Industry News

Reuters Study Reveals Newsmax is a Top News Brand

The annual Digital News Report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism shows that Newsmax is one of the 12 online news brands that Americans turned to most. Reuters found that 8% of Americans —im about 25 million Americans — turn to Newsmax for their news at least weekly.  Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy says, “Newsmax’s rise is even more stunning considering the newness of our brand, Big Tech efforts to thwart us, and several virtual TV distributors still keeping us from their subscribers.” Newsmax recently announced its plans for an initial public offering later this year with a listing on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq.

Industry News

Talk Host and Governor Candidate Bill Spadea to Appear Before NJ Election Commission

On Monday (6/17), WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” morning drive host Bill Spadea announced his candidacy for governor of New Jersey as a Republican. Townsquare Media stated that regarding Spadea continuing to do his radio show “we have taken steps and imposed guidelines to ensure that Bill’s on-airim presence over the coming months and until he becomes a legally qualified candidate are in accordance with New Jersey election law, applicable FCC guidance, and industry standards and best practices for such circumstances.” The question that the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission has is because a gubernatorial candidate in the 2025 primary election must not knowingly accept a contribution in excess of $5,800 from a single source, is Spadea’s radio show – a valuable medium through which to campaign – an in-kind contribution that surpasses that monetary threshold? The Commission is requesting that Spadea appear before it at a hearing on June 26. The Commission has issued an Order to Show Cause at which time “Spadea for Governor, Candidate Spadea, and Townsquare Media shall appear and show cause before the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission for consideration by the Commission as to why a determination should not be made that the candidate’s radio airtime is an in-kind contribution from NJ 101.5 or Townsquare Media and therefore subject to the contribution limit.” The same parties are ordered to file written responses by Monday (6/24).

Industry News

FOX News Media to Simulcast Presidential Debate

FOX News Media is presenting live coverage of the CNN presidential debate on Thursday (6/27) from Atlanta. Special programming is being made available across FOX News Media platforms, including FOX News Channel, FOX Business Network, FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio and FOX Nation. At 7:00 pm ET, FNCim will kick off debate preview coverage with an early edition of “Jesse Watters Primetime,” followed by “FOX News Democracy 2024” at 8:00 pm ET with chief political anchor Bret Baier, anchor and executive editor Martha MacCallum, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, and Sean Hannity from the debate’s spin room in Atlanta. The hosts will be joined by FNC senior political analyst Brit Hume and contributors Kellyanne Conway, Richard Fowler and Karl Rove. After the debate, Sean Hannity will host the 11:00 pm ET hour live on FNC from the spin room in Atlanta to break down the event and the public’s reaction.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Good Karma Brands and ESPN Los Angeles 710 AM announce a new partnership with the University of Southern California to become the official broadcast home of USC Athletics, including USC Football, USC Men’s Basketball, and USC Women’s Basketball. ESPN Los Angeles market manager Sam Pines comments, “We are thrilled to partner with USC Athletics and bring game coverage to our passionate audience in Los Angeles on ESPN LA 710 AM and beyond with the opportunity for fans to tune in on the ESPN LA app. USC has a rich tradition of excellence in sports, and we are committed to delivering the high-quality coverage for Trojans fans.”

PodcastOne podcast, “Gals on the Go,” is teaming with skincare band fresh beauty for a live podcast recording event in New York City tomorrow (6/22) as part of the Second Annual fresh Beauty Rose Pop-Up. Hosts Danielle Carolan and Brooke Miccio will bring their lively banter and engaging conversation to a live audience gathered to celebrate fresh beauty’s Rose Collection. PodcastOne chief revenue officer Sue McNamara says, “At PodcastOne we strive to find pivotal brand associations that resonate with our hosts and their audiences. Our desire to amplify and highlight products and partnerships with out-of-the-box concepts, ideas and innovations allow us and our shows to align with market leading companies like fresh beauty.”

New England Public Media names John Sutton, currently serving as the NEPM interim chief content officer, to the newly established position of vice president of content and audience strategy. NEPM president Matt Abramovitz says, “In this pioneering role, John will develop the strategy and plan to make NEPM the indispensable guide to Western Mass. After months of searching, John stood out because of his many years of strategic and programming consulting in the public radio system, as well as his experience in-house at NPR and Pittsburgh’s WESA.”

Industry News

CMG’s WGAU, Athens, Georgia Cuts Tim Bryant

According to a Facebook post by the Oconee Enterprise, Cox Media Group news/talk WGAU-AM/W254CJ, Athens, Georgia has let Tim Bryant go. Bryant hosted the station’s morning drive show “Classic City Today,”im as well as serving as news director for the Athens stations and anchor/reporter for sister news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta. The Oconee Enterprise says Bryant “is known for not just delivering the news of Athens and Oconee on the airwaves but also interviewing political candidates, public figures and citizens who do something newsworthy, as well as hosting candidate forums.” See the Oconee Enterprise post here.

Industry News

“New Jersey 101.5” Morning Host Bill Spadea to Run for Governor

WKXW-FM, Trenton New Jersey 101.5 morning drive talk host Bill Spadea announces his candidacy for governor of New Jersey as a Republican. In announcing his campaign, Spadea says, “I’m an outsider they can’t control and because I’m unapologetically conservative: pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and pro-imTrump… I’ll make the tough budget cuts that scare the career politicians. We’ll fix the way we fund schools so suburban parents pay less property tax. Give kids an education at school, not indoctrination. We’ll stop Joe Biden from using our state as a dumping ground for his illegals and end the handouts they get from Phil Murphy and weak sellout Republicans.” Townsquare Media says Spadea will continue to host his program until he becomes a legally qualified candidate. The company says, “We are sensitive to the legal parameters attendant in keeping a broadcast personality on air while they are seeking public office. Accordingly, we have taken steps and imposed guidelines to ensure that Bill’s on-air presence over the coming months and until he becomes a legally qualified candidate are in accordance with New Jersey election law, applicable FCC guidance, and industry standards and best practices for such circumstances.”

Ratings Takeaways

May 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imMay 2024 PPM Data – Information for Nielsen Audio’s May 2024 survey period (April 25 – May 22) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

No share or rank thresholds are required to be included here.

MLB team names of spoken-word flagships are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are April 2024 – May 2024 (6+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 4.4 – 4.4, #7 – #7

KJCE .1 – .1, #30 – #29

News

None

Sports Talk

KBPA-HD2  .9 – 1.0, #21 – #21

KVET-AM .5 – .6, #24 – #22

KTAE DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 7.6 – 6.1, #2 – #3

KUT-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

Note: Public radio news/talk KUT’s -1.5 (7.6 – 6.1) represents Austin’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 7.3 – 8.3, #4  – #2

WPTF .6 – .4, #23 – #24

News

WRAL-HD3 .7 – .7, #21 – #19

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.1 – 3.2, #12 – #12

WCMC-FM HD2 .1 – .1, #25 – #25

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 7.9 – 6.9, #3 – #5 

Note: Public radio news/talk WUNC’s -1.0 (7.9 – 6.9) represents a tie for Raleigh’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 5.7 – 6.9, #7 – #4

News

WOLT-HD2 .2 – .3, #25 – #22

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  2.3 – 3.5, #16 – #14

WNDE .3 – .1, #22 – #23

WXNT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WFNI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 5.9 – 4.8, #6 – #9 

Notes: The +1.2 by news/talk WIBC (5.7 – 6.9) and sports talk WIBC-HD2 (2.3 – 3.5) represents Indianapolis’ largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 increase 

Meanwhile, public radio news/talk WFYI’s -1.1 (5.9 – 4.8) is tied for the market’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 10.3 – 12.1, ninth consecutive month at #1

WLIP .1 – .1, #26 – #26

WAUK DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WTMJ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brewers)

WGKB DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.3 – 2.1, #15 – #15

WOKY .2 – .3, #21 – #21

WSSP .2 – .2, #21 – #23

WKTI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 3.3 – 2.6, #10 – #14 

Notes: In addition to being #1 for the ninth consecutive month, news/talk WISN posts Milwaukee’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 increase (10.3 – 12.1, +1.8).

Conversely, public radio news/talk WUWM’s -.7 (3.3 – 2.6) represents a tie for the market’s largest (6+)April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 5.7 – 6.5, #5 – #4

WLAC 1.7 – 1.6, #18 – #17

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 5.5 – 5.3, #7 – #9

WPRT 2.5 – 2.3, #17 – #16

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 3.2 – 3.1, #15 – #15

WPLN-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 7.0 – 7.3, #4 – #4

WHJJ  1.1 – 1.2, #12 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WVEI 1.7 – 1.8, #9 – #10

WPRV .1 – .1, #18 – #19

WBZ-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 2.1 – 2.2, #8 – #8

WNPN 1.0 – 1.0, #13 – #15

WCAI .1 – .1, #18 – #19

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  2.1 – 2.4, #14 – #13

WGH-FM HD2  .1 – .1, #24 – #24

News

WNOH .3 – .3, #23 – #22

Sports Talk

WVSP 1.1 – 1.4, #17 – #16

WGH-AM .1 – .1, #24 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

None

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 9.1 – 8.7, #3 – #3

News

WJBT-HD2 .2 – .2, #21 – #22

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .2, #21 – #22

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.4 – 2.8, #13 – #12

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.6 – 2.6, #8 – #9

WJNO .9 – 1.2, #14 – #13

WZZR 1.2 – 1.0 #13 – #14

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .5 – .5, #16 – #16

WBZT .3 – .3, #19 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.6 – 2.2, #8 – #11

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA    

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 3.9 – 3.7 #10 – #10

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 4.4 – 4.2, #7 – #9

WUNC 2.5 – 2.1, #12 – #12

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 1.4 – 1.4, #10 – #10

KWAM .4 – .5, #13 – #12

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.3 – 2.6, #7 – #7

WMC-AM .2 – .3, #15 – #13

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #15 – #14 

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.1 – 1.0, #11 – #11

WKNO-HD2  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 5.4 – 4.2, #6 – #8

WDRC-AM 1.6 – 1.2, #16 – #16

WPOP .2 – .2, #20 – #20

WTIC-AM Stream .2 – .2, #20 – #20

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 1.8 – 1.5, #14 – #15

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 5.0 – 6.4, #7 – #5

WFCR .4 – .4, #18 – #19 

Notes: Public radio news/talk WNPR’s +1.4 (5.0 – 6.4) represents Hartford’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 increase. 

