Industry News

Civic Media Adds New Evening Show to Wisconsin Talk Network

According to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, comedian and filmmaker Pete Schwaba is now hosting a nightly talk program on the network of news programs and progressive talk shows that Civic Media is airing on its network of stations in Wisconsin that includes flagship station WAUK-AM,im Waukesha. The “Nite Lite With Pete Schwaba” airs from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Schwaba has hosted programs for PBS Wisconsin in addition to his work in the film industry that includes writing for the 2003 film, A Guy Thing, and his own indie comedy film, The Godfather of Green Bay. He also served as a producer on the Jeff Foxworthy TV show, “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” He says, “Entertainment, just like sports, helps bring people together, which is more important now than ever. I’m excited to introduce listeners to people I’ve met over the years in the entertainment business, share experiences, and generally celebrate arts and culture in Wisconsin.” Read the Journal Sentinel piece here.

Industry News

Longtime WCCO, Minneapolis Host Jearlyn Steele Signs Off

Bring Me the News reports that longtime Sunday evening host Jearlyn Steele ends her weekly show,im “Steele Talkn’” after 27 years on the air at Audacy’s WCCO-AM, Minneapolis. She told listeners on last Sunday’s final program. Steele made the announcement during her final broadcast on Sunday, saying: “It’s been a blast. I want someone else to come and do a great job and learn, hopefully as much as I have learned. I have been a part of your lives and you have been a part of mine for many years. And I will not forget that.” Read the full story here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (12/4) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Israel resumes fight against Hamas as UN warns of “apocalyptic” humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the 2024 presidential race and Wednesday’s GOP debate in Alabama; Liz Cheney considering third party run for president; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; Senate Republicans demand U.S. border policy changes in exchange for approving Ukraine and Israel funding; and the SCOTUS to hear tax case on what is income were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

UK Perspective: Shedding Light on DAB and International Radio with Podcast Radio’s Gerard Edwards

TALKERS founder Michael Harrison speaks with Gerard Edwards – the founder and CEO of Podcast Radio (podcastradionetwork.com) based in London, UK. Podcast Radio has shown tremendous growth since its launch less than five years ago and is heard worldwide with a menu of podcasts online as well as on air in the UK via DAB radio stations.  The company recently expanded its footprint into North America as a radio program content supplier. Harrison and Edwards take a deep dive into the state of DAB as a 21st century radio broadcast technology in addition to discussing a big picture view of the state of radio in general. Harrison describes Edwards as one of world radio’s rising young visionaries. Listen to the uninterrupted interview in its entirety here.

Industry News

Audacy Gets Grace Period Extension; JPMorgan Chase Resigns Lender Role

In SEC filings made on November 29, Audacy gets extensions on the grace periods before default on its Credit Facility to January 9, 2024 and on its Receivables Purchase Agreement for the October Audacy Party Payment to December 10 and the November Audacy Party Payment Due Date to December 11.im The filing comes as Audacy “continues to engage in discussions with its creditors with respect to a number of potential alternatives regarding a restructuring of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness.” It also announces in the filing that JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. has resigned as Letter of Credit Issuer and Swing Line Lender (both as defined in the Credit Facility) and that Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB was appointed as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under the Credit Facility.

Industry Views

Pending Business: When the Package Doesn’t Work

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imIt happens to everyone at least once.

You present your package with every asset at your disposal to make the campaign a winner – host read radio, podcast, X(Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and anything else at your disposal. You work with your manager for pricing, coordinate the digital team for input, and touch base with your business department for the all-clear. Your presentation is an award winner, your enthusiasm is contagious and the deal closes. The campaign launches and to your shock and dismay the feedback from your client is utter disappointment as results are anemic. You verify everything is running properly, digital and social media are coordinated, yet the anticipated tsunami of results is barely a rain shower.

Are you kidding me right now? What in the world happened? A little history and a little reality will help you right the ship.

It’s been 60 years since Marshall McLuhan taught us the “medium is the message” and arguably became the original disruptor. He was so far ahead of his time, Musk, Zuckerberg, and Altman would be challenged. The bottom line is McLuhan got it right as we still stumble our way through the performance side of the ads.

Let us examine how we package and sell 60 years later.

Mistake #1- All creative is the same. In the example above, I listed 6 common platforms many local hosts utilize daily to spread the word.

A) Sellers focus on packaging scale, competitive efficiency and closing the business.
B) Hosts focus on product and content acceptability.
C) Managers focus on deal points.
D) Traffic and business focus on integrating systems.
E) Production is ready to deliver the deadline.
F) STOP!!!! Who is focused on matching the platform or medium with high impact creative messaging? “50% OFF” is an empty value proposition when there is no product sell-in. Who is making sure EVERY asset is delivering the creativity that engages and motivates the listener/viewer for each medium?

Mistake #2. I got this. Wake up! The multi-platform package is more complicated than the beta binomial curve for duplication. Oops, did I lose you? The concept is the radio listener may or may not be the podcast listener who may or may not be the YouTube viewer, who may or may not be the Facebook follower, and so on. You are the sales pro who put this package in motion, yet did you stop to think through: Does each medium have a unique campaign with different frequency, creative updates and feedback loops? Do you have any idea how many daily tweets it takes to sell that product or service? Or are you applying branding metrics to sales goals? And that is just the beginning.

We often forget, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, are barely 20 years old and we are still learning. Yet our terrestrial radio station heritage goes back over 100 years, so you think, “I Got this.” To paraphrase the great Marshall McLuhan, don’t drive into the future using only a rear-view mirror.

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

Monday Memo: Time Management? Don’t Even Try

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imNews flash: Time cannot be managed. But tasks can.

As we install a new PD at a client station, I will share with you what I’m sharing with him: Four techniques I myself have found EXTREMELY helpful over years of dancing-as-fast-as-I-can in several management positions.

1. “Map” your week. Use a spreadsheet, to create a schedule that doesn’t change week-to-week. Slot-in items like:
a) If you’re on-air: Your show + prep + when you do your daily promo/blog, post/social media, etc.
b) Talent meetings.
c) Regularly-scheduled Boss Time (see “folders’) below.
d) Is there a weekly staff meeting or department heads meeting? Do you routinely meet with sales? Slot it in.
e) In-bin and phone time (see below).
f) Days you’re available to do-lunch, or for sales calls.
g) MBWA time (“Management By Walking-Around”). Build it in.
f) What else?

