Ratings Takeaways

January 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One

imJanuary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the January 2024 ratings period (January 4 – January 31) 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.

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+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.0 – 3.5, #11 – #11

WOR 1.2 – 1.7, #21 – #17

WKXW .8 – 1.0, #27 – #24

WKXW Stream .2 – .3, #37 – #35

News

WINS-FM 3.9 – 4.7, #9 – #6

WCBS-AM 1.6 – 1.7, #19 – #17

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .5, #32 – #27

Business News WBBR .3 – .4, #34 – #31

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .2, #46 – #39 

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 2.3 – 2.7, #12 -#13 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .7 – .8, #28 -#25 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.2 – DNA #21 – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 4.1 – 4.5, #7 – #7

WNYC-AM 1.0 – 1.2, #23 – #22 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 4.6 – 5.5, #4 – #3

KEIB .4 – .8, #30 – #33  (Clippers)

KRLA .4 – .6, #30 – #34  

News

KNX-FM 2.5 – 2.8, #12 – #12

KNX-FM Stream .1 – .2, #40 – #39  

Sports Talk

KLAC .8 – .9, #28 – #32 (Clippers 

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.0 – 2.3, #14 – #15

Notes: News/talk KFI’s +.9 (4.6 – 5.5) represents a tie for Los Angeles’ highest (6+) Holiday 2023 – January 2024 increase.

Flagship of the 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 2.6 – 3.1, #11 – #10  (Blackhawks)

WLS-AM 1.7 – 1.9, #19 – #18

WLIP .3 – .4, #38 – #35

WVON .1 – .1, #43 – #41

WLS-AM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #41

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 4.9 – 6.2, #4  – #2

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .1 – .2, #43 – #38

Sports Talk

WSCR 2.5 – 3.4, #12 – #8 (Bulls)

WMVP 1.5 – 1.5, #20 – #20

WSCR Stream .4 – .6, #36 – #32 (Bulls) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 2.1 – 2.7, #15 – #13  

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.4 – 1.5, #22 – #22

KSFO Stream .2 – .3, #32 – #30 

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 5.7 – 6.6, #3 – #3

KNEW .3 – .3, #29 – #30  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .1 – DNA, #38 – DNA

KKSF DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.6 – 3.9, #7 – #6

KGMZ 2.0 – 2.4, #14 – #14 (Golden State Warriors)

KGO .2 – .2, #32 – #34  

KGO Stream .2 – .2, #32 – #34  

KTCT .4 – .2, #27 – #34  

KGMZ Stream .2 – DNA, #32 – DNA (Golden State Warriors)

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 6.9 – 7.9, #2 – #2

KALW .2 – .3, #32 – #30

Note: Sports talk KNBR is the flagship of the 49ers, which lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 2.8 – 3.7, #14 – #9

KEGL 1.4 – 1.2, #27 – #29  (Mavericks)

KSKY .6 – .6, #33 – #32

KLIF-AM .4 – .5, #34 – #33

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.4 – 1.7, #27 – #24

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KTCK 4.2 – 5.6, #3 – #1  (Stars)

KRLD-FM 2.9 – 2.8, #13 – #17

KRLD-FM Stream .3 – .4, #35 – #35

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 3.5 – 4.0, #6 – #7  

Note: Sports/talk KTCK’s +1.4 (4.2 – 5.6) represents Dallas’ highest (6+) Holiday 2023 – January 2024 increase.

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 2.6 – 3.6, #17 – #9  (Rockets)

KPRC . 5 – .3, #28 – #28  

News

None

Sports Talk

KILT-AM 1.5 – 1.6, #21 – #21

KBME .6 – .6, #27 – #27  (Rockets)

KILT-AM Stream .3 – .3, #30 – #28

KFNC .2 – .2, #31 – #33

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 2.4 – 2.8, #18 – #19

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.4– 8.6, #2 – #1

WFOM .4 – .6, #27 – #27

WGKA .1 – .3, #31 – #30

WAOK .1 – .2, #31 – #31

WAOK Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #36

WSRV-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBIN  DNA – .1, DNA – #36

