Posts in "Hot Topics"
January 2, 2026
Filed Under: Hot Topics
In our first roundup we saw that’s Santa’s scorched earth policy was quite effective. Will that carnage continue in our second batch of subjects? This is the DECEMBER survey, after all. A book that ran from NOVEMBER 13th through DECEMBER 10th. In theory the entire 28-day period was drenched by the sounds of the season. Which stations showed restraint and which ones jumped the gun? That’s what The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—along with the number’s nerds from XTRENDS—are here to find out. Besides the Santa scourge, this survey also had the long travel nightmare that is THANKSGIVING. Read on…
SAN FRANCISCO: Santa Stymied
The holiday crush was unable to break the spoken word blockade at the top of the 6+ chart. KQED INC. N/T KQED was #1 for the twelfth straight survey (9.3-9.1). AUDACY News KCBS (ALL NEWS 106.9FM/740AM) remained #2 (8.1-8.1). It also garnered a 0.3 share from the upside down. BONNEVILLE AC KOIT flipped the Frosty switch the day before THANKSGIVING. That moved the station up to #3 (4.7-7.0). A year ago, it was #2 with a 7.2 share. USC Classical KDFC (CLASSICAL CALIFORNIA) dipped to #4 (5.1-5.0), while BONNEVILLE Hot AC KMVQ (99.7 NOW) stepped up to #5 (4.3-4.1). iHEARTMEDIA Soft AC KISQ (98.1 THE BREEZE) landed its lowest share in over a year as it drifted down to #7 (4.6-3.3). KOIT increased its #1 cume by 8.8% (1,068,400-1,162,300). The market was down 0.5%. Market PUMM was off 3.3% from NOVEMBER but up 16.6% from 2024.
The incessant jingling of the bells was a boon for KOIT as it moved from #4 to #1 25-54 with its best book since FEBRUARY. KQED stepped down to #2 as its three-book winning string was snapped. KMVQ dipped to #3 while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KYLD (WiLD 94.9) stepped up to #4. Both stations had slight decreases. AUDACY Alternative KITS (LIVE 105) posted its lowest score since MARCH as it slid from #2 to #5. Market PUMM was up 0.4% from last month and 18.0% from a year ago.
KOIT was #1 18-34 for the fourth book in a row but the elves pushed the station into double figures. SBS Mexican Regional KRZZ (LA RAZA 93.3) leapt from #13 to #2 as it more than doubled its previous share. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KMEL ended a somewhat steep three-book slide as it rose from #7 to #3. Thanks to a slight increase KMVQ was up two slots to #4. AUDACY Hot AC KLLC (ALICE @ 97.3) had its best showing in over a year as it advanced from #10 to #5. Several stations were excused from the top five. KQED and KYLD went from a tie at #3 into the same arrangement at #6. KISQ slid from #2 to #8. KITS dropped from #5 into a tie at #12 with CONNOISSEUR Hot AC KEZR (MIX 106.5) and AUDACY Rhythmic AC KRBQ (102 JAMS). Market PUMM was up 19.7% from the previous survey and 18.2% from last year.
KOIT went from #3 to #1 18-49, which knocked KQED down to #2. KMEL leapt from #7 to #3 with its highest mark since AUGUST. KYLD stood alone at #4 with a small decrease. Its former partner in that space – KMVQ – dipped to #5 with its smallest share since JUNE. KITS slid from #2 to #6. Market PUMM was up 0.4% from NOVEMBER and 20.7% from 2024.
ATLANTA: Who’s Next?
