January 5, 2026
Once again, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with our fellow adventurers from XTRENDS – are going boldly forward into the past. This is our final foray into the CHRISTMAS chaos of the DECEMBER survey. While stations have chosen various starting points for their format changes, the results have been universally positive. We expect more of the same in this final batch of markets.
This book ran from NOVEMBER 13TH through DECEMBER 10TH. Besides the obvious market conditions that affected the numbers we were also dealing with, as the news channels incessantly reported – one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Who knew? Now, on with the countdown…
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER: A Double Dose
Try explaining to your kids why there were two CHRISTMAS stations. Were they BOTH Santa’s helpers? COX MEDIA Soft AC WDUV (105.5 THE DOVE) flipped during the previous survey. This time it rose from #3 to #1 6+ (6.8-9.1). It was #1 with a 9.3 share last year. This pushed RADIO TRAINING NETWORK Contemporary Christian WCIE (THE JOY FM) down to #2 (8.8-8.6). COX MEDIA Classic Hits WXGL (107.3 THE EAGLE) flew down to #3 (7.0-6.7). iHEARTMEDIA AC WMTX (MIX 100.7) got into the spirit on day two of the book. It moved from #6 to #4 (4.7-6.0). Last year it was #6 with a 4.9 share. COX MEDIA AC WWRM (MAGIC 94.9) kept its current format intact as it dipped to #5 (5.3-5.7). iHEARTMEDIA Country WFUS (US 103.5) seemed to suffer the most from Santa’s arrival. It slipped from a tie at #4 to #7 with its smallest share since the big guy’s last visit (5.3-4.2). Also coming in at #7 was BEASLEY Classic Hits WRBQ (Q105) (4.6-4.2). WDUV remained the cume leader with a 3.6% increase (601,000-622,700). Fun fact: WMTX saw its cume recede. Market cume was off 0.7%. Market PUMM was down 8.7% from NOVEMBER but up 1.8% from 2024.
Despite headwinds from the NORTH POLE, WWRM had its best 25-54 book in over a year as it stepped up to #1. WMTX was up two places to #2, while WCIE went from first to third as it ended a five-book surge. WDUV leapt from a tie at #7 to #3, while its former partner in that space – iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock WXTB (98 ROCK) moved up to #5 with a solid increase. BEASLEY Rhythmic CHR WLLD (WiLD 94.1) slipped into a tie at #6 with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WFLZ (93.3 FLZ). WRBQ slid from a tie at #4 into one at #8 with WXGL. WFUS fell from #3 to #10. Market PUMM was down 13.8% from last month and 9.3% from a year ago.
WWRM was #1 18-34 for the fourth straight survey and passed the double-digit marker, as well. WDUV vaulted from #8 to #2, while WMTX advanced from #6 to #3. BEASLEY Country WQYK (99.5 QYK) stepped down to #4 with a slight decrease, while WLLD slid to #5. It was tied with WFLZ, which remained in place. Both stations had down books. WCIE tumbled from #1 to #7 with its smallest share since AUGUST. Market PUMM was down 15.8% from the previous survey and 3.8% from last year.
WWRM inched up to #1 18-49, again with its highest mark in over a year. WMTX rose from #5 to #2, while WCIE dropped from #1 to #3. WDUV advanced five squares to #3, while WXTB leapt from #9 to #5, ending a three-book slide. WLLD dropped three slots to #6, while WFUS fell from #4 to #9. Market PUMM was off 12.1% from NOVEMBER but up 1.4% from 2024.
DENVER-BOULDER: Piling On
BONNEVILLE AC KOSI (KOSI 101.1) put up the tinsel on the first day of the survey. All that accomplished was extending the station’s 6+ winning streak to ten (6.9-10.9). It was #1 with a 9.3 share last year. AUDACY Classic Rock KQMT (99.5 THE MOUNTAIN) moved up to #2 with its highest elevation in over a year (5.5-5.9). AUDACY Modern AC KALC (ALICE 105.9) moved up two slots to #3 (5.0-4.9). iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTCL (CHANNEL 93.3) was up to #4 (4.8-4.6). It was paired with KSE RADIO VENTURES Classic Hits KXKL (KOOL 105), which rose from #8 (4.5-4.6). iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KRFX (103.5 THE FOX) slipped to #4 with its smallest share since JUNE (5.7-4.6). BONNEVILLE Country KYGO dropped to #7 with its least productive outing in over a year (5.4-4.5). KOSI kept cume control with a 17.3% increase (509,200-597,400). The market was off 0.1%. Market PUMM was down 5.0% from NOVEMBER but up 13.4% from 2024.
