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Radio Ratings Roundup, August 2026 Part I
September 8, 2026
The AUGUST ratings are in. This is our final look at the end of the summer situation. The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—along with the intrepid numbers nerds from XTRENDS—are here to present the full Monty, uh, picture of what happened. Unlike some institutions we do not take a summer recess. We are here to serve you, the radio fraternity. While we would love to have a month-long respite from doing the people’s work, we know that the meters never stop. Nor shall we.
This survey ran from JULY 23RD through AUGUST 19TH. There were no official holidays but plenty of vacations, hot weather, and trade deadline speculations. Here is what NIELSEN wrought:
NEW YORK: The Nitty Gritty City
Feels like the beginning of a detective noir novel. iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) was #1 6+ for the sixth straight survey, but with its smallest share since JANUARY (7.9-7.3). This paved the way for AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) to step up and forge a tie for the lead (7.4-7.3). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) inched up to #3 (5.2-5.6), which pushed AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS down to #4 (5.7-5.4). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) was back at #5 (4.8-4.8), while AUDACY Hot AC WNEW (NEW 102.7) rose from #8 to #6 with its first up book since MAY (4.1-4.5). WLTW still had the most listeners (3,791,300-3,741,300)—a 1.3% drop. The market was down 0.7%.
WLTW repeated as the 25-54 leader but with its lowest score in over a year. WHTZ remained at #2, while iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WKTU (103.5 KTU) was back at #3. Both stations had slight decreases. WINS held steady at #4 as it ended a solid two-book surge. It was paired with MEDIACO Rhythmic CHR WQHT (HOT 97), which advanced from #8 with its best book since FEBRUARY. They were being closely pursued by iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WWPR (POWER 105.1), which was still at #6. WCBS slid from #5 to #8 with its lowest mark since the city streets were full of roasted chestnut vendors.
WLTW captured the 18-34 flag for the eleventh book in a row but was unable to duplicate last month’s double-digit feat. WNEW remained at #2 with a slight increase, while WQHT leapt from #7 to #3 with its best showing in over a year. WHTZ dipped to #4 as it halted a four-book surge. WAXQ stepped down to #5 despite its fifth up book in a row. WCBS rose from #10 to #6 as it rebounded from a down book. MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS fell from #5 to #12 its smallest share in over a year. It was tied with AUDACY Sports WFAN (SPORTS RADIO 101.9FM/66AM).
WLTW made it a three-peat atop the 18-49 leaderboard. WHTZ remained at #2 with its lowest total since JANUARY. It was partnered with WNEW, which moved up a slot with its best performance in over a year. WQHT rose from #8 to #4 as it recovered from a down book. WWPR stepped up to #5 with a small increase, while WKTU slid from #3 to #6. WINS moved from #5 to #7.
LOS ANGELES: They Did It My Way
For the second book in a row, iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYFM) was #1 6+. The station also landed its largest share in over a year (6.2-6.7). AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101) was back at #2 (5.9-5.7) but was not alone as iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST stepped up to force a tie ball (5.8-5.7). AUDACY Adult Hits KCBS (93.1 JACK FM) inched up to #4 (4.7-4.6), which displaced AUDACY Urban AC KTWV (94.7 THE WAVE), which dipped to #5 (4.8-4.5). For the first time in ten surveys KOST was not the leading cume station. That honor was bestowed upon KRTH, which moved up thanks to a 5.1% increase (2,123,400-2,231,600). The market grew by 0.3%.
KBIG was #1 25-54 for the sixth straight survey and again picked up its best number in over a year. The Alternative battle was on full display. AUDACY Alternative KROQ moved up to #2 and was a half share clear of iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7), which was up to #3. KRTH slipped to fourth place with its lowest total since Santa was spying on you. Kind of like a FLOCK camera. KCBS stood alone at #5 with a slight increase, while its former partner in that space—KOST—dipped to #6 with its smallest share in over a year. Also coming in at #6 was SBS Mexican Regional KLAX (LA RAZA 97.9), which rose from #10 with its best performance in over a year.
KRTH was back at #1 18-34 with a small decrease. It was about a share in front of iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary KRRL (REAL 92.3), which moved up from #4 with its highest mark in over a year. As recently as MAY it was sitting at #15. KBIG jumped from #6 to #3 with, yup, its best book in over a year. KOST dipped to #4 with a slight decrease, while KROQ moved from #7 to #5. Two stations exited the top five. KTWV slid from #2 to #6 as it ended a three-book surge. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) fell from #5 to #8 with its least productive outing in over a year. It was partnered with MERUELO Rhythmic CHR KPWR (POWER 106) and SBS Spanish Contemporary KXOL (MEGA 96.3).
KBIG rebounded from a down book to remain #1 18-49 for the third month in a row. KRTH was back at #2 with a down book and was over two shares off the lead. KROQ rose from #5 to #3 with its highest score since MARCH. KCBS stepped down to #4, while KLAX advanced from a tie at #8 to #5 with its largest share in over a year. KOST slipped from #4 to #6 with a slight decrease.
CHICAGO: Second City News
This just in, AUDACY News WBBM-A moved up to #1 6+ thanks to its best book in over a year (5.8-6.4). Meanwhile, AUDACY AAA WXRT (93XRT) moved from #4 to #2 with its first up book since APRIL (5.4-5.9). This snapped the three-book winning string for HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX), which slipped to #3 (6.0-5.2). iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) stepped up to #4 (4.9-4.9), while HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE) motored from #7 to #5 (4.5-4.7). iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) slipped from #3 to #6 as it returned most of last month’s share increase (5.5-4.5). AUDACY Country WUSN (US99) went from #5 to #7 with its smallest share since JANUARY (4.9-4.2). WLIT remained in cume command with a 2.4% increase (1,310,900-1,342,400). The market grew by 2.1%.