Sports Talk

WZGC 3.5 – 4.2, #9 – #8 (Hawks)

WCNN 1.4 – 2.2, #20 – #16

WZGC Stream .3 – .8, #29 – #24 (Hawks)

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.3 – 4.0, #11 – #9

WRAS  .8 – .7, #24 – #25

WABE-HD3 DNA – .1, DNA – #36 

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 1.7 – 2.2, #19 – #16

WKXW 1.2 – 1.3, #23 – #23

WPHT Stream .7 – .7, #26 – #26

WURD .3 – .4, #27 – #28

WURD Stream .2 – .2, #29 – #30

WDEL-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WKXW Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

KYW & WPHI 4.7 – 6.2, #6 – #5

KYW & WPHI Stream .1 – .1, #30 – #32

WTEL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WIP 5.7 – 7.0, #4 – #4

WIP Stream 1.5 – 2.3, #20 – #15

WPEN-FM 1.3 – 1.5, #22 – #21 (76ers, Flyers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 2.8 – 3.1, #9 – #10      

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 1.1 – 1.5, #20 – #18

WOR 1.0 – 1.1, #22 – #19

WLIR .1 – .1, #35 – #32

News

WINS-FM 3.3 – 4.8, #9 – #5

WCBS-AM 2.5 – 2.2, #12 – #15

WINS-FM Stream .9 – 1.0, #23 – #20

Business News WBBR .2 – .3, #30 – #26

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .1, #35 – #32

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 3.5 – 4.6, #7 – #7 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 2.7 – DNA, #11 – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .3, #30 – #26

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO DNA – .1, DNA – #21

Sports Talk

KPWK .2 – .1, #18 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .3 – .4 #16 – #20

KPCC DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.5 – 1.8, #19 – #20

KSFO Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 4.5 – 5.2, #4 – #4

KNEW .3 – .2, #28 – #28  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .2 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.9 – 4.7, #6 – #5

KGMZ 1.5 – 2.8, #19 – #10 (Golden State Warriors)

KGO Stream .7 – .8, #26 – #26  

KTCT .8 – .3, #25 – #27   

KGO .3 – .2, #28 – #28  

KGMZ Stream .2 – DNA, #30 – DNA (Golden State Warriors)

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Notes: Sports/talk KGMZ’s +1.3 (1.5 – 2.8) represents San Jose’s highest (6+) Holiday 2023 – January 2024 increase.

Sports talk KNBR is the flagship of the 49ers, which lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Sharks’ games are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION 

News/Talk

WKXW 5.7 – 7.4, #4 – #1

WOR 1.6 – 2.7, #15 – #9

WKXW Stream .7 – .8, #20 – #20    

News

WINS-FM 1.8 – 2.7, #13 – #9

WCBS-AM 1.0 – .9, #18 – #19

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .5, #23 – #22

WCBS-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM DNA – 2.7, DNA – #9 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.0 – DNA, #18 – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Note: News/talk WKXW’s +1.7 (5.7 – 7.4) represents Middlesex-Somerset-Union’s highest (6+)Holiday 2023 – January 2024 increase. 

Up next: January 2024 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Veritonic and Realeyes Unveil Audio Attention Report

Audio analytics and research platform Veritonic, in partnership with computer vision and attention AI company Realeyes, publishes their first Veritonic Audio Attention Report that analyzes effective audio advertising. The report provides data-backed insight into the importance of creative efficacy programs for audio andim podcast advertising. Some of the key takeaways include: 1) Attention quality was highest for the audio ad that had the highest voiceover volume (36%) as opposed to the ad that had the lowest voiceover volume (27%) and the ad that had too many competing elements within the creative (25%); 2) 75% of participants reported a good quality audio ad positively influences their consideration to purchase a product; and 3) The inclusion of multiple competing audio components elements within an audio ad caused the ad to score lower in terms of overall quality than the ads without multiple competing elements. You can get the full report here.

