Holiday 2022 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2022 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.
Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” 2022 sweep covered December 8 (2022) – January 4 (2023).
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 December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 (6+).
NEW YORK
News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 3.3 – 3.1, -.2, ninth to tenth
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 4.2 – 4.6, +.4, seventh to fifth and co-owned WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” 2.2 – 2.1, -.1, locked at #17
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Brooklyn Nets and NY Giants) 2.9 – 3.1, +.2, #12 to #10
Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s 3.2 – 2.8, -.4, #10 to #12
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, second month in a row, 7.6 – 10.4, +2.8
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+2.8)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: classical WQXR (-.6)
LOS ANGELES
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” 4.7 – 4.4, -.3, second to third
News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 2.9 – 2.5, -.4, #8 to #12
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.2 – 2.0, -.2, #18 to #19
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KOST, sixth month in succession, 12.1 – 13.1, +1.0
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KOST (+1.0)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: smooth AC KTWV (-.5)
CHICAGO
News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” (Blackhawks) 3.0 – 2.8, -.2, #10 to #12
News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” (Bears) 4.9 – 4.8, -.1, anchored in fourth-place
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WSCR “670 The Score” (Bulls) 1.9 – 1.7, -.2, repeats at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ 3.7 – 3.4, -.3, seventh to sixth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT, third straight month, 12.4 – 14.8, +2.4
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WLIT (+2.4)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: triple A WXRT (-1.0)
SAN FRANCISCO
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 1.6 – 1.7, +.1, #20 to #18
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 7.4 – 6.7, -.7, locked in second-place
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (49ers) 3.5 – 3.3, -.2, seventh to eighth
Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” (Golden State Warriors) steady at 1.9 #18 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 7.4 – 5.9, -1.5, second to third
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, second successive month, 10.5 – 15.5, +5.0
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KOIT-FM (+5.0)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk KQED (-1.5)
DALLAS
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 3.3 – 3.7, +.4, tenth to eighth
News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” (Cowboys) 2.5 – 2.2, -.3, #18 to #20
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” (Stars) 5.1 – 3.8, -1.3, third to sixth
Audacy’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Cowboys) 2.9 – 3.7, +.8, #13 to #8
Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA 3.1 – 2.5, -.6, #12 to #16
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KDGE, second month in a row, 7.1 – 9.1, +2.0
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KDGE (+2.0)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: classic rock KZPS (-1.6)
HOUSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” 3.8 – 3.3, -.5, #11 to #12
News: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston’s KUHF 2.0 – 2.4, +.4, continues at #18
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, 22nd consecutive month, 12.5 – 14.7, +2.2
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KODA (+2.2)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: CHR KRBE (-1.2)
ATLANTA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 5.4 – 4.4, -1.0, sixth to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” (Hawks and Falcons) 2.1 – 2.2, +.1, #14 to #16
Dickey Broadcasting-owned WCNN “The Fan” 1.3 – 1.4, +.1, #21 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE 3.8 – 3.0, -.8, eighth to tenth
Number One 6+: Urban One urban AC WAMJ, first month, 8.6 – 8.3, -.3
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase (Tie): contemporary Christian WVFJ and classic rock WNNX (+1.1)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: contemporary Christian WFSH (-1.1)
PHILADELPHIA
News/Talk: Townsquare Media’s WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 1.0 – 1.2, +.2, #23 to #20
News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” 5.8 – 6.2, +.4, sixth to third
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Eagles) 6.1 – 5.9, -.2, fourth to fifth
Beasley Media Group-owned WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” (76ers and Flyers) 1.6 – 1.3, -.3, #18 to #19
WIP’s internet stream, flat at1.2, #21 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 5.2 – 3.6, -1.6, repeats in seventh-place
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WBEB, second month in succession, 10.7 – 16.8, +6.1
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WBEB (+6.1)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WOGL (-1.7)*
*Represents the largest December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
LONG ISLAND
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” 3.4 – 3.8, +.4, ninth to seventh and cluster-mate WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 2.9 – 3.0, +.1, #12 to #10
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Brooklyn Nets and NY Giants) 4.1 – 4.8, +.7, repeats in sixth-place and WFAN’s internet stream steady at 1.6, #18 to #16
Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” (Knicks, Jets, Rangers, Islanders) flat at 1.4, remains at #19
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Connoisseur hot AC WALK-FM, first month, 6.1 – 10.7, +4.6
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: hot AC WALK-FM (+4.6)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease (Tie): urban contemporary WWPR and classic hits-oldies WBZO (-1.4)
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, .5 – .4, -.1, repeats at #18
Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, 13th consecutive month, 8.3 – 7.6, -.7
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: contemporary Christian KSGN (+1.4)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KRQB (-1.0)
SAN JOSE
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 7.1 – 7.0, -.1, locked in second-place
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (49ers ) steady at 2.9, tenth to eighth
Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 1.5 – 1.3, -.2, #21 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, seventh consecutive month 13.8 – 22.7, +8.9
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KOIT-FM (+8.9)**
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: country KBAY (-1.6)
**Represents the largest December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets; KOIT-FM’s 22.7 is the largest 6+ share of any station from these 12 markets.
