Industry News

Dan Michaels Resigns from KFGO, Fargo

According to a report at The Forum, longtime Fargo radio personality Dan Michaels resigned fromim Midwest Communications’ news/talk KFGO, Fargo The Mighty 790 on November 2. He tells The Forum that he left the station due to a difference in programming philosophy with management. “We differed on the operation of the ‘Morning Crew,’ and so I decided to step away.” Michaels serves as the public address announcer for North Dakota State football and basketball games, a position he will continue to hold. Read the Forum story here.

Ratings Takeaways

October 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imOctober 2023 PPM Data – Information for the October 2023 survey period (September 14 – October 11) 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.

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are September 2023 – October 2023 (6+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 3.4 – 4.7, #10 – #5

KJCE .3 – .4, #27 – #28

News

None

Sports Talk

KVET-AM 1.0 – 1.3, #22 – #22

KTAE DNA – .7, DNA – #25

KBPA-HD2 .4 – .5, #26 – #27

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 5.3 – 5.6, #3 – #4    

Note: News/talk KLBJ-AM’s +1.3 (3.4 – 4.7) represents Austin’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase. 

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 9.4 – 8.2, #2 – #3

WPTF DNA – .7, DNA – #20

News

WRAL-HD3 .3 – .1, #15 – #23

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.1 – 3.5, #8 – #11 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 9.1 – 9.4, #3 – #2

Notes: News/Talk WTKK’s -1.2 (9.4 – 8.2) represents Raleigh’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease.

Following a six-month absence, eight (8) Curtis Media Group stations – including news/talk WPTF – return as Nielsen Audio subscribers.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 6.1 – 6.9, #4 – #3

News

WOLT-HD2 .1 – .1, #27 – #24

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2 3.5 – 4.3, #13 – #12 (Colts)

WNDE .9 – .9, #22 – #21

WXNT .1 –.1, #27 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 6.4 – 4.6, #3 – #10

Note: Sports talk WFNI (DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.6 – 9.7, #2 – #1

WTMJ 9.8 – 9.6, #1 – #2 

WLIP DNA – .1, DNA – #28  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.4 – 2.6, #13 – #14 (Green Bay Packers)

WKTI 1.0 – 1.0, #18 – #18

WOKY .2 – .4, #26 – #22

WSSP .2 – .2, #26 – #25

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 2.4 – 3.0, #13 – #13

WHAD 2.1 – 2.1, #16 – #17

WGKB DNA – .1, DNA – #28

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: Public radio news/talk WUWM’s +.6 (2.4 – 3.0) ties classic hits-oldies WRIT for Milwaukee’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase.

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 6.1 – 5.7, #4 – #5

WLAC 1.1 – 1.4, #19 – #19

News

WNRQ-HD2 .2 – DNA, #23 – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 7.2 – 7.3, #3 – #3 (Tennessee Titans)

WPRT 1.4 – 1.9, #17 – #17 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 5.5 – 4.1, #6 – #10

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .2, #23 – #23 

Note: Public radio news/talk WPLN’s -1.4 (5.5 – 4.1) represents Nashville’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease.

PROVIDENCE

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.1 – 6.5, #6 – #5

WHJJ  .3 – .3, fourth straight month at #18

News

None

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 3.3 – 3.3, thirteenth consecutive month at #8

WVEI 2.3 – 2.4, #10 – #9

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 1.9 – 2.4, #12 – #9

WNPN 1.5 – 1.4, sixth straight month at #14

WCAI .1 – .1, #19 – #20

Note: Public radio news/talk WGBH’s +.5 (2.4 – 3.0) ties rock WHJY for Providence’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase.

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  3.5 – 3.3, #11 – #12

WGH-FM HD2 .2 – .2, #24 – #22

News

WNOH .4 – .3, #21 – #20

Sports Talk

WVSP 2.7 – 2.9, #13 – #13

WGH-AM .4 – .3, #21 – #20

Public Radio News/Talk

None

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 8.2 – 7.5, #3 – #3

News

None

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .2, #23 – #22

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.6 – 2.8, #12 – #12

Note: Sports talk WJXL-AM (DNA); sports talk WJXL-FM (DNA); and country WGNE are the flagships of the Jaguars.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 1.8 – 2.3, #12 – #9

WZZR 1.9 – 1.8 #10 – #13

WJNO 1.1 – 1.2, fourth successive month at #14

News

None

Sports Talk

WBZT .2 – .4, #19 – #18

WMEN .2 – .4, #19 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.6 – 2.5, #8 – #8

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – .2, DNA – #21

Note: News/talk WFTL’s +.5 (1.8 – 2.3) ties urban AC WMBX for West Palm Beach’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase. 

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 4.5 – 4.9 #8 – #7

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 3.5 – 3.5, #9 – #9

WUNC 1.4 – 1.7, #13 – #14

Note: Urban AC WQMG has the highest October 2023 share (14.0, 6+) of any station in all 48 PPM-markets.

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 2.1 – 2.4, #9 – #9

KWAM .4 – .2, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.4 – 3.0, #8 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream DNA – .2, DNA – #13 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.7 – 1.9, #11 – #10

Note: Urban contemporary WHRK’s -2.7 (10.3 – 7.6) represents the largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease by any station in all 48 PPM-markets.

