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BOSTON MA. JUNE 2026

 

July 15, 2026  Clark Smidt, Broadcast Advisor www.broadcastideas.com   clarkfsmidt@gmail.com  978 502 6633

A hot hazy summer night in the air offers release of the June 2026 Boston radio overall numbers.  I’ve reviewed every ratings edition since July ’71 when I got to work at WBZ AM & FM.  Back in the days of Arbitron there was no June.  April/May was the big book.  July/August was for summer Top 40 and didn’t count. October/November came out too late for Christmas buys and Jan/Feb was just there in the middle. This latest June ’26 Total Audience report is good for Boston music stations but not great for news. Memorable call letters are gone.  Big signals seem wasted.  Many stories in the Naked City

The News category shows Boston University’s WBUR in a strong overall 3rd place.  Iconic 50kw WBZ-AM 1030 is 10th and all resources at WGBH give it 14th.  AM Talk 680 WRKO ranks 16.  The start of summer sports shrinks to a second-tier fight between Sports Hub WBZ/FM 98.5 at 9th vs. WEEI/FM 93.7, tied for 11th place.  50kw WEEI-AM (once significant as 850 WHDH) stays at no show.

The number one 872,000 total weekly WMJX Magic Adult Contemporary audience delivers the top overall share (106.7 as All Hits WBZ/FM was orphaned by Group W).  Classic Hits WROR takes 2nd place (they laughed at the 105.7 WVBF signal).  WBMX Mix Hot A/C is in 4th place on 104.1 (once WBCN – those memorable call letters now available). WXKS Kiss Chart Hit Radio CHR 107.9 settles for 5th and WZLX 100.7 Boston’s lone Classic Rocker follows at 6th.  WXRV 92.5 The River’s unique Adult Alternative playlist is now 7th and Classical WCRB 99.5 is up to 8th (formerly “Wish” WSSH).

Big Hub Signals: WBGB 103.3 Adult Hits (previously CBS WEEI/FM) is tied at 11th.  Jammin’ WJMN 94.5 Rhythmic Top 40 (remember WCOZ?) sits at 13th.  Country WKLB 102.5 (the huge former WCRB signal) is #15. WBQT 96.9 Hot A/C #2 (a big stick as easy listening WJIB ding ding) is stuck at #17.

Without taking away achievements, who let the dogs out?  To credit Mr. Natural, We Keep On Truckin’.  Radio stations with good metro signals are resilient and can go from worst to first!  It takes the right team, great experienced coaching, spirit and showbiz.  Not necessarily big bucks.

In any market, Great Radio is Essential.  Our 24/7 free service brings news, information, talk, weather, sports, traffic, music, personality, entertainment and Local Connections.  Vote For Radio!

Podcasting is nice but still not generating major profit.  Please remember: Licensed Broadcasting with digital delivery is on-air everywhere reaching far and wide with immediate reception.  Don’t forget how radio works:  “All you do is fade your voice out….and cue the organist.”  To be continued..

Congratulations for the 58th On-Air Anniversary of WWUH-FM University of Hartford, July 15, 1968.

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Spring 2026 Update – July 6, 2026

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS ON AIR 1966 – 2026

A GREAT RIDE…AND NOT OVER YET. THANK YOU & APRECIATION TO ALL WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE.
CLARK SMIDT, BROADCAST ADVISOR/CONNECTOR www.broadcastideas.com
clarkfsmidt@gmail.com  978 502 6633.  Broadcasting continues to be Outstanding Service.

