By Holland Cooke
Consultant
LAS VEGAS — Security guys are walking COVID-sniffing dogs around CES venues. Just to get sniffed, we had to enter vaccination dates – and vaccine lot numbers – into that Clear security app you see used at airports. Upon arrival here, we’re presented with self-test kits.
Other big international conventions are watching this bellwether. The World Economic Forum in Switzerland was recently postponed as Omicron numbers mushroom.
Monday Memo: CES, Carefully. Like most conventions a year ago, CES2021 settled for virtual. But this week, it’s game-on in Las Vegas. And there – vax’d, boosted, tested, masked, and toting the jug-handle-size bottle of hand sanitizer – is Holland Cooke. Read more here.
Pending Business: A New Year’s Lesson. Radio sales pro Steve Lapa says a holiday chat with a former associate recalled a memorable case of a radio seller who transitioned from newspapers and the switch was not smooth sailing at first. But persistence and management support saved the day. Read more here.
Ratings Takeaways from Nielsen’s December PPM Survey. Last week, Nielsen Audio released December 2021 ratings data for all 48 PPM markets. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from those markets for the period that covered November 11 to December 8. Audacy’s all-news WINS-AM was the top spoken-word station in New York, adding two-tenths for a 3.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) good for the #8 rank. In Los Angeles, although it shed four-tenths, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI posted a 3.1 share and rose to the #7 rank. Audacy’s all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM, Chicago fell out of first place to the #2 rank though it remained steady with a 5.7 share, while Nexstar Media’s crosstown news/talk WGN-AM was flat with a 3.7 share but rose to the #8 rank. Cox Media Group’s news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta lost 2.7 shares, finishing with a 6.6 share and falling from #1 to #4. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM added two-tenths for a 3.7 share and inched up to the #11 rank while Hubbard Radio’s all-news WTOP-FM dipped nine-tenths for a 6.8 share good for the #4 rank. Even though Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM, Seattle added one-tenth, its 6.6 share was only good enough for the #2 rank. The news/talk battle in Salt Lake City flipped as iHeartMedia’s news/talk KNRS-AM/FM remained ranked #2 after slipping one-tenth to a 7.1 share while Bonneville’s crosstown KSL-AM/FM lost 1.5 shares for a 6.0 share finish causing it to fall from #1 to #5. The news/talk wars in Milwaukee showed some separation as iHeartMedia’s WISN-AM remained ranked #1, posting its second consecutive 10.3 share while Good Karma Brands‘ crosstown WTMJ-AM fell five-tenths to a 7.1 share and finished ranked #4. You can see Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from all 48 PPM markets here.
Salem’s WIND-AM, Chicago Adds to News and Traffic Operations. Changes in the news and traffic departments are taking place at Salem Media Group’s Chicago news/talk WIND “AM 560 The Answer.” Long time morning news anchor Mike Scott – who has anchored newscasts on the station between 5:00 am and 12:00 noon each
weekday for the past 17 years – will join Salem as full-time news director and continue anchoring news and traffic. Scott had appeared on the station through an agreement between Salem, Total Traffic and Weather Network, and NBC News Radio. That agreement is not being renewed. Scott says, “I’m incredibly gratified to be able to continue in my role on the air with AM 
560 and Salem Media. We have some of the best listeners in all of Chicago radio and some of the best on-air talent. I look forward to providing the first look at the day’s news for our audience.” Scott will also assume anchoring duties for the Salem Podcast Network’s “Daybreak Insider Podcast,” which launched in September of 2021. Additionally, JoAnn Genette will join WIND as an afternoon news anchor through an agreement
with Remote News Service. She will anchor weekday afternoon newscasts through 6:30 pm. Also, longtime Chicago traffic reporter Jill Urchak will begin handling afternoon traffic reports for the station. Urchak has spent close to 25 years as a traffic reporter in Chicago, including at WGN-AM, WBBM-AM, WSCR-AM, and WLUP-FM, as well as WBBM-TV. Salem regional VP and WIND general manager Jeff Reisman says, “News and traffic are cornerstone elements for our format and for our radio station. Keeping Mike Scott on our team while also adding JoAnn and Jill solidifies our commitment to serve our audience. We have a team of veteran broadcasters with experience and insight that our listeners can trust.”
