March 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways — Rounds 3 and 4
March 2023 PPM Data – Information for the March 2023 ratings period has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Columbus, Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
Nielsen Audio’s March 2023 sweep covered March 2 – March 29.
TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.
Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.
All comparisons noted are February 2023 – March 2023 (6+).
PORTLAND
News/Talk: Alpha Media’s KXL “FM 101 News” 7.0 – 5.7, -1.3, locked in fourth-place
iHeartMedia-owned KEX “News Radio 1190” 3.4 – 2.4, -1.0, #9 to #16
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB 7.2 – 7.4, +.2, repeats at #3
KOPB’s internet stream 1.3 – 2.0, +.7, #21 to #20
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KKCW, first month, 8.7 – 10.2, +1.5
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KKCW (+1.5)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: news/talk KXL and triple A KINK (-1.3)
CHARLOTTE
News/Talk: Urban One-owned WBT AM & WBT-FM “Charlotte’s News Talk” 5.5 – 5.2, -.3, remains in fourth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One’s WFNZ-FM “Sports Radio 92.7” (Hornets) 2.0 – 2.6, +.6, #15 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: University Radio Foundation’s WFAE 3.5 – 3.8, +.3, #13 to #11
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group urban AC WBAV, third straight month, 8.7 – 7.9, -.8
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: gospel WPZS (+.9)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic rock WRFX (-.9)
SAN ANTONIO
News/Talk: Alpha Media-owned KTSA “Stay Connected” 3.7 – 3.6, -.1, #10 to #13
iHeartMedia’s WOAI “News Radio 1200” (Spurs) 3.3 – 3.4, +.1, continues at #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Texas Public Radio’s KSTX 2.0 – 1.8, -.2, #15 to #18
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies KONO-FM, third consecutive month, 8.9 – 7.8, -1.1
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: country KCYY (+1.1)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies KONO-FM (-1.1)
SACRAMENTO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM “News 1530 AM & 93.1 FM” 9.5 – 9.4, -.1, #1
KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM cluster-mate KSTE-AM “Talk 650” 4.7 – 4.2, -.5, fifth to sixth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KHTK “Sacramento Sports 1140” (Kings) 1.2 – 1.3, +.1, steady at #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Capital Public Radio-owned KXJZ 3.8 – 3.5, -.3, ninth to tenth
Number One 6+: news/talk KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM, third month in succession, 9.5 – 9.4, -.1
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: rock KRXQ (+1.1)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KYMX (-.8)
PITTSBURGH
News/Talk: Audacy’s KDKA-AM “News Radio 1020 AM” 3.9 – 3.5, -.4, #10 to #13
KDKA-AM’s internet stream .9 – .7, -.2, flat at #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KDKA-FM “93.7 The Fan All Sports All The Time” (Pirates) 6.0 – 6.8 +.8, locked in fourth place
Public Radio News/Talk: Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting’s WESA 4.2 – 3.9, -.3, #9 to #12
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW, fourth month in a row, 11.3 – 10.8, -.5
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: country WDSY (+1.3)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WWSW and hot AC WLTJ (-.5)
SALT LAKE CITY
News/Talk: Bonneville-owned KSL “News Radio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM” 5.0 – 5.1, +.1, sixth to fourth
iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM “Talk Radio” 5.1 – 4.8, -.3, fifth to sixth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Utah’s KUER 3.2 – 3.3, +.1, #14 to #11
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI, fifth straight month, 10.8 – 12.0, +1.2
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KSFI (+1.2)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: hot AC KBZN (-1.2)
LAS VEGAS
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMXB-HD3 “101.5 K-Dawn The Talk Of Las Vegas” 2.3 – 2.0, -.3, #18 to #19
KMXB-HD3 cluster-mate KXNT “News Talk 840” 1.8 – 1.7, -.1, repeats at #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Nevada Public Radio’s KNPR 1.9 – 1.7, -.2, #19 to #20
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE, sixth successive month, 9.3 – 10.0, +.7
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: regional Mexican KLUC-HD3 (+.8)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian KSOS and classic rock KXPT (-.9)
Note: KDWN signed off on March 2; its news/talk programming segued to KMXB-HD3.
