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RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, September 2025, Part I
October 7, 2025
Though this series of roundups are focused on the NIELSEN version of SEPTEMBER, the reality is that this survey traversed two distinct worlds. It ran from AUGUST 21st through SEPTEMBER 17th. As such the first half of the book was all about last minute vacations and the beginning of the school year. Then came a three-day federally mandated weekend. This was followed by a return to whatever normal schedules are and, of course, football.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with our running mates from XTRENDS – are here for all of it. Settle in as we regale you with stories of ratings and rankings. We do this because of our love of the game…
NEW YORK: The Usual Suspects
That could be the headline for many of the markets we cover in the roundups. Despite ending a two-book surge (8.6-8.1) iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) was still the long running 6+ champ. AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) was back at #2 (6.0-5.9). The station also picked up a 0.6 share from its stream. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) stood alone at #3 (5.2-5.5), while AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS dipped to #4 with its smallest share since that kid would not stop drumming (5.2-4.8). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) stepped up to #5 (4.8-4.6). SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) moved down to #6 with its lowest score since OCTOBER (4.9-4.5). However, the station was granted a 1.5 share from the interwebs. WLTW remained the cume leader (3,868,800-3,827,200) – a 1.1% decline. The market was up 1.3%. Market PUMM grew 1.8% from AUGUST and 8.8% from 2024.
The 25-54 race became a bit more intense. WLTW was still #1 – for the fifth straight survey – but with a small share loss. WHTZ remained at #2 with a small share increase. The net result was that the two stations were less than a half share apart. WSKQ repeated at #3 but with its lowest total in over a year. MEDIACO Rhythmic CHR WQHT (HOT 97) stepped up to #4 with its best outing in over a year. AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7) worked it from #9 to #5 with a small share gain. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WKTU (103.5 KTU) slid from #4 to #7, while iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WWPR (POWER 105.1) dropped from #5 to #9. Both stations had small share losses. Market PUMM was up 4.2% from last month and 16.0% from a year ago.
We had a massive swing in the 18-34 contest. WHTZ had its best book in over a year to vault from #5 to #1. Meanwhile, WLTW landed its lowest share as it moved down to #2. WQHT remained close behind at #3 with a slight increase, while WNEW leapt from #7 to #4 as it regained a small portion of last month’s large share loss. WWPR dipped to #5, while WSKQ slipped to #6. Both stations had slight decreases. The WSKQ STREAM returned most of last survey’s massive share increase as it fell from #2 to #10. Market PUMM was down 0.7% from the previous survey and 3.6% from last year.
WHTZ stepped up to #1 18-49 with a solid increase. This ended the two-book reign of WLTW, which moved down to #2. The stations were separated by less than a half share. WQHT rose two spots to #3 with a small increase, while WSKQ dipped to #4 with its smallest share in over a year. WWPR stepped down to #5 with a slight decrease. Market PUMM was up 3.1% from AUGUST and 9.9% from 2024.
LOS ANGELES: The Earth Works
For the fifth straight survey AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101FM) was #1 6+ (7.2-7.3). Moving up to #2 with its best book in over a year (5.0-5.8) was iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYFM). iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST dipped to #3 with its smallest share since NOVEMBER (6.2-5.5). AUDACY Urban AC KTWV (94.7 THE WAVE) was back at #4 (4.9-4.8), while AUDACY News KNX rebounded from a down book to move up to #5 (3.9-4.3). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) slipped to #6 with its lowest score in over a year (4.1-3.7). KOST still had the most listeners despite a 0.3% decline (2,186,200-2,180,100). The market was off 0.5%. Market PUMM was up 3.7% from AUGUST and 13.1% from 2024.
KBIG took control of the 25-54 demo with its highest mark in over a year. This ended the five-book winning string for KRTH, which moved down to #2. If the stations were any closer, they would be tied. KOST remained at #3 with a small decrease. AUDACY Alternative KROQ was up to #4 with its best performance in over a year. KIIS dipped to #5 and was paired with TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5), which advanced from #10 with a small increase. Market PUMM was up 3.7% from last survey and 7.7% from a year ago.
KRTH threepeated as the 18-34 leader. A flat KIIS moved up to #2 but was more than three shares off the pace. KOST dipped to #3 with its lowest mark since NOVEMBER. It was tied with a flat KROQ, which rose from #5. KBIG moved up to #5 with a modest increase, while KTWV fell to #6 as it surrendered most of last month’s large increase. Market PUMM was up 5.2% from the previous book and 0.5% from last year.
