Industry News

Round Two of March PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s March 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey covered February 29 through March 27. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM rises three-tenths to finish the survey with a 4.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #5 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting all-news WTOP-FM adds three-tenths for a 7.9 share and remains ranked #2. In Detroit, Cumulus Media news/talk WJR dips two-tenths to finish with a 2.3 share but remains ranked #14, while Audacy’s all-news WWJ is steady with a 5.3 share that keeps it ranked #9 in the market. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI falls half a share to a 3.0 share and moves back one spot to the #10 rank, while Bonneville news/talk KTAR-FM also loses a half share, finishing with a 2.2 share good for the #18 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Round One of March PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s March 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The survey covered February 29 through March 27. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media Group’s news/talk WABC rises two-tenths to finish with a 4.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #9 rank in the market. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR is steady with a 1.6 share and the #20 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WINS-FM adds one-tenth for a 4.6 share good for the #5 rank. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI inches up one-tenth for a 5.5 share that keeps it locked into the #3 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s WGN-AM dips three-tenths, finishing with a 3.2 share and the #9 rank, while Cumulus Media news/talk WLS-AM falls six-tenths to a 1.4 share good for the #25 rank. Audacy all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM is steady with a 5.4 share but falls back to the #4 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Futuri: Audiences Expect Media to Use AI

According to a study from Futuri and CMG Custom Research, not only do radio and television audiences expect media to use artificial intelligence in broadcasts, 20% believe they’ve already listened to a radio station using it and 49% of TV news viewers believe they’ve seen it. Futuri CEO Daniel Anstandig presented the results of the nearly 5,200-person study at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. Other takeaways from the study include that for radio, people cannot easily distinguish between human and AI audioim content: Participants were presented with paired samples of AI-generated voices created using Futuri’s AudioAI and human voices. 60% of the time, they identified the AI as human. The study also found respondents open to the use of AI with many believing that AI will improve content across news, video, and audio. For example, 45% of TV news viewers believe AI can assist in selecting better news stories; 54% of local TV news viewers believe AI can enhance weather forecasts, showcasing the potential for AI to elevate traditional news through proper newsroom integration; and respondents also indicated a high level of trust in AI-generated content, specifically when informed by reputable sources like local and national news outlets. Anstandig comments, “Futuri’s study shows that audiences are open to media’s adoption of AI for content creation. In fact, they already believe they’ve experienced AI in use on radio and television. We learned that audiences believe that AI will assist media in creating more relevant and engaging content. They just want to be informed of its use, and for it to be used in the right scenarios.

Industry News

FOX News Channel Highlights Q1 Ratings Dominance

FOX News Channel announces that it finished the first quarter of 2024 as cable’s most-watched network in total day and primetime, dominating primetime viewers in cable news for 89 consecutiveim quarters, according to Nielsen Media Research. FNC adds that its primetime lineup sweept cable news every hour. “The Ingraham Angle” (7:00 pm ET) finished the quarter averaging 2.2 million viewers and 222,000 in the 25-54 demo. “Jesse Watters Primetime” (8:00 pm ET) delivered 2.8 million viewers and 284,000 in the 25-54 demo. “Hannity” (9:00 pm ET) remained dominant, nabbing 2.4 million viewers and 266,000 in the 25-54 demo, easily winning the timeslot and topping CNN and MSNBC in both categories. And “FOX News @ Night” (10:00 pm ET) delivered 1.2 million viewers and 187,000 in 25-54 demo.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Good Karma Brands’ talk WAUK-AM/W266DR “101.7 The Truth” announces the 3rd Annual Tory Lowe Community Clean Up taking place on April 13. Spearheaded by 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm host Tory Lowe, the event encourages volunteers to join the station in picking up litter in Milwaukee neighborhoods. Lowe says, “This is what it’s all about. Getting together as a community, unifying, and giving back. This is a great opportunity to get to know our neighbors and take pride in the city we call home. A cleaner community is a better community.”

Mundo Hispano Digital partners with iHeartMedia in a deal that includes MundoNow’s audio network Oyénos’ slate of podcasts being distributed widely by iHeartPodcasts. MundoNow president and CEO Rene Alegria says, “We’re thrilled to embark on this transformative partnership with iHeartPodcasts, solidifying our commitment to amplifying LatinX voices in the audio space. This collaboration represents a pivotal moment for Oyénos Audio, as we combine forces to deliver captivating content and innovative marketing strategies that resonate deeply with our community. In today’s ever-evolving media landscape, we continue to strive to deliver compelling, informative, and engaging content to a large and significantly still underserved audience – bilingual and bicultural Latinos.”

FOX Nation debuts a new special titled, “Prisoner of Putin,” on Thursday (3/28), one day before the one-year anniversary of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s arrest and detainment in Russia. The special will provide an in-depth look into Gershkovich’s life and his courage and resilience throughout the last year. Contributions will be made by FOX News Channel senior correspondent Steve Harrigan, who was formerly based in Moscow, Wall Street Journal colleagues Gordon Fairclough and Paul Beckett, as well as Jeremy Berke and Sam Silverman, close friends of Gershkovich.

Industry News

Round Four of February PPMs Released

imThe fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Austin, Waterloo Media’s news/talk KLBJ-AM drops six-tenths to finish with a 5.1 share (6+, weekly AQH share) but remains ranked #5, while Audacy’s news/talk KJCE-AM rises two-tenths for a 0.3 share and stays ranked #28. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM rises half a share to finish with an 8.0 share that lifts it to the #3 rank, while Curtis Media’s news/talk WPTF loses two-tenths for a 0.8 share finish good for the #19 rank. In Nashville, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM tacks on three-tenths to wrap the survey with a 5.7 share and inches up to the #5 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLAC is steady with a 2.1 share but moves up one spot to the #17 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

STC Media, LLC’s “Sports Talk Chicago” adds new affiliate WROK-AM, Rockford, Illinois, bringing the Jon Zaghloul-hosted show’s roster to nine stations. Zaghloul says, “I couldn’t be more excited to bring ‘Sports Talk Chicago’ to Rockford. I want to thank Townsquare Media, and, specifically, Chuck Armstrong and Johnny Vincent, for helping to make this new partnership happen. We are thrilled to bring our patented blend of opinionated, unfiltered sports talk to such a great city. And we continue to thank our affiliates and supporters for helping us to expand across the region!”

Multimedia sports platform OutKick announces that it finished February 2024 with 24 million total multiplatform views – up 4% versus February 2023 – and delivered 22 million total multiplatform minutes and 20.2 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors, according to data from Comscore. Outkick SVP and managing editor Gary Schreier says, “OutKick continues its great start to 2024 with growth across the platform and remains the destination for all the news where sports and culture intersect.”

The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation will present its third annual Insight Award to Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, author, and philanthropist Soledad O’Brien during the NAB Show Welcome on April 15. The Insight Award recognizes an individual or organization for an outstanding artistic or journalistic work or body of work that enhances the public’s understanding of the role, operation, history or impact of media in our society. Previous recipients include LeVar Burton and “60 Minutes.”

Industry News

Round Three of February PPMs Released

imThe third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. The survey period covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM slips one-tenth to finish with a 6.9 share (6+, weekly AHQ share) but remains ranked #2 in the market, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk KEX-AM adds three-tenths for a 1.5 share finish good for the #21 rank. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOAI sheds three-tenths to finish with a 2.7 share and falls one spot to the #14 rank, while Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA is steady at a 2.3 share but rises two spots to the #16 rank. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville’s news/talk KSL-AM/FM rises nine-tenths for a 6.4 share finish but remains ranked #2, while iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM/FM dips four-tenths to a 3.1 share but stays put at the #13 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

NAB Names Sibori Senior Director of Communications

The National Association of Broadcasters announces that Gabriela Sibori joins the organization as senior director of communications on the NAB Public Affairs team. Sibori, who most recently served as aim senior adviser at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will serve as a spokesperson for the association and will help develop and execute messaging strategies to advance broadcasters’ policy agenda before Congress and the Federal Communications Commission. NAB EVP, public affairs and chief of staff Michelle Lehman says, “Gaby is a seasoned policy communicator whose years of government service have equipped her with a profound understanding of effective and strategic communications. Broadcasters will benefit from Gaby’s deep expertise in shaping messaging on the most important issues facing our industry, and we are thrilled to have her on the team.”

