Inside Radio conducted an analysis of average quarter-hour shares during the month of December in PPM markets. Some trends we could predict. Others were a bit shocking.
We know December’s share for AC is significantly higher due to the holiday music takeover. Every year the share is bumped up more and more, this year is no exception with a notable raise.
AC saw share growth 49% higher in December compared to November of persons 6+, 52% up for 18-34, 45% higher with 25-54. The numbers for AC this year were so noteworthy, Inside Radio took a deeper look to analyze and compare with other formats.
Some may say more listeners were looking for the classic Christmas songs this year vs years before; instead of simply stumbling on a station playing the holiday tunes. Why? It was a rocky year for many due to the financial issues and other devastating news stories. In fact, News/Talk’s 6+ and 25-54 shares were lower this December than last year. Looks like more people were taking on the “Ignorance is Bliss” mentality last year. I have to say, I’m with them.
Even though the numbers for AC were very strong this past December, that didn’t effect the format in a good way. Jan-Dec’s share is down 6% for 6+, down 4% for 18-34, and dove 5% for 25-54. Here are the stats for other formats:
Contemporary Christian is up 19% 6+, 18% 18-34 and 20% 25-54
Hot AC bumped up 7% in both 6+ and 25-54
Modern/Alternative Rock up 16% for both 6+ and 25-54
Country, however, saw a decline. Down 8% for 6+ and down 15% for 25-54
The biggest shock was Country’s decline. Previously on a country station, I often asked why we didn’t incorporate holiday music more during November and December. Clearly, it could help. There are enough Christmas albums from Country artists to at least play a holiday song once or twice an hour.
Knowing what we now know and can see, it’s beneficial to dig out Swift’s “Christmas Tree Farm” or even Gayla Peevey’s “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”
3 thoughts on “Taking a Look at PPM Trends in December 2025”
Nicely stated. Thank you.
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It needs to be noted that 2024’s December monthly ended on December 4th, in 2025 it ended on December 10th. This was due to the 5 week Holiday book. Because the monthly went 6 days closer to Christmas, and had 6 days more of Christmas music, OF COURSE THE CHRISTMAS AC STATIONS GAINS WERE BIGGER THIS YEAR.
I run a new country station, and have stayed away from Christmas music in years past, but this year, the “new” and “original” songs from today’s big artists were too good to ignore. I’m already rebuilding my clocks for next year, and plan on playing at least 2x per hour throughout December. Probably progressively go higher the closer to Christmas we get.