For the longest time the home of the holiday hits resided with the station formerly known as THE FISH. It swam away, so who picked up the red coat with the white fur trim? Stay tuned. COX MEDIA N/T WSB-A was #1 6+ for the fourth book in the row though it returned all of last month’s share increase (8.5-7.4). COX MEDIA Classic Hits WSRV (97.1 THE RIVER) ended a five-book slide as it rose from #5 to #2 (5.6-6.2). COX MEDIA AC WSB-F (B98.5) dipped to #3 (6.8-6.1), while COX MEDIA Urban AC WALR (KISS 104.1) stepped down to #4 (6.5-6.0). URBAN ONE Urban AC WAMJ (MAJIC 107.5/97.5) was down a spot to #5 (6.2-5.9), while AUDACY Urban AC WVEE (V-103) settled in at #6 with its lowest mark in over a year (5.6-5.1). The Santa station was AUDACY Rhythmic AC WSTR (STAR 94). It flipped the day before THANKSGIVING and went from #10 to #8 (3.6-4.2). WSB-F was still the cume leader despite a 4.1% decline (851,300-816,100). The market was up 0.1%. Market PUMM was down 5.2% from NOVEMBER and 4.6% from 2024.
Despite a down book WVEE was #1 25-54 for the third straight survey. WSB-F was back at #2 as it halted a three-book surge. AUDACY Sports WZGC (92.9 THE GAME) was up to #3 with a slight decrease, while WSB-A dipped to #4 as it ended a four-book surge. It was paired with WALR, which remained in place but with its smallest share in over a year. WSTR moved from #10 to #8. Market PUMM was down 5.3% from last month and 1.8% from a year ago.
WSB-F was #1 18-34 for the third book in a row though it was unable to replicate last month’s double-digit performance. WSRV stepped up to #2 with a small increase, while WVEE stayed behind at #3 with a small decrease. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WRDG (96.1 THE BEAT) inched up to #4 with its third down book in a row. WALR slid three places to #5 with its lowest mark since JULY. WSTR went from #9 to #8. Market PUMM was down 2.9% from the previous survey but up 7.1% from last year.
WSB-F repeated at #1 18-49 as it returned all of last month’s share increase. WVEE remained at #2. The stations were separated by a half share. WSRV vaulted from #8 to #3 with a solid share gain, while a flat WZGC moved up to #4. CUMULUS Pop CHR WWWQ (Q99.7) held steady at #5 but with its lowest score since JUNE. WALR and WSB-A were #3 and #4, respectively, last time. They dropped into a tie at #7 with JDJ COMMUNICATIONS Urban Contemporary WWSZ (STREETZ 94.5). WSTR rose from #11 to #6. Market PUMM was down 6.3% from NOVEMBER and 7.4% from 2024.
WASHINGTON, DC: Santa Denied
As we saw with an earlier market, the polar express was unable to blast through the information blockade atop the 6+ leaderboard. HUBBARD News WTOP was #1 for the sixth book in a row (12.1-12.2), while AMERICAN UNIVERSITY N/T WAMU repeated at #2 (11.6-10.9). iHEARTMEDIA AC WASH went all holly and jolly on day two of the survey. That propelled the station from #5 to #3 (4.9-8.7). Last year it was #3 with a 7.3 share. HOWARD UNIVERSITY Urban AC WHUR dipped to #4 (7.0-6.0), while iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WWDC (DC101) stepped down to #5 (5.0-5.2). WASH increased its #1 cume total by 13.9% (794,200-904,500). The market was up 0.4%. Market PUMM was off 5.1% from NOVEMBER but grew by 19.9% from 2024.
WASH leapt from #3 to #1 25-54 and landed in double figures. Despite remaining in double digits WAMU was forced down to #2. This ended an eleven-book reign for the station. WTOP was down to #3 as it halted a two-book surge. WWDC repeated at #4 as it rebounded from a down book. WHUR was up to #5 with its best outing in exactly a year. ATLANTIC GATEWAY Contemporary Christian WGTS stepped down to #6 with a large share loss. Market PUMM was off 1.2% from last month but up 22.6% from a year ago.
WASH moved from #3 to #1 18-34 and narrowly defeated WTOP, which slipped to #2 despite landing its largest share since AUGUST. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WBIG (BIG 100) vaulted from #7 to #3 with its, uh, biggest book in over a year. WHUR inched up to #4 with its highest score since MAY. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WIHT (HOT 99.5) slipped three places to #5 with its lowest total since JULY. It was paired with iHEARTMEDIA Country WMZQ, which dropped from #3. Market PUMM was off 6.5% from the previous survey but up 24.4% from last year.
