Despite the seasonal surge in holiday tunes, KOIT couldn't overtake the top spot in the 6+ ratings. KQED held firm at #1 for its 12th consecutive month, dipping slightly (9.3–9.1). Audacy's all-news KCBS (740 AM/106.9 FM) stayed steady at #2 (8.1–8.1), picking up an additional 0.3 share from streaming.
Bonneville AC KOIT, which flipped to all-Christmas the day before Thanksgiving, climbed to #3 with a strong gain (4.7–7.0)—though it trailed its #2 finish a year ago (7.2). USC's classical KDFC slipped to #4 (5.1–5.0), while Bonneville hot AC KMVQ (99.7 Now) rose to #5 (4.3–4.1). iHeartMedia soft AC KISQ (98.1 The Breeze) hit its lowest share in more than a year, falling to #7 (4.6–3.3).KOIT saw its #1 cume grow 8.8% (1,068,400–1,162,300). Overall market share declined 0.5%, with persons using measured media (PUMM) down 3.3% from November but up 16.6% year-over-year.
In the 25-54 demo, relentless holiday jingles propelled KOIT from #4 to #1—its strongest performance since February. KQED dropped to #2, ending a three-month winning streak. KMVQ eased to #3, while iHeartMedia pop CHR KYLD (WiLD 94.9) advanced to #4; both saw minor dips. Audacy alternative KITS (Live 105) posted its weakest numbers since March, sliding from #2 to #5.
Market PUMM rose 0.4% from the prior month and 18.0% from a year ago.
Boston: Magic 106.7 Works Its Holiday Spell
Audacy AC WMJX (Magic 106.7) flipped to all-Christmas the day before Thanksgiving and conjured a massive surge, leaping from #2 to #1 in the 6+ rankings (6.1–10.3)—outperforming its #1 finish last year (8.3).
Beasley sports WBZ-FM (98.5 The Sports Hub) slipped to #2, ending a four-book climb (6.9–6.2). Beasley classic hits WROR held steady at #3 (5.6–5.3), while iHeartMedia pop CHR WXKS (Kiss 108) returned to #4 (5.3–4.9).
Two stations advanced to tie at #5: iHeartMedia news/talk WBZ-AM rose from #6 (4.7–4.6), and Audacy sports WEEI climbed from #7 (4.4–4.6). Boston University news/talk WBUR tumbled four spots to #9 with its lowest share since last holiday season (5.0–4.0).WMJX broke the one-million cume barrier, boosting its total by 19.9% (843,600–1,011,400).
Overall market share dipped 0.3%, with persons using measured media (PUMM) down 4.0% from November but up 2.0% year-over-year.
In the 25-54 demo, WMJX rocketed from #7 to #1, more than doubling its previous share and posting double-digit numbers. That flipped a five-share deficit to WBZ-FM into a lead of more than a full share, ending The Sports Hub's three-book winning streak as it fell to #2. WXKS eased to #3, halting a four-book surge. Audacy hot AC WWBX (Mix 104.1) slipped to #4 with a minor dip, while iHeartMedia classic rock WZLX dropped to #5 with its weakest performance since June. WBUR plunged from #5 to #8. Market PUMM declined 0.9% from the prior month but rose 12.6% from a year ago.
Atlanta: Santa's Sleigh Lands at Star 94.1
The traditional home for all-Christmas music in Atlanta—long held by the station once known as The Fish—has changed hands this year. Audacy's rhythmic AC WSTR (Star 94.1) flipped to holiday hits the day before Thanksgiving, delivering a solid lift from #10 to #8 (3.6–4.2). Who will claim the Santa crown next year? Stay tuned.