On the other hand, news/talk WTIC-AM’s -1.2 (5.4 – 4.2) is the market’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease. 

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

May 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three

imMay 2024 PPM Data – Information for Nielsen Audio’s May 2024 ratings period (April 25 – May 22) has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.

No share or rank thresholds are required to be included here.

MLB team names of spoken-word flagships are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are April 2024 – May 2024 (6+).

PORTLAND

News/Talk

KXL 6.4 – 5.8, #2 – #2

KEX 1.6 – 1.7, #20 – #20

KUFO .7 – .7, #23 – #24

KPAM .3 – .3, #30 – #31

News

None

Sports Talk

KXTG 1.5 – 1.2, #21 – #21

KFXX 1.4 – 1.0, #22 – #22

KPOJ .6 – .4, #27 – #26

KMTT .2 – .2, #34 – #33

KFXX Stream  DNA – .1, DNA – #36

Public Radio News/Talk

KOPB 5.1 – 5.0, #4 – #5

KOPB Stream  .7 – 1.0, #23 – #22

CHARLOTTE

News/Talk

WBT-AM/FM 4.2– 4.7, #8 – #7

News

WRFX-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #23

Sports Talk

WFNZ-FM 3.3 – 3.7, #13 – #10

WSOC-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFAE 4.4 – 3.4, #6 – #12

WNSC .8 – .7, #20 – #21

WFAE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

SAN ANTONIO

News/Talk

WOAI 2.8– 2.8, #12 – #13

KTSA 2.1 – 1.9, #17 – #19

News

None

Sports Talk

KTFM 1.2 – 1.4, #24 – #21

KTKR .6 – .5, #29 – #29

KZDC .5 – .4, #31 – #31

Public Radio News/Talk

KSTX 2.2 – 2.1, #15 – #17 

SACRAMENTO

News/Talk

KFBK 6.2 – 8.0 #3 – #2

KSTE-AM 1.9 – 2.5, #19 – #15

KSAC-AM .8 – 1.0, #23 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

KIFM 1.0 – 1.0, #22 – #21

KHTK 1.8 – .9, #20 – #23

KIFM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

KXJZ 2.8 – 3.6, #14 – #10

KQEI .3 – .2, #28 – #28

KQED .1 – .1, #30 – #30

KUOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: News/talk KFBK’s +1.8 (6.2 – 8.0) represents the largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

PITTSBURGH

News/Talk

KDKA-AM 4.3 – 4.6, #9 – #9

KDKA-AM Stream  .2 – .3, #21 – #18

News

None

Sports Talk

KDKA-FM (Pirates) 8.0 – 7.8, #2 – #3

KDKA-FM Stream (Pirates).4 – .3, #20 – #18

WBGG DNA – .1, DNA – #20

Public Radio News/Talk

WESA 5.4 – 4.7, #7 – #8

SALT LAKE CITY

News/Talk

KSL-AM/FM 8.1 – 4.9, #2 – #4

KNRS-AM/FM 2.6 – 3.1, #15 – #14

KKAT .1 – .1, #29 – #27

News

None

Sports Talk

KALL 1.0 – 1.2, #23 – #22

KZNS-FM .4 – .7, #26 – #25

KZNS-AM .6 – .3, #24 – #26

KZNS-AM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KZNS-FM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KOVO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUER 3.2 – 3.6, #14 – #12

KBYU-HD2 Stream  .3 – .1, #27 – #27

KUMT .3 – .1, #27 – #27    

Note: News/talk KSL’s -3.2 (8.1 – 4.9) represents the largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease by any station in the 36 PPM-markets analyzed thus far. 

LAS VEGAS

News/Talk

KMXB-HD3 1.6– 1.7, #23 – #22

KXNT .2 – .2, #34 – #33

KMZQ .1 – .1, #35 – #37

KXNT Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KWWN .6 – .5, #28 – #28

KKGK .6 – .3, #28 – #29

KENO .1 – .1, #35 – #37

KRLV .1 – .1, #35 – #37

Public Radio News/Talk

KNPR 1.9 – 1.5, #20 – #24

ORLANDO

News/Talk

WTKS 6.5 – 5.1, #4 – #7

WDBO 3.9 – 3.7, #10 – #10

WFLF .6 – .8, #19 – #19

WFYY .5 – .5, #21 – #21

WFYY-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WYGM .9 – 1.0, #17 – #17

WOCL-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WMFV 1.9 – 1.8, #15 – #16

WMFE DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Note: News/talk WTKS’ -1.4 (6.5 – 5.1) is Orlando’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

CINCINNATI

News/Talk

WLW 13.3 – 11.8, following back-to-back months at #1, slips to #2 (Reds)

WKRC 6.0 – 6.1, #5 – #5

News

None

Sports Talk

WCKY .7 – .8, #19 – #19

WSAI .7 – .4, #19 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WVXU 3.3 – 3.2, #10 – #10

Note: News/talk WLW’s -1.5 (13.3 – 11.8) is Cincinnati’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

CLEVELAND

News/Talk

WTAM 7.4 – 7.4, #4 – #5 (Guardians)

News

WMMS-HD2 .1 – .1, #23 – #23

Sports Talk

WKRK 4.2 – 4.8, #10 – #10

WKRK Stream .6 – 1.0, #20 – #19

WARF .1 – .1, #23 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

WKSU 6.5 – 5.5, #7 – #7

WKSU-HD4 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KANSAS CITY

News/Talk

KMBZ-FM 5.6 – 5.4, #4 – #4

KCMO-AM 1.5 – 1.5, #18 – #17

KMBZ-AM 1.3 – 1.3, #19 – #18

KMBZ-FM Stream .9 – 1.3, #22 – #18

KCMO-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KMBZ-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KCSP 3.4 – 3.3, #10 – #11 (Royals)

KCSP Stream  .6 – 1.1, #26 – #21 (Royals)

KWOD DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCUR 2.2 – 2.3, #15 – #15

KANU-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

COLUMBUS

News/Talk

WTVN 5.2 – 5.5, #7 – #6    

News

WYTS DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WBNS-FM 7.6 – 7.8, #2 – #2

WBNS-AM .6 – .4, #20 #21

WMNI .1 – .1, #22 – #23

WBNS-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WOSU 6.1 – 5.4, #5 – #7

Note: Public radio news/talk WOSU’s -.7 (6.1 – 5.4) is Columbus’ largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

Up next: May 2024 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry Views

The Evolution of Radio Station Stickers in the 21st Century

By Andy Gladding, EdD, CBT

Chief Engineer
Salem Media of New York
WRHU Radio, Hofstra University

imThe best thing about attending media conferences like TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond, which occurred last week on June 7, is the opportunity to hear diverse viewpoints from industry experts. Gatherings like these also provide the opportunity for attendees like me to “chew” on some of the great ideas presented by the expert panelists and think about solutions to some of the challenges raised during the discussions.

One of the many contemporary issues facing radio brought up during TALKERS 2024 was the evolution and need for vinyl bumper stickers in today’s branding environment. Bumper stickers have been a central component of radio station marketing over several decades, as they provide a low-cost visual aid for stations to get their logo and frequency out to the public, using a “listener-driven” mobile platform. However, as cars increase in price, value, and longevity, station owners are questioning the willingness of car owners to plaster their high-cost investment with third-party advertising. Therefore, the value of continuing to create and distribute vinyl stickers for radio stations has been called into question.

While cars may no longer be an attractive moving billboard destination for station listeners, a whole new field of organic advertising space has emerged, especially on the surface of laptop computers, tablets, and other mobile devices. Many consumers use the uniform blank space of their laptops and cellphones as a place for vinyl stickers. The idea behind this concept is that vinyl stickers allow the device owner to personalize their equipment for identity branding and theft protection. It is much easier to identify a personal device at a place like a coffee shop or airplane security line if you’ve placed a personalized vinyl sticker on it. Many Millennials and Gen-Z’ers are more willing to use the back of their electronic devices as a showcase for vinyl sticker advertising, as it helps attract attention to the user while in a public setting and lets others know “what they are about” with just a quick glance. Electronic devices are on display everywhere and are often carried around with the user in backpacks. When presented with a vinyl sticker, the recipient is usually willing to place the sticker on the device, simply because trying to store it elsewhere will usually result in the destruction of the vinyl sticker.

With this in mind, radio station marketing folks may want to rethink the footprint and layout of their vinyl stickers, choosing to migrate the wider “car bumper” format to a smaller, more concise mini-billboard that could live, display, and survive more effectively on the back of an electronic device.

