1. This halted the three-book winning string for KODA, which dipped to #2 with its third down book in a row. KSBJ was back at #3 but with its smallest share since MARCH. KQBT repeated at #4 with a small increase, while KBXX moved from a tie at #7 to #5 with its best performance since FEBRUARY. Market PUMM was up 5.1% from JULY and 27.7% from 2024.

ATLANTA: Rollin’ On The River

For the sixth straight survey COX MEDIA Classic Hits WSRV (97.1 THE RIVER) was #1 6+ (7.5-7.4). COX MEDIA Urban AC WALR (KISS 104.1) was close behind as it moved up to #2 with its best book since DECEMBER (6.5-7.2). URBAN ONE Urban AC WAMJ (MAJIC 107.5/97.5) repeated at #3 (6.9-7.0), while COX MEDIA N/T WSB-A slipped to #4 (7.0-6.9). COX MEDIA AC WSB-F (B98.5) was back in the top five for the first time since MARCH as it moved from #7 to #5 (5.4-5.9). Just a tick behind at #6 was AUDACY Urban AC WVEE (V-103), which remained in place (5.6-5.8). EMF Contemporary Christian WAKL (106.7 K-LOVE) slipped to #7 (5.8-5.2). WSB-F still had the most cume despite a 6.0% decline (957,900-900,800). The market was off 2.7%. Market PUMM was down 1.6% from JULY and up 0.8% from 2024.

Despite landing its lowest share since SEPTEMBER, WVEE was #1 25-54 for the ninth book in a row. WAMJ was back at #2 and was paired with WALR, which stepped up a spot as it halted a three-book slide. WSRV repeated at #4 with its best showing since SEPTEMBER, while WSB-F remained at #5 with a slight decrease. Last month iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WRDG (96.1 THE BEAT) fell from #6 to #12. The station reversed that trend as it returned to the #6 slot. Market PUMM was up 1.0% from last month and 4.3% from a year ago.

Not only was WSB-F #1 18-34 for the second straight survey the station slammed through the double-digit barrier. Last month WRDG saw its three-book winning streak come to a screeching halt as it plunged from #1 to #9. It bounced back to #2 this month but was two shares off the lead. WSRV repeated at #3 as it also rebounded from a down book. WAMJ was back at #4 with a solid increase, while CUMULUS Pop CHR WWWQ (Q99.7) stepped up to #5 with its best showing in over a year. WVEE slipped to #7 with its smallest share since SEPTEMBER. WAKL fell from #2 to #8 and was partnered with AUDACY Rhythmic AC WSTR (STAR 94). Market PUMM was up 1.1% from the previous survey and 24.4% from last year.

WVEE was #1 18-49 for the ninth book in a row and eleventh time in the last 14 surveys. However, it was feeling some heat from WSB-F, which remained at #2 but with its best showing in over a year. WALR ended a three-book skid as it moved up to #3. WAMJ dipped to #4 and was tied with WRDG, which advanced from #9 in another bounce back effort. WSRV stepped down to #6 despite landing its largest share since SEPTEMBER. WAKL dropped from #3 to #8. Market PUMM was down 1.4% from JULY but up 0.9% from 2024.

WASHINGTON, DC: At The Top Of The Dial

Somewhere around the middle of the survey big things were happening in our NATION’S CAPITAL. You may have seen that on the news. Those events may have helped HUBBARD News WTOP stay on top of the 6+ leaderboard for the second straight survey. The station also landed its largest share in over a year (13.1-13.9). AMERICAN UNIVERSITY N/T WAMU was back at #2 but with its lowest score in a year (11.2-11.0). When an 11 share is your floor, we think you’re in decent shape. HOWARD UNIVERSITY Urban AC WHUR repeated at #3 but with its best outing since DECEMBER (5.8-6.8). iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WWDC (DC101) was up to #4 with its first up book since APRIL (4.4-4.9). iHEARTMEDIA AC WASH remained at #5 but with its smallest share in over a year (4.6-4.3). CUMULUS N/T WMAL (NEWSTALK 105.9) slipped from #4 to #7 (4.7-4.0). WTOP kept cume control despite a 3.7% decline (826,900-796,400). The market was off 3.0%. Market PUMM was down 0.3% from JULY but up 23.2% from 2024.

WAMU was #1 25-54 for the eighth straight survey and hit double figures for the third book in a row. WTOP remained at #2 with its highest score since FEBRUARY. WWDC rebounded from a down book as it stepped up to #3, while WASH advanced to #4 as it halted a five-book slide. WHUR repeated at #5 with a slight decrease. ATLANTIC GATEWAY Contemporary Christian WGTS returned all of last month’s large share increase as it fell from #3 to #7. Market PUMM was up 0.1% from the previous survey and 18.8% from last year.

WTOP was #1 18-34 for the fourth book in a row with its highest mark in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Country WMZQ also landed its largest share in over a year as it remained at #2. WWDC repeated at #3 with a solid increase, while WASH rebounded from a down book as it moved up to #4. Last month iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WIHT (HOT 99.5) and AUDACY Classic Hits WIAD (94.7 THE DRIVE) were huddled together at #7. Both stations were granted large share increases as they rose in tandem to #5. WHUR fell from #3 to #8 and was tied with WGTS. Market PUMM was up 5.1% from last month and 26.2% from a year ago.

