Q1 2026 Format Trends: Hot AC, Adult Alternative Up; AC, Country Down.

With the first quarter of 2026 in the books, Inside Radio’s analysis of Nielsen’s average-quarter-hour share data in PPM markets — covering Monday-Sunday 6am-midnight, for persons 6+, 18-34 and 25-54 — shows several formats clearly trending up or down, compared to earlier Q1s.

Based on a year-over-year comparison of January-to-March data, hot AC — which ranks seventh (tied with CHR) for 6+ and fourth in 18-34 and 25-54, during January-March 2026 — has seen steady share gains over the past two years, up 15% for 6+ (4.0-4.3-4.6), 8% 18-34 (5.2-5.3-5.6) and 14% 25-54 (4.9-5.2-5.6). Helping drive this growth are stations such as Audacy’s “Mix 102.9” KDMX Dallas and Comunicacion XERSA’s “Magic 92.5” XHRM San Diego.

While formats below the two-share mark tend not to move the needle, adult alternative has been the exception. Since Q1 2024, it’s up 25% 6+ (1.2-1.5), 27% 18-34 (1.1-1.4) and 17% 25-54 (1.2-1.4). Leading the charge has been Audacy’s WXRT Chicago, which led the market in 6+ share for the March survey.

Contemporary Christian, ranked ninth 6+ and 12th and 13th for 18-34 and 25-54 respectively, continues to show mostly steady gains year-over-year, dating back to Q1 2022. Since that point, the format is up 37% 6+ (3.0-4.1), 46% 18-34 (2.4-3.5) and 44% 25-54 (2.7-3.9). Outstanding performers include Salem Media Group’s KLTY Dallas and Radio Training Network’s “The Joy FM 91.5” WCIE Tampa.

Other formats in growth mode across these three demos include modern/alternative rock and adult hits. News/talk, which is top-ranked 6+ and second 25-54, is only gaining among 18-34s, where it ties classic rock for ninth, up steadily since Q1 2024 for a 17% lift (3.5-4.0-4.1).

Adult contemporary, still the top format among 18-34s and 25-54s and second-ranked 6+, has experienced a steady share decline over the past two years, based on first-quarter performance. Since Q1 2024, AC is off 16% 6+ (8.7-7.5-7.3), 11% 18-34 (8.8-8.4-7.8) and 14% 25-54 (8.5-7.5-7.3).

For country, ranking third 6+ and 18-34 and fifth 25-54, there’s been a mostly steady share decrease dating back to January-March 2023, with the format down 6% 6+ (6.2-5.9-5.8-5.8), 10% 18-34 (7.2-7.0-6.8-6.5) and 17% 25-54 (6.6-6.0-5.8-5.5).

Other formats trending down significantly vs. a year ago include classic rock (-10% 6+, -21% 18-34 and -13% 25-54), sports (-12% 6+, -13% 18-34 and -7% 25-54) and Spanish contemporary (-19% 6+, -26% 18-34 and -22% 25-54).