KOSI leapt from #1 to #1 25-54. It was #3 last year at this time. This brought KTCL’s eleven-book winning streak to a close as the station dipped to #2 with a slight decrease. KALC stepped down to #3, while KQMT repeated at #4 but with, again, its best book in over a year. KSE RADIO VENTURES Sports KKSE (ALTITUDE SPORTS RADIO 92.5FM) was up to #5 as it rebounded from a down book. ENTRAVISION Mexican Regional KXPK (LA TRICOLOR 96.5) stepped down to #6 with its lowest mark since APRIL. KRFX fell from #3 into a tie at #12 with KYGO. Market PUMM was down 4.5% from last month but up 17.1% from a year ago.
KOSI leapt from #4 to #1 18-34 and hit double figures. KXKL stood alone at #2, while KTCL was down to #3. Both stations lost share. AUDACY Rhythmic CHR KQKS (KS 107.5) dropped from first to fourth with its lowest total since JANUARY. This also halted the station’s two-book winning string. KXKP and KSE RADIO VENTURES Hot AC KIMN (MIX 100) had slight increases as they rose together from #7 to #4. Also coming in at that spot was KQMT, which remained in place despite a modest share loss. KRFX fell from a tie at #4 to #11. It was partnered with KKSE, iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDHT (HITS 95.7) and iHEARTMEDIA AAA KBCO. Market PUMM was down 1.8% from the previous survey but up 18.4% from last year.
KOSI vaulted from #6 to #1 18-49. A flat KTCL stood alone at #2, while its former partner – KALC – was down to #3 with a small share loss. KKSE was up to #4, while KPXK dipped to #5 with its lowest score in over a year. KQKS had its six-book winning string crushed as it fell to #7. It was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Country KWBL (106.7 THE BULL), which advanced from #18. KRFX dropped from #5 to #15 and was tied with COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO N/T KCFR. Market PUMM was down 3.1% from NOVEMBER and up 14.0% from 2024.
SAN DIEGO: Santa Kicks It
AUDACY AC KYXY showed incredible restraint and did not start playing reindeer games until the beginning of week three of the survey. Santa delayed was not Santa denied as the station rose from #4 to #1 6+ (5.7-11.1). Last year it was #2 with a 6.6 share. This brought the eleven-book winning streak of AUDACY Classic Hits KXSN (SUNNY 98.1) to a close as the station moved down to #2 (7.8-7.5). It was tied with the stationary SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY N/T KPBS (7.4-7.5). LOCAL MEDIA Rhythmic AC XHRM (MAGIC 92.5) dipped to #4 (6.2-6.2), while AUDACY Country KSON stood alone at #5 (5.1-4.9). IMAGEN INFORMATIVA Spanish Hot AC XLTN (RADIO LATINA 104.5FM) made the leap o’ the month, rising from #14 to #6 (3.2-4.7). iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMYI (STAR 94.1) slid from #5 to #8 (5.1-4.4). KYXY jumped from #4 to #1 in cume thanks to a 44.0% increase (441,100-635,400). The market was up 1.1%. Market PUMM grew 5.6% from NOVEMBER and 25.4% from 2024.
KYXY more than doubled its previous 25-54 share as it rocketed from #13 to #1. KXSN dipped to #2, thus ending its three-book winning streak. KPBS posted its largest number in over a year as it rose from #10 to #3. Four stations were massed together at #4. XHRM remained motionless but with its smallest share in over a year. KSON and LOCAL MEDIA Alternative XTRA (91X) moved up from a tie at #5 with down books. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KIOZ (ROCK 105.3) advanced from #8 with a modest share increase. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHTS (CHANNEL 93.3) fell from #3 to #8 as it ended a four-book surge. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNV (QUÉ BUENA 106.5) dropped from #2 to #10 with its least productive outing since JULY. Market PUMM was up 0.4% from last month and 22.8% from a year ago.
