RADIO RATINGS ROUNDUP, July 2025, Part II

August 18, 2025

Our team of crack researchers has been trying to get to the bottom of this data processing glitch, and we think we may have stumbled upon a possible explanation. While we cannot explicitly confirm this, we do believe it had something to do with a Nigerian prince. As we continue with our normal round-up rants, we are constantly checking our bank account for that large wire transfer. We are sure it will arrive at any minute.

The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with our data processing geniuses from XTRENDS – bring you another tranche of JULY numbers. This survey ran from JUNE 26^TH through JULY 27^TH. There were vacations, severe weather, dogs and cats living together and, of course, a long holiday weekend. Here’s what happened:

HOUSTON-GALVESTON: It’s The Same Old Song

The top five slots on the 6+ chart were unchanged from last month. iHEARTMEDIA AC KODA (SUNNY 99.1) ran its winning streak to twelve (7.3-7.2). HOPE MEDIA Contemporary Christian KSBJ remained hot on KODA’s heels as it came in at #2 again (7.1-6.9). URBAN ONE Urban AC KMJQ (MAJIC 102.1) was back at #3 (6.5-6.5), while RADIO ONE Classic Rock KGLK (THE EAGLE 106.9/107.5) repeated at #4 but with its highest share in over a year (5.4-6.0). Once again, RADIO ONE Country KKBQ (93Q) rounded out the top five (5.2-5.2). KODA continued to have the most listeners (1,914,200-1,841,800) – a 3.8% decline. The market was off 0.4%. Market PUMM was down 3.9% from JUNE but grew by 17.8% from 2024.

There wasn’t much change in the 25-54 ranks, either. KODA was #1 for the ninth straight survey and expanded its lead over #2 KSBJ to a full share. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTBZ (94.5 THE BUZZ) was up to #3 as it ended a two-book slide, while KMJQ repeated at #4 with a slight increase. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary KQBT (93.7 THE BEAT) slipped to #5 with its smallest share since FEBRUARY. Market PUMM was down 4.1% from last month but rose 27.6% from a year ago.

KTBZ was the 18-34 leader for the sixth straight survey, though the station was unable to extend its three-book double-digit streak. KODA was back at #2 with a slight increase and was about a half share off the pace. KKBQ moved up to #3 with its best outing since FEBRUARY, while KQBT dipped to #4 with its lowest score since JANUARY. URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBXX (97.9 THE BOXX) stepped down to #5 as it halted a two-book surge. Market PUMM was down 11.0% from the previous survey but up 26.2% from last year.

The top five on the 18-49 leaderboard were the same as last month. KODA was #1 for the third book in a row, while KTBZ was back at #2 but with its smallest share in over a year. KSBJ remained at #3 with its best outing in over a year, while KQBT held steady at #4 with a small share loss. TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Adult Hits KOVE (AMOR 106.5) stayed put at #5, also with a small share loss. Market PUMM was down 6.2% from JUNE but was up 25.4% from 2024.

ATLANTA: Watchin’ The River Flow

For the fifth book in a row COX MEDIA Classic Hits WSRV (97.1 THE RIVER) was #1 6+ (8.2-7.5). COX MEDIA N/T WSB-A remained at #2 (7.1-7.0), while URBAN ONE Urban AC WAMJ (MAJIC 107.5/97.5) stood alone at #3 as it stopped a two-book slide (6.3-6.9). COX MEDIA Urban AC WALR (KISS 104.1) dipped to #4 (6.3-6.5), while EMF Contemporary Christian WAKL (106.7 K-LOVE) was up to #5 with its third up book in a row (4.6-5.8). AUDACY Urban Contemporary WVEE (V-103) stepped down to #6 with its smallest share since DECEMBER (5.9-5.6). COX MEDIA AC WSB-F (B98.5) remained the cume commander despite a 2.7% decrease (984,200-957,900). The market was up 1.0%. Market PUMM was off 5.7% from JUNE but up 3.5% from 2024.

Though WVEE landed its lowest 25-54 share since SEPTEMBER the station was still #1 for the eighth book in a row. WAMJ was back at #2 with a slight increase and found itself about a share off the lead. WALR repeated at #3 but with its third straight down book. WSRV stepped up to #4 with its highest mark since SEPTEMBER, while WSB-F dipped to #5 with a slight increase. Market PUMM was down 6.4% from the previous survey but went up 7.3% from a year ago.

