The Nielsen Audio PPM ratings for May 2026 reveal a dynamic landscape in the radio industry, with several stations making significant moves and others holding their ground. The data, covering Washington DC, Boston, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Seattle/Tacoma, Phoenix, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Denver, San Diego, Baltimore, and St. Louis, provides a snapshot of listener preferences and market shifts. Here's a deeper dive into the key findings and my analysis of the trends.
Washington DC: A Tale of Two Stations
Public News/Talk 88.5 WAMU rises to the top spot with a 10.4% share, marking its first win since last June. This is a significant shift, as Hubbard News 103.5 WTOP, which previously held the lead, slides to 10.2%. What's particularly interesting is the performance of iHeartMedia Alternative "DC 101" WWDC, which climbs to a distant third with a 5.4% share, up from 4.9%. This suggests a growing appetite for alternative music among DC listeners.
Boston: A Battle for the Top Spot
Public News/Talk 90.9 WBUR, which held the lead last month, slips slightly to 6.2%. However, this is still a strong showing, and it retains its position as the top-rated station in the market. Beasley Classic Hits 105.7 WROR, on the other hand, rises to 6.2%, challenging WBUR for the top spot. This battle for dominance highlights the competitive nature of the Boston radio market.
Miami/Fort Lauderdale: A Bilingual AC Dominance
iHeartMedia Bilingual AC "Magic 93.9" WMIA-FM soars to the top with a 6.2% share, marking the first time in the frequency's history that it has held the lead. This is a significant achievement, as it matches the largest PPM share for the station. Audacy AC "101.5 Lite-FM" WLYF, which previously held the top spot, swings to 6.1%. This shift in dominance underscores the importance of bilingual programming in the Miami market.
Seattle/Tacoma: A Stable Market
Public News/Talk 94.9 KUOW-FM maintains its big lead, despite a slight dip to 10.1%. Bonneville's "Seattle Sports 710" KIRO climbs to 6.8%, while iHeartMedia Classic Hits "95.7 The Jet" KJEB rises to 6.3%. This stability in the market suggests a strong foundation for these stations, even as they face competition from other players.
Phoenix: A Shifting Landscape
Hubbard Classic Rock 100.7 KSLX moves back into the top spot with a 6.7% share, while iHeartMedia AC "99.9 KEZ" KESZ slides to 6.5%. iHeart Conservative Talk 550 KFYI climbs to 5.6%, its best share since January 2022. This shifting landscape in Phoenix reflects the ongoing battle for dominance among various formats and owners.
Detroit: A Mixed Bag
Audacy Sports "97.1 The Ticket" WXYT-FM is down 11.2% to 9.8%, while Audacy Classic Hits 104.3 WOMC dips to 6.9%. iHeartMedia AC 100.3 WNIC is down 7.5% to 6.8%, and Audacy Country 99.5 WYCD gains 6.0% to 6.6%. This mixed bag of results highlights the challenges and opportunities facing radio stations in Detroit.
Minneapolis/St. Paul: A Battle for the Top
Three iHeartMedia stations tie for first in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Classic Hits "Kool 108" KQQL rises to 7.8%, Country "K102" KEEY rises to 7.8%, and Sports "100.3 KFAN" KFXN-FM dips to 7.8%. Public News/Talk "MPR News" 91.1 KNOW-FM falls to 6.4%. This battle for the top spot reflects the competitive nature of the market and the ongoing struggle to attract and retain listeners.
Tampa/St. Petersburg: A Shifting Dominance
Cox Soft AC "105.5 The Dove" WDUV is down 9.7% to 9.0%, while Radio Training Network Christian AC "The Joy FM" 91.5 WCIE inches up to 7.3%. Cox Classic Rock "107.3 The Eagle" WXGL is up 6.0% to 6.4%, and sister Hot AC "Magic 94.9" WWRM is up 5.1% to 6.3%. This shifting dominance reflects the dynamic nature of the Tampa/St. Petersburg market.
Denver: A Battle for the Top Spot
Bonneville AC 101.1 KOSI returns to the top spot with a 6.7% share, while Audacy Classic Rock "99.5 The Mountain" KQMT slips to 5.9%. Bonneville Country 98.5 KYGO inches up to a third place tie with iHeartMedia Alternative "Channel 93.3" KTCL, both with a 5.2% share. This battle for the top spot reflects the competitive nature of the Denver market.
San Diego: A Shifting Landscape
Audacy Classic Hits "Sunny 98.1" KXSN is up 7.4% to 7.7%, while Public News/Talk 89.5 KPBS-FM follows with a 7.6% share. Audacy Sports "97.3 The Fan" KWFN inches up to 5.4%. This shifting landscape in San Diego reflects the ongoing battle for dominance among various formats and owners.
Baltimore: A Stable Market
Radio One Adult R&B "Magic 95.9" WWIN-FM grows its lead to nearly 2 shares, despite a dip to 8.1%. Audacy AC "Today's 101.9" WLIF is down 6.7% to 6.2%, while sister Hot AC "Mix 106.5" WWMX rises to 5.8%. This stability in Baltimore reflects a strong foundation for these stations, even as they face competition from other players.
St. Louis: A Battle for the Top
Hubbard Classic Rock "KSHE 95" jumps up 8.7% to 10.9%, retaking the market lead. iHeartMedia Classic Hits 103.3 KLOU is up for the fifth straight month to 10.2%, its highest share since June 2015. Audacy News/Talk 1120 KMOX/104.1 KMOX-FM climbs to 6.6%, its best share since April 2023. This battle for the top spot reflects the competitive nature of the St. Louis market.
In conclusion, the Nielsen Audio PPM ratings for May 2026 reveal a dynamic and competitive landscape in the radio industry. Stations are constantly shifting their dominance, reflecting the evolving preferences of listeners and the ongoing battle for market share. As an industry, we must continue to innovate and adapt to meet the needs of our audiences, while also navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by the ever-changing media landscape.