Industry News

Round Two of February PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM is steady at a 4.5 share (6+, weekly AQH share) and remains ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM, sheds seven-tenths for a 7.6 share but stays ranked #2 in the market. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO adds four-tenths to finish with a 3.2 share that lifts it to the #13 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-FM rises three-tenths for a 4.9 share but remains ranked #6. In Detroit, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR tacks on four-tenths to finish the survey with a 2.5 share and moves up to the #14 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WWJ loses three-tenths, wrapping the survey with a 5.3 share and falling one spot to the #9 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Round One of February PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The February survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC adds three-tenths to finish the survey with a 3.8 share (6+, weekly AQH share) but remains ranked #11, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR loses one-tenth for a 1.6 share finish and falls to the #20 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN tacks on four-tenths to finish with a 3.5 share that lifts it to the #8 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM adds two-tenths for a 2.0 share finish and remains ranked #18. Audacy’s crosstown all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM fell eight-tenths to a 5.4 share but only regressed one spot to the #3 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry Views

Pending Business: March Madness 2024

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imMarch is half over, and the Madness is just beginning.

Can you feel the social media buzz driven by countless fans from Florida and Iowa to California as they brag and bet on their favorite teams?

Advertising as well is turning to the tournament page and taking on the creative themes that talk to the millions of fans who will fill out their brackets in that new age science called “bracketology.” Is that basketball novice who wins the office money pool because the uniforms were just the right color still in the office? Or how about grandma beating a few experts because she really has been a fan for over 60 years. So much for the science behind “bracketology.”

Industry surveys project nearly $2.7 billion will be wagered during the madness as the dollars flow through legal venues. This year may be a little different as fans in Iowa play a unique role. More on that in a minute.

As a forever basketball fan and a fan of great marketing, March Madness is that rare intersection of high-level athletic performance and competitive marketing execution on full display in front of millions almost every day for nearly three weeks. The summer Olympics in Paris scheduled July 26-Aug 11, come close, but the Olympic games play to a multi-sport, truly global crowd. There is nothing else in sports and marketing that compares to the prolonged, daily intensity surrounding the “Big Dance,” and this year it is truly a dance.

Fans are in for a next-level experience as Iowa’s amazing Caitlin Clark puts Women’s March Madness on the sports map once and for all. This year the social media buzz will have the additional fandom buying every ticket in sight as Caitlin’s Iowa Hawkeyes sold out arenas around the country.

So, what does all this March Madness fandemonium have to do with what we do in sales and marketing? Let’s learn.

1. Watch for marketers who get the emotional connection with the core fans. This year’s messaging will broaden beyond what you might expect.

2. As demographics change, so will creative.

3. Although your marketing may be limited to your local market, watch for new categories that can open your thinking.

Nearly 133 years have passed since Dr. James Naismith grabbed a round ball and a basket. His goal was to invent a simple game to keep a group of young men active during those maddening winter months in Springfield, Massachusetts. If he could only have imagined what he started.

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.

Industry Views

Steve Weisman is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

Noted attorney and respected talk media commentator Steve Weisman is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” A prolific author and lecturer who teaches White Collar Crime and Media Law at Bentley University in Boston, Weisman is one of the nation’s leading experts on scams, identity theft and cybersecurity.  His widely read blog, Scamicide, provides daily updated information about the latest scams, identity theft schemes and cybersecurity developments. He recently testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging about the dangerous proliferation of scams being targeted to America’s senior population. Harrison – a longtime outspoken foe of digital-era corruption – states, “Our podcast this week is aimed at shedding light on the dark corners and back alleyways of our modern society in which scammers, fraudsters and cyber criminals are flourishing… they steal our identities, our money and our peace of mind. Our loss of privacy and security is a loss of freedom and our legislators on both sides of the aisle remain basically clueless. In an era in which talk show hosts are rightfully obsessed with street crime, terrorism and immigration run amok, it is surprising there is not more attention being paid to this insidious social cancer born of advanced technology and civic decay.” Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

WDAE, Tampa Announces New Roles for Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi

“The Ronnie & TKras Show” heard on afternoon drive on iHeartMedia’s Tampa Bay sports talk WDAE will end on March 27 as hosts Ronnie Lane (left) and Tom Krasniqi (right) are set to begin new roles on the station. Beginning March 28, Krasniqi will continue in PM drive working on a new, yet-to-be-namedim program currently in development with executive producer Chris Mathis. Lane will take on a new role as host of the signature Rays pre-game show “The Inside Pitch.” He will also continue his seasonal hosting duties with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers radio network. WDAE program director John Mamola says, “We couldn’t be more excited for Ronnie and Tom as they embark on their new opportunities at WDAE. These programs promise fresh content and compelling, engaging experiences for our listeners. We will continue the legacy of high performance the hosts built as a duo and the voice of Tampa Bay sports fanatics everywhere.”

Industry News

FCC Commissioner Carr Cheers TikTok Legislation

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr releases a statement supporting the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” which would ban the TikTok app “unless TikTok genuinely divests from its ties to the Communist Party of China.” Carr comments, “TikTok’s own conduct makes clear that it is beholden to the CCP and presents an unacceptable threat to U.S. national security.im Indeed, TikTok has been caught engaging in a pattern of illicit surveillance and making false statements about personnel in Beijing accessing sensitive U.S. user data. These facts were laid bare for the world to see when the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a TikTok oversight hearing last year. And that is why there is now a broad, bipartisan consensus that TikTok cannot continue to operate in the U.S. in its current form. I want to applaud the strong, bipartisan leadership that Members of Congress have shown in advancing this bill, which would definitively resolve the serious national security threats TikTok poses by banning the app or requiring that it genuinely sever ties to the CCP. This is a smart, threat-specific bill that would address a clear and present danger. I hope that this bill will soon become law.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: The Local Radio Advantage, Part 3

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imIt’s not your imagination. The world has gone daffy. The USA is all-but boots-on-the-ground in rough neighborhoods around the world. Weather is getting even wackier. The next gun nut could open fire, at any moment, anywhere. 2024 campaign? It’s a long way to November. And even in this rebounding economy, supermarket prices still hit-home… if you can get there.

Here in Southern New England that could take up to an hour longer, as tens of thousands are inconvenienced every day, and will be for months – possibly two years we’re told – after an abrupt bridge closure along Interstate 195. Your daily commute is torture if you live here; and an unpleasant surprise awaits when you head to Cape Cod this summer, or if you’re just passing through this intersection where I-195 joins Maine-to-Miami I-95, the main artery through the most densely populated parts of the USA.

The good news for listeners is that serious structural defects were spotted BEFORE a deadly bridge collapse like we’ve seen in Minnesota and Pennsylvania and elsewhere in recent years. The good news for local media is that information changes throughout the day, and day-to-day, as the Department of Transportation continuously modifies lane merges and detours to cope. If you’re driving, you can’t NOT listen.

im

Presume that listeners are wondering “What NEXT???” If your station is known-for-knowing, listeners will keep coming back for more. Last week and the week before here, we demonstrated simple tweaks that make local news copy instantly more and helpful and relevant and understandable. This week: setting an expectation and delivering. Two tips:

Invite overtly. Try this imaging statement that has proven effective for setting a listening appointment to on-hour newscasts: “SO much is changing, SO quickly now. Stay close to the news.” Example: If you’re an affiliate, call it “a quick FOX News update, every half hour, throughout your busy day.” Doing so empowers the customers our local advertisers want pulling into the parking lot.

Then, make it sound different than last hour. Advance the story.

Example: news that “The New York Times is buying Wordle” broke in afternoon drive.

Next morning, same copy, word-for-word.

Better next-morning lead: “Wordle will remain free… for now.”

Avoid the listener thinking, “You already told me that,” by leading with a different aspect than last time. Every effort you make to sound fresh is well worth it.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Round Four of January PPMs Released

imThe fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s January 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey covered January 4 – 31. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN adds 2.5 shares to finish with an 11.5 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) good for its fifth straight month ranked #1, while Good Karma Brands’ crosstown news/talk WTMJ does not appear in this survey. (TALKERS has reached out to GKB for clarification.) In Nashville, Cumulus Media Group’s news/talk WWTN-FM rises 1.5 shares to finish with a 5.4 share that lifts it to the #6 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLAC adds nine-tenths for a 2.1 share finish good for the #18 rank. In Providence, Cumulus Media Group’s news/talk WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM tacks on a full share to wrap the survey with a 6.9 share, lifting it to the #4 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WHJJ-AM is up two-tenths for a 1.0 share finish and the #13 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

January 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imJanuary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the January 2024 survey period (January 4 – January 31) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NBA and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 (6+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 4.1 – 5.7, #6 – #5

KJCE .1 – .1, #31 – #28

News

None

Sports Talk

KBPA-HD2  1.4 – 1.1, #19 – #19

KVET-AM 1.1 – .8, #23 – #22

KTAE .9 – DNA, #24 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 5.3 – 6.9, #3 – #3

KUT-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

Note: The +1.6 by public radio news talk KUT (5.3 – 6.9) and news/talk KLBJ-AM (4.1 – 5.7) represent Austin’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase. 