ORLANDO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKS “Real Radio 104.1” 5.2 – 5.0, -.2, repeats in eighth-place
Cox Media Group-owned WDBO “Orlando’s News Talk” 4.0 – 3.7, -.3, #10 to #11
WTKS cluster-mate WFLF “Orlando News Radio” .6 – .7, +.1, #22 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Community Connections-owned WMFE 2.6 – 2.1, -.5, #15 to #16
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMGF, fifth consecutive month, 8.5 – 8.9, +.4
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: urban AC WCFB (+1.6)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: country WWKA (-1.3)
CINCINNATI
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WLW “700 Cincinnati’s News Radio” (Reds) 10.9 – 11.1, +.2, #1
cluster-mate WKRC “55 KRC The Talk Station” 4.1 – 3.3, -.8, #8 to #11
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Cincinnati Public Radio’s WVXU 4.3 – 4.4, +.1, repeats in seventh-place
Number One 6+: news/talk WLW, 14th consecutive month, 10.9 – 11.1, +.2
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WGRR (+1.3)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: news/talk WKRC (-.8)
CLEVELAND
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTAM “News Radio 1100” (Cavaliers and Guardians) 5.1 – 5.2, +.1, anchored in tenth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WKRK “Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan” 4.0 – 4.8, +.8, #12 to #11
WKRK’s internet stream 1.5 – 1.1, -.4, flat at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: Kent State University-owned WKSU 5.5 – 5.7, +.2 seventh to eighth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI, fifth month in a row, 11.1 – 10.0, -1.1
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WENZ (+1.0)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WMJI (-1.1)
KANSAS CITY
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMBZ-FM “98.1 FM News, Traffic, Weather” 4.8 – 4.4, -.4, sixth to ninth
KMBZ-FM cluster-mate KMBZ-AM “Talk 980 AM” 1.3 – 1.2, -.1, #19 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s KCSP “Sports Radio 610 Our Teams, Our Town” (Royals) 3.0 – 2.1, -.9, #14 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KCUR 3.8 – 5.0, +1.2, ninth to fifth
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM, first month, 8.1 – 8.3, +.2
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: country KFKF (+1.3)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: sports talk KCSP (-.9)
COLUMBUS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WTVN “News Radio 610” 6.7 – 6.0, -.7, third to sixth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Tegna-owned WBNS-FM “97.1 FM The Fan” (Blue Jackets) 5.8 – 6.2, +.4, fifth to fourth
Public Radio News/Talk: Ohio State University’s WOSU 7.2 – 6.2, -1.0, second to fourth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia country WCOL, fifth straight month, 8.9 – 9.5, +.6
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WNND (+.9)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk WOSU (-1.0)
AUSTIN
News/Talk: Waterloo Media Group’s KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 5.5 – 5.6, +.1, fifth to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Genuine Austin Radio-owned KTXX “The Horn” steady at 1.9, #19 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas’ KUT 5.6 – 5.3, -.3, fourth to fifth
Number One 6+: Waterloo Media Group adult hits KBPA, third month in succession, 9.6 – 8.7, -.9
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: classic rock KLBJ-FM (+1.0)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: adult hits KBPA (-.9)
RALEIGH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 8.0 – 8.3, +.3, anchored in the runner-up slot
News: Curtis Media Group-owned WPTF “News Radio 680” 2.4 – 2.5, +.1, #14 to #15
Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” (Carolina Hurricanes) 2.7 – 3.1, +.4, #13 to #11
Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 7.4 – 7.5, +.1, repeats in third-place
Number One 6+: Urban One urban AC WFXC, third straight month, 10.5 – 9.6, -.9
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: regional Mexican WYMY (+.9)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: urban AC WFXC (-.9)
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk: Urban One’s WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 8.0 – 8.1, +.1, third to second
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” steady at 2.9, remains at #12
iHeartMedia’s WNDE “Fox Sports 1260” .5 – .7, +.2, #19 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting-owned WFYI 4.8 – 4.9, +.1, eighth to seventh
Number One 6+: Urban One adult contemporary WYXB, second month in a row, 9.2 – 9.0, -.2
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WZRL (+.5)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WJJK (-1.3)
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” 9.8 – 9.7, -.1, first to second
Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Bucks and Brewers) 7.0 – 7.4, +.4, repeats in fourth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRNW “97.3 The Game” 1.0 – 1.3, +.3, #18 to #16
Good Karma Brands-owned WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” flat at 1.1, #15 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM 3.9 – 2.1, -1.8, #11 to #15
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board’s WHAD 1.1 – 1.0, -.1, #15 to #18
Number One 6+: Saga Communications classic rock WKLH, first month, 9.2 – 10.6, +1.4
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: urban AC WJMR (+2.1)*
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk WUWM (-1.8)
*Represents the largest February 2023 – March 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 24 PPM-markets
NASHVILLE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” 6.6 – 6.9, +.3, repeats in fourth-place
iHeartMedia-owned WLAC “Talk Radio 1510” 1.1 – 1.0, -.1, #18 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” 4.4 – 4.9, +.5, eighth to sixth
Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” (Predators) flat at 1.1, anchored at #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 3.0 – 2.8, -.2, continues at #12
Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA, second month in succession, 14.3 – 14.7, +.4
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: country WSM-FM (+.9)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary WUBT (-.5)
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 4.9 – 6.0, +1.1, seventh to sixth
iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” .4 – .3, -.1, flat at #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (Bruins and Celtics) 3.8 – 3.6, -.2, locked in eighth-place
Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 2.5 – 2.3, -.2, #11 to #10
The internet stream of Cumulus Media’s WPRV “790 The Score” .1, #20; unlisted in February 2023
Public Radio News/Talk: WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.8 – 3.2, -.6, eighth to ninth
Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN 2.0 – 1.7, -.3, #13 to #14
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI, sixth month in succession, 8.2 – 9.8, +1.6
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WWLI (+1.6)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WNBH (-1.2)
NORFOLK
News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” flat at 2.6, #12 to #13
News: iHeartMedia-owned WNOH “BIN 105.3 Because Truth Matters” steady at .3, anchored at #20
Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group’s WVSP “94.1 ESPN” unchanged at 1.8, remains at #16
Sinclair’s WTAR “Sports Radio 850” flat at .3, stays at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WVKL, third straight month, 10.0 – 10.9, +.9
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: urban AC WVKL (+.9)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: country WGH-FM (-1.4)
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 7.4 – 7.0 -.4, third to sixth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 3.8 – 3.3, -.5, #10 to #11
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia country WQIK, first month, 9.2 – 8.7, -.5
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: rock WWJK (+.9)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WEJZ (-1.2)
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WZZR “92.1 Real Radio” 2.1 – 1.9, -.2, #10 to #11
WZZR cluster-mate WJNO “News Radio 1290” 1.5 – 1.6, +.1, #13 to #12
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” 1.0 -1.1, +.1, continues at #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WMEN “Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida” (Florida Panthers) .7 – .5, -.2, #16 to #18
iHeartMedia-owned WBZT “Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler” steady at .2, #20 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board’s WLRN 2.6 – 2.1, -.5, eighth to tenth
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting classic hits-oldies WEAT, second straight month, 10.2 – 10.4, +.2
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: regional Mexican WLLY (+1.0)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: urban AC WMBX (-.9)
GREENSBORO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 4.9 – 5.1, +.2, locked in eighth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Wake Forest University’s WFDD 2.4 – 2.6, +.2, #10 to #11
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 1.5 – 1.3, -.2, repeats at #15
Number One 6+: Audacy adult hits WSMW, third month in a row, 12.5 – 12.8, +.3
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: CHR WKZL (+.6)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic rock WKRR (-.8)
MEMPHIS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 2.9 – 2.3, -.6, #13 to #11
