February 2024 PPM Ratings – Part Two
February 2024 PPM Data – Information for the February 2024 ratings period (February 1 – February 28) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below is that they be a Nielsen Audiosubscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.
NBA and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.
DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear
Comparisons are January 2024 – February 2024 (6+).
WASHINGTON, DC
News/Talk
WMAL 4.5 – 4.5, #7 – #7
WFED .1 – .1, #29 – #30 (Capitals)
News
WTOP & WTLP 8.3 – 7.6, #2 – #2
WDCH .6 – .7, #23 – #22
WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
WJFK-FM 2.8 – 2.3, #15 – #16 (Capitals)
WJFK-FM Stream 1.0 – .8, #20 – #21 (Capitals)
WTEM .4 – .4, #25 – #24 (Wizards)
WTEM Stream .3 – .3, #26 – #27 (Wizards)
WJFK-AM .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA (Capitals)
WSBN .1 – .1, #29 – #30
Public Radio News/Talk
WAMU 12.7 – 13.0, 28th month in succession at #1
Note: News WTOP & WTLP’s -.7 (8.3- 7.6) represents Washington, DC’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.
BOSTON
News/Talk
WRKO 2.8 – 3.2, #15 – #13
WXKS-AM .7 – .8, #23 – #23
News
News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.6 – 4.9, #6 – #6
Business news WRCA .1 – .2, #28 – #26
Sports Talk
WBZ-FM 11.2 – 9.1, second straight month at #1 (Celtics, Bruins)
WEEI-FM 3.9 – 3.3, #11 – #12
WEEI-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #30
WEEI-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WBUR 6.0 – 6.1, #3 – #3
WGBH 4.2 – 4.6, #9 – #8
Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s -2.1 (11.2- 9.1) represents Boston’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.
MIAMI
News/Talk
WIOD 1.4 – 1.2, #23 – #25
News
None
Sports Talk
WQAM 1.2 – 1.2, #25 – #25 (Heat, Florida Panthers)
WINZ .5 – .6, #27 – #28
WMEN .2 – .1, #33 – #36
WQAM Stream .1 – .1, #36 – #36 (Heat, Florida Panthers)
WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WLRN 4.1 – 5.1, #6 – #5
WLRN-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #36
Note: Public radio news/talk WLRN’s +1.0 (4.1- 5.1) represents Miami’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 increase.
SEATTLE
News/Talk
KIRO-FM 4.2 – 4.1, #7 – #10
KTTH 1.9 – 1.6, #21 – #22
KVI 1.3 – 1.0, #24 – #24
KPTR DNA – .1, DNA – #28
News
KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.6 – 2.5, #19 – #17
KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
KJR-FM 4.2 – 2.4, #7 – #18 (Kraken)
KIRO-AM 3.3 – 2.3, #14 – #19
KJR-AM .8 – .7, #25 – #26
Public Radio News/Talk
KUOW 6.9 – 7.2, #2 – #1
KSWS DNA – .1, DNA – #28
Note: Sports talk KJR-FM’s -1.8 (4.2- 2.4) represents Seattle’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.
DETROIT
News/Talk
WJR 2.1 – 2.5, #16 – #14
WFDF .5 – .6, #23 – #22
WJR Stream .1 – .1, #29 – #29
News
WWJ 5.6 – 5.3, #8 – #9 (Pistons)
WWJ Stream .4 – .4, #24 – #25 (Pistons)
WDFN .1 – .1, #29 – #29
Sports Talk
WXYT-FM 9.8 – 7.1, #1 – #3 (Pistons, Red Wings)
WXYT-FM Stream 1.8 – 1.1, #17 – #21 (Pistons, Red Wings)
WXYT-AM .3 – .2, #28 – #28
WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WDET 1.6 – 1.8, #19 – #18
WUOM 1.1 – 1.2, #21 – #20
Note: Sports talk WXYT-FM’s -2.7 (9.8- 7.1) is the largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decreaseby any station in the 24 PPM-markets analyzed thus far.