WASH hit double figures 18-49 as it rose from #3 to #1. This ended the eight-book winning string for WAMU, which drifted down to #2. WTOP dipped to #3 with a slight decrease, while WWDC held firm at #4 as it bounced back from a down book. WHUR landed its largest share in over a year as it progressed from #7 to #5. WGTS and WIHT were last seen at #5. This time they arrived at #6 and #7, respectively. Market PUMM was down 5.1% from NOVEMBER but up 20.7% from 2024.
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PHILADELPHIA: Be The Sleigh
AUDACY AC WBEB (B101) crossed over to the dark side on day two of the survey and reaped all the benefits, moving from #5 6+ to #1 (5.0-10.1). Last year it was #3 with a 7.8 share. BEASLEY Active Rock WMMR dipped to #2 (7.7-6.4), while iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WDAS was up to #3 with its best book since MAY (5.4-6.3). AUDACY Sports WIP (94 WIP SPORTSRADIO) stepped down to #4 (6.6-5.8), though it did add a 2.3 share from cyberspace. BEASLEY Classic Rock WMGK landed its smallest share in over a year as it fell from #2 to #5 (6.7-5.5). WBEB increased its leading cume total by 28.2% (1,088,900-1,396,200). The market was up 1.1%. Market PUMM was off 1.2% from NOVEMBER but up 20.5% from 2024.
WBEB came close to doubling its previous 25-54 share. It rose from #4 to #1 and hit double figures. This ended the ten-book winning streak for WMMR, which stepped down to #2. WDAS repeated at #3 with its third straight up book. EMF Contemporary Christian WKVP (106.9 K-LOVE) slid to #4 as it gave back about half of last month’s share increase. WIP and WHYY INC. N/T WHYY went from being tied at #4 to #5 and #6, respectively. Market PUMM was down 2.3% from last month but rose 25.8% from a year ago.
WBEB more than doubled its previous 18-34 share as it rose from #6 to #1 and hit double figures. It led the three stations at #2 by more than six shares. WMMR remained in place as it surrendered a good portion of last month’s increase. BEASLEY Country WXTU (92.5 XTU) stepped up from #3 despite a down book, while WDAS advanced from #4 with a slight increase. WMGK fell from first to fifth and was paired with BEASLEY Adult Hits WBEN (95.7 BEN FM), which rose from #7. WIP slid from #5 to #8. Market PUMM was down 9.3% from the previous survey but up 0.9% from last year.
WBEB exactly doubled last month’s 18-49 share as it leapt from #5 to #1. Yes, it was in double digits, as well. WMMR stepped down to #2 and just missed hitting double figures again. WDAS dipped to #3 despite being up for the third book in a row. WIP moved down to #4, while WBEN worked it from #9 to #5 with its third consecutive up book. WMGK fell four places to #8 and was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WIOQ (Q102). Market PUMM was down 5.1% from NOVEMBER but up 13.6% from 2024.
BOSTON: Holiday Magic
AUDACY AC WMJX (MAGIC 106.7) hit the ho, ho, ho button on the day before THANKSGIVING. As a result, the station rose from #2 to #1 6+ (6.1-10.3). Last year it was #1 but with an 8.3 share. BEASLEY Sports WBZ-F (98.5 THE SPORTS HUB) dipped to #2 as its four-book surge ground to a halt (6.9-6.2). BEASLEY Classic Hits WROR remained at #3 (5.6-5.3), while iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WXKS (KISS 108) was back at #4 (5.3-4.9). Two stations moved up to forge a tie at #5. iHEARTMEDIA N/T WBZ-A stepped up from #6 (4.7-4.6), while AUDACY Sports WEEI advanced from #7 (4.4-4.6). BOSTON UNIVERSITY N/T WBUR fell four places to #9 with its smallest share since Santa’s last visit (5.0-4.0). WMJX exceeded the one million cume mark as it added 19.9% to that total (843,600-100,400). The market was down 0.3%. Market PUMM was off 4.0% from NOVEMBER but up 2.0% from 2024.