Solutions like these can only happen when the listener is presented with a challenge by top industry minds. This TALKERS 2024 attendee is grateful for the chance to help provide a solution to a practical problem, made possible by the collaborative environment fostered by an in-person gathering.

Andy Gladding is the chief engineer for Salem Media of New York and WRHU, Hofstra University. He can be emailed at biggladman@aol.com

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/11) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Hunter Biden is convicted on all three counts in his felony gun charge trial; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the European Union election results and migration; Russia’s military drills planned for Cuba; House Republicans to vote on contempt of congress charge against Attorney General Merrick Garland; the Israel-Hamas war and the proposed Gaza cease-fire; and the controversy over Justice Samuel Alito’s recorded comments on “godliness” were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Ratings Takeaways

May 2024 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imMay 2024 PPM Data – Information for Nielsen Audio’s May 2024 ratings period (April 25 – May 22) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

No share or rank thresholds are required for spoken-word stations to be included in our Ratings Takeaways.

MLB spoken-word flagships are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are April 2024 – May 2024 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.6 – 3.8, #6 – #11

WFED .1 – .1, #30 – #31 (Nationals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 7.8 – 8.2, #2 – #2

Business News WDCH .5 – .6, #23 – #24

WUST .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Business News WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.5 – 2.0, #17 – #16 (Nationals)

WJFK-FM Stream .8 – .9, #20 – #19 (Nationals)

WTEM .2 – .5, #25 – #26

WTEM Stream .2 – .4, #25 – #28

WSBN .1 – .1, #30 – #31

WTSD DNA – .1, DNA – #31

WJFK-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Nationals)

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 11.3 – 10.7, 31st month in succession at #1 

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 3.3 – 2.9, #12 – #13

WXKS-AM .4 – .6, #24 – #24

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.9 – 4.5, #7 – #7

Business news WRCA .2 – .2, #26 – #26

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 10.1 – 11.0, fifth straight month at #1

WEEI-FM 3.9 – 4.0, #10 – #8 (Red Sox)

WEEI-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Red Sox)

WEEI-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Red Sox)

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 5.8 – 5.4, #3 – #4

WGBH 4.3 – 3.8, #8 – #9 

Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s +.9 (10.1 – 11.0) represents Boston’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024increase.

WBZ-FM is the flagship of the NBA’s Celtics, now playing in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, whose flagship is rock KEGL.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.3 – 1.4, #23 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.0 – .9 #25 – #25

WINZ .3 – .5, #31 – #30 (Marlins)

WQAM Stream .2 – .2, #34 – #33

WMEN .3 – .1, #31 – #36

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 5.3 – 4.3, #5 – #6

WLRN-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #36    

Notes: Public radio news/talk WLRN’s -1.0 (5.3 – 4.3) represents Miami’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

Sports talk WQAM is the flagship of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, now playing in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, whose flagship is Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) news/talk CHED.

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 3.8 – 4.5, #10 – #6

KVI 1.3 – 1.8, #24  – #21

KTTH 1.4 – 1.5, #22 – #23

KPTR .1 – .1, #30 – #29

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.4 – 2.4, #18 – #17

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 3.8 – 3.3, #10 – #14 (Mariners)

KJR-FM 1.6 – 1.8, #21 – #21

KJR-AM .5 – .7, #26 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 7.3 – 7.3, #3 – #2

KSWS DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 1.7 – 1.7, #17 – #17

WFDF .4 – .3, #25 – #25

WJR Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WWJ 4.6 – 4.4, #10 – #11

WWJ Stream .6 – .4, #23 – #24

WDFN .1 – .1, #27 – #29

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 9.2 – 8.2, #1 – #2 (Tigers)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.5 – 1.6, #18 – #18 (Tigers)

WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #26 – #26 (Tigers)

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Tigers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.9 – 1.9, #16 – #16

WUOM 1.3 – 1.5, #19 – #19 

Note: Sports talk WXYT-FM’s -1.0 (9.2 – 8.2) represents Detroit’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024decrease.

PHOENIX

News/Talk

KFYI 2.9 – 3.4, #10 – #8

KTAR-FM 2.7 – 2.3, #12 – #19

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 2.9 – 3.4, #10 – #8 (Arizona Diamondbacks)

KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #33 – #33 (Arizona Diamondbacks)

KDUS .1 – .1, #33 – #33

KGME DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Arizona Diamondbacks)

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 2.6 – 2.6, #15 – #14

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.4 – 4.6, #10 – #9 (Minnesota Twins)

KTMY 2.3 – 2.7, #15 – #14

KTLK-AM 2.1 – 1.9, #16 – #17

WCCO Stream .6 – .5, #26 – #25 (Minnesota Twins)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #30 – #30

Sports Talk

KFXN 8.0 – 8.4, #2 – #2

KSTP-AM .1 – .1, #30 – #30

KQQL-HD3 .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 6.4 – 6.0, #6 – #6

KNOW Stream .8 – .9, #22 – #23

SAN DIEGO

News/Talk

KOGO 4.3 – 3.9, #8 – #9

KLSD .5 – .4, #24 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 4.0 – 4.3, #10 – #7 (Padres)

KGB-AM .5 – .4, #24 – #23

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Padres)

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 6.6 – 6.6, #2 – #2

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 5.1 – 5.3, #5 – #6

WFLA 3.8 – 3.4, #12 – #13

News

Business news WHNZ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WDAE 2.3 – 2.2, #16 – #16 (Rays)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 2.0 – 2.1, #18 – #18

WMNF-HD3 Stream .1 – .1, #31 – #31

WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 3.0 – 2.6, #15 – #17 (Colorado Rockies)

KDFD 1.3 – 1.3, #21 – #22

KHOW 1.2 – 1.2, #22 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

KKSE-FM 3.0 – 3.4, #15 – #12

KKFN 3.4 – 2.8, #13 – #13

KAMP .1 – .1, #33 – #35

KEPN .1 – .1, #33 – #35

KKSE-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 2.9 – 2.7, #17 – #16

KUNC 1.1 – 1.2, #23 – #23

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 3.3 – 3.6, #10 – #11 (Orioles)

WCBM 1.4 – 1.8, #15 – #14

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.4 – 1.2,  #15 – #17

Business News WDCH  .5 – .6,  #21 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 2.9 – 3.6, #12 – #11

WJZ-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #28

WJZ-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 3.3 – 5.2, #10 – #6

WYPR HD2 Stream .2 – DNA, #26 – DNA 

Note: Public radio news/talk WYPR’s +1.9 (3.3 – 5.2) is tied for Baltimore’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 increase.

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 4.5 – 4.7, #10 – #10 (Cardinals)

KFTK 1.5 – 1.7, #17 – #17

KTLK-FM 1.3 – 1.3, #18 – #18

KMOX Stream .9 – .6, #19 – #20 (Cardinals)

KFTK Stream .2 – .1, #27 – #28

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .2 – .1, #27 – #28

Sports Talk

WXOS 3.8 – 3.1, #12 – #14

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 5.8 – 5.0, #6 – #9 

Up next: May 2024 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

May 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One

imMay 2024 PPM Data – Information for Nielsen Audio’s May 2024 ratings period (April 25 – May 22) 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).

No share or rank thresholds are required for spoken-word stations to be included here.

MLB spoken-word flagships are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are April 2024 – May 2024  (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.2 – 3.3, #11 – #10

WOR 1.4 – 1.5, #20 – #19

WKXW 1.0 – 1.0, #23 – #23

WKXW Stream .3 – .2, #37 – #39

WLIR DNA – .1, DNA – #45

News

WINS-FM 4.7 – 4.3, #5 – #5

WCBS-AM 1.8 – 1.5, #19 – #19 (Mets)

Business News WBBR .4 – .4, #34 – #34

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .3, #34 – #37

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .2, #39 – #39 (Mets) 

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 2.3 – 2.4, #13 -#13 (Yankees)

WFAN FM & AM Stream 1.1 – .8, #22 -#26 (Yankees) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 4.0 – 3.3, #8 – #10

WNYC-AM .6 – .9, #27 – #24 

Note: Public radio news/talk WNYC-FM’s -.7 (4.0 – 3.3) represents New York’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease. 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 4.6 – 4.0, #3 – #7

KRLA .9 – .8, #32 – #33

KEIB .6 – .6, #34 – #34

News

KNX-FM 3.4 – 3.3, #10 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .2 – .2, #38 – #38

Sports Talk

KLAC 1.6 – 1.5, #27 – #26 (Dodgers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.1 – 1.8, #19 – #22

Notes: News/talk KFI’s -.6 (4.6 – 4.0) represents Los Angeles’ largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

Flagships of the Angels are sports talk KLAA (DNA) and sports talk KSPN (DNA).

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.8 – 3.0, #9 – #12

WLS-AM .9 – .9, #27 – #26

WVON .2 – .2, #39 – #36

WLS-AM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #41

WLIP .3 – DNA, #35 – DNA

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 5.2 – 5.2, #4  – #4

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .2 – .1, #39 – #41

Sports Talk

WSCR 3.3 – 3.2, #10 – #10 (Cubs)

WSCR Stream .3 – .2, #35 – #36 (Cubs)

WSHE-HD2 .1 – DNA, #45 – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 2.0 – 1.6, #18 – #21  

Note: The White Sox flagship is sports talk WMVP (DNA).

