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Radio Ratings Roundup, Holiday 2025, Part 4
January 29, 2026
Dashing through the snow, ice, arctic blasts, and bomb cyclones, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC—with the full support of the numbers nerds from XTRENDS—are here to put a bow on the HOLIDAY survey. While most people are just getting their credit card statements, we are determined to rehash the past to bring you insight into Santa’s effect on the radio ratings landscape.
Who are we kidding? The holiday stations always win. The question is—how wide the margin was. This book ran from DECEMBER 11th through JANUARY 7th. If normal programming returned on DECEMBER 26th that means only 15 days of the book were ruled by Frosty and his ilk. Here we go…
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER: Holiday Hostilities
There was not a war on CHRISTMAS. It was a war about the holiday as two stations battled it out for 6+ Santa supremacy. COX MEDIA Soft AC WDUV (101.5 THE DOVE), now known as the turtle dove, was back at #1 (9.1-11.0). Last year it was #1 with a 12.4 share. RADIO TRAINING NETWORK Contemporary Christian WCIE (THE JOY FM) held steady at #2 (8.6-8.4). The other Frosty station was iHEARTMEDIA AC WMTX (MIX 100.7). It stepped up to #3 (6.0-7.6). A year ago, it was #2 with a 6.6 share. COX MEDIA AC WWRM (MAGIC 94.9) was up to #4 (5.7-5.8), while COX MEDIA Classic Hits WXGL (107.3 THE EAGLE) swooped down to #5 with its lowest score since JULY (6.7-5.6). WDUV still led the cume race with a 16.8% increase (622,700-727,100). WMTX was #2, as usual, but with a 30.9% increase. The market was up 1.3%. Market PUMM was up 3.6% from DECEMBER and 15.7% from 2024.
WMTX moved up to #1 25-54 and was in double figures, while WDUV was up to #2. Last year those positions were reversed. WCIE stood alone at #3 but with its best book in over a year. WWRM went from first to fourth with a small share loss. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock WXTB (98 ROCK) repeated at #5 with a slight increase. Market PUMM was up 11.3% from the previous survey and 13.7% from last year.
WMTX jumped from #3 to #1 18-34 with a double-digit performance. This ended the four-book reign of WWRM, which drifted down to #2. WDUV dipped to #3 with a small share increase. Last year it was #1 while WMTX was #2. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WFLZ (93.3 FLZ) inched up to #4 with its best outing since JULY. WCIE rose two spots to #5 with a small increase. BEASLEY Rhythmic CHR WLLD (WiLD 94.1) stepped down to #6 with its lowest score since SEPTEMBER. It was tied with WXTB. BEASLEY Country WQYK (99.5 QYK) fell four slots to #8 with its smallest share in over a year. It was paired with COX MEDIA Urban AC WTBV (101.5 THE VIBE). Market PUMM was off 5.4% from last survey but rose by 12.4% from a year ago.
We’re sensing a pattern here. WMTX was up to #1 18-49 and in double figures. WCIE stepped up to #2 as it bounced back from a down book. WDUV stood alone at #3 with a solid share increase. As with the previous two demos, a year ago WDUV was #1 while WMTX was #2. WWRM slid from #1 to #4. A flat WXTB remained at #5 and was joined there by WFLZ, which moved up from #7. Market PUMM was up 6.9% from DECEMBER and 23.3% from 2024.
DENVER-BOULDER: A KOSI CHRISTMAS
For the eleventh book in a row BONNEVILLE AC KOSI (KOSI 101.1) was #1 6+ (10.9-12.1). Its #1 share a year ago was 12.7. AUDACY Classic Rock KQMT (99.5 THE MOUNTAIN) was back at #2 (5.9-5.6), while KSE RADIO VENTURES Classic Hits KXKL (KOOL 105) stepped up to #3 (4.6-4.8). Performing the leap o’ the book was AUDACY Rhythmic CHR KQKS (KS 107.5). It advanced from #14 to #4 with its best outing since JULY (3.0-4.5). Three stations were lumped together at #5. AUDACY Modern AC KALC (ALICE 105.9) slipped from #3 with its smallest share in exactly a year (4.9-4.4). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KRFX (103.5 THE FOX) dipped from a tie at #4 (4.6-4.4). BONNEVILLE Sports KKFN (104.3 THE FAN) rose from #8 (4.4-4.4). And, no, it is not the BRONCOS radio flagship. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTCL (CHANNEL 93.3) slipped four slots to #8, also with its lowest score in exactly a year (4.6-4.1). KOSI added 21.6% to its #1 cume total (597,400-726,400). The market was off 1.2%. Market PUMM was down 5.9% from DECEMBER but up by 8.1% from 2024.
