March 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four
March 2024 PPM Data – Information for the March 2024 survey period (February 29 – March 27) 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.
NBA and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.
DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear
Comparisons are February 2024 – March 2024 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk
KLBJ-AM 5.1 – 3.8, #5 – #9
KJCE .3 – .1, #28 – #30
News
None
Sports Talk
KBPA-HD2 .5 – .9, #24 – #21
KVET-AM .9 – .7, #21 – #23
KTAE DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KUT 7.4 – 8.4, #2 – #2
KUT-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Note: News/talk KLBJ-AM’s -1.3 (5.1 – 3.8) is Austin’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease.
RALEIGH
News/Talk
WTKK 8.0 – 7.3, #3 – #4
WPTF .8 – .6, #19 – #23
News
WRAL-HD3 .3 – .5, #24 – #24
Sports Talk
WCMC-FM 2.2 – 3.0, #15 – #13 (Carolina Hurricanes)
WCMC-FM HD2 .2 – DNA, #25 – DNA (Carolina Hurricanes)
Public Radio News/Talk
WUNC 8.5 – 8.7, #2 – #2
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk
WIBC 4.9 – 5.1, #10 – #8
News
WOLT-HD2 .2 – DNA, #25 – DNA
Sports Talk
WIBC-HD2 3.0 – 2.6, #16 – #16
WNDE .5 – .5, #21 – #22
WXNT .2 – DNA, #25 – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WFYI 4.6 – 5.6, #11 – #6
Sports talk WFNI (DNA – DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk
WISN 9.0 – 9.0, seventh consecutive month at #1
WAUK DNA – .2, DNA – #22
WLIP .1 – .1, #27 – #26
WTMJ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
WGKB DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
News
None
Sports Talk
WRNW 2.1 – 2.4, #15 – #15
WSSP .2 – .2, #20 – #22
WOKY .1 – .1, #20 – #26
WKTI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WUWM 2.6 – 2.9, #13 – #13
WHAD 1.2 – 1.3, #17 – #17
WHAD Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
NASHVILLE
News/Talk
WWTN 5.7 – 6.5, #5 – #5
WLAC 2.1 – 1.8, #17 – #18
News
WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
WGFX 4.9 – 6.6, #9 – #4
WPRT 1.5 – 2.3, #19 – #17 (Predators)
Public Radio News/Talk
WPLN 4.9 – 4.8, #9 – #9
WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .2, #24 – #23
Note: Sports talk WGFX’s +1.7 (4.9 – 6.6) represents the largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk
WPRO-AM 6.8 – 6.2, #4 – #5
WHJJ 1.1 – 1.3, #13 – #13
News
None
Sports Talk
WVEI 1.7 – 1.5, #11 – #11
WPRV DNA – .1, DNA – #18
WBZ-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WGBH 2.4 – 2.1, #8 – #8
WNPN 1.4 – 1.4, #12 – #12
WCAI .1 – .1, #18 – #18
NORFOLK
News/Talk
WNIS 2.0 – 2.0, #14 – #14
WGH-FM HD2 .2 – .1, #23 – #23
News
WNOH .3 – .3, #22 – #21
Sports Talk
WVSP 1.4 – 1.3, #16 – #17
WGH-AM .2 – .1, #23 – #23
Public Radio News/Talk
None
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk
WOKV-FM 8.9 – 8.3, #3 – #3
News
WJBT-HD2 .DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
WOKV-AM .2 – .2, #21 – #21
Public Radio News/Talk
WJCT 2.2 – 2.1, #13 – #13
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk
WFTL 2.3 – 2.6, #9 – #8
WZZR 1.4 – 1.1 #13 – #13
WJNO 1.1 – 1.1, #14 – #13
News
None
Sports Talk
WMEN .5 – .4, #16 – #17
WBZT .4 – .4, #18 – #17
Public Radio News/Talk
WLRN 2.1 – 2.6, #10 – #8
WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
GREENSBORO
News/Talk
WPTI 3.2 – 3.5 #10 – #11
News
None
Sports Talk
None
Public Radio News/Talk
WFDD 4.7 – 4.6, #6 – #6
WUNC 2.6 – 2.5, #12 – #12
MEMPHIS
News/Talk
WREC 1.5 – 1.8, #10 – #8
KWAM .4 – .4, #13 – #13
News
None
Sports Talk
WMFS 2.5 – 2.3, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)
WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #14 – #15 (Grizzlies)
Public Radio News/Talk
WKNO 1.7 – 1.6, #9 – #10
WKNO-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
HARTFORD
News/Talk
WTIC-AM 5.7 – 6.2, #6 – #5
WDRC-AM 1.6 – 1.6, #14 – #16
WTIC-AM Stream .4 – .2, #18 – #20
WPOP DNA – .2, DNA – #20
News
None
Sports Talk
WUCS 1.4 – 2.1, #16 – #13
Public Radio News/Talk
WNPR 5.1 – 5.0, #7 – #7
WFCR .4 – .4, #18 – #18
March 2024 PPM Data – Information for the March 2024 ratings period (February 29 – March 27) has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.
caused controversy as Berliner criticized the organization saying it “had allowed liberal bias to affect its coverage.” This comes as there is renewed interest among conservative legislators in challenging the use of federal funds for public media with allegations of editorial bias as a primary reason to end federal underwriting of media. NPR managing editor for standards and practices Tony Cavin spoke to The New York Times about Berliner’s piece and said it “mischaracterized NPR’s coverage of crucial stories.” 
7:00 pm. KNX says, “In her first broadcast town hall as mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass takes the stage at KNX News to take questions from Angelenos on a broad range of public safety-related topics the day after her State of the City address. As the City searches for a new chief to shape the future of the LAPD, Mayor Bass will hear from constituents about what they want that future to look like.” The show is being aired on KNX News 97.1 FM, the Audacy app, and streamed live on YouTube.
