May 2022 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One
May 2022 PPM Data – Information for the May 2022 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.
Nielsen Audio’s May 2022 sweep covered April 28 – May 25.
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 April 2022 – May 2022 (6+).
NEW YORK
News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 3.6 – 3.3, -.3, eighth to tenth
iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 2.3 – 2.2, -.1, repeats at #19
News: Audacy’s WINS “1010 – All News/All The Time” 4.2 – 3.1, -1.1, #6 to #11 and co-owned WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 2.9 – 2.8, -.1, #13 to #14
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.5 – 3.8, +.3, ninth to eighth
Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM 3.3 – 3.1, -.2, #10 to #11
Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM, first month, 6.3 – 6.7, +.4
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: rhythmic CHR WKTU (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: news WINS (-1.1)
LOS ANGELES
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” 5.1 – 5.0, -.1, remains in third-place
News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 3.4 – 3.2, -.2, eighth to tenth
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.1 – 2.4, +.3, #19 to #14
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KOST, eleventh successive month, 5.8 – 6.5, +.7
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: urban contemporary KRRL (+.8)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KLAX (-.6)
CHICAGO
News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” 3.1 – 3.0, -.1, stays at #11
News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” 4.6 – 4.7, +.1, continues in fifth-place
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ flat at 4.8, repeats in fourth-place
Number One 6+: Hubbard Radio classic rock WDRV, first month, 5.7 – 6.0, +.3
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: regional Mexican WOJO (+.9)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): urban AC WVAZ and hot AC WTMX (-.6)
SAN FRANCISCO
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 1.9 – 2.0, +.1, #17 to #18
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 6.1 – 6.2, +.1, third to second
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 4.3 – 3.9, -.4, sixth to fifth
Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 1.1 – 2.2, +1.1, #24 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 7.7 – 5.9, -1.8, first to third
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, first month, 6.6 – 6.8, +.2
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: sports talk KGMZ (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk KQED (-1.8)*
*Represents the largest April 2022 – May 2022 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
DALLAS
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 2.9 – 3.6, +.7, #16 to #10
News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” flat at 2.1, #19 to #20
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” 3.6 – 4.9, +1.3, tenth to third
Audacy’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Rangers) 2.5 – 2.2, -.3, #17 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA 3.6 – 3.3, -.3, #10 to #14
Number One 6+: Univision regional Mexican KLNO, fourth month in a row, 6.1 – 6.6, +.5
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: sports talk KTCK (+1.3)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KNOR (-.5)
HOUSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” (Astros) 4.2 – 4.1, -.1, tenth to ninth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston-owned KUHF 2.4 – 2.7, +.3, anchored at #18
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, fourteenth consecutive month, 6.8 – 7.1, +.3
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: alternative KTBZ (+1.8)**
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: Spanish contemporary KLOL (-.8)
**Represents the largest April 2022 – May 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
ATLANTA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 6.4 – 6.0, -.4, third to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” 2.2 – 2.3, +.1, #16 to #15
Dickey Broadcasting-owned WCNN “The Fan” (Braves) 2.4 – 2.0, -.4, #15 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE 3.2 – 3.5, +.3, #12 to #11
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, fifth successive month, 7.4 – 8.6, +1.2
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: classic hits-oldies WSRV (+1.2)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): urban AC WALR and country WKHX (-.8)
PHILADELPHIA
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” steady at 5.4, seventh to fifth
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Phillies) 5.2 – 5.1, -.1, repeats in eighth-place
Beasley Media Group-owned WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” 2.4 – 2.3, -.1, continues at #13
WIP’s internet stream, 2.0 – 1.5, -.5, #16 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 5.6 – 5.5, -.1, stays at #4
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group rock WMMR, first month, 6.8 – 7.4, +.6
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: classic rock WMGK (+.8)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): urban AC WDAS-FM; sports talk WIP’s internet stream; and news/talk WPHT’s internet stream (-.5)
LONG ISLAND
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 3.4 – 3.0, -.4, #9 to #12
Red Apple Media-owned WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 2.0 – 2.6, +.6, #17 to #15
News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets)” 3.2 – 3.6, +.4, tenth to seventh and cluster-mate WINS “1010 – All News/All The Time” 2.8 – 2.6, -.2, #13 to #15
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.0 – 3.2, +.2, #11 to #10
Emmis’ WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.2 – 2.1, +.9, #23 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WBAB, first month, 5.2 – 5.7, +.5
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: sports talk WEPN-FM (+.9)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: classic rock WAXQ (-.6)
RIVERSIDE
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: San Bernardino Community College District’s KVCR, flat at .4, unchanged at #19
Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC .1 – .2, +.1, #21 to #20
Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, fifth consecutive month, 7.6 – 7.0, -.6
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: urban-rhythmic oldies KQIE (+1.0)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: rock KLOS (-1.2)
SAN JOSE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KGO “810 AM” 1.8 – 1.7, -.1, repeats at #15
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 4.4 – 5.4, +1.0, fourth to third
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 2.9 – 2.8, -.1, #8 to #11
Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game”.9 – 1.6, +.7, #23 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Empire country KRTY fourth straight month 9.3 – 9.2, -.1
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase (Tie): adult contemporary KISQ and rhythmic CHR KYLD (+1.4)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KSOL (-.6)
MIDDLESEX
News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 6.1 – 5.7, -.4, #1
News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 1.8 – 2.2, +.4, repeats at #16 and co-owned WINS flat at 1.0, #21 to #20
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.1 – 3.3, +.2, ninth to tenth
Emmis’ WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.6 – 1.1, -.5, #17 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: news/talk WKXW, fourth month in succession, 6.1 – 5.7, -.4
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: urban contemporary WXBK (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): Spanish tropical WSKQ and sports talk WEPN-FM (-.5)
Up next: May 2022 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not. And frankly, changing course is in their own business interests since trust in legacy media has now fallen to an all time low of just 9% and are ratings disasters. The American people have subsidized broadcasters to the tune of billions of dollars by providing free access to the nation’s airwaves. It is very important to bring trust back into media, which has earned itself the label of fake news. When a political candidate is able to win a landslide election victory after in the face of hoaxes and distortions, there is something very wrong. It means the public has lost faith and confidence in the media. And we can’t allow that to happen. Time for change!” Carr included a Truth Social post from President Donald Trump in which he complains about papers such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reporting on a strike against the U.S. base in Saudi Arabia that hit five refueling tanker planes. Trump said the reporting was intentionally wrong. 