Industry News

KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh’s Marty Griffin Hospitalized

KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh morning drive co-host Marty Griffin is currently off the air at the Audacyim news/talk outlet and has been admitted to the hospital at UPMC dealing with what he called “crazy, insane” pain in his throat. Griffin, who battled throat cancer several years ago and has been in remission, says that late last week he couldn’t swallow anything and that the pain was something he never felt in his life. At this time, Griffin has been diagnosed with pneumonia, but doctors are also trying to determine if he has an infection of if the cancer has returned.

Industry News

Chanley Painter Named FNC Overnight Anchor

FOX News Channel signs Court TV’s Chanley Painter as overnight anchor, effective February 26. Aim Court TV correspondent since 2019, Painter has covered the high-profile trials of Bryan Kohberger, Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard, Alex Murdaugh, Harvey Weinstein, and the death of George Floyd. In 2021 she was awarded the Scripps Give Light award for leadership, dedication, and hard work in legal journalism. She got her start in the industry in 2016, as a legal analyst for Nexstar Media Group, where she went on to become a multimedia journalist. Painter earned a Juris Doctor degree with high honors from the University of Arkansas Little Rock Bowen School of Law.

Industry News

Alabama Broadcaster J. Holland to Retire

YHN Media Group, LLC announces that Alabama radio personality J. Holland will retire from theim Yellowhammer News Network later this month, putting the wraps on a broadcast career of 50 years. Most recently, Holland has been the afternoon news anchor on the network. During his career, he’s served with more than 25 radio stations. In the early 1990s, he moved into the news/talk format, serving with WAAX, Gadsden before moving on to WVNN, Huntsville and then WERC, Birmingham. He’s been with the Yellowhammer News Network since 2015.

Industry News

SiriusXM and RealClearPolitics Partner for New Show

SiriusXM announces a new weeknight political program produced in collaboration with the independent,im non-partisan media company, RealClearPolitics. The “RealClearPolitics” show premieres on February 26, airing nightly from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET on SiriusXM’s P.O.T.U.S. channel 124. RealClear Media Group chief content officer Andrew Walworth hosts the show along with co-hosts Carl Cannon and Tom Bevan.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/19) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The battle in Washington over aid for Ukraine and the death of Vladimir Putin opponent Alexei Navalny; the Israel-Hamas war and the U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire; the legal battles facing former President Donald Trump and the Fani Willis misconduct investigation; the presidential race and President Joe Biden’s age; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Iran-backed Houthi militia’s attacks in the Red Sea; and the intense rainfall hitting California were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Pending Business: Q2

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imHave we passed the disappointment of 2023?

If ad sales at your radio station finished last year up double digits (excluding digital) please skip past the next few paragraphs. If you’re in the same boat as most radio ad sellers across the country at various levels – i.e. local, national, syndication, network – last year was a struggle.

Now then, how is Q1 shaping up?

Are you making up for lost ground, like the airline business, automotive business, restaurants or are you still pushing that boulder uphill? Here is some straight-from-the-field unfiltered feedback:

1. Valentine’s Day at most restaurants was one of the busiest on record. People at the packed-in table next to ours waited two hours after sitting to be served. So much for a 6:45 pm reservation. They got free dessert. Seriously?

2. Travel is back, make no mistake about it. Discount airfares are a thing of the past on the big-name airlines. At 6’2” I really believe my knees should not be touching the seat in front of me in comfort class on most major airlines.

3. Try negotiating a new car deal this month. No, not the incentives on the 2023 models, I’m talking 2024 in 2024. As the goodfellows said back home, fuhgeddaboudit.

There is nothing wrong with trying to make up for the lost income of the Covid years. After all, testing the pricing upside in business is the American way. We pay more, tip more, and adjust. It is the Darwin theory eating into our wallets every day. So why are most broadcast radio sales teams at all levels still throwing it against the wall to see what sticks? I see it every day in my marketing work. We have lost touch with the excitement, the “wow” factor, the customizations, the basic intangibles of selling the great talent we represent.

Let us learn from other successful businesses. Travel pitches pent-up demand, restaurants make sure you will get the special occasion marketing message no matter where you are, and the auto business, well the ships and chips are in!

What do we not understand about the current weakness in our broadcast radio sales strategy?

1. How current is your value proposition? Successful podcasters like Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper along with YouTubers, Facebook, Instagram, and all social media have changed the game-forever. How does your value proposition stand out today?

