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.
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.
For the second consecutive book, Audacy AAA WXRT (93XRT) held the #1 position 6+ with a solid 6.3 share (up from 6.1).
Audacy News WBBM-AM slipped back to a tie for #2 (6.0-5.7), sharing the spot with Hubbard Hot AC WTMX (101.9 The Mix), which climbed from #3 (5.6-5.7). Hubbard Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 The Drive) had a strong month, jumping to #4 with its best share since June (4.3-5.1).
Audacy Country WUSN (US 99) held steady at #5 (4.4-4.4).Two stations tied at #6: iHeartMedia AC WLIT (93.9 Lite FM) dropped from #4 to its lowest share in over a year (5.0-4.0), while iHeartMedia Urban AC WVAZ (V103) moved up one spot to join it (4.0-4.0).
WLIT maintained the market’s largest cume despite a 4.1% decline (1,370,200 → 1,314,100). Overall market listening rose 1.0%. Target...Primary: Adults 25-54, with strong appeal to men 35-54 (core rock enthusiasts) and educated, culturally engaged listeners who value discovery and authenticity.
Secondary: Extends into 55+ for heritage rock and broader 6+ reach through wide musical variety.Audience Profile: Sophisticated, influential “music lifers” who attend concerts, support local scenes, and have higher disposable income — attractive to certain advertisers despite not always topping pure 25-54 demos.
25-54 Demo: WTMX (The Mix) delivered its largest 25-54 share in over a year and remained #1 for the fourth straight book. iHeartMedia Pop CHR WKSC (103.5 Kiss FM) climbed to #2 with its strongest performance since July, though it still trailed the leader by roughly three shares.
WXRT eased to #3 despite rebounding from the previous book. Audacy Pop CHR WBBM-F (B96) rose from #6 to #4, and iHeartMedia Urban Contemporary WGCI advanced from #7 to #5 — both with modest gains.
Audacy Country WUSN and iHeartMedia AC WLIT both fell: WUSN into a tie for #5, while WLIT slid to #8. A competitive but relatively stable April in Chicago, with strong showings from AAA, Hot AC, and Classic Rock.
The top of the 6+ chart remained highly competitive. iHeartMedia Hot AC KDMX (Mix 102.9) held the #1 spot alone this month with a 4.3 share (down from 4.5). It was closely chased by sister station iHeartMedia AC KDGE (Star 102.1), which rose to #2 (4.3-4.2).
Audacy Sports KRLD (105.3 The Fan) made a big leap, jumping from #9 to #3 with its strongest share in over a year (3.6-4.0). North Texas Public Broadcasting N/T KERA climbed from #7 to #4 (3.8-3.9), posting its highest rating since June.
TelevisaUnivision Mexican Regional KLNO (Qué Buena 94.1) slipped to #5 (4.2-3.7), while Audacy Adult Hits KJKK (100.3 Jack FM) landed at #6 (4.2-3.6). Both had been tied for #4 last month.
K-LOVE, Inc. Contemporary Christian KLTY fell sharply from a tie for #1 last book all the way to #11 (4.5-3.2).
KDGE remained the cume leader despite a double-digit decline of -12.0% (1,312,500 → 1,155,400). Overall market listening was down 2.0%.
25-54 Demo: KLNO (Qué Buena) continued its strong run, holding the #1 position for the fourth consecutive book despite posting its smallest share since October. KDMX (Mix 102.9) returned to #2 after ending a solid two-book run. Audacy Sports KRLD rose from #5 to #3 with another strong performance (its best in over a year).
KDGE eased to #4 with a slight dip, while Service Urban Contemporary KKDA (K104) held at #5 with a small gain. Audacy KJKK dropped from #3 to #6, ending a three-book surge.
A tight and unpredictable April in Dallas-Ft. Worth, with Sports, Public Radio, and Mexican Regional all making notable moves in a softening market.
iHeartMedia AC KODA (Sunny 99.1) remained perfectly flat at a 9.0 share for the third straight book and extended its #1 6+ streak to nine consecutive surveys.
Urban One Urban AC KMJQ (Majic 102.1) returned to #2 with a slight gain (6.9-7.1). iHeartMedia Alternative KTBZ (94.5 The Buzz) made a big jump, climbing from #7 to #3 with its strongest share in over a year (4.4-5.6). Urban One Classic Rock KGLK (106.9/107.5 The Eagle) held at #4 (5.4-5.5), while Hope Media Contemporary Christian KSBJ rose to #5 (4.6-5.3).
Urban One Country KKBQ (93Q) had a tough book, sliding from #3 to #6 with its smallest share since September (6.6-5.2). University of Houston N/T KUHF (News 88.7) eased from #5 to #7 (4.9-4.8).
KODA continued to lead the market in cume listeners despite a -7.7% drop (1,914,200 → 1,766,700). Overall market listening declined 3.4%.
25-54 Demo: Last month’s co-leaders split. KTBZ (The Buzz) stood alone at #1 with its best 25-54 book in over a year. KODA slipped to #2 with a small increase. KSBJ rebounded sharply, moving from #6 to #3. KMJQ repeated at #4 with a slight decline. Audacy Hot AC KHMX (Mix 96.5) returned to #5 with a modest decrease, while KKBQ fell from #3 all the way to #9.
A relatively stable April for the market leader in Houston, even as the overall numbers softened and Alternative showed notable strength.