RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, October 2025, Part IV

November 7, 2025

Wrapping up the OCTOBER survey with style and some sort of substance, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—in a committed relationship with the numbers crunchers at XTRENDS—bring you our final foray into the most recent PPM numbers. We understand this may cause you to feel a sense of loss—or perhaps ennui. But that is radio life. You are now free to go back to scheduling music and working on next year’s budget.

The OCTOBER survey ran from SEPTEMBER 18^TH through OCTOBER 15^TH. Notable occurrences included ROSH HASHANAH, YOM KIPPUR, and the autumnal equinox, not necessarily in that order. Here’s how it unfolded:

TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER: A Bevy Of Books

COX MEDIA Soft AC WDUV (105.5 THE DOVE) was #1 6+ for the fourth straight survey (7.1-7.1). Coming in at #2, also for the fourth book in a row, was RADIO TRAINING NETWORK Contemporary Christian WCIE (THE JOY FM) (6.9-6.9). COX MEDIA Classic Hits WXGL (107.3 THE EAGLE) was back at #3 (6.4-6.2), while iHEARTMEDIA Country WFUS (US 103.5) repeated at #4 (5.3-5.5). iHEARTMEDIA AC WMTX (MIX 100.7) rebounded from a down book to step up to #5 (4.6-5.1), while COX MEDIA AC WWRM (MAGIC 94.9) dipped to #6 (5.0-5.0). WDUV still had the most listeners (600,300-626,500) – a 4.4% rise. The market was up 4.5%. Market PUMM grew 5.9% from SEPTEMBER and 17.2% from 2024.

WMTX landed its largest Frosty-free share in over a year to leap from #4 to #1 25-54. BEASLEY Classic Hits WRBQ (Q105) remained at #2 with its highest mark in over a year. Moving from #5 to a very close #3 was WFUS, which posted its fourth up book in a row. Last month WWRM and WCIE were #1 and #2, respectively. WCIE was up slightly while WWRM landed its lowest number since JUNE. The stations landed together at #4. Also coming in at that spot was WDUV, which rose from #8 with a strong share increase. Market PUMM WAS UP 9.5% from last month and 12.6% from a year ago.

WWRM repeated at #1 18-34 but was feeling the heat from WDUV, which advanced from #7 to #2 with its best outing since MARCH. WCIE landed its largest share in over a year but dipped to #3. It was met there by BEASLEY Country WQYK, which rebounded from a down book. WMTX advanced three squares to #5 with its highest Frosty-free share since NOVEMBER. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WFLZ slid to #6 and was paired with BEASLEY Rhythmic AC WLLD (WiLD 94.1). WFUS dropped from #2 to #8 and hooked up with COX MEDIA Urban AC WTBV (101.5 THE VIBE), which dropped from a tie at #4. Market PUMM was up 11.3% from the previous survey and 22.9% from last year.

The top five 18-49 stations were within a share of one another. WWRM made it back-to-back wins, while WCIE repeated at #2. WFUS and WMTX both had solid increases as they forged a partnership at #3. WLLD vaulted from #10 to #5 with its highest score in exactly a year. WQYK and iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock WXTB (98 ROCK) were tied at #4. They dropped to #6 and #8, respectively. Market PUMM was up 8.7% from SEPTEMBER and 21.9% from 2024.

DENVER-BOULDER: Nice And…

Last month BONNEVILLE AC KOSI (KOSI 101.1) and BONNEVILLE Country KYGO were the 6+ co-leaders. KOSI stood alone this month (6.6-6.6), while KYGO moved down to #2 (6.6-5.7). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KRFX (103.5 THE FOX) had its best book since APRIL as it rose from #6 to #3 (4.8-5.4). AUDACY Modern AC KALC (ALICE 105.9) repeated at #4 (5.0-5.2), while KSE RADIO VENTURES Classic Hits KXKL (KOOL 105.1) held steady at #5 (4.9-4.6). It was not alone as AUDACY Classic Rock KQMT (99.5 THE MOUNTAIN) slid from #3 with its third straight down book (5.1-4.6). KOSI remained in cume command with a 0.2% rise (505,600-506,400). The market was off 0.3%. Market PUMM was up 0.2% from SEPTEMBER and 11.4% from 2024.

