May 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One
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).
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+).
NEW YORK
News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” steady at 3.7, #10 to #11
iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 1.9 – 1.7, -.2, continues at #18
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 4.5 – 4.3, -.2, repeats in seventh-place
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 2.9 – 2.8, -.1, stays at #13
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.2 – 3.0, -.2, stagnant at #12
Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM unchanged at 3.8, ninth to eighth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, seventh month in a row, 7.6 – 8.4, +.8
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+.8)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: Spanish tropical WSKQ (-.5)
LOS ANGELES
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” flat at 4.3, fourth to fifth
News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 2.9 – 2.8, -.1, repeats at #11
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.4 – 2.2, -.2, #16 to #18
Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies KRTH, third month in succession, 5.7 – 5.9, +.2
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: hot AC KBIG (+.8)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary KRRL (-.7)
CHICAGO
News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” 3.2 – 3.3, +.1, tenth to ninth
News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” 4.4 – 4.2, -.2, fourth to third
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WSCR “670 The Score” (Cubs) 3.1 – 2.9, -.2, #12 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ 3.1 – 3.0, -.1, repeats at #12
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT, eighth straight month, 6.8 – 7.3, +.5
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLIT (+.5)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: triple A WXRT and regional Mexican WOJO (-.5)
SAN FRANCISCO
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 7.3 – 6.4, -.9, first to second
Sports Talk: Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 2.7 – 3.1, +.4, #13 to #9
Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 3.3 – 2.6, -.7, #9 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 5.2 – 4.5, -.7, fourth to fifth
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, second month in succession, 7.3 – 9.0, +1.7
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KOIT-FM (+1.7)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KISQ (-1.0)
DALLAS
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 3.2 – 3.3, +.1, #13 to #11
News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” 2.1 – 1.9, -.2, remains at #20
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” 5.6 – 6.6, +1.0, #1
Audacy’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Texas Rangers) 3.0 – 2.3, -.7, #14 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA 2.2 – 1.9, -.3, #19 to #20
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media sports talk KTCK, fifth straight month, 5.6 – 6.6, +1.0
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: sports talk KTCK (+1.0)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KDGE (-.9)
HOUSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” (Astros) 3.7 – 3.9, +.2, tenth to ninth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston’s KUHF 2.8 – 2.7, -.1, #15 to #17
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, 27th consecutive month, 8.9 – 9.2, +.3
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult hits KKHH (+.9)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: alternative KTBZ (-1.1)
ATLANTA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 7.0 – 6.7, -.3, locked in third-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, #18 to #17
Dickey Broadcasting-owned WCNN “The Fan” (Braves) 2.6 – 2.3, -.3, #16 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE 3.4 – 2.9, -.5, #11 to #14
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, fifth successive month, 8.9 – 8.7, -.2
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: urban AC WAMJ (+.7)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk WABE and hot AC WSTR (-.5)
PHILADELPHIA
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” 5.5 – 5.1, -.4, repeats in seventh-place
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Phillies) 5.9 – 4.9, -1.0, sixth to eighth
WIP’s internet stream 1.3 – 2.0, +.7, #21 to #16
Beasley Media Group-owned WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” 1.4 – 1.6, +.2, continues at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 4.9 – 4.4, -.5, flat at #9
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group classic rock WMGK, first month, 7.5 – 8.5, +1.0
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country WXTU (+1.7)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WOGL (-1.1)
LONG ISLAND
News/Talk: Red Apple Media-owned WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 1.8 – 3.2, +1.4, #19 to #10
iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 2.2 – 1.6, -.6, #15 to #20
News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 3.8 – 3.4, -.4, seventh to ninth
WCBS-AM cluster-mate WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 3.3 – 3.2, -.1, repeats in tenth-place
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 4.6 – 4.0, -.6, fifth to seventh
Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.4 – 1.6, +.2, #21 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WBAB, third month in a row, 7.0 – 6.4, -.6
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult standards WHLI (+1.9)*
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: classic rock WBAB; hot AC WALK-FM; sports talk WFAN; news/talk WOR; and the internet stream of CHR WBLI (-.6)
*Represents the largest April 2023 – May 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
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, unchanged at .3, stationary at #19
Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, second straight month, 5.7 – 7.2, +1.5
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies KOLA (+1.5)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian KSGN (-1.2)
SAN JOSE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 1.7 – 1.5, -.2, stays at #20
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 6.2 – 6.5, +.3, first to third
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 4.4 – 4.0, -.4, sixth to seventh
Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 1.9 – 2.3, +.4, #18 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, first month, 5.4 – 6.6, +1.2 and classic rock cluster-mate KUFX, first month, 5.7 – 6.6, +.9
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: hot AC KIOI (+1.3)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KISQ (-1.7)**
**Represents the largest April 2023 – May 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MIDDLESEX
News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 7.1 – 6.4, -.7, first to fourth
iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 1.3 – 1.0, -.3, repeats at #20
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 2.0 – 1.8, -.2, #13 to #16
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 1.7 – 1.2, -.5, #16 to #18
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.8 – 3.2, -.6, flat at #9
Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.6 – 1.2, -.4, #18 to #19
WFAN’s internet stream .8 – 1.0, +.2, #23 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic rock WAXQ, first month, 6.8 – 7.7, +.9
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+1.5)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: news/talk WKXW (-.7)
Up next: May 2023 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.
