Radio Ratings: Nielsen Releases Day 2 November PPMs

Nielsen Audio unveiled Day 2 of its November 2025 Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings on December 3, 2025, covering the survey period from October 16 to November 12

📻Washington, D.C.:  Hubbard Radio's all-news WTOP (103.5 FM) retained the #1 spot with a 12.1 share among adults 12+, up slightly from 11.9 in October, solidifying its dominance in the nation's capital. Trailing closely was American University's public news/talk WAMU (88.5 FM), which climbed to 11.6 (from 11.0) but narrowed WTOP's lead from 0.9 to just 0.5 share points, highlighting the intense competition in news formats amid ongoing political and local coverage demands. Howard University's urban adult contemporary WHUR (96.3 FM) secured a comfortable third place at 7.0 share, edging up from 6.6 in the prior book and maintaining a two-share-point cushion over challengers like iHeartMedia's modern/alternative rock "DC101" WWDC-FM (5.0, down from 5.5) and adult contemporary WASH (97.1 FM, steady at 4.9).

📻Boston: For the first time since January 2025, Beasley Media Group’s WBZ-FM "98.5 The Sports Hub" reclaimed the #1 position in Boston with a massive 9.4 share (12+) surging an astonishing 82% (+4.2 shares) from October as the New England Patriots caught fire on the field. The station, flagship for Patriots football, rode a wave of game-day listening and post-win talk, marking its strongest performance in nearly two years and ending a nine-month absence from the top spot. Audacy’s adult contemporary powerhouse "Magic 106.7" WMJX fell to a close second at 8.6 (down from 9.2), just 0.8 points behind the Sports Hub after sharing the crown in October. Beasley’s classic hits sister WROR dropped from co-#1 to third with 7.9 (+0.3), maintaining a solid podium finish. iHeartMedia’s CHR leader "Kiss 108" WXKS-FM held fourth at 6.8, while Boston University’s NPR news/talk WBUR (90.9) cracked the top five for the first time since May with 6.7 (+1.1), reflecting strong public-radio interest in the post-election environment.

📻Miami: iHeartMedia's WHQT "Hot 105.1" (Urban AC) locked in its 23rd consecutive #1 book in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market with an 8.7 share, dipping slightly from 9.9 in October but holding firm against a tightening field as the holiday season loomed. The station's enduring streak—spanning nearly four years—highlights the format's stronghold in South Florida's diverse, rhythm-driven listener base, where smooth R&B and throwbacks continue to outdraw pop and Spanish-language rivals amid post-election stability. Audacy's adult contemporary WFEZ "Easy 93.1" surged to #2 at 7.9 (up from 6.8), priming for its annual all-Christmas flip that would challenge the top in December's early data, while Cox Media Group's country WSFL "99.5 The Wolf" climbed to #3 with 6.5 (+1.2), capitalizing on crossover appeal in a market hungry for upbeat escapes. Univision's Spanish AC WRMA "El Mago" (106.7 FM) held fourth at 6.2 (steady), underscoring bilingual formats' consistency, as iHeart's Spanish urban WPOW "Power 96" rounded out the top five at 5.8 (-0.4).

📻Seattle: University of Washington's public news/talk KUOW-FM (94.9) notched its 11th consecutive survey during November, smashing a station record with a 9.4 share among adults 12+—up a massive 1.3 from October's 8.1 and the highest mark in KUOW's history. The surge, credited to deepened local coverage of post-election fallout, tech sector shifts, and Pacific Northwest issues, extends a streak that began in January 2025 and underscores public radio's grip on the market's informed, affluent listeners amid a fragmented media landscape. KUOW led iHeartMedia's classic hits "95.7 The Jet" KJEB by a comfortable 3.1 share points, as KJEB climbed to 6.3 (+0.7 from 5.6) for its strongest showing since May 2023, buoyed by nostalgic '70s/'80s hits appealing to boomers and Gen-Xers. Audacy's active rock "Rock 99.9" KISW held third at 5.8 (+0.7 from 5.1), maintaining its hard-edged consistency with steady gains in midday and evenings. Bonneville's sports talk "Seattle Sports 710" KIRO-AM tumbled to fourth with 5.2 (-1.1 from 6.3) after tying KUOW for #1 in October, a drop attributed to the end of the Mariners' playoff buzz that had fueled summer spikes—now reverting to baseline NBA/NFL preview chatter. Crista Media's contemporary Christian "Spirit 105.3" KCMS-FM broke into the top five for the first time since April, landing fifth at 4.7 (+0.8 from 3.9), as its uplifting worship and family-focused content resonated with faith-based audiences seeking positivity in a turbulent news cycle.

