April 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four
April 2023 PPM Data – Information for the April 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
Nielsen Audio’s April 2023 sweep covered March 30 – April 26.
TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.
Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.
All comparisons noted are March 2023 – April 2023 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk: Waterloo Media Group’s KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 5.6 – 5.5, -.1, fourth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas’ KUT 5.3 – 4.7, -.6, fifth to seventh
Number One 6+: Waterloo Media Group adult hits KBPA, fourth month in succession, 8.7 – 9.7, +1.0
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: adult hits KBPA and rhythmic CHR KPEZ (+1.0)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: Spanish adult hits KLJA (-1.3)
RALEIGH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 8.3 – 8.8, +.5, locked in the runner-up slot
News: Capitol Broadcasting-owned WRAL-HD3 “WRAL News+” flat at .3, #23 to #15
Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” (Carolina Hurricanes) 3.1 – 3.4, +.3, #11 to #8
Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 7.5 – 8.0, +.5, anchored in third-place
Number One 6+: Urban One urban AC WFXC, fourth straight month, 9.6 – 9.3, -.3
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WQOK and CHR WDCG (+.8)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: country WNCB (-.5)
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk: Urban One’s WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 8.1 – 6.4, -1.7, second to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” 2.9 – 2.6, -.3, #12 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting-owned WFYI 4.9 – 5.1, +.2, repeats in seventh-place
Number One 6+: Urban One adult contemporary WYXB, third month in a row, 9.0 – 8.4, -.6 and country cluster-mate WLHK, first month, 5.9 – 8.4, +2.5
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: country WLHK (+2.5)*
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: news/talk WIBC (-1.7)**
*Represents the largest March 2023 – April 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
**Represents the largest March 2023 – April 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” unchanged at 9.7, #2 to #1
Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Bucks, Brewers) 7.4 – 9.2, +1.8, fourth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRNW “97.3 The Game” flat at 1.3, repeats at #16
Good Karma Brands-owned WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” 1.2 – 1.0, -.2, stays at #17
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM 2.1 – 2.8, +.7, #15 to #13
Number One 6+: news/talk WISN, first month, steady at 9.7
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: news/talk WTMJ (+1.8)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary WKKV (-1.1)
NASHVILLE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” 6.9 – 6.7, -.2, locked in fourth-place
iHeartMedia-owned WLAC “Talk Radio 1510” 1.0 – 1.3, +.3, #20 to #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” 4.9 – 4.1, -.8, sixth to eighth
Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” (Predators) 1.1 – 1.3, +.2, #18 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 2.8 – 2.9, +.1, #12 to #13
Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA, third month in succession, 14.7 – 13.3, -1.4
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: adult hits WCJK (+.8)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WJXA (-1.4)
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 6.0 – 5.7, -.3, sixth to seventh
iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” .3 – .4, +.1, remains at #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (Bruins, Celtics) 3.6 – 3.8, +.2, anchored in eighth-place
Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 2.3 – 2.5, +.2, repeats at #10
Public Radio News/Talk: WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.2 – 3.4, +.2, steady at #9
Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN 1.7 – 1.5, -.2, #14 to #13
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI, seventh month in succession, 9.8 – 9.0, -.8
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WWBB (+1.0)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WWLI (-.8)
NORFOLK
News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” 2.6 – 2.8, +.2, #13 to #12
News: iHeartMedia-owned WNOH “BIN 105.3 Because Truth Matters” flat at .3, locked at #20
Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group’s WVSP “94.1 ESPN” 1.8 – 2.0, +.2, #16 to #15
Sinclair’s WTAR “Sports Radio 850” unchanged at .3, continues at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WVKL, fourth straight month, 10.9 – 9.4, -1.5
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: rock WNOR (+1.1)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: urban AC WVKL (-1.5)
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 7.0 – 6.1 -.9, repeats in sixth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 3.3 – 3.2, -.1, flat at #11
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC WSOL, first month, 7.8 – 8.1, +.3 and Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ, first month, steady at 8.1
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WJGL-HD2 and its internet stream (+.6)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: country WQIK (-1.4)
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WZZR “92.1 Real Radio” 1.9 – 1.8, -.1, repeats at #11
WZZR cluster-mate WJNO “News Radio 1290” 1.6 – 1.5, -.1, #12 to #13
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” 1.1 -.8, -.3, #14 to #16
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WMEN “Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida” (Florida Panthers) steady at .5, stays at #18
iHeartMedia-owned WBZT “Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler” flat at .2, #19 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board’s WLRN 2.1 – 2.5, +.4, tenth to ninth
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting classic hits-oldies WEAT, third straight month, 10.4 – 11.8, +1.4
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WOLL (+1.5)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: regional Mexican WLLY (-.9)
GREENSBORO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 5.1 – 5.2, +.1, anchored in eighth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Wake Forest University’s WFDD 2.6 – 2.0, -.6, #11 to #12
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 1.3 – 1.1, -.2, #15 to #13
Number One 6+: Audacy adult hits WSMW, fourth month in a row, 12.8 – 13.4, +.6