PHOENIX
News/Talk
KFYI 3.1 – 3.5, #10 – #9
KTAR-FM 2.6 – 2.7, #14 – #12 (Suns)
News
None
Sports Talk
KMVP-FM 1.9 – 2.2, #20 – #18 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)
KGME .1 – .1, #31 – #34
KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #31 – #34 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)
KDUS .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA
KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)
KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KJZZ 3.0 – 2.3, #11 – #15
MINNEAPOLIS
News/Talk
WCCO 4.7 – 4.7, #10 – #8 (Minnesota Timberwolves)
KTMY 2.9 – 3.0, #14 – #14
KTLK-AM 1.8 – 2.2, #19 – #15
WCCO Stream .1 – .3, #31 – #29 (Minnesota Timberwolves)
News
KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #31 – #31
Sports Talk
KFXN 7.5 – 7.1, #2 – #3 (Minnesota Wild)
KQQL-HD3 .2 – .1, #27 – #31
KSTP-AM .1 – .1, #31 – #31
Public Radio News/Talk
KNOW 6.6 – 7.4, #4 – #2
KNOW Stream .8 – .7, #23 – #23
SAN DIEGO
News/Talk
KOGO 4.9 – 4.6, #5 – #7
KLSD .4 – .5, #25 – #25
News
None
Sports Talk
KWFN 3.9 – 3.0, #10 – #16
KGB-AM .8 – .8, #21 – #21
KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KPBS 6.2 – 7.3, #2 – #1
Note: Sports talk KWFN’s -.9 (3.9- 3.0) represents San Diego’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.
TAMPA
News/Talk
WHPT 5.3 – 4.9, #3 – #6 (Lightning)
WFLA 4.1 – 4.2, #11 – #10
News
Business news WHNZ .1 – .2, #34 – #28
Sports Talk
WDAE 2.1– 1.7, #17 – #18
Public Radio News/Talk
WUSF 2.3 – 1.9, #16 – #16
WMNF-HD3 Stream .4 – .2, #26 – #28
WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
DENVER
News/Talk
KOA 3.0 – 2.6, #14 – #17
KDFD 1.4 – 1.4, #22 – #22
KHOW 1.4 – 1.2, #22 – #24
News
None
Sports Talk
KKFN 4.0 – 3.7, #10 – #10
KKSE-FM 3.0 – 2.2, #14 – #18 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)
KAMP .1 – .1, #35 – #36
KEPN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
KKSE-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KCFR 4.5 – 3.7, #7 – #10
KUNC 1.0 – 1.1, #25 – #27
BALTIMORE
News/Talk
WBAL 4.3 – 3.3, #9 – #10
WCBM 1.9 – 2.0, #15 – #14
News
WTOP & WTLP 1.4 – 1.3, #17 – #18
WDCH .9 – .6, #19 – #20
WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
WJZ-FM 4.8 – 3.1, #6 – #12
WJZ-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WYPR 3.4 – 3.2, #12 – #11
WYPR HD2 Stream DNA – .3, DNA – #26
Note: Sports talk WJZ-FM’s -1.7 (4.8- 3.1) represents Baltimore’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.
ST. LOUIS
News/Talk
KMOX 3.7 – 2.8, #13 – #14
KFTK 2.2 – 2.1, #15 – #17
KTLK-FM 1.3 – 1.1, #18 – #18
KMOX Stream .4 – .2, #23 – #24
KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #28 – #24
News
KATZ-FM HD2 .3 – .2, #25 – #24
Sports Talk
WXOS 5.7 – 5.0, #7 – #9 (Blues)
Public Radio News/Talk
KWMU 5.1 – 4.9, #9 – #10
Up next: February 2024 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.
Reach Mike Kinosian at: Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
questions as it did answers about what young broadcasters entering professional media today should be prepared for in navigating the unpredictably turbulent waters of the next decade and beyond. Among the sweeping panorama of topics covered in his address, Harrison told the students, “When looking to the future, don’t be too sure that current events will follow a predictable script. There are always ‘black swan events’ that change the storyline and our expectations in an instant. Plus, there are multiple outcomes, possibilities, and forks in the road for almost every situation.” Regarding the current focus on artificial intelligence, Harrison advised, “All technology is a double-edged sword and AI will prove to be a particularly consequential one with both positive and negative implications. However, don’t fall into the age-old trap of thinking that productions and performances created or enhanced by new technology are necessarily ‘artificial’ or ‘fake.’ New tools not only create new art, they have an irrepressible influence on giving rise to new culture. The immediate years ahead are likely going to provide us with the challenging question of ‘what does it mean to be truly human?’” Harrison concluded, “As young broadcasting students in 2024 looking to make a difference in the world, be prepared to face the challenge of following your dreams, ideals and inspiration while confronting the harsh realities of making a living in a stressed environment of relentless change. We live our lives in this business at the dangerous intersection between art and commerce.”