📻Phoenix: iHM's AC "99.9 KEZ" KESZ flipped to its annual all-Christmas programming on November 5 and wasted no time reclaiming the #1 spot in Phoenix with a festive-fueled 8.3 share among adults 12+, up a solid 1.1 from October's 7.2. This early holiday switch, just days into the book, captured the seasonal itch of listeners craving jingle bells over ballots, snatching the crown back from Hubbard Radio's classic rock KSLX (100.7 FM), which had dominated for the prior three surveys but slipped to #2 at 7.6 (down 1.1 from 8.7) as the post-election news cycle cooled and rock staples faced tinsel temptation. iHeartMedia doubled down with a strong showing across its portfolio: adult hits "95.5 The Mountain" KYOT vaulted to #3 at 5.3 (+1.0 from 4.3), its eclectic mix of '90s-now variety proving a cozy companion to the holidays, while country flagship KNIX (102.5 FM) settled into #5 at 4.3 (-0.1 from 4.4), holding steady amid a genre that's seen ups and downs in the Valley of the Sun. Sandwiched in fourth was Audacy's classic hits "Big 94.5" KOOL-FM, which notched its best book since January 2024 with a 4.9 share (+0.7 from 4.2), as timeless pop-rock cuts resonated with older demos tuning out for festive nostalgia.

📻Detroit: iHeartMedia's adult contemporary WNIC (100.3 FM) edged out Audacy's sports talk "97.1 The Ticket" WXYT-FM for the #1 spot in Detroit with an 8.0 share among adults 12+, marking a razor-thin 0.6-point lead after months of back-and-forth dominance since July. The victory—WNIC's first since August—came courtesy of its annual all-Christmas programming flip in the survey's final week (starting around November 5–7), injecting festive cheer that boosted the station from 7.4 in October and tapped into Motown's holiday nostalgia amid cooling post-election vibes. WXYT-FM, riding high on the Detroit Tigers' playoff magic in October, tumbled to #2 at 7.4 (a steep drop from 10.3) as the team's run ended, shifting listener focus from baseball highs to NBA/NFL previews and talk radio's off-season lull—its digital stream also dipped 3.3 to 2.1, underscoring the format's event-driven volatility. iHeartMedia and Audacy continued their stranglehold on the top five, with iHeart's urban AC "Mix 92.3" WMXD surging to #3 at 7.3 (+0.4 from October's swingy 6.9–7.4), delivering smooth R&B reliability for the market's Black listenership. Audacy's classic hits WOMC (104.3 FM) held fourth at 5.8 (+0.3), while sister country WYCD (99.5 FM) rounded out the podium at #5 with 5.4 (+0.2), both benefiting from evergreen appeal in the Motor City's blue-collar heartland.

📻Minneapolis:  Despite the Minnesota Vikings' middling 6-5 season marked by quarterback woes and defensive lapses, iHeartMedia's sports talk "100.3 K-FAN" KFXN-FM extended its enviable 11-consecutive-survey winning streak at #1 in the Twin Cities with a commanding 11.0 share among adults 12+, dipping just 1.1 from October's Viking-fueled 12.1 high but still leading by a robust 2.9 share points. The station's dominance—fueled by year-round NFL/NBA/NHL coverage, local debates on the Gophers' hoops surge, and Twins offseason buzz—proves its resilience beyond team fortunes, drawing loyal male and sports-obsessed demos in a market where talk formats thrive on Midwest passion.