First on-air job July 13, 1966, 500 watt day WBIS, Bristol, CT. Start-ups: University of Hartford WWUH/FM, Group W WBZ/FM, Blair WCOZ, CBS Softrock WEEI/FM, WMVY, Schooner WFAL, Leisure Market WOTB, Hall WNLC-WKNL, Great Eastern WTPL, Clark Broadcasting WNNH NEW HAMSPHIRE’S OLDIES 99 & now 1220watx.com. Assignments: Tribune WPIX-FM NYC, General Cinema WIFI, Infinity WBCN, Curt Gowdy WCGY-WEAT- KOWB, Champion & Ackerly WBOS, Fairbanks WVBF-WKOX, McCormack WEZE, Amaturo WPOP, Elektra WCCC, Southern Star WPLR, Merv Griffin WIOF, Gilmore WWYZ, Makkay WPXY & WCIB, WMYS, WERI-WWRX, WATD, TV/27-WXKS, Close WKNE-WPNH-WTVL, WQMI, Sage Broadcasting, Tele-Media WHOB & WLKZ, Fuller-Jeffery WHOM, Merrimack Valley WCAP & TV/5, Carter WCRN-TV/25, Imes & Hearst TV/9, BU WBUR, WBZ Radio, CONNECTICUT PUBLIC, Chairman NH Assn. Broadcasters, Red Apple NYC, Tower & Station Acquisitions.

It Began in HARTFORD, CT. (57) Pop. 1.11 million. Hispanic 17.2%, Black 13.0%. MAR/APR/MAY 2026 CLUSTERS: Audacy 27.9-26.3-28.0 regains the lead by 1.0 vs. iHeart: 26.5-27.3-27.0. Red Wolf 17.1-17.1-17.4. Connecticut Public 6.9-5.1-5.5. April / Share Change Range: +1.1 / -1.0.
1-2-TIE 1: WRCH Audacy Soft A/C 10.7-9.9-9.9. Flat and Now in a Tie at The Top. #1 cume: 267-271-264k.  2-1-TIE 1: WWYZ iHeart Country 9.7-10.9-9.9. -1.0. Top Dip. Iconic CT Country #5 cume, 159-172-167k.  3-3-3. WDRC/FM Red Wolf Classic Rock. 8.9-8.7-9.0. +0.3. Holding on in 3rd. Keeps #6 cume, 147-147-154k.  8-T6-4. WTIC/FM Audacy Hot A/C 6.1-6.3-7.4. +1.1. May Top Gain moves up with #2 cume 241-228-236k.  6-5-5. WZMX Audacy Rhythmic CHR 6.7-6.5-6.8. +0.3. Audacy regained #1 music. #7 cume, 143-140-142k.  7-4-6. WHCN iHeart Classic Hits 6.5-7.5-6.9 -0.9. Sounds a bit erratic. ‘DRC/F +2.4. #4 cume, 157-169-171k.  T4-T6-7. WKSS iHeart CHR 6.9-6.3-6.2. Holds share, gains audience. Out of Top 5 on #3 cume, 201-188-205.
T4-8-8. WNPR Connecticut Public N/T. 6.9-5.1-5.5. +0.4. CEO Change. 1.6 over ‘TIC/A. #10 cume, 81-76-73k.  9-9-9. WTIC-AM Audacy News/Talk 4.4-3.8-3.9. Sad. Only CT 50kw AM needs spark. #12 cume 58-56-56k.
10-10-10. WMRQ Red Wolf Modern Alt. Rock 4.2-3.4-3.1. -0.3. On a slide holding #8 cume 120-103-109k.  T11-T12-TIE 11: WCCC Air Love Christian 2.2-2.2-2.7. +0.5. Better to be local. Stays at #11 cume, 54-64-69k.
13-11-TIE 11: WBOM-AM Red Wolf Urban Adult Contemporary 1.8-2.6-2.7. Great translator. #14, 37-50-45k.  T11-12-13. WKCI iHeart New Haven CHR 2.2-2.2-2.3. +0.1. A very busy Htfd. CHR mkt. #9 cume 96-91-89k.  T11-14-14. WMRQ-HD2 Red Wolf Spanish Tropical, 1.6-1.6-1.8. Solid HD2 signal holds #13 cume 45-45-49k.  15-15-15. WUCS iHeart Sports 1.7-1.1-1.2. Challenge for sports in between BOS & NYC. #15 cume 36-32-28k.  16-16-16. WRYM-AM Trignition Spanish Tropical 1.0-0.8-1.0. #16 cume 28k. Red Wolf TIE 17 @ 0.4: WDRC-AM Talk, #18 cume 12k & WNTY-AM Oldies #18 cume 14k. iHeart TIE 19 @ 0.2: WPOP-AM N/T #19 cume, 8k & WKSS-HD2 RhymCHR #20, 3k. The former battle between AMs WDRC & WPOP now totals just 0.6.

