HOT 97 Delivers Highest Adult 18-49 Audience Levels in Station History and the Highest Rated Multicultural Station Regardless of Language

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MediaCo Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: MDIA) today announced that its flagship hip hop station, WQHT-FM (HOT 97), achieved its highest monthly audience levels in history among Adults 18-49 during radio prime (Monday–Friday, 6am–7pm) in September 2025.

“These historic ratings reflect the energy, creativity, and authenticity that define HOT 97,” said Katrina B, Assistant Program Director of HOT 97. “From the culture we represent to the conversations we lead, HOT 97 continues to be the heartbeat of hip hop, engaging audiences across generations like never before.”

HOT 97 delivered a record 17,300 Adult 18-49 listeners per quarter-hour, a +68% increase versus September 2024. This remarkable year-over-year growth elevated HOT 97’s market rank from #9 to #4 among 27 reportable stations in New York.

Performance was strong across every major weekday daypart:

• Morning Drive (6a–10a): 17,000 Adult 18-49 listeners per quarter-hour, +55% year-over-year.
• Daytime (10a–3p): September capped three consecutive months (July–September) of the station’s strongest midday audiences in the past year, with September up +66% vs. a year ago.
• Afternoon Drive (3p–7p): HOT 97 ranked #3 and delivered its largest audience of the month with 20,800 Adult 18-49 quarter-hour listeners, a gain of +82% from September 2024.

Weekend performance was equally impressive. HOT 97 ranked #4 among Adults 18-49 during 6am–midnight hours, averaging 12,200 listeners per quarter-hour, a +61% increase from the prior year.

For the total week (Mon–Sun 6a–12a), HOT 97 ranked #3 among Adults 18-49 with an average of 14,400 listeners per quarter-hour, marking one of the strongest overall audience performances in the station’s history.

“HOT 97 has been an iconic brand for decades, and this record-breaking performance underscores its continued cultural influence and audience connection,” said Kudjo Sogadzi, EVP of Content & Growth at MediaCo. “We’re thrilled to see such strong growth across all dayparts as HOT 97 continues to set the standard for hip hop radio.”

About MediaCo

MediaCo Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: MDIA) is a diverse-owned, multi-platform media company serving multicultural audiences nationwide. Its powerhouse brands—including HOT 97, WBLS, EstrellaTV, Estrella News, Que Buena Los Angeles, and the Don Cheto Radio Network—reach more than 20 million people each month across television, radio, digital, and streaming platforms. Learn more at https://mediaco.now.