KYXY more than doubled its previous 18-34 share as it rose from #5 to #1. The station also hit double figures. KXSN stepped up to #2 as it ended a steep two-book slide. KSON went from first to third as it surrendered all of last month’s large increase, plus a bit more. XHRM rose from #7 to #4 with a small increase, while KPBS advanced from a tie at #10 to #5 with its third up book in a row. There was a foursome at #6. KMYI dropped from #2 as it returned all of last month’s massive increase. XTRA and KIOZ moved up from a tie at #10, while XLTN advanced from #16, doubling its previous number. KHTS slid from #4 into a tie at #10 with iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic CHR KSSX (JAM’N 95.7), iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KGB and KLNV. Market PUMM was up 11.9% from the previous survey and 36.6% from last year.
KYXY completed the demo sweep as it leapt from #5 to #1 18-49. It was in double figures, having more than doubled its last number. A flat KXSN stepped up to #2. XHRM and XTRA rose from a tie at #5 to #3 and #4, respectively. Last month KLNV and KHTS were the co-leaders of this sphere. Both stations took the exact same large share loss as they dropped in tandem to #5. KSON exited that tie at #5 to move into one at #7 with KIOZ. KMYI slid from #4 to #9. Market PUMM was up 3.5% from NOVEMBER and 29.4% from 2024.
CHARLOTTE-GASTONIA-ROCK HILL: Double Your Santa
Double your ratings? Not quite. This market consistently has dueling holiday scented stations. Bots made the switch about a week after HALLOWEEN. BEASLEY Classic Hits WKQC (K104.7) was one and it went from #4 to #1 6+ (6.2-9.6). It was #2 with a 5.7 share last year. This stopped the three-book winning streak of URBAN ONE Urban Oldies WOSF (105.3 RnB), which dipped to #2 as it also ended a five-book surge (8.3-7.0). iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits WLKO (102.9 THE LAKE) was the other station to don their holiday apparel. It rose from #5 to #3 (5.7-6.5). It was #7 with a 5.3 share a year ago. BEASLEY Country WSOC (COUNTRY 103.7) slipped to #4 with its smallest share since MARCH (7.3-6.1). BEASLEY Urban AC WBAV (V101.9) slid to #5 with its least productive outing in over a year (6.3-5.2). WLKO continued as the cume leader with a 17.4% increase (391,200-459,300). WKQC jumped from #5 to #2 thanks to a 44.2% gain (303,300-437,400). The market was basically flat. Market PUMM was down 5.8% from NOVEMBER but up 25.0% from 2024
WKQC stepped up to #1 25-54 and narrowly missed hitting double figures. This halted WOSF’s three-book reign as it stepped down to #2. WLKO was up two slots to #3. It was paired with BEASLEY Urban Contemporary WPEG (POWER 98FM), which advanced from #8 with its highest mark since APRIL. iHEARTMEDIA Alternative WEND (106.5 THE END) slid to #5, while URBAN ONE Sports WFNZ (SPORTS RADIO 92.7) dropped three slots to #7 with its lowest score in over a year. Market PUMM was down 6.0% from last month but up 26.8% from a year ago.
BEASLEY Pop CHR WNKS (KISS 95.1FM) jumped from #3 to #1 18-34. The station was in double digits with its best book in over a year. WOSF was back at #2, ending another five-book surge. WLKO stepped up to #3 but with a down book. WBAV went from being #1 and in double figures to #4. WPEG rose from #10 to #5 and was partnered with iHEARTMEDIA Country WKKT (96.9 THE KAT), which arrived from #12. WEND fell from #5 to #11. WKQC tripled its last number to rise from #17 to #7. Market PUMM was down 10.5% from the previous but up 37.7% from last year.
WOSF may have had a down book but it was still #1 18-49 for the fifth straight survey. WNKS inched up to #2, again with its best showing in over a year. It was tied with WKQC, which vaulted from #9. Three stations were aligned at #4. WBAV dropped from #2 as it gave back all of last month’s huge increase. WLKO remained in place but with a down book. WPEG rose from #7 with its highest score since MAY. WEND slipped from #5 to #7. Market PUMM was down 7.2% from NOVEMBER but up 20.0% from 2024.
NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND): A Tale Of Two Santas
This market has its quirks because of the bleed in from NEW YORK. So, there was “technically” only one holiday station that came from inside the house. It also wasn’t #1 6+. That honor went to RED APPLE MEDIA N/T WABC-A for the second book in a row (8.2-6.9). AUDACY News WINS (1010 WINS) stepped up to #2 (6.9-6.6) and picked up a 1.4 share from cyberspace. Also coming in at #2 was iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (106.7 LITE FM), which rode the sleigh up from #12 (2.9-6.6). iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) slipped to #4 with its lowest score since MARCH (7.3-5.6). The hometown holiday hitmaker was CONNOISSEUR Hot AC WALK (WALK FM). It flipped the Friday before THANKSGIVING and rose from #8 to #5 (4.0-5.5). Last year it was #3 with a 5.0 share. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock WAXQ (Q104.3) slipped from a tie at #4 to #6 (4.2-4.5). Both AUDACY Classic Hits WCBS and COX MEDIA Pop CHR WBLI (106.1 BLI) were also tied at #4. They drifted down to #7 with identical scores (4.2-4.1). WALK went from #3 to #1 in cume with a 16.7% increase (375,000-437,600). The market was off 0.2%. Market PUMM was up 1.2% from NOVEMBER and 26.6% from 2024.
WHTZ posted its lowest 25-54 number since JULY but was still #1 for the ninth straight survey. WALK stepped up to #2 with its best showing since APRIL. WLTW jumped from #13 to #3, while WAXQ advanced from #10 to #4 with its best book in over a year. WABC-A slid three places to #5 as it returned most of last month’s huge increase. WBLI and WCBS were last seen together at #5. Both stations had up books but slipped to #6 and #7, respectively. AUDACY Sports WFAN (SPORTS RADIO 66AM/101.9FM) slid from #4 to #11. Market PUMM was up 0.6% from last month and 25.4% from a year ago.
Despite a down book WABC-A repeated as the 18-34 leader. WLTW vaulted from #8 to #2, while WALK repeated at #3 but with a large share increase. A flat WBLI slipped to #4, while WHTZ moved down to #5 with its third straight down book. SBS Spanish Tropical WSKQ STREAM tumbled from #5 into a six-way tie at #20. Market PUMM was flat from the previous survey and up 14.9% from last year.
WHTZ may have ended a four-book surge but it was the 18-49 leader for the ninth book in a row. WABC-A repeated at #2 with a huge share loss. It was paired with WLTW, which advanced from #14. WALK remained at #4 with its highest mark since MAY. WAXQ rose from #8 to #5 with its best showing in over a year. WBLI slipped three places to #6, while WFAN fell from #4 to #11. It was tied with CONNOISSEUR AC WKJY (K-JOY 98.3). Market PUMM was off 0.2% from NOVEMBER but up 22.5% from 2024.
That pit’s a bow on the DECEMBER survey. Thank you for reading. But there are more seasonal follies to come next month with the HOLIDAY survey. By then you might have actually taken down and stored all your decorations.
As always, The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. are ready to help you grow your ratings and revenue. Click the link below to get the gruesome details.
-Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant
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January 2, 2026
The holiday hostilities continue as we examine our next batch of markets. Did Santa continue the reign of cheer? Was BURL IVES the key to ratings success? Or, did one market pretend this was all a mirage? The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC.—along with the data elves from the XTRENDS workshop—are here to break it all down as only we can. The DECEMBER book ran from NOVEMBER 13TH through DECEMBER 10TH. Besides the obvious yuletide madness, we also had that long weekend where people went over the river and through the woods to lapse into a food coma. Let us begin…
MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: No Santa For You
Year after year this is one of the few markets where no major player is willing to take the polar plunge on a full-time basis. A couple of fringe stations did make the switch but neither cracked the top 25 6+. COX MEDIA AC WFEZ (EASY 93.1) moved up to #1 with its highest mark in over a year (6.6-7.3). COX MEDIA Urban AC WHQT (HOT 105) dipped to #2 (6.9-6.6), while TELEVISAUNIVISION Spanish Hot AC WAMR (AMOR 107.5) remained at #3 (5.8-5.9). AUDACY Classic Hits WMXJ (102.7 THE BEACH) repeated at #4 (5.3-5.7), while iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Adult Hits WMIA (MAGIC 93.9) stepped up to #5 (5.0-5.3). AUDACY AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM) was down to #6 with its smallest share since JANUARY (5.2-5.1). WFEZ was still the cume leader with a 6.4% increase (740,400-787,500). The market shrank by 2.1%. Market PUMM was down 7.1% from NOVEMBER but up 14% from 2024.
