Nielsen continues to release its March Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings, covering the survey period from March 5 through April 1. The four-week book included the shift to Daylight Saving Time, the arrival of spring, and the start of Passover.
MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD: Status Quo
Just when you thought the leaderboard might shake things up, the top four stations on the 6+ dial stayed locked in place like an old familiar playlist — though every one of them took a step backward this time around.
Cox Media Urban AC WHQT (Hot 105) slid back into the #1 throne with a 7.2–6.7 share. Right behind it, AC WFEZ (Easy 93.1) held onto silver with a 7.0–6.3 dip — its smallest share since last June. Audacy AC WLYF (101.5 Lite FM) cruised in at #3 with a 6.3–6.0 reading, while Televisaunivision Spanish Hot AC WAMR (Amor 107.5) rounded out the top four at 6.2–5.7.
Then the momentum shifted. The two stations that had been battling for #5 last book both climbed — with SBS Spanish Contemporary WCMQ (Z92.3) breaking away to claim the spot solo at 5.1–5.5.
Meanwhile, Audacy Classic Hits WMXJ (102.7 The Beach) eased back to #6 with a 5.1–5.4 share. In the cume race, WLYF turned up the volume with a healthy 2.6% lift, surging into the #1 position (779,700–800,000). Across the market, total listening rose a modest 1.2%.
In the 25-54 demographic, the script flipped dramatically: After more than a year of dominance, WFEZ finally lost its crown. It tumbled to #2 with its lowest score in over 12 months. Stepping into the spotlight was WHQT, which posted a slight uptick to seize the #1 spot — though the gap between the two remained razor-thin. Further down the chart, iHeatmedia's Spanish Adult Hits WMIA (Magic 93.9) came roaring back, vaulting all the way from #8 to #3 as it shook off a string of soft books. WLYF cooled off to #4, ending its four-book hot streak. Cox Media Rhythmic AC WFLC (Hits 97.3) slipped to #5 despite managing a small share gain, while WMXJ and WCMQ landed in a dead-heat tie for #6.
SEATTLE-TACOMA: The Talk Of the Town
For the third book in a row — and the 13th time in the last 14 surveys — Universaity of Washington N/T KUOW stood firm at #1 on the 6+ leaderboard, easing from 9.5 to 8.4. Yet the real momentum was building just behind the leader.
Alternative station KEXP (Friends of KEXP) charged forward from #5 all the way to #2, delivering its fourth consecutive up book with a strong leap to 6.3. Close behind, iHeartmedia Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 The Jet) slipped one spot to #3, holding steady at 5.6. Crista Contemporary Christian KCMS (Spirit 105.3) eased down to #4 with a 5.4–5.0 share.
The mid-tier kept shifting as well. HUBBARD AC KRWM (Warm 106.9) climbed into #5, rising to 4.9. Meanwhile, Audacy Active Rock KISW (The Rock) dropped to #6, hitting its lowest share since July at 4.7. It landed in a tight tie with Bonneville Sports KIRO-A (Seattle Sports 710 AM), which came storming back from #10 with a solid rebound to 4.7.
In cume, KRWM held onto the top spot despite a 0.9% dip (613,200–607,800). Overall market listening slipped by 0.6%.
The former #5 pair split ways: Hubbard Pop CHR KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5) stepped down to #6, while KCMS dropped into a tie at #7 with KIRO-A, which surged upward from #12 with a nice rebound.
The station plunged to its lowest share since September (8.0–6.7), suddenly transforming a once-dominant lead into a nail-biting showdown. Charging hard in its rearview mirror, Hubbard Classic Rock KSLX surged into a razor-close #2 (6.8–6.6).
Then came a stunning leap: Audacy Classic Hits KOOL (Big 94.5) rocketed up to #3 with its best performance in over a year (4.5–5.9). iHeaertMedia N/T KFYI-A dipped one notch to #4, yet still managed to post its largest share in over a year (4.6–5.0).
