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February 3, 2026 News@CountryAircheck.com

Blessed Virginia: Here are select Nielsen Audio Fall 2025 (9/18-12/10) two-book per year diary ratings for subscribing stations compared with their last books (Fall 2024 and Spring 2025). Ranks (in parentheses) are also among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Cumulus is no longer a subscriber in diary markets.

Anchorage, AK (Market 175)	KASH iHeartMedia 2.6 (11t) - 3.4 (8t) - 4.7 (6t) Largest share since Fall 2014. KBRJ Connoisseur 5.2 (5t) - 4.0 (7) - 3.5 (9t)
Binghamton, NY (192)	WHWK Townsquare 12.1 (1) - 11.5 (1) - 12.9 (1) 14th consecutive No. 1. WBBI iHeartMedia 2.6 (8t) - 1.6 (9) - 2.9 (8t)
Charleston, WV (195)	WQBE Bristol 14.4 (1) - 15.7 (1) - 16.8 (1) Largest share since Fall 2013, 52nd consecutive No. 1. WKWS West Virginia Radio Cl. Country 5.7 (5) - 6.1 (4t) - 8.7 (2) Largest share since Fall 2006.
Erie, PA (184)	WTWF iHeartMedia 4.3 (6t) - 4.5 (8) - 4.5 (4t) WXTA Cumulus 3.3 (8) - 6.5 (3t) - N/A
Eugene, OR (145)	KKNU McKenzie River 10.3 (1) - 8.4 (2) - 10.2 (2) KEED-AM Mielke Classic Country 1.2 (16t) - 1.4 (16t) - 1.6 (10t) KFLY Bicoastal 2.1 (11t) - 3.2 (9) - 1.6 (10t)
Evansville, IN (164)	WKDQ Townsquare 11.4 (2) - 10.0 (2) - 10.0 (2) WLYD Midwest 4.9 (4t) - 2.8 (9) - 2.6 (9t) WBKR/Owensboro, KY Townsquare 1.2 (10) - 1.6 (10t) - 2.2 (11)
Huntington, WV (170)	WDGG Kindred 8.5 (3) - 9.8 (2t) - 9.4 (2) WTCR iHeartMedia 10.9 (2) - 9.8 (2t) - 9.0 (3) WXBW Kindred Cl. Country 2.4 (10t) - 2.6 (11t) -
Morgantown, WV (174)	WKKW West Virginia Radio 14.7 (1) - 14.4 (1) - 15.3 (1) Largest share since Fall 2020, 16th consecutive No. 1. WPDX AJG Classic Country 4.6 (4t) - 4.7 (4) - 4.2 (5t)
Rockford, IL (158)	WXXQ Townsquare 5.6 (4) - 4.6 (5t) - 6.5 (3) WRTB Mid-West Family 5.2 (5) - 4.6 (5t) - 4.6 (5t)
Tallahassee, FL (154)	WWOF Adams 4.2 (6t) - 5.1 (4t) - 4.7 (2) WTNT iHeartMedia 5.0 (5) - 3.4 (9t) - 3.8 (4)
Wausau, WI (173)	WDEZ Midwest 8.4 (2t) - 9.5 (1) - 10.6 (1) Largest share since Spring 2020. WYTE NRG 5.2 (5) - 4.4 (6t) - 4.2 (5t)

In Sync: Los Angeles-based Sony Music Entertainment VP/Film & TV Sync Licensing Abby Lin has joined The Jonas Group as Global Head/Sync. The role includes working with the company’s songwriters, artists and creative partners to expand placement opportunities. “Abby’s track record in sync is unmatched, and her ability to connect music with story is exactly what we value at The Jonas Group,” says Founder/CEO Kevin Jonas. Prior to her 19 years at Sony Music Entertainment, Lin spent time at BMG Music Publishing and Rondor Music; reach her here.

Rated Flex: Here are select November Eastlan Ratings showing Country stations that are leading in the 20 markets measured monthly by the company, compared with October and November. Shares are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

KSJJ/Bend, OR Gross: 12.7 - 12.3 - 13.0
KCTR/Billings, MT Townsquare: 12.8 - 12.3 - 11.9
WOKO/Burlington, VT Hall: 17.7
First survey for the market.
WQBE/Charleston, WV Bristol: 14.4 - 13.8 - 12.8
WXBQ/Johnson City, TN Bristol: 18.1 - 17.0 - 15.5
KDBR/Kalispell, MT Bee: 13.8 - 14.3 - 14.2
WGTR/Myrtle Beach, SC iHeartMedia: 9.4 - 8.7 - 8.7
KEZJ/Twin Falls, ID Townsquare: 13.9 - 15.1 - 14.8
WACO/Waco, TX iHeartMedia: 13.5 - 13.0 - 14.4

In Moderation: Consultants Mike McVay and Tracy Johnson will serve as moderators for the previously announced pre-CRS 2026 seminar March 17 from 1:45-5pm at the Omni Nashville Hotel (CAT 10/27/25). Called "The Radio Station of the Future," the event is being held in partnership with Radio Vendor Alliance, where McVay serves as a Senior Strategic Advisor. The day's three sessions are included with CRS 2026 registration, available here. For those who wish to attend the pre-show content only, a one-day pass is available for $349.