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 5.0 – 7.5, #5  – #4

WPTF .6 – 1.0, #22 – #18

News

WRAL-HD3 .2 – .3, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.1 – 3.4, #12 – #11 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 7.9 – 9.0, #2 – #2

Note: News/talk WTKK’s +2.5 (5.0 – 7.5) represents Raleigh’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 4.8 – 5.1, #8 – #7

News

WOLT-HD2 .2 – .2, #25 – #25

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  3.0 – 3.7, #16 – #13

WNDE .3 – .5, #21 – #22

WXNT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 3.4 – 4.6, #11 – #8

Sports talk WFNI (DNA – DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.0 – 11.5, fifth consecutive month at #1

WLIP .1 – .1, #28 – #26

WTMJ 6.4 – DNA, #5 – DNA 

WGKB .1 – DNA, #28 – DNA  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.7 – 3.7, #15 – #11

WOKY .2 – .2, #22 – #23

WSSP .2 – .2, #22 – #23

WKTI 1.6 – DNA, #17 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 2.5 – 2.2, #16 – #14

WHAD .8 – 1.2, #20 – #16

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Note: News/talk WISN’s +2.5 (9.0 – 11.5) represents Milwaukee’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 3.9 – 5.4, #12 – #6

WLAC 1.2 – 2.1, #19 – #18

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 6.9 – 8.0, #2 – #2

WPRT 2.0 – 2.3, #17 – #17 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.1 – 4.9, #11 – #8

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .2, #23 – #23

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 5.9 – 6.9, #5 – #4

WHJJ  .8 – 1.0, #15 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WVEI 2.0 – 2.1, #10 – #9

WBZ-FM 3.0 – DNA, #8 – DNA

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 1.6 – 2.1, #13 – #9

WNPN 1.3 – 1.5, after nine straight months at #14, moves to #12

WCAI .1 – .1, #20 – #18

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  2.0 – 2.3, #14 – #14

WGH-FM HD2  .2 – .2, #24 – #23

News

WNOH .2 – .3, #24 – #21

Sports Talk

WVSP 1.8 – 1.9, #15 – #15

WGH-AM .2 – .2, #24 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

None

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 6.5 – 8.0, #3 – #3

News

WJBT-HD2 DNA – .2, DNA – #24

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .4, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 1.8 – 1.6, #15 – #16

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.1 – 3.0, #9 – #7

WZZR 1.3 – 1.3 #13 – #14

WJNO .6 – .9, #15 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .6 – .7, #15 – #16

WBZT .2 – .4, #19 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 1.9 – 2.8, #10 – #9

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA    

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 3.3 – 3.5 #8 – #9

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 4.2 – 5.3, #7 – #6

WUNC 2.2 – 2.8, #13 – #11

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 1.0 – 1.4, #11 – #11

KWAM .4 – .5, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.8 – 3.2, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #15 – #14 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.6 – 1.9, #9 – #9

WKNO-HD2  .2 – DNA, #15 – DNA

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 5.2 – 6.6, #6 – #4

WDRC-AM 1.5 – 1.8, #15 – #14

WTIC-AM Stream .4 – .4, #19 – #18

WPOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.5 – 2.0, #11 – #13

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 4.0 – 4.1, #8 – #8

WFCR .6 – .6, #18 – #17

Mike Kinosian is managing editor at TALKERS magazine. Reach him at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Round Three of January PPMs Released

imThe third of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s January 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. The survey covered January 4 – 31. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM shoots up 2.1 shares for a 7.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish and rises to the #2 rank in the market, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk KEX-AM adds one-tenth to finish with a 1.2 share good for the #22 rank. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOAI adds six-tenths to wrap the survey with a 3.0 share good for the #13 rank, while Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA tacks on half a share for a 2.3 share finish that lifts it to the #18 rank. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville’s news/talk KSL-AM/FM rises 1.9 shares to finish with a 5.5 share and climbs to the #3 rank, while, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KNRS-AM/FM adds 1.3 shares for a 3.5 share finish good for the #13 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

Round Two of January PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s January 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey period covered January 4 – 31. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media Group’s news/talk WMAL-FM jumps 1.4 shares to finish with a 4.5 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #7 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM leaps two full shares to an 8.3 share good for the #2 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFYI rises two-tenths to a 3.1 share but falls two posts to the #10 rank, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM adds four-tenths for a 2.6 share finish and remains ranked #14. In Baltimore, Hearst Television’s news/talk WBAL-AM adds 1.6 shares to finish with a 4.3 share that boosts it to the #9 rank, while WCBM Maryland’s news/talk WCBM-AM tacks on four-tenths for a 1.9 share finish that lifts it to the #15 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Round One of January PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s January 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The survey period covered January 4 – 31. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC-AM adds half a share to finish with a 3.5 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #11, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR-AM rises half a share to a 1.7 share that lifts it to the #17 rank. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI adds nine-tenths for a 4.5 share finish good for the #3 rank in the market. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN-AM is up a half share, finishing with a 3.1 share and the #10 rank, while Cumulus Media Group’s news/talk WLS-AM rises two-tenths to a 1.9 share and moves up one spot to the #18 rank. And in Atlanta, Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM claims the #1 rank after rising 1.2 shares to an 8.6 share. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: The Local Radio Advantage

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imIf you’re a news/talk station, don’t assume that you own “news radio” in your market. Imaging is important, but it merely talks-the-talk. You walk-the-walk with local news copy that delivers what solid commercial copy does: benefits. Just doing local news makes you special. But do listeners simply hear a station voice… reading something? Are you merely… accurate? Or do you deliver “take-home pay,” unwrapping the story to tell the listener something useful?

In many homes, there are now fewer radios than smart speakers. And nobody has ever said: “Alexa, please play six commercials.” But she can play millions of songs. So do streams and YouTube.

What can make a music station different from all those other audio choices is the way you help folks cope, how relevant and empathetic you are, how you sound like you have-their-back as day-to-day news has them wondering “What NEXT?”

And boosting tune-in exposes your advertisers better. So, Time Spent Listening is still the ballgame. Specifically, you need to add occasions of tune-in, and this week’s column begins a three-part series of news copy coaching tips that can help bring listeners back more often.

im

Simply rewriting source material can make a huge difference. Press releases torture the ear. They’re formal, and prone to jargon and spin (especially from politicians). When they’re from the police, they’re written in cop-speak. And most press releases are written inside-out, emphasizing a process, rather than the consequence to listeners.

Process example: “At Thursday’s work session of the Springfield City Council, a decision was made to move forward with Community Days this year. The annual Community Days celebration is scheduled for June 16 and 17th. Council members made sure the Community Days funds will be handled by an independent accountant. Councilwoman Sharon Grant said…”

Re-write to lead with consequence: “The annual Springfield Community Days celebration will be June 16th and 17th. After last year’s controversy, Council members made sure the Community Days funds will be handled by an independent accountant. At Thursday’s session, Councilwoman Sharon Grant said…”

That simple tweak is well-worth the minimal effort. Listeners are mentally busy. Remove “Styrofoam words.”  Example: “State Police say they are investigating a possible case of child endangerment after a seven-month-old child was treated for severe injuries.”

Simply delete “say they.”

Next week: Ripped from the headlines… 

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

PodcastOne acquires the exclusive sales and distribution rights to “Camp Counselors with Zachariah Porter and Jonathan Carson.” The podcast first launched in 2022 and has released nearly 100 episodes to date. PodcastOne president and co-founder Kit Gray says, “We’re thrilled to welcome ‘Camp Counselors with Zachariah Porter and Jonathan Carson’ to our network at PodcastOne. Zachariah and Jonathan have created a great comedic podcast, and we’re looking forward to putting our considerable marketing and ad sales strength behind the show to grow its listenership and revenue potential.”

Multimedia sports platform OutKick says January data from Comscore credits it with 7.1 million total multiplatform unique visitors, up 22% versus December 2023. It also delivered 33 million total multiplatform views in January 2024, up 29% versus December 23, and saw 33 million total multiplatform minutes, up 27% versus the prior month. OutKick founder Clay Travis says, “We kick off the year once again with numbers that not only speak to the platform’s growth but our commitment to providing engaging content to our audience. OutKick is the only destination for common-sense reporting with talent that’s unafraid to speak their minds on any topic. I’m looking forward to an exciting year and continuing to drive the conversation.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Benztown will release the 10th Annual Benztown 50 List of Radio’s Biggest Imaging Voices, “the radio industry’s exclusive listing of the top 50 voiceover artists in the U.S. and Canada.” The Benztown 50 list is based on several criteria, including number of radio station affiliates, station size and market. Benztown has partnered with P1 Media Group to compile and analyze industry data that will be the foundation for this distinction. Apply now through March 1. Voice talent can apply here.

Syndicated Solutions, Inc celebrates its 25th Anniversary. The company was founded in February 1999 by Robert Carey and has successfully syndicated many radio shows over the years, including the current travel show “RMWorldTravel with Robert & Mary Carey and Rudy Maxa,” and the “Rick & Bubba Show” that is in the process of being transitioned into “The Rick Burgess Show.” Carey says, “It’s incredibly gratifying to have incubated SSI from a business trip conversation with George Green while working for Disney/ABC and successfully growing it into the company that SSI became for so many of our operating years, as well as the evolution into the more focused firm that we are today.”