breathe talk radio? We’re looking for a program director to lead our talk radio stations to the next level.
Talk radio has a long incredibly successful run of shows about sex.
Tuesday, March 10 and culminating with the championship game broadcast on Sunday, March 15. “We cannot wait for tip-off,” says Robert Blum, general manager of Compass Media Networks/Sports. “With the expansion of the Big Ten Tournament the six days will be packed with extremely compelling games that will help power the ratings of our affiliates and dazzle our audience.”
audience over indexes for a slew of major purchase categories.” Some of the key findings in the study include: 1) The number of sports-formatted AM/FM radio stations has grown +14% over the last decade, while revenue shares increased +38%; 2) According to Nielsen, the sports format ranks an astonishing number one in streaming shares among 25-54s and 18-34s, while in-car listening is the dominant location of listening among over-the-air sports AM/FM radio listeners; 3) Advertising on sports AM/FM radio is more effective than TV sports because the AM/FM radio audience is far more attentive and sports engaged; and 4) Ranked third in income of twenty-four AM/FM radio formats, the sports format has seen household incomes grow 17% since 2020. 
If you’re on-air, it’s an important part of your job. Here’s what I see and hear working:
last 9 years. Being your voice, using my platform to speak up for you, to take on the powerful, the connected, the politicians, has been the greatest honor of my professional life. You have responded with incredible ratings and support of our advertisers that stood behind me. In the process we have formed an unbreakable bond. In the end, the show was always about us. In a battle together. I also want to thank those of you who have written letters in support of me the last 3 weeks. I was so moved by the outcry demanding this beautiful thing we’ve forged together keep going at the place we made it happen. If you want the answers why it will not occur, that’s a question for Urban One. We have some amazing things coming soon! Our bond is so much bigger than any singular platform or frequency. You have proven that in recent weeks. I can’t wait to tell you all about our new opportunities together in the near future. In the meantime, thank you for all YOU have given to me the last 9 years. Your loyalty and dedication allowed me to live out my boyhood dream. I will never be able to thank you enough.” Kendall hasn’t publicized his plans for the future but appears to be leaning toward a digital platform as he’s continuing to post Indiana and Indianapolis news via social media.
its opposition. Regarding the stay pending appeal, this give Nielsen the ability to do its business as usual while the claim makes its way through the courts. Nielsen also filed an Answer and Counterclaim with the United States District Court for Southern New York. It that filing it rejects all of Cumulus claims against it and then makes counterclaims. Nielsen claims “Cumulus has engaged in 
an illicit pressure campaign to extract favorable contract terms from Nielsen and undermine Nielsen’s position in the radio ratings market. While Cumulus was stringing Nielsen along during negotiations for a new services agreement to begin in 2026, behind the scenes, Cumulus intentionally and in bad faith breached multiple provisions of its existing contract with Nielsen by secretly handing over Nielsen’s crown jewels—itsproprietary and confidential radio ratings data—to Nielsen’s direct competitor.” Other claims Nielsen is making include that Cumulus negotiated in bad faith by refusing to engage with or counter Nielsen’s offers during the negotiation period and that Cumulus “retained counsel and launched a lawfare campaign, threatening antitrust litigation unless Nielsen capitulated to its demands, even though Nielsen has no obligation to renew its contract with Cumulus.” Nielsen also says Cumulus “supplied Nielsen’s confidential and proprietary information” to competitor Eastlan Ratings. Nielsen is asking that Cumulus’ suit be thrown out and that it receives from Cumulus attorneys’ fees and damages as determined by the court.
politics! If you live and breathe politics, this is not the job for you. This is an 8-hour-a-day, full-time job doing prep, research, and living life that translates and relates to a 35-64-year-old. Must have an extremely strong work ethic, be sales department and client friendly, a team player and coachable, embrace all social media platforms daily, be a great interviewer, and have a proven track record of radio ratings success. The right fit for this job is extremely reliable, flexible and passionate about radio and digital audio mediums.