MIDDLESEX
News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 6.3 – 6.2, -.1 repeats in fourth-place
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 1.8 – 1.7, -.1, #15 to #14 and co-owned WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” 1.3 – 1.2, -.1, #19 to #18
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Brooklyn Nets and NY Giants) 2.7 – 3.0, +.3, tenth to ninth
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” (Knicks, Jets, Rangers, Islanders) 1.3 – 1.1, -.2, flat at #20
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, second straight month, 7.1 – 11.2, +4.1
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WMGQ (+4.8)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: classic rock WAXQ (-1.4)
Up next: “Holiday” 2022 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.
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hosted programs at WFLA, Tampa; KHOW and KKZN, Denver; and WLS-AM, Chicago; among others. Salem Radio Networks VP news & talk programming Tom Tradup hired Marvin at WLS. He tells TALKERS, “I brought Jay to WLS in Chicago by helping negotiate his way out of a contract he had with Carl Gardner at WTMJ, Milwaukee. We added him 10:00 pm-1:00 am and he was an instant hit, billing himself as “Chicago’s lovable manic-depressive” who championed striking cab drivers and teachers’ unions… so unlike our other conservative hosts at the time. Fans even turned out by the thousands for his annual “JayStock” festivals in Wisconsin. Jay was one in a million.”
on February 5 from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm. WLS says, “In the weekly one-hour show, Kudlow shares with 890 WLS-AM listeners his perspective on the state of the markets, the economy, and politics. An unapologetic supporter of capitalism and free markets, he shares his insight and expertise to better navigate tomorrow’s evolving economic and political terrain.” Kudlow also currently hosts the FOX Business television show “Kudlow” weeknights from 4:00 pm-5:00 pm ET and is the host of “The Larry Kudlow Show” on WABC, New York, heard Saturdays from 10:00 am-1:00 pm. WLS program director Stephanie Tichenor says, “We are delighted to welcome back to 890 WLS-AM, a listener favorite, Larry Kudlow. Larry’s financial expertise will be a perfect addition to our weekend lineup.”
Audacy announces that all-news and news/talk radio pro Craig Schwalb will take over as brand manager and news director for WBBM Newsradio on January 23, succeeding the retiring Ron Gleason. In this role, Schwalb will oversee content strategy, talent, operations and branding for the station. Audacy Chicago VP of programming and operations Greg Solk tells TALKERS, “When Ron Gleason announced his retirement last summer, we knew we had a major challenge in replacing him, since Ron has been the driving force behind WBBM for nearly two decades. We believe we have struck gold in tapping Craig Schwalb as WBBM’s new brand manager. Craig’s vast experience in news and spoken word formats, most recently running content and operations at WTOP in Washington, gives him the ideal skill set to lead this brand and drive innovation and growth for Chicago’s most trusted news voice.” Schwalb comments, “The chance to lead WBBM is an incredible opportunity that doesn’t come around often. It brings me back to my home state and to a city that I adore, while working with the team behind one of the nation’s elite news radio brands. Thank you to Jeff Sottolano, Rachel Williamson, Greg Solk and Bill Smee for their support in allowing me the honor of leading this great station.”