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s January 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey period covered January 4 – 31. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media Group’s news/talk WMAL-FM jumps 1.4 shares to finish with a 4.5 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #7 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM leaps two full shares to an 8.3 share good for the #2 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFYI rises two-tenths to a 3.1 share but falls two posts to the #10 rank, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM adds four-tenths for a 2.6 share finish and remains ranked #14. In Baltimore, Hearst Television’s news/talk WBAL-AM adds 1.6 shares to finish with a 4.3 share that boosts it to the #9 rank, while WCBM Maryland’s news/talk WCBM-AM tacks on four-tenths for a 1.9 share finish that lifts it to the #15 rank. 
LLC for $3.5 million and its Boston real estate – the location of its radio station offices – at 83 Leo M. Birmingham Parkway – to 83 Leo Property Owner LLC for $18.1 million. Audacy will lease back the studio property for a base rent of $40,000 per month. A hearing before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez is scheduled for February 20. 
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s Holiday 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey period covered December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM dips four-tenths to a 3.1 share (weekly, 6+ AHQ share) but remains ranked #9, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM loses three-tenths to finish with a 6.3 share good for the #4 rank. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO added two-tenths for a 3.1 share finish that lifts it to the #9 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-AM declines four-tenths to a 4.7 share but remains ranked #5. In Detroit, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR rises one-tenth to a 2.4 share and climbs to the #15 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WWJ is steady at a 4.3 share and remains ranked #9. 
midday slot. Hardy has also lent his voice and creative talents to various platforms across the station, including the creation of the wildly popular ‘Fuppets’ videos for Felger & Mazz. In addition, he has been the longtime host of the ‘Sports Hub Golf Club’ show and can also be heard on Beasley’s Rock 92.9.” Morning host Fred Toucher says, “I’ve known Hardy and admired his talent for many years. I’m very excited to begin this new chapter and feel revitalized by the new opportunity.” Hardy comments, “As a lifelong radio guy, I’m thrilled for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with Fred and the rest of the morning show crew on what I believe will be a great show.” Station PD Rick Radzik states, “Hardy is one of the most talented and creative individuals I have ever worked with in radio. Teaming him with Fred was just a natural fit for our new morning show. I look forward to them providing great content and entertaining our listeners for years to come.”
afternoon drive host Mike Felger’s Facebook Live “Off-Air Show” and said she doesn’t think she’ll get the gig. When asked why she said, “Just because I think that I’m young and new. I think [program director] Rick [Radzik] took me very seriously. It’s just I think that there’s probably someone who, I don’t know, I think that I’m qualified. It’s just I haven’t been here very long, so I don’t know.” Station afternoon personality Jim Murray has said he’s not interested in the position. The piece notes that midday personality Rob “Hardy” Poole is being talked about as a candidate for the morning show post. 
The second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s November PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey period ran from October 12 through November 8. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM is up six-tenths for a 4.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish that lifts it to the #6 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM declines seven-tenths to a 7.4 share as it falls to the #3 rank after 10 months at #2. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM adds half a share to finish with a 4.7 share that lifts it to the #6 rank, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM rises four-tenths for a 2.6 share good for the #18 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI falls seven-tenths to a 3.3 share that leaves it ranked #11, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM tacks on three-tenths for a 2.7 share finish that lifts it to the #14 rank. 
WEEI-FM, Boston. He’ll continue to lead his program that includes cast members Jermaine Wiggins, Courtney Cox and Chris Curtis. Audacy Boston SVP and market manager Mike Thomas states, “We are thrilled to extend Greg’s contract and keep the momentum going for his award-winning morning show. We look forward to having Greg, alongside Jermaine and Courtney, continue to set the tone for our weekday programming and deliver entertaining content for our listeners for the foreseeable future.”