FOX Sports Radio’s “The Paulie and Tony Fusco Show” was awarded the 2024 Sports Podcast Award for “Best Sports Comedy,” from The Sports Podcast Group. “The Paulie and Tony Fusco Show” is a satire of sports talk radio and “hot take” media personalities. It is written, produced, and hosted by veteran sports talk producers Andrew Samson and Sharief Ali, who play two Philadelphia Eagles fans who claim to have the “smartest” sports takes, when in reality their takes are terrible.

Industry News

Ratings Analysis: News/Talk During the Holiday Survey

imToday, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian does a deep-dive into the recent performances of the news/talk format during Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” PPM ratings period. He writes, “Last week, we recapped how all-news stations have recently performed in (volatile) ‘Holiday’ survey periods. As a companion piece, the data summarizes ratings performances of news/talk stations in the two most recent ‘Holiday’ sweeps.” See the full story here.

Analysis

News/Talk Holiday 2022 & Holiday 2023 Overview

By Mike Kinosian
TALKERS magazine
Managing Editor

imLast week, we recapped how all-news stations have recently performed in Nielsen Audio‘s (volatile) “Holiday” PPM survey periods.

As a companion piece, the following summarizes ratings performances of news/talk stations in the two most recent “Holiday” sweeps.

“Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 2023 6+ Increase, 43%.

“Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 2023 6+ Decrease, 50%.

“Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 2023 6+ Flat, 7%.

Average “Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 6+ 2023 Increase, +.61.

Average “Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 6+ 2023 Decrease, -.98.

Typical “Holiday” 6+ Share, 3.19 (2022), versus 3.01 (2023).

Representative “Holiday” 6+ Market Rank, #12.42 (2022), versus #12.26 (2023).

News/Talk Composite 6+ Share/Rank Arranged By Market Size

                                    “Hol”      “Hol”

                                    2022       2023

WABC, New York                    3.1    #10    3.0    #11

KFI, Los Angeles                     4.4    #3     4.6    #4

WGN, Chicago                        2.8    #12    2.6    #11

WLS-AM, Chicago                   0.9    #24    1.7    #19

KSFO, San Francisco              1.7    #18    1.4    #22

WBAP, Dallas                         3.7    #8     2.8    #14

KTRH, Houston                      3.3    #12    2.6    #17

WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta      4.4    #7     7.4    #2

WMAL, Washington                3.4    #7     3.1    #9

WPHT, Philadelphia                0.8    #24    1.7    #19

WKXW, Philadelphia               1.2    #20    1.2    #23

WRKO, Boston                       2.8    #13    3.1    #9

KIRO-FM, Seattle                    5.5    #3     4.0    #6

KFYI, Phoenix                         3.3    #8     2.9    #8

KTAR-FM, Phoenix                 1.7    #22    2.2    #14

WJR, Detroit                          2.3    #15    2.4    #15

WCCO, Minneapolis                3.7    #12    3.8    #10

KTMY, Minneapolis                 3.1    #14    1.9    #17

KTLK, Minneapolis                 2.0    #17    1.6    #19

WHPT, Tampa                        3.7    #12    4.1    #7

WFLA, Tampa                         2.2    #17    3.2    #13

KOA, Denver                          2.4    #16    2.7    #14

KHOW, Denver                       1.5    #20    1.4    #19

KOGO, San Diego                   5.4    #5     3.9    #6

WABC, Long Island                 1.1    #21    1.1    #20

WBT, Charlotte                       3.7    #10    4.0    #9

KXL, Portland                         6.0    #5     4.9    #6

KEX, Portland                       2.2    #16    1.1    #21

WBAL, Baltimore                    3.6    #10    2.7    #11

WCBM, Baltimore                   1.6    #17    1.5    #17

WMAL, Baltimore                   0.6    #20    DNA  DNA

KMOX, St. Louis                     4.4    #9     2.8    #14

KFTK, St. Louis                      1.4    #17    1.5    #17

KTLK-FM, St. Louis                0.5    #23    1.1    #18

WOAI, San Antonio                 2.6    #13    2.4    #15

KTSA, San Antonio                 2.5    #14    1.8    #19

KSL, Salt Lake City                 4.6    #5     3.6    #9

KNRS, Salt Lake City              4.4    #6     2.2    #17

KFBK, Sacramento                 8.8    #2     6.1    #3

KSTE-AM, Sacramento            3.2    #8     2.1    #16

KLBJ-AM, Austin                    4.4    #5     4.1    #6

WTKS, Orlando                      5.1    #7     3.1    #12

WDBO, Orlando                     4.6    #8     3.1    #12

WFLF, Orlando                       0.7    #22    0.6    #20

KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh             2.8    #13    3.6    #8

KDKA-AM Stream, Pittsburgh 0.7    #19    0.4    #22

KDWN, Las Vegas                   2.3    #16    DNA  DNA

WLW, Cincinnati                    10.7   #1     10.8   #2

WKRC, Cincinnati                   2.8    #13    4.5    #6

KMBZ-FM, Kansas City           3.2    #11    4.1    #7

KCMO-AM, Kansas City          0.4    #25    1.8    #17

KMBZ-AM, Kansas City           1.4    #20    1.4    #19

WTAM, Cleveland                   4.6    #8     4.8    #8

WTVN, Columbus                   5.3    #8     4.5    #7

WTKK, Raleigh                       10.4   #2     5.0    #5

WIBC, Indianapolis                 5.7    #3     4.8    #8

KSFO, San Jose                     1.1    #22    1.5    #19

WWTN, Nashville                    4.9    #7     3.9    #12

WLAC, Nashville                     1.2    #17    1.2    #19

WKXW, Middlesex                   6.2    #4     5.7    #4

WOR, Middlesex                     0.4    #26    1.6    #15

WKXW-Stream, Middlesex       DNA  DNA  0.7    #20

WISN, Milwaukee                   8.8    #3     9.0    #1

WTMJ, Milwaukee                   6.2    #5     6.4    #5

WPRO-AM, Providence            4.5    #7     5.9    #5

WHJJ, Providence                   0.5    #18    0.8    #15

WNIS, Norfolk                        2.8    #11    2.0    #14

WOKV-FM, Jacksonville          6.1    #5     6.5    #3

WPTI, Greensboro                   3.2    #8     3.3    #8

WFTL, West Palm Beach         1.0    #15    2.1    #9

WZZR, West Palm Beach         1.7    #10    1.3    #13

WJNO, West Palm Beach        1.1    #13    0.6    #15

WREC, Memphis                    2.6    #13    1.0    #11

WKIM, Memphis                     2.1    #15    DNA  DNA

KWAM, Memphis                    0.4    #21    0.4    #13

WTIC-AM, Hartford                 5.1    #6     5.2    #6

WDRC-AM, Hartford               1.0    #17    1.5    #15

WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford     0.2    #20    0.4    #19

WPOP, Hartford                      0.2    #20    DNA  DNA

“Holiday” 2023 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)