For the twelfth book in a row WFEZ was #1 25-54. WMIA was back at #2 with its fourth up book in a row but remained more than a share off the pace. COX MEDIA Rhythmic AC WFLC (HITS 97.3) repeated at #3 with a small increase, while WMXJ stepped up to #4 as it rebounded from a down book. iHEARTMEDIA Spanish Contemporary WZTU (TÚ 94.9) stood alone at #5 with a slight increase. WHQT slid three places to #7 as it returned most of last month’s share increase. Market PUMM was off 7.9% from the previous survey but up 14.3% from last year.
SBS Spanish Tropical WXDJ (EL ZOL 106.7) had its best 18-34 showing in over a year as it rose to #1. It had a more than two and a half share lead over the three stations at #2. iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WMIB (103.5 THE BEAT) dipped from #1 as its six-book surge skidded to a halt. WLYF moved up from #5 with a small decrease, while COX MEDIA Urban Contemporary WEDR (99 JAMZ) advanced from #6 with a small increase. SBS Latino Urban WRMA (RITMO 95.7) and WAMR dropped from a tie at #2 into one at #5. They were partnered with WZTU, which rose from #8. Market PUMM was off 15.4% from last month but up 34.7% from a year ago.
For the third book in a row WFEZ was #1 18-49. WMXJ stepped up to #2 with a solid increase but still trailed the leader by two shares. AUDACY Classic Hip-Hop WPOW (POWER 96) leapt from #6 to #3 with a small increase. It was joined there by WXDJ, which advanced from #9 with its highest mark in over a year. WLYF dropped from #2 to #5 with its smallest share since JANUARY. WHQT and WMIB were last spotted at #3. Both stations had down books and fell to #6 and #13, respectively. Market PUMM was down 7.5% from NOVEMBER but up 19.8% from 2024.
SEATTLE-TACOMA: And Then There Were Two
There was a time when this market was lousy with Santa stations. Now, there are just two players, and both landed in the top five 6+. However, for the twelfth book in a row, the #1 slot belonged to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON N/T KUOW (9.4-9.8). HUBBARD AC KRWM (WARM 106.9) began their reindeer games on day two of the survey. The station vaulted from #9 to #2 (4.2-9.5). Last year it was #1 but with a 7.3 share. iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 THE JET) descended to #3 (6.3-5.7) and was paired with the stationary AUDACY Active Rock KISW (THE ROCK) (5.8-5.7). CRISTA Contemporary Christian KCMS (SPIRIT 105.3) got in the, um, spirit during week three of the book. It remained at #5 (4.7-5.6). A year ago it was #14 with a 3.2 share. Without the MARINERS to buoy them, BONNEVILLE Sports KIRO-A (SEATTLE SPORTS 710AM) fell from #4 to #12 (5.2-3.2). KRWM became the cume commander thanks to a 50.9% increase (531,900-802,700). The market was off 0.1%. Market PUMM was down 0.7% from NOVEMBER but up 13.2% from 2024.
KRWM more than tripled its previous 25-54 share as it was launched from #12 to #1. KISW dipped to #2 with a slight increase and was about a half share off the lead. KUOW rose to #3 with its best book in over a year. HUBBARD Pop CHR KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5) and KJEB slipped from a tie at #2 into one at #4. FRIENDS OF KEXP Alternative KEXP and KIRO-A were last seen at #4 and #5, respectively. They fell in tandem to #10. KCMS remained at #9. Market PUMM was down 1.2% from last month and up 27.8% from a year ago.
KRWM rose from #13 to #1 18-34 but was not alone. KISW stepped up to forge the first place tie with its best showing in over a year. KQMV dipped to #3, while AUDACY Alternative KNDD (107.7 THE END) went from first to fourth with its smallest share in over a year. iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KJAQ (96.5 JACK FM) slipped three places to #5 with its third down book in a row. KIRO-A fell from #5 into a tie at #16 with iHEARTMEDIA Sports KJR-F (SPORTS RADIO 93.3). KCMS went from #13 to #10. Market PUMM was up 10.9% from the previous survey and 9.7% from last year.