Starnes Media Group-owned KWAM “News Talk Memphis The Mighty 990” .4 – .2, -.2, #23 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” (Grizzlies) 4.0 – 3.8, -.2, repeats in seventh-place
WFMS’ internet stream .5 – .7, +.2, #19 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications-owned WKNO 1.1 – 1.6, +.5, #16 to #13
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS, first month, 10.4 – 10.1, -.3
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: gospel WHAL (+.6)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary WHRK (-.8)
Note: Number one the past 15 months, Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WRBO is unlisted in March 2023
HARTFORD
News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” 5.7 – 5.4, -.3, repeats in sixth-place
Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” 1.0 – 1.3, +.3, #16 to #15
WTIC-AM’s internet stream .2 – .4, +.2, #21 to #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WUCS “97.9 ESPN” 1.6 – 1.7, +.1, continues at #14
Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications-owned WNPR 5.3 – 5.4, +.1, seventh to sixth
New England Public Media’s WFCR flat at .4, carries on at #19
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 38th month in a row, 13.7 – 11.7, -2.0
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: hot AC WTIC-FM (+1.6)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WRCH (-2.0)**
**Represents the largest February 2023 – March 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 24 PPM-markets
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
own. She cites a February 2, 2021 appearance by Mike Lindell on Newsmax TV during which anchor Bob Sellers vehemently challenges Lindell’s allegations of voter manipulation, to the point of walking off the set in frustration. The story also notes Newsmax’s defense as laid out in court filings. The company says, “It reported fairly and accurately on the public statements made by President Trump, his attorneys, and 
surrogates; It had a right to report on statements made by public figures, including the president; Newsmax reported on both television and online claims by multiple officials and experts that the election was not ‘stolen’ or ‘rigged.’; Newsmax reached out to Dominion, and Dominion did not accept offers to appear on the network; Newsmax published online at least a dozen articles sharing Dominion’s response to Trump campaign claims. Those headlines appeared on Newsmax TV; On Dec. 19, 2020, Newsmax published to its website a statement, ‘Facts About Dominion, Smartmatic You Should Know,’ which read, in part, ‘No evidence has been offered that Dominion or Smartmatic used software or reprogrammed software that manipulated votes in the 2020 election.’; Newsmax shared its statement over the course of months during segments related and unrelated to the 2020 election.” Finally, Newsmax adds, “It should be noted that FOX News has never made a statement, even after its settlement, as strong and specific as Newsmax’s statement of Dec. 19, 2021.” 
student has pivoted between holding positions on key talk stations and performing stints in politics and the public sector. These include being State Director of Field Offices for Governor Brian Kemp. She’s also worked for former U.S. Senator David Perdue in senior staff positions. Back in 2011, she announced her candidacy for Congress in Georgia’s new 9th Congressional District and temporarily left the airwaves to campaign full time. She made it to the runoff in that race, but did not win, although her impressive showing was a victory unto itself. Among her many roles, she has served on the Georgia State Board of Education since 2020. Zoller has been designated the TALKERS 2023 “Woman of the Year” and will be presented the prestigious award at the publication’s national conference on June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island. 
forward by a Phoenix trial court judge. Harris and iHeartMedia appealed, arguing the case should be dismissed as Harris’ statements “were rhetorical hyperbole incapable of being proved false and protected by the First Amendment, and were therefore not actionable.” The State Supreme Court agreed unanimously. Justice William Montgomery wrote, “Under the First Amendment, apparently factual statements must be considered in light of the nature in which the speaker uttered them and the relationship of the statements to the overall context. Here, the nature of the words is colored by the context of an overtly political talk show.” But he also stated, “We do not suggest that the First Amendment provides categorical protection to anything that may be said on a political talk show,” adding a ruling from another case saying, “Candidates cannot make defamatory assertions they hope voters will believe, then, when sued for defamation, seek refuge in the defense that no one believes what politicians say.” 