KOSI was back at #1 25-54 and just missed hitting double figures. KTCL repeated at #2 but with, again, its lowest mark in exactly one year. KQMT moved up to #3 with a small share loss. It was partnered with KQKS, which advanced from #12 as it stopped a six-book slide. KALC slid to #5 with its smallest share since FEBRUARY. KSE RADIO VENTURES Sports KKSE (ALTITUDE SPORTS 92.5 FM) stepped down to #6 and was tied with KXKL. KKSE is also not the BRONCOS flagship. Market PUMM was down 7.2% from the previous survey but up by 10.1% from last year.
KOSI was #1 and in double digits 18-34 for the second book in a row. KQKS moved up to #2 as it bounced back from a down book. ENTRAVISION Mexican Regional KXPK (LA TRICOLOR 96.5) inched up to #3 as it ended a three-book skid. It was joined there by KXKL which dipped from #2 with a small share loss. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDHT (HITS 95.7) leapt from #11 to #5 as it halted a four-book slide. KTCL dropped to #6 and was tied with KQMT. KSE RADIO VENTURES Hot AC KIMN (MIX 100) fell from a tie at #4 into one at #8 with KRFX. Market PUMM was up 7.8% from last survey and 26.8% from a year ago.
KOSI remained #1 18-49 and flirted with, but missed, double digits. KQKS jumped from #7 to #2 as it rebounded from a down book. KTCL dipped to #3 with a small decrease, while three stations were huddled together at #4. KALC stepped down from #3 with its lowest mark since JUNE. KKSE remained in place with a small decrease, while KDHT advanced from #9 with a solid increase. KXPK slid from #5 to #9 with its smallest share in over a year. Market PUMM was down 4.7% from DECEMBER and up by 9.1% from 2024.
SAN DIEGO: CHRISTMAS Kicks
As expected, AUDACY AC KYXY was #1 6+ once again (11.1-13.7). Last year it led the pack with an 11.1 share. AUDACY Classic Hits KXSN (SUNNY 98.1) was back at #2 and ended a three-book slide (7.5-8.1). LOCAL MEDIA Rhythmic AC XHRM (MAGIC 92.5) stepped up to #3 (6.2-6.4), while SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY N/T KPBS slipped to #4 with its lowest total since AUGUST (7.5-5.9). GRUPO IMAGEN Spanish Hot AC XLTN (RADIO LATINA 104.5FM) was up to #5 (4.7-4.7), while AUDACY Country KSON slumped to #8 with its smallest share in over a year (4.9-3.2). KYXY continued as the cume leader with a 15.6% increase (635,400-734,500). The market was up by 0.7%. Market PUMM was off 5.3% from DECEMBER and up by 14.5% from 2024.
KYXY was #1 25-54 again and well into double figures. KXSN repeated at #2 with a solid share increase. XHRM moved up to #3 with a slight increase, while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHTS (CHANNEL 933) jumped four places to #4, also with only a slight increase. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KIOZ (ROCK 105.3) dipped to #5 with its lowest score since SEPTEMBER. It collided there with LOCAL MEDIA Pop CHR XHTZ (Z90.3), which arrived from #11 with a small increase. KPBS and LOCAL MEDIA Alternative XTRA (91X) were #3 and #4, respectively. They fell together to #9 where they were partnered with TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNV (QUÉ BUENA 106.5) and XLTN. Market PUMM was down 8.7% from the previous survey but up by 7.6% from last year.
KYXY was #1 and in double figures 18-34 for the second book in a row. KXSN maintained its #2 presence as it also landed in double digits. XHRM stepped up to #3 with a slight decrease. It was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMYI (STAR 94.1), which rose from #6 as it regained a small portion of last survey’s huge share loss. KSON slipped to #5 with a rather large share loss. KPBS fell from #5 into a six-way tie at #9. Market PUMM was up 4.3% from last survey and 41.6% from a year ago.
KYXY dominated 18-49, as well, finishing at #1 and in double figures again. KXSN repeated at #2 but w its highest share since SEPTEMBER. XHRM was back at #3 with a slight increase, while KHTS inched up to #4 with a slight decrease. A flat KMYI worked it from #9 to #5, while KLNV dipped to #6 with its lowest score since MARCH. XTRA fell from #4 to #10. Market PUMM was down 3.2% from DECEMBER but up by 20.4% from 2024.