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.4 – 1.4, #22 – #22

KSFO Stream .1 – .1, #37 – #38 

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.2 – 5.7, #3 – #3

KNEW .3 – .2, #30 – #32 (Oakland A’s)  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KKSF DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.9 – 4.2, #6 – #6 (Giants)

KGMZ 1.9 – 1.7, #19 – #20

KNBR Stream .5 – .4, #28 – #28 (Giants)

KGO Stream .1 – .2, #37 – #32  

KGO .1 – .1, #37 – #38  

KTCT .1 – .1, #37 – #38  

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 7.1 – 5.9, #1 – #2

KALW .2 – .3, #32 – #31

Note: Public radio news/talk KQED’s -1.2 (7.1 – 5.9) represents San Francisco’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 3.2 – 2.6, #11 – #15

KSKY .6 – .6, #34 – #34

KLIF-AM .3 – .4, #36 – #36

KFXR-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #43

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.4 – 1.5, #28 – #26

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

News KKGM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KTCK 3.7 – 5.3, #10 – #1

KRLD-FM 2.3 – 2.5, #20 – #19 (Texas Rangers)

KRLD-FM Stream 1.1 – 1.2, #31 – #28 (Texas Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 3.1 – 2.9, #12 – #12

Note: Sports/talk KTCK’s +1.6 (3.7 – 5.3) represents Dallas’ largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 increase.

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 2.8 – 3.3, #17 – #13  (Astros)

KPRC .4 – .3, #27 – #30 

News

KXYZ .1 – DNA #34 – DNA

Sports Talk

KILT-AM .9 – 1.1, #25 – #24

KBME 1.1 – 1.0, #23 – #26  (Astros)

KILT-AM Stream .4 – .6, #27 – #27

KFNC DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 2.5 – 3.4, #18 – #12

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.1– 7.1, #2 – #2

WFOM .2 – .3, #32 – #30

WGKA .2 – .3, #32 – #30

WAOK Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #33

WAOK .1 – DNA, #35 – DNA

WSRV-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBIN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WCNN 3.8 – 4.1, #10 – #8 (Braves)

WZGC 3.8 – 3.7, #10 – #11

WZGC Stream .5 – .6, #29 – #25

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.4 – 4.0, #13 – #9

WRAS  .6 – .5, #25 – #27

WABE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 2.3 – 2.1, #15 – #18

WKXW 1.1 – 1.1, #23 – #24

WPHT Stream .7 – .7, #26 – #25

WURD .4 – .3, #27 – #28

WURD Stream .1 – .1, #31 – #31

WKXW Stream .1 – .1, #31 – #31

WDEL-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #31 

News

KYW & WPHI 5.5 – 5.1, #6 – #6

KYW & WPHI Stream .3 – .5, #28 – #27

WTEL .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA

Sports Talk

WIP 6.7 – 7.4, #4 – #4 (Phillies)

WIP Stream 2.8 – 3.0, #13 – #10 (Phillies)

WPEN-FM 1.3 – 1.5, #22 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.1 – 2.9, #9 – #12 

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 1.6 – 1.7, #18 – #18

WOR 1.1 – 1.2, #19 – #19

WLIR .2 – .2, #28 – #27

News

WINS-FM 5.2 – 5.2, #2 – #3

WCBS-AM 2.2 – 1.8, #15 – #16 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .5 – .6, #24 – #23

WCBS-AM Stream .5 – .4, #24 – #24 (Mets)

Business News WBBR .5 – .4, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.6 – 2.9, #11 – #10 (Yankees)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Yankees)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .1, #28 – #31 

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO .1 – DNA, #25 – DNA

Sports Talk

KPWK .3 – .4, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .4 – .4 #19 – #21

KPCC .1 – DNA, #25 – DNA

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.9 – 2.0, #16 – #17

KSFO Stream DNA – .3, DNA – #27  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 3.9 – 3.5, #7 – #8

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .2 – .2, #28 – #29

KNEW .2 – .2, #28 – #29 (Oakland A’s)  

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.2 – 3.5, #9 – #8 (Giants)

KGMZ 1.8 – 1.3, #19 – #22

KGO Stream .4 – .8, #27 – #26  

KNBR Stream .9 – .3, #26 – #27 (Giants)

KGO .2 – .2, #28 – #29  

KTCT .2 – DNA, #28 – DNA   

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION (New Jersey) 

News/Talk

WKXW 7.3 – 7.0, #1 – #2

WOR 3.1 – 3.3, #10 – #9

WKXW Stream .7 – .8, #21 – #19     

News

WINS-FM 2.0 – 2.2, #13 – #12

WCBS-AM .9 – .8, #19 – #19 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .4, #24 – #24

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .3, #25 – #25 (Mets)

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 3.9 – 2.9, #8 – #10 (Yankees)

WFAN FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Yankees) 

Public Radio News/Talk

None

Note: Sports talk WFAN’s -1.0 (3.9 – 2.9) represents Middlesex-Somerset-Union’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

Up next: May 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

TALKERS News Notes

FOX News star Brian Kilmeade’s late morning talk radio program is added to the program lineup at Audacy’s news/talk WTIC-AM, Hartford in the 9:00 am to 11:00 am slot. Kilmeade tells TALKERS, “I’m thrilled to be joining the WTIC all-star lineup especially at this critical time in our election cycle. I can’t wait to meet and greet the listeners in person this summer!”

Talk Media Network nationally syndicated personality Wayne Allyn Root was the opening speaker at two Donald Trump events in Las Vegas over the weekend. On Saturday, he spoke at a Trump fundraiser at Ahern Hotel in Las Vegas. Then on Sunday, Root opened for Trump at a public outdoor rally.

Industry News

Salem Divorces Itself from 2000 Mules

On Friday (5/31), Salem Media Group released a statement regarding the 2022 film 2000 Mules (and its companion book) published by former subsidiary Regnery Publishing that purported to examine allegations of voter fraud related to the 2020 presidential election. Salem states, “In publishing the filmim and the book, we relied on representations made to us by [producer] Dinesh D’Souza and True the Vote, Inc that the individuals depicted in the videos provided to us by TTV, including Mr. Andrews, illegally deposited ballots. We have learned that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has cleared Mr. Andrews of illegal voting activity in connection with the event depicted in 2000 Mules. It was never our intent that the publication of the 2000 Mules film and book would harm Mr. Andrews. We apologize for the hurt the inclusion of Mr. Andrews’ image in the movie, book, and promotional materials have caused Mr. Andrews and his family. We have removed the film from Salem’s platforms, and there will be no future distribution of the film or the book by Salem.” The statement refers to Georgia resident Mark Andrews, who is suing D’Souza, Salem, and two people involved with True the Vote for defamation. That case is still in the courts, according to a report in The New York Times.

Industry News

Edison: Reaching Potential Voters with Audio Ads

According to data from Edison Research’s ongoing Share of Ear study, reaching potential voters with campaign ads should include spending on audio because “fully 84% of the voting-age public is reached by ad-supported audio daily.” Where to spend depends on which potential voters campaigns are trying toim reach. “Republicans listen to more AM/FM radio than other groups, with an index of 109 (or 9% more listening than average). The ad-supported spoken-word channels on SiriusXM are a particularly efficient place to find Republicans, with an index of 146. Meanwhile, podcasts stand out as the more efficient platform for reaching Democrats, indexing at 121. And what about those elusive Independents, who often tip an election? Both streaming music, and in particular music videos on YouTube, over-deliver for these potential voters, with indexes of 103 and 123 respectively.” Edison adds, “Regardless of the party that buyers are trying to reach with political ads, audio stands out as a superior pathway to reaching voters. Audio provides enormous audiences and often a far less cluttered political environment than other ad channels.”

Industry News

GBH Names Lothian Editor-in-Chief

Boston public media firm GBH names Dan Lothian to the newly created role of editor in chief, GBHim News and The World. Lothian is currently the executive producer of “The World.” GBH president and CEO Susan Goldberg states, “Dan has impeccable credentials and is respected by colleagues throughout GBH and by journalists across the globe. With his background in both breaking news and longform features, and with deep experience in radio, television, and across digital platforms, he is ideally suited to lead coverage for today’s audiences.” Additionally, Tinku Ray, currently managing editor for “The World,” will be promoted to executive editor of the program.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/28) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial goes to the jury today; the presidential race and the Republicans vying to be Trump’s VP candidate; the U.S. economy; the Israel-Hamas war and Israel’s operations in Rafah; the Justice Samuel Alito upside down flag controversy and their spat with neighbors; the intense storms that swept through the southern U.S.; Harvard University’s new “no positions” policy; and the Russia-Ukraine war were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

FCC to Look at Disclosure of AI in Political Ads

The Federal Communications Commission is announcing a new agency proposal that, if adopted, would look into whether the agency should require disclosure when there is AI-generated content in political ads on radio and TV. If adopted, this proposal aims to increase transparency by: 1) Seeking comment on whether to require an on-air disclosure and written disclosure in broadcasters’ political files when there isim AI-generated content in political ads; 2) Proposing to apply the disclosure rules to both candidate and issue advertisements; 3) Requesting comment on a specific definition of AI-generated content, and 4) Proposing to apply the disclosure requirements to broadcasters and entities that engage in origination programming, including cable operators, satellite TV and radio providers and section 325(c) permittees. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel says, “As imartificial intelligence tools become more accessible, the Commission wants to make sure consumers are fully informed when the technology is used. Today, I’ve shared with my colleagues a proposal that makes clear consumers have a right to know when AI tools are being used in the political ads they see, and I hope they swiftly act on this issue.” However, Republican Commissioner Brendanim Carr opposes the move, saying, “There is no doubt that the increase in AI-generated political content presents complex questions, and there is bipartisan concern about the potential for misuse. But none of this vests the FCC with the authority it claims here. Indeed, the Federal Election Commission is actively considering these types of issues, and legislators in Congress are as well. But Congress has not given the FCC the type of freewheeling authority over these issues that would be necessary to turn this plan into law. And for good reason. The FCC can only muddy the waters.  AI-generated political ads that run on broadcast TV will come with a government-mandated disclaimer but the exact same or similar ad that runs on a streaming service or social media site will not? Consumers don’t think about the content they consume through the lens of regulatory silos. They just view content on screens. Will they conclude that the absence of a government warning on an online ad means that the content must be real? I don’t see how this type of conflicting patchwork could end well. Unlike Congress, the FCC cannot adopt uniform rules.”