We’re dealing with a lot of stuff in the 25-54 world. One constant was iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTCL (CHANNEL 93.3), which was #1 for the tenth book in a row. KALC was back at #2 with its best outing in over a year but still trailed the leader by more than a share. KOSI repeated at #3 with a small decrease. This is where the fun begins. KSE RADIO VENTURES Sports KKSE (ALTITUDE SPORTS RADIO 92.5 FM) rocketed from #15 to #4 with its best offensive performance in over a year. In case you were wondering, no, the station does not carry the BRONCOS. Then we had four stations coming in at #5. AUDACY Rhythmic CHR KQKS (KS107.5) and BONNEVILLE Sports KKFN (104.3 THE FAN) moved up from a tie at #6. ENTRAVISION Mexican Regional KXPK (LA TRICOLOR 96.5) slipped from #4 with its smallest share since MAY. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDHT (HITS 95.7) advanced from #9 with a small share gain. But wait, there’s more. KYGO fell from #4 into a tie at #11 with iHEARTMEDIA Country KWBL (106.7 THE BULL). Market PUMM was down 0.4% from last month but grew by 10.8% from a year ago.

We also have a lot to discuss with the 18-34 situation. KQKS moved up to #1 with its best showing in over a year. This ended the three-book winning streak for KXPK, which dipped to #2. The station went from leading by more than two shares to trailing by more than two shares. KOSI also came in at #2, arriving from #5 as it bounced back from a down book. KTCL rose from #8 to #4 as it regained all of last month’s lost share. There was a threesome at #5. KSE RADIO VENTURES Hot AC KIMN (MIX 100) and KDHT were there last time. They were joined by KYGO, which fell from #2. KQMT dropped from #2 to #8 and was in league with KRFX and iHEARTMEDIA AAA KBCO. Market PUMM was down 8.3% from the previous survey but up 9.9% from last year.

KQKS was #1 18-49 for the fifth book in a row. KALC and KOSI remained tied at #2 and about a half share off the lead. KTCL stepped up to #4, while KKSE advanced from #15 to #5. KXPK slipped from #4 into a tie at #6 with KDHT. Market PUMM was down 1.6% from SEPTEMBER but up 7.7% from 2024.

SAN DIEGO: A Sunny Disposish

Another book, another dominant performance from AUDACY Classic Hits KXSN (SUNNY 98.1) The station was #1 6+ for the tenth book in a row (9.6-8.8). SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY N/T KPBS stepped up to #2 with its largest share in over a year (6.0-6.9). LOCAL MEDIA Rhythmic AC XHRM (MAGIC 92.5) landed its lowest number since MARCH as it dipped to #3 (6.3-5.9). AUDACY AC KYXY stood alone at #4 (5.9-5.6), while AUDACY Sports KWFN (97.3 FM THE FAN) drifted down to #5 (5.9-5.3). KXSN remained the cume controller with a 1.6% rise (623,500-633,300). The market grew by 2.5% Market PUMM was down 0.8% from SEPTEMBER but gained 6.1% from 2024.

For the eighth time in the last nine surveys KXSN was #1 25-54, though the station posted its lowest score in that span. LOCAL MEDIA Alternative XTRA (91X) vaulted from #7 to #2 with its best performance since FEBRUARY. Audacy Country KSON dipped to #3 with a slight increase. XHRM stepped down to #4 with a small decrease. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHTS (CHANNEL 93.3) repeated at #5 with its third up book in a row. AUDACY Alternative KBZT (ALT 94.9) leapt from #12 to #6 with its first up book since APRIL. Three stations were hanging out at #7. KWFN fell from #4, while a flat TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNV (QUÉ BUENA 106.5) dropped down a spot. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KIOZ (ROCK 105.3) turned it up from #11 as it rebounded from a down book. Market PUMM was up 0.2% from last month but down 4.3% from a year ago.

KXSN was #1 18-34 for the sixth straight survey, the last three of which have been in double figures. KSON was back at #2, while two stations moved up to force a jump ball at #3. A flat XHRM rose from #6, while iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KSSX (JAM’N 95.7) advanced from #12 by doubling its previous number. There was a threesome at #5. KYXY remained in place but with its least productive outing since MAY. KHTS and KWFN dropped from a tie at #3. Market PUMM was down 8.3% from the previous survey but grew by 5.0% from last year.

Though it was unable to duplicate last month’s double-digit outing, KXSN was #1 18-49 for the ninth book in a row. XTRA zoomed from #10 to #2 as it halted a steep two-book skid. It was still more than two shares off the pace. KSON and KHTS remained at #3 but had a new partner as XHRM dipped from #2 with its smallest share in over a year. KYXY had also been a part of that #3 grouping. Unfortunately, it fell to #10 and had new partners in iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMYI (STAR 94.1) and LOCAL MEDIA Pop CHR XHTZ (Z90.3). Market PUMM was down 3.0% from both SEPTEMBER and 2024.