WMJX vaulted from #7 to #1 25-54 as it more than doubled last month’s number. The station was also in double figures. WBZ-F stepped down to #2 as its three-book winning string came to an end. WMJX went from trailing WBZ-F by five shares to leading by more than a share. WXKS dipped to #3 as its four-book surge ended. AUDACY Hot AC WWBX (MIX 104.1) moved down to #4 with a slight decrease, while iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WZLX was down to #5 with its lowest score since JUNE. WBUR fell from #5 to #8. Market PUMM was off 0.9% from last month but rose 12.6% from a year ago.
WMJX stepped up to #1 18-34 for its third win in the last four surveys. Again, it reached double figures. iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR WJMN (JAM’N 94.5) moved down to #2, while WROR advanced from #7 to #3 as it rebounded from a down book. WEEI leapt four places to #4 with its best offensive performance in over a year. WWBX dipped to #5 and was tied with a flat WXKS, which remained in place. BEASLEY Rhythmic AC WBQT (HOT 106.9) cooled off as it fell from #3 to #8, while WBUR dropped from #5 to #10. Market PUMM was up 4.9% from the previous survey and 3.1% from last year.
WMJX went from third to first 18-49 as it hit double digits once again. This ended the two-book winning streak for WBZ-F, which moved down to #2. WROR was up two slots to #3 with a small increase, while WWBX repeated at #4 with a slight decrease. WXKS fell from #2 to #5 with its smallest share since March. Market PUMM was up 0.6% from NOVEMBER and 6.0% from 2024.
We’re halfway through the DECEMBER reading. Thank you for your participation. Stay tuned for another action splattered episode. On tap are MIAMI, SEATTLE, PHOENIX, DETROIT, and MINNEAPOLIS. Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog at www.ResearchDirectorInc.com/Hot-Topics. And remember, sharing is caring – spread the word far and wide.
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December 30, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Great. So here we are smack dab in the middle of the fallow business season and NIELSEN has to go and drop a bunch of data on us. In a short week, no less. What’s worse is that this is the first tranche of numbers that are entirely contaminated by the ghosts of CHRISTMAS. All of them. Worming their way into your listeners’ ears only to abandon them once the season has passed. Cretins.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR INC.—in close cooperation with the data diviners from XTRENDS—are here to break down the DECEMBER survey. Face it, this one matters mostly to the stations that made the Frosty flip. The book ran from NOVEMBER 13TH through DECEMBER 11TH. It was bisected by the long THANKSGIVING weekend and, of course, was saturated by the likes of BURL IVES and his ilk.
NEW YORK: A Festival Of Lite
To the surprise of absolutely no one, iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) was #1 6+ (7.4-9.9). A year ago, the station was also #1 with a 9.7 share. The station went all jolly and bright eight days into the survey. AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) was back at #2 (6.8-6.5). It also picked up a 0.6 share from cyberspace. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) remained at #3 (5.8-5.1) but it was not alone. MEDIACO Urban AC WBLS rebounded from a down book to vault from #10 to a tie at #3 (4.1-5.1). SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) repeated at #5 (5.0-5.0). It also added a 1.4 share from the upside down. AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS dipped to #6 with its smallest share since Santa’s previous visit (5.6-4.6). WLTW added 11.7% to its market leading cume number (3,765,500-4,205,800). The market was off 1.5%. Market PUMM fell 3.3% from NOVEMBER but was up 15.9% from 2024.
WLTW was still #1 25-54 and in double figures. The station also bested last year’s number by more than a share. WHTZ remained at #2 with its first down book since JULY. WSKQ was back at #3 while its stream landed at #18. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WWPR (POWER 105.1) stepped up to #4 with its best showing in over a year. MEDIACO Rhythmic CHR WQHT (HOT 97FM) stepped down to #5 as it returned all of last month’s increase, plus a little extra. Market PUMM was off 5.8% from last month but up 11.5% from a year ago.