WLW, Cincinnati                    10.8

WISN, Milwaukee                   9.0

WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta      7.4

WOKV-FM, Jacksonville          6.5

WTMJ, Milwaukee                   6.4

KFBK, Sacramento                 6.1

WPRO-AM, Providence            5.9

WKXW, Middlesex                   5.7

WTIC-AM, Hartford                 5.2

WTKK, Raleigh                       5.0

KXL, Portland                         4.9

WTAM, Cleveland                   4.8

WIBC, Indianapolis                 4.8

KFI, Los Angeles                     4.6

WKRC, Cincinnati                   4.5

WTVN, Columbus                   4.5

WHPT, Tampa                        4.1

KLBJ-AM, Austin                    4.1

KMBZ-FM, Kansas City           4.1

KIRO-FM, Seattle                    4.0

WBT, Charlotte                       4.0

KOGO, San Diego                   3.9

WWTN, Nashville                    3.9

WCCO, Minneapolis                3.8

KSL, Salt Lake City                 3.6

KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh             3.6

WPTI, Greensboro                   3.3

WFLA, Tampa                         3.2

WMAL, Washington                3.1

WRKO, Boston                       3.1

WDBO, Orlando                     3.1

WTKS, Orlando                      3.1

WABC, New York                    3.0

KFYI, Phoenix                         2.9

WBAP, Dallas                         2.8

KMOX, St. Louis                     2.8

KOA, Denver                          2.7

WBAL, Baltimore                    2.7

WGN, Chicago                        2.6

KTRH, Houston                      2.6

WJR, Detroit                          2.4

WOAI, San Antonio                 2.4

KTAR-FM, Phoenix                 2.2

KNRS, Salt Lake City              2.2

KSTE-AM, Sacramento            2.1

WFTL, West Palm Beach         2.1

WNIS, Norfolk                        2.0

KTMY, Minneapolis                 1.9

KTSA, San Antonio                 1.8

KCMO-AM, Kansas City          1.8

WLS-AM, Chicago                   1.7

WPHT, Philadelphia                1.7

KTLK, Minneapolis                 1.6

WOR, Middlesex                     1.6

WCBM, Baltimore                   1.5

KFTK, St. Louis                      1.5

KSFO, San Jose                     1.5

WDRC-AM, Hartford               1.5

KHOW, Denver                       1.4

KMBZ-AM, Kansas City           1.4

WZZR, West Palm Beach         1.3

WLAC, Nashville                     1.2

WABC, Long Island                 1.1

KTLK-FM, St. Louis                1.1

WREC, Memphis                    1.0

WHJJ, Providence                   0.8

WKXW-Stream, Middlesex       0.7

WFLF, Orlando                       0.6

WJNO, West Palm Beach        0.6

KWAM, Memphis                    0.4

WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford     0.4

“Holiday” 2023 6+ Market Rank   

WISN, Milwaukee                   #1

WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta      #2

WLW, Cincinnati                    #2

KFBK, Sacramento                 #3

WOKV-FM, Jacksonville          #3

KFI, Los Angeles                     #4

WKXW, Middlesex                   #4

WTKK, Raleigh                       #5

WTMJ, Milwaukee                   #5

WPRO-AM, Providence            #5

KIRO-FM, Seattle                    #6

KOGO, San Diego                   #6

KXL, Portland                         #6

KLBJ-AM, Austin                    #6

WKRC, Cincinnati                   #6

WTIC-AM, Hartford                 #6

WHPT, Tampa                        #7

KMBZ-FM, Kansas City           #7

WTVN, Columbus                   #7

KFYI, Phoenix                         #8

KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh             #8

WTAM, Cleveland                   #8

WIBC, Indianapolis                 #8

WPTI, Greensboro                   #8

WMAL, Washington                #9

WRKO, Boston                       #9

WBT, Charlotte                       #9

KSL, Salt Lake City                 #9

WFTL, West Palm Beach         #9

WCCO, Minneapolis                #10

WABC, New York                    #11

WGN, Chicago                        #11

WBAL, Baltimore                    #11

WREC, Memphis                    #11

WDBO, Orlando                     #12

WTKS, Orlando                      #12

WWTN, Nashville                    #12

WFLA, Tampa                         #13

WZZR, West Palm Beach         #13

KWAM, Memphis                    #13

WBAP, Dallas                         #14

KTAR-FM, Phoenix                 #14

KOA, Denver                          #14

KMOX, St. Louis                     #14

WNIS, Norfolk                        #14

WJR, Detroit                          #15

WOAI, San Antonio                 #15

WOR, Middlesex                     #15

WHJJ, Providence                   #15

WJNO, West Palm Beach        #15

WDRC-AM, Hartford               #15

KSTE-AM, Sacramento            #16

KTRH, Houston                      #17

KTMY, Minneapolis                 #17

WCBM, Baltimore                   #17

KFTK, St. Louis                      #17

KNRS, Salt Lake City              #17

KCMO-AM, Kansas City          #17

KTLK-FM, St. Louis                #18

WLS-AM, Chicago                   #19

WPHT, Philadelphia                #19

KTLK, Minneapolis                 #19

KHOW, Denver                       #19

KTSA, San Antonio                 #19

KMBZ-AM, Kansas City           #19

KSFO, San Jose                     #19

WLAC, Nashville                     #19

WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford     #19

WABC, Long Island                 #20

WFLF, Orlando                       #20

WKXW-Stream, Middlesex       #20

“Holiday” 2022 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)