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: CHR WKZL (+.8)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WMAG (-.7)
MEMPHIS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 2.3 – 2.8, +.5, remains at #11
Starnes Media Group-owned KWAM “News Talk Memphis The Mighty 990” steady at .2, #20 to #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” (Grizzlies) 3.8 – 3.2, -.6, seventh to tenth
WFMS’ internet stream .7 – .5, -.2, repeats at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications-owned WKNO 1.6 – 1.4, -.2, #13 to #14
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS, second straight month, 10.1 – 11.0, +.9
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WHRK (+1.4)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: sports talk WMFS (-.6)
HARTFORD
News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” 5.4 – 5.3, -.1, locked in sixth-place
Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” 1.3 – 1.7, +.4, #15 to #14
WTIC-AM’s internet stream .4 – .6, +.2, #19 to #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WUCS “97.9 ESPN” 1.7 – 1.3, -.4, #14 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications-owned WNPR 5.4 – 5.2, -.2, sixth to seventh
New England Public Media’s WFCR steady at .4, #19 to #18
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 39th month in a row, 11.7 – 11.0, -.7
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WHCN (+1.6)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: hot AC WTIC-FM (-1.1)
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
moves 
producer and director Justine Bateman. Other panelists include Ramsay Brown, chief executive officer of the A.I. Responsibility Lab, Brandie Nonnecke, co-director of the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology, and others.” Audacy Southern California regional president 
NPR’s “Up First” at #3, bumping Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” to the #4 rank. Other commercial radio-related podcasts ranking high on this month’s chart include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” (#7), Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” (#17), and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Matt Walsh Show” and “Mark Levin Podcast” at #21 and #22, respectively. 
the late Rush Limbaugh (“no one wants to replace Mickey Mantle”) but agreed to do it anyway. “This thing happened along the way where I really fell in love with the job… I didn’t really want to leave, and I don’t want to go. I didn’t really expect this and it puts me in a really weird spot… somewhere along the way this little marriage between you [the listener] and me… started out rough and rocky and it’s just become nothing but bliss for me and I just really hate to leave it.” Bongino’s addressing the matter came as CHRO and SVP human resources Todd McCarty notified managers about the ending of the mandate via an internal memo. He wrote, “After continued consideration, we’ve made the decision to end the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Additionally, we are eliminating all prior COVID-19 protocols for employees and visitors/guests to our facilities, with the exception of protocols for those who test positive. These changes are effective immediately and we ask that you communicate these changes to your teams. HR will be adjusting current job descriptions and will eliminate the requirement moving forward.” 
delist the company’s common stock pending completion of applicable procedures. Trading of Audacy’s common stock on the NYSE is suspended but the common stock will continue to be able to be traded over the counter. Audacy says it intends to appeal this determination by the NYSE by filing a written request within 10 business days after receiving the notice. Audacy chairman, president and CEO David J. Field says, “Over the past few years, we have taken a number of transformational actions to give Audacy a leading, differentiated, and scaled position in the dynamic audio space, including podcasting, streaming audio, and our leadership presence across the country’s largest markets and our unrivaled strength in sports and news radio. While we are disappointed by the NYSE’s decision, we are hopeful we will find our way back to the exchange later this year as we execute our action plans which include a reverse stock split to satisfy NYSE rules, the continued execution of our liability management plans and working with our financial advisors to refinance our debt. Further, as macroeconomic conditions stabilize, we believe we will benefit from a general market recovery and will be able to capitalize on our investments in strategic transformation that position Audacy well for the future.”
the 2021 recall election. The story indicates that Elder “failed to disclose earnings from 10 entities on his statement of economic interest, including Salem Media, Epoch Times and Turning Point USA, according to the state election commission.” The commission found “no evidence of intent to conceal” and the financial disclosure documents have been corrected. 
dismissed Napear’s suit last month but gave him 21 days to file an amended suit. Napear was let go after former Kings center 
expanding the “Morning XTRA” show to 6:00 am to 10:00 am. Dickey Broadcasting says, “The addition ‘The Kimmer Show’ demonstrates Dickey Broadcasting’s commitment to building a dominant and world-class news/talk radio station in Atlanta and the region and we thank our loyal advertisers and listeners for helping us build this great station.” Station morning host and content director Tug Cowart comments, “As our listenership grew, the demand for a local afternoon show grew. Our social media and phones all asked for the same thing, ‘The Kimmer Show.’ How could we go any other route? A local and iconic Atlanta talk radio voice and what our listeners wanted from us. It’s the way these decisions are supposed to made.”
one the most successful voices in audio branding as a 2023 honoree of the Benztown 50 list of the top 50 voiceover professionals in the U.S. and Canada.” The Ambush audio imaging library is written and produced by imaging director Scott Phillips. Benztown VP, sales & operations Masa Patterson says, “JJ is world class, serving as the imaging voice for some of the best NT stations in America. Combining him with a production talent like Scott Phillips and retooling the content plan has Ambush positioned as a top-of-class resource for audio producers in the spoken word space.” Surma adds, “Scotty Phillips is an amazing writer and producer, and Ambush is a legendary resource that I leaned into many times in my years as a creative services director. The opportunity to bring my energy to such a respected and trusted audio library and company has me all fired up!” 