WLTW remained #1 18-34. The station narrowly missed hitting double figures and was about five shares, um, lighter than a year ago. WWPR was up two places to #2 with, again, its best book in over a year. WBLS rebounded nicely from a down book as it rose from #11 to #3. WQHT inched up to #4 with a slight increase. WSKQ and WHTZ were at #2 and #3, respectively, in NOVEMBER. Both stations suffered share losses as they slipped into a tie at #5. Market PUMM was down 0.2% from the previous survey but up 9.9% from last year.
WLTW moved up to #1 18-49 and landed in double digits. It was a share shy of last year’s number. This ended the three-book winning string for WHTZ, which slipped to #2, thus ending a four-book surge. WWPR moved up to #3 with a solid increase, while WQHT dipped to #4 as it surrendered most of last month’s share increase. WSKQ repeated at #5 while its stream sat at #16. Market PUMM was down 3.2% from NOVEMBER but up 14.8% from 2024.
LOS ANGELES: Merry KOSTmas
iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST hung the stockings with care on the second day of the survey. The station stepped up to #1 6+ (6.5-11.2). It was #1 with an 8.3 share last year. AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101FM) landed its lowest number since Rudolph’s last rodeo as it dropped to #2, ending a seven-book winning streak (7.0-5.8). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYFM) was back at #3 (4.9-4.9). AUDACY Urban AC KTWV (94.7 THE WAVE) remained at #4 (4.6-4.2) but was forced to share as AUDACY News KNX moved up from #6 (3.8-4.2). KNX also picked up a 0.3 share from the digital realm. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) slid to #7 with its smallest share in over a year (4.0-3.6). KOST remained in cume command with a 25.7% increase (2,414,400-3,033,700). The market was off 1.1%. Market PUMM was down 4.1% from NOVEMBER but up 14.6% from 2024.
KOST went from #3 to #1 25-54 and landed in double figures. It bested last year’s number by close to two shares. KBIG repeated at #2 with a slight decrease, while a flat AUDACY Alternative KROQ inched up to #3. KRTH again had its lowest total since the BURL IVES incursion as it went from first to fourth. AUDACY Adult Hits KCBS (93.1 JACK FM) advanced from #8 to #5 with its highest score in over a year. Last month there was a threesome at #5. All three stations had down books this time. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) dipped to #6, KTWV slipped to #7, and KIIS dropped to #9. Market PUMM was down 4.3% from last month but up 11.4% from a year ago.
KOST nearly doubled last month’s 18-34 share as it jumped from #3 to #1. The station was in double figures and more than five shares stronger than last year. KIIS held steady at #2 with a slight decrease, while KTWV moved up to #3 even though it gave back all of last month’s share increase—plus a little extra. KRTH saw its five-book winning string grind to a halt as it dropped to #4. It was sharing that moment with KYSR, which stepped up from #5, and TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KSCA (LA NUEVA 101.9), which advanced from #8 with its best showing in over a year. Market PUMM was off 4.0% from the previous survey but up 4.9% from last year.
KOST rose from #4 to #1 18-49. It more than doubled last month’s share and was well ahead of last year’s pacing. KBIG remained at #2 with a slight increase. KRTH slipped to #3 as its eight-book reign came to an abrupt end. KTWV dipped to #4 while KIIS was back at #5. Both stations experienced modest share declines. Market PUMM was down 4.0% from NOVEMBER but up 9.5% from 2024.
CHICAGO: Oh, The Drama
iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.9 LITE FM) made the yule leap just before the last week of the NOVEMBER survey. In this book the station was #1 6+ once again with a massive share increase (6.0-11.5). Last year it was #1 with a 9.8 share. HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX) usually gets decimated by the Santa scourge. This year it landed on the nice list as it stood alone at #2 (5.1-5.0). Its previous two partners in that space moved down into a tie at #3. They were AUDACY AAA WXRT (5.1-4.8) and AUDACY News WBBM-A (5.1-4.8). WBBM-A did add a 0.5 share from the interwebs. CUMULUS Classic Hits WLS-F worked it from #9 to #5 (3.6-4.5), while AUDACY Country WUSN (US99) slid three places to #8 with its smallest share since we were last roasting chestnuts on an open fire (4.8-3.6). WLIT was still #1 in cume but padded that lead with, checks notes, a 45.2% increase! (1,321,800-1,918,900) The market was up 0.8%. Market PUMM was down 1.1% from NOVEMBER but rose by 20.7% from 2024.