WAMU led the 18-49 pack for the fifth straight survey. WTOP held firm at #2 with its best outing in over a year. The stations were about a half share apart. WWDC was up three places to #3 as it ended a steep two-book slide. WASH went from #7 to #4 as it bounced back from a down book. WGTS slipped to #5, while WHUR dropped to #6. AUDACY Spanish Contemporary WLZL (EL ZOL 107.9 FM) fell from #5 to #12. It was paired with URBAN ONE Urban Contemporary WKYS. Market PUMM was down 1.8% from JULY but up 21.5% from 2024.

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PHILADELPHIA: On Your Six

Though BEASLEY Classic Rock WMGK posted its lowest 6+ share since JANUARY, the station was #1 for the sixth straight survey (8.5-8.1). AUDACY Sports WIP (SPORTSRADIO 94WIP) stepped up to #2 (6.4-7.1) and garnered an additional 2.6 share from cyberspace. iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WDAS was up to #3 with its first up book since MARCH (5.5-6.0). BEASLEY Album Oriented  Rock WMMR slipped to #4 with its lowest score in over a year (7.2-5.8). AUDACY AC WBEB (B101) repeated at #5 (5.3-5.5). It is worth mentioning the recent success of UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA AAA WXPN. The station was up to #6 with its best outing in over a year (4.3-4.8). Exactly a year ago it was sitting at #22. WBEB was still the cume leader with a 7.0% increase (1,073,800-1,148,900). The market was down 0.4%. Market PUMM was up 4.0% from JULY and 20.4% from 2024.

WMMR was #1 25-54 for the seventh straight survey. WMGK was back at #2. Both stations had down books and were more than two shares apart. WIP moved up to a very close #3 with its best outing since APRIL. WBEB dipped to #4 with a small decrease. It was tied with WDAS, which remained in place. Market PUMM was up 4.3% from last month and 18.2% from a year ago.

WMGK came close to doubling its previous 18-34 share as it vaulted from #6 to #1. WBEB rebounded from a down book to step up to #2. A flat WMMR went from first to third, while an equally flat BEASLEY Country WXTU (92.5 XTU) slipped from #2 to #4. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WUSL (POWER 99) leapt from #10 to #5 with its best book since MARCH. BEASLEY Adult Hits WBEN (95.7 BEN FM) fell from #3 to #9. Itwas tied with URBAN ONE Urban Contemporary WRNB (100.3 RnB). iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WRFF (ALT 104.5) had its least productive outing since SEPTEMBER as it fell from #5 to #11. Market PUMM was up 7.3% from the previous survey and 30.7% from last year.

WMMR was #1 18-49 for the eighth book in a row and twelfth time in the last 14 surveys. WMGK was back at #2 but with its highest score in over a year. WBEB bounced back from a down book as it made its way up to #3. WIP and WDAS were last seen at #3. WIP dipped to #4 with a solid increase, while a flat WDAS landed at #5. WXTU slipped to #6 with a slight decrease. Market PUMM was up 1.4% from JULY and 17.8% from 2024.

BOSTON: The Magic Is Back

Last month AUDACY AC WMJX (MAGIC 106.7) saw its five-book 6+ winning string come to an end. The station bounced back this survey as it recaptured the crown with its highest score since MARCH (5.4-6.6). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WZLX stepped down to #2 (5.7-5.2). It was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WXKS (KISS 108), which rose from #5 (4.9-5.2). AUDACY Hot AC WWBX (MIX 104.1) slipped from #2 to #4 (5.6-4.7). It was tied with the stationary BEASLEY Classic Hits WROR (5.3-4.7). Both stations landed their lowest shares since JANUARY. WMJX added 5.3% to its already #1 cume total (797,200-839,400). The market was down 0.7%. Market PUMM was down 3.3% from JULY but up 0.5% from 2024.

WZLX vaulted from #3 to #1 25-54 with its best book since NOVEMBER. BEASLEY Sports WBZ-F (98.5 THE SPORTS HUB) repeated at #2 with a small increase. The stations were very close to each other. WWBX ended its three-book run at #1 as it slipped to #3 with its smallest share since the geese were doing geese type things. WXKS was back at #4 with a solid share gain, while BEASLEY Rhythmic AC WBQT (HOT 96.9) rose from #8 to #5 as it regained most of last month’s lost share. WROR posted its lowest score in over a year as it dropped from #5 to #9. Market PUMM was down 2.9% from the previous survey but up 5.4% from last year.

WXKS had its best 18-34 book in over a year, which propelled the station to #1. This stopped the six-book reign for WWBX, which dipped to #2. The two stations were a half share apart. WMJX was up to #3 with its third up book in a row. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR WJMN (JAM’N 94.5) slipped to #4 as it surrendered a good portion of last month’s massive share increase. In JULY four stations occupied the #5 slot. This time one stood alone. That was WBQT, which had its best outing since MARCH. WZLX came in at #6 while BEASLEY Country WKLB (COUNTRY 102.5), AUDACY Adult Hits WBGB (BIG 103), and iHEART MEDIA N/T WRKO-A fell together to #7. Market PUMM was down 2.8% from last month and 3.6% from a year ago.

As with the previous demo, WXKS had its best 18-49 book in over a year as it rose to #1. WWBX dipped to #2 as it ended its four-book winning streak. WBZ-F repeated at #3 as it ended a six-book skid. WZLX had its highest mark since NOVEMBER, while WMJX posted its largest share since JANUARY. Both stations moved up and into a tie at #4. WJMN fell from #4 to #8. Market PUMM Was down 2.1% from JULY and 0.8% from 2024.

Thank you for playing along with us. We’re regrouping for our next round of data, which will spotlight SEATTLE, MIAMI, PHOENIX, DETROIT, and MINNEAPOLIS. Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog. And remember, sharing is caring – spread the word far and wide.

-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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