Zederman Named Director of Content for ‘ESPN 1000’ in Chicago. At Chicago sports talk outlet WMVP-AM “ESPN 1000,” Good Karma Brands names Danny Zederman director of content. Zederman joins the leadership team as a 15-year
veteran of “ESPN 1000.” Zederman has been serving as executive producer of the “Kap & J.Hood” show. He says, “I’m grateful to Good Karma Brands for the opportunity and am excited to work alongside ESPN 1000’s market manager Keith Williams, to lead and collaborate with our talented teammates and partners. My goal is to continue entertaining our fans, grow the ESPN Chicago brand on all platforms and add value to the community.” Williams says, “We’re excited to announce Danny Zederman as ESPN Chicago’s director of content. Danny’s strategy and vision for our team in the future will allow us to grow to serve our partners, fans and teammates.”
Jimmy Failla Featured on FOX News’ New Year’s Celebration. Pictured above in Times Square prior to Friday’s New Year’s celebration is FOX News Radio host Jimmy Failla (right). With him is FOX News Radio manager of affiliate sales & marketing Tamara Karcev (left) and KTTH, Seattle talk host Jason Rantz (center). Failla was featured as one of the FOX personalities on the “All American New Year Live from Nashville” special that aired on New Year’s Eve.
TALKERS News Notes. Over the New Year’s holiday weekend, Ric Edelman debuted his new, nationally syndicated radio program, “The Truth About Your Future with Ric
Edelman,” on 26 affiliates around the country. Edelman hosted AgeWave founder Dr. Ken Dychtwald on the program. Edelman says, “If you’re alive in 2030, you will likely live to age 100 or beyond. We need to make sure that your money lasts as long as you do, and that’s why I’m focusing on the topics that matter to investors today. The investments of the past 40 years won’t deliver the results you need in the future, so I’ll be sharing the ideas and strategies you need to achieve success in the 21st century.”…..The Independent Broadcasters Association’s board of directors elects officers for the 2022-2023 term. Ron Stone was re-elected for a second term as president and executive director of the 
IBA. Two of the other officers were also re-elected, Darrell Calton, chairman and assistant secretary and Allen Dick, VP and treasurer. Tony Renda was elected as secretary and assistant treasurer, replacing Mike Flood. Stone says, “I am pleased that the board has re-elected three of the founding officers for an additional term. I am very excited to have Tony Renda as one of our leaders in the next term. Tony has been instrumental in helping the IBA with many of the initiatives we took on in our first two years. The IBA has succeeded in its first 18 months delivering many new ways for its members to save on operational costs, create new revenues, and benefit from all the professionals in the industry that are working with us. We have said from the beginning that a large independent membership provides scale and with scale we can deliver many great things for independent broadcasters. I am looking forward to working with our management team to establish new goals for the IBA for 2022 and 2023.”
COVID-19, New Year’s Holiday, Twitter Boots MTG, January 6 Investigation, Colorado Wildfires, NASCAR ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Issue, Betty White Dies, Antonio Brown Incident Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The exploding rate of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., the Omicron variant, and vaccine mandates; the New Year’s holiday, 2021 retrospectives, and predictions for 2022; Twitter permanently cancels account of Marjorie Taylor Greene; the investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack; the wildfires that devastated the Boulder, Colorado area; criticism over NASCAR for “reviewing” Brandon Brown’s crypto sponsorship and the “Let’s Go, Brandon” slogan; entertainment icon Betty White dies at 99; and Antonio Brown’s bizarre exit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the middle of Sunday’s game were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
December 2021 PPM Data – Information for the December 2021 survey period has been released for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.
Nielsen Audio’s December 2021 sweep covered November 11 – December 8.
Managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.
Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.
