May 2022 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Two
May 2022 PPM Data – Information for the May 2022 sweep has been released for Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.
Nielsen Audio’s May 2022 sweep covered April 28 – May 25.
TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Ratings 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+).
WASHINGTON, DC
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” 3.7 – 3.9, +.2, anchored in tenth-place
News: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WTOP & WTLP “Washington’s Top News” 8.1 – 7.8, -.3, repeats in third-place
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJFK-FM “106.7 The Fan” (Nationals) 2.8 – 3.4, +.6, #16 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: American University-owned WAMU 9.7 – 10.1, +.4, #1
Pacifica’s public radio news/talk-jazz hybrid KPFW .7 – .6, -.1, flat at #19
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WAMU, fifth month in succession, 9.7 – 10.1, +.4
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: contemporary Christian WGTS (+1.6)*
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: adult contemporary WASH (-.7)
*Represents a tie for the largest April 2022 – May 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
BOSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRKO “AM 680 The Voice Of Boston” 4.3 – 4.2, -.1, seventh to eighth
News – Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WBZ-AM “News Radio 1030” 4.7 – 4.8, +.1, anchored in sixth-place
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group’s WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” 8.4 – 9.8, +1.4, second to first
Audacy-owned WEEI-FM “93.7 Boston’s Sports Station” (Red Sox) 3.3 – 3.6, +.3, #13 to #10
Public Radio News/Talk: Boston University’s WBUR 3.7 – 3.5, -.2, #9 to #11
WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.5 – 2.7, -.8, #12 to #15
Number One 6+: sports talk WBZ-FM, first month, 8.4 – 9.8, +1.4
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: sports talk WBZ-FM (+1.4)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): classic hits-oldies WROR and public radio news/talk WGBH (-.8)
MIAMI
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board-owned WLRN 2.1 – 2.5, +.4, #19 to #14
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group urban AC WHQT, first month, 7.0 – 8.6, +1.6
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: urban AC WHQT (+1.6)*
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WMXJ (-.7)
*Represents a tie for the largest April 2022 – May 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
SEATTLE
News/Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-FM “97.3 FM” 6.3 – 6.9, +.6, second to first
News: Lotus Communications’ KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM “Northwest News Radio” 4.3 – 3.9, -.4, ninth to tenth
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-AM “710 AM ESPN Seattle” (Mariners) steady at 3.9, #11 to #10
Public Radio News/Talk: Northwest Public Radio’s KUOW 5.4 – 5.8, +.4, repeats in fourth-place
Number One 6+: news/talk KIRO-FM, first month, 6.3 – 6.9, +.6
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: contemporary Christian KCMS-FM (+.9)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: adult contemporary KRWM (-1.5)**
**Represents the largest April 2022 – May 2022 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
DETROIT
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WJR “News Talk 760 AM” 3.6 – 3.1, -.5, locked at #13
News: Audacy-owned WWJ News Radio 950” (Pistons) 4.4 – 4.5, +.1, ninth to eighth
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” (Tigers) 6.3 – 6.2, -.1, third to fourth
WXYT-FM’s internet stream, 1.3 – 1.2, -.1, flat at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Michigan-owned WUOM 2.3 – 2.1, -.2, #16 to #18
Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies WOMC, fifth consecutive month, 7.6 – 7.4, -.2
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: classic rock WCSX (+.6)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: urban contemporary WJLB (-.9)
PHOENIX
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFYI “News Talk 550” 4.6 – 4.1, -.5, fifth to seventh
Bonneville-owned KTAR-FM “News 92.3 FM” 2.6 – 2.5, -.1, #15 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KMVP-FM “98.7 Arizona’s Sports Station” (Arizona Diamondbacks) 2.3 – 2.8, +.5, #21 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: Maricopa County Community College-owned KJZZ 5.8 – 5.1, -.7, third to fourth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KESZ, second month in a row, 6.9 – 6.7, -.2
