🎄New York City – It's A Lite Christmas
No surprise here: iHeartMedia Adult Contemporary 106.7 Lite FM (WLTW) dominated the Holiday book, climbing to #1 with a strong 9.9 share (up from 7.4 in November). A year ago in Holiday 2024, it posted a 9.7. The station flipped to all-Christmas music just eight days into the survey period, delivering the expected holiday boost.
Audacy All-News 1010 WINS/92.3 WINS-FM held steady at #2 with a 6.5 share (down slightly from 6.8), while adding a healthy 0.6 share from streaming. iHeartMedia Top 40 Z100 (WHTZ) stayed at #3 with 5.1 (down from 5.8) but found company in a tie: MediaCo Urban AC 107.5 WBLS surged from #10 to a shared #3, rebounding to 5.1 (up from 4.1). Spanish Broadcasting System Spanish Tropical Mega 97.9 (WSKQ) repeated at #5 with a flat 5.0, plus an impressive 1.4 share from its stream. Audacy Classic Hits 101.1 WCBS-FM slipped to #6, posting its lowest share since the last Holiday period at 4.6 (down from 5.6).
WLTW also grew its market-leading cume by 11.7% (3,765,500 to 4,205,800). Overall market share dipped 1.5%, while PUMM (Persons Using Measured Media) fell 3.3% month-to-month but rose 15.9% year-over-year.
25-54 Demo
WLTW remained #1 and stayed in double digits, topping last year's Holiday performance by over a share. Z100 held #2 despite its first down book since July. WSKQ returned to #3 (stream ranked #18). iHeartMedia Urban Power 105.1 (WWPR) climbed to #4 with its strongest showing in more than a year. MediaCo Rhythmic CHR Hot 97 (WQHT) dropped to #5, giving back all of last month's gains—and then some. Demo PUMM was down 5.8% from November but up 11.5% year-over-year.
As always during the Holiday survey, Christmas music drove massive gains for AC formats, while the overall market saw typical seasonal shifts.
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🌲Los Angeles – It's KOSTmas Time
iHeartMedia Adult Contemporary 103.5 KOST wasted no time, flipping to all-Christmas on just the second day of the survey—and the payoff was massive. The station soared to #1 with an 11.2 share (up from 6.5 in November), far surpassing its 8.3 from Holiday 2024.
Audacy Classic Hits 101.1 KRTH (K-EARTH 101) posted its lowest share since the last holiday season, falling to #2 with 5.8 (down from 7.0) and ending a remarkable seven-book winning streak. iHeartMedia Hot AC 104.3 MYfm (KBIG) held steady at #3 with a flat 4.9.Audacy Smooth Jazz/Urban AC 94.7 The Wave (KTWV) stayed at #4 but dropped to 4.2 (from 4.6) and now shared the spot with Audacy All-News KNX-FM 97.1/1070, which climbed from #6 with 4.2 (up from 3.8). KNX also gained 0.3 share from streaming.
iHeartMedia Top 40 102.7 KIIS-FM slipped to #7, recording its lowest share in over a year at 3.6 (down from 4.0).KOST extended its cume dominance with a huge 25.7% jump (2,414,400 to 3,033,700). The overall market dipped 1.1%, while PUMM fell 4.1% month-to-month but rose 14.6% year-over-year.
25-54 Demo
KOST rocketed from #3 to #1 in double digits, improving on last Holiday's performance by nearly two shares. KBIG repeated at #2 with a minor dip, while flat Audacy Alternative KROQ edged up to #3. KRTH tumbled from #1 to #4, again marking its weakest result since the previous Christmas surge. Audacy Adult Hits 93.1 JACK FM (KCBS-FM) climbed from #8 to #5 with its best book in over a year. The three stations tied at #5 last month (KYSR, KTWV, KIIS) all posted declines this time, landing iHeartMedia Alternative Alt 98.7 (KYSR) at #6, KTWV at #7, and KIIS at #9. Demo PUMM was down 4.3% from November but up 11.4% year-over-year.
