Radio Ratings Roundup, May 2026, Part IV

June 18, 2026

MAY is one of those charming little months when radio stations get to discover, yet again, that warm weather, long weekends, graduations, vacations, and the general human desire to be anywhere but inside can influence usage patterns. Of course, your mileage and ratings could vary. That’s why it behooves us to factor in the real world when looking at ratings performance.

The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—along with the expert data diviners from XTRENDS—are here to put things in perspective. The MAY book ran from APRIL 30^TH through MAY 27^TH. We had the MEMORIAL DAY holiday weekend, Mom’s Day and, of course, that one day when Taco Bell thinks it serves MEXICAN food.

Now, on with the countdown:

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

COX MEDIA AC WDUV (105.5 THE DOVE) was nested atop the 6+ leaderboard for the fourth book in a row (9.7-9.0). RADIO TRAINING NETWORK Contemporary Christian WCIE (THE JOY FM) was back at #2 (7.2-7.3), while COX MEDIA Classic Hits WXGL (107.3 THE EAGLE) was perched at #3 once again (6.0-6.4). Moving up to #4, COX MEDIA AC WWRM (MAGIC 94.9) had its best showing in over a year (5.7-6.3). BEASLEY Classic Hits WRBQ (Q105) dipped to #5 (5.8-5.4) and was being threatened by iHEARTMEDIA AC WMTX (MIX 100.7) at #6 (5.3-5.3). WDUV remained in cume control despite a 1.3% decline (652,200-643,600). The market was off by 0.7%.

While WDUV was #1 25-54 for the fourth straight survey, the station landed its first down book since JANUARY. As a result, it held a very narrow lead over the two stations at #2. WRBQ repeated at #2 with its highest score in over a year, while WWRM moved up a spot with a solid increase. WCIE stepped up to #4 with a strong share gain, while WMTX dipped to #5 with a slight decrease.

WDUV was #1 and in double figures 18-34 for the third book in a row. WWRM was back at #2 and was dangerously close to landing in double-digit territory. WCIE remained at #3 with its highest mark since NOVEMBER. WMTX leapt from #7 to #4 as it recovered from a couple of soft surveys. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WFLZ (93.3 FLZ) slipped from #3 to #5 with its smallest share since OCTOBER. COX MEDIA Urban AC WTBV (101.5 THE VIBE) dipped to #6 though its stream came in at #16. WXGL rebounded from a down book as it moved up to claim its share of the #6 position.

WDUV was unable to extend its 18-49 winning streak to four as it slipped to #3. WWRM moved up to #1 with its best book since DECEMBER, while WCIE rose to #2 with a solid increase. WMTX held steady at #4, while WRBQ inched up to #5. Both stations had slight increases. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock WXTB (98 ROCK) stood alone at #6 with a slight decrease, while WFLZ slipped from #5 to #7.

DENVER-BOULDER: Cozying Up

For the first time since JANUARY, BONNEVILLE AC KOSI (KOSI 101.1) was #1 6+ (6.5-6.7). The next six stations on the chart were within a share of each other. AUDACY Classic Rock KQMT (99.5 THE MOUNTAIN) dipped to #2 as its three-book winning string was reduced to gravel (6.8-5.9). iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTCL (CHANNEL 93.3) stepped up to #3 (5.2-5.2) and was paired with BONNEVILLE Country KYGO, which rose from #7 (5.0-5.2). KSE MEDIA VENTURES Classic Hits KXKL (KOOL 105) was down to #5 (5.1-5.0). iHEARTMEDIA AAA KBCO slipped from #3 to #6 (5.5-4.9). It was joined there by AUDACY Modern AC KALC (ALICE 105.9), which was last seen at #4 (5.2-4.9). KOSI was still the cume leader (496,400-481,800) —a 2.9% decline. The market was up by 0.1%.

KTCL was #1 25-54 for the fifth book in a row and widened its lead over #2 KALC from a half share to nearly two shares. A flat KKSE MEDIA VENTURES Sports KKSE (ALTITUDE SPORTS RADIO 92.5FM) stepped up to #3 and was joined there by KOSI, which rose from #5 with a slight increase. KQMT went from #3 to #5 with its smallest share since MARIAH CAREY was relevant. KXKL dipped to #6 with its first down book since JANUARY.