Tip: Round-up. If something takes 45 minutes, slot-in an hour, to allow for bathroom breaks, checking voicemail, or running-across-the-street for a cuppa cawfee. Consider doing so even if there’s free crankcase coffee there at the station. It’s fresh air. Building in a couple short walks each day can really help you clear your mind between events.

This map you are making is “a living document,” subject to ongoing revision. But plan-your-work-and-work-your-plan, and you’ll find that lots more gets done. You’ll also find that people respond by being more punctual for you.

Tip: Find a hiding place. Always-being-in-your-office tempts interruptions. Two decades of management – and 23 years as a landlord – taught me how some issues that seemed “urgent” to people seeking your attention tend to resolve themselves before the would-be interrupter finds you.

2. Show your boss two file folders, one with your initials on the tab, the other with his/her initials on the tab. Give him/her the one with your initials, and keep the other one. Then, schedule a regular meeting (that goes on your map). The meeting can be weekly, daily, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, whatever. Lock it in, show up on-time.

Pledge to each other that you will avoid ad hoc, single-topic conversations. Unless someone is bleeding or something is on fire, the conversation can wait for a scheduled meeting. Toss a note, or pertinent document, into the folder.

I started doing this when I worked for a particularly “spontaneous” GM. NO NAMES. His half-dozen daily “Got a minute?” interruptions were extremely disruptive. And he was flattered when I showed him the respect of blocking-out Quality Time for issues we shared. Sure, he’d back-slide from time to time. When he did, I would ask, politely, “Do we need to handle this now, or should I put it in The Folder?” He took the hint; and praised me later, during my Performance Review, for suggesting the idea, which he instituted with the sales manager, business manager, and chief engineer. THANK ME LATER FOR THIS ONE.

3. Don’t answer the phone! That’s why there’s voicemail (and caller ID). Phone calls about every little thing are a torturous pause button and invite long workdays and more and taller piles of half-finished tasks. Set aside two times per day to schedule and return calls. Quality Time. Try it, and you will REALLY thank me. And I saved the best for last…

im

4. Touch each piece of paper ONCE. See “In-Bin time” in your weekly map above. Do one-of-the-following with every piece of paper or email that finds you:
a) Deal-with-it instantly (i.e., scribble a response and return to sender), or otherwise bring the issue to closure; OR
b) Send it to someone else (“delegation” in management lingo); OR
c) File it; OR
d) Circular-file-it (sort your mail over the wastebasket); OR
e) There is no e).

Ritualistic as all-of-the-above may seem, YOUR LIFE WILL CHANGE if you take these suggestions literally. Things are busy enough that no routine less structured will suffice. And conducting yourself accordingly will send an important message to the people you work with.

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

Industry News

Cumulus Promotes Beth Coughlin to Regional VP

Cumulus Media promotes Beth Coughlin to regional vice president for Buffalo, Erie, and Syracuse markets. She currently serves as vice president/market manager for the Syracuse operations. Theim company operates news/talk WHLD-AM, Buffalo; sports talk WRIE-AM, Erie; and sports talk WSKO-AM, Syracuse as well as 11 music-formatted stations. Cumulus Media president of operations Bob Walker states, “We are pleased to expand Beth’s responsibilities over these three key markets for Cumulus. Her deep experience and effectiveness as a leader make her a natural choice for this enhanced role.”

Industry News

Sean Hannity’s DeSantis vs Newsom Debate Averages 4.75 Million Viewers

The FOX News ChannelDeSantis vs. Newsom: The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate” show that was aired last week was the second most-watched program in linear television, averaging a total of 4.75im million viewers, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. The Sean Hannity-hosted program pulled in 742,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo, which FNC says represented nearly 73% of the cable news share in total viewers and 77% of the cable news share in the key demo. Additionally, the Hannity-hosted post-debate show earned 3.4 million total viewers and 541,000 in the A25-54 demo.

Industry News

Cumulus/Signal Hill Release Podcast Download – Fall 2023 Report

Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights are releasing the Podcast Download – Fall 2023 Report that looks at the latest podcast audience trends. Some of the findings include: 1) Podcast consumers continue to embrace YouTube as the number one podcast platform, especially with podcast discovery;im 2) Audio is powerful. Podcast consumers spend a significant amount of time on YouTube listening to podcasts without watching the video; 3) Since 2019, YouTube and Spotify have been growing among podcast newcomers at the expense of Apple Podcasts; 4) More than half of the weekly YouTube podcast audience say they have listened to the same podcasts in another place; and 5) Podcast consumers who watch video podcasts often have eyes on the screen. More than 6 in 10 look at the screen at least some of the time, even during ads. Since October 2021, podcast watchers have been increasing their time spent with eyes on the screen. See more about the study here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Israel resumes war against Hamas; the 2024 presidential race; the U.S. economy and dissatisfaction with Bidenomics; the NewsomDeSantis debate aftermath; Trump legal battles; George Santos expelled from Congress; US shoots down Iran-backed drones over Red Sea; and SCOTUS to hear Sackler opioid case were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Ratings Takeaways

November 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imNovember 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 survey period (October 12 – November 8) 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.

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are October 2023 – November 2023 (6+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 4.7 – 4.3, #5 – #6

KJCE .4 – .3, #28 – #28

News

None

Sports Talk

KVET-AM 1.3 – 1.0, #22 – #22

KTAE .7 – 1.0, #25 – #22

KBPA-HD2  .5 – .5, #27 – #27

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 5.6 – 5.8, #4 – #4    

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 8.2 – 6.9, #3 – #3

WPTF .7 – .8, #20 – #19

News

WRAL-HD3  .1 – .3, #23 – #24

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.5 – 3.0, #11 – #12 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 9.4 – 9.8, #2 – #1

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 6.9 – 7.3, #3 – #2

News

WOLT-HD2  .1 – DNA, #24 – DNA

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  4.3 – 4.0, #12 – #12 (Colts)

WNDE .9 – 1.0, #21 – #20

WXNT .1 –.1, #24 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 4.6 – 4.3, #10 – #11

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

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.7 – 10.7, #1 #1

WTMJ 9.6 – 7.7, #2 – #2 

WLIP .1 – .2, #28 – #23  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.6 – 2.8, #14 – #14 (Green Bay Packers)

WKTI 1.0 – 1.2, #18 – #19

WOKY .4 – .3, #22 – #22

WSSP .2 – .2, #25 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 3.0 – 3.1, #13 – #12

WHAD 1.7 – 1.6, #17 – #17

WGKB .1 – .1, #28 – #27

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: Whereas news/talk WISN’s +1.0 (9.7 – 10.7) represents Milwaukee’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase, similarly-formatted WTMJ’s -1.9 (9.6 – 7.7) is the market’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease; the two rivals remain first and second (6+).