KOST rocketed from #3 to #1 in double digits, improving on last Holiday's performance by nearly two shares. KBIG repeated at #2 with a minor dip, while flat Audacy Alternative KROQ edged up to #3. KRTH tumbled from #1 to #4, again marking its weakest result since the previous Christmas surge. Audacy Adult Hits 93.1 JACK FM (KCBS-FM) climbed from #8 to #5 with its best book in over a year. The three stations tied at #5 last month (KYSR, KTWV, KIIS) all posted declines this time, landing iHeartMedia Alternative Alt 98.7 (KYSR) at #6, KTWV at #7, and KIIS at #9. Demo PUMM was down 4.3% from November but up 11.4% year-over-year.
🎄Chicago – It's A Holiday At WLIT
iHeartMedia Adult Contemporary 93.9 Lite FM (WLIT) began its all-Christmas format just before the final week of the November survey, setting the stage for a massive Holiday surge. The station reclaimed #1 with an 11.5 share (up from 6.0), outpacing its already strong 9.8 from Holiday 2024.
Hubbard Hot AC 101.9 The Mix (WTMX) defied the usual Christmas-music devastation, holding firm at #2 with a near-flat 5.0 (down slightly from 5.1) and standing alone this time. Audacy AAA 93.1 WXRT and Audacy All-News WBBM-AM 780/105.9 FM both slipped into a tie at #3 with 4.8 each (down from 5.1). WBBM added a solid 0.5 share from streaming. Cumulus Classic Hits 94.7 WLS-FM delivered the biggest climb, leaping from #9 to #5 with 4.5 (up from 3.6). Audacy Country US99 (WUSN) tumbled three spots to #8, posting its lowest share since the previous Holiday book at 3.6 (down from 4.8).
WLIT widened its cume dominance with a staggering 45.2% increase (1,321,800 to 1,918,900). The overall market edged up 0.8%, while PUMM dipped 1.1% month-to-month but soared 20.7% year-over-year.
25-54 Demo
WLIT powered to #1 in double digits, improving on last Holiday by roughly a share and a half. WTMX eased to #2 with a modest gain. Cumulus Alternative Q101 (WKQX) stepped down to #3 but notched its highest share in over a year. Cumulus Classic Hits WLS-FM made the demo's biggest move, rocketing from #17 to #4. iHeartMedia Urban Power 92 (WGCI) edged up to a tied #5 with a small increase, joined by flat Hubbard Adult Hits Throwback 100.3 (WTBC), which climbed from #9. iHeartMedia Top 40 103.5 Kiss FM (WKSC) fell from #4 to #7, while TelevisaUnivision Regional Mexican Qué Buena 105.1 (WOJO) dropped from #5 to #9. Demo PUMM declined 1.6% from November but jumped 21.6% year-over-year.
Another commanding Holiday performance from WLIT underscores the enduring power of Christmas music in the Windy City.
iHeartMedia Adult Contemporary Star 102.1 (KDGE) flipped to all-Christmas on just the second day of the survey—and the early move paid off handsomely. The station vaulted from #4 to #1 with an 8.6 share (up from 4.8), topping its already solid 7.1 from Holiday 2024.
Cumulus Sports The Ticket (KTCK-AM/FM 96.7/1310) eased to #2 with 6.3 (down slightly from 6.4). Cumulus Country 99.5 The Wolf (KPLX) climbed to #3, posting 5.5 (up from 5.1) and marking its highest share since March. Cumulus Country New Country 96.3 (KSCS) dipped to #4 with 5.3 (up from 5.0) .iHeartMedia Hot AC Mix 102.9 (KDMX) held steady at #5 with a modest gain to 4.5 (from 4.4), now standing alone after its former tie partner, TelevisaUnivision Regional Mexican Qué Buena 94.1 (KLNO), slipped to #6 with 4.1 (down from 4.4).