All comparisons noted are November 2021 – December 2021 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk: Waterloo Media-operated KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 5.0 – 5.3, +.3, fifth to sixth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Genuine Austin Radio’s KTXX “The Horn” 2.0 – 2.4, +.4, #16 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas-owned KUT 6.9 – 6.8, -.1, repeats in third-place
Number One 6+: Waterloo Media-operated adult hits KBPA, tenth consecutive month, 8.0 – 8.7, +.7
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary KKMJ (+1.4)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: country KVET-FM (-1.3)
RALEIGH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 7.3 – 7.0, -.3, fourth to third
Curtis Media Group-owned WPTF “News Radio 680” steady at 2.9, repeats at #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” (Carolina Hurricanes) 2.6 – 2.5, -.1, flat at #14
Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 8.1 – 8.5, +.4, #1
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WUNC, fourteenth consecutive month, 8.1 – 8.5, +.4
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: alternative WDCG-HD2 (+1.3)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: urban AC WFXC (-.7)
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk: Emmis’ WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 7.8 – 8.1, +.3, second to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Emmis-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” (Colts and Pacers) 7.5 – 4.2, -.3.3, third to seventh
iHeartMedia’s WNDE “Fox Sports 1260” .6 – .9, +.3, #20 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting’s WFYI 7.1 – 6.8, -.3, sixth to fifth
Number One 6+: Emmis adult contemporary WYXB, first month, 7.2 – 10.7 +3.5
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WYXB (+3.5)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: sports talk WIBC-HD2 (-3.3)*
*Represents the largest November 2021 – December 2021 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” unchanged at 10.3, #1
Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Green Bay Packers and Bucks) 7.6 – 7.1, -.5, second to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRNW “97.3 The Game” 1.9 – 1.8, -.1, #15 to #16
Audacy-owned WSSP “1250 AM The Fan” 1.3 – 1.0, -.3, #16 to #17
Good Karma Brands’ WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” .9 – .7, -.2, #17 to #19
iHeartMedia-owned WOKY “The Big 920” flat at .6, stays at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM 4.2 – 4.1, -.1, locked in tenth-place
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board’s WHAD .7 – .6, -.1, #19 to #20
Number One 6+: news/talk WISN, second month in a row, steady at 10.3
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase:; urban contemporary WXSS-HD2 (+1.6)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: rock WHQG (-.7)
NASHVILLE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” 5.9 – 5.3, -.6, fifth to eighth
iHeartMedia-owned WLAC “Talk Radio 1510” 2.5 – 2.0, -.5, #14 to #16
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” (Tennessee Titans) 5.5 – 5.2, -.3, tenth to ninth
Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” (Predators) 1.2 – 1.0, -.2, remains at #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 5.7 – 5.8, +.1, eighth to fifth
Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA, first month, 5.8 – 8.6, +2.8
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WJXA (+2.8)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: classic rock WNRQ (-2.2)
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 5.2 – 5.8, +.6, anchored at #5
iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” .8 – 1.1, +.3, #19 to #15
News – Talk: iHeartMedia’s WBZ-AM “1030 News Radio” 1.5 – 1.3, -.2, #12 to #14
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (New England Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins) unchanged at 4.0, ninth to seventh
Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 4.4 – 3.6, -.8, seventh to ninth
Public Radio News/Talk: Rhode Island Public Radio-owned WNPN 3.0 – 2.4, -.6, repeats in tenth-place
WGBH Educational Foundation’s WGBH 2.4 – 2.3, -.1, continues at #11
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia rock WHJY, fifth straight month, 11.3 – 10.5, -.8
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WWLI (+2.4)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: CHR WPRO-FM (-1.2)
NORFOLK
News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” 2.8 – 2.1, -.7, #12 to #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group’s WVSP “94.1 ESPN” 1.1 – 1.2, +.1, repeats at #19
Sinclair-owned WTAR “Sports Radio 850” .5 – .4, -.1, flat at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WVKL, 38th consecutive month, 11.0 – 10.2, -.8
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: rhythmic hot AC WMOV (+3.8)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: adult hits WNOB (-1.6)
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 8.0 – 8.7, +.7, repeats in third-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WOKV-AM “ESPN Jacksonville 690 AM” flat at .4, remains at #18
Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 3.0 – 3.3, +.3, #12 to #10
Number One 6+: Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ, first month, 8.7 – 10.8, +2.1
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WEJZ (+2.1)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease (Tie): CHR WAPE and contemporary Christian WCRJ (-1.1)
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” 2.4 – 1.8, -.6, #12 to #15
iHeartMedia’s WJNO “News Radio 1290” (also) 2.4 – 1.8, -.6, #12 to #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board-owned WLRN 2.7 – 3.0, +.3, ninth to seventh
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting classic hits-oldies WEAT, first month, 6.7 – 9.4, +2.7
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: classic hits-oldies WEAT (+2.7)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: adult contemporary WOLL (-2.3)
GREENSBORO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 4.6 – 4.1, -.5, locked in seventh-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Curtis Media Group-owned WSJS & WPCM 600 AM & 920 AM” unchanged at .4, #16 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Wake Forest University’s WFDD 3.7 – 4.1, +.4, ninth to seventh
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 1.5 – 1.9, +.4, anchored at #13
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WQMG, seventh month in a row, 12.1 – 13.0, +.9
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WMAG (+4.1)**
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: adult hits WSMW and classic rock WKRR (-1.1)
**Represents a tie for the largest November 2021 – December 2021 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MEMPHIS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 3.8 – 3.2, -.6, anchored in tenth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: (Three) Audacy cluster-mates WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” (Grizzlies) 4.2 – 4.4, +.2, eighth to seventh; WMFS’ internet stream flat at .5, #17 to #18; and WMC-AM “ESPN 790 AM” steady at .2, continues at #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications’ WKNO 2.6 – 2.3, -.3, #12 to #13
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS, tenth consecutive month, 12.0 – 11.3, -.7
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WRVR (+3.6)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: hot AC WMC-FM (-1.0)
HARTFORD
News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” 5.7 – 5.2, -.5, continues in seventh-place
Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” .8 – .9, +.1, #14 to #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WUCS “97.9 ESPN” .8 – .9, +.1, #14 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications’ WNPR 7.0 – 7.1, +.1, locked in third-place
New England Public Media’s WFCR unchanged at .4, #16 to #17
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 21st successive month, 10.8 – 14.9, +4.1
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WRCH (+4.1)**
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease (Tie): classic rock WDRC-FM and alternative WMRQ (-.8)
**Represents a tie for the largest November 2021 – December 2021 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
December 2021 PPM Data – Information for the December 2021 ratings period has been released for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.