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 5.7 – 5.7, #5 – #5

WLAC 1.4 – 1.5, #19 – #19

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 7.3 – 7.4, #3 – #3 (Tennessee Titans)

WPRT 1.9 – 2.0, #17 – #18 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.1 – 4.4, #10 – #10

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .2, #23 – #23

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.5 – 6.8, #5 – #5

WHJJ  .3 – .5, #18 – #16

News

None

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 3.6 – 3.4, after thirteen consecutive months at #8, slips to #9

WVEI 2.4 – 2.0, #9 – #11

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 2.4 – 2.0, #9 – #11

WNPN 1.4 – 1.6, seventh straight month at #14

WCAI .1 – .1, #20 – #20

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  3.3 – 3.0, #12 – #13

WGH-FM HD2  .2 – .2, #22 – #23

News

WNOH .3 – .3, #20 – #20

Sports Talk

WVSP 2.9 – 2.4, #13 – #14

WTAR .2 – .3, #22 – #20

WGH-AM .3 – .2, #20 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 7.5 – 8.3, #3 – #3

News

None

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .3, #22 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.8 – 2.4, #12 – #13   

Note: Sports talk WJXL-AM (DNA); sports talk WJXL-FM (DNA); and country WGNE are the flagships of the Jaguars.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.3 – 2.7, #9 – #9

WZZR 1.8 – 2.0 #13 – #11

WJNO 1.2 – 1.2, #14 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .4 – .5, #18 – #16

WBZT .4 – .3, #18 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.5 – 2.9, #8 – #8

WLRN-HD2 Stream .2 – DNA, #21 – DNA

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 4.9 – 4.4 #7 – #8

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 3.5 – 3.6, #9 – #9

WUNC 1.7 – 1.5, #14 – #14

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 2.4 – 2.4, #9 – #9

KWAM .2 – .4, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 3.0 – 2.8, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #13 – #15 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.9 – 2.0, #10 – #11

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 5.1 – 4.8, #6 – #6

WDRC-AM 1.9 – 1.9, #15 – #15

WTIC-AM Stream .8 – .6, fifth consecutive month at #17

WPOP .2 – .2, #22 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.5 – 2.3, #11 – #13

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 3.8 – 4.0, #9 – #9

WFCR .8 – .6, #17 – #17

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Mike Hulvey to Take Over for Erica Farber at RAB

The RAB announces that Mike Hulvey – CEO of Neuhoff Media – is named the new president and CEO of the organization, assuming the role from Erica Farber, effective April 1. The news was announced by RAB board chair and Connoisseur Media CEO and founder Jeff Warshaw. Farber, who has led the RAB for the past 12 years, “decided it is time to step down and pursue other interestsim including continuing to participate in RAB’s Rising Through the Ranks leadership development training and National Radio Talent System, a wholly owned subsidiary of the organization.” The organization goes on to say, “Under Farber’s stewardship, the RAB has reshaped the organization into a full-service integrated membership, business development and training concern as well as forged strong relationships within the advertising marketplace. Additionally, she has diversified and re-invigorated its board of directors to ensure the future of the imtrade association.” Speaking about Hulvey, Warshaw says, “Mike is an excellent selection with the relevant skills and expertise to lead the RAB. He has an impressive track record in corporate management and local radio expertise. In addition, as a past chair of the RAB he has a clear understanding of the organization and what the broadcast industry requires from RAB. He has a tremendous passion for the industry which will serve us all well.” Warshaw adds, “We thank Erica for her leadership over the past decade in helping to shape an organization that meets the needs of broadcasters today as well as for the future of the audio industry. She’s left an indelible imprint on the industry, and we can’t thank her enough for her commitment and passion to radio. It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with her.” Hulvey will work with Farber to ensure a smooth and successful transition during the next few months as her last day with the RAB will be April 30, 2024.

Industry News

Wexler to Serve as Interim CEO at Neuhoff Media

With the exit of president and CEO Mike Hulvery to take the leadership role at the RAB, Neuhoff Media announces that former Journal and Scripps broadcast executive and current leadership coach at Goodim Karma Brands, Steve Wexler, will serve as interim CEO and will begin working with the Neuhoff team in January. Julian Hickman and Makena Neuhoff, the Trustees for the Neuhoff family, say, “We thank Mike for his many contributions during his more than 30 years as part of Neuhoff Media. Under his leadership, Mike has advanced the family mission of great local radio. We wish Mike all the best in his new role at the RAB and are thrilled to welcome Steve Wexler as interim CEO.” Wexler comments, “I am thrilled for Mike and am honored to serve as interim CEO for this legendary company and look forward to working with the talented, committed team at Neuhoff during this transition.”

Industry News

Air Staff Cuts at KNBR, San Francisco

According to numerous reports from Bay Area media outlets, Cumulus Media’s sports talk KNBR, San Francisco has let go a number of staffers, including former programmer Lee Hammer, morning show personality Paul McCaffrey, evening host FP Santangelo, and some in the digital department.im McCaffrey has been co-host of the “Murph and Mac” show with Brian Murphy, who appears to still be employed with the station. The dismissal of Santangelo spells the end of the evening call-in show that’s been part of the station for the past 51 years. Station program director Adam Copeland– who also co-hosts the afternoon show with Tom Tolbert – said on the program, “It’s been a really difficult day. I love this building, I love this station, I love working with you, Tom, and I’ve listened to you for years. I love a lot of people. I love the guys we let go of today. I’m looking forward to the future, but I really think we need to tip our cap and applaud the work that those guys have done.” Read the SFGate piece here.

