February 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three
February 2023 PPM Data – Information for the February 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 February 2023 sweep covered February 2 – March 1.
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 January 2023 – February 2023 (6+).
PORTLAND
News/Talk: Alpha Media’s KXL “FM 101 News” 6.6 – 7.0, +.4, repeats in fourth-place
iHeartMedia-owned KEX “News Radio 1190” 3.0 – 3.4, +.4, tenth to ninth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB 7.9 – 7.2, -.7, steady at #3
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KLTH, first month, 9.1 – 8.9, -.2
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: classical KQAC; alternative KNRK; and rhythmic CHR KXJM (+.7)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: adult hits KYCH (-1.6)
CHARLOTTE
News/Talk: Urban One-owned WBT AM & WBT-FM “Charlotte’s News Talk” 4.3 – 5.5, +1.2, eighth to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One’s WFNZ-FM “Sports Radio 92.7” (Hornets) 3.1 – 2.0, -1.1, #14 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: University Radio Foundation’s WFAE 3.3 – 3.5, +.2, #12 to #13
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group urban AC WBAV, second straight month, 8.3 – 8.7, +.4
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: news/talk WBT AM & WBT-FM (+1.2)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: sports talk WFNZ (-1.1)
SAN ANTONIO
News/Talk: Alpha Media-owned KTSA “Stay Connected” 3.2 – 3.7, +.5, #13 to #10
iHeartMedia’s WOAI “News Radio 1200” (Spurs) 3.5 – 3.3, -.2, #9 to #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Texas Public Radio’s KSTX 2.2 – 2.0, -.2, #16 to #15
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies KONO-FM, second consecutive month, 7.2 – 8.9, +1.7
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies KONO-FM (+1.7)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: CHR KXXM (-1.6)
SACRAMENTO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM “News 1530 AM & 93.1 FM” 10.9 – 9.5, -1.4, #1
cluster-mate KSTE-AM “Talk 650” 3.8 – 4.7, +.9, eighth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KHTK “Sacramento Sports 1140” (Kings) 1.6 – 1.2, -.4, #17 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Capital Public Radio-owned KXJZ 3.9 – 3.8, -.1, seventh to ninth
Number One 6+: news/talk KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM, second month in succession, 10.9 – 9.5, -1.4
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: news/talk KSTE (+.9)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: news/talk KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM (-1.4)
PITTSBURGH
News/Talk: Audacy’s KDKA-AM “News Radio 1020 AM” 3.5 – 3.9, +.4, #12 to #10
KDKA-AM’s internet stream 1.1 – .9, -.2, #19 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KDKA-FM “93.7 The Fan All Sports All The Time” 6.2 – 6.0 -.2, repeats in fourth place
Public Radio News/Talk: Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting’s WESA 4.5 – 4.2, -.3, eighth to ninth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW, third month in a row, 9.9 – 11.3, +1.4
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WWSW (+1.4)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: rock WDVE (-1.3)
SALT LAKE CITY
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM “Talk Radio” 5.9 – 5.1, -.8, third to fifth
Bonneville-owned KSL “News Radio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM” 5.5 – 5.0, -.5, fifth to sixth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Utah’s KUER 3.1 – 3.2, +.1, remains at #14
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI, fourth straight month, 9.9 – 10.8, +.9
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: hot AC KBZN (+1.1)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: news/talk KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM (-.8)
LAS VEGAS
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KDWN “The Talk Of Las Vegas” 3.0 – 2.3, -.7, #13 to #18
co-owned KXNT “News Talk 840” 1.6 – 1.8, +.2, #23 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Nevada Public Radio’s KNPR 1.7 – 1.9, +.2, #20 to #19
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE, fifth successive month, 7.8 – 9.3, +1.5
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KSNE and classic hits-oldies KKLZ (+1.5)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: Spanish adult hits KWID (-1.8)
ORLANDO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKS “Real Radio 104.1” 6.1 – 5.2, -.9, fifth to eighth
Cox Media Group-owned WDBO “Orlando’s News Talk” 4.7 – 4.0, -.7, eighth to tenth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Community Connections-owned WMFE 2.4 – 2.6, +.2, #16 to #15
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMGF, fifth consecutive month, 8.2 – 8.5, +.3
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: country WWKA (+2.5)*
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: Spanish news/talk WRSO (-1.0)
*Represents the largest January 2023 – February 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
CINCINNATI
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WLW “700 Cincinnati’s News Radio” 12.3 – 10.9, -1.4, #1
cluster-mate WKRC “55 KRC The Talk Station” 3.8 – 4.1, +.3, ninth to eighth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WCKY “ESPN 1530” 3.1 – 1.4, -1.7, #11 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Cincinnati Public Radio’s WVXU 4.8 – 4.3, -.5, fifth to seventh