WLIT rose to #1 25-54 and hit double figures. It beat last year’s number by about a share and a half. WTMX dipped to #2 but with a slight increase. CUMULUS Alternative WKQX (Q101) stepped down to #3 but with its largest share in over a year. CUMULUS Classic Hits WLS-F made the leap o’ the month as it jumped from #17 to #4. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WGCI inched up to #5 with a slight increase. It was joined there by a flat HUBBARD Adult Hits WTBC (THROWBACK 100.3), which advanced from #9. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) fell from #4 to #7, while TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional WOJO (QUÉ BUENA 105.1) dropped from #5 to #9. Market PUMM was off 1.6% from last month but grew by 21.6% from a year ago.
WLIT remained at #1 18-34 and hit double digits. It was a share or so ahead of last year’s pace. WLS-F came close to tripling its previous share as it rocketed from #12 to #2. WKSC dipped to #3 with its smallest share since the last time the elves were terrorizing the town. WKQX again posted its largest share in over a year as it rose from #8 to #4. WUSN slipped to #5, while WGCI dropped from #4 into a tie at #7 with AUDACY Pop CHR WBBM-F (B96) and AUDACY Rhythmic Oldies WBMX (104.3 JAMS). HUBBARD Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 THE DRIVE) downshifted from #5 to #14 with its lowest mark in over a year. It was partnered with WTBC and AUDACY Mainstream Rock WCHI (ROCK 95.5). Market PUMM was down 4.9% from the previous survey but up 20.1% from last year.
WLIT repeated at #1 18-49, hit double figures, and beat last year’s number by better than a share. WKQX remained at #2 but with its fifth up book in a row. WLS-F more than doubled its previous score as it vaulted from #13 to #3. A flat WTMX was back at #4, while WKSC slipped to #5. WOJO dropped four slots to #9 and was paired with WBMX. Market PUMM was down 2.0% from NOVEMBER but up 22.2% from 2024.
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DALLAS-FT. WORTH: A Star To Guide Them
And it worked for iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1). The station made the Frosty flip on day two of the survey as it leapt from #4 to #1 6+ (4.8-8.6). Last year it was #1 with a 7.1 share. CUMULUS Sports KTCK (THE TICKET SPORTSRADIO 96.7fm/1310am)) dipped to #2 (6.4-6.3), while CUMULUS Country KPLX (99.5 THE WOLF) was down to #3 but with its highest score since MARCH (5.1-5.5). CUMULUS Country KSCS (NEW COUNTRY 96.3) stepped down to #4 (5.0-5.3), while iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) stood alone at #5 (4.4-4.5). Its former partner in that space—TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1)—moved down to #6 (4.4-4.1). KDGE was still the cume leader as it increased listener count by 32.8% (1,190,400-1,581,100). The market was off 0.3%. Market PUMM was down 3.8% from NOVEMBER but up 18.7% from 2024.
KDGE jumped from #5 to #1 25-54. It also beat last year’s number by more than a share. KTCK and KLNO were previously tied at #1. KTCK dipped to #2 with a slight increase, while KLNO slipped to #3 with a slight decrease. KPLX repeated at #4 with a slight increase. KDMX slid to #5 with its third down book in a row. Market PUMM was down 2.5% from last month but up 12.2% from a year ago.
KDGE more than doubled last month’s share as it rose from #4 to #1 18-34. It was two shares better than last year, as well. KSCS maintained its #2 presence with a solid share increase. KTCK remained at #3 but with its best outing in over a year. KLNO slid to #4 as its three-book winning streak came to a close. KPLX stayed at #5 with a slight increase. Market PUMM was up 5.3% from the previous survey and 22.0% from last year.