Northwestern Media's contemporary Christian AC KTIS-FM (98.5) climbed to #2 at 8.1 (+1.1 from October's 7.0), narrowing the gap with its uplifting mix of worship hits and family programming that resonates amid seasonal transitions, while Minnesota Public Radio's news/talk KNOW (91.1 FM) rose to #3 at 7.0 (+1.1 from 5.9), its stream dipping slightly to 1.3 as in-depth election recaps and local policy dives pulled in educated listeners. Hubbard Radio's hot AC "KS95" KSTP-FM inched up to #4 at 6.8 (+0.2 from 6.6), holding steady with pop-crossovers for younger adults, and iHeart's classic hits "Kool 108" KQQL (now teasing its Santacaster holiday flip) rounded out the top five at an estimated 6.0 (stable from prior trends), blending '80s nostalgia with early jingle teases.

📻San Diego:  Audacy's classic hits "Sunny 98.1" KXSN extended its reign to 11 consecutive surveys at #1 in the San Diego market with a 7.7 share, down from October's 8.8 and September's 9.6, but clinging to a narrowing 0.4-point lead over surging public news/talk KPBS (89.5 FM). The station's streak, which kicked off in January 2025, relies on its timeless '70s/'80s playlist and beachy vibe that anchors SoCal nostalgia, though the softening share signals potential holiday format pressures as December's Christmas flips loom. KPBS-FM, operated by San Diego State University, posted its strongest book since June 2024 at 7.3 (+0.4 from October's 6.9), closing the gap from 1.9 points in October amid heightened demand for in-depth local journalism on wildfires, housing crises, and post-election analysis—its digital stream also ticked up to 1.8, boosting non-comm appeal. Local Media San Diego's Rhythmic AC "Magic 92.5" XHRM-FM halted a three-month slide to claim #3 at 6.2 (+0.3 from 5.9), blending urban pop with feel-good grooves that resonate in the border city's multicultural mix. Audacy's AC KYXY (96.5 FM) nudged up to #4 at 5.7 (+0.1 from 5.6), steadying its soft-adult stronghold with light holiday teases. iHM's hot AC "Star 94.1" KMYI rocketed into the top five for the first time since August 2024 at 5.1 (+1.1 from a tied-for-ninth 4.0), tying Audacy's country KSON (103.7 FM) for #5 as its millennial-targeted current hits and morning show chemistry ignited a comeback, potentially setting up a deeper run if the holiday season favors upbeat energy over carols.

📻Tampa: Radio Training Network's non-commercial contemporary Christian "The Joy FM" WCIE (91.5 FM) roared back to the #1 spot in the Tampa-St. Petersburg market for the first time since June 2025, achieving a station-record 8.8 share —a stunning +1.9 surge from October's 6.9, its largest audience ever and fueled by the format's inspirational appeal in a market freshly stirred by K-Love's debut. Since February, WCIE has been a top-two mainstay, blending worship anthems, Christian pop, and community engagement to captivate faith-centered listeners in Florida's Gulf Coast hub. This commanding 1.8-share lead over Cox Media Group's classic rock "107.3 The Eagle" WXGL (7.0, +0.8 from 6.2) positions the Eagle as a holiday heavyweight in waiting: WXGL launches its aggressive 24/7 Christmas music marathon in December, a tactic that's historically propelled it to double-digit shares and market dominance during the festive frenzy. Cox's soft AC sister WDUV (105.5 FM) dropped to #3 at 6.8 (-0.3) after four surveys on top, its subtle holiday infusions late in the book unable to counter the Christian AC momentum. iHM's country "US 103.5" WFUS and Cox's AC "Magic 94.9" WWRM tied for fourth at 5.2 (WFUS, -0.4) and 5.3 (WWRM, +0.6), with WWRM hitting its strongest book since October 2022 on upbeat, holiday-adjacent vibes.