Curley and Howie Carr encouraged listeners to donate and raise funds for the DAV of Massachusetts’ homeless shelter and transportation programs. iHeartMedia Boston director of operations, news, talk and sports Bill Flaherty says, “Year after year, the WRKO listeners overwhelm us with their generosity. This year, they have helped to raise $172,852 for the DAV of Massachusetts. It’s an honor to dedicate a day of programming to those who have given so much of themselves for this country.” Since 2016, the “DAV Radiothon” has raised over $1,058,000 to benefit veterans in the community.
Beasley were unable to come to terms on a new contract a few weeks after the company announced Toucher had inked a new, multiyear deal that will see him continue as lead host of the morning show. WBTS-TV, Boston “NBC10” reports that Toucher announced the change on this morning’s show and indicated he was surprised when management told him Shertenlieb was leaving the program. He also said management wanted him to tell the audience that the company made him “a multi-year offer that he chose not to accept” and that “negotiations weren’t going anywhere.” Shertenlieb has not commented publicly other than to inform the show’s X followers that he has a new X handle. 
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s October PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey period was September 14 through October 11. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM rises one-tenth to finish with a 4.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP dropped six-tenths to an 8.1 share and stays locked in the #2 rank. In Detroit, Audacy’s all-news WWJ adds six-tenths for a 4.6 share finish and rises to the #9 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR rises half a share for a 2.3 share that lifts it to the #16 rank. 
the top sports morning shows in America and has won numerous national industry awards including a Marconi Award. Toucher was a foundational member of the launch of the station in August 2009. Prior to joining the ‘98.5 Sports Hub’ team, he worked at the former legendary rock station, WBCN.” Toucher comments, “I am thrilled to be able to work with my Beasley family over the coming years. I will continue my record of immense competence and brilliance.” Station PD Rick Radzik adds, “Fred has been entertaining ‘Sports Hub’ listeners each morning since 2009 with his compelling viewpoints and opinions on a wide range of topics. We are very pleased that he will continue on with us for years to come.” There’s no mention of morning drive co-host and Toucher’s longtime partner Rich Shertenlieb in the press release and the Boston Globe’s Chad Finn writes about the possibility Shertenlieb will exit the station soon. 
York. The spoken-word winners included: Legendary Radio Station of the Year – all-news KCBS-AM, San Francisco; Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year – Rich Eisen, Westwood One; Best Podcast of the Year – “The Letter,” KSL-FM, Salt Lake City; News/Talk Station of the Year – WTOP-FM, Washington, DC; and Sports Station of the Year – WBZ-FM, Boston.
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s September 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen’s September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM adds four-tenths to finish with a 3.9 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and stays ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM dips six-tenths for an 8.7 share finish but stays ranked #2 for the ninth straight month. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM is steady with a 4.7 share but rises one spot to #6, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM tacks on two-tenths for a 2.2 share finish but falls to the #20 rank. And in Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI-AM is up two-tenths to finish the survey with a 4.1 share that lifts it from #10 to #5, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM sheds one-tenth to finish with a 2.9 share that keeps it ranked #15. 
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s August 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen’s August 2023 sweep covered July 20 – August 16. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, DC, Hubbard Broadcasting all-news WTOP-FM adds two-tenths for a 9.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #2 in the market, while Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM is steady with a 3.5 share but rises to the #7 rank. In Seattle, Bonneville news/talk KIRO-FM dips two-tenths to finish with a 4.7 share and falls to the #7 rank, while Lotus Communications all-news KNWN-AM/FM declines three-tenths to wrap the survey with a 2.0 share good for the #19 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI adds a full share for a 3.9 share finish that lifts it to the #10 rank, while Bonneville’s crosstown news/talk KTAR-FM adds three tenths to finish with a 3.0 share but remains ranked #15 in the market. 
The second of two rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s July 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen’s July 2023 sweep covered June 22 – July 19. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, DC, Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP leaps nine-tenths for a 9.1 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish and remains ranked #2, while Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM loses one-tenth to finish with a 3.5 share good for the #9 rank. In Boston, iHeartMedia news/talk WRKO sheds seven-tenths to wrap the survey with a 3.4 share and falls to the #13 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-AM dips three-tenths for a 4.5 share finish and remains ranked #7. In Seattle, Bonneville news/talk KIRO-FM rises six-tenths to wrap the survey with a 4.9 share that lifts it to the #5 rank, while Lotus Communications’ crosstown news/talk is up three-tenths for a 1.9 share and the #19 rank.