KDGE more than doubled last month’s 18-49 share as it leapt from #4 to #1. The station was in double figures and was about two shares ahead of last year’s pace. KLNO ended a two-book winning streak as it stepped down to #2 with a slight decrease. KTCK dipped to #3, while KPLX moved up to #4 as it rebounded from a down book. KDMX dropped two places to #5. Market PUMM was off 0.1% from NOVEMBER but up 17.4% from 2024.
HOUSTON-GALVESTON: Sunny Santa
Two stations succumbed to the dark side of holiday tuneage. iHEARTMEDIA AC KODA (SUNNY 99.1) flipped on day two of the survey. The station maintained its #1 6+ rank quite easily (8.7-16.4). Last year it was #1 with an 11.2 share. URBAN ONE Urban AC KMJQ (MAJIC 102.1) remained at #2 (8.1-7.8), while URBAN ONE Country KKBQ (93Q COUNTRY) held firm at #3 (6.0-5.7). AUDACY Hot AC KHMX (MIX 96.5) had its best book in over a year as it leapt from #8 to #4 (4.1-4.9). HOPE MEDIA Contemporary Christian KSBJ got into the holiday spirit during the third week of the survey. The station rose from #10 to #5 (4.0-4.7). URBAN ONE Classic Rock KGLK (THE EAGLE 106.9/107.5) dipped to #6 (4.9-4.5), while CUMULUS Pop CHR KRBE slid from #4 to #7 with its smallest share since JUNE (5.3-4.0). KODA increased its #1 cume by 18.9% (1,972,000-2,344,300). The market was up 0.4%. Market PUMM was down 1.8% from NOVEMBER but up 13.8% from 2024.
KODA continued its string of #1 25-54 books with a massive share increase. The station was squarely in double figures and nearly five shares ahead of last year’s pace. KMJQ stepped up to #2 with a slight decrease, while iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTBZ (94.5 THE BUZZ) dipped to #3 with its lowest mark since JUNE. SBS Mexican Regional KROI (LA LEY 92.1) moved up to #4 with a slight increase, while KKBQ was up to #5. KRBE slid three places to #7. Market PUMM was down 1.2% from last month but up 19.2% from a year ago.
KODA had a moment. The station more than doubled last month’s 18-34 share. Its number was greater than the next three stations – combined. KTBZ was up two slots to #2 with a slight increase, while KRBE dipped to #3. KHMX again had its best book in over a year as it moved up two spaces to #4. KKBQ slid to #5 as it ended a robust two-book surge. URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBXX (97.9 THE BOX) dropped to #7 with its lowest score in over a year. Market PUMM was down 9.5% from the previous survey and 16.9% from last year.
KODA more than doubled its previous 18-49 share as it was obviously still #1. The station was also more than five shares better than last year. KTBZ repeated at #2 but with its lowest total in over a year. KKBQ repeated at #3 with a modest share loss. A flat KROI stepped up to #4. It was paired with KHMX, which advanced from #6 with a slight increase. KRBE slid to #6. Market PUMM was down 2.6% from NOVEMBER but up 8.8% from 2024.
Thanks for playing along. Round two is currently in the oven but will be delivered tomorrow. It will showcase SAN FRANCISCO, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON D.C., PHILADELPHIA, and BOSTON in that order.
If you’re a first-time caller but long-time listener, be sure to sign up for our blog. And feel free to pass it along to others in your chat group.
-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant
About XTrends: XTrends is radio’s favorite tool for reviewing ratings. Click here to see why all of radio’s major groups love XTrends!
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.
December 22, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Whether your title is Operations Manager, Program Director, Chief Content Officer, or whatever labels are put on the traditional PD role, this is likely not the most wonderful time of the year for you. Not that you don’t enjoy the holiday season. It’s the holiday prep that can bog you down. With most of the business world about to check out for five or more days, you’re tasked with the awesome responsibility of planning ahead.