KTCL was both #1 and in double digits 18-34 for the second straight survey. ENTRAVISION Mexican Regional KXPK (LA TRICOLOR 96.5) was up two places to #2 as it rebounded from a down book. KXKL dipped to #3 as it returned all of last month’s large increase plus a tad more. KYGO stepped down to #4 with a small share loss. Last survey four stations were massed together at #5. This time only KOSI remained in place. It did have a new partner as iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KRFX (103.5 THE FOX) advanced from a tie at #12 with its best showing since NOVEMBER. KALC and iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDHT (HITS 95.7) fell together to #7 and were joined by KSE MEDIA VENTURES Hot AC KIMN (MIX 100), which moved up from a tie at #12. The final member of that #5 quartet was COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO N/T KCFR. It landed in a tie at #10 with KQMT.

KTCL made it back-to-back 18-49 wins. A flat KKSE stepped up to #2, while KOSI moved from #6 to #3 with a solid increase. KALC dipped to #4, while KXPK advanced from #7 to #5. KXKL slid from #2 into a tie at #6 with KDHT. AUDACY Rhythmic CHR KQKS (KS 107.5) fell from #5 to #11. It was partnered with KQMT, COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO AAA KVOQ, and KRFX.

SAN DIEGO: Time Is Tight

The 6+ competition remained very tight. AUDACY Classic Hits KXSN (SUNNY 98.1) was back at #1 (7.4-7.7) but was being closely pursued by #2 SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY N/T KPBS (7.3-7.6). AUDACY Sports KWFN (97.3 FM THE FAN) was up two places to #3 (5.3-5.4) while the next two stations landed their lowest shares in over a year. LOCAL MEDIA Rhythmic AC XHRM (MAGIC 92.5) stepped down to #4 (6.7-4.9), while AUDACY AC KYXY landed at #5 (6.0-4.7). KXSN was still the most listened to radio station despite a 0.5% decline (611,100-608,100). The market was up 0.5%.

The 25-54 race was also close as iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KIOZ (ROCK 105.3) vaulted from #4 to #1 with its best showing in over a year. KXSN moved down to #2 but was under a half share off the lead. KWFN dipped to #3 as it returned some of last month’s rather large increase. KPBS advanced from #10 to #4 as it bounced back from a down book. KYXY was back at #5 with a small share loss and was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHTS (CHANNEL 93.3), which moved up from #8 with a small increase. XHRM fell from #3 to #10 with its lowest score in over a year.

KXSN was #1 18-34 for the third book in a row and was flirting with double digits. It held better than a three share lead over the three stations at #2. KYXY remained in place but with its lowest total since NOVEMBER. LOCAL MEDIA Alternative XTRA (91X) stepped up from #3 with a small decrease, while KWFN advanced from #4 with a slight increase. There was also a threesome at #5. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMYI (STAR 94.1) dipped from #4 with a large share loss. GRUPO IMAGEN Spanish Hot AC XLTN (RADIO LATINA 104.5FM) rose from #10, while TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNV (QUÉ BUENA 106.5) leapt from #14. Both stations landed their largest shares in over a year.

After taking a two-book hiatus, KXSN was back at #1 18-49 with its best showing since the weather outside was frightful (though not in this market). KIOZ moved up to #2 with a slight increase, while KPBS jumped from #10 to #3 with its best book in over a year. KLNV vaulted from #11 to #4 with a huge share increase. KYXY slipped to #5 and was tied with KHTS, which moved up from #8. XHRM fell from #1 to #10, again with its lowest score in over a year.

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CHARLOTTE-GASTONIA-ROCK HILL: Ties Don’t Bind

Last month UNIVERSITY RADIO FOUNDATION N/T WFAE and iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits WLKO (102.9 THE LAKE) were tied atop the 6+ chart. This time around, WFAE was alone at #1 with its third up book in a row (6.5-7.6), while WLKO moved down to #2 (6.5-6.9). iHEARTMEDIA Country WKKT (96.9 THE KAT) was back at #3 (6.4-5.8), while PACIFIC BROADCASTING GROUP Classic Hits WXRC (95.7FM THE RIDE) cruised from #9 to #4 with its highest mark since AUGUST (5.1-5.7). iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WEND (106.5 THE END) leapt from #10 to #5 with its best showing in over a year (4.9-5.6). It was met there by BEASLEY Classic Hits WKQC (K104.7FM), which rose from #7 (5.3-5.6). BEASLEY Pop CHR WNKS (KISS 95.1FM) slid from a tie at #4 to #7 (5.7-5.2). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WRFX (99.7 THE FOX) also vacated the #4 hole as it made its way down to #9 (5.7-4.7). It was tied with BEASLEY Urban AC WBAV (V101.9), which moved up from #11 (4.6-4.7). WLKO kept the cume lead despite a 4.9% drop (533,600-507,700). The market was down 0.4%.