2. Talk radio will not go away. Programmers and talent will learn what they need to adjust to refocus one of the great radio formats ever created since someone said, “Let’s play the top 40 songs over and over.”

3. Let us start re-thinking what broadcast radio sellers need to prioritize to make a difference-today.

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: 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

iHeartMedia Debuts Two Florida Sports Talkers

iHeartMedia Florida debuts “FOX Sports Radio Orlando 97.9 FM/AM 810” on former Spanish news WRSO-AM, Orlovista and “FOX Sports Radio Jacksonville AM 930” on former Spanish news WFXJ-AM,im Jacksonville. Both stations will air the full slate of FOX Sports Radio programs. These format flips spell the end of the “Accion Radio Network” airing Spanish-language news/talk and information. iHeartMedia North Florida area president Paul Rogers says, “We remain fully committed to providing the best quality entertainment and information to the Hispanic residents on the First Coast and will continue to explore ways we can increase our impact there. The opportunity to return the FOX Sports brand to its original home on AM 930 in Jacksonville was simply too good to pass up. Its appeal cuts across and unites every segment of our community.”

Industry News

WXYT-FM, Detroit’s Mike Stone Signs Off

Longtime Detroit sports media personality Mike Stone, a.k.a., Stoney, co-hosted his last show on Friday (2/16) as he retires from Audacy’s WXYT-FM, Detroit “97.1 The Ticket.” The Detroit News report says,im “He arrived in the area in 1986, and in 1994, he helped launch WDFN ‘The Fan.’ In the late 1990s, he teamed with Bob Wojnowski for the ‘Stoney and Wojo Show,’ that made Stone a household name for decades to come.” Stone told his listeners, “I am somewhat sad that I will not be on the air every day. But I know that sadness ends when there’s no fricking alarm at 4:30 in the morning.” Read the Detroit News’ coverage here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The presidential race and questions about President Joe Biden’s age and his fitness; the legal battles facing former President Donald Trump and the Fani Willis misconduct hearings; the U.S. migrant crisis; Russia takes the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka and the death of Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny; the Israel-Hamas war and the International Court of Justice hears arguments over Israel’s occupation of territory claimed by Palestinians; FBI warnings about Chinese hackers targeting U.S. infrastructure; and the report of Russia’s planned space-based nuclear weapons were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Nielsen: Radio Can Grow Reach of Political Campaigns

Audacy SVP and head of research & insights Idil Cakim dives into a new political study by Nielsen (commissioned by iHeartMedia, Audacy and Cumulus) that suggests advertising on radio can provide political campaigns with an edge and help “connect with key voter groups and amplify other political advertising.” The Nielsen study – Optimizing Political Campaigns in November – concludes that “if a campaign reallocated 20% of existing ad dollars to radio, it couldim reach 17% more voters.” The study references Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman’s 2022 campaign, noting that it deployed radio to reach voters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In doing so, it allocated 20% of media dollars to radio and generated a 10% lift from radio above the local TV campaign, amounting to 676,000 additional voters at no extra cost. Audacy SVP of strategy, partnerships and analytics Jon Blum says, “When campaigns activate a TV plan, they should activate a corresponding radio plan and incorporate it into the mix with TV. The portion of the population that isn’t reachable via TV could be the swing vote and what throws it over the top for a candidate.” Nielsen’s study noted that if a campaign moved 20% of ad spending to radio, the optimized media plan would connect with 15% more Democratic and Republican voters and 23% more unaffiliated voters. See more about the study here.

Industry News

FOX News Media Promotes Two to Ad Sales Leadership Team

FOX News Media names a new advertising sales leadership team. Trey Gargano rises to EVP of ad sales, overseeing all FNM platforms, including FOX News Channel, FOX Business Network, FOX Newsim Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX Weather and FOX Nation. He takes over for Jeff Collins, who was recently elevated to president of the division for FOX imCorporation. Additionally, Ryan Roelle is promoted to SVP of national sales where she will focus on endemic and national advertising in addition to leading linear and digital sales across the country. In making the announcement, Collins says, “Over the past four years, Trey’s vast knowledge and deep understanding of the news marketplace helped drive new revenue streams while Ryan has increased the effectiveness and performance of our endemic and national sales teams. Together, they will ensure continued growth across FOX News Media platforms and success for our valued partners.”