Industry News

“Goldy” Retires from WFNC, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Today (12/1) was the last day on Cumulus Media’s news/talk WFNC-AM, Fayetteville, North Carolina for Jeff “Goldy” Goldberg. He closed out his 45-year radio career – the last 18 years of which haveim been spent at WFNC – with a special broadcast of “Good Morning Fayetteville” called, “Goldy’s Last Hurrah.” He tells Bill Kirby Jr. at CityViewNC, “Since I announced my retirement a few weeks ago, the outpouring of love and the good wishes from not only my listeners here in Fayetteville, but my listeners in Washington D.C., has been overwhelming. It has been a privilege and a joy to live out my dream for these last 45 years, and to have a second chapter like the one I’ve had here in Fayetteville exceeded my wildest dreams.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of November 27 – December 1

The release of numerous Hamas hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the global rise in anti-Semitism and the protests against Israel’s war against Hamas, followed by the death of Henry Kissinger at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Ratings Takeaways

November 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three

imNovember 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 ratings period (October 12 – November 8) 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 October 2023 – November 2023 (6+).

PORTLAND

News/Talk

KXL 6.9 – 6.9, #3 – #2

KEX 1.7 – 1.6, #21 – #21

KUFO .7 – .8, #24 – #23

KPAM .1 – .1, #34 – #32

News

None

Sports Talk

KFXX 2.0 – 1.8, #18 – #20

KXTG 1.6 – 1.4, #22 – #23

KPOJ .7 – .7, #24 – #24 (Trailblazers)

KFXX Stream  .3 – .2, #28 – #28

KMTT .2 – .2, #31 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

KOPB 5.9 – 6.4, #4 – #3

KOPB Stream  1.6 – 1.5, #22 – #22

CHARLOTTE

News/Talk

WBT-AM/FM 5.3 – 5.5, #5 – #5

News

WRFX-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #25

Sports Talk

WFNZ-FM 2.7 – 3.0, #13 – #14 (Hornets)

WSOC-HD3 .1 – DNA, #26 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFAE 4.0 – 5.4, #10 – #6

WNSC 1.2 – 1.0, #18 – #18

WFAE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Notes: Public radio news/talk WFAE’s +1.4 (4.0 – 5.4) represents Charlotte’s largest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 increase.

The Carolina Panthers’ flagship is classic rock WRFX.

SAN ANTONIO

News/Talk

WOAI 2.8 – 3.1, #13 – #14 (Spurs)

KTSA 2.6 – 2.2, #15 – #17

News

None

Sports Talk

KTFM 1.7 – 1.5, #22 – #22

KTKR .7 – .7, #27 – #27

KZDC .2 – .3, #35 – #33

Public Radio News/Talk

KSTX 1.7 – 2.4, #22 – #16

SACRAMENTO

 News/Talk

KFBK-AM 8.2 – 7.3 #1 – #2

KSTE-AM 2.7 – 3.2, #13 – #11

News

None

Sports Talk

KHTK 1.3 – 1.4, #18 – #18 (Kings)

KIFM 1.2 – 1.1, #20 – #21

KIFM Stream  .1 – .1, #30 – #29 

Public Radio News/Talk

KXJZ 1.8 – 2.4, #15 – #14

KQEI .2 – .2, #27 – #28

KQED .1 – .1, #30 – #29

KUOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: News/talk KFBK-AM’s -.9 (8.2 – 7.3) represents Sacramento’s largest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 decrease.

PITTSBURGH

News/Talk

KDKA-AM 3.8 – 4.0, #11 – #8

KDKA-AM Stream  .5 – .4, #23 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

KDKA-FM 8.0 – 8.0, #3 – #3

KDKA-FM Stream  .2 – .1, #28 – #25

WBGG DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WESA 4.2 – 4.0, #7 – #8

Note: The flagships of the Steelers and Penguins are rock WDVE and alternative WXDX, respectively.

SALT LAKE CITY

News/Talk

KSL-AM/FM 6.9 – 6.1, #2 – #4

KNRS-AM/FM 2.9 – 3.9, #15 – #9

KKAT .1 – .1, #29 – #31

News

None

Sports Talk

KALL 1.8 – 2.2, #20 – #20

KZNS-FM .8 – 1.0, #24 – #24 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM .5 – .7, #26 – #25 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM Stream  .1 – .1, #29 – #31 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-FM Stream  .1 – .DNA, #29 – DNA (Utah Jazz)

KOVO .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUER 2.2 – 2.7, #19 – #15

KUMT .1 – .4, #29 – #28

KBYU-HD2 Stream  .5 – .2, #26 – #29    

LAS VEGAS

News/Talk

KMXB-HD3 1.6 – 1.6, #22 – #23

KXNT .5 – .2, #29 – #34

KMZQ .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KWWN 1.0 – .9, #27 – #27

KRLV .3 – .5, #32 – #30 (Raiders)

KKGK .3 – .5, #32 – #30 (Golden Knights)

KENO .5 – .2, #29 – #34

Public Radio News/Talk

KNPR 1.4 – 2.0, #23 – #18

ORLANDO

News/Talk

WTKS 3.9 – 3.9, #10 – #10

WDBO 3.5 – 3.6, #13 – #13

WFLF .9 – .8, #19 – #21

WFYY-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WYGM .7 – .7, #22 – #23 (Magic)

WOCL-HD2 .1 – DNA, #28 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WMFE 2.2 – 2.7, #15 – #14

CINCINNATI

News/Talk

WLW 13.5 – 12.0, 22nd consecutive month at #1 (Bengals)

WKRC 5.4 – 5.7, #5 – #5

News

None

Sports Talk

WCKY 1.9 – 2.0, #18 – #15 (Bengals)

WSAI 1.0 – 1.2, #20 – #19

Public Radio News/Talk

WVXU 3.2 – 3.5, #11 – #11

CLEVELAND

News/Talk

WTAM 5.5 – 5.1, #10 – #9 (Cavaliers)

News

WMMS-HD2 .1 – .1, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WKRK 5.9 – 6.0, #8 – #7  (Browns)

WKRK Stream  .9 – .9, #18 – #19 (Browns)

WARF .2 – .3, #23 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

WKSU 5.9 – 5.0, #8 – #10

WKSU-HD4 DNA – .1, DNA – #24   

Note: Public radio news/talk WKSU’s -.9 (5.9 – 5.0) represents Cleveland’s largest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 decrease.