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 5.2 – 5.1, #6 – #6

WDRC-AM 2.3 – 1.9, #12 – #15

WTIC-AM Stream .8 – .8, fourth consecutive month at #17

WPOP .2 – .2, #22 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 1.7 – 2.5, #15 – #11

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 3.7 – 3.8, #9 – #9

WFCR .6 – .8, #18 – #17

Note: While sports talk WUCS’ +.8 (1.7 – 2.5) represents Hartford’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase, news/talk WDRC-AM’s -.4 (2.3 – 1.9) is the market’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry Views

The Vital Element of Surprise

By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media Implementers
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, “Sterling On Sunday”
Talk Media Network

Visitors to Disneyland five years ago will be given a memorable experience when they visit this month. About 50% of Disneyland has changed since 2018. The theme park constantly changes, trying new rides, exhibits, displays. Walt Disney never considered his park to be finished. Roy Disney said that Walt viewed Disneyland as a giant block of clay which could be molded and remolded constantly. Changing the park constantly gives visitors surprises, joy and the excitement of the unexpected. The unexpected at Disneyland is newness in its ideal form: Everything is new, memorable and completely safe.

Your show, music or talk, has the same power to create memorable entertainment. Wrapped in the safety of your voice, and your familiar station, you can SAY the unexpected, the surprising, the new.

Remember when the news was a radio station? Remember when a radio station generated word of mouth, talk at work, and gossip among friends? It could have been yesterday or years ago. A radio station or on-air talent was at the epicenter of the community’s conversation when it did the unexpected. 

The short list 

A station said the name of your business. Gave away an outrageous prize. Roasted a pig. Lesbian Dial-A-Date. Broke a record. Asked the caller if they were naked. Aired Amazing Mouth TV Spots. There is no top-of-mind real estate claimed by a station if it is following the format really well.

Delivering surprises is not hard, but it is essential to the medium’s growth. Today, the most recent “surprises” have been all wrong. Too often the surprise is the public shaming and forced apology of a host because of an unfortunate comment about Erin Andrews or slight of a team owner.  (BTW, the single dumbest management move is a public apology. Thousands of people learn of the incident who would never have known about it if the moment was allowed to pass.)

You may be worried that if you or an air talent break the corporate dictate format, all will be fired. No. You know where you can experiment. Your experiment could lead to a new, fresh awareness of your station and of your hard work. Do it.

WALTER SABO’s company, Sabo Media has advised the C Suite of some of America’s largest media companies including SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Apollo Advisors, Conde Nast, Wall Street Journal Radio, RKO General, and NBC. He is a member of the Nominating Committee of the national Radio Hall of Fame and on the Dean’s Advisory Board of the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University.  His radio show, “Sterling on Sunday” is heard nationally.www.waltersterlingshow.com  Contact him at walter@sabomedia.com

Ratings Takeaways

October 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three

imOctober 2023 PPM Data – Information for Nielsen Audio’s October 2023 PPM ratings period (September 14 – October 11) 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 Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are September 2023 – October 2023 (6+).

PORTLAND

News/Talk

KXL 6.7 – 6.9, #3 – #3

KEX 1.4 – 1.7, #22 – #21

KUFO .7 – .7, #26 – #24

KPAM .1 – .1, #33 – #34

News

None

Sports Talk

KFXX 1.5 – 2.0, #21 – #18

KXTG 1.0 – 1.6, #23 – #22

KPOJ .4 – .7, #28 – #24 (Trailblazers)

KFXX Stream  .1 – .3, #33 – #28

KMTT .2 – .2, #30 – #31

Public Radio News/Talk

KOPB 6.3 – 5.9, #4 – #4

KOPB Stream  2.0 – 1.6, #18 – #22

CHARLOTTE

News/Talk

WBT-AM 5.2 – 5.3, #5 – #5

News

None

Sports Talk

WFNZ-FM 2.4 – 2.7, #14 – #13 (Hornets)

WSOC-HD3 .1 – .1, #26 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

WFAE 5.2 – 4.0, #5 – #10

WNSC 1.0 – 1.2, #18 – #18

WFAE-HD3 .3 – DNA, #21 – #DNA  

Notes: Public Radio News/Talk WFAE’s -1.2 (5.2 – 4.0) represents Charlotte’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease; classic rock WRFX is the flagship of the Carolina Panthers.

SAN ANTONIO

News/Talk

WOAI 2.6 – 2.8, #15 – #13 (Spurs)

KTSA 2.2 – 2.6, #19 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

KTFM 1.3 – 1.7, #24 – #22

KTKR .9 – .7, #26 – #27

KZDC .2 – .2, #37 – #35

Public Radio News/Talk

KSTX 1.6 – 1.7, #21 – #22 

SACRAMENTO

News/Talk

KFBK-AM 10.1 – 8.2 #1 – #2

KSTE-AM 3.3 – 2.7, #12 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

KHTK 1.1 – 1.3, #20 – #18 (Kings)

KIFM 1.0 – 1.2, #22 – #20

KIFM Stream  .1 – .1, #29 – #30 

Public Radio News/Talk

KXJZ 1.9 – 1.8, #15 – #15

KQEI .3 – .2, #27 – #27

KQED .3 – .1, #27 – #30

KUOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: News/Talk KFBK-AM’s -1.9 (10.1 – 8.2) represents Sacramento’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease.

PITTSBURGH

News/Talk

KDKA-AM 4.0 – 3.8, #10 – #11

KDKA-AM Stream  .7 – .5, #22 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

KDKA-FM 7.9 – 8.0, #3 – #3

KDKA-FM Stream  .4 – .2, #25 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

WESA 4.1 – 4.2, #8 – #7

Note: The flagships of the Steelers and Penguins are rock WDVE and alternative WXDX, respectively.