Number One 6+: news/talk WLW, 13th consecutive month, 12.3 – 10.9, -1.4
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WRRM (+1.1)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: sports talk WCKY (-1.7)
CLEVELAND
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTAM “News Radio 1100” (Cavaliers) 5.0 – 5.1, +.1, repeats in tenth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WKRK “Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan” 5.5 – 4.0, -1.5, #8 to #12
WKRK’s internet stream 1.6 – 1.5, -.1, #15 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: Kent State University-owned WKSU 4.2 – 5.5, +1.3 #11 to #7
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI, fourth month in a row, steady at 11.1
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: public radio news/talk WKSU (+1.3)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: sports talk WKRK (-1.5)
KANSAS CITY
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMBZ-FM “98.1 FM News, Traffic, Weather” 3.6 – 4.8, +1.2, #11 to #6
Cumulus Media’s KCMO-AM “Talk Radio 710 AM” .8 – 1.3, +.5, #21 to #19
Audacy-owned KMBZ-AM “Talk 980 AM” 1.4 – 1.3, -.1, #20 to #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s KCSP “Sports Radio 610 Our Teams, Our Town” 3.2 – 3.0, -.2, #13 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KCUR 4.1 – 3.8, -.3, seventh to ninth
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic rock KCFX, first month, 7.8 – 8.2, +.4
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: news/talk KMBZ-FM (+1.2)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: alternative KCJK (-.5)
COLUMBUS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WTVN “News Radio 610” 7.0 – 6.7, -.3, fourth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Tegna-owned WBNS-FM “97.1 FM The Fan” (Blue Jackets) 8.7 – 5.8, -2.9, second to fifth
Public Radio News/Talk: Ohio State University’s WOSU steady at 7.2, third to second
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia country WCOL, fourth straight month, 9.5 – 8.9, -.6
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WZCB-HD2 (+.6)
Largest 6+ January 2023 – February 2023 Decrease: sports talk WBNS-FM (-2.9)**
**Represents the largest January 2023 – February 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
Up next: February 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.

Ripken Jr. Ripken joins Bob Haynie – host of the midday “Vinny & Haynie” show – Baltimore Hall of Famer Mike Bordick, and longtime voice of Baltimore baseball Jim Hunter. 105.7 The Fan brand manager Chuck Sapienza comments, “We are thrilled to be bringing ‘Baltimore Baseball Tonight’ back to Baltimore baseball fans. The show was received so well last season, and we look forward to building off that momentum again this season. Adding Ryan to the team brings a critical young voice to the show, and his perspective having been a part of the organization and his deep family ties to the team are invaluable.” When the Orioles are home, the show is broadcast on-site at Pickles Pub near Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
bottles commonly known as nips. When Cox asked about each host’s favorite nip and named several brands of liquor, Curtis replied, “I’d probably go Mina Kimes.” Nip is also a pejorative term for Japanese. Kimes is of Korean descent. When the Boston Globe reached out to Audacy for comment, the spokesperson declined to address it specifically but suggested Curtis meant to say Mila Kunis. Today, Curtis apologized on air and said he’s been suspended until next week. Curtis explained he didn’t intend to say Mina Kimes. “In a pathetic, failed attempt at a one-liner, I attempted to bring up Mila Kunis, which was not really that funny, sophomoric and sexist. But for reasons I don’t understand, I said Mina Kimes.”
programming Tom Tradup (left) at the SRN offices in Dallas while participating in the SRN News week-long series on Christian films titled, “Faith-based Films: Hollywood’s Brass Ring.” The SRN News special series focuses on the evolution of Christian movies from early, not-well-acted films to 2023’s smash hit Jesus Revolution, which has become Lions Gate Studios’ biggest-grossing film since 2019 with $45 million in box office receipts.
February 2023 PPM Data – Information for the February 2023 ratings period has been released for New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; San Francisco; Dallas; Houston; Atlanta; Philadelphia; Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario; San Jose; and Middlesex-Somerset-Union.
Bill Frady.” Audacy Greenville-Spartanburg SVP and market manager Steve Sinicropi states, “Bill Frady has provided great content doing swing shifts on ‘106.3 WORD’ for years. Bill is a native Greenvillian, a recognized firearms expert, and a tremendous conservative voice that will complement WYRD-FM’s incredible news and talk talent lineup. Adding Bill Frady to our full-time, on-air team will provide great content for listeners and new opportunities for advertisers. I look forward to hearing Bill on the air and on the station’s expanded 100,000-watt signal.” Previously, Audacy announced the plan to move WORD’s talk programming to the 98.9 frequency in which the station will be branded “News/Talk 98.9 WORD.”