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: rhythmic CHR KALV (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): classic rock KSLX and Spanish adult hits KVVA (-.9)
MINNEAPOLIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s WCCO “News Talk 830” (Minnesota Twins) 3.8 – 4.3, +.5, #13 to #12
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned KTMY “My Talk 107.1” 2.7 – 3.3, +.6, #15 to #14
iHeartMedia’s KTLK-AM “Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130” 3.0 – 2.8, -.2, #14 to #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFXN “FM 100.3 K-Fan” 5.8 – 6.3, +.5, sixth to fifth
Public Radio News/Talk: Minnesota Public Radio’s KNOW 7.0 – 6.4, -.6, second to fourth
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting hot AC KSTP-FM, fifth month in a row, 9.0 – 8.2, -.8
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: classic hits-oldies KQQL (+.8)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): hot AC KSTP-FM and triple A KCMP (-.8)
SAN DIEGO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOGO “News Radio 600” 3.4 – 2.8, -.6, repeats at #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KWFN “97.3 The Fan” (Padres) 1.9 – 2.4, +.5, #18 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: San Diego State University’s KPBS 5.1 – 6.2, +1.1, fifth to second
Number One 6+: Local Media San Diego adult hits KFBG, second consecutive month, 7.5 – 8.4, +.9
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: public radio news/talk KPBS (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: classic rock KGB-FM (-1.0)
TAMPA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WHPT “102.5 The Bone – Real, Raw, Radio” 3.7 – 4.5, +.8, tenth to seventh
iHeartMedia-owned WFLA “News Radio 970” 3.6 – 3.5, -.1, #13 to #11
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WDAE “Tampa Bay’s Sports Radio” (Rays) 1.7 – 2.1, +.4, unchanged at #19
Public Radio News/Talk: University of South Florida’s WUSF 2.7 – 2.8, +.1, #18 to #17
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group adult contemporary WDUV, ninth month in succession, 7.7 – 7.8, +.1
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: news/talk WHPT (+.8)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: alternative WSUN (-1.1)
DENVER
News/Talk: In the iHeartMedia cluster, KOA “News Radio 850” (Colorado Rockies) flat at 2.7, #12 to #16; KHOW “Talk Radio 630” 1.9 – 2.6, +.7, #17 to #18; and KDFD “Freedom 93.7” 1.7 – 2.1, +.4, #20 to #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KKFN “104.3 The Fan” 1.9 – 2.1, +.2, #17 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Colorado Public Radio-owned KCFR 4.5 – 4.1, -.4, seventh to ninth
Number One 6+: Audacy hot AC KALC, first month, 5.5 – 6.4, +.9
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase (Tie): hot AC KALC and jazz KUVO (+.9)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: hot AC KIMN (-1.0)
BALTIMORE
News/Talk: WCBM Maryland-owned WCBM “Talk Radio AM 680” 2.8 – 2.6, -.2, flat at #11
Hearst Television’s WBAL News Radio 1090” (Orioles) 2.1 – 2.3, +.2, #16 to #15
Cumulus Media-owned WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” 1.0 – .7, -.3, repeats at #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJZ-FM “Baltimore Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan” 3.4 – 3.5, +.1, tenth to eighth
Public Radio News/Talk: Your Public Radio Corporation-owned WYPR 3.8 – 3.4, -.4, eighth to ninth
Number One 6+: Radio One urban AC WWIN-FM, fourth month in a row, 8.9 – 9.3, +.4
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: urban contemporary WERQ (+.6)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): jazz WEAA and gospel WCAO (-.6)
ST. LOUIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s KMOX “The Voice Of St. Louis” (Cardinals) 4.4 – 4.7, +.3, anchored at #11 and cluster-mate KFTK “Talk 97.1 FM” 2.6 – 2.1, -.5, #14 to #16
iHeartMedia-owned KTLK-FM “104.9 The Patriot” 1.2 – 1.1, -.1, remains at #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WXOS “101 ESPN” 5.6 – 5.7, +.1, continues in ninth-place
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KWMU 2.1 – 2.6, +.5, #17 to #14
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting rock KSHE, fifth month in a row, 8.8 – 8.9, +.1
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: urban AC WFUN (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: triple A KDHX (-1.3)
Up next: May 2022 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com