The latest Nielsen ratings reveal a continued dominance of AC and news/talk stations in the radio airwaves, with a few surprises and shifts in the rankings. The data, covering the period of May 28 to June 24, showcases the enduring appeal of these formats across various markets.
In the 20 non-embedded PPM markets, AC stations led in six markets, followed by news/talk in four. This trend is consistent with the quarterly performance, where AC claimed 16 wins over the past three surveys, compared to 11 for news/talk. The second quarter of 2025 saw a similar pattern, with AC and news/talk each securing 16 and 10 wins, respectively.
However, the first quarter of 2026 presented a different picture, with AC stations securing 13 wins, news/talk 11, sports 7, and classic hits just one. This shift highlights the dynamic nature of the radio industry and the varying preferences of listeners.
Looking at specific markets, Washington, DC, saw a notable gain for American University's news/talk station WAMU, which boosted its share by 20% since April, moving into 12-share territory. This move narrowed the gap with Hubbard all-news station WTOP by 2.7 share points.
In Boston, Audacy's AC station WMJX reclaimed the top spot, bouncing back to the top for the fifth time since February 2025. This resilience is notable, as WMJX shared the May crown with Boston University's news/talk station WBUR, now in third place.
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood witnessed a repeat performance by iHeartMedia's Spanish/bilingual AC station WMIA-FM, which maintained its lead with a slim 0.2-point advantage over Cox Media Group's soft AC station WFEZ. This market showcases the popularity of AC formats across diverse listener preferences.
The Seattle-Tacoma market presented a tight race between news/talk pubcaster KUOW and the Mariners flagship station KIRO-AM, separated by a mere tenth of a share point. This competition highlights the competitive nature of the radio industry in major markets.
Phoenix saw a breakthrough for iHeartMedia's talk station KFYI, which secured the top spot with a slight 0.1-point lead over AC sister station KESZ. This shift in rankings demonstrates the dynamic nature of listener preferences and the impact of station programming.
In Detroit, Audacy's sports station WXYT-FM maintained its dominance, securing a sixth straight victory and a 1.2-point lead over classic hits sister station WOMC. This consistency in performance is a testament to the station's appeal and strategic programming.
Minneapolis-St. Paul witnessed a change in leadership, with classic hits station KQQL reclaiming the top spot, maintaining a 0.7-point lead over country sister station KEEY. This shift reflects the evolving listener preferences and the competitive landscape.
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater saw a strong performance by CMG's soft AC station WDUV, which led with an 11-share point advantage over iHeart AC station WMTX. This market showcases the popularity of soft AC formats and the station's strategic positioning.
Denver-Boulder's AC station KOSI maintained its top spot, holding a slim lead over Audacy's classic rock station KQMT. This back-and-forth competition highlights the competitive nature of the market and the station's resilience.
San Diego's classic hits station KXSN-FM secured a third consecutive win, with a full-share-point lead over news/talk pubcaster KPBS. This consistency in performance is a testament to the station's appeal and strategic programming.
Baltimore's top five stations maintained their positions from May, with Urban One's urban AC station WWIN-FM leading the pack, staying 1.5 points ahead of Audacy AC station WLIF. This stability reflects the station's consistent performance and listener loyalty.
St. Louis witnessed a close race between Hubbard's heritage rocker KSHE and iHeartMedia's classic hits station KLOU, with KSHE on top for a second straight survey and a 0.6-point lead. This competition highlights the competitive nature of the market and the station's appeal to listeners.
In conclusion, the Nielsen ratings reveal a continued dominance of AC and news/talk stations, with a few surprises and shifts in the rankings. The data highlights the dynamic nature of the radio industry and the varying preferences of listeners across different markets. As the industry evolves, these formats will continue to play a significant role in shaping the radio landscape.