SALT LAKE CITY

News/Talk

KSL-AM/FM 5.2 – 6.9, #5 – #2

KNRS-AM/FM 4.0 – 2.9, #9 – #15

KKAT .1 – .1, #29 – #29

News

None

Sports Talk

KALL 1.7 – 1.8, #22 – #20

KZNS-FM 1.1 – .8, #24 – #24 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM .4 – .5, #27 – #26 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-FM Stream  .1 – .1, #29 – #29 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM Stream  .1 – .1, #29 – #29 (Utah Jazz)

KOVO .1 – .1, #29 – #29

Public Radio News/Talk

KUER 2.5 – 2.2, #17 – #19

KBYU-HD2 Stream  .5 – .5, #26 – #26

KUMT .4 – .1, #27 – #29    

Note: News/Talk KSL-AM’s +1.7 (5.2 – 6.9) represents Salt Lake City’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase; conversely, similarly-formatted KNRS-FM’s -1.1 (4.0 – 2.9) is tied for the market’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease. 

LAS VEGAS

News/Talk

KMXB-HD3 1.9 – 1.6, #18 – #22

KXNT .6 – .5, #28 – #29

KMZQ .1 – .1, #36 – #36

News

None

Sports Talk

KWWN .9 – 1.0, #27 – #27

KENO .3 – .5, #32 – #29

KRLV .3 – .3, #32 – #32 (Raiders)

KKGK .2 – .3, #35 – #32 (Golden Knights)

Public Radio News/Talk

KNPR 1.2 – 1.4, #26 – #23

ORLANDO

News/Talk

WTKS 4.6 – 3.9, #8 – #10

WDBO 3.4 – 3.5, #12 – #13

WFLF 1.0 – .9, #21 – #19

WFYY-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WYGM 1.1 – .7, #20 – #22 (Magic)

WOCL-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

WMFE 2.4 – 2.2, #15 – #15

CINCINNATI

News/Talk

WLW 13.9 – 13.5, 21st consecutive month at #1 (Bengals)

WKRC 4.6 – 5.4, #6 – #5

News

None

Sports Talk

WCKY 1.6 – 1.9, #18 – #18 (Bengals)

WSAI .6 – 1.0, #22 – #20

Public Radio News/Talk

WVXU 3.6 – 3.2, #9 – #11

CLEVELAND

News/Talk

WTAM 6.1 – 5.5, #7 – #10 (Cavaliers)

News

WMMS-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #24

Sports Talk

WKRK 5.1 – 5.9, #10 – #8  (Browns)

WKRK Stream  .8 – .9, #17 – #18 (Browns)

WARF .3 – .2, #20 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

WKSU 4.9 – 5.9, #11 – #8

WKSU-HD4 .1 – DNA, #22 – DNA   

Note: Public Radio News/Talk WKSU’s +1.0 (4.9 – 5.9) represents Cleveland’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase.

KANSAS CITY

News/Talk

KMBZ-FM 5.1 – 5.5, #4 – #4

KCMO-AM 1.0 – 1.6, #20 – #17

KMBZ-AM 1.2 – 1.2, #19 – #21

KMBZ-FM Stream  .9 – .9, #22 – #22

KCMO-AM Stream  .1 – .2, #30 – #26

KMBZ-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KCSP 3.1 – 3.1, #13 – #14

KCSP Stream  .6 – .4, #23 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

KCUR 3.2 – 3.2, #12 – #13

KANU-HD2 .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Note: Country WDAF is the flagship of the Chiefs.

COLUMBUS

News/Talk

WTVN 7.3 – 7.5, #4 – #4    

News

None

Sports Talk

WBNS-FM 7.9 – 8.6, #2 – #2 (Blue Jackets)

WBNS-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #21 (Blue Jackets)

WMNI .1 – .1, #22 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WOSU 4.5 – 3.9, #8 – #9

Up next: October 2023 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Beasley Media Group Q3 Net Revenue Falls 5.8%

Reporting its operating results for the third quarter of 2023, Beasley Media Group says net revenue was $60.1 million, a decrease of 5.8% over the same period in 2022. The company also reports a net loss of $67.5 million compare to the net income of $500,000 it reported in the third quarter of 2022, due largely to non-cash impairment losses.  Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley comments, “Beasley’s third quarter financial results reflect the well-publicized economic challenges and continued advertising market softness which we outlined in the prior quarters. Similar to recent quarters, Beasley delivered strongim digital revenue growth of 9.1% year-over-year, with digital revenue representing 18.6% of total third quarter revenue. Our continued strong digital revenue growth has moved us to within a few basis points of reaching the bottom end of our goal of digital revenue accounting for 20% to 30% of total revenue, and we remain laser focused on this initiative as a means to diversify our revenue in a cash flow positive manner. Our dedicated sales teams continue to leverage the tremendous audience reach and engagement of our local multi-platform content to attract new advertisers, resulting in a 22% increase in new local business revenue growth for the third quarter. Additionally, the actions we have taken to reduce our cost structure resulted in third quarter operating and corporate expenses decreases of 2.7% and 12.5%, respectively. In summary, we believe our third quarter financial performance demonstrates that our digital transformation and revenue diversification strategies continue to gain momentum and our initiatives focused on lowering operating expenses and reducing debt are positioning Beasley to generate increased and more diversified cash flows in future periods. Looking ahead, as has always been the case for non-election years, we expect fourth quarter revenues to be somewhat impacted by the absence of cyclical political advertising. While we plan to offset some of this expected softness through continued growth in digital and new business, we are hopeful that the overall advertising environment will improve in the fourth quarter and continue to closely monitor the economy.”

Industry News

Fisher House Offers Free Veterans Day Weekend Radio Show

Fisher House Foundation is offering to news/talk radio stations a free Veterans Day Weekend edition of “The Fisher House Story.” This program is provided in varying lengths for news/talk radio stations as well as a 30-minute public affairs show for all formats in the U.S. and around the world. The programs are hosted by radio pro Larry O’Connor (AM drive host at WMAL-FM, Washington, DC) and featuresim stories of our nation’s heroes, the families who serve by their side, and how Fisher House plays a role in their journey. 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. 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. She 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. Hear the demo and register for the show here.