WLW, Cincinnati                   10.7

WTKK, Raleigh                      10.4

KFBK, Sacramento                8.8

WISN, Milwaukee                  8.8

WKXW, Middlesex                  6.2

WTMJ, Milwaukee                  6.2

WOKV-FM, Jacksonville         6.1

KXL, Portland                        6.0

WIBC, Indianapolis                5.7

KIRO-FM, Seattle                   5.5

KOGO, San Diego                  5.4

WTVN, Columbus                  5.3

WTKS, Orlando                     5.1

WTIC-AM, Hartford                5.1

WWTN, Nashville                   4.9

KSL, Salt Lake City                4.6

WDBO, Orlando                    4.6

WTAM, Cleveland                  4.6

WPRO-AM, Providence           4.5

KFI, Los Angeles                    4.4

WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta      4.4

KMOX, St. Louis                    4.4

KNRS, Salt Lake City             4.4

KLBJ-AM, Austin                   4.4

WBAP, Dallas                        3.7

WCCO, Minneapolis               3.7

WHPT, Tampa                       3.7

WBT, Charlotte                      3.7

WBAL, Baltimore                   3.6

WMAL, Washington                3.4

KTRH, Houston                     3.3

KFYI, Phoenix                        3.3

KSTE-AM, Sacramento           3.2

KMBZ-FM, Kansas City          3.2

WPTI, Greensboro                  3.2

WABC, New York                   3.1

KTMY, Minneapolis                3.1

WGN, Chicago                       2.8

WRKO, Boston                       2.8

KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh            2.8

WKRC, Cincinnati                  2.8

WNIS, Norfolk                       2.8

WOAI, San Antonio                2.6

WREC, Memphis                   2.6

KTSA, San Antonio                2.5

KOA, Denver                         2.4

WJR, Detroit                         2.3

KDWN, Las Vegas                  2.3

WFLA, Tampa                        2.2

KEX, Portland                       2.2

WKIM, Memphis                    2.1

KTLK, Minneapolis                2.0

KSFO, San Francisco             1.7

WZZR, West Palm Beach         1.7

WCBM, Baltimore                  1.6

KHOW, Denver                      1.5

KFTK, St. Louis                     1.4

KMBZ-AM, Kansas City          1.4

WKXW, Philadelphia               1.2

WLAC, Nashville                    1.2

WJNO, West Palm Beach         1.1

WFTL, West Palm Beach         1.0

WDRC-AM, Hartford              1.0

KDKA-AM Stream, Pittsburgh 0.7

WMAL, Baltimore                  0.6

WHJJ, Providence                  0.5

WPOP, Hartford                     0.2

WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford     0.2

“Holiday” 2022 6+ Market Rank  

WLW, Cincinnati                   #1

KFBK, Sacramento                #2

WTKK, Raleigh                      #2

KFI, Los Angeles                    #3

KIRO-FM, Seattle                   #3

WIBC, Indianapolis                #3

WISN, Milwaukee                  #3

WKXW, Middlesex                  #4

KOGO, San Diego                  #5

KXL, Portland                        #5

KSL, Salt Lake City                #5

KLBJ-AM, Austin                   #5

WTMJ, Milwaukee                  #5

WOKV-FM, Jacksonville         #5

KNRS, Salt Lake City             #6

WTIC-AM, Hartford                #6

WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta      #7

WMAL, Washington                #7

WTKS, Orlando                     #7

WWTN, Nashville                   #7

WPRO-AM, Providence           #7

WBAP, Dallas                        #8

KFYI, Phoenix                        #8

KSTE-AM, Sacramento           #8

WDBO, Orlando                    #8

WTAM, Cleveland                  #8

WTVN, Columbus                  #8

WPTI, Greensboro                  #8

KMOX, St. Louis                    #9

WABC, New York                   #10

WBT, Charlotte                      #10

WBAL, Baltimore                   #10

WZZR, West Palm Beach         #10

KMBZ-FM, Kansas City          #11

WNIS, Norfolk                       #11

WGN, Chicago                       #12

KTRH, Houston                     #12

WCCO, Minneapolis               #12

WHPT, Tampa                       #12

WRKO, Boston                       #13

WOAI, San Antonio                #13

KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh            #13

WKRC, Cincinnati                  #13

WJNO, West Palm Beach         #13

WREC, Memphis                   #13

KTMY, Minneapolis                #14

KTSA, San Antonio                #14

WJR, Detroit                         #15

WFTL, West Palm Beach         #15

WKIM, Memphis                    #15

KOA, Denver                         #16

KEX, Portland                       #16

KDWN, Las Vegas                  #16

KTLK, Minneapolis                #17

WFLA, Tampa                        #17

WCBM, Baltimore                  #17

KFTK, St. Louis                     #17

WLAC, Nashville                    #17

WDRC-AM, Hartford              #17

KSFO, San Francisco             #18

WHJJ, Providence                  #18

KDKA-AM Stream, Pittsburgh #19

WKXW, Philadelphia               #20

KHOW, Denver                      #20

WMAL, Baltimore                  #20

KMBZ-AM, Kansas City          #20

WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford     #20

WPOP, Hartford                     #20

“Holiday” 2023 6+ Fluctuation from “Holiday” 2022

WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta      +3.0

WKRC, Cincinnati                   +1.7

KCMO-AM, Kansas City          +1.4

WPRO-AM, Providence            +1.4

WOR, Middlesex                     +1.2

WFTL, West Palm Beach         +1.1

WFLA, Tampa                         +1.0

WPHT, Philadelphia                +.9

KMBZ-FM, Kansas City           +.9

WLS-AM, Chicago                   +.8

KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh             +.8

KTLK-FM, St. Louis                +.6

KTAR-FM, Phoenix                 +.5

WDRC-AM, Hartford               +.5

WHPT, Tampa                        +.4

KSFO, San Jose                     +.4

WOKV-FM, Jacksonville          +.4

WRKO, Boston                       +.3

KOA, Denver                          +.3

WBT, Charlotte                       +.3

WHJJ, Providence                   +.3

KFI, Los Angeles                     +.2

WTAM, Cleveland                   +.2

WISN, Milwaukee                   +.2

WTMJ, Milwaukee                   +.2

WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford     +.2

WJR, Detroit                          +.1

WCCO, Minneapolis                +.1

KFTK, St. Louis                      +.1

WLW, Cincinnati                    +.1

WPTI, Greensboro                   +.1

WTIC-AM, Hartford                 +.1

WKXW, Philadelphia               Flat

WABC, Long Island                 Flat

KMBZ-AM, Kansas City           Flat

WLAC, Nashville                     Flat

KWAM, Memphis                    Flat

WTKK, Raleigh                       -5.4

KFBK, Sacramento                 -2.7

KNRS, Salt Lake City              -2.2

WTKS, Orlando                      -2.0

KMOX, St. Louis                     -1.6

WREC, Memphis                    -1.6

KIRO-FM, Seattle                    -1.5

KOGO, San Diego                   -1.5

WDBO, Orlando                     -1.5

KTMY, Minneapolis                 -1.2

KXL, Portland                         -1.1

KEX, Portland                       -1.1

KSTE-AM, Sacramento            -1.1

KSL, Salt Lake City                 -1.0

WWTN, Nashville                    -1.0

WBAP, Dallas                         -.9

WBAL, Baltimore                    -.9

WIBC, Indianapolis                 -.9

WTVN, Columbus                   -.8

WNIS, Norfolk                        -.8

KTRH, Houston                      -.7

KTSA, San Antonio                 -.7

WKXW, Middlesex                   -.5

WJNO, West Palm Beach        -.5

KFYI, Phoenix                         -.4

KTLK, Minneapolis                 -.4

WZZR, West Palm Beach         -.4

KSFO, San Francisco              -.3

WMAL, Washington                -.3

KLBJ-AM, Austin                    -.3

KDKA-AM Stream, Pittsburgh -.3

WGN, Chicago                        -.2

WOAI, San Antonio                 -.2

WABC, New York                    -.1

KHOW, Denver                       -.1

WCBM, Baltimore                   -.1

WFLF, Orlando                       -.1

Notes

  • News/talk stations appearing above typically posted a “Holiday” 2022 6+ share of 19, compared to “Holiday” 2023’s 3.01.
  • Even though news/talk’s year-to-year 6+ share dropped slightly, market rank managed to improve – albeit by a razor thin margin (#12.42 – #12.26, 6+).
  • Exactly half the news/talk stations in our sample (50%) faltered from “Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 2023, with the average dip roughly being a full-share (-.98).
  • Among all news/talk stations in the 48 PPM markets, Cincinnati’s WLW boasts the strongest 6+ share in “Holiday” 2023 (8) and “Holiday” 2022 (10.7).
  • Precisely four of every ten (40%) news/talk stations listed finished in the top ten (“Holiday” 2023, 6+), off marginally from “Holiday” 2022’s 43%.
  • Whereas WSB-AM & WSBB notches news/talk’s loftiest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 2023 gain (4.4 – 7.4, +3.0) – enabling “Atlanta’s News & Talk” to vault from seventh to second – WTKK suffers a more than 50% year-to-year erosion (10.4 – 5.0, -5.4, 6+), dropping from second in Raleigh to fifth.
  • All above data is based on news/talk stations that appeared in the top twenty in the “Holiday” 2022 and/or “Holiday” 2023 survey period.
  • “DNA” indicates a station “Did Not Appear” in that particular survey and/or wasn’t a Nielsen Audio subscriber in that sweep.

Contact managing editor Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Calculating Taylor Swift

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imNow that every single thing is a political argument, the angry social media conversation about Taylor Swift is unsurprising. And with the Super Bowl looming, the decibel level amps-up.

So, kudos to SiriusXM and CNN host Michael Smerconish. I’ve previously cited him here as technique worth emulating when it comes to:

– Polling the audience on an ongoing basis (a sponsored feature on smart radio stations)
– Leveraging social media to give audience ownership of the show; and
– Genuine curiosity. His centrist approach earns him scorn from both sides in this Cold Civil War we’re living through. I can relate. When I managed WTOP, Washington, the quickest way to make the phone explode was to announce a crowd estimate for an abortion rally. Both sides jammed the lines to damn the number.

This preposterous Swift kerfuffle had been all heat until Smerconish shed light on it this past weekend. Noting rumors shared by FOX News that she would photobomb the Super Bowl with a Joe Biden endorsement, his poll question was “Could Taylor Swift determine the outcome of the presidential election?”

im

Just now, you answered that question in your own mind. But – for our purposes – the more useful approach is to consider information Smerconish curated unfiltered by personal politics:

– Swift has 279 million Instagram followers
– She has (so far) sold 4.35 million pricey tickets for The Eras Tour. Its “record-shattering revenue” (so far) is $1 billion+
– $200 million (so far) in tour merchandise. Her gray $45 T-shirt is now sold-out in all but 3XL and 4XL.
– 26 billion+ Spotify streams in 2023.
– SSRS polling: 59% of USA adults identify as Swift fans, 63% of women; and her fans are evenly divided 50/50 between Democrat or Dem-leaning and Republican or GOP-leaning.
– On her urging, several hundred thousand Americans younger than 25 have registered to vote.

Add it all up? “Taylor knows your social media interactions, where you saw her on tour, how much merch’ you’ve bought from her website, she knows the size of your T-shirt, the number of downloads you’ve made. We’re embarking on an election cycle which will be (a) the most expensive in history, and (b) will see much of the money spent on ‘micro-targeting,’ the use of online data to tailor – pun intended – advertising messages to individuals based on the identification of recipients’ personal vulnerabilities and interests. In order to target effectively, data is essential. And Taylor’s got lots and lots of it, and on a demographic that is exactly what the Biden team needs the most: disproportionally female, young, and passionate. With truly the touch of a button Taylor Swift is uniquely situated to use the data at her disposal to impact the presidential race.”

Leave it to your nerdy consultant to ask: Are WE using OUR listener data to OUR benefit?

Bigger-picture issues:

– Privacy: We have all volunteered LOTS of information about ourselves. Look what pops up in your email and your social media.
– Vulnerability of the Electoral vote process: The last two Republican presidents took office after losing the popular vote. Taylor Swift is my coastal Rhode Island neighbor, and if she votes here, neither of us matter. Our state has four electoral votes. Just 40 thousand-some popular votes in three key states gave Biden his 2020 win.
– Tone: The measurable appeal of Swift’s sunny disposition vs. “I am your retribution.”

Good for us. News/talk radio is in the suspense business. “What JUST happened??? What happens NEXT???” So, we should wish Nikki Haley well.

Inquisitive Smerconish sounds like dispassionate Mr. Spock: “What [Swift detractors on the right] should be worried about is her data.”

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

iHeartPodcasts debuts episode two of “Finding Matt Drudge,” a limited series podcast hosted by longtime political journalist Chris Moody, who sets out to uncover the mysteries surrounding the Internet’s most enigmatic media mogul. The new investigative audio series will delve deep into the life and career of Matt Drudge, the reclusive figure and founder of The Drudge Report, with the ultimate goal of convincing Drudge to sit down for his first interview in years. Moody says, “Matt Drudge pushed the news industry into the Internet age and his site has remained relevant and engaging for decades. But he hasn’t given an interview in years. We’d like to hear his thoughts on his career, the media, politics and the state of the world. Drudge matters, and we’re interested in what he has to say. Call us, Matt!”

FOX Sports Radio, a division of Premiere Sports Network announces its plans to broadcast live from Las Vegas during Super Week. A number of the network’s programs will broadcast from Las Vegas all week long including “The Dan Patrick Show” from Fontainebleau Las Vegas and several other shows broadcasting from Radio Row at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

SiriusXM announces that subscribers will get access to full coverage of the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend beginning today through Saturday (2/1-3) as SXM broadcasts from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on the SiriusXM NHL Network Radio channel.