Industry News

WSCR, Chicago to Present “QB1 Town Hall”

Audacy sports talk WSCR-AM, Chicago “670 The Score” is addressing what’s on every Chicago sports fan’s mind as it presents a live broadcast of the “Parkins & Spiegel Show” (Danny Parkins and Matt Spiegel) called, “QB1 Town Hall.” The Wednesday (2/21) broadcast looks at whether the Chicago Bearsim should keep quarterback Justin Fields or trade him in the upcoming draft for the #1 pick. Parkins and Spiegel will kick off the discussion from Audacy Chicago’s Blue Cross Blue Shield Performance Stage from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Football experts and a live audience will join Parkins and Spiegel to weigh in on the looming decision. “The Score” ran a contest this week for a chance to attend the “QB1 Town Hall.” These winners will make up the crowd that will have the opportunity take part in the debate. WSCR VP of programming Mitch Rosen says, “This decision will determine the entire season’s trajectory and the fans are passionate about their views on it. We’re looking forward to opening up this conversation to our listeners and Bears faithful.” The show is being made available via the Audacy app & website, the station’s Twitch, and YouTube channels.

Industry News

FOX News Digital Leads News Set in Multiplatform Views and Minutes

FOX News Digital reports that, according to data from Comscore, it finished January continuing its streak as the top news brand with both multiplatform views and minutes. FOX News Digital closed outim the month reaching 3.27 billion total multiplatform minutes, compared to CNN.com’s 1.85 billion, and NYTimes.com’s 1.59 billion. FOX News Media attracted 1.66 billion total multiplatform views, compared to NYTimes.com’s 1.49 billion, and CNN.com’s 1.17 billion. When it comes to total digital unique visitors – similar to radio’s cume – CNN.com still holds the lead with 112.7 million. But FOX News Digital (109.7 million) has gradually been gaining ground on CNN.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of January 12 – 16

The U.S. migrant crisis was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the military aid package for Ukraine and Israel, followed by former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis misconduct hearings in Georgia tied 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.

Job Opportunity

Hubbard Has PD Opening in West Palm Beach

Hot AC 97.9 WFRM-FM in West Palm Beach has a very rare PD opportunity. The current PD for WRMF, Randi West, was offered the opportunity to continue on but has decided that after four years of commuting between Tampa and West Palm Beach, to step away from her position to devote more time to family. WRMF is an award-winning station with the legendary, family-owned Hubbard Broadcasting group. The top station in one of the fast-growing metros in the country with arguably the best weather anywhere on the planet! Reporting to operations manager, Bruce Logan, you would be equipped with market leading shows like the “KVJ Morning Show.” The ideal candidate for this role will have at least 5 years of programming experience in medium to major markets. The candidate should also possess amazing talent coaching skills and knowledge with digital performance. Learn more and apply here.

Industry News

Compass Media Networks’ Michelle Salvatore to Leave the Company

Compass Media Networks announces that sports division SVP and general manager Michelle Salvatore is resigning after more than 15 years with the company to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity outside of media. The company says Salvatore will continue with the company through the spring and will advise the company on a transition plan. Compass founder and CEO Peter Kosannim says, “Back in Spring of 2009, during the chaos and sleepless nights involved in launching this national media company, the media gods sent me an angel in the form of Michelle Salvatore. Michelle faced down every challenge, worked tirelessly and with good cheer, and set a gold standard of excellence for not only Compass Media Networks, but our industry. We love and will miss Michelle dearly. Our goal is to build upon the greatness she created as we move ahead into the next chapter of our evolution.” Salvatore comments, “Working at Compass Media Networks literally changed my life for the better. I was able to travel the globe, producing games throughout the United States, Latin America and Europe, and had the chance to work with incredibly talented, passionate, and kind people. I am forever grateful to my dear friends at Compass Media Networks.”