WSB-F had its best 18-34 book since MARCH as it vaulted from #3 to #1. Several stations had down books but still maintained their rank or moved up the chart. WAKL was back at #2 though it ended a strong two-book surge. WSRV stepped up to #3 though it returned some of last month’s share increase. WVEE was up to #4 with its lowest score since SEPTEMBER. It was paired with WAMJ which rose from #7with a slight increase. Last month’s leader was iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WRDG (96.1 THE BEAT). It fell to #9, ceding more than half its previous number. AUDACY Rhythmic AC WSTR (STAR 94) dropped from #5 into a tie at #10 with URBAN ONE Urban Contemporary WHTA (HOT 107.9). Market PUMM was down 8.5% from last month but up 16.9% from the previous year.

WVEE continued to dominate the 18-49 space, finishing in first place for the eighth book in a row. WSB-F stepped up to #2 with its third straight up book. WAMJ remained at #3 with a slight increase but was paired with WAKL which advanced from #6 with its highest score to date. WALR was back at #5 with a small decrease and was joined by WSRV which moved up from #7. WRDG fell from #2 into a tie at #9 with iHEARTMEDIA Country WUBL (94.9 THE BULL). Market PUMM was down 6.9% from JUNE but rose 7.6% from 2024.

WASHINGTON, DC: Breaking News!

We’re used to hearing that splash coming out of this city, but this one is huge. For the first time in well over a year, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY N/T WAMU was NOT the leading 6+ station. That honor went to HUBBARD News WTOP which moved to the, ahem, top of the chart with its best book in over a year (11.7-13.1). The station was also in double figures for the eighth book in a row. WAMU dipped to #2 but kept its double-digit streak alive (12.7-11.2). HOWARD UNIVERSITY Urban AC WHUR was back at #3 (5.7-5.8), while CUMULUS N/T WMAL (NEWSTALK 105.9) rebounded from a down book to rise from #7 to #4 (4.1-4.7). iHEARTMEDIA AC WASH and iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WWDC (DC101) were last spotted at #4. WASH dipped to #5 with its smallest share since SEPTEMBER (5.1-4.6), while WWDC landed at #6 with its lowest score since NOVEMBER (5.1-4.4). For the first time since MARCH WTOP was the cume leader, thanks to a 1.5% increase (814,300-826,900). The market was down 0.9%. Market PUMM was off 3.6% from JUNE but up 16.4% from 2024.

WAMU had its second straight double-digit 25-54 book as it ran its demo win streak to seven. WTOP was back at #2 but with its lowest total since DECEMBER. ATLANTIC GATEWAY Contemporary Christian WGTS landed its largest share in over a year as it rose from #8 to #3. WWDC posted its lowest number since BRENDA LEE was charting as it dipped to #4. WHUR remained at #5, while AUDACY Classic Hits WIAD (94.7 THE DRIVE) motored from #4 to #9 with its least productive outing in over a year. Market PUMM was down 8.3% from last month but grew 10.0% from a year ago.

For the third book in a row WTOP was #1 18-34 and opened up about a two-share advantage over the rest of the field. iHEARTMEDIA Country WMZQ was up to #2 with a slight decrease. WWDC and WHUR went from a tie at #5 up to one at #3 with identical small share increases. WASH dropped from #2 to #5 with its lowest mark since OCTOBER. WIAD fell from #3 to #7 where it was partnered with WGTS and iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WIHT (HOT 99.5). Market PUMM was down 4.5% from the previous survey and 1.4% from last year.

WAMU was #1 18-49 for the fourth book in a row. It had a two-share lead over WTOP which remained at #2. The next three stations each landed their largest shares in over a year. WGTS advanced from #10 to #3, WHUR moved from #6 to #4 and AUDACY Spanish Contemporary WLZL (EL ZOL 107.9) rose from #8 to #5. WWDC slipped three places to #6, while WASH went from #4 to #7. WIAD fell from #5 to #11. Market PUMM was down 4.8% from JUNE but up 10.5% from 2024.

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PHILADELPHIA: Same Old Song And Dance

The top six finishers in the 6+ race were in the same position as last time. BEASLEY Classic Rock WMGK was #1 for the fifth book in a row (8.3-8.5), while BEASLEY Album Oriented Rock WMMR made it five consecutive second place finishes (6.9-7.2). AUDACY Sports WIP (SPORTSRADIO 94WIP) was back at #3 (6.7-6.4), though it did pick up a 2.0 share from the digital realm. iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WDAS repeated at #4 (5.7-5.5), while AUDACY AC WBEB (B101.1) remained at #5 (5.5-5.3). AUDACY News KYW-A held steady at #6 (5.3-5.0), though it did pick up a 1.5 share from cyberspace. WBEB kept its cume lead despite a 7.8% decrease (1,164,400-1,073,800). The market was down 1.0%. Market PUMM was off 5.0% from JUNE but went up 13.5% from 2024.