“soon.” Elder challenged Gavin Newsom for governor of California in the 2021 recall election. Elder was the top Republican vote getter in that failed bid to unseat Newsom. Tradup says that Elder has visited Iowa and that his political action committee, Elder For America, is bringing in donations. Federal Elections Commission data indicates that the PAC raised nearly $1.7 million in 2022. Elder currently hosts a video talk program for The Epoch Times.
NPR has responded to the new label saying it is “inaccurate and misleading, given that NPR is a private, nonprofit company with editorial independence. It receives less than 1 percent of its $300 million annual budget from the federally funded Corporation for Public Broadcasting.” NPR CEO John Lansing is quoted saying the company is “protecting its credibility and its ability to produce journalism without a shadow of negativity. The downside, whatever the downside, doesn’t change that fact. I would never have our content go anywhere that would risk our credibility.” 
episode features Chachi’s recent chat from Benztown’s Los Angeles studios with Michael Harrison, founder and publisher, TALKERS. In the second new episode, Chachi talks to Wayne Johnson, founder and owner of Rockaway Records in Los Angeles.
Today’s Benztown press release states: Before founding TALKERS, radio innovator and thought-leader Michael Harrison worked at legendary radio stations from coast-to-coast, including WNEW-FM in New York, KMET in Los Angeles, KRPI in San Diego, WTIC in Hartford, CT, and WCBS-FM in New York. He also founded the AOR format, hosted several syndicated shows, and was the first managing editor for Radio & Records. Harrison has been a columnist for Billboard, a radio station owner, and member of the band Gunhill Road.
dividend of PodcastOne shares to between 12% and 16%. After completion of the successful spin-out – which the company notes is not guaranteed to happen – LiveOne will own approximately 86.3% of the PodcastOne common stock. LiveOne also reports that PodcastOne has repaid $1 million of its debt convertible at $3 and expects to repay an additional $1 million to $2 million. LiveOne intends for PodcastOne stock to be traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol PODC.
price requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The notice indicated that it is a result of the closing bid price of the company’s common stock having been at least $1.00 per share for a minimum required number of consecutive business days. Separately, today (4/7) is the date that LiveOne has set for spinning out PodcastOne as its own publicly traded company.
Media’s mission is to refocus our attention on state and local issues, and we’re doing that by building a network across Wisconsin of hometown radio stations that are bringing as much local and state-based content to the airwaves as we possibly can.” The piece says that Civic Media has been acquiring radio stations, but it appears it is leasing at least some of them, such as WMDX-AM/W224EG, Madison “Mad Radio” which is owned by Good Karma Brands. Regardless, it is presenting programming on about a dozen stations with its eye on having about 20 stations in its network. 
February 2023 PPM Data – Information for the February 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
million. NPR CEO John Lansing says, “We literally are fighting to secure the future of NPR at this very moment by restructuring our cost structure. It’s that important. It’s existential.” The report notes that “NPR intends to cut back its workforce from approximately 1,200 to about 1,050 employees. The nonprofit network’s layoffs represent its largest reduction in staff since the 2008 recession.” In other moves, NPR is bringing its newsroom and programming divisions together as Lansing notes the “current separation artificially cleaved NPR’s journalism and editorial creations.” At this time, none of the NPR radio programs have been canceled. 
Communications Partners LP, a 39-station group which he later sold to Cumulus Broadcasting in 2000 for $258 million. At this time, he pioneered notable progress in integrating legacy media with emerging digital technology. In 2004, he formed Connoisseur Media which now operates 13 radio station brands and digital assets in five markets. Highly respected and celebrated industry-wide for his outspoken candor and bullish approach to radio station ownership, Jeff Warshaw serves on the board of directors of the National Association of Broadcasters, the executive committee of the Radio Advertising Bureau, and is chairman of the Nielsen Audio advisory council. Harrison describes Warshaw as “one of the most knowledgeable, emerging forces to be reckoned with among radio industry leaders.”