Are all the shifts covered by people, either live or voice tracked? Is all the imaging properly time stamped so we don’t run a “Merry Christmas” sweeper on December 26th? Is traffic on their toes for this, as well? Nothing like running that “last minute gift idea” spot the day after Christmas. Let’s not forget the days upon days of music logs you need to feed into the system. I’m sure that this only scratches the surface of your pre-holiday checklist.
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December 12, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Photo by m. on Unsplash
Coaches and athletes always talk about what it takes to perform at your best. Ability, heart, desire—these are all traits that lead to winning. But the one thing you hear them stress over and over is mastering the fundamentals. Things like footwork, spatial awareness, arm slot—these techniques lead to successful outcomes.
With that in mind, we thought we’d go back to basics in this column. We have talked about this before but there are four things that can (and will) have an impact on your station’s ratings. Here they are:
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December 8, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
As we head into our final roundup (hope that’s not an omen) we are here to tally up how many markets left the NORTH POLE early. In this last batch of five markets, we see that two of them were on the polar express. So, of the top 20 radio markets, a total of five flipped the switch during this survey. Were these wise decisions? We’ll let you be the judge of that. More importantly, the listeners are the judges.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – with a healthy assist from the number’s crunchers from XTRENDS – are back for another excursion into the NOVEMBER data. The survey ran from OCTOBER 16TH through NOVEMBER 12TH. The clocks rolled back for some inexplicable reason, there was an election, and our veterans received their well-deserved due. Let’s dive in:
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December 5, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
If you’re keeping score (and since you’re in radio you always keep score), of the first ten markets we have examined, only one had a station that dove into the holiday fray. As we prepped round three, we discovered that two of the next five markets had an early adopter. Which begs the question: Do listeners really want to hear BRENDA LEE that early? We could also ask if Costco shoppers want to buy Disney displays in SEPTEMBER. It’s all about expectations. Or is it?
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR INC.—along with the right jolly old data elves from XTRENDS—bring you back into the NOVEMBER state of mind. This survey ran from OCTOBER 16TH through NOVEMBER 12TH. The time it was a-changing, there was an election, and we honored our Veterans. Here’s how that all played out:
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December 4, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
In our previous episode we went on a bit of a rant about how the NOVEMBER survey was “sus,” as the kids say, because of the early arrival of the elfin horde. Well, as it turned out, only one of the five markets we dissected had an early adopter. (To be fair, it went very well for that station.) As we were preparing this batch of markets, we thought it would be prudent to see if any stations jumped the shark, as it were. The answer is—none did. So, the NOVEMBER book is completely legit, only subject to the whims of the audience. Which is how things normally are.
This book ran from OCTOBER 16TH through NOVEMBER 12TH. The times changed (don’t they always), there were elections, and we honored our Veterans. Let’s dive in…
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December 3, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Welcome to the first survey of the dystopian nightmare known as the holiday season. While you are recovering from your food coma and pouring through hundreds of unopened e-mails, your listeners have become zombies, lured by the siren songs of BURL IVES and his evil minions. They have flocked to the one station in your market that flipped the Frosty switch. Some may say this is a premature capitulation to our elfin overlords, but who are we to decide? The data will tell the story.
As always, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—in a close-quarters formation with the numbers nerds from XTRENDS—bring you the NOVEMBER book. This one ran from OCTOBER 16TH through NOVEMBER 12TH. There was a time change, a few elections, and a federal holiday. Here’s how it all unfolded:
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November 27, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Research Director, Inc.! Wishing you and your family a wonderful day filled with warmth, laughter, some pie, and your favorite radio station playing in the background. Our offices are closed until Monday. We will see you next week!
November 21, 2025
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Once again, The Ratings Experts from Research Director, Inc., in cooperation with the data aggregators from XTRENDS, are here with the latest quarterly comparison of how the three-minute qualifier boosted listening levels. This time we are comparing Summer 2024 with Summer 2025. This is as close to an “apples to apples” comparison as we can get. Keep in mind the differences in survey dates, real world effects, and panel composition.
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