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Heat Source: Oak Haus's Mallory Mason Pascal will lead the Executive Board for Nashville-based industry group Source as its new Pres. for 2026. ESQ Artist Management's Michelle Goble is VP, Cape & Anchor's Kasey Cleckler is Secretary and FBMM's Beth Tyson is Treasurer. Board members chairing committees are: Goble, FBMM's Erica Rosa, CountryWired's Stephanie Orr-Buttrey, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum's Annie Reuter, Skates Media's Sarah Skates, FSM's Amanda Mitchell, Belmont University's Mary Lauren Teague, Hearts Bluff's Ashley Embry, Blankenship CPA Group's Samantha Vandiver, Legacy Bound's Tamar Poole, music publisher Sarah Flick, O'Neal Hagaman's Lynda Ragsdale and NSAI's Brittni Talley.

Tour Support: Tim McGraw's 33-date The Pawn Shop Guitar Tour kicks off July 9 in Bethel, NY, and features three stadium dates –Hersheypark Stadium (Hershey, PA), Fenway Park (Boston) and Target Field (Minneapolis) with The Chicks and Lady A – along with tour-long support 49 Winchester and Timothy Wayne. Tickets here Friday (2/6).

Russell Dickerson is throwing a Nash-Birthday Bash featuring Tyler Hubbard, Adrien Nunez and Kevin Powers at Ascend Amphitheater May 8; tickets here Friday (2/6).

AutoStage Fright: Programmers Kevin Callahan, Justin Chase and Brian Michel discuss DTS AutoStage’s in-car listening data in last night's (2/2) Country Aircheck Weekly, which also details the philosophy and execution behind the CMA Broadcast Awards experience.

Festive All: Luke Bryan has been added to the lineup (CAT 1/13) of the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival, taking place May 2 at the Moody Center in Austin. Tickets here.

LoCash will headline the 15th annual Island Time Music Festival, set for Feb 25-28 in Isla Mujares, Mexico. Also performing are Kellie Pickler, Maggie Rose, Trent Tomlinson, Emily West, Lewis Brice and Aaron Goodvin. Tickets here, with proceeds benefitting a donation-funded local school.

Round And Round: Final round voting for the 2026 CRS/Country Aircheck Awards is underway here through Thursday (2/5). All votes – one per customer – must have a valid industry email address. (Seriously. Randos get tossed!) Winners will be announced during the New Faces Of Country Music Show at CRS 2026. Vote here now!

ICYMI: Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett will perform during the Kid Rock-headlined Turning Point USA All American Halftime Show Sunday (2/8), livestreaming across the group’s social platforms during halftime of the Super Bowl. The official Super Bowl halftime show on NBC-TV features Grammy winner and American citizen Bad Bunny.

Stories Of The Week: Search for news and people in the archives at countryaircheck.com.

Final round voting for the 2026 CRS/Country Aircheck Awards is underway here.
Sommer Frisk joined Connoisseur Media. (2/2)
Jon Borris was named Head/Music of 101 Studios. (2/2)

Service Update: A public celebration of life for Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Jim McBride has been set for Feb. 19 from 5-8pm at Mars Music Hall in the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL. McBride died Jan. 7 at the age of 78 (CAT 1/8). Limited catering, free parking and cash bar will be provided.

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Feb. 2, according to Mediabase 24/7.

HUDSON WESTBROOK/House Again (River House/Warner/WAR) 4199 points
ELLA LANGLEY/Choosin' Texas (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) 4175 points
JASON ALDEAN/How Far Does A Goodbye Go (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 3923 points
MORGAN WALLEN/20 Cigarettes (Big Loud) 3803 points
SHABOOZEY & JELLY ROLL/Amen (Empire/Magnolia/Stoney Creek) 3740 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for Feb. 1-2, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase 24/7.

HUDSON WESTBROOK/House Again (River House/Warner/WAR) +2613 points
LUKE COMBS/Sleepless In A Hotel Room (Columbia) +1219 points
MEGHAN PATRICK/Golden Child (Riser House) +773 points
HARDY f/E. CHURCH, M. WALLEN & T. MCGRAW/McArthur (Big Loud) +726 points
MORGAN WALLEN/20 Cigarettes (Big Loud) +476 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (2/4): Clint Black, Michelle Boyer, Carlton Davis, Angel Curry, Frank Rogers, Danny Dwyer.

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Good To CC You Smile: Big Loud's Lauren Alaina at the label's Audacy Summit gathering in Nashville. Pictured (l-r) are the label's Stacy Blythe, KILT/Houston's Bruce Logan, the label's Lauren "LT" Thomas and Kelley Bradshaw, Alaina, KFRG/Riverside's Heather Froglear, WUSN/Chicago's Marci Braun and KKWF/Seattle & KMLE/Phoenix's Drew Bland.

Yo Adrien: Warner's Adrien Nunez with SiriusXM The Highway's Ania Hammer and the label's James Marsh.

Me And My Gang: Rascal Flatts' Life Is A Highway Tour stops in Newark. Pictured (l-r) are Big Machine's Rachel Burleson, the trio's Jay DeMarcus, Big Machine's Brooke Diaz, the trio's Gary LeVox, Audacy's John Foxx, the trio's JoeDon Rooney, Music Choice's Lauren DeSantis, Joe DeSantis, SiriusXM's Nick Coulson and consultant Joel Raab.

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