Nielsen has started the rollout of the PPM results for the month of April. It covers the period from April 2nd through the 29th. It featured the Easter. Let's start at the largest market...
NEW YORK: Status Quo
Another quiet book with very little movement among the major players. In the 6+ rankings, iHeartMedia AC WLTW (106.7 Lite FM) remained #1 for another month, posting its strongest non-holiday share since September — climbing from 7.4 to 8.1.
Audacy News WINS (1010) held steady at #2 (7.2-7.1), while Audacy Classic Hits WCBS-FM inched up to #3 (5.4-5.4).iHeartMedia Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) slipped one spot to #4 (5.6-5.2), New York Public Radio N/T WNYC stayed at #5 (4.9-4.7), and Mediabase Urban AC WBLS rounded out the top six at #6 (4.8-4.6).
WLTW further extended its cume lead, growing +3.7% (3,758,200 → 3,898,300). Overall market listening was up a modest 0.8%. Easter is not a major ratings driver but acts as a mild seasonal modifier. It favors stations with broad, positive appeal (AC) or event-driven content (Sports, News, Christian) while potentially softening total market numbers due to disrupted routines.
25-54 Demo: WLTW held onto the #1 position for the third consecutive book despite a small dip. WHTZ repeated at #2, ending its two-book run of gains and finishing roughly half a share behind the leader.iHeartMedia Urban Contemporary WWPR (Power 105.1) rebounded nicely, jumping from #5 to #3. Audacy Hot AC WNEW (New 102.7) eased to #4 and WCBS-FM slipped to #5, both with minor declines.Overall, a very stable April book in New York with familiar stations occupying their usual spots.
LOS ANGELES: KOSTing
For the sixth consecutive book, iHeartMedia AC KOST remained #1 6+, delivering its strongest Frosty-free share in over a year (6.5-7.1).iHeartMedia Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYfm) climbed back to #2 with its highest share in over a year (5.9-6.2). Audacy Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101.1) held steady at #3 (5.0-5.0), while Audacy Adult Hits KCBS (93.1 JACK FM) stayed at #4 (4.9-4.6). Audacy News KNX moved up one spot to #5 (4.1-4.1).
On the downside, SBS Mexican Regional KLAX (LA RAZA 97.9) took a big tumble — falling from #5 to #13 with its lowest share since December (4.4-3.2). Its partner, TelevisaUnivision Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5), edged up slightly (3.1-3.2), while iHeartMedia Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) dropped to a 3.2 share, its lowest in over a year.
KOST significantly grew its market-leading cume, jumping +12.5% (2,280,500 → 2,566,700). Overall market listening increased by 0.5%. Target: Primary: Women 35–54 (and extending into 55+), skewing female overall. AC formats classically target this group with relatable, low-conflict content. Secondary/Extended: Broader 25-54 adults (key ad demo) and total 6+ audience. KOST consistently leads or places high in 6+ (e.g., #1 in April 2025 with a 7.1 share, its strongest non-holiday in over a year) and shows strength in 25-54, where it moved up to #2 in the recent book.
25-54 Demo: Last month’s co-leaders KBIG and Audacy Alternative KROQ went their separate ways. KBIG held onto the #1 spot with a small gain, while KROQ fell sharply to #5 with its lowest 25-54 share since September.
KOST moved up to #2 with a slight increase. A flat KCBS rose to #3, KRTH held #4 with a minor dip, and iHeartMedia Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) remained at #6, finishing just a tenth behind its rival KROQ.A strong month for KOST and a relatively stable top tier in Los Angeles.