What will hurt your chances of sales success more, graduating from a low-ranked college or attending too many inefficient sales meetings?
Ever lost your phone? It’s an instant sick, sinking feeling. It’s quaint to even call it a “phone,” because it’s…everything. Including us. Like the transistor radio Boomers toted in our youth, it’s audio in your pocket.
for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was also an important endeavor. I knew personally how cancer affects the lives of the patient and their families. It has been a passion and I’ve been blessed with many years of good health. I didn’t expect in 2023 that we would be having this conversation. After feeling lethargic, exhausted and experiencing some strange weight gain I had blamed it on a recent change of medication. Instead my blood work showed tremendous blood loss and levels of iron and hemoglobin that were dangerously low. We still believed that it would reveal an ulcer or a stomach tear that was being irritated by the new medication causing the bleed. We scheduled a short hospital stay to have all my tests in one day. It’s 76ers playoffs and I needed to get back to work quickly! The colonoscopy revealed the cancer and a subsequent CT Scan has given us some optimism that this cancer journey will end successfully. I have a great support system within the walls of Beasley Broadcasting from the Executive Suite to the interns. I feel blessed that everyone has already rallied behind me at ‘The Fanatic’ to make sure I succeed in this battle. My sponsors have always shown me such loyalty and support. I’m going to do my best to continue to deliver for them. I work with an excellent team on ‘The John Kincade Show’ and I’ve asked them to do everything possible to keep things as normal as possible. With our crew, normal is of course up to interpretation.” 
Offer will expire at Midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day, on June 9, 2023 (the “Expiration Date”), unless extended or earlier terminated by Cumulus. The “modified Dutch auction” allows shareholders to select the price, within a price range specified by Cumulus, and the number of shares they are willing to sell at that price (or, should a higher price be determined as the “purchase price,” such higher price). The Offer is being made under Cumulus’s previously announced $50 million share repurchase program. The purchase price will be the lowest price per share (in increments of $0.05) of not greater than $3.25 and not less than $2.85 per share, at which shares have been properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, that will enable Cumulus to purchase the maximum number of shares having an aggregate purchase price not exceeding $10 million (or, if the Offer is not fully subscribed, all shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn). Promptly after the Expiration Date, Cumulus will, on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the offer to purchase, determine the single per-share purchase price that Cumulus will pay, subject to proration and conditional tender provisions, for shares properly tendered at or below the purchase price in the Offer and not properly withdrawn, and accepted for payment, taking into account the number of shares tendered pursuant to the Offer and the prices specified, or deemed specified, by the tendering shareholders.
says in a memo to staffers, “Phil has been in broadcasting for more than 50 years, most of those years on morning radio, and many years feeding the people of New Bedford next to his bride, Celeste, at their Shawmut Diner. As much as Phil has to offer our community, at some point a man deserves to sleep in without worrying about pancakes or interviews. That time has come for Phil. The Morning Mayor has decided to make this Friday [5/12] his last day on the WBSM morning show… Thankfully, Phil’s WBSM story doesn’t end on Friday. He has agreed to ‘Phil’ in during vacations, and I’m trying to talk him into taking on a regular weekend shift. All in time.”
the industry as a number of car manufacturers unveiled controversial intentions to eliminate AM radios from the dashboard of electric and even gas vehicles going forward. In making the announcement about this additional agenda element, TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison stated, “The automobile issue is rocking the industry and John Catsimatidis has been stepping up to the plate in defense of both radio and good sense. He brings his formidable influence into the arena and we are delighted that he will be delivering a major address to that effect on June 2 at the conference. He has become a radio hero, and this will be another key moment in his growing legacy… and hopefully in prolonging the valuable life of both the AM and FM bands.”
of his son who gave his life in Afghanistan trying to save a fellow soldier, an event that became the inspiration for the popular country song, “I Drive Your Truck,” plus the story of the USS Indianapolis, America’s worst naval disaster. Also, host Lee Habeeb shares a personal story of his uncle who was killed by Nazis after D-Day. The program is available on a market-exclusive basis with barter. The show is available via FTP delivery. “Our American Stories” is distributed by Premiere Networks and is heard in over 310 radio markets across the U.S. For more information contact: 855-276-8020 or 
total of four hours and 15 minutes per day. Ninety percent of moms access the internet from their mobile phones. It also says that TikTok is used by 50% of U.S. moms, up from 42% in 2022, while Facebook is used by 83% of U.S. moms, down from 88% in 2022. Edison Research VP Melissa DeCesare says, “U.S. moms are heavily engaged with social media and online audio, and their time on the Internet continues to increase with the ease of mobile phone access. They are busy with children and are taking advantage of the convenience offered by wireless headphones and smart watches.”