May 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three
May 2023 PPM Data – Information for the May 2023 ratings period has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.
Nielsen Audio’s May 2023 sweep covered April 27 – May 24.
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 2023 – May 2023 (6+).
PORTLAND
News/Talk: Alpha Media’s KXL “FM 101 News” 5.3 – 5.8, +.5, fourth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB 7.5 – 5.8, -1.7, locked in third-place
KOPB’s internet stream 2.0 – 2.1, +.1, #19 to #18
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KKCW, third straight month, 10.4 – 9.0, -1.4
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: triple A KINK (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk KOPB (-1.7)
CHARLOTTE
News/Talk: Urban One-owned WBT AM & WBT-FM “Charlotte’s News Talk” 5.2 – 4.7, -.5, fifth to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One’s WFNZ-FM “Sports Radio 92.7” flat at 2.0, anchored at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: University Radio Foundation’s WFAE 3.7 – 4.6, +.9, tenth to eighth
South Carolina Educational Television Commission-owned WNSC .7 – .5, -.2, remains at #20
Number One 6+: Urban One urban-rhythmic oldies WOSF, first month, 6.0 – 6.9, +.9
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WPEG (+1.2)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: urban AC WBAV (-2.1)
SAN ANTONIO
News/Talk: Alpha Media-owned KTSA “Stay Connected” 3.6 – 3.3, -.3, #10 to #12
iHeartMedia’s WOAI “News Radio 1200” 3.4 – 3.1, -.3, #12 to #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies KONO-FM, fifth consecutive month, 8.3 – 7.6, -.7
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country KCYY (+1.6)*
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: country (-.8)
*Represents a (three-way) tie for the largest April 2023 – May 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
SACRAMENTO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM “News 1530 AM & 93.1 FM” 9.4 – 9.9, +.5, #1
KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM cluster-mate KSTE-AM “Talk 650” 3.7 – 4.2, +.5, repeats in ninth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KHTK “Sacramento Sports 1140” 1.7 – 1.6, -.1, flat at #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Capital Public Radio-owned KXJZ 3.1 – 3.2, +.1, unchanged at #12
Number One 6+: news/talk KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM, fifth month in succession, 9.4 – 9.9, +.5, #1
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KBEB (+1.5)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: country KNCI (-1.5)
PITTSBURGH
News/Talk: Audacy’s KDKA-AM “News Radio 1020 AM” 3.8 – 3.7, -.1, repeats at #11
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KDKA-FM “93.7 The Fan All Sports All The Time” (Pirates) 7.1 – 7.3, +.2, locked in fourth-place
Public Radio News/Talk: Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting’s WESA 4.0 – 4.1, +.1, ninth to eighth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW, sixth month in a row, 10.1 – 11.5, +1.4
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WWSW (+1.4)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: alternative WXDX (-1.4)
SALT LAKE CITY
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM “Talk Radio” 5.0 – 5.7, +.7, sixth to third
Bonneville-owned KSL “News Radio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM” 6.5 – 4.9, -1.6, second to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Utah’s KUER 3.0 – 2.6, -.4, #14 to #17
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI, seventh straight month, 11.9 – 11.3, -.6
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic rock KAAZ (+.9)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: news/talk KSL (-1.6)
LAS VEGAS
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMXB-HD3 “101.5 K-Dawn The Talk Of Las Vegas” 1.8 – 1.9, +.1, #20 to #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE, eighth successive month, 11.2 – 7.5, -3.7
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country KWNR and classic rock KXPT (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KSNE (-3.7)**
**Represents the largest April 2023 – May 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from all 36 PPM-markets analyzed thus far
ORLANDO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKS “Real Radio 104.1” 5.1 – 4.5, -.6, eighth to tenth
Cox Media Group-owned WDBO “Orlando’s News Talk” 3.5 – 3.7, +.2, locked at #11
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WYGM “96.9 The Game” flat at .7, continues at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Community Connections-owned WMFE 2.2 – 2.5, +.3, #14 to #15
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WMMO, second month in a row, 9.4 – 9.5, +.1
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic rock WOMX (+1.6)*
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: country WWKA (-.7)
*Represents a (three-way) tie for the largest April 2023 – May 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
CINCINNATI
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WLW “700 Cincinnati’s News Radio” (Reds) 11.6 – 12.0, +.4, #1
cluster-mate WKRC “55 KRC The Talk Station” 3.5 – 4.2, +.7, ninth to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Cincinnati Public Radio’s WVXU flat at 4.9, repeats in sixth-place
Number One 6+: news/talk WLW, 16th consecutive month, 11.6 – 12.0, +.4
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: news/talk WKRC and classic country WNKR (+.7)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: rock WEBN and classical WGUC (-1.2)
CLEVELAND
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTAM “News Radio 1100” (Guardians) 6.6 – 5.9, -.7, sixth to eighth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WKRK “Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan” 4.4 – 4.1, -.3, #10 to #11
WKRK’s internet stream 1.1 – .6, -.5, #16 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Kent State University-owned WKSU 6.0 – 6.5, +.5, ninth to sixth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI, seventh month in a row, steady at 10.0
