Radio Ratings Roundup, December 2025, Part I
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.
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.
