February 23, 2026
Welcome to the JANUARY survey. Or, as we like to refer to it around the radio ratings ranch, a return to normalcy. This is the book where programmers in PPM markets start paying attention to the numbers again. Why? Santa. The previous two books are always clouded by the scourge of CHRISTMAS music. Hopefully, during this one the wandering herds of listeners have found their collective way home.
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—along with the data shepherds from XTRENDs— are back in the saddle again. This book ran from JANUARY 8TH through FEBRUARY 4TH. It featured ice, snow, and a federally mandated three day weekend. Let’s take a look at the results…
NEW YORK: This Just In…
Apparently if you give them 22 minutes, they’ll go to #1 6+. That’s what happened to AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS), which landed its largest share in over a year (6.2-7.5). Without Santa’s generosity iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM) dipped to #2 (12.5-7.0). SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ (MEGA 97.9) repeated at #3 (5.6-5.4). The station also added a 1.5 share from the interwebs. AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS stepped up to #4 (4.6-5.3). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) slipped to #5 (5.3-5.1). It was paired with NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO N/T WNYC, which moved up a spot with its best showing in a year (4.4-5.1). Despite a 25.9% decrease WLTW was still the cume leader (4,571,200-3,387,600). The market was off by 4.0%.
WSKQ experienced a slight share loss but that did not deter the station as it moved up to #1 25-54 for the first time since JUNE. WLTW landed its smallest share since JUNE as it dipped to #2. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WWPR (POWER 105.1) moved up to #3 with its highest score in over a year. WHTZ was down for the third book in a row as it stepped down to #4. In our last episode MEDIACO Rhythmic CHR WQHT (HOT 97FM) and WCBS were tied at #5. Both stations had solid but unequal increases as they stood at #5 and #6, respectively.
Despite a massive share loss WLTW was #1 18-34 for the eleventh time in the last 14 surveys. A flat WQHT inched up to #2, while WWPR was up two slots to #3 as it rebounded from a down book. WHTZ slid to #4 as it surrendered a good portion of last survey’s large increase. WCBS dipped to #5 with a small share gain. It was met there by the WSKQ STREAM, which advanced from #7. The broadcast version of WSKQ came in at #10.
WSKQ became the new 18-49 leader with a slight decrease. It narrowly defeated WLTW, which was down to #2. One click behind was WWPR, which rose to #3 with its best book in over a year. WHTZ had its lowest total in over a year as it dipped to #4. WQHT slipped to #5 as it ended a steep three-book slide.
LOS ANGELES: Sleigh Bells Don’t Ring
But plenty of folks were still listening. With the holidays just a distant memory, iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST was still #1 6+ (13.3-6.3). AUDACY Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101FM) remained at #2 (5.6-5.7), while iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYFM) was back at #3 (5.1-5.3). AUDACY Adult Hits KCBS (93.1 JACK FM) landed its largest share in over a year as it rose from #6 to #4 (3.9-4.4). AUDACY News KNX was back at #5 (4.1-4.3), while AUDACY Urban AC KTWV (94.7 THE WAVE) receded three spots to #7 (4.3-4.1). KOST continued to win the cume despite a 31.9% loss (3,459,000-2,354,800). The market was up by 1.3%.
The 25-54 contest was hotly contested as the top six stations were separated by less than a share. A flat KBIG moved up to #1. AUDACY Alternative KROQ was also flat as it stepped up to #2. KRTH also came in at #2, arriving from #4, as it ended a three-book skid. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) leapt from #8 to #4 with its best showing in over a year. KCBS repeated at #5 but with a solid share increase. KOST fell from #1 to #6.
However, KOST still had enough left in its tank to remain #1 18-34 for the third book in a row. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) stepped up to #2 with a small increase. It was partnered with TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KSCA (LA NUEVA 101.9), which came up from #5 with its highest score in over a year. KYSR leapt from #8 to #4 with a huge share gain. KRTH slipped from #2 to #5 and was tied with KTWV, which moved up as slot as it bounced back from a down book. KROQ fell from #3 to #7 as it returned all of last survey’s increase, plus a bit of value added.