KANSAS CITY

News/Talk

KMBZ-FM 5.5 – 5.5, #4 – #4

KCMO-AM 1.6 – 2.0, #17 – #16

KMBZ-AM 1.2 – 1.2, #21 – #18

KMBZ-FM Stream  .9 – .7, #22 – #21

KCMO-AM Stream  .2 – DNA, #26 – DNA

KMBZ-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KCSP 3.1 – 3.1, #14 – #14

KCSP Stream  .4 – .2, #23 – #27

Public Radio News/Talk

KCUR 3.2 – 3.6, #13 – #12

KANU-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Oddity: With a +.4 (1.6 – 2.0), news/talk KCMO-AM is in an eight-way tie for Kansas City’s largest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 increase.

Note: Country WDAF is the flagship of the Chiefs.

COLUMBUS

News/Talk

WTVN 7.5 – 7.4, #4 – #3    

News

WYTS DNA – .1, DNA – #22

Sports Talk

WBNS-FM 8.6 – 10.3, #2 – #1 (Blue Jackets)

WBNS-AM .1 – .3, #21 #21 (Blue Jackets)

WBNS-FM HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #22

WMNI .1 – DNA, #21 – #DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WOSU 3.9 – 4.3, #9 – #8

Up next: November 2023 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford. 

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Audacy’s “Radio Libre 790” Names Brand Manager and Unveils Local Shows

Audacy’s Spanish language news/talk outlet in Miami names Miguel ‘Mijo’ Irizarry brand manager for the station as it unveils three new local shows. Irizarry is responsible for WAXY-AM Radio Libre 790’s content strategy, talent, operations and branding. Audacy regional president Claudia Menegus states,im “Mijo’s extensive experience and passion for Hispanic radio make him the perfect person to usher in the next chapter of ‘Radio Libre.’ He will play a pivotal role in shaping our content strategy, enhancing the brand, and continuing our vision. Together, we look forward to delivering a fresh and vibrant listening experience that resonates with our diverse audience.” The three new shows include “Despierta Miami” with host Eli Escobar airing from 6:00 am to 10:00 am. She most recently served with the company’s hot AC KHMX-FM, Houston. New to middays is “En este Pais” hosted by Lourdes Ubieta airing from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. In afternoon drive is “El Show de Jorge Bonilla,” airing from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Bonilla has written for FOX News, Newsmax, The Blaze, The Daily Wire, Breitbart and many more conservative news outlets.

Industry News

Cumulus Podcast Network Contracts with Barometer for Brand Safety & Suitability

Cumulus Media announces its Cumulus Podcast Network is now providing brand suitability and safety measurement through Barometer, which provides brand-suitability measurement and contextual targeting unique to the podcast space. Cumulus says that this allows marketers and media agencies toim be able to review podcasts to ensure they meet their brand’s safety and suitability standards. Brands are also able to monitor their ad-buys during and after the campaigns to ensure their standards are being upheld. Westwood One SVP, sales and digital partnerships David Cohn comments, “We are proud to provide Barometer’s transparency and accountability to the marketplace. Brand marketers now represent 61% of U.S. podcast revenue. Advertisers deserve a brand-suitability solution that is designed for the unique attributes of podcast content rather than the legacy systems that were designed for display and online video.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (11/29) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The release of more hostages and the extended truce between Israel and Hamas; Henry Kissinger dies at 100; the 2024 presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; tonight’s Gavin NewsomRon DeSantis debate moderated by FOX’s Sean Hannity; the UN’s COP28 climate summit in Dubai; Elon Musk’s anti-Semitic tweets and X’s loss of advertisers; the scheduled vote to oust George Santos from the House were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Ratings Takeaways

November 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Two

imNovember 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 ratings period (October 12 – November 8) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below 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 October 2023 – November 2023 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.0 – 4.6, #7 – #6

WFED DNA – .1, DNA – #30 (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 8.1 – 7.4, falls to #3, after ten straight months at #2

WDCH .7 – .6, #22 – #23

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.8 – 2.8, #14 – #14 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream .9 – .8, #21 – #21 (Capitals)

WTEM Stream .2 – .3, #29 – #25 (Wizards)

WTEM .3 – .2, #25 – #27 (Wizards)

WSBN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 11.9 – 12.7, 24th month in succession at #1

The flagship of the Commanders is classic rock WBIG.

Note: Public radio news/talk WAMU’s +.8 (11.9 – 12.7) represents a tie for Washington, DC’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase (6+). Meanwhile, news WTOP & WTLP’s -.7 (8.1 – 7.4) is the market’s highest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 2.3 – 2.5, #16 – #14

WXKS-AM .8 – .8, #23 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.5 – 5.0, #8 – #6

Business news WRCA DNA – .1, DNA – #27

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 10.9 – 10.5, #1 for the third straight month (New England Patriots, Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 3.8 – 3.6, #10 – #10

WEEI-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 5.4 – 6.4, #3 – #2

WGBH 3.8 – 3.9, #10 – #9

Note: Public radio news/talk WBUR’s +1.0 (5.4 – 6.4) represents Boston’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase (6+).

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 2.0 – 1.4, #21 – #24

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 2.3 – 2.1, #19 – #20 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .5 – .5, #29 – #29 (Dolphins)

WMEN .2 – .4, #35 – #31

WQAM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #37 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 3.9 – 3.9, #5 – #7

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.2 – 4.7, #8 – #6 (Seahawks)

KTTH 1.5 – 1.6, #23 – #21

KVI 1.8 – 1.5, #22 – #23

KPTR .1 – .1, #32 – #32

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.2 – 2.6, #20 – #18

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 4.3 – 3.1, #6 – #12 (Seahawks)

KJR-FM 3.0 – 3.1, #14 – #12 (Kraken)

KJR-AM .4 – .6, #26 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 7.6 – 6.8, #1 – #2

KSWS DNA – .1, DNA – #32

Note: Sports talk KIRO-AM’s -1.2 (4.3 – 3.1) represents Seattle’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+). 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.3 – 2.4, #16 – #16

WFDF .4 – .4, #24 – #23

WJR Stream .1 – .2, #28 – #26

News

WWJ 4.6 – 4.6, #9 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .7 – .4, #22 – #23 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #28 – #31

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 10.1 – 9.6, #1 for the third consecutive month (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 2.4 – 1.5, #14 – #20 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #25 – #26

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUOM 1.5 – 1.6, #20 – #18

WDET 1.2 – 1.2, #21 – #21 

Note: The -.9 (2.4 – 1.5) posted by the stream of sports talk WXYT-FM represents a tie for Detroit’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

PHOENIX 

News/Talk

KFYI 4.0 – 3.3, #7 – #11

KTAR-FM 2.4 – 2.7, #16 – #14 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 2.7 – 3.5, #14 – #7 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-AM .2 – .2, #31 – #31 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – .1, #33 – #34

KGME .1 – .1, #33 – #34

KTAR-FM HD2 .1 – DNA, #33 – DNA

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 3.7 – 3.1, #9 – #12   

Note: News/talk KFYI’s -.7 (4.0 – 3.3) represents the largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+) for Phoenix.