Industry News

WABC, New York Presents Cuomo-Scaramucci Debate

im

Red Apple Media’s news/talk 77WABC in New York pre-empted regular programming today to present an exclusive, two-hour, no-holds-barred discussion between former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and former White House Communications Director and financier Anthony Scaramucci. The debate touched on the issues including, crime, Israel, migrants, guns and assault weapons, abortion, taxes and SALT, bail reform, LGBTQ+ rights, COVID and possible future pandemics, and the impact of both Republican and Democratic extremists on mainstream America. Scaramucci pointed to the current lack of trust the public has for government as the biggest obstacle standing in the way of unity and progress. Cuomo urged the audience to listen, learn, and understand the other side.

Ratings Takeaways

October 2023 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imOctober 2023 PPM Data – Information for the October 2023 ratings period (September 14 – October 11) has been released for: Washington, DC, 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.

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are September 2023 – October 2023 (6+).

 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 3.9 – 4.0, #7 – #7

WFED DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 8.7 – 8.1, tenth straight month at #2

WDCH .6 – .7, #23 – #22

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.6 – 2.8, #12 – #14 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream 1.1 – .9, #21 – #21 (Capitals)

WTEM .2 – .3, #27 – #25 (Wizards)

WTEM Stream .2 – .2, #27 – #29 (Wizards)

WSBN .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 12.0 – 11.9, 23rd month in succession at #1

Note: The flagship of the Commanders is classic rock WBIG. 

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 2.8 – 2.3, #15 – #16

WXKS-AM .6 – .8, #23 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 3.8 – 4.5, #10 – #8

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 7.8 – 10.9, back-to-back months at #1 (New England Patriots, Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 4.2 – 3.8, #9 – #10

WEEI-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 5.4 – 5.4, #3 – #3

WGBH 3.6 – 3.8, #11 – #10

Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s +3.1 (7.8 – 10.9) is the largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+) by any station in all 24 PPM-markets analyzed thus far.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.7 – 2.0, #21 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.4 – 2.3, #24 – #19 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .3 – .5, #32 – #29 (Dolphins)

WMEN .1 – .2, #36 – #35

WSFS-HD2 .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

WQAM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 3.8 – 3.9, #8 – #5    

Note: Sports talk WQAM’s +.9 (1.4 – 2.3) represents Miami’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+).

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.7 – 4.2, #6 – #8 (Seahawks)

KVI 1.7 – 1.8, #22 – #22

KTTH 1.4 – 1.5, #23 – #23

KPTR .1 – .1, #32 – #32

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.2 – 2.2, #20 – #20

KHHO .1 – DNA, #32 – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 6.0 – 4.3, #3 – #6 (Seahawks)

KJR-FM 2.3 – 3.0, #18 – #14 (Kraken)

KJR-AM .3 – .4, #27 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 5.9 – 7.6, #4 – #1

KSWS .1 – DNA, #32 – DNA

Note: Public radio news/talk KUOW’s +1.7 (5.9 – 7.6) represents Seattle’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+); conversely, sports talk KIRO-AM’s -1.7 (6.0 – 4.3) represents the market’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease. 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 1.8 – 2.3, #17 – #16

WFDF .1 – .4, #26 – #24

WJR Stream .1 – .1, #26 – #28

News

WWJ 4.0 – 4.6, #11 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .2 – .7, #24 – #22 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #26 – #28

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 8.6 – 10.1, #1 #1 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 2.0 – 2.4, #16 – #14 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .3 – .2, #23 – #25

WXYT-AM Stream .1 – DNA, #26 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUOM 1.8 – 1.5, #17 – #20

WDET 1.1 – 1.2, #20 – #21

PHOENIX 

News/Talk

KFYI 4.1 – 4.0, #5 – #7

KTAR-FM 2.9 – 2.4, #15 – #16 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 1.9 – 2.7, #22 – #14 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-AM .2 – .2, #32 – #31 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – .1, #34 – #33

KGME .1 – .1, #34 – #33

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – 33

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

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 3.9 – 3.7, #6 – #9

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 3.3 – 4.6, #12 – #10 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 2.3 – 2.4, #16 – #16

KTLK-AM 1.4 – 1.8, #19 – #18

WCCO Stream .3 – .6, #26 – #24 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #30 – #32

Sports Talk

KFXN 6.8 – 7.8, #4 – #2 (Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .1 – .2, #30 – #28

KSTP-AM .1 – .2, #30 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 6.2 – 6.0, #5 – #5

KNOW Stream .8 – .7, #23 – #23

Note: News/Talk WCCO’s +1.3 (3.3 – 4.6) represents Minneapolis’ largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase(6+).

SAN DIEGO

News/Talk

KOGO 4.7 – 5.4, #5 – #5

KLSD .3 – .3, #26 – #26

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 4.7 – 4.2, #5 – #6

KGB-AM .7 – 1.2, #23 – #20

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 6.2 – 6.3, #3 – #3

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 5.3 – 4.7, #5 – #6 (Lightning)

WFLA 4.0 – 4.6, #11 – #8

News

None

Sports Talk

WDAE 2.0 – 2.4, #19 – #16

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 2.3 – 1.6, #17 – #20

WUSF Stream .5 – .5, #25 – #25

Notes: Public Radio News Talk WUSF’s –.7 (2.3 – 1.6) represents a four-way tie for Tampa’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease (6+); rock WXTB is the flagship of the Buccaneers.

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 3.7 – 4.5, #13 – #6 (Broncos)

KDFD 1.7 – 2.1, #19 – #19

KHOW 1.5 – 1.8, #21 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 4.6 – 4.5, #7 – #6

KKSE-FM 1.4 – 2.0, #23 – #20 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KEPN DNA – .1, DNA – #36

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 4.2 – 3.9, #9 – #13

KUNC .5 – .8, #31 – #27

Note: News/Talk KOA’s +.8 (3.7 – 4.5) represents Denver’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+).