streaming, podcasting, and wagertainment properties. Under Davis’ leadership, the team will be responsible for sales and execution, managing the entire client lifecycle.” Audacy chief revenue officer Brian Benedik comments, “No medium delivers more value for sports than audio. People are spending more time than ever with broadcast radio, streaming and podcasts, and the demand for compelling sports content across these channels is growing exponentially. Through our best-in-
class sports audio portfolio, powered by over 150 flagship team partnerships, iconic local broadcast brands, award-winning podcasts and sports betting content, Audacy is uniquely positioned to capitalize on a new sales strategy in this arena.” Audacy says, “From 1990 to 2005, Davis was key in building WFAN into America’s #1 sports radio station, overseeing local and national sales, programming and marketing, helping shape it into the highest-grossing station in the country.” Davis rejoined Audacy in 2018 to lead the reboot of Traffic Weather Information Network’s on-air content and ad operations teams. 
47, James Norman Swank, 35, and Elizabeth Ann Caruso, 35, have been charged with burglary. The report goes on to note that Caruso and Swank admitted being at the station but denied stealing anything. While MacDowell admitted breaking into the station and stealing two demolition bags, sanitary wipes, and a fire extinguisher. They’ve each been released on $25,000 unsecured bail. 
national levels.” The company adds that the content operations department is also responsible for developing the requirements and business objectives that drive the short and long-term goals and funding for content creation, curation, and operational systems. Walker has been serving the company as director of programming and 
operations for Audacy Greensboro. At the same time, Audacy says SVP of technical operations John Kennedy will oversee a refocused broadcast engineering function. The company says Kennedy “will manage and maintain Audacy’s acquisition, distribution and production equipment and solutions at the local, regional, and national levels, including Audacy’s network operations center. Audacy EVP head of programming Jeff Sottolano comments, “Clay has already proven himself to be an adept and innovative thinker as it relates to the evolution of our content production and distribution systems. I am excited to see him and John partner more closely with our central, regional and local content and technical operations teams.”
marrow transplant. On May 25, WCCO hosted a live auction with items and experiences provided by the station and sourced by on-air talent, sponsors, and partners. WCCO brand manager Brad Lane comments, “We are so humbled and grateful for our fans’ incredible generosity, the amazing financial support from our corporate partners, and the remarkable donation of ideas and time by our personalities. What a fun day auctioning off priceless, unique experiences for a cause so close and personal to us…in honor of our friend, teammate, and bone-marrow transplant recipient Jordana Green!”
Member Stations at #2 (75,116 AAS), and Audacy at #3 (66,485 AAS). Cumulus Streaming Network is ranked #4 (40,662 AAS). Beasley Broadcasting Corporate is #6 (19,040 AAS), followed by Hubbard Broadcasting at #8 (14,953 AAS), Urban One at #10 (9,743 AAS), and Salem Communications at #12 (8,297 AAS). 