Nielsen Audio’s December 2021 sweep covered November 11 – December 8.
Managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.
Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.
All comparisons noted are November 2021 – December 2021 (6+).
PORTLAND
News/Talk: Alpha Media’s KXL “FM 101 News” flat at 7.1, second to fourth
iHeartMedia-owned KEX “News Radio 1190” 3.1 – 2.5, -.6, unchanged at #16
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB 6.9 – 7.2, +.3, fourth to third and KOPB’s internet stream steady at 2.2, #19 to #17
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KKCW, first month, 7.1 – 12.4, +5.3
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary KKCW (+5.3)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: hot AC KRSK (-.8)
CHARLOTTE
News/Talk: Radio One-owned WBT AM & WBT-FM “Charlotte’s News Talk” (Carolina Panthers) 4.5 – 3.8, -.7, #8 to #11
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WFNZ “Sports Radio The Fan” (Hornets) 1.0 – 1.1, +.1, remains at #18
Public Radio News/Talk: University Radio Foundation-owned WFAE 4.1 – 4.3, +.2, tenth to ninth
South Carolina Educational Television Commission’s WNSC steady at .5, locked at #20
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group adult contemporary WKQC, first month, 5.0 – 8.8, +3.8
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WKQC (+3.8)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: classical WDAV (-.8)
SAN ANTONIO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WOAI “News Radio 1200” (Spurs) 4.3 – 4.2, -.1, tenth to eighth
Alpha Media-owned KTSA “Stay Connected” 2.1 – 2.2, +.1, #16 to #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Texas Public Radio’s KSTX 3.3 – 3.1, -.2, #13 to #12
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KQXT, first month, 5.9 – 10.8, +4.9
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary KQXT (+4.9)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: classic hits-oldies KONO-FM (-1.8)
SACRAMENTO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM “News 1530 AM & 93.1 FM” 9.1 – 7.3, -1.8, first to third and cluster-mate KSTE “Talk 650” 2.7 – 2.9, +.2, #14 to #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s KIFM-AM “ESPN 1320” 1.0 – .9, -.1, #18 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Capital Public Radio’s KXJZ 4.9 – 4.5, -.4, seventh to eighth
Number One 6+: Audacy classic rock KSEG, first month, 8.3 – 10.2, +1.9
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary KYMX (+3.1)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: adult contemporary KBEB (-2.2)*
*Represents the largest November 2021 – December 2021 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
PITTSBURGH
News/Talk: Audacy’s KDKA-AM “News Radio 1020 AM” 4.1 – 3.7, -.4, remains in ninth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KDKA-FM “93.7 The Fan All Sports All The Time” 8.7 – 7.8, -.9, stays at #4
Public Radio News/Talk: Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting’s WESA 3.3 – 2.7, -.6, #11 to #13
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW, first month, 8.9 – 11.1, +2.2
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WSHH (+2.5)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: sports talk KDKA-FM (-.9)
SALT LAKE CITY
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM “Talk Radio” 7.2 – 7.1, -.1, anchored in second-place
Bonneville-owned KSL “News Radio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM” 7.5 – 6.0, -1.5, first to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Utah’s KUER steady at 4.1, repeats at #8
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI, first month, 5.5 – 10.9, +5.4
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary KSFI (+5.4)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: news/talk KSL (-1.5)
LAS VEGAS
News/Talk: Audacy’s KXNT “News Talk 840” 1.9 – 1.8, -.1, #21 to #16
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE, first month, 6.0 – 13.1, +7.1
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary KSNE (+7.1)**
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: contemporary Christian KSOS (-2.1)
**Represents the largest November 2021 – December 2021 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
ORLANDO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKS “Real Radio 104.1” 5.6 – 5.3, -.3, seventh to eighth