KRWM tripled its last 18-49 number as it advanced from #13 to #1. KISW repeated at #2, while KUOW was up two slots to #3. Both stations posted their largest shares in over a year. KQMV moved from #1 to #4 as it returned a good portion of last month’s increase. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KBKS (HITS 106.1) was up to #5, while KNDD went from #4 into a tie at #6 with KJEB. KIRO-A dropped from #2 to #9. KCMS dipped from #9 to #10. Market PUMM was down 2.7% from NOVEMBER but up 1.8% from 2024.
PHOENIX: Sleigh Bells Ring
And the market was listening. iHEARTMEDIA AC KESZ (99.9 KEZ) was an early adopter as it made the Frosty flip in the previous survey. The station remained on the nice list as it was still #1 6+ (8.3-14.0). Last year it was #1 with a 12.3 share. HUBBARD Classic Rock KSLX was back at #2 but with its smallest share since MARCH (7.6-6.0). AUDACY Classic Hits KOOL (BIG 94.5) stepped up to #3 (4.9-4.7), while iHEARTMEDIA Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 THE MOUNTAIN) slid to #4 (5.3-4.4). iHEARTMEDIA Country KNIX repeated at #5 (4.3-4.0) and was paired with iHEARTMEDIA N/T KFYI-A, which moved up a slot (4.2-4.0). KESZ increased its #1 cume by 36.1% (943,500-1,284,200). The market was up 0.1%. Market PUMM was up 2.2% from NOVEMBER and 26.8% from 2024.
KESZ was both #1 and in double figures 25-54 for the third book in a row. TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KHOT (QUÉ BUENA 105.9 & 105.1) was up to #2 with its best book in over a year. KYOT inched up to #3 despite a down book. KSLX slipped from #2 to #4 and was paired with KOOL, which rose from #7 with a slight increase. HUBBARD Active Rock KUPD slipped three places to #8 with its smallest share in over a year. It was tied with iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KMXP (MIX 96.9). Market PUMM was up 0.8% from last month and 31.5% from a year ago.
There was a ton of movement in the 18-34 ranks. KESZ leapt from #4 to #1 and hit double digits. KHOT stepped up to #2, while AUDACY Pop CHR KALV (LIVE 101.5) leapt from #7 to #3. KOOL rose from #9 to #4. All three of those stations posted their largest numbers in over a year. Also coming in at #4 were KMXP, which was up from #6, and KYOT, which slid from #2. KSLX fell from #1 to #8. It was partnered with HUBBARD Alternative KDKB (ALT AZ 93.3), which dropped from #5, and the stationary iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KZZP (104.7 KISS FM). Market PUMM was off 5.9% from the previous survey but up 28.5% from last year.
KESZ hit double figures 18-49 as it cruised to its third win in a row. KHOT moved up to #2 with its best showing in over a year. KMXP moved up two slots to #3 and was paired with KOOL, which advanced from #9. KDKB inched up to #5, while KYOT slipped to #6. KSLX dropped from #2 to #8. It was tied with ZELUS MEDIA Hot AC KMVA (HOT 97.5/103.9), which came up from #15. Market PUMM was down 0.6% from NOVEMBER but up 30.8% from 2024.
DETROIT: Saint NIC Clicks
iHEARTMEDIA AC WNIC hopped onto ELTON’S turntable towards the end of the previous book. The station repeated as the 6+ leader (8.0-12.2). A year ago it was #1 with a 13.1 share. The rest of the top was unchanged. AUDACY Sports WXYT (97.1 THE TICKET) was back at #2 (7.4-7.8). The station also added a 2.2 share from the interwebs. iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.3) remained at #3 (7.3-7.0), while AUDACY Classic Hits WOMC repeated at #4 (6.0-6.3). AUDACY Country WYCD again rounded out the top five but with its smallest share since the big guy’s last sleigh ride down WOODWARD AVENUE (5.4-4.7). WNIC increased its cume lead by 24.2% (1,026,300-1,274,400). The market was off 0.2%. Market PUMM was down 3.7% from NOVEMBER but rose 10.2% from 2024.