Common Stock, at a ratio with a range between one-for-two and one-for-30, subject to and as determined by a committee appointed by the board of directors.” This action comes after Audacy received notice from the New York Stock Exchange that it is commencing proceedings to delist the company’s Class A Common Stock from the exchange due to Audacy’s stock reaching “an abnormally low selling price.” Trading of Audacy’s Class A Common Stock was halted on May 16 after the share price fell about 12% to $0.09 per share. Now, the NYSE will apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission to delist the company’s common stock pending completion of applicable procedures. Trading of Audacy’s common stock on the NYSE is suspended but the common stock will continue to be able to be traded over the counter. With the value of Audacy’s Class A Common Stock at less than $0.10 per share, the reverse stock split would have to be at least more than a 1-for-10 split in order for the share price to be over $1.00 per share.
James. The focus on illegal immigration will feature local and national law enforcement officials, along with local community leaders and migrants in answering questions about recent developments, technology advancements, cross-border traffic control systems, border and citizen security, quality of life in the border region, and economic opportunities. James comments, “On this trip, we’re ripping up the talking points and bringing you actual observations and conversations with those directly affected by the crisis at our southern border. I look forward to delivering these real-time moments to the WORD audience.”
producer or network that represents the advertising for the show, not the platform or app that the listener uses to access the podcast. For this period, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast Network, and iHeartRadio take the top three spots, respectively. Other commercial radio-related networks making this ranker include: Audacy (#8), Cumulus Podcast Network (#10), The Ramsey Network(#25), and Blaze Podcast Network (#28). 
severe weather events as a live audio simulcast of The Weather Channel television channel. The Pattrn stream will be a daily live audio simulcast of the Pattrn FAST channel, which explores climate, the environment and how the Earth is changing and elevates new voices to 
the conversation. The Weather Channel en Español stream will be a daily live audio simulcast of The Weather Channel en Español network. Audacy SVP digital audio content Tim Clarke says, “Audio and radio are time-tested, reliable ways for listeners to access critical and potentially life-saving information during severe weather events. This partnership will add a new layer to our best-in-class news content offering while expanding the reach of The Weather Channel’s broadcast weather coverage to Audacy app users across the country.”
hosted by Barbara Askins, president & CEO of the 125th Street Business Improvement District. The title of the show is “125th Street & Beyond” and focuses on the organization’s mission. WHCR general manager Angela Harden comments, “It is also a show about the relationships the 125th St. BID is building with New York City agencies and with BIDs around the world. Perhaps no neighborhood in New York City is as storied as Harlem, long the capital of Black culture in the United States. It’s a name known around the world. And now 125th Street has its own show. I am honored to host the show and look forward to welcoming many voices that support the betterment of Harlem.”
producer and director Justine Bateman. Other panelists include Ramsay Brown, chief executive officer of the A.I. Responsibility Lab, Brandie Nonnecke, co-director of the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology, and others.” Audacy Southern California regional president 
April 2023 PPM Data – Information for the April 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.
this drives people to look for alternative forms of entertainment, and an Audacy study reveals that a “majority of late-night viewers (84%) whose shows are on pause due to the Writers Guild strike are excited to try new shows, especially on Audio. And a whopping 70% are excited to catch up on their podcast shows.” She adds that for media planners this represents an opportunity to “pivot.” “Given the scale and variety of audiences Audio programs attract, it is possible to meet these people during moments when they are actually super engaged and receptive to advertising.” 
Camron Smith and airs Saturdays from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET via the Audacy app and Twitch beginning May 13. BetQL Network brand manager Andrew Williams says, “‘The Bettor Angle’ is the latest example of the BetQL Network’s dedication to delivering top-quality Wagertainment to our listeners and viewers, seven days a week. Kate and Camron will take listeners behind the numbers and uncover the stories that shape the games. From injury reports to coaching strategies, they’ll help listeners understand the factors that can make or break their bets.”
vice president of BetQL Network. Audacy Chicago VP of programming and operations Greg Solk says, “Mitch Rosen is ‘The Score’ and has led his team for nearly two 
decades of unprecedented success. He has a keen eye for talent and has the deepest relationships in Chicago sports media. We are all excited about the future of ‘The Score’ with Mitch leading the way.” At the same time, the company promotes assistant brand manager Ryan Porth to program manager, reporting to Rosen. In this role, Porth will assume day-to-day responsibilities of the station’s programming. Rosen comments, “Ryan Porth came into “The Score Clubhouse” in January of 2022 and has fit in like a veteran. We are excited about his next step in helping to guide the future of Chicago’s sports powerhouse.”