This tribute recognizes Rotella’s pivotal role in combating substance misuse during his 14-year tenure as president and CEO of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA). Rotella says, “One of my first official acts as the chief executive officer of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association was to aid and assist the Partnership for a Drug-free New Jersey and its ongoing mission. Now, more than ever, the good work of the Partnership is essential to educate the public in combating the insidious scourge drug abuse is on our society and community. This work remains one of our most worthwhile endeavors and I’m so very proud of their initiatives. The Partnership’s vital objective is strengthened through relationships with all community organizations across the Garden State, like the NJBA, so as to continue to be successful. It’s a privilege to be associated with the partnership and its leadership!”
purpose is to ensure Cruz’s reelection. The amount donated would exceed the $5,000 ceiling on solicitation of funds for a super PAC. The Texas Tribune reports that the terms of iHeartMedia’s payments are unclear because the company’s agreement with Cruz for distributing his podcast is not public, hence the complaint seeking an investigation. However, the complaint asserts “the payments were improperly reported as ‘other receipts’ rather than campaign contributions. ‘Other receipts’ is generally reserved for interest or income on assets already owned by a PAC.” The complaint continues, “By soliciting or directing $630,850.08 of iHeartMedia’s corporate funds to or on behalf of TCP in connection with his 2024 election, Cruz appears to have brazenly violated these federal campaign finance laws.” 
follows last week’s repurchase of 1.5 million shares from MSG at $9.76 per share, the June 2023 repurchase of 1.5 million shares from MSG at $9.70 per share, and the March 2021 repurchase of 12.6 million shares and warrants from Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. at $6.40 per share. Like last week’s 1.5 million share repurchase from MSG, the purchase price of $10.8 million will be funded entirely with cash on hand. Townsquare CEO Bill Wilson comments, “We are very pleased to share that we were able to buy the IPO options at a net purchase price of $3.62 per option, eliminating the overhang and the shareholder dilution that would have occurred had these in-the-money options been exercised in the open market before they expired this July. The members of management and the board that were involved in this transaction have been with Townsquare for over a decade, demonstrating that our longterm incentive plan was, and continues to be, effective in retaining top talent. In total, our management team owns approximately 11% of shares outstanding today and are well aligned with the company’s investors to build shareholder value.”
Johnson says, “I look forward to being a frequent guest on Tony’s show. This opportunity to speak directly to the American people about the most important developments in politics, policy, and culture will be important as we chart the path forward for Congress in these historic times.” Salem SVP Phil Boyce comments, “Salem is honored to kick off this important program with Speaker Johnson as guest host, who has worked tirelessly for conservative values since he took over the Speaker’s position. Tony Perkins, a nationally recognized expert in public policy, will be an excellent co-host, as the show deals with the important topics facing the House and the Speaker’s initiatives in getting his agenda passed.” Perkins adds, “I look forward to kicking off this new program with candid conversations with the House Speaker that will take listeners beyond the headlines and soundbites and inform them about what is really happening in our country and what citizens can do to influence the direction of our nation.” The show will be carried by Salem-owned news/talk stations nationwide, as well as affiliates of the Salem Radio Network. It will also air on the Salem News Channel weekends at 10:00 am ET, and 8:00 pm ET on Saturday and Sunday, as well as on demand on Salem Podcast Network, at Townhall.com, and on SNC.TV. SRN VP of news and talk Tom Tradup will serve as executive producer. Radio stations interested in the show can contact their SRN affiliate representative.
ideology on an issue-by-issue basis – although infuriating his fellow Democrats on many an occasion. After leaving the Senate in 2012, he withdrew somewhat from the political spotlight to serve as an attorney in private practice and a college professor but remained outspoken on issues of politics and public policy. His most recent activities included founding the No Labels Group which condemns what Lieberman described as the “partisan polarization of our politics which prevents us from making the principled compromises on which progress in a democracy depends.” Lieberman said, “We need bipartisan leadership to break the gridlock in Washington that will unleash all the potential that is in the American people.” TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison had the opportunity to get to know Joe Lieberman very well while serving as a talk show host on Connecticut’s leading talk station, WTIC, Hartford in the early 1990s. Harrison states, “Joe Lieberman was always available at a moment’s notice to appear on the air with me during those golden days of talk radio’s modern era and it was apparent to me – as well as talk show hosts across the nation – that he wasn’t your ‘run of the mill politician’ who put party over country and avoided answering the tough questions. There was a profound honesty in his words and tone that inspired confidence, among even those who disagreed with him, that they were talking to a very solid, principles-based man.” Harrison continues, “Talk show hosts on both sides of the political divide loved him for his warmth, candor and accessibility.” Harrison concludes, “Al Gore would have been better served during his run for the presidency to have let Joe have freer reign over his media availability during the campaign, something the VP failed to do. Every request for Joe to be a guest – many of which were squashed – had to go through the Gore campaign which turned off a lot of Joe’s friends and admirers in both radio camps.”
The headlines haven’t been kind to journalism lately. That recent
February 2024 PPM Data – Information for the February 2024 survey period (February 1 – February 28) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
senior adviser at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will serve as a spokesperson for the association and will help develop and execute messaging strategies to advance broadcasters’ policy agenda before Congress and the Federal Communications Commission. NAB EVP, public affairs and chief of staff Michelle Lehman says, “Gaby is a seasoned policy communicator whose years of government service have equipped her with a profound understanding of effective and strategic communications. Broadcasters will benefit from Gaby’s deep expertise in shaping messaging on the most important issues facing our industry, and we are thrilled to have her on the team.”