In the 6+ rankings, Cox Media news/talk WSB-AM held onto #1 for the fourth consecutive book, though it gave back all of last month's gain (8.5–7.4). Cox Media classic hits WSRV (97.1 The River) snapped a five-book decline, climbing from #5 to #2 (5.6–6.2). Cox Media AC WSB-FM (B98.5) eased to #3 (6.8–6.1), followed by Cox Media urban AC WALR (Kiss 104.1) at #4 (6.5–6.0). Urban One urban AC WAMJ (Majic 107.5/97.5) slipped to #5 (6.2–5.9), while Audacy urban AC WVEE (V-103) landed at #6 with its lowest share in more than a year (5.6–5.1).WSB-FM remained the market's cume leader despite a 4.1% drop (851,300–816,100). Overall market share edged up 0.1%, with persons using measured media (PUMM) down 5.2% from November and 4.6% year-over-year.
In the 25-54 demo, WVEE stayed #1 for the third straight survey despite a softer book. WSB-FM reclaimed #2, ending a three-month upward run. Audacy sports WZGC (92.9 The Game) rose to #3 with a minor dip, while WSB-AM fell to #4, snapping a four-book surge. WALR held steady in share ranking but tied for #4 with its smallest number in over a year. Holiday-powered WSTR jumped from #10 to #8.
Market PUMM declined 5.3% from the prior month and 1.8% from a year ago.
Washington, DC: Christmas Surge Falls Short at the Top
Mirroring trends in other markets, the holiday music express couldn't derail the news/talk dominance in the 6+ rankings. Hubbard news WTOP extended its streak to six consecutive #1 finishes, edging up slightly (12.1–12.2). American University news/talk WAMU held steady at #2, though it dipped (11.6–10.9).
iHeartMedia AC WASH flipped to all-Christmas on the second day of the survey, rocketing from #5 to #3 with a massive gain (4.9–8.7)—surpassing its #3 performance last year (7.3). Howard University urban AC WHUR slipped to #4 (7.0–6.0), while iHeartMedia alternative WWDC (DC101) eased to #5 with a slight uptick (5.0–5.2).
WASH boosted its market-leading cume by 13.9% (794,200–904,500). Overall market share rose 0.4%, with persons using measured media (PUMM) down 5.1% from November but up 19.9% year-over-year.
In the 25-54 demo, WASH's holiday format vaulted it from #3 to #1, posting double-digit shares. WAMU, still in double digits, dropped to #2—snapping an remarkable 11-book winning streak. WTOP fell to #3, ending a two-month climb. WWDC held at #4 with a rebound, while WHUR advanced to #5 with its strongest performance in exactly a year. Atlantic Gateway contemporary Christian WGTS slid to #6 amid a significant share drop. Market PUMM declined 1.2% from the prior month but surged 22.6% from a year ago.
Philadelphia: B101 Becomes the Sleigh
Audacy AC WBEB (B101) flipped to all-Christmas on the second day of the survey and harnessed the full power of the holiday format, soaring from #5 to #1 in the 6+ rankings with a dramatic leap (5.0–10.1)—outpacing its #3 finish last year (7.8).
Beasley active rock WMMR fell to #2 (7.7–6.4), while iHeartMedia urban AC WDAS rose to #3 with its best performance since May (5.4–6.3). Audacy sports WIP (94 WIP Sportsradio) slipped to #4 (6.6–5.8), gaining a 2.3 share from streaming. Beasley classic rock WMGK recorded its lowest share in over a year, dropping from #2 to #5 (6.7–5.5).
WBEB grew its market-leading cume by a remarkable 28.2% (1,088,900–1,396,200). Overall market share increased 1.1%, with persons using measured media (PUMM) down 1.2% from November but up 20.5% year-over-year.
In the 25-54 demo, WBEB nearly doubled its previous share, surging from #4 to #1 and posting double-digit numbers. That ended WMMR's impressive 10-book reign at the top, relegating it to #2. WDAS held at #3 with its third consecutive upward book. EMF contemporary Christian WKVP (106.9 K-Love) dropped to #4 after relinquishing about half of last month's gain. WIP and WHYY Inc. news/talk WHYY fell from a tie at #4 to #5 and #6, respectively. Market PUMM dipped 2.3% from the prior month but rose 25.8% from a year ago.