CHARLOTTE-GASTONIA-ROCK HILL: Another Christmas Conflict
Can’t we all just get along? This was another market with twin Santa stations. BEASLEY Classic Hits WKQC (K104.7) was on the nice list as it remained #1 6+ (9.6-14.9). Last year it was #1 with a 10.0 share. URBAN ONE Urban Oldies WOSF (105.3 RnB) was back at #2 (7.0-7.5). iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits WLKO (102.9 THE LAKE) was Santa’s second favorite as it repeated at #3 (6.5-7.4). Last year it was #2 with a 7.9 share. BEASLEY Country WSOC (COUNTRY 103.7) held steady at #4 (6.1-6.5), while BEASLEY Urban AC WBAV (V101.9) maintained its stature as the #5 station (5.2-5.1). WLKO was still #1 in cume with a 29.1% increase (459,300-593-100). WKQC was still #2 in this category with a 28.4% increase. The market was up 1.2%. Market PUMM was up 3.0% from DECEMBER and 27.2% from 2024.
After just missing double figures last month WKQC passed that threshold this time as it remained #1 25-54. In NOVEMBER WOSF was in double digits. It slumped a bit last survey but the station returned to that rarefied air this time as it held firm at #2. BEASLEY Urban Contemporary WPEG (POWER 98FM) stood alone at #3 but with its best book since APRIL. WLKO was up but still dipped to #4. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WEND (106.5 THE END) repeated at #5 but with its smallest share since APRIL. Market PUMM was up 0.4% from the previous survey and 30.4% from last year.
The 18-34 space was not exactly a winter wonderland. WOSF stepped up to #1 with its best showing in over a year, which pushed BEASLEY Pop CHR WNKS (KISS 95.1) down to #2. Both stations were in double figures. WBAV stepped up to #3 as it regained a portion of last month’s massive share loss. WLKO bounced back from a down book but still dipped to #4. WPEG remained at #5 with its highest score since JUNE. WKQC inched up to #6 with its best Frosty-free share since JANUARY. It was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHQC (HITS 96.1). iHEARTMEDIA Country WKKT (96.9 THE KAT) slid four places into a four-way tie at #9. Market PUMM was up 5.6% from last survey and 48.8% from a year ago.
WOSF was #1 18-49 for the sixth straight survey. WKQC stood alone at #2 as both stations landed double-digit shares. WNKS dipped to #3 with a modest share loss, while WPEG had #4 all to itself thanks to its best book since APRIL. There were two other stations that were last seen at #4 and both had up books. WLKO stepped down to #5, while WBAV landed at #6. Market PUMM was up 4.3% from DECEMBER and 22.4% from 2024.
NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND): Santa’s Helpers
When there is more than one, they both can’t be the real big guy, right. Like those at the mall, they’re “Santa’s helpers.” iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) was the preferred choice for the holiday hits as it rose to #1 6+ (6.6-8.5). Last year it was #2 with a 7.4 share. The local option was CONNOISSEUR Hot AC WALK (WALK FM), which leapt from #5 to #2 (5.5-7.6). A year ago, it was #1 with an 8.4 share. AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) dipped to #3 (6.6-7.0), though it added a 1.4 share from cyberspace. RED APPLE MEDIA N/T WABC-A went from first to fourth (6.9-6.5), while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) stepped down to #5 (5.6-5.6). WLTW became the cume leader with a 22.8% increase (434,500-533,400). This pushed WALK to #2 in this category as the station only added 9.2% to its total. The market was off 0.6%. Market PUMM was down 4.7% from DECEMBER but up by 25.3% from 2024.
WALK moved up to #1 25-54, while WLTW stepped up to #2. The stations were separated by a bit more than a share. This brought WHTZ’s nine-book winning string to a close as it dropped to #3 with its lowest mark in exactly one year. COX MEDIA Pop CHR WBLI was up two slots to #4 despite a slight decrease. WABC remained at #5 and was paired with AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS, which moved up from #7, also with a slight decrease. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) fell from #4 to #10 with its lowest number since MARCH. Market PUMM was down 3.9% from the previous survey but up by 26.1% from last year.
WALK jumped from #3 to #1 18-34, while WLTW held firm at #2 with a large increase. The two were separated by a half share. WABC went from first to third with a large decrease, while WBLI was back at #4 with a strong increase. WHTZ repeated at #5 as it halted a three-book skid. Market PUMM was down 3.2% from last book but up by 17.4% from a year ago.
WALK vaulted from #4 to #1 18-49. WLTW remained at #2. The gap between the two stations was about a share. WHTZ had its nine-book winning streak snapped as it dropped into a tie at #2. WABC slipped to #4 with a slight decrease, while WBLI inched up to #5 with its best book since OCTOBER. WAXQ fell from #5 to #9. Market PUMM was down 2.6% from DECEMBER but up by 24.6% from 2024.
We can finally put all the holiday decorations away! We return to whatever is normal with the JANUARY survey in a few short weeks. Thank you for playing along.
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