KBIG was up to #1 18-49 with a slight increase, as KOST dipped to #2 with a huge share loss. KSCA advanced two spaces to #3 with its third up book in a row. KRTH dipped to #4 with a slight increase and just edged the two stations at #5. KROQ stepped down from #4 with a slight increase, while KCBS inched up from #6 with its largest share in over a year.
CHICAGO: Breaking News…
AUDACY News WBBM-A moved up to #1 6+ with its highest mark since MARCH (5.1-5.9). HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX) was happy Santa skipped town as it rose from #5 to #2 with its best book in over a year (4.2-5.5). AUDACY AAA WXRT (93XRT) also landed its largest share in over a year as it stepped up to #3 (4.5-5.4). iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.3 LITE FM) fell from first to fourth (12.4 -5.2). NEXTSTAR N/T WGN-A (RADIO 720) slipped to #5 (4.6-4.8). One benefit of PPM technology is you can really see market influenced audience movement. WLIT still had the most cume despite a 42.9% drop (2,102,400-1,200,200). The market was down 2.3%.
WTMX had its best 25-54 outing in over a year as it rose to #1. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) stepped up to #2 with its best book since OCTOBER. WLIT went from first to third as it ended a five-book surge. WXRT advanced from #7 to #4 with its highest mark since JULY. WBEZ ALLIANCE N/T WBEZ repeated at #5 with a modest share gain. HUBBARD Adult Hits WTBC (THROWBACK 100.3) slipped to #6 with a slight increase.
WKSC had its best 18-34 book since OCTOBER as it moved up to #1. WLIT dipped to #2 as it shed more than half its previous share. WTMX vaulted from #7 to #3. It was sitting at #11 two books ago. CONNOISSEUR Active Rock WIIL (95 WIIL ROCK) advanced from #10 to #4 with its largest share in over a year. It was joined there by AUDACY Country WUSN (US99.5), which rose from #8 as it bounced back from a down book. CRAWFORD Urban Contemporary WPWX (POWER 92) slid to #7 with a slight decrease.
WTMX stepped up to #3 18-49 with its best showing since APRIL. WKSC was up to #2 with a strong share increase. WLIT slipped from first to third, while WBEZ leapt from #11 to #4 with its highest score in over a year. WXRT was also upwardly mobile as it went from a tie at #9 to join the fray at #4. In its final appearance, the station formerly known as AUDACY Rhythmic AC WBMX (104.3 JAMS) fell from #4 to #9.
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DALLAS-FT. WORTH: A Tight Race
The top of the 6+ leaderboard had all the stations closely bunched together. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) moved up to #1 (4.4-4.5), while Santa’s chosen station—iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1)— dipped to #2 (10.1-4.4). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) was up to #3 (4.2-4.2), while AUDACY Alternative KVIL (ALT 103.7) advanced two squares to #4 (3.6-3.9). AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) leapt from #8 to #5 as it halted a four-book slide (3.4-3.8). While KDGE shed 34.9% of its cume, the station was still #1 in that category (1,789,000-1,165,500). The market was down 5.0%.
TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) landed its largest 25-54 share in over a year as it climbed up to #1. KDMX made the move to #2 as it rebounded from a down book. KDGE went from first to third, while KHKS held steady at #4 with a small share loss. AUDACY Mexican Regional KMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5) advanced two spaces to #5 with a slight increase.
After skidding for a couple of surveys KLNO was back at #1 18-34 with a massive share increase. KVIL advanced from #7 to #2 with its best outing in over a year. It was paired with KDMX which moved up a slot with a slight decrease. SERVICE Urban Contemporary KKDA (K104) stepped up to #4, while KDGE slid from first place to #5. KHKS dropped three places to #7 as it stopped a strong two-book surge.
KLNO was back to #1 18-49 after a two-book hiatus. KDMX worked its way up to #2 despite a down book, while KVIL moved from #6 to #3 with its highest mark since MAY. KDGE fell from first to fourth and was tied with the stationary KHKS. A flat KKDA dipped to #6.