WEND repeated as the 25-54 leader and was coming awfully close to hitting double figures. WFAE zoomed from #7 to #2, while WLKO was back at #3. Both stations had their best books in over a year. BEASLEY Urban Contemporary WPEG (POWER 98) slipped to #4 with its smallest share since NOVEMBER. WRFX and WKKT remained together at #5 but welcomed a new member to the club as URBAN ONE Urban Oldies WOSF (105.3 RnB) dropped from 3.

WNKS was both #1 and in double figures 18-34 for the second book in a row. WEND leapt from #6 to #2 and was on the doorstep of double digits. WLKO moved up to #3 as it regained most of last month’s dramatic share loss. WKQC rose from #6 to #4 with its largest number in over a year. WRFX slid from #2 to #5 as it surrendered all of last month’s massive increase, plus a bit more. It was tied with WFAE, which moved up from #8. WPEG fell from #3 to #7, while WOSF dropped from #4 to #12.

WEND increased its previous 18-49 share by about a third as it rose from a tie at #4 to #1. This pushed WNKS down to #2. They were about a half share apart. WFAE moved up into contention at #3, again with its best outing in over a year. WLKO and WKQC were last seen at #8. They rose to #4 and #5, respectively, with large share gains. WRFX slid from #2 to #6, while WPEG fell from #3 to #7.

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND): News You Can Use

For the fifth straight survey, AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) was #1 6+ (8.8-8.3). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) was back at #2 (6.2-7.3), while AUDACY Sports WFAN (SPORTS RADIO 105.9FM/66AM) inched up to #3 (5.4-5.5). CONNOISSEUR Hot AC WALK (WALK FM) strolled up to #4 (5.1-5.1), while COX MEDIA Pop CHR WBLI (106.1 BLI) moved up to #5 (4.9-4.8). AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS had its best outing in over a year (4.2-4.7) as it rose from #9 to #6. AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7) fell from #3 to #10 as it gave back all of last month’s large increase plus a skosh more (5.5-3.5). It was tied with iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM), which remained in place (3.8-3.5). For the first time since NOVEMBER, WHTZ was the leading cume station, thanks to a 9.6% increase (381,300-417,900). The market was up 1.3%.

WHTZ landed in double figures as it won the 25-54 competition for the third book in a row. WALK was back at #2 as it rebounded from a down book. It was about two shares off the lead. WBLI repeated at #3 though it gave back a good portion of last month’s share increase. WLTW and WCBS were previously spied at #5 and #6, respectively. They rose together and settled in at #4. WNEW dropped two places to #6 as it ended a very strong seven-book surge.

WBLI was back at #1 18-34, while WHTZ vaulted from #6 to #2. Both stations landed their largest shares in over a year and were a half share distant. CONNOISSEUR AC WKJY (K-JOY 98.3) also has its best performance in over a year as it leapt from #7 to #3. WALK dipped to #4 despite a strong share increase. Five—count ‘em—five stations were languishing at #5. WNEW and WLTW slipped from a tie at #3, while WINS dropped from #2. COX MEDIA Classic Rock WBAB rose from a tie at #8 as it bounced back from a down book. WCBS advanced from #10.

As with the 25-54 cell, WHTZ hit double digits 18-49 for its third win in a row. WALK stepped up to #2 as it bounced back from a down book, while WBLI remained behind at #3 with a small share loss. WNEW slipped from #2 to #4 with a huge share loss. WKJY jumped from #11 to #5, again with its highest score in over a year. WINS stepped down to #6 and was paired with WFAN, which moved up from #7.

Thank you for playing along. We’ll be back in about four weeks to dissect the JUNE survey. Feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions, critiques, and complaints to our customer care department, which is definitely not AI driven. A real human will answer this e-mail: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com.

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