The shake-up didn’t stop there. Last month’s three-way logjam at #4 shattered as iHM Country KNIX slid to #5 (4.5–4.6). iHM Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 The Mountain) drifted down to #6 (4.5–4.3), while Maricopa Communith College Classical KBAQ (KBACH Classical 89.5 FM) took a sharp tumble to #9 (4.5–3.7).
In cume, KESZ clung to the throne despite a steep 4.1% drop (1,007,700–965,500). Meanwhile, the overall market lit up with a 1.6% gain.
25-54: the fire burned even brighter: KESZ suffered its third straight decline in the key demo but still fought off challengers to claim its seventh consecutive #1 crown. Televisasunision Mexican Regional KHOT (Qué Buena 105.9) stormed back to #2, breathing down the leader’s neck by just one share.
Entravision Mexican Regional KLNZ (La Tricolor 103.5) powered up to #3 with its strongest book in over a year. KYOT eased to #4 with a modest lift, while KOOL inched higher to #5 with a small gain. Hubbard Classic Rock KSLX slipped to #6 and found itself locked in a fierce tie with iHM Pop CHR KZZP (104.7 Kiss FM), which unleashed its best performance in over a year.
The familiar Detroit radio anthem played on, but with a few dramatic chords ringing louder than before. Audacy Sports WXYT (97.1 The Ticket) roared back to #1 for the third consecutive book, surging to a commanding 9.0 share and refusing to relinquish the throne.
Hot on its heels, Audacy Classic Hits WOMC reclaimed the #2 position with a solid 7.7–7.3 performance. iHM AC WNIC held firm at #3, unleashing its strongest Frosty-free share since October and climbing to a impressive 7.0. Then came the breakout moment: Audacy Country WYCD exploded upward to #4, delivering its biggest share in over a year with a powerful leap to 6.3. iHM Urban AC WMXD (Mix 92.3) eased back to #5 (6.1–5.9), still holding its ground in the upper ranks.
In cume, WNIC clung to the crown by the slimmest of margins, virtually flat at 983,600–983,400. The overall market stayed rock-steady, barely moving an inch.
25-54: the intensity cranked even higher: WXYT continued its reign of dominance, storming into double-digit territory for the third straight survey and leaving challengers in the dust. iHM Pop CHR WKQI (Channel 955) charged up two spots to #2 with its best performance in over a year — yet it still trailed the leader by more than four full shares in a gap that felt like a chasm.
IHM Urban Contemporary WJLB surged to #3, firing off its highest share in over a year. Audacy Classic Hits WOMC slipped to #4, finally cooling off after a scorching five-book surge. Meanwhile, Beasley Active Rock WRIF tumbled to #5, hitting its lowest score in over a year and feeling the full weight of the competition.
The pack stayed razor-close behind them. iHM Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108) dug in at #3 with a 7.2–6.9 performance, while Hubbard Hot AC KSTP (KS95) fought its way back to #4 at 7.1–6.7. iHM Country KEEY (K102) launched a fierce charge, surging to #5 with its best book in over a year and climbing to a strong 6.3. University of Northwestern-St Paul Contemporary Christian KTIS slipped to #6 (6.2–5.9) under the pressure.
In cume, KQQL dramatically extended its lead, exploding 6.6% higher to a commanding 674,200 listeners. The overall market answered with a solid 2.2% surge.
In the 25-54 demographic: The tension hit fever pitch: KFXN seized #1 for the third straight book and blasted into double-digit territory for the 13th time in the last 14 surveys, flexing serious dominance.
MPR AAA KCMP (89.3 The Current) came roaring back from a down book, surging all the way to #2 — yet still found itself staring down a two-share deficit to the leader. KQQL eased back to #3 with a modest dip, while iHM Pop CHR KDWB and Audacy Adult Hits KZJK (104.1 JACK FM) stayed locked in a tense tie at #4, both absorbing noticeable share losses in the heat of battle.