December 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three
December 2023 PPM Data – Information for the December 2023 ratings period (November 9 – December 6) has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.
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.
NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.
DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear
Comparisons are November 2023 – December 2023 (6+).
PORTLAND
News/Talk
KXL 6.9 – 5.9, #2 – #3
KEX 1.6 – 1.2, #21 – #22
KUFO .8 – .6, #23 – #26
KPAM .1 – .1, #32 – #33
News
None
Sports Talk
KFXX 1.8 – 2.0, #20 – #20
KXTG 1.4 – 1.2, #23 – #22
KPOJ .7 – .7, #24 – #24 (Trailblazers)
KFXX Stream .2 – .1, #28 – #33
KMTT .2 – .1, #28 – #33
Public Radio News/Talk
KOPB 6.4 – 6.1, #3 – #2
KOPB Stream 1.5 – 1.4, #22 – #21
CHARLOTTE
News/Talk
WBT-AM 5.6 – 4.2, #5 – #11
News
WRFX-HD2 .1 – DNA, #25 – DNA
Sports Talk
WFNZ-FM 3.0 – 2.7, #14 – #13 (Hornets)
WSOC-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WFAE 5.4 – 5.0, #6 – #8
WNSC 1.0 – 1.3, #18 – #18
WFAE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Notes: News/talk WBT’s -1.4 (5.6 – 4.2) represents Charlotte’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.
The Carolina Panthers’ flagship is classic rock WRFX.
SAN ANTONIO
News/Talk
WOAI 3.1– 2.7, #14 – #14 (Spurs)
KTSA 2.2 – 2.0, #17 – #19
News
None
Sports Talk
KTFM 1.5 – 1.3, #22 – #22
KTKR .7 – .8, #27 – #27
KZDC .3 – .3, #33 – #30
Public Radio News/Talk
KSTX 2.4 – 2.3, #16 – #17
SACRAMENTO
News/Talk
KFBK-AM 7.3 – 6.6 #2 – #3
KSTE-AM 3.2 – 3.1, #11 – #12
News
None
Sports Talk
KHTK 1.4 – 1.7, #18 – #18 (Kings)
KIFM 1.1 – .9, #21 – #22
KIFM Stream .1 – .1, #29 – #29
Public Radio News/Talk
KXJZ 2.4 – 2.3, #14 – #15
KQEI .2 – .3, #28 – #28
KQED .1 – .1, #29 – #29
KUOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
PITTSBURGH
News/Talk
KDKA-AM 4.0 – 3.8, #8 – #9
KDKA-AM Stream .4 – .3, #22 – #24
News
None
Sports Talk
KDKA-FM 8.0 – 7.2, #3 – #5
KDKA-FM Stream .1 – .2, #25 – #25
WBGG DNA – .1, DNA – #27
Public Radio News/Talk
WESA 4.0 – 4.2, #8 – #7
Notes: Sports/talk KDKA-FM’s -.8 (8.0 – 7.2) represents Pittsburgh’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.
The flagships of the Steelers and Penguins are rock WDVE and alternative WXDX, respectively.
SALT LAKE CITY
News/Talk
KSL-AM 6.1 – 5.4, #4 – #3
KNRS-FM 3.9 – 2.8, #9 – #14
KKAT .1 – .1, #31 – #30
News
None
Sports Talk
KALL 2.2 – 1.9, #20 – #20
KZNS-AM .7 – .7, #25 – #24 (Utah Jazz)
KZNS-FM 1.0 – .5, #24 – #26 (Utah Jazz)
KZNS-AM Stream .1 – .1, #31 – #30 (Utah Jazz)
KZNS-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Utah Jazz)
KOVO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KUER 2.7 – 2.4, #15 – #18
KBYU-HD2 Stream .2 – .2, #29 – #28
KUMT .4 – .1, #28 – #30
LAS VEGAS
News/Talk
KMXB-HD3 1.6 – .3, #23 – #29
KXNT .2 – .2, #34 – #31
KMZQ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
News
None
Sports Talk
KWWN .9 – .8, #27 – #26
KKGK .5 – .4, #30 – #28 (Golden Knights)
KRLV .5 – .2, #30 – #31 (Raiders)
KENO .2 – .2, #34 – #31
Public Radio News/Talk
KNPR 2.0 – 1.6, #18 – #21
ORLANDO
News/Talk
WTKS 3.9 – 3.6, #10 – #10
WDBO 3.6 – 3.2, #13 – #13
WFLF .8 – .7, #21 – #20
WFYY-HD3 DNA – .1, DNA – #27
News
None
Sports Talk
WYGM .7 – .9, #23 – #18 (Magic)
WOCL-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WMFE 2.7 – 2.8, #14 – #14
CINCINNATI
News/Talk
WLW 12.0 – 11.2, 23rd consecutive month at #1 (Bengals)
WKRC 5.7 – 4.9, #5 – #6
News
None
Sports Talk
WCKY 2.0 – 1.3, #15 – #19 (Bengals)
WSAI 1.2 – .5, #19 – #21
Public Radio News/Talk
WVXU 3.5 – 3.8, #11 – #9
CLEVELAND
News/Talk
WTAM 5.1 – 4.8, #9 – #10 (Cavaliers)
News
WMMS-HD2 .1 – .1, #24 – #24
Sports Talk
WKRK 6.0 – 5.8, #7 – #7 (Browns)
WKRK Stream .9 – .7, #19 – #21 (Browns)
WARF .3 – .2, #23 – #23
Public Radio News/Talk
WKSU 5.0 – 5.2, #10 – #9
WKSU-HD4 .1 – .1, #24 – #24
Note: Classic hits-oldies WMJI’s -3.0 (5.6 – 4.2) is the largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease by any station in the first three rounds of PPM results.