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.6 – 4.0, #10 – #12 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 2.4 – 2.4, #16 – #16

KTLK-AM 1.8 – 2.0, #19 – #17

WCCO Stream .6 – .1, #24 – #30 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #32 – #30

Sports Talk

KFXN 7.8 – 8.9, #2 – #2 (Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .2 – .3, #28 – #26

KSTP-AM .2 – .2, #28 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 6.0 – 5.7, #5 – #5

KNOW Stream .7 – .7, #23 – #23

Oddity: Five stations – including news/talk WCCO (4.6 – 4.0, -.6) are tied for Minneapolis’ largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

SAN DIEGO 

News/Talk

KOGO 5.4 – 4.2, #5 – #6

KLSD .3 – .3, #26 – #26

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 4.2 – 3.6, #6 – #11

KGB-AM 1.2 – 1.3, #20 – #20

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 6.3 – 6.2, #3 – #2

Note: News/talk KOGO’s -1.2 (5.4 – 4.2) represents San Diego’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 4.7 – 4.5, #6 – #6 (Lightning)

WFLA 4.6 – 4.4, #8 – #7

News

None

Sports Talk

WDAE 2.4– 1.8, #16 – #17

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 1.6 – 1.6, #20 – #20

WUSF Stream .5 – .3, #25 – #30

WMNF-HD3 Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #33

Note: Rock WXTB is the flagship of the Buccaneers.

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 4.5 – 3.3, #6 – #13 (Broncos)

KDFD 2.1 – 2.0, #19 – #20

KHOW 1.8 – 1.8, #21 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 4.5 – 4.2, #6 – #10

KKSE-FM 2.0 – 2.1, #20 – #19 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KAMP DNA – .1, DNA – #36

KEPN .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 3.9 – 4.0, #13 – #11

KUNC .8 – .4, #27 – #31

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 4.8 – 3.7, #8 – #11 (Ravens)

WCBM 1.7 – 1.8, #17 – #17

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.1 – 1.3,  #18 – #18

WDCH  .8 – .9,  #20 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 5.1 – 5.1, #7 – #5

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 4.0 – 4.5, #10 – #9

WYPR HD2 Stream DNA – .3, DNA – #36 

Note: News/talk WBAL’s -1.1 (4.8 – 3.7) represents Baltimore’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 5.0 – 4.0, #9 – #11

KFTK 1.8 – 1.9, #16 – #17

KTLK-FM .9 – 1.0, #20 – #19

KMOX Stream .4 – .2, #23 – #25

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #27 – #25

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .3 – .2, #24 – #25

Sports Talk

WXOS 3.2 – 3.7, #14 – #12 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 4.0 – 4.9, #11 – #9

Note: While public radio news/talk KWMU’s +.9 (4.0 – 4.9) represents St. Louis’ largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase (6+), news/talk KMOX’s -1.0 (5.0 – 4.0) is the market’s highest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

Up next: November 2023 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus. 

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry Views

TRUE CRIME: What Would You Do?

By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media Implementers
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, “Sterling On Sunday”
Talk Media Network

imWHAT WOULD YOU DO? A very good major market DJ murders his wife and injures her lover upon catching them in the marital bed. An 11-year-old girl was in the house – a witness. The murderer is convicted (second-degree murder/“situational crime”) sent to prison, does his time and is released after a few years for good behavior while incarcerated.

Upon release, the convicted murderer is hired as an on-air talent by at least three publicly held companies, with properties licensed by the federal government and heavily staffed with women employees. “Hey, he’s a good jock!” He works continuously from the time of his release until he retires about 18 years later in 1991.

Within the past decade, major market on-air talent have been fired, chastised, suspended or forced to mumble meaningless public apologies for posting tacky memes, joking about sports sideliner Erin Andrews (at the same time TMZ reporters were making the very same jokes about her on FOX), questioning team owners’ judgements, or posting “inappropriate” remarks on all forms of social media. Entire businesses have been lost because of silly off-air comments by talk hosts or DJs. Dr. Laura is an amazingly great talent.

Many of the job security issues faced by today’s on-air talent are the result of social media posts they made a few years ago – or sometimes things they said a few decades ago. Worse, people in all professions get in trouble for expressions uttered outside of the parameters of their actual jobs. A joke about the boss, a compliment about the attractiveness of a co-worker or mocking a product – in very few words – could easily destroy a career.

Considering this oh-so-touchy environment, would the murderer be hired today, or even allowed in a radio station’s lobby?  No, “Humble” Harve Miller, the murderer, would not be hired today by the very same companies that hired him a relatively few short decades ago.

Based on today’s standards, the CEOs of the companies that did hire Humble Harve should be immediately fired or at least forced to issue written public apologies and be deprived of their bonuses or suffer a claw back of their retirement packages. Immediately. My god! An 11-year-old murder witness! 

Too much? Too late, you say. Not practical? Agree!! Those actions would be just as overwrought as firing or shaming a host about their Erin Andrews joke or meme posted on X.

How likely do you think one of my proudest hires, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, would have a chance to become the number one radio personality in New York City today?

Perspective: memes, jokes, asides, and minor league slander only become big deals when the paranoid company stops time and puts out a public apology. The apology inevitably, not the incident, reaches a much larger audience. The public awareness brought about by the apology or employee firing actually causes damage to all involved.

Walter Sabo has helped some of the largest media companies in the world increase share of audience. Clients have included Conde Nast, SiriusXM, ABC, Gannett, RKO General, American Tower, TuneIn and more. The company he founded, HITVIEWS was the first to identify and monetize online influencers as revealed at the TALKERS New Media Seminar in 2008. His Talk Media Network show, “Sterling On Sunday,” generates significant audience share for stations such as WPHT, Philadelphia; KMBZ-FM, Kansas City; KMOX, St Louis; and KFBK, Sacramento. You can learn about the show at www.waltersterlingshow.com or email Walter at walter@sabomedia.com.