PROVIDENCE (45) Pop. 1.5 mil. Hispanic 15.1 %, Black 8.3%. MAR/APR/MAY 2026 CLUSTERS: iHeart 21.2-20.6-21.3, Red Wolf 11.5-12.6-13.4, GBH 4.0-4.1-3.8, AirLove 3.8-3.5-3.1, RI Public 2.7-5.3-1.9 Incomplete Results without CUMULUS Shares. Not much rank change. April/May Range: +0.8 / -2.0.  2-1-1. WCTK Hall/Red Wolf Country 9.4-10.1-10.8. +0.7. Another nice gain for 3.0 lead. #3 cume 265-260k.
2-2-2. WWBB iHeart Classic Hits 7.8-7.4-7.8. +0.4. The distant second place has the #2 cume, 242-265-263k.  3-3-3. WHJY iHeart Classic Rock 6.8-6.9-7.2. +0.3. Former #1 hangs in the top 5 at a #4 cume 232-259-257k.  4-4-4. WSNE iHeart Hot A/C 5.1-5.5-5.3. -0.2. Takes slight share dip but still has the #1 cume. 285-290-295k.  3-5-5. WGBH-FM ‘GBH Boston Public News/Talk 3.7-3.8-3.4 -0.4. 100kw signal. Now at #6 cume, 78-78-74k.  6-6-6. WLVO (WBRU) Air Love Contemporary Chrisitan. 3.6-3.3-3.0. -0.3. Share slips #5 cume, 105-99-90k.  10-9-7. WKKB Red Wolf Spanish Tropical 1.0-1.2-1.3. Only RI Hispanic format gains #10-7 cume, 50-54-62k.  7-8-8. WNPN Rhode Island Public News/Talk 2.7-2.4-1.0. -1.4. Big dip for RI public. Now #9 cume, 70-74-57k.  8-7-9. WPVD (WVEI/FM Sports sold in Jan) RI Public 2.6-2.9-0.9. -2.0. Real Shocker! #6-8 cume, 80-90-58k.  T11-11-TIE 10: WELH Wheeler School Rock 0.8 #10 cume, 54k TIES T11-10-TIE 10: WNBH-AM Red Wolf Classic Hits 0.8 #11 cume, 55-53k. TIE 12 @ 0.5: WHJJ-AM iHeart Talk 1.5-0.8-0.5 & WSKP-AM Red Wolf Oldies #15 cume 13k. 14. WCRB ‘GBH Classical 0.4. #13 cume, 25k. 15. WDOM Providence College Variety #14 cume 23k. Trailing, Air Love Christian Contemporary 16. WTKL 0.1 #16, 12k & 17. WKIV 0.0, 2k.