HOUSTON-GALVESTON: Sunny Side Down
Despite the expected loss of its holiday influenced poundage, iHEARTMEDIA AC KODA (SUNNY 99.1) was #1 6+ for the sixth straight survey (13.3-9.7). URBAN ONE Urban AC KMJQ (MAJIC 102.1) repeated at #2 (7.5-6.9), while URBAN ONE Country KKBQ (93Q COUNTRY) stepped up to #3 (5.3-5.8). HOPE MEDIA Contemporary Christian KSBJ dipped to #4 (5.6-5.3), while AUDACY Hot AC KHMX (MIX 96.5) remained at #5 (5.2-5.1). KODA shed 19.2% of its cume but still had the most listeners (2,387,500-1,928,000). The market was off 0.6%.
KODA extended its long uninterrupted string of #1 25-54 books. It held about a share advantage over iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTBZ (94.5 THE BUZZ), which moved up to #2 with a solid increase. KHMX was up to #3 with its best book in over a year. KMJQ slipped to #4 with its smallest share since SEPTEMBER. It was tied with KSBJ, which advanced from #8 with its third up book in a row. KKBQ was just a tick behind at #6 as it rebounded from a down book. SBS Mexican Regional KROI (LA LEY 92.1) fell from #5 to #9. It was partnered with URBAN ONE Classic Rock KGLK (THE EAGLE 106.9/107.5) and URBAN ONE Rhythmic CHR KBXX (97.9 THE BOX).
Last survey KTBZ and KHMX were #2 and #3, respectively, with the 18-34 crowd. Both stations flirted with double figures as they each landed at #1. KODA went from first to third and was nearly two shares off the pace. KBXX was up two slots to #4 with its highest score in over a year. KMJQ slipped to #5 with a modest share loss.
KODA led the 18-49 pack for the fourth book in a row. KTBZ was back at #2 and narrowed the gap between the two stations from about seven-ish shares to close to a share and a half. KHMX repeated at #3 with its fourth straight up book. KKBQ moved up to #4 with a strong share increase. KBXX moved from #8 to #5 with its best book since MAY. KMJQ dropped from #4 into a tie at #9 with TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Adult Hits KOVE (AMOR 106.5). KROI fell from #5 to #14.
Thus ends our first roundup. Thank you for reading. We’re working on the next batch which will focus on SAN FRANCISCO, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON D.C., PHILADELPHIA, and BOSTON. In the meantime, please use your turn signals.
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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 email info@ResearchDirectorInc.com or sallan@ResearchDirectorInc.com.
February 19, 2026
There was an article in last week’s Radio Ink titled “Gen Z Trends Show Opportunity for Christian Radio Growth” that contained a startling revelation.
The fact that Christian radio has been on an upward trajectory for the last decade or so is no surprise. More and more often we are seeing Contemporary Christian stations achieve a high level of ratings success. They provide what radio has excelled at for years—developing a strong sense of community.
What is truly encouraging about the growth of Christian radio is its appeal to the exact demos that have all but abandoned traditional radio. In a study of students at Liberty University, 41% said they listen to Christian radio. That is an encouraging number.
However, here’s the money quote from the same study: Several said they simply don’t know where to find Christian radio on the dial but would listen if they could.
Let that marinate in your brain for a moment. Here is a young, motivated audience that would listen to a radio station…if they only knew where to find it. This is not a product problem; it’s a perception issue. One that could be easily solved if Christian radio (or any radio format) would embrace the M word.
Image by geralt on Pixabay.
Marketing!
I’ll avoid the “yelling at the clouds” argument about how radio sells itself as an advertising vehicle to clients but refuses to market itself.
What I will point out is that marketing any radio station is easier, more efficient, and cheaper than it was back in the day when stations had real marketing budgets. We do not need six figure direct mail or TV campaigns. We also won’t win by using our own air waves to sell our product. That is, well, preaching to the choir.
We can improve radio’s perception and awareness issue by embracing our nemesis—digital. Just about every station sells digital to their clients. Why aren’t they using these same tools to promote their own product? Yes, there is some cost involved but it is minimal when compared to the potential audience growth it can provide.
You may have the greatest product ever created. You’re live, local, compelling, interesting, entertaining, and totally awesome. You may fill the exact need a large audience is seeking. But if they don’t know how to find you, then what’s the point?