WNIC went from #3 to #1 25-54 and hit double digits. This ended the eight-book winning streak for WXYT, which dipped to #2, though it did return to double figures. WMXD stepped up to #3 as it ended a two-book slide. BEASLEY Active Rock WRIF slid to #4, while iHEARTMEDIA Urban Contemporary WJLB was up to #5 with a slight increase. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKQI (CHANNEL 955) dropped to #7 with its smallest share in over a year. Market PUMM was down 2.8% from last month but up 9.2% from a year ago.
Would it surprise you to hear that WNIC moved up to #1 18-34 and hit double figures? Probably not. This halted the four-book winning string for WRIF, which drifted down to #2. WXYT and WKQI were last seen at #5 and #7, respectively. Both stations had solid increases to move up to #3. WMXD worked it from 9 to 5 and was joined there by WJLB, which dropped from #2 as it gave back some of last month’s huge increase. BEASLEY Classic Rock WCSX fell from #4 to #8, while AUDACY Alternative WDZH (ALT 98.7) dropped from #5 to #9. Market PUMM was down 2.7% from the previous survey but up 13.7% from last year.
WNIC rose from #3 to #1 18-49 with a large double-digit share. WXYT was down to #2 as its four-book reign came to an end. WRIF dipped to #3 as it halted a two-book surge. WMXD remained at #4, while WKQI stood alone at #5. WDZH dropped from a tie at #5 to #9. Market PUMM was down 2.6% from NOVEMBER but grew by 8.4% from 2024.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: Kool Yule
iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) started hanging the stockings on day two of the survey. The station jumped from #5 to #1 6+ (5.5-10.8). Last year it was #2 with a 10.7 share. This ended the eleven-book winning streak for iHEARTMEDIA Sports KFXN (KFAN FM 100.3), which dipped to #2 (11.0-10.3). MPR N/T KNOW repeated at #3 (7.0-7.1). It also garnered a 1.2 share from the digital realm. UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN-ST. PAUL Contemporary Christian KTIS—which got in the seasonal mood during the third week of the book—slipped to #4 (8.1-6.7). HUBBARD Hot AC KSTP (KS95) stepped down to #5 with its smallest share in over a year (6.8-5.6). KQQL increased its cume lead by 16.8% (711,300-830,700). The market was down 1.8%. Market PUMM was off 4.2% from NOVEMBER but up 2.1% from 2024.
KFXN was #1 25-54 for the fifth straight survey, all of which have been in double digits. KQQL leapt from #8 to #2, also in double figures. It was less than a share off the lead. MPR AAA KCMP (89.3 THE CURRENT) was back at #3 as it ended a three-book slide. AUDACY Adult Hits KZJK (104.1 JACK FM) remained at #4 with its fourth up book in a row. CUMULUS Active Rock KXXR (93X) dropped three places to #5, while KSTP dropped from #5 to #8. Market PUMM was off 0.6% from last month but up 2.5% from a year ago.
KQQL rode the polar express from #9 to #1 18-34, more than doubling its previous share. KFXN was in double figures for the fourth straight survey but was forced down to #2. KCMP dipped to #3 though it was flirting with a double-digit score. KXXR stepped down to #4 despite an up book. KZJK slipped to #5 and was paired with KSTP, which moved up a spot. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KTCZ (CITIES 97.1) slid from #4 to #7. It was partnered with iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KDWB and CUMULUS Classic Rock KQRS. Market PUMM was down 3.3% from the previous survey and up 6.4% from last year.
KFXN was #1 18-49 for the twelfth book in a row. However, Santa entered the chat, which allowed KQQL to advance from #8 and claim a share of the demo lead. KCMP inched up to #3 with a strong share increase, while KXXR slipped to #4 with a modest share loss. KZJK was down to #5, while KDWB slid to #7. Market PUMM was down 2.9% from NOVEMBER but rose 5.2% from 2024.
Still more holiday tinged hijinks to come. Waiting in the wings are TAMPA, DENVER, SAN DIEGO, CHARLOTTE, and NASSAU-SUFFOLK.
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January 2, 2026
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
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.
Shameless plug: Testing…is this thing on? This is a plug free report.
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.
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-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.
December 22, 2025
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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