Industry News

House Subcommittee Sends AM Radio Act to the Full House

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce successfully marks up the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act,” sending it to the full House of Representatives for a vote. Subcommittee chair Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) stated, “At our legislative hearing, we heard from ourim witnesses about the importance of having a robust emergency alert and public safety communications infrastructure. Further, rural and underserved Americans still enjoy listening to AM radio broadcasts for their diverse viewpoints. Given AM radio’s significant reach as a medium, much of it taking place in vehicles, we immust ensure it remains a readily available option for all Americans, particularly as we approach hurricane season.” In response NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt states, “NAB applauds today’s markup and passage of the ‘AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.’ This critical legislation ensures that the 82 million Americans who rely on AM radio each month will continue to have access to diverse programming, local news and essential emergency information. AM radio is the backbone of our Emergency Alert System, providing timely alerts and information during disasters and emergencies, ensuring that critical communication remains available even when cell and broadband services fail.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Baltimore Public Media and KMG Networks announce that “The Good News” with Dr. Benjamin F.  Chavis Jr. will air on public radio outlets WYPR and WTMD. KMG says, “‘The Good News’ is a daily radio commentary and headline news review hosted by the journalist and civil rights icon, offering fresh, timely, unique and brief perspective on the headline news of the day across America and throughout the world.”

iHeartMedia Pittsburgh announces an extension of its audio agreement with the Pittsburgh Steelers which will have iHeartMedia powering the newly created “Steelers Audio Network” through the 2028 season. The “Steelers Audio Network” will feature game day broadcasts, ancillary programs, digital audio (Steelers Nation Radio), podcasts and social media content. Listeners can hear the “Steelers Audio Network” and its programming year-round across a variety of platforms including WDVE-FM, WBGG-AM “FOX Sports Pittsburgh” (970AM), Steelers Nation Radio, the Steelers mobile app, the iHeartRadio mobile app, as well as the team and station’s websites. The partnership also includes promotional support across all six iHeartMedia Pittsburgh stations and websites.

Industry News

House Committee to Hold Markup on AM Radio Legislation

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) are holding a markup of three bills – including the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act – tomorrow (5/23) at 10:00 am ET. The markup is the key formal step a committee takes for the bill to advance to the floor. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt says, “With more than 310 bipartisan cosponsors in the House and Senate, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act demonstrates overwhelming support in Congress for the critical role of AM radio in America’s public safety infrastructure. The nation’s broadcasters are grateful for Congress’s continued commitment to AM radio as they work to ensure this bill is passed and enacted into law for the benefit of all consumers.”

Industry News

Fisher House Offers Free Memorial Day Program

Fisher House Foundation is offering a Memorial Day Week edition of “The Fisher House Story” available free for download now. “The Fisher House Story” is a radio special provided in varying lengths for news/talk radio stations as well as a 30-minute public affairs show for all radio formats in the U.S. andim around the world. The 3-hour, 1-hour, 25-minute, and 30-minute radio specials are hosted by longtime Washington, DC radio personality Larry O’Connor and feature stories of our nation’s heroes, the families who serve by their side, and how Fisher House plays a role in their journey. The inspiring and patriotic radio show features an exclusive interview with Jessica Lynch who recounts her harrowing experience as a prisoner of war during the early days of the 2003 Invasion of Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. Ms. Lynch reveals details of her treatment during her captivity, her rescue, the ensuing years of medical treatment and the special role Fisher House played (and continues to play) in her recovery. Fisher House Foundation provides a home away from home for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. Fisher Houses provide temporary free lodging so families can be close to their loved ones during medical care because “A Family’s LOVE is Good Medicine.” IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to a production delay, some stations may have inadvertently downloaded last year’s holiday edition. Download the Memorial Day programs here.

Ratings Takeaways

April 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imApril 2024 PPM Data – Information for the April 2024 survey period (March 28 – April 24) 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.

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

MLB’s 2024 season officially started March 20 when the Dodgers and Padres played two games in South Korea. The other 28 teams played their first game March 28.

NBA and NHL playoffs began April 20.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are March 2024 – April 2024 (6+).

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 3.8 – 4.5, #9 – #7

KJCE .1 – .1, #30 – #30

News

None

Sports Talk

KBPA-HD2  .9 – .9, #21 – #21

KVET-AM .7 – .5, #23 – #24

KTAE DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 8.4 – 7.6, #2 – #2

KUT-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 7.3 – 7.3, #4  – #4

WPTF .6 – .6, #23 – #23

News

WRAL-HD3 .5 – .7, #24 – #21

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.0 – 3.1, #13 – #12 (Carolina Hurricanes)

WCMC-FM HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #25 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 8.7 – 7.9, #2 – #3

Note: Public radio news/talk WUNC’s -.8 (8.7 – 7.9) is tied for Raleigh’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 5.1 – 5.7, #8 – #7

News

WOLT-HD2 DNA – .2, DNA – #25

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  2.6 – 2.3, #16 – #16

WNDE .5 – .3, #22 – #22

WXNT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WFNI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Pacers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 5.6 – 5.9, #6 – #6

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.0 – 10.3, eighth consecutive month at #1

WLIP .1 – .1, #26 – #26

WAUK .2 – DNA, #22 – DNA

WTMJ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brewers)

WGKB DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.4 – 2.3, #15 – #15

WOKY .1 – .2, #26 – #21

WSSP .2 – .2, #22 – #21

WKTI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 2.9 – 3.3, #13 – #10

WHAD 1.3 – 1.8, #17 – #16

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Note: News/talk WISN’s +1.3 (9.0 – 10.3) represents Milwaukee’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 6.5 – 5.7, #5 – #5

WLAC 1.8 – 1.7, #18 – #18

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 6.6 – 5.5, #4 – #7

WPRT 2.3 – 2.5, #17 – #17 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.8 – 3.2, #9 – #15

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – DNA, #23 – DNA

Note: Public radio news/talk WPLN’s -1.6 (4.8 – 3.2) represents Nashville’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.2 – 7.0, #5 – #4

WHJJ  1.3 – 1.1, #13 – #12

News

None

Sports Talk

WVEI 1.5 – 1.7, #11 – #9

WPRV .1 – .1, #18 – #18

WBZ-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 2.1 – 2.1, #8 – #8

WNPN 1.4 – 1.0, #12 – #13

WCAI .1 – .1, #18 – #18

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  2.0 – 2.1, #14 – #14

WGH-FM HD2  .1 – .1, #23 – #24

News

WNOH .3 – .3, #21 – #23

Sports Talk

WVSP 1.3 – 1.1, #17 – #17

WGH-AM .1 – .1, #23 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 8.3 – 9.1, #3 – #3

News

WJBT-HD2 .DNA – .2, DNA – #21

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .2, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.1 – 2.4, #13 – #13   

Note: News/talk WOKV-FM’s +.8 (8.3 – 9.1) is Jacksonville’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.6 – 2.6, #8 – #8

WZZR 1.1 – 1.2 #13 – #13

WJNO 1.1 – .9, #13 – #14

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .4 – .5, #17 – #16

WBZT .4 – .3, #17 – #19

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.6 – 2.6, #8 – #8

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 3.5 – 3.9 #11 – #10

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 4.6 – 4.4, #6 – #7

WUNC 2.5 – 2.5, #12 – #12

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 1.8 – 1.4, #8 – #10

KWAM .4 – .4, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.3 – 2.3, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

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

WMC-AM DNA – .2, DNA – #15

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.6 – 1.1, #10 – #11

WKNO-HD2  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 6.2 – 5.4, #5 – #6

WDRC-AM 1.6 – 1.6, #16 – #16

WPOP .2 – .2, #20 – #20

WTIC-AM Stream .2 – .2, #20 – #20

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.1 – 1.8, #13 – #14

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 5.0 – 5.0, #7 – #7

WFCR .4 – .4, #18 – #18

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

April 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three

imApril 2024 PPM Data – Information for the April 2024 ratings period (March 28 – April 24) 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 Audiosubscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

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

For context, MLB’s 2024 season officially started March 20 when the Dodgers and Padres played two games in South Korea; the other 28 teams played their first game March 28.

NBA and NHL playoffs began April 20.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are March 2024 – April 2024 (6+).