📻Denver: Bonneville International's adult contemporary flagship KOSI (101.1 FM) refused to yield its stranglehold on the Denver-Boulder market, posting a 6.9 share among adults 12+ —a modest +0.3 uptick from October's 6.6 and now commanding a solid 1.2-point lead that feels increasingly unassailable amid the Mile High City's format stalemate. This extends KOSI's multi-month reign, rooted in its breezy blend of soft pop currents and evergreen hits that cater to the area's upscale, work-from-home crowd, especially as post-election fatigue gives way to early holiday comfort listening. iHM's classic rock "103.5 The Fox" KRFX sustained its Broncos-boosted momentum to #2 at 5.7 (+0.3 from 5.4), notching its finest performance since snagging the #1 crown for a single survey in July 2024 when Denver's NFL resurgence ignited a rock rally—though the team's middling 7-4 record tempers explosive growth, keeping it as a perennial bridesmaid. Audacy's classic rock "99.5 The Mountain" KQMT rocketed to #3 with a sharp 5.5 (+0.9 from 4.6), its '70s/'80s anthems surging on boomer loyalty and stream contributions (adding 0.4 share digitally). Bonneville's country sister KYGO (98.5 FM) bridged the gap at #4 with 5.4 (-0.3 from 5.7), a slight retreat after summer highs but still a reliable twangy anchor for the Front Range's rural-urban mix. Audacy's hot AC "Alice 105.9" KALC slipped to #5 at 5.0 (-0.2 from 5.2), its vibrant millennial pop holding the fort but squeezed by the rock-heavy podium.

📻Baltimore: Urban One maintained its ironclad control of Baltimore's top two spots, with urban AC "Magic 95.9" WWIN-FM securing its 10th consecutive #1 book at a dominant 12.4 share among adults 12+—up 0.5 from October's 11.9 and underscoring the format's lock on the market's core Black audience through soulful R&B throwbacks and local flavor that outpaces rivals in Charm City's rhythm-heavy landscape. Sister urban contemporary "92Q Jams" WERQ-FM held firm as runner-up at 9.2 (+0.3 from 8.9), its high-energy hip-hop and current jams reinforcing the cluster's duopoly stranglehold, which has defined Baltimore's leaderboard for over two years amid post-election steadiness. iHeartMedia's country WPOC (93.1 FM) roared back into the top five at #3 with a robust 7.5 share (+1.3 from October's 6.2), its twangy hits and Orioles offseason chatter capitalizing on crossover appeal in a market where non-urban formats fight for scraps—marking the station's strongest showing since July 2024. Hearst Television's classic rock "98 Rock" WIYY slotted into #4 at 6.8 (+0.4 from 6.4), buoyed by steady boomer loyalty and stream gains (up 0.5 digitally), while Audacy's AC "Today's 101.9" WLIF closed the podium at #5 with 6.5 (+0.2 from 6.3), its soft pop mix priming for a December Christmas flip that could challenge the urban giants.

📻St. Louis: Hubbard Radio's classic rock KSHE (94.7 FM) notched its 11th straight #1 book in the St. Louis market with an 8.5 share, down from a summer peak of 10.9 but holding serve amid a downward trend (9.5 in September, 9.2 in August) thanks to enduring '70s/'80s anthems and Cardinals offseason chatter that keep boomer and Gen-X loyalists tuned in. The good news for iHM's classic hits KLOU (103.3 FM), a year-long #2 resident, is its incremental climb to 8.3 (+0.1 from October's 8.2), now just a razor-thin 0.2 share points shy of dethroning KSHE—its closest brush yet, signaling potential for a December upset if holiday nostalgia favors its variety playlist. Gateway Creative Broadcasting's contemporary Christian "99.1 Joy FM" KLJY rose to #3 at 7.2 (+0.1 from 7.1), its uplifting worship and family content gaining subtle traction in a market blending faith with urban energy, while Hubbard's adult hits "106.5 The Arch" WARH climbed to #4 with 7.1 (+0.7 from 6.4), its eclectic '80s-now mix appealing to broad demos and posting its strongest month since May. Audacy's AC KEZK (102.5 FM) rounded out the top five at 6.5 (+0.9 from 5.6), a timely rebound just ahead of its annual all-Christmas flip—poised to surge in December's survey (November 7–December 4) with festive programming that historically catapults it to double digits.