KANSAS CITY
News/Talk
KMBZ-FM 5.5 – 5.3, #4 – #5
KCMO-AM 2.0 – 1.9, #16 – #17
KMBZ-AM 1.2 – 1.6, #18 – #18
KMBZ-FM Stream .7 – .7, #21 – #21
KCMO-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
KMBZ-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
News
None
Sports Talk
KCSP 3.1 – 2.6, #14 – #15
KCSP Stream .2 – .2, #27 – #25
KWOD DNA – .1, DNA – #29
Public Radio News/Talk
KCUR 3.6 – 2.8, #12 – #13
KANU-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Note: Country WDAF is the flagship of the Chiefs.
COLUMBUS
News/Talk
WTVN 7.4 – 6.0, #3 – #4
News
WYTS .1 – DNA, #22 – DNA
Sports Talk
WBNS-FM 10.3 – 9.8, #1 – #2 (Blue Jackets)
WBNS-AM .3 – .3, #21 #21 (Blue Jackets)
WBNS-FM HD2 .1 – DNA, #22 – DNA
WMNI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WOSU 4.3 – 4.0, #8 – #9
Up next: December 2023 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.
Dick Gregory once told me, ‘Don’t let fear get in the way.’ Thanks to early detection and proton treatment, my cancer went into remission for a long time. Unfortunately, earlier this year the cancer resurfaced. With the unwavering support of my wife Sherry, my family, and the incredible team at SiriusXM, I was able to continue our daily broadcasts. However, upon preparing to return from the Thanksgiving hiatus my health took an adverse turn, making it challenging to host a four-hour live show every day. Currently, I am taking time to focus on my well-being. During this time, SiriusXM will continue to air ‘Madison Classics’ at our regularly scheduled time. I am sincerely grateful for your outpouring of well wishes and support. Sherry and I are spending the holidays with our children and grandchildren. We ask for privacy during this period and extend our warmest wishes to you all for a blessed holiday season.” 
HD3 at 100.1 FM and WRAT-HD3 at 95.9 FM in the Monmouth-Ocean New Jersey market. Beasley Media Group News Jersey SVP and regional market manager Daniel A. Finn comments, “We currently broadcast FOX Sports Radio in Middlesex-Somerset-Union on 93.5 FM/1450 AM (WCTC) and expanding the brand down the Jersey Shore is very exciting.”
result, NBCUniversal News Group’s “Dateline NBC” is ranked #1, audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” remains at #2, Wondery’s “Morbid” is #3, and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” is steady at #4. Other talk radio-related programs of note include Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” steady at #12 and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Mark Levin Show” down three spots from the October ranker at #16. Triton Digital’s ranker is based on average weekly downloads and ranks participating networks. 
director at WIVB-TV, Buffalo and served as a weekend anchor at WBEN-AM in 2002 and at sister WGR-AM in 1999. Audacy Buffalo SVP and market manager Tim Wenger states, “Lisa’s extraordinary background in leading award-winning content generation in local television news will be invaluable for WBEN as it continues to evolve as the radio station that’s always there when the community needs it the most. I look forward to Lisa taking an already stellar brand to new heights.”
Bart Winkler to late-night host (10:00 pm to 2:00 am). “Maggie & Perloff” with Maggie Gray and Andrew Perloff continue in morning drive and Amy Lawrence remains in overnights. Audacy sports format VP and CBS Sports Radio brand manager Spike Eskin comments, “This new lineup reinforces the network’s commitment to delivering around-the-clock sports coverage, connecting fans nationwide with expert analysis, compelling interviews, and premier sports commentary. We look forward to kicking off the new year with this improved weekday programming slate.”
that the company trains its agents to not take 
As TALKERS magazine reported yesterday, rock radio personality Jim Ladd died over the weekend at age 75 after suffering a heart attack. In remembering Ladd and his contributions to the radio industry, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents a profile piece on Ladd that he wrote years ago while serving as special features editor for Inside Radio. 
midday slot. Hardy has also lent his voice and creative talents to various platforms across the station, including the creation of the wildly popular ‘Fuppets’ videos for Felger & Mazz. In addition, he has been the longtime host of the ‘Sports Hub Golf Club’ show and can also be heard on Beasley’s Rock 92.9.” Morning host Fred Toucher says, “I’ve known Hardy and admired his talent for many years. I’m very excited to begin this new chapter and feel revitalized by the new opportunity.” Hardy comments, “As a lifelong radio guy, I’m thrilled for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with Fred and the rest of the morning show crew on what I believe will be a great show.” Station PD Rick Radzik states, “Hardy is one of the most talented and creative individuals I have ever worked with in radio. Teaming him with Fred was just a natural fit for our new morning show. I look forward to them providing great content and entertaining our listeners for years to come.”