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 4.1 – 4.8, #8 – #8 (Ravens)

WCBM 1.8 – 1.7, #18 – #17

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.0 – 1.1,  #20 – #18

WDCH  .8 – .8,  #21 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 4.0 – 5.1, #9 – #7

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 4.5 – 4.0, #7 – #10

WYPR HD2 Stream .2 – DNA, #26 – DNA

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 5.8 – 5.0, #8 – #9

KFTK 1.9 – 1.8, #16 – #16

KTLK-FM 1.0 – .9, #19 – #20

KMOX Stream .5 – .4, #22 – #23

KFTK Stream .5 – .2, #22 – #27

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .4 – .3, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WXOS 2.3 – 3.2, #15 – #14 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 3.5 – 4.0, #13 – #11

Note: Sports talk WXOS’ +.9 (2.3 – 3.2) represents St. Louis’ largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+).

Up next: October 2023 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

October 2023 PPM Ratings – Part One

imOctober 2023 PPM Data – Information for the October 2023 ratings period (September 14 – October 11) has been released for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario.

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.

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

Comparisons are September 2023 – October 2023 (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.4 – 3.1, #11 – #11

WOR 1.2 – 1.2, #22 – #23

WKXW .7 – .8, #24 – #25

WKXW Stream .2 – .3, #41 – #37

WLIR-FM .0 – .0, DNA – DNA

News

WINS-FM 4.6 – 4.3, #7 – #7

WCBS-AM 2.5 – 2.3, #13 – #15

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .4, #32 – #34

Business News WBBR .3 – .4, #35 – #34

WCBS-AM Stream .3 – .2, #35 – #40

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 3.1 – 2.9, #12 -#13 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.1 – 1.4 #23 – #21 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .7 – .9, #24 -#24 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 3.6 – 4.4, #10 – #6

WNYC-AM 1.4 – 1.3, #21 – #22

Note: Public radio news/talk WNYC-FM’s +.8 (3.6 – 4.4) ties contemporary Christian WPLJ for the market’s greatest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+).

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 4.8 – 4.5, #4 – #5

KEIB .7 – .8, #32 – #32  (Clippers)

KRLA .6 – .6, #34 – #33

News

KNX-FM 3.7 – 3.3, #8 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .1 – .1, #43 – #39

Sports Talk

KLAC 1.6 – 1.3, #26 – #27 (Chargers, Clippers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.1 – 2.5, #20 – #13

Flagship of the Rams and Lakers is sports talk KSPN, which is unlisted in this sweep.

Kings’ games are heard on the iHeartRadio app, while games of the Anaheim Ducks are heard on the Ducks stream.

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.4 – 3.6, #8 – #8  (Blackhawks)

WLS-AM 1.4 – 1.5, #23 – #24

WLIP .3 – .3, #37 – #37

WVON .1 – .0, #44 – DNA

WLS-AM Stream .0 – .0, DNA – DNA

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 4.9 – 5.6, #3 – #3

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .2 – .1, #42 – #45

Sports Talk

WSCR 3.2 – 2.5, #11 – #14 (Bulls)

WMVP 1.4 – 1.6, #23 – #22 (Bears)

WSCR Stream .7 – .3, #28 – #37  (Bulls)

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 3.0 – 3.2, #13 – #12  

Note: Sports talk WSCR’s -.7 (3.2 – 2.5) is the market’s greatest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease (6+).

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 2.0 – 1.6, #16 – #20

KSFO Stream .3 – .4, #29 – #28

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 7.1 – 6.6, #2 – #2

KNEW .1 – .2, #33 – #32  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .1 – .1, #33 – #36

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.7 – 3.2, #7 – #11 (49ers)

KGMZ 1.5 – 1.8, #22 – #18   (Golden State Warriors)

KTCT .2 – .3, #30 – #29  

KGO .1 – .3, #33 – #29  

KGO Stream .2 – .2, #30 – #32  

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 5.3 – 5.3, #3 – #3

KALW .2 – .3, #30 – #29

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 4.6 – 4.5, #5 – #4

KEGL 1.5 – 1.4, #26 – #27  (Mavericks)

KSKY .5 – .6, #35 – #33

KLIF-AM .6 – .4, #34 – #37

KSKY Stream .1 – .0, #42 – #DNA

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.8 – 2.1, #22 – #21 (Cowboys)

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream .0 – .0, DNA – DNA (Cowboys)

Sports Talk

KTCK 4.7 – 4.7, #3 – #3  (Stars)

KRLD-FM 2.9 – 3.6, #15 – #10 (Cowboys)

KRLD-FM Stream .1 – .2, #42 – #38 (Cowboys)

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 2.7 – 2.4, #16 – #18

Note: Sports talk KRLD-FM’s +.7 (2.9 – 3.6) is the market’s greatest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+).