Industry News

Ratings Analysis: All-News During the “Holiday” Survey

imToday, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian does a deep-dive into the recent performances of the all-news format during Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” PPM ratings period. He writes, “Ever since Arbitron (now Nielsen Audio) instituted the Portable People Meter as ratings currency in 2007, the ‘Holiday’ ratings period has been a veritable goldmine for stations employing the wall-to-wall Christmas music programming strategy. Adult contemporary comprises the overwhelming majority of those outlets. Usually substantial, however, is the negative impact on many other formats in ‘Holiday’ sweeps.” See his analysis of the past four “Holiday” surveys here.

Ratings Takeaways

Has All-News Taken A “Holiday?”

By Mike Kinosian
TALKERS magazine
Managing Editor

imEver since Arbitron (now Nielsen Audio) instituted the Portable People Meter as ratings currency in 2007, the “Holiday” ratings period has been a veritable goldmine for stations employing the wall-to-wall Christmas music programming strategy.

Adult contemporary comprises the overwhelming majority of those outlets.

Usually substantial, however, is the negative impact on many other formats in “Holiday” sweeps.

With that in mind, let’s review how all-news stations have performed in the last four “Holiday” survey periods.

The 2020 presidential election was held on November 3, thus exactly one month prior to the start of that year’s “Holiday” sweep (December 3). It should additionally be remembered that the COVID pandemic was roughly entering its tenth month. Eerily, the final day of that survey period was January 6, 2021, the day of domestic terrorism/insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Over the course of the “Holiday” 2023 ratings period (December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024), all-news operations again battled for listenership in the ongoing annual all-Christmas music environment. Ostensibly working in their favor, however, was that the 2024 presidential campaign was waging and the previous president was embroiled in a record number of legal cases/charges/indictments.

The following chart summarizes ratings performances of all-news stations in the four most recent “Holiday” sweeps.

                                                                 2020       2021       2022       2023

“Holiday” 6+ Share                                       3.70        3.32        3.50        2.88

December – “Holiday” Increase                       35%        40%        30%        5%

December – “Holiday” Decrease                      50%        50%        65%        85%

December – “Holiday” Flat                             15%        10%        5%          10%

Average December – “Holiday” Increase           +.31        +.22        +.28        +.40

Average December – “Holiday” Decrease          -.68         -.21         -.29         -.40

“Holiday” 6+ Market Rank                             #10.40    #12.15     #10.55     #13.20

  • The typical (6+) high-water mark logged by an all-news facility was 2020’s 70, more than eight-tenths of a share better than 2023’s 2.88
  • Four of ten (40%) all-news stations improved December 2021 – “Holiday” 2021 (6+)
  • On the other hand, 85% of these formatted stations witnessed (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 erosion
  • Note the virtual identical average increases/average decreases for all-news outlets in the last three “Holiday” sweeps
  • It was customary for an all-news facility to rank tenth in “Holiday” 2020 (#10.40), but thirteenthin “Holiday” 2023 (#13.20)

“Holiday” 2023 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            6.3

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    5.7

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          4.9

KYW, Philadelphia                         4.7

WBZ-AM, Boston                          4.7

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           4.5

WWJ, Detroit                                4.3

WINS-FM, New York                      3.9

WINS-FM, Long Island                   3.3

KNX-FM, Los Angeles                     2.5

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  2.5

KNWN, Seattle                              2.3

WINS-FM, Middlesex                      1.8

WCBS-AM, New York                     1.6

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          1.4

WTOP & WTLP, Baltimore               1.0

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     1.0

WDCH, Baltimore                          .8

WRAL-HD3, Raleigh                       .2

WNOH, Norfolk                             .2

“Holiday” 2023 6+ Fluctuation from December 2023

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  2.5   +.4

WWJ, Detroit                                4.3   Flat

WDCH, Baltimore                          .8     Flat

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           4.5   -1.2

WINS-FM, Long Island                   3.3   -1.1

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    5.7   -.7

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            6.3   -.6

KYW, Philadelphia                         4.7   -.5

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          1.4   -.4

WBZ-AM, Boston                          4.7   -.4

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          4.9   -.3

KNWN, Seattle                              2.3   -.3

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     1.0   -.3

WINS-FM, New York                      3.9   -.2

KNX-FM, Los Angeles                     2.5   -.2

WINS-FM, Middlesex                      1.8   -.2

WCBS-AM, New York                     1.6   -.1

WTOP & WTLP, Baltimore               1.0   -.1

WRAL-HD3, Raleigh                       .2     -.1

WNOH, Norfolk                             .2     -.1

  • WCBS-AM’s four-tenths uptick in Long Island represents the only all-news December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 increase (6+).

“Holiday” 2023 By Market Rank  

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    5.7   #3

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          4.9   #4

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            6.3   #4

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           4.5   #4

WBZ-AM, Boston                          4.7   #5

KYW, Philadelphia                         4.7   #6

WINS-FM, New York                      3.9   #9

WWJ, Detroit                                4.3   #9

WINS-FM, Long Island                   3.3   #9

KNX-FM, Los Angeles                     2.5   #12

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  2.5   #12

WINS-FM, Middlesex                      1.8   #13

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     1.0   #18

WCBS-AM, New York                     1.6   #19

KNWN, Seattle                              2.3   #20

WTOP & WTLP, Baltimore               1.0   #20

WDCH, Baltimore                          .8     #22

WRAL-HD3, Raleigh                       .2     #24

WNOH, Norfolk                             .2     #24

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          1.4   #27

  • Forty-five percent (45%) of all-news stations ranked in the top ten (“Holiday” 2023, 6+).

“Holiday” 2022 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            7.8

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           7.0

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    6.7

KYW, Philadelphia                         6.2

KNWN, Seattle                              5.5

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          4.8

WBZ-AM, Boston                          4.8

WINS-FM, New York                      4.6

WWJ, Detroit                                4.5

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  3.8

WINS-FM, Long Island                    3.0

KNX-FM, Los Angeles                     2.5

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          2.2

WCBS-AM, New York                     2.0

WINS-FM, Middlesex                      1.7

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     1.2

WNOH, Norfolk                             .8

WDCH, Baltimore                          .6

WRAL-HD3, Raleigh                       .2

WYTS, Columbus                          .1

“Holiday” 2022 6+ Fluctuation from December 2022

WINS-FM, New York                      4.6   +.4

KYW, Philadelphia                         6.2   +.4

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  3.8   +.4

KNWN, Seattle                              5.5   +.3

WBZ-AM, Boston                          4.8   +.1

WINS-FM, Long Island                   3.0   +.1

WYTS, Columbus                          .1     Flat

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            7.8   -.8

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    6.7   -.7

WNOH, Norfolk                             .8     -.7

KNX-FM, Los Angeles                     2.5   -.4

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          2.2   -.3

WCBS-AM, New York                     2.0   -.2

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          4.8   -.1

WWJ, Detroit                                4.5   -.1

WDCH, Baltimore                          .6     -.1

WRAL-HD3, Raleigh                       .2     -.1

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           7.0   -.1

WINS-FM, Middlesex                      1.7   -.1

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     1.2   -.1

“Holiday” 2022 By Market Rank  

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    6.7   #2

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           7.0   #2

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            7.8   #3

KYW, Philadelphia                         6.2   #3

KNWN, Seattle                              5.5   #3

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          4.8   #4

WINS-FM, New York                      4.6   #5

WBZ-AM, Boston                          4.8   #6

WWJ, Detroit                                4.5   #7

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  3.8   #7

WINS-FM, Long Island                   3.0   #10

KNX-FM, Los Angeles                     2.5   #12

WINS-FM, Middlesex                      1.7   #14

WRAL-HD3, Raleigh                       .2     #16

WCBS-AM, New York                     2.0   #17

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     1.2   #18

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          2.2   #20

WDCH, Baltimore                          .6     #20

WNOH, Norfolk                             .8     #20

WYTS, Columbus                          .1     #22

  • One of every two (50%) all-news facilities finished in the top ten (“Holiday” 2022, 6+).