MIDDLESEX-UNION, NJ. (41) Pop. 1.62 mil. Hispanic 26.5%. Black 14.1%. MAY 2026 CLUSTERS: iHeart 27.8. Audacy 23.0. SBS 8.8. Beasley 5.2. Townsquare 4.7. New York City Stations 59.6 vs NJ 30.9.  1. WAXQ iHeart Classic Rock 8.0-8.0-8.5, +0.5, 257k #3 cume. 2. WFAN Audacy Sports 5.7-6.7-6.6, 135k #11 cume.  3. WCBS-FM Audacy Classic Hits 5.9-5.7-6.2 +0.5 gain, 235k #4 cume.  4. WNEW Audacy Hot A/C  5.3-5.2-5.6, +0.4. 259k #2 cume.  5. WLTW A/C iHeart 5.8-5.4-5.5, 306k #1 cume.  6. WSKQ SBS Spanish Tropical 4.3-4.2-4.9, +0.9 Top May Gain, 171k #6 cume.  TIE 7: WHTZ iHeart CHR 4.2-4.1-4.1, 230k #5 & TIE NJ WKXW Townsquare Talk 3.8-4.0-4.1, 58k #9. 9. WWPR iHeart Urban 3.1-3.5-3.7, 114k #12 cume. TIE 10: NJ WMGQ Beasley A/C 3.6-3.5-3.3, 216 #6 cume & WKTU iHeart RhymCHR 2.6-3.1-3.3, 194k #7 cume. 12. WINS Audacy News 3.4-2.9-2.8, 137k #10 cume. 13. WOR-AM iHeart Talk 2.8-2.9-2.7, 44k #19 cume. 14. WPAT SBS Spanish A/C 3.0-2.1-2.6, 109k #13. 15. NJ WAWZ Christian 0.0-2.2-1.9, -0.3, 88k #15. TIE 16: WXBK Audacy HipHop 3.1-2.4-1.8, -0.6 Top Dip, 96k #14 cume & NJ WDHA Beasley Rock 1.8-2.0-1.8, 74k #16. 18. WSKQ Stream SBS Spanish Tropical 0.4-0.7-1.3, 23k, #21 cume. 19. WKMK Press Country 0.9-1.2-1.1, 63k.  #20-24 All NJ Stations: 20. WWZY Press Classic Rock 0.7. 21. WPST Townsquare CHR 0.4. 22 TIE @ 0.2: WKXW Stream Townsquare Talk & WAWZ Stream Christian. 24. NJ WMTR-AM Beasley Oldies 0.1 Ties PA WRNB Radio One Urban A/C. Audacy HD TIE 26 @ 0.0: WINS-3 Oldies, WNEW-2 Jazz.

BUFFALO, NY (59) Pop. 1.01 mil. Black 13.2%. Hispanic 5.6%. MAY 2026 CLUSTERS: (No Cumulus) Townsquare 23.1. Audacy 22.0. WBFO Public 6.2. K-Love 2.4. March-April-May 2026 Stations.  1. WYRK Townsquare Country 9.3-10.1-9.9, -0.2.  2. WBLK Townsquare Urban 9.5-8.6-8.0, -0.6 Top Dip.  3. WBEN-AM Audacy News/Talk 6.5-7.4-7.4.  4. WGR-AM Audacy Sports 7.0-5.9-6.8, +0.9 Top May Gain.  5. WSKE Audacy CHR 5.3-6.0-5.7, -0.3.  6. WBFO Public News/Talk 3.4-3.3-4.1, +0.8.  7. WTSS Townsquare A/C 4.7-3.7-3.9.  8. WBKV Air Love Christian 3.4-2.5-3.3.  9. WNED Public Classical 2.1-2.3-2.1. 10. WBUF Townsquare Classic Rock 1.6-1.9-1.8.  11. WWWS-AM Audacy R&B Classic 0.8.  12. WGR-FM Audacy Sports 0.6.  Audacy TIE 13 @ 0.2: WGR-FM Stream Sports & WGR-HD2 Hot A/C.  3-WAY TIE 15 @ 0.1: WWKB-AM Audacy Sports; WBEN-FM Stream Audacy News/Talk & WBWA K-Love Christian.

ROCHESTER, NY (60) Pop. 975k, Black 12% Hispanic 8.1%. MAY 2026 CLUSTERS: Audacy 23.1, iHeart 15.1, Langston Monroe 7.8, Stephens Radio Group 5.3. March/April/May ’26 Stations: 1. WBEE Audacy Country 7.1-8.1-8.3 +0.2. 2. WDKX Langston Urban Contemporary 10.6-10. 3-7.8, -2.5 as the big May Dip. 3. WCMF Audacy Classic Rock 6.3-6.6-7.3, +0.7, Top Gain. 4. WHAM-AM iHeart News/Talk 6.8-6.0-6.5, +0.5.   5. WPXY Audacy CHR 3.9-4.2-3.8, -0.4.   6. WRMM Stephens Radio Soft A/C 4.7-4.9-3.7, -1.2.   7. WBZA Audacy A/C 3.1-4.0-3.5, -0.5.   8. WDVI iHeart Country 2.1-2.2-2.9, +0.7.   9. WKGS iHeart CHR 1.8-2.3-2.8. +0.5.   10. WAIO iHeart Rock 2.3-1.6-1.9, +0.3. 11. WFKL Stephens Radio Adult Hits 0.8-0.0-1.6, +1.6.   12. WKDL K-Love Christian 1.8-1.3-1.5.   13. WHTK-AM iHeart Sports 0.6. 3-WAY TIE 14 @ 0.2: WRPC-AM Audacy Sports & iHeart WVOR A/C with WNBL iHeart 80s Hits.

