West Alabama Radio Ratings Update For Spring 2026
The "report card" for all of West Alabama's radio brands was released on July 27.
Who is attracting the largest audience and who is growing their audience share in the first half of 2026? Well, Spring 2026 Nielsen Audio ratings were very good for stations like WTUG-FM (92.9 WTUG), WFFN-FM's Steve & DC, and new Contemporary Christian outlet WQRR-FM (101.7 The River), which are on top and/or growing steadily. Overall, with 12+ listeners all day, Monday-Sunday, WTUG-FM is in first place once again, followed by WALJ-FM (105.1 The Block), WTSK-AM (Praise 93.3) up a few points, WFFN-FM (95.3 The Bear) up significantly, WTXT-FM (98 TXT) down a point, AND WQRR-FM (101.7 The River) up almost two full points.
In the morning, Steve & DC on WFFN-FM (95.3 The Bear) were #1 in several key demographics, including Adults 18-34 and 18-49, while WALJ-FM (105.1 The Block) Big Dawg Dre Day and Comedian L.P. tied with Rickey Smiley on WTUG-FM (92.9 WTUG) in second place. The morning show Brant & Sherri on new Contemporary Christian WQRR-FM (101.7 The River) and Bobby Bones on WTXT-FM (98 TXT) tied for 4th. WTSK-AM (Praise 93.3) and its legendary morning host, Brother J, a veteran of local radio for decades, has a very loyal following in West Alabama. WTSK-AM (Praise 93.3) tied with WFFN-FM (95.3 The Bear) for 2nd with Adults 35-64.
In the country music battle, WFFN-FM (95.3 The Bear) once again took the #1 spot over WTXT-FM (98 TXT), WZZK-FM (104.7 WZZK), AND WDXB-FM (102.5 The Bull). 95.3 The Bear has dominated the country music scene largely due to a music mix incorporating 90s country hits and a live and local heritage morning show. Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa has a lock on all the key demographics in the Tuscaloosa/West Alabama market. The country music leader in WFFN (95.3 The Bear), the strong growth of WQRR (101.7 The River), and the dominance of WTUG-FM (92.9 WTUG), WALJ-FM (105.1 The Block), and WTSK-AM (Praise 93.3) in the Urban AC, Hip Hop, and Gospel formats. See the breakdown of all broadcast companies below.
In the afternoon, the new Contemporary Christian station, WQRR-FM (101.7 The River) with DC, Holli, and Brother Scott, jumped from 13th to 3rd overall among all listeners 12 and up, with WTUG-FM and WALJ-FM in first and second, respectively. However, among young adults 18-34, WQRR-FM jumped from 8th to a tie for #1 with WALJ-FM. The afternoon program on 101.7 The River is also #1 with all Men 18 and older, after moving from 10th place to first in this ratings period.
All day, WQRR-FM (101.7 The River) grew the most of any local station. In multiple demographics, 101.7 The River jumped from outside the top ten stations to 2nd or 3rd in West Alabama. WQRR-FM flipped from Alternative Rock to Contemporary Christian on Christmas Eve, 2024. Brant Hansen, morning host on WQRR-FM, said, "It is really amazing for a new station to catch on and build an audience this fast, especially in a market with so many stations from Birmingham and Tuscaloosa". WQRR-FM (101.7 The River) had some of the highest "time spent listening" in the market. For persons 12+, the station was tied for #1 in time spent listening with WTSK-AM (Praise 93.3). Hansen stated, "Those time spent listening numbers are a sign that people are turning on 101.7 and leaving it on all day long".
Sports station WTBC-AM (Tide 100.9 & 1230 AM) had some nice gains with their target Men 25-54, tied for 3rd in the market.
Overall, the local broadcast companies' audience shares look like this: Persons 12+, M-F 6A-12M:
Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa 35.6
iHeartMedia 10.4
University of Alabama 2.2
Tuscaloosa Radio 2.2
Lawson 0.5
*All estimates from Nielsen Audio, Tuscaloosa, AL, SP 26/FA25, M-S, M-F, 6A-12M, 6A-10A, 3-7 PM, P 12+, A 18-34, A 18-49, A 25-54, M 25-54, A 35-64, M 18+
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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
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