Industry News

Bonneville Denver Names Amanda Brown PD for “104.3 The Fan”

Bonneville Denver names Amanda Brown program director for sports talk KKFN-FM “Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan.” Brown served with ESPN Radio for the past 20 years, most recently as PD of KSPN,im Los Angeles. She takes over for Raj Sharan, who exits the station after four-and-a-half years. Bonneville Denver SVP and market manager Katie Reid says, “We are thrilled to welcome Amanda to the Bonneville family. She brings an extensive amount of experience, knowledge, and leadership to our team. Her understanding of the evolving sports landscape, and tremendous passion for digital media embodies everything we strive for at Denver Sports and on 104.3 The Fan.” Brown begins her new gig on December 4.

Industry News

MIW Announces 2023 Mildred Carter Mentoring Class

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc introduces the MIW Mildred Carter Mentoring Program’s Class of 2023. Now in its 22nd year, this enriching opportunity matches up-and-comingim women in radio with female professionals recognized as leaders in all aspects of the industry. The 2023 class is comprised of broadcast professionals Rosanna Cole, regional traffic manager, Townsquare Media; Caleigh Fisher, director of teammate experience, Good Karma Brands; Kristi Nguyen, director, digital sales & campaign management, Audacy; and Jade Springart, WRIF-FM program director, Beasley Media Group.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (11/28) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The return of Hamas hostages and the pause in Israel-Hamas hostilities; the 2024 presidential race and Nikki Haley earns Koch network cash; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; Thursday’s Gavin NewsomRon DeSantis debate; Liz Cheney’s new book; a surging respiratory illness in China; Hunter Biden to testify before House Oversight Committee; the efforts to oust George Santos from Congress; and Rosalynn Carter’s funeral were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Ratings Takeaways

November 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One

imNovember 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 ratings period (October 12 – November 8) has been released for 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 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 October 2023 – November 2023 (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.1 – 3.0, #11 – #11

WOR 1.2 – 1.3, #23 – #22

WKXW .8 – .8, #25 – #25

WKXW Stream .3 – .2, #37 – #38

News

WINS-FM 4.3 – 4.8, #7 – #6

WCBS-AM 2.3 – 1.9, #15 – #19

Business News WBBR .4 – .5, #34 – #31

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .4, #34 – #34

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .2, #40 – #38 

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 2.9 – 2.8, #13 -#12 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.4 – 1.5 #21 – #21 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .9 – .9, #24 -#24 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 4.4 – 4.0, #6 – #9

WNYC-AM 1.3 – 1.1, #22 – #23 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 4.5 – 5.1, #5 – #4

KEIB .8 – .7, #32 – #33  (Clippers)

KRLA .6 – .5, #33 – #36  

News

KNX-FM 3.3 – 3.2, #10 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .1 – .1, #39 – #40  

Sports Talk

KLAC 1.3 – .9, #27 – #30 (Chargers, Clippers 

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.5 – 2.5, #13 – #15

Flagship of the Rams and Lakers is sports talk KSPN, which is unlisted in this sweep.

Kings’ games are heard on the iHeartRadio app, while games of the Anaheim Ducks are heard on the Ducks stream.

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.6 – 3.4, #8 – #10  (Blackhawks)

WLS-AM 1.5 – 1.5, #24 – #23

WLIP .3 – .2, #37 – #41

WVON DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WLS-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 5.6 – 5.4, #3 – #3

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .1 – .1, #45 – #44

Sports Talk

WSCR 2.5 – 2.3, #14 – #14 (Bulls)

WMVP 1.6 – 1.7, #22 – #19 (Bears)

WSCR Stream .3 – .5, #37 – #33 (Bulls) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 3.2 – 3.1, #12 – #11  

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.6 – 1.6, #20 – #19

KSFO Stream .4 – .4, #28 – #28 

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.6 – 6.5, #2 – #3

KNEW .2 – .3, #32 – #31  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .1 – .2, #36 – #34

KKSF DNA – .1, DNA – #37 

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.2 – 3.4, #11 – #9 (49ers)

KGMZ 1.8 – 2.1, #18 – #15 (Golden State Warriors)

KTCT .3 – .6, #29 – #26  

KGO .3 – .2, #29 – #34  

KGO Stream .2 – .2, #32 – #34    

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 5.3 – 6.7, #3 – #2

KALW .3 – .3, #29 – #31

Note: Public radio news/talk KQED’s +1.4 (5.3 – 6.7) is tied for the highest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 4.5 – 3.5, #4 – #11

KEGL 1.4 – 1.6, #27 – #25  (Mavericks)

KSKY .6 – .6, #33 – #32

KLIF-AM .4 – .5, #37 – #33

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 2.1 – 2.0, #21 – #21 (Cowboys)

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #39 (Cowboys)

Sports Talk

KTCK 4.7 – 5.6, #3 – #1  (Stars)

KRLD-FM 3.6 – 4.1, #10 – #5 (Cowboys)

KRLD-FM Stream .2 – .5, #38 – #33 (Cowboys)

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 2.4 – 3.8, #18 – #6

Note: Public radio news/talk KERA’s +1.4 (2.4 – 3.8) is tied for the highest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets; conversely, news/talk WBAP’s -1.0 (4.5 – 3.5) is Dallas’ largest (6+)October 2023 – November 2023 decrease.

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 4.0 – 4.1, #9 – #9  (Rockets)

KPRC .9 – .6, #26 – #28  

News

None

Sports Talk

KBME 1.5 – 1.3, #22 – #22  (Rockets)

KILT-AM 1.5 – 1.3, #22 – #22 (Texans)

KFNC .3 – .2, #29 – #30

KILT-AM Stream .2 – .2, #31 – #30 (Texans)

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 1.8 – 2.2, #21 – #20

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 8.1 – 8.8, #2 – #1

WFOM .4 – .4, #30 – #29

WGKA .3 – .2, #32 – #33

WSRV-HD3 Stream 2 – .2, #33 – #33

WAOK .1 – .1, #37 – #36

WAOK Stream .1 – .1, #37 – #36

News

WBIN  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WZGC 3.0 – 3.4, #14 – #11 (Falcons, Hawks)

WCNN 1.8 – 1.2, #18 – #21

WZGC Stream .6 – .4, #27 – #29 (Falcons, Hawks)

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.6 – 3.2, #10 – #13

WRAS  .6 – .9, #27 – #24

Note: Sports/talk WCNN’s -.6 (1.8 – 1.2) is tied for Atlanta’s highest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 decrease. 