ALBANY, NY (68) Pop. 852k, Black 9.9% Hispanic 6.6%. March/April/May 2026 Clusters: Pamal 20.5-21.5-22.9. iHeart 22.0-22.6-21.0. Townsquare 12.2-10.8-12.3. Capital Broadcasting 2.8-2.7-2.2.  Mar/Apr/May Stations: 1. WYJB Pamal A/C 4.5-7.2-7.0, -0.2. 2. WPYX iHeart Classic Rock 6.9-6.9-6.5, -0.4 3. WFLY Pamal CHR 5.4-4.7-5.6, +0.9 May Tie Top Gain.  4. WGNA Townsquare Country 5.4-4.7-4.9.  TIE 5: WRVE iHeart Hot A/C 3.9-4.2-4.2 & TIE 5: WGY-AM iHeart News / Talk 4.8-4.9-4.2, -0.7 Top Dip.  7. WKLI Pamal Country 2.2-2.7-3.6, +0.9 Top Gain tie.   8. WAJZ Pamal Rhythmic CHR 3.1-2.7-3.3, +0.5.  9. WTRY iHeart Adult Hits. 3.0-3.6-3.2, -0.4. 10. WQBK Townsquare Classic Rock 3.6-2.9-3.1, +2.1.   11. WGDJ-AM Capital Broadcasting Talk 2.8-2.7-2.2, -0.5, WGY leads by 2.0.   12. WKKF iHeart CHR 2.4-2.2-2.1.   TIE 13: WROW-AM Pamal Classic Hits 2.7-1.7-1.4, -0.3 & TIE 13: WTMM Townsquare Sports 0.9-1.0-1.4.   TIE 15: WQBK-HD2 Townsquare Urban Contemporary 1.3-1.1-1.3, +0.2 & TIE 15: WINU Pamal Classic Country 1.5-1.7-1.3, -0.4.   TIE 17 @ 0.8: WYKV K-Love Contemp. Christian & TIE 17: WPBZ Townsquare Hot A/C. 19. WYAI K-Love Soft Christan 0.6, +0.2.   5-WAY TIE 20 @ 0.4 WABY-AM Loud Classic All Rock;WNYQ Pamal Classic Rock; WOFX-AM iHeart Sports; WRVE-HD2 iHeart Country & WJKE K-Love Con-temp. Christian.   25. WFFG Pamal Country 0.3.  39 station mkt. Non-Comm WMHT & WAMC Stations not listed.

METRO FAIRFIELD, CT. (73) Pop. 787k. Hispanic 21.9%, Black 14.1%. March/April/May ’26 Clusters: Connoisseur 30.6-29.3-29.1. iHeart 6.5-7.5-7.1. SBS NYC 2.7-2.9-3.5. Sacred Heart University 2.9-3.1-3.4.
Stations Mar/Apr/May 2026: *NYC Stations 10.6 vs. CT. 30.4. Top 3 Stations are Connoisseur: 1. WEBE Adult Contemporary 13.1-13.0-11.3, -1.7 top dip.   2. WEZN Adult Contemporary 8.3-6.9-7.5, +0.6.   3. WPLR
Classic Rock 3.8-4.7-4.3, -0.4.   4. WSKQ* SBS Spanish Tropical 2.7-2.9-3.5, +0.6.   TIE 5: WICC-AM/FM Connoisseur News/Talk 3.5-2.9-2.8 & TIE 5: WSHU Sacred Heart University Classical 2.3-2.8-2.8.   TIE 7: WHTZ* iHeart CHR. 2.0-1.9-2.6, +0.7, Top May Gain.   8. WKTU* iHeart Rhythmic CHR 1.4-1.5-1.3, -0.2.
TIE 9: WYBC Connoisseur Urban A/C 1.9-1.9-1.2, -0.7 & TIE 9: WLTW* iHeart Adult Contemp. 0.5-1.2-1.2.  TIE 11: WWPR* iHeart Urban Contemporary 1.2-1.3-0.7, -0.6 & TIE 11: WOR-AM* iHeart Talk 0.7-0.9-0.7.  13. WAXQ* iHeart Classic Rock 0.7-0.7-0.6.   14. WSHU Stream Sacred Heart Classical 0.4. Sacred Heart News/Talk TIE 15 @ 0.1: WSTC-AM & WSHU-AM.  24 station market. WFUV*, WNYC* & WNPR not listed.