November reaching 2.9 billion total multiplatform minutes, compared to CNN.com’s 1.9 billion and NYTimes.com’s 1.5 billion. FOX News Digital achieved 1.7 billion total multiplatform views, compared to NYTimes.com’s 1.4 billion and CNN.com’s 1.3 billion. Looking at multiplatform unique visitors, CNN.com was #1 with 116.3 million, compared to FOX News Digital’s 88.6 million and NYTimes.com’s 70.5 million. 
Services, Division of Family & Children Services, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, and Walmart, has undertaken the mission of ensuring that every child in the Georgia foster care system has at least one gift on Christmas day. This year the program raised over $1,440,000 which will provide over 24,400 gifts to children in Georgia. 95.5 WSB program director Ken Charles says, “The 95.5 WSB audience is just amazing! For the 33rd year they’ve shown up with an incredible spirit of generosity to make sure the kids have a very merry Christmas. Our entire team supports Clark’s mission to make sure every foster child has at least one toy for Christmas and I’m so thankful our listeners come through every year!”
How many times will we research the same subject and come to the same conclusion?
San Francisco will now be available on the Audacy app. CBS Stations says that CBS Local’s video streaming services are No. 1 overall in markets where they go head-to-head with other network competitors, according to data from Comscore. Audacy SVP digital audio content Tim Clarke comments, “We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with CBS Stations, expanding our commitment to delivering high-quality, locally relevant content to our listeners. This collaboration will give our listeners unparalleled access to timely and trusted news from major cities nationwide.”
Radio 103.9” and “EnVivo 93.3” – broadcast live from Brookhaven Town Hall to promote the Town’s INTERFACE Toy Drive. This year’s event collected 14 bikes, 4 TV’s $2,900 in donations and over 2,000 toys. The Bikes or Bust! Event in Ft. Walton Beach collected 400 bikes, a storage pod and a half of toys and helmets, and over $26,000 in donations. JVC CEO John Caracciolo says, “I am so proud of the JVC teams, this is truly local radio at its finest. You don’t see Pandora, Spotify or XM doing stuff like this. That’s why I totally agree with Harry Von Zell, live and local radio is the most intimate and socially personal medium in the world.”
cluster of radio stations to the director of sales operations for the state of Maine. At the same time, Bronwyn Lapointe is promoted from managing outdoor properties to director of sales operations for the state of New Hampshire. Binnie 
Media EVP Faith Francis says, “Both Eliza and Bronwyn have been crucial to our success in key areas of the business, and this will give them the ability to affect change on a broader scale. We have created a great work culture here at Binnie Media, allowing people to have flexibility with accountability, and as we all know, women can multi-task!” The company says that late last year Cindi Skillin was promoted to vice president of finance, making Binnie Media’s executive team a dynamic, and diverse group. Binnie president and CEO Massimo Rosati adds, “We love this business, value our people, and always try to promote from within.”
We live in an increasingly noisy world. The accelerating advancement of media technology, with its accompanying “everybody is a star” syndrome, combine to make it increasingly difficult to get attention. By that, I mean real attention – the kind of attention that those in the professional media (and related) industries describe as “traction.”
with the success of its daytime programming, positions it as the number one network in cable news. FNC says it had the largest share of the audience in total day (46%) and primetime (48%), capturing nearly half of the cable news landscape. In primetime, FNC delivered nearly 2 million viewers and 214,000 in the 25-54 demo, topping CNN and MSNBC combined in total viewership. On a 24-hour total day basis, FNC averaged over 1.2 million viewers and 150,000 in 25-54, with a 153% advantage over CNN in viewers. FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott says, “During yet another unprecedented news cycle, cable viewers continued to choose FOX News Channel. From moderating debates to reporting in war zones and many stories in between, I am honored to work alongside this unrivaled team of journalists and opinion hosts as they continue to exceed expectations.”
Baligian is the victim of budget cuts at the station. Baligian has worked at several Motor City sports talk stations during his career and has been with WJR for the past seven years in various capacities. Baligian, who says he might be done with radio, tells the News that getting let go is hard to put into words. “The worst part is what it does to your family. I think they’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop, and that sucks. You feel like a failure… I know the life that I chose. And I mean it when I say I’m not bitter. This is the road I decided to go down.” Meanwhile, Lomas Brown is hosting the “Sportswrap” program solo. 
16, 2024 to file its Form 10-Q quarterly report for the period ending September 30, 2023. As result of that filing being late, Nasdaq has begun the process of delisting Urban One stock. However, the extension gives Urban One extra time to file the report. The company says it expects to be able to file the Q3 2023 Form 10-Q on or before December 31. As TALKERS has previously reported, the late filings were the result of Urban One dismissing its previous independent registered public accounting firm BDO USA, LLP and hiring Ernst & Young LLP.