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 2.1 – 2.2, #15 – #15

WKXW DNA – 1.0, DNA – #24

WPHT Stream .5 – .6, #23 – #26

WURD Stream .6 – .3, #25 – #26

WURD .5 – .4, #23 – #28

WDEL-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #31

WKXW Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

News

KYW & WPHI 5.4 – 5.3, #6 – #6

KYW & WPHI Stream .1 – .1, #27 – #31

Sports Talk

WIP 8.2 – 8.5, #2 – #2 (Eagles)

WIP Stream 1.5 – 1.7, #20 – #19 (Eagles)

WPEN-FM 1.2 – 1.3, #21 – #22 (76ers, Flyers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.1 – 2.9, #11 – #11      

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 2.2 – 2.1, #18 – #17

WOR 1.1 – 1.3, #22 – #20

WLIR .2 – .2, #30 – #31

News

WINS-FM 3.7 – 4.1, #7 – #7

WCBS-AM 2.7 – 2.4, #12 – #13

WINS-FM Stream .6 – .6, #25 – #25

Business News WBBR .3 – .3, #29 – #30

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .2, #30 – #31

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 3.9 – 3.9 #6 – #8 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 3.0 – 3.3, #11 – #11 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream 1.2 – .9, #21 – #22 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .2, #30 – #31

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO .1 – .1, #24 – #22

Sports Talk

KPWK DNA – .1, DNA – #22

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .5 – .4 #19 – #20

KPCC .1 – DNA, #24 – DNA

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.1 – 1.4, #23 – #21

KSFO Stream .2 – .2, #30 – #31  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.0 – 5.9, drops to #2 after four consecutive months at #1

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .3 – .3, #29 – #28

KNEW .2 – .3, #30 – #28  

Sports Talk

KNBR 5.2 – 4.0, #5 – #7 (49ers)

KGMZ 2.1 – 1.7, #16 – #18 (Golden State Warriors)

KGO Stream 1.0 – .8, #25 – #26  

KTCT .8 – .8, #27 – #26   

KGO .6 – .3, #28 – #28    

Public Radio News/Talk

None

Sharks’ games are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

Note: Sports/talk KNBR’s -1.2 (5.2 – 4.0) represents the highest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease by any station in these 12 PPM-markets (6+).

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION (New Jersey)

News/Talk

WKXW 6.0 – 6.3, #2 – #3

WKXW Stream 1.0 – .6, #19 – #22

WOR .6 – .6, #23 – #22  

News

WINS-FM 2.3 – 2.1, #11 – #12

WCBS-AM .9 – 1.1, #21 – #18

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .3, #27 – #26

WCBS-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 3.4 – 3.6, #9 – #9 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.2 – 1.4, #17 – #17 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

WFAN FM & AM Stream 1.2 – 1.1, #17 – #18 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Up next: November 2023 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

WWO: Studies Show AM/FM and Tax Prep Services a Good Match

The latest blog post from the Cumulus Media | Westwood One’s Audio Active Group contains data from five studies that indicate AM/FM radio is a good medium to advertise tax preparation services. Some of the findings include: 1) AM/FM radio is an ideal medium for the tax preparation category: Heavyim AM/FM radio listeners are 39% more likely to pay $301+ to have their taxes prepared and show greater familiarity, interest, consideration, and usage of tax category brands; 2) AM/FM radio ads drive site traffic for tax preparation brands: In the LeadsRx attribution study of a tax preparation service’s multi-wave campaign, AM/FM radio generated between a 43% to 47% increase in website traffic; 3) Branding early and often in tax preparation service ads drives more site traffic: LeadsRx found the top three creative executions that drove site traffic for a tax preparation service had the marketer’s brand name within the first five seconds of the ad; and 4) compared to other radio formats, a 2023 tax prep campaign on news/talk and sports stations realized a higher percentage share of interactions than the percentage share of their Nielsen ad impressions. See the blog post here.

Industry News

“New Jersey 101.5” and Bill Spadea Partner to Expand Common Ground Podcast

Townsquare Media’s news/talk WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” and morning drive host Bill Spadea announce a new partnership that will allow the “Common Ground with Bill Spadea” podcast to reach more viewers throughout the state. The new program will be titled “New Jersey 101.5 presentsim Common Ground with Bill Spadea” and will feature live episodes of the podcast on location from towns, landmarks and businesses across New Jersey. The station says the deal will give Spadea the resources to focus on hard-hitting conversation and longer form interviews with leaders from New Jersey (and beyond). Spadea adds, “This partnership is the next step in the great success of our morning show, which has seen ratings skyrocket in recent years. We’re excited to be bringing multiple remote podcasts to our audience every month and look forward to seeing everyone on the trail!”

Industry News

30th Annual Mayflower Marathon Raises Record Sum for Charity

im

The morning duo Bax & Nagle – Mike Baxendale (right) and Steve Nagle (left) – on Saga Communications’ WAQY-FM, Springfield, Massachusetts “Rock 102” headlined the station’s 30th Annual Mayflower Marathon broadcast event that benefits Springfield Open Pantry. The 52-hour broadcast marathon was held at MGM Springfield casino and raised a record $234,733, which is $55,000 more than last year’s event.

Industry News

NYC Reporter Pablo Guzman Dies

The New York Post reports that legendary New York City reporter Pablo Guzman died Sunday (11/26) at 73. Over the past 30 years, Guzman covered crime, politics, and the historic evolution of the city. He most recently worked as a senior correspondent for CBS. He worked at WNEW-TV starting in 1984, moved to WNBC-TV in 1992, and then to WCBS-TV.Read the Post obit here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (11/27) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Israel-Hamas truce and the release of hostages; the rise of anti-Semitism and the shooting of three Palestinian students in Vermont; President Joe Biden to skip COP28 climate summit; former cop Derek Chauvin stabbed in prison; UN report urges the West to reduce meat consumption; the 2024 presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; and the Russia-Ukraine war were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.