Bloomberg Radio is distributed and repped by Key Networks. The “Bloomberg Black Business Beat” is hosted by journalist Justin Milliner and topics addressed range from the latest trends in Black-owned businesses and profiles of Black entrepreneurs, to a continuing look at diversity in the workplace and an inside look at the business of entertainment. Bloomberg Radio Syndication head Michael Lysak says, “‘The Block’ is such an important part of the soundtrack of New York City. We are proud to be a part of it. Justin Milliner does a masterful job of sharing stories of vital importance to Black Americans, without The Block’s music missing a beat. Here’s to Audacy for recognizing that reports like this don’t interrupt the programming – they enhance it.”
The show on March 18 will broadcast live from the BetMGM Sportsbook at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas as part of Audacy’s exclusive partnership with BetMGM. Audacy president of sports Mike Dee says, “The men’s college basketball tournament is the premier playoff tournament in American sports, and we’re excited to bring back this informative and entertaining program. Whether you’re trying to win your office pool or cash in on this year’s bracket, ‘Countdown to Tip-Off,’ with Nick and Ken will have you covered with their expert analysis of all the madness this March.”
combination of perspectives on sports, culture, current events and day-to-day life that our listeners will find to be informative, entertaining and funny. They’ve quickly developed a chemistry that I think will lead to
afternoon show (2:00 pm to 6:00 pm) is the duo of Mark Willard and Dan Dibley. The station’s morning show featuring Bonta Hill and Joe Shasky adds an hour and is now heard from 6:00 am to 10:00 am, while midday hosts Matt Steinmetz and Daryle “The Guru” Johnson are now heard weekdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Cleveland from the company’s Madison, Wisconsin cluster where he served in a similar role. He takes over for Dave Popovich, who recently retired. Audacy Cleveland SVP and market manager Tom Herschel says, “Having Chase join us from our stations in Madison is a testament to the depth of talent at Audacy and the work he’s done there. We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Chase to Cleveland.”
C3 signal at 106.3 FM. Audacy says the change gives WORD access to a quarter million more adults 35+ from the South Carolina/Georgia border to Asheville, North Carolina, while covering parts of four South Carolina congressional districts and several North Carolina congressional districts. Audacy SVP and market manager for Greenville-Spartanburg Steve Sinicropi comments, “We are committed to delivering quality audio and content with our massive reach to our audiences. There is a tremendous demand for news/talk content in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson-Asheville area. The signal flip allows us to maximize our reach even further across the region and more broadly meet the needs of our listeners and advertisers across the Carolinas.”
advertisers as to how their campaigns are performing over a cross section of Audacy’s portfolio of radio brands. With these insights, advertisers will be better able to evaluate campaign performance on Audacy stations in comparison to other mediums. Research has shown that advertisers who receive attribution reporting spend more year-over-year and cancel their ad campaigns less often on average than those who don’t measure performance.” Audacy chief revenue officer Brian Benedik states, “As we aim to best serve our clients, Veritone Attribute will further enable us to optimize advertisers’ campaigns and maximize their ad dollars. There has never been a better time to leverage the power of audio to tap consumers, and this technology will complement our existing capabilities.”
#2 (77,602 AAS), and Audacy at #3 (58,527 AAS). Other commercial broadcasters making the top 30 include Cumulus Streaming Network at #4 (40,999 AAS), Beasley Broadcasting Corporate at #6 (18,862 AAS), Hubbard Broadcasting at #8 (14,792 AAS), Urban One at #11 (9,601 AAS), and Salem Communications at #12 (8,244 AAS).
January 2023 PPM Data – Information for the January 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
Miracle Mile. Mike Simpson, host of “LA’s Morning News” on KNX, and Charles Feldman, host of “KNX In Depth” and “LA’s Afternoon News” served as moderators. Audacy Southern California regional president Jeff Federman says, “There is no issue of more universal importance to our communities. It was important that we use our platform at KNX News to ensure parents and teens know they’re not alone in adjusting to a new reality.” Panelists included students Montserrat Hidalgo, Sarah Mian, and Alex Bielanski who discussed their first-hand experiences of how the pandemic shutdowns affected their education, social development, and mental health. Other panelists were Long Beach Unified School District superintendent Jill Baker, UCLA director of undergraduate admissions Gary Clark, Los Angeles Trade Tech College dean Chito Cajayon, and Stanford University professor Sean Reardon.
January 2023 PPM Data – Information for the January 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.