The next three demos are not a 100% complete picture of the standings as we cannot tell you the fates of certain stations. They exist in the real world but not here. WTMX was #1 25-54 for the eighth straight survey but with its lowest score since we were playing games with one of the seven subspecies of reindeer. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI rose from #4 to #2 with its best showing in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) moved from #5 to #3 as it recovered from a down book. WXRT slipped to #4 with a slight increase, while WLIT stepped up to #5. WUSN dropped from #3 to #7 and was partnered with AUDACY Pop CHR WBBM-f (B96) and TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1).
WKSC landed its eighth straight 18-34 win but with its smallest share since people were pretending they liked eggnog. WTMX advanced from #6 to #2 as it ended a three-book slide, while WGCI leapt from #8 to #3. WLIT and WBBM-F were last seen at #2 and #3, respectively. Both stations had down books as they fell into a tie at #4. WVAZ slipped from #4 to #7, while WUSN dropped from #5 to #8. It was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Mainstream Rock WCHI (ROCK 95.5).
WGCI moved up to #1 18-49 with, once again, its best book in over a year. This stopped the seven-book winning string for WTMX, which stepped down to #2. WKSC dipped to #3 with a slight decrease, while WXRT inched up to #4 with a slight increase. WLIT moved down to #5.
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DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Star City
You read the trades. You know what is going on. There are stations in this market that still attract an audience, generate revenue, and ping meters. We are just prevented from revealing them to you. For the third straight survey, iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1) was #1 6+ (6.0-6.2). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) was back at #2 with its highest mark since FEBRUARY (4.8-4.9). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) stepped up to #3 (4.1-4.6) while AUDACY Sports KRLD (105.3 THE FAN) inched up to #4 (3.8-4.2). Both stations posted their best numbers in over a year. AUDACY Classic Hits KSPF (98.7 THE SPOT) remained at #5 (3.9-4.1). KDGE continued to garner the most meters (1,227,200-1,213,200) – a 1.1% decline. The market was also off by 1.1%.
As with the previous demo, KDGE was #1 25-54 for the third book in a row. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) was back at #2. The gap between the two stations narrowed slightly to a half share. KRLD stepped up to #3, again with its best outing in over a year. KHKS was up to #4 with a slight decrease, while AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) moved up to #5 with a slight increase. KDMX slipped from #3 to #6 with its lowest total in over a year.
KDMX repeated as the 18-34 leader and posted its best number in over a year. KDGE was back at #2 with its best Frosty-free share in over a year. KHKS was up to #3 as it rebounded from a down book, while URBAN ONE Urban Contemporary KKDA (K104) moved up to #4 with a small share gain. URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBFB (97.9 THE BEAT) advanced to #5 with its highest score in over a year.
KDMX repeated as the 18-49 winner despite a down book. KDGE remained at #2 and was now less than a half share off the lead. KLNO was back at #3 with a slight increase, while KRLD stepped up to #4, again with its best offensive performance in over a year. KHKS dipped to #5 with a small share increase.
HOUSTON-GALVESTON: Sun City
Triskaidekaphobics beware! iHEARTMEDIA AC KODA (SUNNY 99.1) was #1 6+ for the 13TH book in a row (9.6-9.1). URBAN ONE Classic Rock KGLK (THE EAGLE 106.9/107.5) was back as a distant #2 (6.8-6.9), while URBAN ONE Urban AC KMJQ (MAJIC 102.1) remained at #3 (6.6-6.4). iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTBZ (94.5 THE BUZZ) held steady at #4 (5.5-5.6). URBAN ONE Country KKBQ (93Q COUNTRY) finished in fifth place again (5.4-5.1). It was not alone as HOPE MEDIA Contemporary Christian KSBJ advanced from #7 to forge a tie (5.2-5.1). KODA continued as the cume champion despite a 1.9% decline (1,802,600-1,768,900). The market was down by 0.8%.
What’s the buzz, tell me what’s a-happening…The next three demos are a hive of activity. KTBZ was #1 25-54 for the seventh straight survey. KODA continued at #2 but was about two shares off the pace. KSBJ was back at #3 though it surrendered a good portion of last month’s increase. As a result, KGLK was able to float up from #6 to force a tie. AUDACY Hot AC KHMX (MIX 96.5) remained at #5 with a slight decrease. It narrowly defeated URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBXX (97.9 THE BOX), which rose to #6 with its best book in over a year. KMJQ fell from #4 to #10 with its lowest total in over a year.
KTBZ bested the 18-34 field for the eighth book in a row. It was more than two shares clear of AUDACY Spanish Contemporary KLOL (MEGA 101 FM), which rose from #4 to #2 with its best book in over a year. KODA dipped to #3 with a slight decrease. Making the leap o’ the month was ESTRELLA Spanish Adult Hits KQQK (EL NORTE 107.9/101.7). The station vaulted from #15 to #4, nearly doubling its previous share. KHMX repeated at #5 with a slight increase. KGLK fell from #3 into a tie at #9 with KMJQ.
KTBZ extended its 18-49 winning string to five with a small increase. A flat KODA was back at #2, while KGLK and KHMX rose from a tie at #4 to one at #3. They were joined there by KBXX, which advanced from #6 as it bounced back from a down book. KSBJ returned most of last month’s huge increase as it dropped from #3 into a tie at #8 with KKBQ.
Thank you for your participation. We don’t have a trophy for you but we will be delivering more numbers tomorrow. Up next are SAN FRANCISCO, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON D.C., PHILADELPHIA, and BOSTON. They will be in your inbox tomorrow.
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