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic rock WNCX’s internet stream (+.6)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: news/talk WTAM (-.7)
KANSAS CITY
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMBZ-FM “98.1 FM News, Traffic, Weather” 4.6 – 4.8, +.2, ninth to fifth
KMBZ-FM cluster-mate KMBZ-AM “Talk 980 AM” 1.3 – 1.5, +.2, #20 to #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s KCSP “Sports Radio 610 Our Teams, Our Town” (Royals) 3.2 – 2.8, -.4, #13 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KCUR 4.6 – 3.8, -.8, ninth to tenth
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM, first month, 8.4 – 10.0, +1.6
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM (+1.6)*
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KCKC (-1.6)
*Represents a (three-way) tie for the largest April 2023 – May 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
COLUMBUS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WTVN “News Radio 610” 6.4 – 7.1, +.7, third to second
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Tegna-owned WBNS-FM “97.1 FM The Fan” 5.3 – 5.8, +.5, fourth to fifth
Public Radio News/Talk: Ohio State University’s WOSU 4.9 – 4.3, -.6, eighth to ninth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia country WCOL, seventh straight month, 9.2 – 10.2, +1.0
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country WCOL and classic rock WLVQ (+1.0)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WNND (-.8)
Up next: May 2023 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
from the 2023 TASTE AWARDS. “What’s Cookin’” won its award for Best Food or Drink Radio Broadcast in a ceremony that took place in Beverly Hills. Horn says, “We are thrilled to have been selected as the TASTE AWARD winner in the all-important Best Food or Drink Radio Broadcast. It’s quite an honor to be recognized by those who voted for “What’s Cookin’ Today” and it’s quite an honor to bring the show daily to our incredible national listening audience.”
May 2023 PPM Data – Information for the May 2023 sweep has been released for Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
indelible and immeasurable.” Since 2008, Kitchin has been president of the talent management firm, Sound Mind LLC, with a focused effort toward managing the 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 a wide array of the nation’s most popular personalities. 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. 
streaming platforms. Attendees will discuss the latest radio and automotive trends and how AM operators can prepare their stations for the future. Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) will also offer insight into recently introduced legislation aimed at preserving AM radio in automobiles and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will discuss AM radio’s critical role in the National Public Warning System. Following the conference, attendees will travel to Capitol Hill to speak with lawmakers about the importance of in-vehicle AM radio, especially during times of emergency and they will encourage congressional passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. 
June 11 with an interview with the former president. Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis says, “Roger’s impressive career has established him as a prominent figure in American politics. His wealth of experience offers an insider’s view into the political landscape, providing listeners with rare behind-the-scenes insights, razor-sharp analysis, unparalleled insights, and dedication to the truth will captivate audiences worldwide,”
Dominion Voting Systems settlement but Carlson remains under contract to FOX (through the end of 2024) and is still being paid by FOX. This is a fairly standard non-compete situation found in most television and radio contracts. Carlson and his attorney, Harmeet Dhillon, argue that FOX is attempting to stifle Carlson’s First Amendment rights. This case appears to be headed to court. 
he’s also co-hosted “The Over/Under Show,” the station’s dedicated gambling show and podcast that launched four years ago. He also currently co-hosts the New England Patriots post-game show following the game broadcasts on The Sports Hub Patriots Radio Network. Leroy Irvin expands his role on the station as he’ll continue to serve as 
a regular weekend co-host and will add on-air duties for New England Patriots broadcasts on the station, co-hosting the postgame show after each game. Irvin also serves as part of the “Get Up Crew” on Beasley’s sister urban contemporary WBQT-FM “HOT 96.9.” Finally, Cerrone Battle, formerly of the “Play Action Sports Podcast” and “That 617 Life” on NBCSB, joins the staff in which he’ll contribute to the station’s nighttime and weekend programming. Station program director Rick Radzik comments, “Joe, Leroy and Cerrone all grew up in Boston and, like our listeners, have an engrained passion for sports. It’s nice to see Joe’s many years of dedication pay off, have Leroy’s role at the station elevated, and hear Cerrone once again in his hometown. I’m happy for all three of them!”
has reached epidemic levels.” Station senior political director Eric Scott will lead the discussion with safety and security experts to help listeners identify and safeguard themselves from these threats. He says, “From home break-ins, catalytic converter thefts and internet scams, there is no shortage of ways that bad actors try and take advantage of you. This program will help New Jersey residents protect themselves from bad actors who are operating throughout New Jersey.”
May 2023 PPM Data – Information for the May 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 (New Jersey).
delighted to have him as a guest in this setting and at this time.” In a fast-paced session sponsored by Collette guided travel tour specialists, Ruddy and Harrison engaged in a candid conversation about positioning, programming and navigating the infrastructure of modern media including print, digital and radio as well as cable news/talk television. 
