July 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One
July 2023 PPM Data – Information for the July 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.
Nielsen Audio’s July 2023 sweep covered June 22 – July 19.
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 June 2023 – July 2023 (6+).
NEW YORK
News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 3.4 – 3.2, -.2, #10 to #11
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 4.3 – 4.9, +.6, eighth to sixth
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 2.7 – 2.6, -.1, anchored at #13
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.1 – 2.8, -.3, locked at #12
Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM 3.4 – 3.7, +.3, repeats in tenth-place
WNYC-FM cluster-mate WNYC-AM .8 – 1.5, +.7, #26 to #20
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, ninth month in a row, 7.6 – 7.7, +.1
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: public radio news/talk WNYC-AM (+.7)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: Spanish contemporary WXNY (-.7)
LOS ANGELES
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” 4.3 – 4.2, -.1, remains in fifth-place
News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” steady at 2.8, #12 to #11
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies KRTH, fifth month in succession, 5.9 – 6.8, +.9
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies KRTH (+.9)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: regional Mexican KBUE (-.8)
CHICAGO
News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” 3.0 – 3.2, +.2, #11 to #10
News: Audacy’s WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” 4.6 – 5.0, +.4, third to fourth
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WSCR “670 The Score” (Cubs) 2.6 – 2.5, -.1, repeats at #14
Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media’s WBEZ 2.5 – 2.7, +.2, #15 to #12
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT, tenth straight month, 7.2 – 7.0, -.2
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: triple A WXRT (+1.1)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: classic rock WDRV (-.7)
SAN FRANCISCO
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 2.0 – 1.9, -.1, #18 to #17
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 5.9 – 6.7, +.8, anchored in the runner-up slot
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 2.7 – 2.9, +.2, #11 to #10
Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 5.3 – 4.6, -.7, repeats in fourth-place
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, fourth month in succession, 7.8 – 8.1, +.3
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: 1980s hits KOSF (+.9)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: CHR KMVQ (-1.0)
DALLAS
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 3.7 – 3.9, +.2, repeats in ninth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” 5.1 – 4.7, -.4, continues in the runner-up slot
Audacy-owned KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Texas Rangers) 2.4 – 2.5, +.1, steady at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting’s KERA 2.3 – 2.7, +.4, #17 to #15
Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies KSPF, second month in a row, 5.4 – 5.3, -.1
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: adult hits KJKK (+.8)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: country KPLX (-.6)
Note: Audacy classic hits-oldies KLUV “Nobody Plays More 80s” remains in the format and stays at #1; however, it changes calls to KSPF as “98.7 The Spot.”
HOUSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” (Astros) 3.6 – 4.0, +.4, #11 to #9
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock KGLK first month, 6.8 – 7.0, +.2
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: contemporary Christian KSBJ; urban contemporary KQBT; Spanish contemporary Christian KHVU; and gospel KROI (+.5)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KODA (-2.0)*
*Represents the largest June 2023 – July 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
Note: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA had been #1 the last 28 months.
ATLANTA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” flat at 6.5, locked in third-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Dickey Broadcasting’s WCNN “The Fan” (Braves) 2.8 – 3.3, +.5, repeats at #14
Audacy-owned WZGC “92.9 The Game” 2.2 – 2.3, +.1, #17 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools’ WABE 2.7 – 3.5, +.8, #15 to #9
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, seventh successive month, 10.4 – 9.6, -.8
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: public radio news/talk WABE (+.8)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WSRV (-.8)
PHILADELPHIA
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” 5.3 – 5.6, +.3, seventh to fourth
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Phillies) 3.8 – 4.6, +.8, tenth to ninth
Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY flat at 4.2, ninth to tenth
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group classic rock WMGK, third straight month, 10.6 – 9.8, -.8
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: sports talk WIP (+.8)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: country WXTU (-1.1)
LONG ISLAND
News/Talk: Red Apple Media-owned WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 2.5 – 1.9, -.6, #16 to #18
News: Audacy-owned WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” flat at 3.7, ninth to seventh
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 3.3 – 3.2, -.1, tenth to ninth
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 4.4 – 3.4, -1.0, fifth to eighth
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WBAB, fifth month in a row, 6.7 – 8.5, +1.8
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: classic rock WBAB (+1.8)**
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: sports talk WFAN (-1.0)
**Represents the largest June 2023 – July 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, .3 – .4, +.1, locked at #19
Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, fourth straight month, 7.2 – 8.9, +1.7
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies KOLA (+1.7)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: Spanish contemporary KLLI (-.6)
SAN JOSE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 1.4 – 1.7, +.3, #18 to #20
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” steady at 6.3, third to first
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 4.5 – 5.2, +.7, seventh to fifth
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: news KCBS-AM & KFRC, first month, unchanged at 6.3
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: urban AC KBLX (+1.4)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: CHR KMVQ (-1.6)
MIDDLESEX
News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 5.5 – 6.5, +1.0, repeats in third-place
iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” flat at 1.0, stays at #19
WKXW’s internet stream .3 – .9, +.6, #20
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 1.5 – 2.3, +.8, #16 to #13
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 1.0 – .9, -.1, #19 to #20
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 4.6 – 4.2, -.4, sixth to eighth
Good Karma Brands‘ WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.0 – .9, -.1, #19 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic rock WAXQ, first month, 8.4 – 7.8, -.6
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+1.1)
Largest 6+ June 2023 – July 2023 Decrease: Spanish tropical WSKQ (-1.1)
Up next: July 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.