Industry News

Triton Digital Releases January U.S. Podcast Ranker

Triton Digital publishes its U.S. Podcast Ranker for January (Jan. 1 – 28) based on weekly average downloads from participating networks and NPR’s “NPR News Now” maintains its #1 ranking, whileim NBCUniversal News Group’s “Dateline NBC” drops two spots to #4 and audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” rises to #2 and NPR’s “Up First” climbs to #3. Other radio related podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” steady at #7, Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” rising three spots to #15, and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Mark Levin Show” up one place to #24. See the complete ranker here.

Industry News

AWM/F Announces Board and Officers

The Alliance for Women in Media and its Foundation are pleased to announce the 2024 national board of directors and officers. AWM/F president Becky Brooks states, “The leadership of our board of directors has allowed AWM and our Foundation to advance women in media for more than 70 years of triumphs and trials. The past year has underscored the need for steadfast leadership in the face of unforeseenim challenges. The mix of diverse and insightful voices on this year’s boards will continue the important work of prioritizing recognition, connection and education of women across all facets of media.” The officer roles include: Katina Arnold, chair, VP, corporate communications, ESPN; Monica Bloom, incoming/vice chair, chief marketing officer, MHz Choice | Topic Streaming; Annie Howell, immediate past chair, chief communications officer, Hallmark Media; Catherine Badalamente, treasurer, president & CEO, Graham Media Group; and Marie Tedesco, treasurer-elect, CFO, Beasley Broadcast Group. New to the board of directors are: Isabel Lara, chief communications officer, NPR; Jaclyn Levin, president, Shriver Media and founder, Liminal Space Media; Christine Moran, head of creator partnerships, Electrify Video Partners; and Debra O’Connell, president, news group and networks, Disney Entertainment.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/14) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The deadly shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; today’s misconduct hearing for Fulton County DA Fani Willis; President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the U.S. migrant crisis and the impeachment of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; the House $95 billion foreign aid bill; 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.

Industry News

The “Taylor Swift Effect” on Edison Research’s Q4 Podcast Chart

Edison Research publishes its Top 50 U.S. Podcasts chart for the fourth quarter of 2023, based on total audience reach from its Edison Podcast Metrics. “The Joe Rogan Experience” remains ranked #1, with audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” steady at #2 and The New York Times’ “The Daily” maintaining the #3im spot. But the big story is the rise of WSE Originals’ “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” shooting from #67 in the Q3 2023 report to #6 in the Q4 chart. (The show was not in the top 100 in the Q2 2023 survey.) Edison says the show starring Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce “gained four and a half times the number of listeners and saw a change in composition to 50% female listeners.” Other noteworthy moves from radio-related podcasts include The DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” rising from #17 in Q3 to #9 in Q4 and Cumulus Podcasts Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” climbing from #29 in Q3 to #26 in Q4. Edison’s Q4 2023 ranker was conducted from October 9, 2023 to December 23, 2023, and is based on surveys of 5,356 weekly podcast listeners age 13+.

Industry News

Audacy Stations and Talent Receive PAB Honors

Audacy stations and hosts in Pennsylvania received 15 2024 Excellence in Broadcasting Awards fromim the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. They include: WPHT, Philadelphia afternoon host Rich Zeoli and the morning show “Kayal & Company” both receiving 2024 Outstanding Local Radio Personality/Team honors, and news/talk KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh and all-news KYW-AM/FM, Philadelphia both receiving several programming honors. Recipients will celebrate at a luncheon in May.

Industry News

WTOP Dedicates Studio to Late Production manager George Moshos

Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP News announces the dedication of its production studio as The George Moshos Production Studio, in memory of longtime production manager George Gusim Moshos. Moshos died on January 11 and today (2/14) would have been his 67th birthday. General manager Joel Oxley says, “George helped me so much when I first started at WTOP 30 some odd years ago. I knew little about production and he let me know it. His gruff demeanor and direct style took a minute to get used to. But it didn’t take long for me to realize this guy with the glint in his eyes was a person who cared. Really cared. About his job and doing it right and more importantly about people. He touched so, so many people and made things better for them. Seems only right to name where he spent so much of his time ‘The George Moshos Production Studio.’”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/13) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. House votes to impeach Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; Democrat Tom Suozzi wins special election for George Santos’ House seat; concerns about President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; the Fani WillisNathan Wade relationship; former President Donald Trump petitions the Supreme Court in his claim of presidential immunity; Trump’s NATO comments and the Russia-Ukraine war; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the latest report on inflation and the state of the U.S. economy; and the controversy over country music stations “refusing” to play Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” song  were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Happy World Radio Day 2024