HOUSTON

News/Talk

KTRH 3.7 – 4.0, #12 – #9  (Rockets)

KPRC .9 – .9, #27 – #26  

News

None

Sports Talk

KBME 1.9 – 1.5, #22 – #22  (Rockets)

KILT-AM 1.3 – 1.5, #25 – #22 (Texans)

KFNC .2 – .3, #30 – #29

KILT-AM Stream .1 – .2, #34 – #31 (Texans)

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 2.2 – 1.8, #18 – #21

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.3 – 8.1, #3 – #2

WFOM .4 – .4, #29 – #30

WGKA .3 – .3, #31 – #32

WSRV-HD3 Stream .0 – .2, DNA – #33

WAOK .1 – .1, #36 – #37

WAOK Stream .0 – .1, DNA – #37

News

WBIN  .1 – .0, #36 – #DNA

Sports Talk

WZGC 2.8 – 3.0, #14 – #14 (Falcons, Hawks)

WCNN 1.5 – 1.8, #20 – #18

WZGC Stream .3 – .6, #31 – #27 (Falcons, Hawks)

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.5 – 3.6, #12 – #10

WRAS  .7 – .6, #26 – #27

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 1.5 – 2.1, #19 – #15

WPHT Stream .3 – .5, #29 – #23

WURD .5 – .5, #23 – #23

WURD Stream .5 – .3, #26 – #25

WKXW 1.1 – DNA, #22 – DNA

WKXW Stream .1 – DNA, #35 – DNA

News

KYW & WPHI 5.8 – 5.4, #5 – #6

KYW & WPHI Stream .2 – .1, #31 – #27

Sports Talk

WIP 5.8 – 8.2, #5 – #2 (Eagles)

WIP Stream .7 – 1.5, #25 – #20 (Eagles)

WPEN-FM 1.1 – 1.2, #22 – #21 (76ers, Flyers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.6 – 3.1, #11 – #11

Note: Sports talk WIP’s +2.4 (5.8 – 8.2) is the greatest September 2023 – October 2023 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets (6+).

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 3.9 – 2.2, #8 – #18

WOR 1.1 – 1.1, #22 – #22

WLIR .2 – .2, #33 – #30

News

WINS-FM 4.0 – 3.7, #7 – #7

WCBS-AM 2.5 – 2.7, #14 – #12

WINS-FM Stream .5 – .6, #25 – #25

WCBS-AM Stream .4 – .2, #29 – #30

Business News WBBR .3 – .3, #32 – #29

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM 3.8 – 3.9 #10 – #6 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.7 – 3.0, #18 – #11 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

WFAN-FM Stream 1.2 – 1.2, #21 – #21 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .2, #33 – #30 

Note: Sports Talk WEPN-FM’s +1.3 (1.7 – 3.0) represents Nassau-Suffolk’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase.

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO .1 – .1, #22 – #24

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .4 – .5 #19 – #19

KPCC .2 – .1, #20 – #24

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.3 – 1.1, #22 – #23

KSFO Stream .2 – .2, #28 – #30  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.6 – 6.0, fourth consecutive month at #1

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .3 – .3, #27 – #29

KNEW .2 – .2, #28 – #30  

Sports Talk

KNBR 4.8 – 5.2, #4 – #5 (49ers)

KGMZ 2.2 – 2.1, #15 – #16 (Golden State Warriors)

KGO Stream .8 – 1.0, #24 – #25  

KTCT .5 – .8, #26 – #27   

KGO .2 – .6, #28 – #28  

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Sharks’ games are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION 

News/Talk

WKXW 5.2 – 6.0, #4 – #2

WKXW Stream .6 – 1.0, #22 – #19

WOR .6 – .6, #22 – #23  

News

WINS-FM 2.1 – 2.3, #13 – #11

WCBS-AM 1.2 – .9, #17 – #21

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .3, #27 – #27

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – DNA, #28 – DNA

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 4.1 – 3.4, #8 – #9 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .8 – 1.2, #20 – #17 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM .9 – 1.2, #19 – #17 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

None

Note: Sports talk WFAN’s -.7 (4.1 – 3.4) represents Middlesex-Somerset-Union’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease. 

Up next: October 2023 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Larry Elder Exits Presidential Race

As reported by UPI, conservative talk media personality Larry Elder suspends his campaign for theim GOP presidential nomination and says he’ll put his support behind Donald Trump. “As I look at the path forward, and after careful consideration and consultation with my campaign team, I have made the difficult decision to suspend my campaign.” Elder was unable to get a spot on either of the two Republican presidential debates held so far. Read the UPI story here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (10/25) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Congressman Mike Johnson (R-LA) is elected new Speaker of the House; the Israel-Hamas war and the controversy in the U.S. over publicly declaring support for either Israel or the Palestinians; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the 2024 presidential race; the U.S. migrant crisis; Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ forgiven RV loan; the FDA’s notice that COVID-19 vaccinations can bring an elevated risk of stroke if given in combination with flu shots to older people; and Hurricane Otis slams Acapulco, Mexico were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Tucker Carlson’s Media Venture Inks Flagship Advertiser

Former FOX News Channel star Tucker Carlson is launching his new digital media platform Last Country Inc and has signed its first flagship advertiser. PSQ Holdings describes its PublicSq. as a “marketplace of patriotic businesses and consumers” focusing “on highlighting the patriotic, parallelim economy found on PublicSq.” The agreement includes collaborative content segments that will air on Tucker Carlson’s show on both X and Last Country’s own platform. Last Country CEO Neil Patel comments, “We are proud to announce that our new media venture will be partnering with PublicSq. as our first advertiser. PublicSq. is a key company in the parallel economy, specifically countering the Chamber of Commerce and Amazon. There is a wave of disruption coming to the media and economic establishment, and our companies will help accelerate this overdue shift.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (10/24) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The failure of Congressman Tom Emmer to secure enough support to become the next House Speaker and Congressman Mike Johnson’s bid for the post; the Israel-Hamas war and the controversy in the U.S. over publicly declaring support for either Israel or the Palestinians; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the 2024 presidential race; the U.S. migrant crisis; and 42 states sue Meta saying Facebook and Instagram are addictive and target children were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Harry Hurley is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