Cox Media Group-owned WDBO “Orlando’s News Talk” 2.1 – 1.9, -.2, flat at #16
iHeartMedia’s WFLF “Orlando News Radio” 1.8 – 1.3, -.5, #18 to #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WYGM “96.9 The Game” (Magic) 2.3 – 2.2, -.1, #15 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: Community Connections’ WMFE 2.5 – 1.7, -.8, #13 to #17
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMGF, first month, 6.1 – 12.0, +5.9
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WMGF (+5.9)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: rock WJRR (-1.5)
CINCINNATI
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WLW “700 Cincinnati’s News Radio” 11.8 – 10.2, -1.6, flat at #2 and cluster-mate WKRC “55 KRC The Talk Station” 5.8 – 5.2, -.6, fourth to sixth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WCKY “ESPN 1530” (Bengals) locked at 1.4, repeats at #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Cincinnati Public Radio-owned WVXU steady at 3.9, tenth to eighth
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WGRR second month in a row, 12.3 – 11.0, -1.3
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WRRM (+1.8)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: news/talk WLW (-1.6)
CLEVELAND
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTAM “News Radio 1100” (Cavaliers) 4.7 – 4.0, -.7, stays in ninth-place
News: iHeartMedia-owned WMMS-HD2 “BIN 99.1 Because Truth Matters” unchanged at .2, #18 to #20
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WKRK “Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan” (Browns) 5.5 – 4.6, -.9, seventh to eighth and WKRK’s internet steam debuts with a 1.5, #14
Public Radio News/Talk: Ideastream-owned WCPN steady at 2.6, #13 to #12
Kent State University’s WKSU 1.3 – 1.1, -.2, #15 to #17
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WDOK first month, 9.8 – 10.4, +.6
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI (+1.4)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: sports talk WKRK (-.9)
KANSAS CITY
News/Talk: Audacy’s KMBZ-FM “98.1 FM News, Traffic, Weather” 5.0 – 4.6, -.4, seventh to sixth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s KCSP “Sports Radio 610 Our Teams, Our Town” 2.1 – 2.3, +.2, remains at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KCUR 6.6 – 6.1, -.5, continues in third-place
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic rock KCFX, third consecutive month, 8.9 – 9.7, +.8
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary KCKC (+3.4)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: country WDAF (-1.6)
COLUMBUS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WTVN “News Radio 610” 6.7 – 6.5, -.2, remains in fourth-place
News: iHeartMedia’s WYTS “Columbus’ BIN 1230” .2 – .1, -.1, locked at #19
Sports Talk: Tegna-owned WBNS-FM “97.1 FM The Fan” (Blue Jackets) 9.6 – 10.3, +.7, #1 and cluster-mate WBNS-AM “ESPN 1460 AM” .6 – .5, -.1, #16 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Ohio State University’s WOSU 6.2 – 6.5, +.3, sixth to fourth
Number One 6+: sports talk WBNS-FM, fourth successive month, 9.6 – 10.3, +.7
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult hits WODC (+2.1)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: classic rock WLVQ (-1.2)
Up next: December 2021 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
BLOCK ISLAND, RI — Like most conventions a year ago, CES2021 settled for virtual. And just days before its October show here, NAB canceled, vowing to try again in April. But this week — even as the Omicron variant is scotching events and has states and cities reinstating relaxed pandemic protocols – we’re in Sin City, vax’d, boosted, tested, masked and toting the jug-handle-size hand sanitizer.
By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — I particularly enjoy this time of year because it’s when I usually reconnect with former associates all around the country. Sellers, managers, and on-air talent from South Florida to San Francisco who share the bond of having worked through one of the most challenging years in broadcast history checked-in with me. Those calls, texts and emails always include one “wow” moment that serves as a life lesson for all of us. Here’s one in particular that can serve as a motivator for all heading into the New Year.