KDGE extended its cume leadership with a robust 32.8% increase (1,190,400 to 1,581,100). The overall market dipped 0.3%, while PUMM fell 3.8% month-to-month but rose a strong 18.7% year-over-year.
25-54 Demo
KDGE rocketed from #5 to #1, surpassing last Holiday's performance by more than a share. Former co-leaders KTCK and KLNO split apart: KTCK eased to #2 with a small uptick, while KLNO fell to #3 with a minor decline. KPLX repeated at #4 with a slight gain. KDMX dropped to #5, marking its third consecutive down book. Demo PUMM declined 2.5% from November but improved 12.2% year-over-year.
KDGE rocketed from #5 to #1, surpassing last Holiday's performance by more than a share. Former co-leaders KTCK and KLNO split apart: KTCK eased to #2 with a small uptick, while KLNO fell to #3 with a minor decline. KPLX repeated at #4 with a slight gain. KDMX dropped to #5, marking its third consecutive down book. Demo PUMM declined 2.5% from November but improved 12.2% year-over-year.
Once again, the Christmas music star shone brightest in Dallas-Ft. Worth, delivering KDGE a decisive Holiday victory.
🎄Houston-Galveston – Santa Is Sunny
iHeartMedia Adult Contemporary Sunny 99.1 (KODA) embraced the holiday spirit early, flipping to all-Christmas on the second day of the survey—and the result was nothing short of spectacular. The station solidified its grip on #1 with a colossal 16.4 share (up from 8.7), easily eclipsing its already dominant 11.2 from Holiday 2024.
Urban One Urban AC Majic 102.1 (KMJQ) held steady at #2 with 7.8 (down slightly from 8.1). Urban One Country 93Q Country (KKBQ) remained at #3 with 5.7 (down from 6.0). Audacy Hot AC Mix 96.5 (KHMX) delivered its strongest performance in over a year, surging from #8 to #4 with 4.9 (up from 4.1). Hope Media Contemporary Christian KSBJ joined the holiday festivities in the third week of the survey and was rewarded with a climb from #10 to #5, posting 4.7 (up from 4.0).Cumulus Classic Rock The Eagle 106.9/107.5 (KGLK) eased to #6 with 4.5 (down from 4.9), while Cumulus Top 40 104.1 KRBE tumbled from #4 to #7, recording its lowest share since June at 4.0 (down from 5.3).
KODA further widened its market-leading cume with an 18.9% increase (1,972,000 to 2,344,300). The overall market rose 0.4%, while PUMM dipped 1.8% month-to-month but climbed a healthy 13.8% year-over-year.
25-54 Demo
KODA extended its impressive run of #1 finishes with another massive gain, landing firmly in double digits and running nearly five shares ahead of last Holiday's pace. KMJQ advanced to #2 despite a minor dip. iHeartMedia Alternative 94.5 The Buzz (KTBZ) slipped to #3 with its weakest showing since June. SBS Regional Mexican La Ley 92.1 (KROI) rose to #4 with a small increase, while KKBQ climbed to #5. KRBE fell three spots to #7. Demo PUMM declined 1.2% from November but surged 19.2% year-over-year.
KODA extended its impressive run of #1 finishes with another massive gain, landing firmly in double digits and running nearly five shares ahead of last Holiday's pace. KMJQ advanced to #2 despite a minor dip. iHeartMedia Alternative 94.5 The Buzz (KTBZ) slipped to #3 with its weakest showing since June. SBS Regional Mexican La Ley 92.1 (KROI) rose to #4 with a small increase, while KKBQ climbed to #5. KRBE fell three spots to #7. Demo PUMM declined 1.2% from November but surged 19.2% year-over-year.
KODA's commanding Holiday performance—perhaps the most dominant Christmas music surge of any major market this year—continues to make Sunny 99.1 the unmistakable star of Houston's holiday radio season.