Mark Twain reckoned that “the difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
These DMA analyses are based on all radio stations in the U.S., not just Nielsen subscribers. The top DMA is Glendive, Montana with 72.1% of the population using AM radio. While the most AM radio listening tends to be done in Midwestern DMAs, there is still substantial AM listening done in Eastern markets. For example, Chicago is the #8 DMA for AM listening with 51.2%, but Seattle-Tacoma is not far behind at #14 with 42.8%, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose is #20 with 41.3%, and the top two DMAs by population – New York and Los Angeles – show AM listenership is done by 31.8% of the population. 
gathered outside the Federal courthouse and calls from Mike’s nationwide audience giving their perspective on this unprecedented moment in our nation’s history. In addition to broadcasting his nationally-syndicated talk show from Salem/Miami….Gallagher and “Mike Gallagher Show” staffer Tracee Stockwell will then head to the Federal Courthouse where political supporters of the 45th president are organizing what’s being billed as ‘a peaceful rally in support of President Trump.’” Video of the Gallagher special will also be cleared live on the Salem News Channel.
Radio, and KGFJ Radio among others, joins such former recipients of the award as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’ Reilly, Mark Levin, Michael Savage, Glenn Beck, Bob Grant, Thom Hartmann, Alan Colmes, Joe Madison, Karen Hunter, Al Franken, Brian Lamb, Norm Pattiz, Ian Freeman and others dating back to the origins of TALKERS in the late 1980s. Some two years ago, Smiley’s media company acquired an AM radio station in Los Angeles, the former hip hop legend KDAY, and transformed it into a new station and format – KBLA Talk 1580 – where he’s assembled an outstanding on-air staff, including himself, with the 
passionate mission of, as he puts it, “unapologetically serving people of color and who are politically progressive.” In making the announcement of this year’s recipient, TALKERS founder Michael Harrison states, “This is our longest-running and most-important award. Mr. Smiley has risen to the enormous talk radio challenge of providing underserved African Americans and progressives with a major commercial platform in the nation’s second largest market with a worldwide reach. In today’s political environment and struggling AM radio industry, it doesn’t get any more ‘First Amendment’ than that.” Tavis Smiley was presented the award by Harrison at TALKERS 2023 on Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island. 
cable channel while speaking on WABC’s “Sid & Friends in the Morning” program. When asked by the Post about details of a bid for CNN, including how much he’d pay, he said, “It’s up to the investment bankers to come up with the numbers… We could always bring partners in, but I want to run the place. We are capable of putting down a substantial amount of money.” Catsimatidis added, “I’d go run the place tomorrow morning, and all I’d want is $1 per year and a piece of the upside,” saying he could “double the profits” in a brief period of time. 
Second Amendment Foundation. The complaint states that journalist Fred Riehl was researching the case of The Second Amendment Foundation v. Robert Ferguson and asked ChatGPT to provide a summary of that complaint and received one that stated the suit’s plaintiff is Second Amendment Foundation founder Alan Gottlieb who accuses Walters as treasurer and chief financial officer of embezzling funds. Walters says, and Gottlieb confirms, that he didn’t serve in either position and didn’t steal anything. In the AI world, false text from services like ChatGPT are called “hallucinations.” As with any defamation case, Walters will have to prove he’s suffered damages, but this case will be interesting to watch as it appears to be the first such legal case involving the work of AI. 
Innings with Pledger,” airing from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Pledger says, “I’m excited for the opportunity. This has legitimately been a dream to have a weekday show.” Pledger will continue to produce the “The Blitz” as well as host “The Saturday Morning Hangover” program. He adds, “I’ve worked for this for so long. I have long wanted to be in both worlds because of the creativity that I use when producing, how it differs from creating a show. I love flexing both of those creative muscles.” 
Farber
Election Coverage; Curtis Sliwa: Closing of Lenny’s Pizza for Best Personality, Social Media; and “The Other Side of Midnight” host Frank Morano’s interview with William Shatner for Best Podcast. Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis says, “I am proud of our talent and all station personnel that have worked hard to make 77WABC the station it once was. Our talent and staff are leaders in their field; our on-air personalities include the biggest names in New York. We’re just getting started. There is always more to come from the iconic 77WABC.”
was a violation of the non-compete portion of his contract. Axios reports that Carlson’s lawyers say, “Any legal action by FOX would violate [Carlson’s] First Amendment rights.” The Axios piece goes on to say that Carlson is accusing FOX News of breach of contract for breaking their promise to not settle the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit in a manner in which it would indicate wrongdoing on the part of Carlson. It’s been reported that firing Carlson was a part of FOX’s settlement agreement with Dominion. 
Orlando among numerous music outlets. iHeartMedia area president for Central Florida Barbara Latham says, “I’m thrilled to have Andrew join us in Central Florida and bring his tenure with iHeartMedia, along with his extensive digital experience, to our team. Hryciw was most recently division VP of digital sales in the company’s Portland, Oregon market.