WILKES BARRE-SCRANTON, PA. (81) Pop. 708k. Hispanic 15.1%. Black 7.6%. March/April/May 2026 Clusters: Audacy 21.7-18.6-20.1. Times Shamrock 9.6-9.9-10.4. Bold Gold 4.1-5.4-5.7. Geos Comm. 2.8-4.5-4.5. Stations: 1. WKRZ Audacy CHR 9.3-8.9-10.4, +1.5 Top Gain.  2. WEZX Times Shamrock Classic Rock 6.6.-7.7-7.8, +0.7.   3. WGGY Audacy Country 7.4-5.9-6.1, +0.2.   4. WILK-AM Audacy News/Talk 3.0-2.1-2.5, +0.5.   5. WGMF-AM Geos Classic Hits 2.1-2.3-2.4.  TIE 6: WWRR Bold Gold Classic Hits 2.0-2.0-2.1 & TIE 6: WAZL-AM Geos Spanish Tropical 0.7- 0.4-2.1, -0.3.   8. WMMZ Bold Gold Classic Hits 2.1-2.1-2.0.   9. WQFM Times Shamrock Classic Hits 2.8-2.4-1.9, -0.5 Ties Top Dip.   TIE 10: WMQX Audacy Tropical 2.0-1.6-1.1, -0.5 Ties Top Dip & TIE 10: WTRW Bold Gold Talk 0.0-0.5-1.1, +0.6.   12. WEJL-AM Audacy Sports 0.7, +0.4.   3-WAY TIE 13 @ 0.3: WKBP & WLKA both K-Love Contemporary Christian and WICK-AM Bold Gold Oldies.   Bold Gold TIE 16 @ 0.1: WYCK-AM Classic Hits & WCDL-AM Oldies.  TIE 18 @ 0.0 WEZX-HD3 Times Shamrock Mod/Alt Rock & WKRZ Stream Audacy CHR. WB-S is a 40 station market.

SYRACUSE, NY (101) 570k Pop. Black 10.2%, Hispanic 5.1%. MAY 2026 CLUSTERS: iHeart 30.1. Craig Fox/Wolf 11.0. Syracuse Univ. 2.3. K-Love 1.0. Mar/Apr/May Stations: 1. WBBS iHeart Country 9.1-8.9-9.5.   2. WYYY iHeart A/C 6.0-5.4-6.4, +1.0.   3. WSYR AM iHeart News/Talk 7.3-6.03-6.0.   4. WSEN Wolf Classic Hits 6.0-6.0-5.6, -0.4.   5. WWHT iHeart CHR 3.2-3.4-3.7. 6. WMVN Wolf RhymCHR 2.6-2.9-2.9, +0.3.   TIE 7: WHEN-AM iHeart Urban A/C 2.2-2.4-2.5 & WOLF Country 30-2.6-2.5.   9. WAER Syracuse University
News/Talk 1.9-2.4-2.3.   10. WKLZ L-Love Christan 0.8. 11. WJPZ Syracuse U. Alternative 0.4.   TIE 12 @ 0.2: WOLF-AM Craig Fox Sports & WKLZ Stream    K-Love Christian. Galaxy and Cumulus do not subscribe.  A total of 30 stations in the Syracuse market.

Low-Cost Adjustments are Essential. Regional Networks & Home Studios Promote Added Service.
Clark Smidt, Broadcast Advisor/Connector 978 502 6633 clarkfsmidt@gmail.com

www.broadcastideas.com Licensed Digital Demo: 1220watx.com CLASSICS! Digital Classics You Love.

Information from Nielsen and Inside Radio is Appreciated. July 6, 2026.