PORTLAND

News/Talk

KXL 6.5 – 6.4, #2 – #2

KEX 1.8 – 1.6, #20 – #20

KUFO .8 – .7, #23 – #23

KPAM .2 – .3, #32 – #30

News

None

Sports Talk

KXTG 1.5 – 1.5, #21 – #21

KFXX 1.5 – 1.4, #21 – #22

KPOJ .5 – .6, #26 – #27 (Trailblazers)

KMTT .2 – .2, #32 – #34

KFXX Stream  .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KOPB 5.8 – 5.1, #3 – #4

KOPB Stream  .7 – .7, #25 – #23

Note: Public radio news/talk KOPB’s -.7 (5.8 – 5.1) is Portland’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

CHARLOTTE

News/Talk

WBT-AM/FM 4.0– 4.2, #8 – #8

News

WRFX-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WFNZ-FM 3.9 – 3.3, #9 – #13 (Hornets)

WSOC-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFAE 4.4 – 4.4, #6 – #6

WNSC .8 – .8, #20 – #20

WFAE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Note: Sports talk WFNZ’s -.6 (3.9 – 3.3) is tied for Charlotte’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

SAN ANTONIO

News/Talk

WOAI 2.6– 2.8, #14 – #12 (Spurs)

KTSA 1.9 – 2.1, #17 – #17

News

None

Sports Talk

KTFM .8 – 1.2, #24 – #24

KTKR .5 – .6, #29 – #29

KZDC .4 – .5, #32 – #31

Public Radio News/Talk

KSTX 2.7 – 2.2, #13 – #15 

SACRAMENTO

News/Talk

KFBK-AM 6.5 – 6.2 #4 – #3

KSTE-AM 2.5 – 1.9, #16 – #19

KSAC-AM .8 – .8, #23 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

KHTK 1.7 – 1.8, #18 – #20 (Kings)

KIFM .9 – 1.0, #21 – #22

KIFM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

KXJZ 2.8 – 2.8, #13 – #14

KQEI .3 – .3, #22 – #28

KQED .1 – .1, #29 – #30

KUOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

PITTSBURGH

News/Talk

KDKA-AM 3.8 – 4.3, #10 – #9

KDKA-AM Stream  .2 – .2, #25 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

KDKA-FM (Pirates) 8.4 – 8.0, #2 – #2

KDKA-FM Stream (Pirates).4 – .4, #21 – #20

WBGG .1 – DNA, #26 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WESA 5.2 – 5.4, #8 – #7

SALT LAKE CITY

News/Talk

KSL-AM/FM 6.7 – 8.1, #2 – #2

KNRS-AM/FM 2.6 – 2.6, #17 – #15

KKAT DNA – .1, DNA – #29

News

None

Sports Talk

KALL .9 – 1.0, #23 – #23

KZNS-AM .3 – .6, #26 – #24 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-FM .5 – .4, #24 – #26 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-FM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Utah Jazz)

KOVO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUER 3.4 – 3.2, #13 – #14

KBYU-HD2 Stream  .1 – .3, #27 – #27

KUMT .1 – .3, #27 – #27    

Note: News/talk KSL’s +1.4 (6.7 – 8.1) represents Salt Lake City’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase. 

LAS VEGAS

News/Talk

KMXB-HD3 1.1– 1.6, #26 – #23

KXNT .5 – .2, #30 – #34

KMZQ .1 – .1, #37 – #35

KXNT Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KKGK .6 – .6, #28 – #28 (Golden Knights)

KWWN . 4 – .6, #32 – #28

KENO .1 – .1, #37 – #35

KRLV .2 – .1, #33 – #35

Public Radio News/Talk

KNPR 1.7 – 1.9, #22 – #20

ORLANDO

News/Talk

WTKS 5.9 – 6.5, #5 – #4

WDBO 3.5 – 3.9, #12 – #10

WFLF .7 – .6, #19 – #19

WFYY .7 – .5, #19 – #21

WFYY-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WYGM .8 – .9, #18 – #17 (Magic)

WOCL-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WMFV DNA – 1.9, DNA – #15

WMFE 1.7 – DNA, #15 – DNA

CINCINNATI

News/Talk

WLW 11.3 – 13.3, #1 #1 (Reds)

WKRC 6.0 – 6.0, #5 – #5

News

None

Sports Talk

WCKY 1.0 – .7, #19 – #19

WSAI .6 – .7, #21 – #19

Public Radio News/Talk

WVXU 3.2 – 3.3, #10 – #10   

Note: News/talk WLW’s +2.0 (11.3 – 13.3) represents a tie for the largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

CLEVELAND

News/Talk

WTAM 5.4 – 7.4, #9 – #4 (Guardians, Cavaliers)

News

WMMS-HD2 .1 – .1, #23 – #23

Sports Talk

WKRK 4.3 – 4.2, #10 – #10

WKRK Stream .4 – .6, #21 – #20

WARF .2 – .1, #22 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

WKSU 7.2 – 6.5, #5 – #7

WKSU-HD4 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: News/talk WTAM’s +2.0 (5.4 – 7.4) represents a tie for the largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

KANSAS CITY

News/Talk

KMBZ-FM 5.3 – 5.6, #4 – #4

KCMO-AM 2.0 – 1.5, #16 – #18

KMBZ-AM 1.4 – 1.3, #18 – #19

KMBZ-FM Stream 1.0 – .9, #22 – #22

KCMO-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KMBZ-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KCSP 1.8 – 3.4, #17 – #10 (Royals)

KCSP Stream  .1 – .6, #29 – #26 (Royals)

KWOD .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCUR 2.9 – 2.2, #12 – #15

KANU-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Notes: While sports/talk KCSP’s +1.6 (1.8 – 3.4) represents Kansas City’s greatest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase, public radio news talk KCUR is -.7 (2.9 – 2.2) and in a three-way tie for the market’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

COLUMBUS

News/Talk

WTVN 5.2 – 5.2, #8 – #7    

News

WYTS DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WBNS-FM 8.6 – 7.6, #2 – #2 (Blue Jackets)

WBNS-AM .4 – .6, #20 #20 (Blue Jackets)

WMNI .3 – .1, #22 – #22

WBNS-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WOSU 5.9 – 6.1, #6 – #5

Up next: April 2024 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

April 2024 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imApril 2024 PPM Data – Information for the April 2024 ratings period (March 28 – April 24) 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.

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

MLB’s 2024 season officially started March 20 when the Dodgers and Padres played two games in South Korea; the other 28 teams played their first game March 28.

Meanwhile, the NBA and NHL playoffs began April 20.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are March 2024 – April 2024 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.8 – 4.6, #5 – #6

WFED DNA – .1, DNA – #30 (Nationals, Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 7.9 – 7.8, #2 – #2

Business News WDCH .6 – .5, #22 – #23

WUST DNA – .1, DNA – #30

Business News WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.4 – 2.5, #17 – #17 (Nationals, Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream .9 – .8, #21 – #20 (Nationals, Capitals)

WTEM .4 – .2, #25 – #25 (Wizards)

WTEM Stream .2 – .2, #27 – #25 (Wizards)

WSBN .1 – .1, #28 – #30

WJFK-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Nationals, Capitals)

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 11.0 – 11.3, 30th month in succession at #1 

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 3.4 – 3.3, #12 – #12

WXKS-AM .4 – .4, #23 – #24

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.6 – 4.9, #6 – #7

Business news WRCA .3 – .2, #24 – #26

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 9.7 – 10.1, fourth straight month at #1 (Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 3.0 – 3.9, #13 – #10 (Red Sox)

WEEI-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Red Sox)

WEEI-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Red Sox)

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 6.4 – 5.8, #3 – #3

WGBH 3.8 – 4.3, #9 – #8

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.0 – 1.3, #26 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM .9 – 1.0 #27 – #25 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .4 – .3, #31 – #31 (Marlins)

WMEN .3 – .3, #32 – #31

WQAM Stream .2 – .2, #34 – #34 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 5.6 – 5.3, #5 – #5

WLRN-HD2 .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 3.9 – 3.8, #7 – #10

KTTH 1.5 – 1.4, #23 – #22

KVI 1.0 – 1.3, #24  – #24

KPTR DNA – .1, DNA – #30

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.5 – 2.4, #18 – #18

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 2.7 – 3.8, #17 – #10 (Mariners)

KJR-FM 2.1 – 1.6, #19 – #21 (Kraken)

KJR-AM .7 – .5, #26 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 7.2 – 7.3, #3 – #3

KSWS DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Note: Sports talk KIRO-AM’s +1.1 (2.7 – 3.8) represents Seattle’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase. 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.3 – 1.7, #14 – #17

WFDF .6 – .4, #23 – #25

WJR Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WWJ 5.3 – 4.6, #9 – #10 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .4 – .6, #25 – #23 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #29 – #27

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 7.5 – 9.2, #2 – #1 (Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.5 – 1.5, #18 – #18 (Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #27 – #26 (Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings)

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.6 – 1.9, #17 – #16

WUOM 1.2 – 1.3, #19 – #19 

Note: Sports talk WXYT-FM’s +1.7 (7.5 – 9.2) is the largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

PHOENIX 

News/Talk

KFYI 3.0 – 2.9, #10 – #10

KTAR-FM 2.2 – 2.7, #18 – #12 (Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 2.6 – 2.9, #14 – #10 (Arizona Diamondbacks, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #33 – #33 (Arizona Diamondbacks, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – .1, #33 – #33

KGME .1 – DNA, #33 – DNA

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

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 2.7 – 2.6, #12 – #15

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.1 – 4.4, #11 – #10 (Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 2.5 – 2.3, #14 – #15

KTLK-AM 2.3 – 2.1, #15 – #16

WCCO Stream .2 – .6, #28 – #26 (Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #32 – #30

Sports Talk

KFXN 7.4 – 8.0, #3 – #2 (Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .1 – .1, #32 – #30

KSTP-AM .1 – .1, #32 – #30

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 7.5 – 6.4, #2 – #6

KNOW Stream .8 – .8, #22 – #22

SAN DIEGO 

News/Talk

KOGO 4.8 – 4.3, #5 – #8

KLSD .5 – .5, #24 – #24

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 3.4 – 4.0, #14 – #10 (Padres)