“Holiday” 2021 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    6.7

WBZ-AM, Boston                          6.5

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            6.4

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          5.6

KNWN, Seattle                              5.5

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           5.4

WWJ, Detroit                                5.0

KYW, Philadelphia                         4.7

WINS, New York                            4.4

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  3.1

KNX-FM, Los Angeles                     2.8

WINS, Long Island                         2.7

WCBS-AM, New York                     2.6

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          1.6

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     1.6

WINS, Middlesex                           1.1

WNOH, Norfolk                             .4

WDCH, Baltimore                          .1

WMMS-HD2, Cleveland                  .1

WYTS, Columbus                          .1

“Holiday” 2021 6+ Fluctuation from December 2021

WINS, New York                            4.4   +.6

WCBS-AM, New York                     2.6   +.4

KNX-FM, Los Angeles                     2.8   +.2

KNWN, Seattle                              5.5   +.2

KYW, Philadelphia                         4.7   +.1

WINS, Middlesex                           1.1   +.1

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     1.6   +.1

WNOH, Norfolk                             .4     +.1

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    6.7   Flat

WYTS, Columbus                          .1     Flat

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            6.4   -.4

WBZ-AM, Boston                          6.5   -.4

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          1.6   -.3

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  3.1   -.2

WDCH, Baltimore                          .1     -.2

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           5.4   -.2

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          5.6   -.1

WWJ, Detroit                                5.0   -.1

WINS, Long Island                         2.7   -.1

WMMS-HD2, Cleveland                  .1     -.1

“Holiday” 2021 By Market Rank  

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          5.6   #3

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    6.7   #3

WBZ-AM, Boston                          6.5   #3

KNWN, Seattle                              5.5   #3

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            6.4   #4

WWJ, Detroit                                5.0   #4

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           5.4   #4

WINS, New York                            4.4   #5

KYW, Philadelphia                         4.7   #6

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  3.1   #8

KNX-FM, Los Angeles                     2.8   #11

WCBS-AM, New York                     2.6   #13

WINS, Long Island                         2.7   #13

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     1.6   #19

WMMS-HD2, Cleveland                  .1     #21

WYTS, Columbus                          .1     #20

WNOH, Norfolk                             .4     #22

WINS, Middlesex                           1.1   #23

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          1.6   #26

WDCH, Baltimore                          .1     #32

  • Mirroring what happened in “Holiday” 2022, half the all-news facilities placed in the top ten (“Holiday” 2021, 6+).

“Holiday” 2020 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    8.1

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            8.1

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          6.8

WBZ-AM, Boston                          6.5

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           5.6

KYW, Philadelphia                         5.4

KOMO, Seattle                              4.6

WWJ, Detroit                                4.5

WINS, New York                            3.6

KNX, Los Angeles                          3.2

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  2.9

WCBS-AM, New York                     2.7

WINS, Long Island                         2.6

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     2.4

WBZ-AM, Providence                       1.4

KRLD-AM, Dallas                           1.3

WINS, Middlesex                            1.2

WNOH, Norfolk                             1.2

WDCH, Baltimore                          0.8

WMMS-HD2, Cleveland                  0.1

“Holiday” 2020 6+ Fluctuation from December 2020

KYW, Philadelphia                         5.4   +.5

WBZ-AM, Providence                       1.4   +.4

WINS, New York                            3.6   +.3

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     2.4   +.3

WNOH, Norfolk                             1.2   +.3

WCBS-AM, New York                     2.7   +.2

WINS, Middlesex                           1.2   +.2

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          6.8   Flat

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          1.3   Flat

WMMS-HD2, Cleveland                  0.1   Flat

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            8.1   -1.6

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           5.6   -1.4

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    8.1   -1.0

KOMO, Seattle                              4.6   -.7

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  2.9   -.7

WWJ, Detroit                                4.5   -.6

WBZ-AM, Boston                          6.5   -.3

WINS, Long Island                         2.6   -.3

KNX, Los Angeles                          3.2   -.1

WDCH, Baltimore                          0.8   -.1

“Holiday” 2020 By Market Rank  

WBZ-AM, Boston                          6.5   #2

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          6.8   #3

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    8.1   #3

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            8.1   #3

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           5.6   #4

KYW, Philadelphia                         5.4   #5

KOMO, Seattle                              4.6   #6

WWJ, Detroit                                4.5   #6

WINS, New York                            3.6   #7

KNX, Los Angeles                          3.2   #9

WCBS-AM, New York                     2.7   #12

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  2.9   #12

WNOH, Norfolk                             1.2   #12

WINS, Long Island                         2.6   #13

WBZ-AM, Providence                       1.4   #13

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     2.4   #14

WMMS-HD2, Cleveland                  0.1   #17

WDCH, Baltimore                          0.8   #21

WINS, Middlesex                           1.2   #22

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          1.3   #24

All-News Composite Arranged By Market Rank    

                                                  “Hol” 2020     “Hol” 2021     “Hol” 2022     “Hol” 2023

WINS-FM, New York                      3.6   #7           4.4   #5           4.6   #5           3.9   #9

WCBS-AM, New York                     2.7   #12         2.6   #13         2.0   #17         1.6   #19

KNX-FM, Los Angeles                     3.2   #9           2.8   #11         2.5   #12         2.5   #12

WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago          6.8   #3           5.6   #3           4.8   #4           4.9   #4

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco    8.1   #3           6.7   #3           6.7   #2           5.7   #3

KRLD-AM, Dallas                          1.3   #24         1.6   #26         2.2   #20         1.4   #27

WTOP & WTLP, Washington            8.1   #3           6.4   #4           7.8   #3           6.3   #4

KYW, Philadelphia                         5.4   #5           4.7   #6           6.2   #3           4.7   #6

WBZ-AM, Boston                          6.5   #2           6.5   #3           4.8   #6           4.7   #5

KNWN, Seattle                               4.6   #6           5.5   #3           5.5   #3           2.3   #20

WWJ, Detroit                                4.5   #6           5.0   #4           4.5   #7           4.3   #9

WINS-FM, Long Island                   2.6   #13         2.7   #13         3.0   #10         3.3   #9

WCBS-AM, Long Island                  2.9   #12         3.1   #8           3.8   #7           2.5   #12

WDCH, Baltimore                          .8     #21         .1     #32         .6     #20         .8     #22

WTOP & WTLP, Baltimore               DNA DNA        DNA DNA        DNA DNA        1.0   #20

WMMS-HD2, Cleveland                  .1     #17         .1     #21         DNA DNA        DNA DNA

WYTS, Columbus                          DNA DNA        .1     #20         .1     #22         DNA DNA

WRAL-HD3, Raleigh                       DNA DNA        DNA DNA        .2     #16         .2     #24

KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose           5.6   #4           5.4   #4           7.0   #2           4.5   #4

WINS-FM, Middlesex                      1.2   #22         1.1   #23         1.7   #14         1.8   #13

WCBS-AM, Middlesex                     2.4   #14         1.6   #19         1.2   #18         1.0   #18

WBZ-AM, Providence                       1.4   #13         DNA DNA        DNA DNA        DNA DNA

WNOH, Norfolk                             1.2   #12         .4     #22         .8     #20         .2     #24

Notes

  • WINS-AM, New York added FM simulcast WINS-FM on October 27, 2022
  • KNX-AM, Los Angeles added FM simulcast KNX-FM on December 21, 2021
  • KRLD-AM, Dallas and WBZ-AM, Boston are news – talk hybrids
  • KOMO, Seattle changed calls to KNWN on February 2, 2022
  • WDCH, Baltimore is business news
  • WMMS-HD2, Cleveland and WNOH, Norfolk are Black Information Network affiliates
  • “DNA” indicates a station “Did Not Appear” in that particular survey and/or wasn’t a Nielsen Audio subscriber in that sweep
  • All above data is based on news stations that appeared in the top twenty in at least one of the four “Holiday” survey periods noted (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)

Contact managing editor Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Crossover Media Group Acquires Equity Interest in Take On The Day LLC

Production and audio ad rep firm Crossover Media Group announces it is acquiring an equity interest in Take On The Day, LLC, owner of the “Dr. Laura Program” on SiriusXM and the “Dr. Laura’s Call of the Day” and “Dr. Laura’s Deep Dive” podcasts, all hosted by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. This transactionim follows a multi-year advertising sales and production partnership between the two organizations. Terms were not announced. Crossover Media Group managing member Sue Freund states, “Throughout her more than four decades in talk radio and now podcasting, Dr. Laura has amassed an enormous following with her frank, direct, captivating style, which is sometimes provocative, always interesting and insightful, and never dull. After many years of working with her and her team at Take On The Day, we’re proud to expand our relationship and commitment to her programs, and to continue to grow our presence as a leading partner to the nation’s top audio-talk hosts.” Take On The Day LLC president Geoff Rich comments, “Crossover Media Group’s investment in Take On The Day adds so much to our ability to reach more listeners and help more sponsors. With Sue and her partners Ron Hartenbaum and Scott Calka joining the management team, we are supercharging the future of the Dr. Laura programming and brand.”

Industry News

Round Four of Holiday 2023 PPM Ratings Released

imThe fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s Holiday 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey period covers December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM falls a full share to finish with a 5.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that leaves it ranked #5, while Curtis Media’s news/talk WPTF loses two-tenths for a .6 share finish good for the #22 rank. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN sheds six-tenths to wrap the survey with a 9.0 share, but remains ranked #1 for the fourth consecutive survey, while Good Karma Brands’ news/talk WTMJ declines 1.2 shares for a 6.4 share finish that leaves it ranked #5. In Nashville, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM falls four-tenths to a 3.9 share good for the #12 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLAC-AM dips three-tenths to a 1.2 share and remains ranked #19. See Mike Kinosian’s Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets – as well as the other 36 markets – here.