Miami: Hot Is On Fire
In the Miami–Ft. Lauderdale–Hollywood market, the 6+ ratings race—typically a two-station battle—shifted this month as Cox Media’s Urban AC WHQT (Hot 105) surged to first place with its strongest performance since September, rising from 6.7 to 7.2.
That gain snapped the three-book winning streak of Cox Media AC WFEZ (Easy 93.1), which slipped to second place despite a modest dip from 7.5 to 7.0. Audacy AC WLYF (101.5 Lite FM) climbed to third with its best showing since October, jumping from 4.9 to 6.3.
Audacy Classic Hits WMXJ (102.7 The Beach) fell to fourth (5.4–5.1), tying with SBS Spanish Contemporary WCMQ (Z92.3), which edged up from fifth (5.0–5.1). Despite losing the top spot, WFEZ remained the most-listened-to station, growing its audience 5.9% to 790,600, even as the overall market declined 0.7%.
Among adults 25–54, WFEZ continued to dominate, holding more than a full share lead despite a softer book. WHQT moved into second with its best performance in over a year, while WLYF slipped to third despite a slight increase. Cox Media Rhythmic AC WFLC (Hits 97.3) rose to fourth, ending a two-book decline, as WMXJ dipped to fifth and Audacy Classic Hip Hop WPOW (Power 96) slid to seventh despite flat results.
Seattle: Non-Com KUOW Dominates
University of Washington N/T KUOW extended its dominance in the latest ratings, finishing first in the 6+ category for the eighth consecutive book with a 9.5 share (down slightly from 9.7), well ahead of the competition.
iHeartMedia Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 The Jet) moved up to second (5.5–5.6), while Crista Christian AC KCMS (Spirit 105.3) slipped to third (5.7–5.4). Audacy Active Rock KISW (The Rock) climbed two spots to fourth (5.0–5.1), and Friends of KEXP Alternative KEXP jumped from ninth to fifth with its best performance in over a year (4.3–4.7).
Hubbard AC KRWM (Warm 106.9) fell to sixth (5.3–4.6), tying with Audacy Country KKWF (100.7 The Wolf), which rose from eighth (4.5–4.6). Bonneville Sports KIRO-A (Seattle Sports 710AM) dropped sharply from fifth to tenth (5.1–3.8) as interest from the football season faded, tying iHeartMedia Classic Rock KZOK (3.6–3.8). Despite a 5.4% decline, KRWM remained the market leader in total listeners, though overall market cume fell 2.3%.
In the 25–54 demographic, KEXP and KISW held the top two spots, but the gap between them narrowed to less than a share. KUOW remained third with a slight increase, while Audacy Alternative KNDD (107.7 The End) rose from seventh to fourth after rebounding from a down book. KCMS held steady in fifth, now tied with Hubbard Pop CHR KQMV (Movin’ 92.5), which surged from tenth to snap a three-book slide. KJEB fell from fourth to seventh, giving back part of last month’s gain.
Phoenix: Easy Wins
iHeartMedia AC KESZ (99.9 KEZ) remained dominant in Phoenix, ranking #1 in the 6+ category for the fifth consecutive book and improving from a 7.5 to an 8.0 share.
Hubbard Classic Rock KSLX returned to second place with its best performance since November (6.2–6.8), while iHeartMedia N/T KFYI-A held steady to move into third (4.6–4.6). A four-way tie formed at #4: iHeartMedia Adult Hits KYOT (95.5 The Mountain) slipped from third (5.2–4.5), Maricopa Community College Classical KBAQ (K-Bach 89.5) was unchanged (4.9–4.5), Audacy Classic Hits KOOL (Big 94.5) rose from sixth (4.4–4.5), and iHeartMedia Country KNIX climbed from seventh with its best showing in over a year (4.3–4.5).
KESZ also maintained the largest overall audience despite a 3.5% decline (1,044,300 to 1,007,700), as total market cume dipped 1.4%.
In the 25–54 demographic, KESZ led for the sixth straight survey, though with its smallest share since September. KYOT moved back into second, narrowly ahead of Entravision Mexican Regional KLNZ (La Tricolor 103.5), which jumped from seventh to third with its strongest performance in more than a year. KSLX held fourth with a solid gain, while KOOL slipped to fifth with a slight decrease.
Detroit: Sports Scores
Audacy Sports WXYT (97.1 The Ticket) secured its second straight 6+ victory in Detroit, though it dipped slightly from an 8.9 to an 8.6 share.
Audacy Classic Hits WOMC climbed back to #2 with its strongest performance in over a year (7.4–7.7), while iHeartMedia AC WNIC held steady to move into third (6.3–6.3). iHeartMedia Urban AC WMXD (Mix 92.3) slipped to fourth with its lowest share since May (6.4–6.1). Audacy Country WYCD edged up to fifth (5.4–5.5), as Audacy News WWJ-A dropped to sixth (5.5–5.3).
WNIC expanded its lead in total audience, growing cume by 6.4% to 983,600, while the overall market increased 1.5%.
In the 25–54 demographic, WXYT remained dominant, posting a second consecutive double-digit share at #1. WOMC inched up to #2 with its best showing since March, while Beasley Active Rock WRIF fell to third after giving back some of last month’s gains. iHeartMedia Pop CHR WKQI (Channel 955) held at #4 with its strongest book since March, and iHeartMedia Urban Contemporary WJLB rose to fifth with its highest share in over a year. WMXD declined to sixth, marking its lowest performance since July.
Minneapolis: Streaming Helps
iHeartMedia Sports KFXN (K-FAN FM 100.3) slipped to second with its lowest rating in over a year (8.9–7.3), while iHeartMedia Classic Hits KQQL (Kool 108) surged to third (6.2–7.2). Hubbard Hot AC KSTP (KS95) edged down to fourth (6.9–7.1), and University of Northwestern–St. Paul Contemporary Christian KTIS held fifth, rebounding from last month’s sharp decline (5.7–6.2).
KQQL continued to lead in total audience, growing cume 3.3% to 632,500, as the overall market rose 1.0%.
In the 25–54 demographic, KFXN extended its streak to eight consecutive double-digit books, leading the category in seven of those, including the last two. KQQL jumped from fifth to second with its best non-holiday performance in over a year, while MPR AAA KCMP (89.3 The Current) fell to third after a significant drop. iHeartMedia Pop CHR KDWB slipped to fourth, giving back about half of last month’s gains, and tied with Audacy Adult Hits KZJK (104.1 Jack FM), which moved up with a solid increase. KNOW dropped from fourth to sixth, though its stream ranked #17.