Today (2/13) is the 13th annual celebration of World Radio Day – proclaimed an official “international day” by the United Nations in 2011 and facilitated each year by UNESCO. For last minute ideas and suggestions in taking advantage of the opportunity to acknowledge the medium of radio’s colorful past, present and future please click here. While you’re at it, check out the new two-minute song by the talk radio friendly band Gunhill Road titled, “Over the Radio Waves” on YouTube here and available for license-free broadcast. Happy World Radio Day 2024!

im

Industry News

iHeartMedia Makes $101 Million from BMI Deal

iHeartMedia files an 8-K Form with the Securities and Exchange Commission announcing that theim previously announced acquisition of Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”) to a shareholder group led by New Mountain Capital, LLC has closed, and the company has received $101.4 million of proceeds related to its equity interest in BMI. iHeartMedia says it plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of debt.

Industry News

Saga to Acquire Lafayette, Indiana Cluster from Neuhoff

Saga Communications announces that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of Neuhoff Communications’ Lafayette, Indiana radio stations sports talk WASK-AM, country WKOA-FM, rock WKHY-FM, classic hits WASK-FM, CHR WXXB-FM, and FM translator W269DJ for $5.3 millionim. Saga Communications president and CEO Chris Forgy comments, “We regretted missing the opportunity to acquire these stations a number of years ago when the Neuhoff family acquired them. These stations are a great fit for Saga. We see a lot of opportunity with these stations and this market and are pleased that the family has decided to entrust Saga with continuing these station’s long-standing heritage of serving the Greater Lafayette region. Saga intends to continue building its business in radio by identifying and acquiring middle market stations in dynamic communities.” KALIL & CO., INC was the exclusive broker.

Industry News

“Gonzo” Joins Bonneville’s KHTK, Sacramento as PD

GV Wire reports that Jose “Gonzo” Gonzalez leaves his post at Fat Dawgs 7 Broadcasting’s sports talk KFIG-AM, Fresno “1430 ESPN Radio” where he was PD and host to join Bonneville’s sports talkim KHTK-AM, Sacramento “Sactown Sports 1140 AM.” Gonzo posted to X, “I’ve loved my time here. Fresno born and raised. This is home. Through the hard times and the great times everyone here has had a hand in my growth. Thank you! Excited for my next radio chapter.” At the same time Fat Dawgs 7 Broadcasting announces that Enrique Loera is named VP and general manager for the company’s Fresno radio stations. Read the GV Wire story here.

Industry News

Bob Edwards Dies at 76

Longtime NPR and SiriusXM radio host Bob Edwards passed away on Saturday (2/10) at 76. Edwards was the host of NPR’s “Morning Edition” for almost 25 years and his firing from the position in 2004 caused a stir with the program’s faithful listeners. He was the first host of the program that launched in 1979. Edwards would sign on with SiriusXM to host an eponymous program that would continue through 2015. See the Washington Post obituary here.

Industry News

Podtrac Lauches Global Ranker Including YouTube Views

Podtrac announces that it is launching its newest ranker – The Podcast Global Industry Ranking of Top Publishers and Networks – of which it says, “For the first time, the global reach of top podcast publishers and networks is being made publicly available for advertisers, agencies, and the industry at large.  Andim while traditional podcast metrics and rankers have focused on the RSS distribution of podcasts, Podtrac’s new Global ranking also includes the viewership of podcasts on YouTube – another industry first.” The company adds, “By encompassing YouTube viewership alongside traditional metrics, the industry gains an improved framework for capturing podcast engagement across platforms and borders. It provides advertisers, agencies, and industry stakeholders with the reach and influence of the key podcast players.”