Christopher Ruddy founded Newsmax in 1998 to publish online and offline content in the fields of news, politics, health and finance. Newsmax.com ranks consistently as one of the country’s most-trafficked news websites. Newsmax TV, a cable and over-the-top media service news channel started in 2014, has shown remarkable growth becoming one of the nation’s leading television news and political opinion sources. Newsmax recently entered the field of talk radio with a syndication arm and is reportedly exploring expansion into radio station ownership. As a journalist, Christopher Ruddy previously worked at the New York Post and the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. He was also awarded a Media Fellowship at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford University. He holds a BA summa cum laude in history from St. John’s University and a Master’s in Public Policy from the London School of Economics. Harrison describes Ruddy as “a key player in emerging 21st century media.”
commentators as well as up-and-comers. Trader tells TALKERS he “honestly believes AUN is one of the fastest growing TV and streaming networks in the country.” He states, “Now it is time to expand once again. Our goal is to be broadcasting in every major market in the next two years! This is maybe where an ambitious, hard-working manager can become part of this dream. I am looking to develop a management team to make it happen. If a candidate has expertise in managing finances and accounting, recruiting, human resources, overseeing and developing technologies, as well as creating company policy, sales and marketing, then such an individual might be looking for the challenge of a lifetime.” Trader continues, “I am looking to work with conservative/faithful, passionate ideologs like myself who are concerned with the direction our great republic is heading and want to return it to the Judeo-Christian, faith-based patriotic roots our founding fathers created! Here is the catch: all our progress and success has been achieved on a very tight budget! In fact, we cannot offer salaries. What we can offer is incentives for those who produce to be rewarded.” Interested candidates can contact Rick Trader, president/CEO, AUN TV Network at 
February 2023 PPM Data – Information for the February 2023 ratings period 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.
businesses of high-profile radio and podcast personalities as well as production companies. He also serves as a strategic advisor to Oxford Road, a media placement agency specializing in audio advertising, with a focus on podcasts and audio integrations. The nine-year-old agency is a leader in the audio space on behalf of more than 50 clients. Kitchin also serves as chairman of the National Radio Hall of Fame to which he was appointed in 2014. Since assuming the role, he has reinstituted national public voting for two of the six categories of induction and has doubled the voting participant panel. Under his leadership, more than 75 radio icons have been inducted. Prior to launching his own firm, Kitchin was one of the founders of Premiere Radio Networks, Inc., in 1987. The company grew to be the number one radio network in the country syndicating 90 radio programs and services to more than 4,600 radio affiliates, reaching 190 million listeners weekly. He started as executive vice president of sales and by 1998 at the age of 37, he assumed the role of president/COO, one of the youngest in the country to run a $300 multi-million-plus radio company. During his 10-year tenure at Premiere, Kitchin directed and oversaw all talk and music programming and services featuring the nation’s most popular personalities like Limbaugh, Delilah, Jim Rome, Glenn Beck, Casey Kasem, Bill Handel, Ryan Seacrest, Bob (Kevoian) and Tom (Griswold), Steve Harvey, Whoopi Goldberg, Blair Garner, George Noory, Maria Bartiromo, Jim Cramer, Matt Drudge, the late Art Bell, Donald Trump, Bob Costas and others. In addition, he supervised Premiere Radio’s other properties: Mediabase 24/7, the industry’s leading music monitoring service, MJI Programming, and FOX Sports Radio. Kitchin started his career in station management at WFMK-FM in Lansing, MI, and KTYD-FM in Santa Barbara, CA before serving as sales manager of the Katz Radio Group Network in Los Angeles. Kitchin will be one of 60 industry leaders speaking at TALKERS 2023. For more information, see story below.