WPG, Atlantic City, New Jersey legendary host Harry Hurley is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Hurley has been at the helm of the heritage station’s wildly successful morning show for more than 30 years. He is also known to talk radio audiences nationwide as a special guest host making numerous appearances on FOX News Radio. Before he made an indelible mark in radio, Hurley was an accomplished executive in Atlantic City’s hotel and banking industries. Michael Harrison describes Hurley as being “a remarkable combination of business savvy and emotional intelligence – not to mention, extremely talented.” One of the notable accomplishments this outstanding broadcaster has achieved in his career has been on the philanthropical front. During the past 16 years, Hurley’s 501c3 charitable foundation, which annually presents both a gala civic dinner and a charity golf tournament, has raised and distributed more than $1.4 million to worthy causes across the State of New Jersey and beyond. His most recent dinner took place on September 29. It alone raised over $100,000. Hurley is a public service dynamo and in Harrison’s words, “a role model for local hosts and stations to emulate in establishing a positive brand within their market.” Hurley is the recipient of numerous radio industry and local New Jersey honors. Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

“New Jersey 101.5” Honored by NJ Society of Professional Journalists

Townsquare Media news/talk WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” is recognized by the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists for its service to the community with three first-place awards in its 2023 Excellence in Journalism Contest. In the category of Best Public Affairs Show (TV and Radio), the station’s town hall special, “Class Disrupted – Pandemic Learning Loss,” which broughtim together a panel of educators, behavioral specialists and policymakers to examine how best to deal with pandemic learning loss won first place and will be received by the leading team members behind the town halls: anchor Eric Scott, director of content Anne Gress, news director Annette Petriccione, managing editor Sergio Bichao, and operations specialist Dan Alexander. The station also won in the Broadcast – Best Breaking News Coverage category for its coverage of the mayhem that erupted in Long Branch at the start of the summer season at the Jersey Shore. Managing editor Sergio Bichao, reporter Dan Alexander and then-producer and weekend host Jordan Jansson worked late into the night to chronicle a developing story that had far-reaching impacts on public opinion and policy relating to law and order. Finally, the station won in the Best Use of Sound for Radio News Story for reporter Dino Flammia’s series of on-air and online reports marking the 10th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy.

Industry News

LABF Honors David Gleason

Broadcaster David Gleason is being honored with the inaugural Library of American Broadcasting Foundation’s Excellence in Broadcast Preservation Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication and commitment to preserving broadcast history. LABF says, “Working on his own time and with hisim money for the past 20 years, Gleason has built a massive online archive of broadcasting and cable trade publications, books, music magazines, technical manuals, directories, yearbooks, company and station publications, programming guides and more. The archive — www.worldradiohistory.com — now tops nine million pages. Because it is online, the pages are readily available to the public – and searchable.” LABF co-chairs Heidi Raphael and Jack Goodman say, “There is no stopping him. What David has accomplished – virtually single-handedly — is extraordinary. He’s made an unparalleled contribution not only to the history of broadcasting, but to the story of the modern world as reflected and shaped by the media.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Cumulus Media Inc is hosting a conference call on Friday, October 27 at 8:30 am ET to discuss its third quarter 2023 operating results. A press release containing a summary of these results will be issued before the call at approximately 8:00 am ET.

Public media organization GBH announces a “major expansion” of its local arts and culture programming as it launches “The Culture Show,” a one-hour daily local radio program on WGBH-FM, Boston offering listeners a wide-ranging look at society through art, culture and entertainment. The program begins airing from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Fridays on November 3 and transitions to a daily show on December 4. GBH GM of news Pam Johnston comments, “‘The Culture Show’ builds on GBH’s deep legacy in the arts and culture space. We are proud of our seven-decade commitment to bringing local audiences vibrant and inspirational culture programming. Culture is the lens through which our audiences experience the world. We’re proud to be expanding our arts and culture team, offering people daily engaging conversations about what we see, watch, taste, hear, feel and talk about.”

Industry News

Salem Media Group Partners for GOP Debate

The Republican National Committee selects NBC News, Salem Radio Network, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and Rumble as media partners for the third Republican presidential primary debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County on November 8. Salemim Media Group CEO David Santrella says, “Salem Media Group and the Salem Radio Network are honored to be chosen by the Republican National Committee to be a part of this historic Republican presidential primary debate. Salem is an experienced partner of the RNC, having co-moderated four RNC debates in 2015-2016. We look forward to working closely with NBC News and other selected partners to deliver an event that will shine a light on the candidates and educate voters ahead of the primary.”

Industry News

North Carolina Broadcast History Museum in the Works

im

State broadcast leaders in North Carolina are unveiling details of a planned North Carolina Broadcast History Museum. The museum initiative is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation dedicated to preserving North Carolina’s broadcasting legacy. The Museum is seeking assistance from the public and people who worked in broadcasting to collect artifacts, documents, photographs and recordings that chronicle the history of prominent radio and television stations, broadcasters, programs and events. Through exhibits and collections, the Museum seeks to highlight the contributions made by North Carolina Broadcasters in shaping the industry and the state’s culture landscape. Among the broadcast professionals pictured above at the North Carolina Governor’s Mansion announcing the new project is Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley (center).

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of October 9 – 13

The deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel and Israel’s response was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was President Joe Biden’s collaboration with Qatar to freeze Iran’s oil assets due to Iran’s solidarity with Hamas, followed by U.S. House Republicans’ efforts to nominate and confirm a new House Speaker at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry Views

The Problems Facing Radio Were Not Caused by Consolidation

By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media Implementers
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, “Sterling On Sunday”
Talk Media Network

imAs your friends get fired and on-air hosts are replaced with WideOrbit and Profitable Software, the mournful refrain is to unfairly blame consolidation. Consolidation has, in fact, made the medium financially viable and brought hundreds of individual stations from a river of red ink to the glow of black ink. Prior to consolidation, over half the radio stations in the U.S. lost money – year after year. Not a secret stat, those numbers were revealed annually by the NAB.