KGB-AM .9 – .5, #20 – #24

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Padres)

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 7.1 – 6.6, #2 – #2

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 5.1 – 5.1, #5 – #5 (Lightning)

WFLA 3.0 – 3.8, #14 – #12

News

Business news WHNZ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WDAE 1.9 – 2.3, #17 – #16 (Rays)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 1.8 – 2.0, #18 – #18

WMNF-HD3 Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #31

WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 2.4 – 3.0, #17 – #15 (Colorado Rockies)

KDFD 1.1 – 1.3, #22 – #21

KHOW 1.2 – 1.2, #21 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 3.6 – 3.4, #10 – #13

KKSE-FM 2.4 – 3.0, #17 – #15 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KAMP .1 – .1, #34 – #33

KEPN DNA – .1, DNA – #33

KKSE-AM .1 – DNA, #34 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 2.9 – 2.9, #14 – #17

KUNC .8 – 1.1, #26 – #23

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 3.7 – 3.3, #10 – #10 (Orioles)

WCBM 1.9 – 1.4, #14 – #15

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.6 – 1.4,  #16 – #15

Business News WDCH  .5 – .5,  #20 – #21

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 3.3 – 2.9, #11 – #12

WJZ-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 3.2 – 3.3, #12 – #10

WYPR HD2 Stream .3 – .2, #25 – #26 

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 3.0 – 4.5, #14 – #10 (Cardinals)

KFTK 1.6 – 1.5, #17 – #17

KTLK-FM 1.1 – 1.3, #18 – #18

KMOX Stream .3 – .9, #22 – #19 (Cardinals)

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #25 – #27

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .2 – .2, #25 – #27

Sports Talk

WXOS 5.1 – 3.8, #9 – #12 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 5.0 – 5.8, #11 – #6 

Note: News/talk KMOX’s +1.5 (3.0 – 4.5) is St. Louis’ largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

Up next: April 2024 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

April 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One

imApril 2024 PPM Data – Information for the April 2024 ratings period (March 28 – April 24) 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.

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

For context, MLB’s 2024 season officially started March 20 when the Dodgers and Padres played two games in South Korea; the other 28 teams played their first game March 28.

Meanwhile, NBA and NHL playoffs began April 20.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are March 2024 – April 2024  (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 4.0 – 3.2, #9 – #11

WOR 1.6 – 1.4, #20 – #20

WKXW 1.0 – 1.0, #23 – #23

WKXW Stream .3 – .3, #34 – #37

News

WINS-FM 4.6 – 4.7, #5 – #5

WCBS-AM 2.0 – 1.8, #14 – #19 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .4, #32 – #34

Business News WBBR .4 – .4, #32 – #34

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .2, #45 – #39 (Mets 

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 1.9 – 2.3, #15 -#13 (Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .6 – 1.1, #26 -#22 (Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 4.0 – 4.0, #9 – #8

WNYC-AM 1.0 – .6, #23 – #27 

Notes: The +.5 registered by sports talk WFAN’s internet stream (.6 – 1.1) represents New York’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase; conversely, news/talk WABC’s -.8 (4.0 – 3.2) is the market’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

The flagship of the Knicks, Islanders, and Rangers is sports talk WEPN-FM (DNA).

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 5.5 – 4.6, #3 – #3

KRLA .7 – .9, #33 – #32

KEIB .7 – .6, #33 – #34  (Clippers 

News

KNX-FM 3.0 – 3.4, #10 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .2 – .2, #39 – #38

Sports Talk

KLAC .8 – 1.6, #32 – #27 (Dodgers, Clippers 

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.2 – 2.1, #17 – #19

Notes: Whereas sports/talk KLAC’s +.8 (.8 – 1.6) represents Los Angeles’ largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase, news/talk KFI’s -.9 (5.5 – 4.6) is the market’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

The flagship of the Angels and Lakers is sports talk KESN (DNA); Kings’ games are heard on the iHeartRadio app; games of the Anaheim Ducks are heard on the Ducks stream.

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.2 – 3.8, #9 – #9  (Blackhawks)

WLS-AM 1.4 – .9, #25 – #27

WLIP .1 – .3, #40 – #35

WVON .2 – .2, #38 – #39

WLS-AM Stream .1 – DNA, #40 – DNA

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 5.4 – 5.2, #4  – #4

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .1 – .2, #40 – #39

Sports Talk

WSCR 2.9 – 3.3, #11 – #10 (Cubs, Bulls)

WSCR Stream .4 – .3, #31 – #35 (Cubs, Bulls)

WSHE-HD2 .1 – .1, #40 – #45  

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 2.0 – 2.0, #18 – #18  

Note: The White Sox flagship is sports talk WMVP (DNA).

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.4 – 1.4, #22 – #22

KSFO Stream .1 – .1, #34 – #37

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.5 – 6.2, #3 – #3

KNEW .3 – .3, #30 – #30 (Oakland A’s)  

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

KKSF DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.0 – 3.9, #10 – #6 (Giants)

KGMZ 2.0 – 1.9, #18 – #19 (Golden State Warriors)

KNBR Stream .4 – .5, #28 – #28 (Giants)

KGO .1 – .1, #34 – #37  

KGO Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #37  

KTCT .1 – .1, #34 – #37  

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Golden State Warriors)

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 7.2 – 7.1, #2 – #1

KALW .2 – .2, #33 – #32

Notes: Sports/talk KNBR’s +.9 (3.0 – 3.9) represents San Francisco’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

Games of the San Jose Sharks are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 3.6 – 3.2, #10 – #11

KEGL 1.3 – 1.3, #28 – #29  (Mavericks)

KSKY .7 – .6, #33 – #34

KLIF-AM .4 – .3, #35 – #36

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.3 – 1.4, #28 – #28

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

News KKGM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KTCK 3.6 – 3.7, #10 – #10 (Stars)

KRLD-FM 1.7 – 2.3, #24 – #20 (Texas Rangers)

KRLD-FM Stream 1.1 – 1.1, #31 – #31 (Texas Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 4.2 – 3.1, #5 – #12  

Note: Public radio news/talk KERA’s -1.1 (4.2 – 3.1) represents Dallas’ largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 3.2 – 2.8, #13 – #17  (Astros, Rockets)

KPRC .3 – .4, #28 – #27  

News

KXYZ .1 – .1 #32 – #34

Sports Talk

KBME .5 – 1.1, #27 – #23  (Astros, Rockets)

KILT-AM .8 – .9, #26 – #25

KILT-AM Stream .1 – .4, #32 – #27

KFNC .2 – DNA, #30 – DNA  

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 2.9 – 2.5, #17 – #18

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.7– 7.1, #2 – #2

WFOM .5 – .2, #26 – #32

WGKA .3 – .2, #30 – #32

WAOK .1 – .1, #34 – #35

WAOK Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WSRV-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBIN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WCNN 2.5 – 3.8, #17 – #10 (Braves)

WZGC 3.8 – 3.8, #9 – #10 (Hawks)

WZGC Stream .4 – .5, #28 – #29 (Hawks)

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.7 – 3.4, #10 – #13

WRAS  .5 – .6, #26 – #25

WABE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Notes: Sports/talk WCNN’s +1.3 (2.5 – 3.8) represents Atlanta’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase, while news/talk WSB-AM’s -.6 (4.2 – 3.1) represents a four-way tie for the market’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease. 

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 2.3 – 2.3, #15 – #15

WKXW 1.1 – 1.1, #24 – #23

WPHT Stream .5 – .7, #27 – #26

WURD .6 – .4, #26 – #27

WURD Stream .2 – .1, #29 – #31

WKXW Stream .1 – .1, #31 – #31

WDEL-AM .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA 

News

KYW & WPHI 5.8 – 5.5, #4 – #6

KYW & WPHI Stream .2 – .3, #29 – #28

WTEL .1 – .1, #31 – #31

Sports Talk

WIP 5.5 – 6.7, #6 – #4 (Phillies)

WIP Stream 3.2 – 2.8, #12 – #13 (Phillies)

WPEN-FM 1.2 – 1.3, #23 – #22 (76ers, Flyers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.1 – 3.1, #13 – #9      

Note: Sports/talk WIP’s +1.2 (5.5 – 6.7) represents Philadelphia’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase. 

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 1.5 – 1.6, #18 – #18

WOR 1.0 – 1.1, #21 – #19

WLIR .2 – .2, #27 – #28

News

WINS-FM 4.9 – 5.2, #5 – #2

WCBS-AM 1.8 – 2.2, #17 – #15 (Mets)

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .5, #27 – #24 (Mets)

Business News WBBR .4 – .5, #26 – #24

WINS-FM Stream .6 – .5, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.4 – 2.6, #12 – #11 (Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

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

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .2, #27 – #28

Note: The flagship of the Knicks, Islanders, and Rangers is sports talk WEPN-FM (DNA).