KRTH ran away with the 18-49 demo for the sixth straight survey. KBIG stood alone at #2 with its best book in a year, while KOST dipped to #3 with a small share loss. KIIS was back at #4 but with its lowest mark in over a year. It was joined there by KROQ, which advanced from #8 with its best book in over a year. KTWV and TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KSCA (LA NUEVA 101.9) were tied at #5. They dropped in tandem to #7 and were partnered with AUDACY Adult Hits KCBS (93.1 JACK FM). Market PUMM was up 6.6% from AUGUST and 4.7% from 2024.
CHICAGO: Damn That Traffic Jam
The 6+ race continued to be a tight one. The top seven stations were all within a share of the lead. HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE) motored up to #1 as it put the brakes on a two-book slide (4.7-5.0). This stopped the two-book run at #1 for iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM). It moved down to #2 (4.9-4.7). AUDACY News WBBM-A rose from #5 to #3 (4.4-4.4) and garnered a 0.5 share from the digital realm. It was tied with CUMULUS Classic Hits WLS-F, which advanced from #6 (4.3-4.4). HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX) slipped to #5 (4.5-4.3). It was joined there by NEXSTAR N/T WGN-A (RADIO 720), which was last seen at #9 (3.7-4.3). AUDACY AAA WXRT (93XRT) fell from #3 to #7 (4.6-4.2). WLIT kept the cume lead despite a 6.5% decline (1,370,100-1,281,300). The market was down 0.3%. Market PUMM was flat from AUGUST but up 18.6% from 2024.
The 25-54 race remained hotly contested. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) and WTMX remained #1 and #2, respectively. Both stations had down books and were separated by the slimmest of possible margins. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1) was one of several stations last seen at #7. It landed at #3 this month with its highest mark since NOVEMBER. A flat CUMULUS Alternative WKQX (Q101) dipped to #4. CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA N/T WBEZ moved from that #7 logjam to #5 with its best book since FEBRUARY. AUDACY Rhythmic Oldies WBMX (104.3 JAMS) was up to #6 with its best showing in a year. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI slipped to #7 and was partnered with WLS-F and WDRV. AUDACY Country WUSN (US99) posted its lowest number in over a year as it fell from #4 to #17. It was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103). Market PUMM was up 4.3% from last month and 16.6% from a year ago.
WKSC was #1 18-34 for the fourth book in a row and its highest score since FEBRUARY. WDRV and WLS-F were tied at #5. WDRV rose to #2 with its best outing in over a year, while WLS-F ended up at #3 as it bounced back from a down book. A flat WLIT dipped to #4 and was met there by WOJO, which rose from #9 as it ended a steep three-book slide. WGCI fell from #2 to #6 as it returned all of last month’s huge increase – plus a little extra. It was paired with WKQX, which advanced from #14 with its highest mark since APRIL. iHEARTMEDIA Mainstream Rock WCHI (ROCK 95.5) dropped from #4 to #17. Market PUMM was down 6.5% from the previous survey but up 6.1% from last year.
WKSC and WTMX were #1 and #2, respectively, in 18-49 for the fourth straight survey. WOJO leapt from #9 to #3 with its highest score since NOVEMBER. WBMX was up to #4 with its best book in over a year. WKQX slipped to #5 despite a small increase. WGCI was down three spots to #6, while WCHI fell from #4 into a tie at #15 with WVAZ. Market PUMM was down 0.3% from AUGUST but up 19.1% from 2024.
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DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Mix Master
For the second book in a row iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) was #1 6+. The station also landed its largest share in over a year (6.5-7.0). CUMULUS Sports KTCK (96.7 & 1310 THE TICKET) stepped up to #2 (5.3-5.4), while CUMULUS Country KSCS (NEW COUNTRY 96.3) was up to #3 (5.0-5.0). CUMULUS Country KPLX (99.5 THE WOLF) was down to #4 with its smallest share since FEBRUARY (5.4-4.7). AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) repeated at #5 (4.6-4.6). iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1) was still in cume control with a 9.7% increase (1,095,800-1,201,800). The market was off by 1.0%. Market PUMM was up 0.1% from AUGUST and 23.2% from 2024.