A shameless plug here. If you’re in a PPM market, we can help you focus on those meters that move the needle for both you and your competition. Our Exact Age and Hot Zip reports provide you with the kind of intelligence needed to grow your audience.
I can show you how it all works in 15 minutes or less: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
In case you missed the Radio Ink article, here’s the link.
PS: For you younger readers, this blog’s title refers to the original rock opera. You can Google it.
February 12, 2026
Image by iKrUeMeL from Pixabay
Since I work in the research field, I will always take part in surveys. My phone blew up during last November’s election, but I dutifully answered every question. I do this for two reasons. First, curiosity. I want to see how the questions are structured. I also want to know what topics they consider to be important. Second, I feel for all survey takers. Gone are the days when a researcher could randomly dial a land line and actually get a live body to answer the phone. I dare say none of us answer our phones today unless we know the number. Plus, my provider is nice enough to let me know if the call is possible spam.
A survey I consistently participate in focuses on my grocery shopping habits. For me grocery shopping is kind of a sport (looking at you, Costco). Prior to writing this I received a survey for certain household products. Despite my non-demographically desirable age I was able to pass all the screeners. This one focused on product packaging.
The one question that got me was about how my packaging choice made me feel. I was presented with about 15 options ranging from “neutral” to “confused” to “excited.” I chose neutral because, well, we’re talking about packaging. For some strange reason I have zero emotional involvement with a counter cleaner or bleach-based wipes.
This has been a consistent theme in the advertising world, especially since the dawn of the digital age. Brands want to develop a “relationship” with their consumers. They want us “involved” with them on a personal level. In short, they want to be our friends. What do we want? Products that do their job well and are affordable. Period. A generic bleach is bleach and not necessarily less effective than an oft advertised name brand.
Which brings me to radio.
We have specialized in emotional connections for decades. Despite all the distractions, radio remains a medium that delivers connection, community, and comfort. This has become increasingly important as we have lost ground in the music category. Spotify has my perfect playlist, but the interaction is soulless.
This is where radio can excel. Listeners do not connect with liners or sweepers. Your perfect music schedule goes right over their heads. I’m not saying these things are not important. They are. But they are just the packaging.
Creating a relationship with our audience is a two-way street. We must give them something of value and they have to recognize its availability. Radio does an excellent job in packaging the “what” of our brands. Do we do the same with the “why”?
Feel free to tell me I’m full of it: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
February 5, 2026
Image by Pexels.
Faithful followers of this here missive know that we have done a version of the Radio Ratings Roundup for going on 12 years. Every survey we look at the fates and fortunes of the top 20 markets in the country. As a result, we get an in-depth look at how well Christmas music does every year.
A few observations for 2025:
- Of the 20 markets, six had more than one holiday hitmaker and one had zero converts.
- Every single station saw ratings growth in either the December or Holiday books. Or both.
- While the starting points for the seasonal rush were varied, they did not appear to have an effect on the ratings for the total book.
- In markets where more than one station was in the spirit, both of them got a ratings boost.
Here’s a takeaway that we have seen year after year: Christmas music has a minimal effect on market cume. As a matter of fact, you’re more likely to see market 6+ cume decline from December to Holiday. Are Christmas stations huge cume winners? You betcha. But all this phenomenon accomplishes is to rearrange the habits of those that are already radio listeners.
In other words, this popular format change does not bring new listeners TO radio.
This year we also tracked the changes in market PUMM. This was part of our effort to see how PUMM was affected by the new three-minute qualifier. From December to Holiday, most markets saw PUMM decrease. There are likely many factors that affected this. People are travelling “home for the holidays,” are working less, and are otherwise distracted by life. This could impact their time spent with radio. There was a PUMM bump when you looked at year over year comparisons, but we attribute that to the new reporting method.
The point here is not that Christmas music is a bad idea. At the very least I assume it is a boon to top line revenue. What we are saying is that this is not a bold marketing ploy that will attract those folks who find their audio entertainment elsewhere. In short, we are preaching to the existing choir.
The sugar high that Christmas music provides is fleeting. The cume will eventually drift back to from whence it came. By February things will return to normal(ish). This has been going on for over 25 years. The dynamics are not likely to change as we move forward.
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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