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO .1 – .1, #25 – #25

Sports Talk

KPWK .2 – .3, #23 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .3 – .4 #19 – #19

KPCC .1 – .1, #25 – #25

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.8 – 1.9, #19 – #16

KSFO Stream .2 – DNA, #27 – DNA  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 4.7 – 3.9, #5 – #7

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .2 – .2, #27 – #28

KNEW .2 – .2, #27 – #28 (Oakland A’s)  

Sports Talk

KNBR 2.8 – 3.2, #10 – #9 (Giants)

KGMZ 2.0 – 1.8, #18 – #19 (Golden State Warriors)

KNBR Stream .5 – .9, #26 – #26 (Giants)

KGO Stream .2 – .4, #27 – #27  

KGO .2 – .2, #27 – #28  

KTCT .2 – .2, #27 – #28   

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Golden State Warriors) 

Public Radio News/Talk

None

Note: Sharks’ games are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION

News/Talk

WKXW 7.5 – 7.3, #1 #1

WOR 3.6 – 3.1, #9 – #10

WKXW Stream .7 – .7, #19 – #21         

News

WINS-FM 2.4 – 2.0, #11 – #13

WCBS-AM .8 – .9, #18 – #19 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .3, #22 – #24

WCBS-AM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #25 (Mets)

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.9 – 3.9, #10 – #8 (Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

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

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Notes: Sports/talk WFAN’s +1.0 (2.9 – 3.9) represents Middlesex-Somerset-Union’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

The flagship of the Knicks, Islanders, and Rangers is sports talk WEPN-FM (DNA).   

Up next: April 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

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Harrison Talks to John Catsimatidis about WABC, New York Cancelling Rudy Giuliani’s Talk Show

Red Apple Media Group chief John Catsimatidis suspended Rudy Giuliani from his daily 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm talk show that’s been airing on WABC for several years. The New York Times, quotes Catsimatidis saying, “We’re not going to talk about fallacies of the November 2020 election. We warned him once. We warned him twice. And I get a text from him last night, and I get a text from him this morning that he refuses not to talk about it. So, he left me no option. I suspended him.” But there were more concerns on Catsimatidis’ part. Giuliani was found liable forim defaming two Georgia election workers, and they were accusing him of make new false accusations against them. The Times reports that in a memo from Catsimatidis to Giuliani he told Giuliani that they’ve been monitoring his show for comments about the election and that “radio operators had ‘worked diligently’ to excise content that might run afoul of defamation laws.” He also wrote, “You are once again stating that there was fraud. You may not do so on our airwaves.” Clearly, Catsimatidis was concerned about being involved in actionable language on Giuliani’s part. Giuliani spoke publicly over the weekend about being terminated and said he’s been imtalking about the 2020 election for three years and was never made aware that election talk was off limits. In The New York Times story Giuliani states that WABC’s policies on this topic are “a clear violation of free speech” to which TALKERS founder Michael Harrison comments, “As a lawyer, former attorneyim general and former mayor, Giuliani should know better than to muddy the waters about ‘free speech’ by citing it and distorting it for his own defense in this manner. The letter of the law regarding the First Amendment protects the rights and responsibilities of Catsimatidis as the licensee and platform owner in this situation. And as far as the spirit of the law as indicated by the general term ‘free speech’ is concerned, the understanding between these two men as to what Giuliani can discuss on WABC is completely subjective and ultimately based on what the licensee determines at any given moment to be in the best interest of the platform, its listeners and most importantly, the truth.” Listen to Michael Harrison and John Catsimatidis discussing the situation this morning by clicking here.

Industry News

Urban One Reports Inability to File Form-10K on Time

Urban One files notice with the Securities and Exchange Commission of its inability to file both the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and, as a result, the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The company explains that it has determined that it is unable to file the reports within the prescribed time period without unreasonable effort or expense due to theim reasons described below. The company says it is continuing to work diligently to file its Form 10-K as soon as possible and expects to be in a position to file the Form 10-K by May 31, 2024. “Additional time is needed for the company to compile and analyze supporting documentation in order to complete the Form 10-K and in order to permit the company’s independent registered public accounting firm to complete its audits of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting included in the Form 10-K. The company expects its auditor will issue an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements. The company has identified material weaknesses in the company’s internal control over financial reporting and as a result, expects some of its internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls will be ineffective as of December 31, 2023. The Annual Report will describe these material weaknesses, and the company is implementing plans to remediate them.”

Industry News

Veteran Music Industry and Rock Radio Figures Set to Gather in LA for Ninth Annual Reunion

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In what has become somewhat of an informal annual tradition, on May 22, 2024, music industry and rock radio veterans from across the nation will come together at the Ninth Annual Music Industry Reunion. The event will take place at the legendary live music venue, the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, California (just outside of LA). Doors open at 6:30 pm. A special component of this year’s event will be celebrating the lives of three recently departed legendary radio DJs: Jim Ladd (KMET, KLOS, SiriusXM, KLSX, KNAC); Geno Michellini (KLOS, KOME, KMEL, KFI, KLSX); and Dusty Street (KROQ, KSAN, KLOS, SiriusXM, KMPX). All were pioneers in the days of free form rock radio, breaking barriers and leading the way for generations to come. The special tribute will be hosted by Frazer Smith, legendary radio personality, actor and stand-up comedian. Smith’s unique on-air style at KROQ, KLOS, KMET, KLSX, and KRTH annoyed most parents and broke ground for countless zany or morning zoo radio programs, before he went on to movies (The Fisher King, Electric Dreams), TV (Dr. Ken, Quantum Leap), and stand-up comedy performances. According to organizers Jon Scott and Kenny Ryback, “The Music Industry Reunion prides itself on bringing together the best of the music business from around the world for this special evening of music, laughter and memories. Past reunions in New York and Los Angeles have reunited over 500 industry influencers, legends and icons as well as the brightest radio, music, management, publicity and marketing professionals in the business.” TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison adds, “So many folks currently in talk radio have roots in the fabulous ‘radio & records’ scene of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. This cool event is a positive and emotional coming together of old friends, enemies, colleagues and competitors. Very special!” New this year, attendees can enjoy light hors d’oeuvres as well as chips and salsa, along with $5 tequila shots. Additionally, the Sagebrush Cantina’s full menu will be available to purchase. Advance tickets are $30 (+ 3.85 Eventbrite service processing fee) and are available here. Find more information about the event here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/8) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial in NYC; Georgia Appeals Court to review Fani Willis status; the pro-Palestinian protests and the U.S. policy on arms to Israel; U.S. House blocks Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resolution to oust Speaker Mike Johnson; the presidential race; the state of the U.S. economy and voters’ feelings about “Bidenomics”; the Russia-Ukraine war; Barron Trump named Florida at-large delegate to the Republican National Convention; and the severe weather that hit much of the central U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

John Curley to Receive 2024 Humanitarian of the Year Award

The TALKERS editorial board has announced the selection of colorful radio talk show host John Curley of KIRO “Newsradio 97.3 FM,” Seattle as the 2024 recipient of the publication’s Sharon L. Harrison Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service. Curley will be presented the honor at the forthcoming TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond conference on Friday, June 7 at Hofstra University on Long Island, NY. Curley has co-hosted 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm afternoon drive on the Bonneville-owned news/talker for the past several years after serving in various time slots during the past decade, includingim mornings and late nights at the heritage station. Prior to that he served for 15 years as the local host of the evening magazine program on Seattle’s KING5 NBC. During his career on KIRO, Curley has spearheaded a number of extremely creative and high-profile charitable promotions in addition to operating an independent business as a fund-raising auctioneer for charitable causes and organizations across the nation.  He raises an average of $80 million per year with this endeavor. In making the announcement, TALKERS founder Michael Harrison stated, “John Curley is a true on- and off-air original… iconoclastic, candid, and smart. His charity work as a radio personality over the years has been creative, entertaining, and effective.  However, it is his remarkable skill and productivity as an auctioneer for non-profits around America that is absolutely stunning. When John gets on that stage, he raises auctioneering to a heart pounding art form and drags every ounce of generosity out of his spellbound audiences. His patter is song and his moves are dance.” To see John Curley in action click here. Curley will be one of 60 industry leaders speaking at TALKERS 2024: Radio and BeyondFor more information about the conference click here. (EDITOR’S NOTE: There were several personnel changes at KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM this week including in the afternoon drive co-host position. See story below for more details.)

Industry News

Audacy Files Opposition to MRC’s Petition to Deny with the FCC

Late last month the conservative media watchdog group Media Research Center filed a Petition to Deny with the FCC regarding Audacy’s seeking a waiver of foreign ownership disclosure obligations in order to emerge from Chapter 11 reorganization. Last week, Audacy filed its opposition to the Petition to Deny with the FCC. In it Audacy argues that first, the petition is procedurally defective, but goes on to argue that even if it is considered an informal objection, it is defective because “the Commission hasim determined that granting a limited waiver deferring its foreign ownership review to facilitate a licensee’s prompt emergence from bankruptcy is consistent with the Communications Act.” Further, Audacy says, “According to the MRC, Audacy is attempting to employ an ‘entirely new’ and ‘vague and undefined’ special warrant process’ to delay the Commission review of Audacy’s proposed foreign ownership until ‘sometime down the road’ when the company ‘may choose’ to file a petition for declaratory ruling seeking such review. This specious claim not only mischaracterizes the company’s waiver request detailed in the Application, but completely ignores longstanding precedent establishing the Commission-approved special warrant process used in a number of prior transactions to allow licensees to emerge from bankruptcy promptly, while affording the Commission sufficient opportunity to review foreign ownership issues post-emergence.” Separately, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel responded to Congressman Nicolas Langworthy (R-NY) and Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX), who both wrote to her implying that the Commission is not going through “its normal, statutorily required process” and voiced concern over Soros Fund Management’s acquisition of Audacy debt. Langworthy wrote that Audacy being “owned by a deeply partisan individual [George Soros], could have a fundamental impact on the nature of local radio and potentially silence political viewpoints.” Rosenworcel’s response indicates she believes the Commission is handling the matter appropriately, saying, “The Bureau staff will review the record and decide if the transfer is in the public interest pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Communications Act.”