WMMR was the runaway 25-54 leader for the sixth straight survey. WMGK was #2 for the fourth book in a row but trailed its more inked cluster bro by well over two shares. WBEB repeated at #3 with a slight decrease, while WDAS remained at #4. WIP bounced back from a down book to move up to #5, while BEASLEY Country WXTU (92.5 XTU) slid to #7 as it returned most of last month’s share increase. Market PUMM was down 6.8% from last month but grew by 13.2% when compared to a year ago.

WMMR was up for the third book in a row as it leapt from #3 to #1 18-34. A flat WXTU remained at #2, while two stations were massed together at #3. WBEB fell from first place with its lowest score since NOVEMBER, while BEASLEY Adult Hits WBEN (95.7 BEN-FM) rose from #6 with its best book in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WRFF (ALT 104.5) and WMGK were last seen at #4. A flat WRFF dipped to #5, while WMGK dropped into a tie at #6 with WDAS. Market PUMM was down 10.0% from the previous survey but gained 19.0% from last year.

Not only was WMMR #1 18-49 for the seventh straight survey, the station cracked the double-digit barrier. WMGK was back at #2 with a slight decrease and was more than three shares off the pace. WIP stepped up to #3 and was paired with WDAS which arrived from a tie at #6 with a small increase. WBEB slipped two places to #5 with its lowest score since FEBRUARY. It was tied with a flat WXTU. WRFF slid from #5 to #8 as it surrendered a good portion of last month’s large share increase. Market PUMM was down 9.4% from JUNE but up by 13.6% from 2024.

BOSTON: The Space Between

The top five 6+ stations were all within a share of one another. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WZLX vaulted from #4 to #1 with its best book since MARCH (5.1-5.7). AUDACY Hot AC WWBX (MIX 104.1) stepped up to #2 with its highest mark since NOVEMBER (5.3-5.6). AUDACY AC WMJX (MAGIC 106.7) saw its five-book winning streak come to an end. The station slipped to #3 with its lowest score since SEPTEMBER (5.7-5.4). BEASLEY Classic Hits WROR was back at #4 (5.1-5.3), while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WXKS (KISS 108) moved up two places to #5 (4.9-4.9). iHEARTMEDIA N/T WBZ-A dropped from #1 to #6 (5.7-4.5). It was paired with BOSTON UNIVERSITY N/T WBUR (5.0-4.5). Despite an 8.0% decline WMJX was still in cume control (866,900-797,200). The market was down 4.6%. Market PUMM was off 2.7% from JUNE but grew by 8.8% from 2024.

WWBX was #1 25-54 for the third book in a row. It held a commanding lead over BEASLEY Sports WBZ-F (98.5 THE SPORTS HUB) which remained at #2. WZLX jumped from #7 to #3 with its best showing since DECEMBER. WXKS slipped to #4 with its smallest share in over a year. WROR repeated at #5 with a small decrease, while WBUR dropped down to #6 with its lowest total since the reindeer were bullying Rudolph. Market PUMM was down 4.8% from last month but up by 13.5% from a year ago.

For the sixth book in a row WWBX was #1 18-34. The station also made  back-to-back double-digit performances. WXKS and iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR WJMN (JAM’N 94.5) moved up to tie at #2. WXKS rose from #4 with its highest mark since NOVEMBER, while WJMN advanced from #7 with its best book since OCTOBER. They were both about four shares off the lead. WMJX dipped to #4 but with a solid share increase. BEASLEY Country WKLB (COUNTRY 102.5) remained at #5. However, it was forced to share that space with AUDACY Adult Hits WBGB (BIG 103) and iHEARTMEDIA N/T WRKO-A. Last month iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WZRM (RHUMBA 97.7) more than doubled its share as it rocketed up to #2. The station returned most of that gain as it fell to #13. Market PUMM was up 8.7% from the previous survey and 11.4% from last year.

WWBX continued to dominate the 18-49 space, capturing the flag for the fourth book in a row. WXKS repeated at #2 but was more than two shares off the lead. WBZ-F was back at #3 but with its lowest score in over a year. WJMN soared from #12 to #4 with its best book in over a year. WZLX worked it from #9 to #5 (what a way to make a livin’) with its first up book since MARCH. Beasley Rhythmic AC WBQT (HOT 96.9) and WROR exited the top five and landed together at #7. Market PUMM was up 0.3% from JUNE and 8.0% from 2024.

It is now time for the half-time festivities. There is plenty of data still left to sift through. Up next on the docket are SEATTLE, MIAMI, PHOENIX, DETROIT, and MINNEAPOLIS. Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog. And remember, sharing is caring – spread the word far and wide.

-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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