Nielsen has started releasing the January 2026 PPM radio ratings for New York. These figures represent a return to a typical "normal" rating period after the holiday-inflated December results.
NEW YORK: News Takes the Lead
Audacy's all-news station 1010 WINS (simulcast on 92.3 WINS-FM) surged to the top spot with its highest share in over a year, climbing from 6.2 to 7.5. This ended the long-running streak of iHeartMedia's adult contemporary WLTW (106.7 Lite FM) at #1, as Lite FM dropped sharply from 12.5 to 7.0 and settled into #2—still holding the market's largest cume audience (down from 4,571,200 to 3,387,600). SBS's Spanish Tropical WSKQ (Mega 97.9) held steady at #3 with a minor dip from 5.6 to 5.4, while also gaining an additional 1.5 share from online streaming.Audacy's classic hits WCBS-FM climbed to #4 (up from 4.6 to 5.3). iHeartMedia's pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) eased to #5 (down from 5.3 to 5.1). New York Public Radio's news/talk WNYC advanced one position with its strongest performance in a year (up from 4.4 to 5.1).
In the key 25-54 demographic: WSKQ rose to #1 for the first time since June, despite a small overall share decline. WLTW fell to its lowest share since June, landing at #2. iHeartMedia's urban contemporary WWPR (Power 105.1) advanced to #3, posting its highest mark in over a year. WHTZ continued its downward trend for the third consecutive book, slipping to #4. In the prior period, MediaCo's rhythmic CHR WQHT (Hot 97) and WCBS-FM had been tied at #5; both saw positive gains this time, finishing at #5 and #6 respectively with differing increases.
With the holiday boost fading, iHeartMedia's adult contemporary KOST (103.5) remained #1 overall (6+) despite a steep drop from 13.3 to 6.3. Audacy's classic hits KRTH (K-Earth 101) held steady at #2 with a slight uptick (5.6 to 5.7).
iHeartMedia's hot AC KBIG (104.3 MyFM) returned to #3 (up from 5.1 to 5.3). Audacy's adult hits/variety KCBS-FM (93.1 Jack FM) made a strong move, jumping from #6 to #4 with its highest share in over a year (3.9 to 4.4).
Audacy's news/talk KNX (1070 AM/97.1 FM) climbed back to #5 (up from 4.1 to 4.3), while Audacy's urban AC KTWV (94.7 The Wave) slipped three spots to #7 (down from 4.3 to 4.1).
KOST continued as the market's cume leader despite a 31.9% decline (from 3,459,000 to 2,354,800).
In the competitive 25-54 demographic: The top six stations were separated by less than a full share point in a tight race. KBIG stayed flat but advanced to #1. Audacy's alternative KROQ held flat and rose to #2. KRTH also landed at #2 (tied), climbing from #4 and snapping a three-book decline. iHeartMedia's alternative KYSR (Alt 98.7) surged from #8 to #4 with its strongest performance in over a year. KCBS-FM repeated at #5 but posted a solid share gain. KOST fell from #1 to #6 after losing more than half its holiday-fueled share.
CHICAGO: Have You Heard the News?
AUDACY News WBBM-A moved up to #1 6+ with its highest mark since MARCH (5.1-5.9). HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (101.9 THE MIX) was happy Santa skipped town as it rose from #5 to #2 with its best book in over a year (4.2-5.5).
AUDACY AAA WXRT (93XRT) also landed its largest share in over a year as it stepped up to #3 (4.5-5.4).
iHEARTMEDIA AC WLIT (93.3 LITE FM) fell from first to fourth (12.4 -5.2). NEXTSTAR N/T WGN-A (RADIO 720) slipped to #5 (4.6-4.8). One benefit of PPM technology is you can really see market influenced audience movement.
WLIT still had the most cume despite a 42.9% drop (2,102,400-1,200,200).
WTMX had its best 25-54 outing in over a year as it rose to #1. iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 KISS FM) stepped up to #2 with its best book since OCTOBER. WLIT went from first to third as it ended a five-book surge. WXRT advanced from #7 to #4 with its highest mark since JULY. WBEZ ALLIANCE N/T WBEZ repeated at #5 with a modest share gain. HUBBARD Adult Hits WTBC (THROWBACK 100.3) slipped to #6 with a slight increase.
DALLAS-FT. WORTH: Almost A Tie
The top of the 6+ leaderboard had all the stations closely bunched together. iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (MIX 102.9) moved up to #1 (4.4-4.5), while Santa’s chosen station—iHEARTMEDIA AC KDGE (STAR 102.1)— dipped to #2 (10.1-4.4).
iHEARTMEDIA Pop CHR KHKS (106.1 KISS FM) was up to #3 (4.2-4.2), while AUDACY Alternative KVIL (ALT 103.7) advanced two squares to #4 (3.6-3.9). AUDACY Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 JACK FM) leapt from #8 to #5 as it halted a four-book slide (3.4-3.8). While KDGE shed 34.9% of its cume, the station was still #1 in that category (1,789,000-1,165,500).
25-54: TELEVISAUNIVISION Mexican Regional KLNO (QUÉ BUENA 94.1) landed its largest 25-54 share in over a year as it climbed up to #1. KDMX made the move to #2 as it rebounded from a down book. KDGE went from first to third, while KHKS held steady at #4 with a small share loss. AUDACY Mexican Regional KMVK (LA GRANDE 107.5) advanced two spaces to #5 with a slight increase.
Urban One's country KKBQ (93Q Country) advanced to #3 (up from 5.3 to 5.8). Hope Media's contemporary Christian KSBJ (89.3) slipped to #4 (down from 5.6 to 5.3). Audacy's hot AC KHMX (Mix 96.5) stayed at #5 (slightly down from 5.2 to 5.1).KODA shed 19.2% of its cume audience but remained the market leader (down from 2,387,500 to 1,928,000).
In the key 25-54 demographic: KODA extended its impressive run of consecutive #1 finishes in the demo, maintaining roughly a full-share lead over iHeartMedia's alternative KTBZ (94.5 The Buzz), which climbed to #2 with a strong gain. KHMX rose to #3, delivering its best book in over a year.
KMJQ fell to #4 with its lowest share since September. It tied at #4 with KSBJ, which jumped from #8 and posted its third straight increase. KKBQ sat just behind at #6 after rebounding from a prior down book. SBS's Mexican Regional KROI (La Ley 92.1) dropped from #5 to #9.