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CHARLOTTE-GASTONIA-ROCK HILL: In Rhythm

For the second book in a row URBAN ONE Urban Oldies WOSF (105.3 RnB) was #1 6+ (7.5-7.9). However, this was a tightly contested race. BEASLEY Country WSOC (COUNTRY 103.7) and BEASLEY Classic Hits WKQC (K104.7) were in hot pursuit at #2. WSOC remained in place (7.3-7.7), while WKQC moved up a spot as it bounced back from a down book (6.9-7.7). iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits WLKO (102.9 THE LAKE) had its best Frosty-free book since NOVEMBER to move up to #4 (6.0-7.1). UNIVERSITY RADIO FOUNDATION N/T WFAE landed its largest share since FEBRUARY to inch up to #5 (5.7-6.2). BEASLEY Urban AC WBAV (V101.9) slid to #6 (6.8-5.7). WLKO took cume control with a 5.3% increase (376,000-395,900). The market was off by 1.4%. Market PUMM was up 8.1% from SEPTEMBER and 28.8% from 2024.

WOSF also repeated as the 25-54 leader, while WLKO advanced from #8 to #2 to trail the leader by just under a share. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WEND (106.5 THE END) stood alone at #3, while its former partner in that space – WSOC – dipped to #4. WKQC slid three places to #5. All three of those stations actually had solid share increases. URBAN ONE Sports WFNZ (SPORTSRADIO 92.7 FM) and iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WRFX (99.7 THE FOX) were also last spotted at #3. WFNZ slipped to #6, while WRFX landed at #10. Market PUMM was up 7.9% from last month and 32.4% from a year ago.

Last month WLKO and WOSF were #2 and #3, respectively 18-34. Both stations rose to #1. WLKO with a small share increase and WOSF with its fourth up book in a row. WFAE more than doubled its previous share as it vaulted from #12 to #3. BEASLEY Pop CHR WNKS (KISS 95.1FM) and WEND rose from a tie at #5 to one at #4. WSOC escaped that partnership and dipped to #6. WBAV had won the last six consecutive surveys. That came to an abrupt halt as it fell to #7. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHQC (HITS 96.1) slid from #4 to #8. WFNZ dropped from a tie at #5 into an arrangement at #10 with WKQC. Market PUMM was up 14.3% from the previous survey and 61.2% from last year.

Last month WOSF and WLKO were the 18-49 co-leaders. WOSF stood alone at the summit with its best book in over a year while WLKO had to settle for second place. WSOC rose from #6 to #3 with its best outing in over a year. WNKS was back at #4 but was paired with WEND, which advanced from #9 as it regained all of last month’s huge share loss. WBAV was also a demo co-leader last month. Alas, the station dropped to #7 this go-round. BEASLEY Urban Contemporary WPEG (POWER 98) dropped from a tie at #4 to #9. Market PUMM was up 8.6% from SEPTEMBER and 21.8% from 2024.

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND): Taking The Z Train

iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) landed its largest 6+ share in over a year as it moved up to #1 (6.5-7.3). RED APPLE MEDIA N/T WABC-A stepped down to #2 (6.8-6.2). AUDACY News WINS (1010 wins) was back at #3 (6.0-5.9), while AUDACY Sports WFAN (SPORTSRADIO 66AM/101.9FM) repeated at #4 (4.9-5.6). Both stations captured a 1.8 share from cyberspace. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) rebounded from a down book to rise from #10 to #5 (4.1-4.7). COX MEDIA Classic Rock WBAB slid to #7 (4.9-4.1). It was tied with COX MEDIA Pop CHR WBLI (4.5-4.1). Thanks to a 22.5% increase WHTZ became the cume leader (365,300-447,400). The market was up 1.2%. Market PUMM rose 3.1% from SEPTEMBER and 14.0% from 2024.

WHTZ was #1 25-54 for the seventh straight survey and just missed hitting double figures. AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS had its best book in over a year as it rose from #6 to #2, while a flat WFAN was up to #3. It was tied with WBLI, which remained in place with a slight decrease. WAXQ advanced from #8 to #5, while WABC-A fell from #2 to #6 as it returned most of last month’s large share increase. WBAB fell from a tie at #3 into one at #8 with CONNOISSEUR Hot AC WALK (WALK FM). Market PUMM was up 3.7% from last month and 6.5% from a year ago.

Thanks to its fourth up book in a row WBLI moved up to #1 18-34. WABC-A dipped to #2 and went from leading the demo by a share to trailing by a half share. WHTZ stepped down to #3 as it surrendered all of last month’s large increase. CONNOISSEUR AC WKJY (K-JOY 98.3) landed its largest share since MAY as it inched up to #4. WALK dipped to #5 with its least productive outing since FEBRUARY. Market PUMM was up 0.5% from the previous survey but down 1.1% from last year.

WHTZ was #1 18-49 for the seventh straight survey and held a commanding lead over the #2 duo of WABC-A and WBLI. It totaled up to almost four shares. WFAN repeated at #4 with a slight increase and was paired with WCBS, which arrived from #7 with its first up book since JUNE. Market PUMM rose 5.4% from SEPTEMBER and 5.9% from 2024.

You are now free to continue your broadcast day. We will see you in NOVEMBER.

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