notable exceptions. Thom Hartmann is one of the leading examples of a progressive talk radio host operating successfully within the commercial arena. Year after year, going back well over a decade-and-a-half, TALKERS has ranked this political thought leader among the top 10 in its annual list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts In America – the Heavy Hundred. Hartmann is also the prolific author of more than 35 books on politics, the environment and social issues. He puts out a daily multi-distribution point program heard on commercial broadcast radio, non-commercial public radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, streaming services, mobile app, cable radio and subscription and ad-supported podcasts. The show is also seen on Free Speech TV, and YouTube. Harrison and Hartmann discuss a variety of modern media-related issues and phenomena including the host’s liberal perspective on the current blockbuster Donald Trump indictment drama. Not to be missed. 
my original idea for over two years now on my national radio and TV shows. Then Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene picked it up and ran with my idea.” Root says the idea is to build a “parallel conservative patriot economy” consisting of conservative-owned businesses and his book lays out the plan. Root adds, “My co-author Nicky Billou (an Iranian immigrant) and our team of researchers spent over a year researching and identifying the 123 most patriotic companies in America to buy from and to invest your savings and retirement accounts in (some are publicly traded).” 
politics to parenting, Dixon – a businesswoman, breast-cancer survivor, and working mom of four girls – will dive deep into a wide variety of topics that touch our lives, while welcoming experts, insiders and headline makers for candid conversations.” Dixon comments, “I’m thrilled to take this leap into the podcasting world and am incredibly grateful to both Clay and Buck for encouraging and supporting me in this new venture. Listeners can expect to hear unique and unabashedly American stories not covered by the corporate media, as well as commentary from expert guests who will get to the truth about the issues impacting you and your family. I look forward to starting this new journey and bringing these stories to the forefront!”
Westfield most recently served with Champaign, Illinois radio company Illini Radio Group voicing commercials and hosting on-air shows. “Radio Health Journal” was launched in 1992 and is distributed by American Urban Radio Networks to more than 630 affiliate stations. AURN says, “The addition of Westfield rings in a new era for the show in that it’s now largely female-led, produced and voiced. With March being Women’s History Month, it’s important to honor the contributions of the countless women across history who’ve fought tirelessly for equal rights and opportunities.”
censorship” from conservatives. The rhetoric surrounding these deals is part and parcel of the politicized nature of media in the modern world. In the piece, Montlake observes, “The $60 million takeover – and the reactions it has sparked – is another flashpoint in the national battle to win over Latino voters, a fast-growing demographic that has long leaned Democratic but has lately grown more receptive to Republicans. So far, most Spanish-language radio in the U.S. has been focused on music and entertainment, not news or commentary. Which in the eyes of many makes it an untapped and lucrative means of political persuasion.” 
Talk show talent, program directors, show producers and broadcast business decision-makers represent the core readership of this publication. Sometimes we are so close to something that we fail to see it for what it really is. That is the case of the “talk show host” in American radio. Michael Harrison refers to the often-shameless targeting of audiences as “the daily dance of affirmation.” I view the daily process of radio talk show hosting at its very core, as “the daily dance of freedom.”
hopefully find a donor for his own situation. Auerbach hosts “ArtsBeat,” “On The Mark,” and “Athenaeum Spotlight,” on WCPC-TV 15 and WSKB, Westfield, MA. He’s also the ArtsBeat reporter for Pioneer Valley Radio. Auerbach says people can help by taking any of three steps: 1) becoming an organ donor upon your death; 2) consider donating while you’re alive (get details at kidney.org); and 3) donating to him at Mass General Hospital’s living donors program (
noon to 3:00 pm ET. Erickson says, “We are thrilled to embark on this next chapter of our growth and are so appreciative of our friends and partners who have supported us.” Compass Media Networks CEO and founder Peter Kosann states, “At a critical time in our nation’s history and just as the public starts to turn their attention to the upcoming presidential election cycle, we are thrilled to bring Erick Erickson to the national stage. Erick is a winner by every metric, and we are lucky to call him our friend and colleague.”
Whenever possible, USA consumers will pay cash, and they’re paying-down credit card balances, per recently released 