The flaw in the deregulation law was the elimination of the rules regarding financing of station acquisitions. Previous regulations required a licensee to prove it had the financial resources to cover expenses through the term of the license. Licenses could not be purchased with debt. Licensees could not sell the license until it expired. Radio stations could not be used for speculatory financial gain. When those rules were tossed, the industry hit a financial tailspin from which it has not recovered. That’s the problem.

That is not a “problem” with radio. In talks with publisher Michael Harrison about his exciting role in the United Nations as executive advisor to World Radio Day 2024, we shared a key observation: The world’s radio industry is overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Working with clients in London, Toronto, Montreal, Amsterdam, Athens and Sydney, the passion for the medium continues to grow and is supported by audience engagement and response.

Internationally, there is a robust radio set design and manufacturing industry. European listeners seek clothing featuring radio set themes and artwork. Believe me, the food at the NAB Europe is much better than that crap served here.

Follow the money. Radio is not legacy media. Radio is proven media – proven for over 100 years. Local retail advertisers are a practical lot. They buy advertising that works for this weekend. If it doesn’t bring feet to the floor and dollars to the door, sponsors just don’t repeat-buy.

I was the in-house programming guru at SiriusXM Satellite Radio for eight years starting pre-launch. The reason Sirius exists is test after test revealed that Americans liked radio so much, used radio so much, they wanted more stations. More choice. More.

Consolidation, with considerable credit to Randy Michaels, allowed radio to convert from a frequency media buy to a reach media buy. That puts radio in budgets with TV. The opportunity right now is to actually monetize radio’s clout as a reach medium. Create scarcity. More spots mean cheaper spots, smaller budgets and higher expense. More spots mean much less efficiency for media buyers. Media buyers have to spend their budgets. They would prefer to spend that money with one or two outlets before lunch rather than having to “make the buy” by purchasing dozens and dozens of stations acquiring spots that are cheap, bonused, thrown in, flanked, and here are some tickets.  The fix starts with raising the price to meet the public’s perception and usage levels of radio.

Walter Sabo has grown audience share for a roster of clients that has included SiriusXM Satellite Radio, RKO, ABC, Apollo Advisors, Hearst, Wall Street Journal Radio and many others. Reach him at walter@sabomedia.com. Learn about his unique radio show at www.waltersterlingshow.com

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

PodcastOne president and co-founder Kit Gray will present at the ThinkEquity Conference on Thursday, October 19 at 4:00 pm ET. The event will be held in-person at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City and Gray will meet with professional investors throughout the day.

Ingstad Family Media’s news/talk KNUJ/K247CU, New Ulm, Minnesota adds the GCN-syndicated “Dr. Daliah Wachs Show” to its lineup airing 1:00 am to 4:00 am ET.

Boston-based public media firm GBH is covering the Worcester, Massachusetts mayoral race with a debate live from the organization’s Worcester bureau on Monday (10/16) at 6:00 pm. Reporter Sam Turken will moderate an open-format debate among the five candidates. The debate will be broadcast as a video livestream on the GBH News website and the GBH News YouTube channel.

WJCT Public Media names Anne Schindler permanent host of the flagship daily public affairs program “First Coast Connect” on WJCT-FM, Jacksonville “News 89.9,” effective October 30. , 2023. Schindler is a producer, journalist, and editor who has served as executive producer of special projects for “First Coast News” and editor-in-chief of Folio Weekly.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (10/11) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Republicans nominate Steve Scalise to be the next Speaker of the House; the Israel-Hamas war and the controversy over Americans voicing support for Palestinians in Gaza; pressure on President Joe Biden to freeze Iranian assets in response to the Hamas attacks on Israel; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the 2024 presidential race; the Supreme Court hears arguments in the South Carolina redistricting case; new charges against Congressman George Santos and his tenuous hold on his seat; the ongoing UAW strike against the big three U.S. automakers; and the $1.72 billion Powerball jackpot were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Pending Business: In Radio Sales, It Pays to Be a Great Listener

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

Do you still struggle with keeping the dialogue moving in the right direction on your sales calls? Let’s face it, if you are not careful you could violate one of the golden rules of selling talk radio – be a great listener.

First calls are the most difficult, especially in this era of Zoom, Teams, etc. You try your best to develop rapport, build chemistry and move through a needs analysis as you learn about your potential advertiser. High achieving sellers have that special skill of blending questions and fun facts that build common ground while navigating the needs analysis through a range of questions designed to qualify the prospect and confirm a follow-up call.

Sounds simple enough, but why do most sellers fall short in the starting blocks. There is no mystery here to solve, this is Selling 101 that starts with preparation and ends with a commission check. Let’s walk through some start points:

If you are responsible for any of the 26.5 billion minutes viewed of “Suits” on Netflix, you know that Harvey Spector (lead character) earned millions doing homework and knowing how to ask the right questions. How about you? Are you prepared to ask the right questions and listen to the answers that will lead you to comeback with the right proposal? Sometimes keeping the dialogue moving can be challenging. Perhaps you’ve asked too many questions that went nowhere or just resulted in one-word answers. What to do? A recent article in Make It quoted Matt Abrahams, a public speaking expert at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, who suggests saying, “Tell me more” during a conversation is the secret sauce behind improving the communication flow.

Makes sense. Showing genuine interest in what your advertiser is saying, allowing more information to be shared, with you spending more time as the listener helps everyone develop better rapport and move closer to a win-win. I have always been a big fan of another Golden Rule of Sales: “Words matter.” Have you ever finished a call and asked yourself, “Why did I say that!?” It all goes back to preparation. If you know what to ask, how to allow your advertiser to expand on a key point, and do more listening than talking, your sales should increase, and your commission checks will show it!

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.

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