KDMX dominated the 25-54 space for the second book in a row. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) stepped up to #2 but trailed the leader by more than a share and a half. AUDACY Mexican Regional KMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5) rose three places to #3 with its third up book in a row. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) advanced from #8 to #5 with its best book since there was too much eggnog in the dairy section. KTCK fell from #2 to #6 with its smallest share in over a year, while SERVICE Urban Contemporary KKDA (K104) dropped three spots to #8. Market PUMM was up 1.0% from last month and 21.7% from a year ago.
KLNO had its best showing since FEBRUARY as it captured the 18-34 flag. This pushed KSCS down to #2. The stations were under a half share apart. KDMX was back at #3 but with its highest mark since MARCH. KHKS repeated at #4 with a small decrease. It was paired with KTCK, which advanced from #12 with its first up book since MAY. KPLX slid four places to #8 and was met there by KJKK, which rose from #15 as it stopped a four-book slide. Market PUMM was up 1.9% from the previous survey and 14.8% from last year.
Once KDMX was dominant for the second book in a row. This time it was with the 18-49 crowd. KLNO stepped up to #2 with a solid increase but remained more than a share off the lead. KHKS was up to #3 with a slight increase, while KPLX slipped to #4 with its third down book in a row. KMVK went from #9 to #5 with its best showing since MAY. KKDA slid to #6 as it ended a very strong eight-book surge. Market PUMM was up 0.2% from AUGUST and 20.0% from 2024.
HOUSTON-GALVESTON: Movin’ On Up
With the release of the new NIELSEN rankings HOUSTON-GALVESTON is your new #5 market. Last month iHEARTMEDIA AC KODA (SUNNY 99.1) saw its long, uninterrupted 6+ winning streak grind to a halt at the hands of URBAN ONE Urban AC KMJQ (MAJIC 102.1). KODA came back with a vengeance as it returned to the top spot with its highest score since FEBRUARY (6.4-8.1). KMJQ dipped to #2 (6.7-6.4). HOPE MEDIA Contemporary Christian KSBJ repeated at #3 but with its third straight down book (6.3-5.8). RADIO ONE Classic Rock KGLK (THE EAGLE 106.9/107.5) stepped up to #4 (5.3-5.4), while CUMULUS Pop CHR KRBE rose from #9 to #5 with its best book in over a year (4.2-5.2). RADIO ONE Country KKBQ (93Q) slipped to #6 (5.5-5.1). KODA was still the cume commander with a 1.4% increase (1,838,700-1,864,700). The market was off 0.8%. Market PUMM was down 1.9% from AUGUST but up 17.2% from 2024.
KODA turned it up to eleven, capturing the 25-54 crown for the eleventh straight survey. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTBZ (94.5 THE BUZZ) was back at #2 but with its highest mark in over a year. The stations were a half share apart. KRBE had its third straight up book as it advanced three spaces to #3. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary KQBT (93.7 THE BEAT) dipped to #4 with a small decrease. KSBJ slipped to #5 with a slight decrease, while KMJQ stepped down to #6. Market PUMM was up 1.0% from last month and 22.7% from a year ago.
KTBZ was #1 18-34 for the eight straight survey. It was hearing footsteps as KRBE went from #6 to #2 with its best book in over a year. URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBXX (97.9 THE BOXX) stepped up to #3 with its best book since OCTOBER. KODA rebounded from a down book to move up to #4. KQBT slipped to #5 as it gave back some of last month’s large share increase. KKBQ fell from a tie at #1 into one at #7 with AUDACY Spanish Contemporary KLOL (MEGA 101FM). Market PUMM was down 5.8% from the previous survey but up 16.1% from last year.
KTBZ and KODA continued their long running 18-49 battle. They were back at #1 and #2, respectively, and separated by the smallest of margins. KRBE vaulted from #7 to #3. Just three books ago it was sitting at #12. KSBJ dipped to #4, while KQBT was down to #5. Both stations had small share losses. AUDACY Hot AC KHMX (MIC 96.5) jumped from #13 to #6 with its best outing in over a year. KKBQ dropped four slots to #9. Market PUMM was off 3.1% from AUGUST but up 20.7% from 2024.
We appreciate the support. If you ever have any feedback or questions, shoot us an e-mail. It probably won’t go to spam. Our next roundup comes out tomorrow. It will spotlight SAN FRANCISCO, 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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