Adam Abdalla, and Jeff Meller. It will also include members of the Chicago Bears Radio Network team, including Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, and Jason McKie. Celebrity guests will include Dan “Big Cat” Katz, ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, and ESPN fantasy football expert Field Yates. “ESPN Chicago” director of content Danny Zederman says, “We are so excited for ‘Football Fest,’ particularly this year as we enter our first season as the radio home of the Chicago Bears Radio Network. ‘ESPN Chicago’ is at the center of Chicago’s football universe and this event will be a great way to kick off the season.”
inductee worked most of his career in Chicago, spinning the hits at stations including WLS, WCFL, WMAQ, WBBM and WJMK. A private family interment has been held.
opportunity to nominate and vote for their favorite Black-owned business in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. A total of 10 winners will be selected to receive $100,000 of in-kind media on iHeartMedia Chicago radio stations and a small business development cohort from the Chicago Urban League. The categories include restaurants; beauty salons; churches; fashion; medical professionals; day care centers; nightlife; fitness trainers/gyms; financial/insurance; and realtors/brokers. iHeartMedia Chicago president Matt Scarano states, “I have a personal commitment along with iHeartMedia Chicago to support Black-owned businesses in Chicagoland. We are providing a tremendous marketing and advertising opportunity for Black-owned businesses to access our station brands with the ‘Brilliantly Black’ Business Awards. We are thrilled to partner with the Chicago Urban League as we continuously work together to support Black-owned businesses in Chicagoland.”
The first of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s May PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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’s May 2023 sweep covered April 27 – May 24. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York City, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC-AM & WLIR-FM is steady at a 3.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but slides from the #10 rank to #11, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WOR dips two-tenths to a 1.7 share and remains ranked #18. iHeartMedia’s KFI, Los Angeles is flat with a 4.3 share but falls back to the #5 rank in the market. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN adds one-tenth to finish with a 3.3 share and rises one spot to the #9 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM loses two-tenths to finish with a 4.2 share but rises to the #3 rank in the market. 
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).
within the realm of the company going forward?” “How can radio remain true to its roots and mission as an audio medium and theater-of-the-mind without missing the opportunities provided in a multiplatform environment?” plus more. Pittman says that this is a “golden moment” for both radio and the larger field of audio in which it is and will remain a major player. He pointed out that “25% of iHeart’s stations do not play music” and that more and more shows on the company’s music stations are “actually talk shows that play little or no music at all.” He reaffirmed the company’s awareness that personality plays an important role in the presentation of music and it is its intention to pivot back in that direction. He candidly addressed the divide between the coastal elites who influence the direction of national media but are largely out of touch with the heartland and the rest of real America. 
Sports gambling analyst Jason McIntyre in which crosstown news/talk WIND-AM, Chicago personality Dan Proft soon became involved. In the course of this being discussed by hosts on both WIND and WSCR, Riordan said, directing his words to Proft, “Dan, I’ll have sex with your mother,” and then adding, “Dan Proft, you bring your mother over here, and I’ll bone her.” When Audacy was asked for a comment by the Chicago Sun-Times, it declined to comment. 
The first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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’s April 2023 sweep covered March 30 – April 26. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC is steady with a 3.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but falls one spot to the #10 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WOR stays put with a 1.9 share and remains ranked #18. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles adds two-tenths for a 4.3 share finish and rises to the #4 rank. In San Francisco, Audacy’s all-news KCBS-AM/KFRC-FM falls seven-tenths to a 7.3 share but remains ranked #1 in the market, while Cumulus Media’s crosstown news/talk KSFO rises half a share to a 1.8 share that lifts it to the #19 rank. Cox Media Group’s news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta tacks on four-tenths for a 7.0 share finish and remains ranked #3 in the market. 
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.”
alongside Atiba Buchanan. Hill takes over for Kimberly Egonmwan who left the show to run for political office. WVON says, “Hill is a 30-year veteran journalist and a fixture in Chicago media. Her knowledge of local stakeholders, politics, and social issues makes her an asset to WVON’s news/talk format.” Hill adds, “WVON has such a rich history of being a force and a voice in Chicago this just seems right. I look forward to being part of the next generation of storytellers.”
The first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s March 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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’s March 2023 sweep covered March 2 – March 29. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” dips two-tenths to a 3.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but rises one spot to the #9 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WOR rises two-tenths to finish with a 1.9 share good for the #18 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles is unchanged with a 4.1 share and remains ranked #5 in market, while Audacy’s crosstown all-news KNX-FM climbs four-tenths to a 3.3 share and rises to the #10 rank. In San Francisco, Audacy’s all-news KCBS-AM/KFRC-FM adds two full shares to finish the survey with an 8.0 share and leaps from #3 to #1 in the market. Cumulus Media’s news/talk WBAP, Dallas shoots up eight-tenths for a 3.4 share finish that lifts it from the #16 rank to #12. 
The first of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s February 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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’s February 2023 sweep covered February 2 – March 1. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeways from this group of markets. In New York City, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC-AM is flat with a 3.9 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and falls to the #10 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WOR-AM is steady with a 1.9 share but rises one spot to the #18 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles is flat with a 4.1 share but rises one spot to the #5 rank in the market. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN-AM sheds two-tenths to finish with a 3.2 share good for the #10 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM rises three-tenths to finish with a 4.8 share and remains ranked #4. 
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.
morning drive co-host Dan Proft says a $3 million typo is to blame for the discrepancy in his political action committee’s report. Earlier this week, the paper reported that the Illinois Democratic Party filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections alleging that he didn’t disclose $1.2 million in contributions to the PAC.
The first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s January 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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’s January 2023 sweep covered January 5 – February 1. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media news/talk WABC-AM/WLIR-FM rises eight-tenths for a 3.9 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #9 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WOR is up six-tenths for a 1.7 share finish good for the #19 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles is off three-tenths, finishing with a 4.1 share and the #6 rank, while Audacy’s crosstown all-news KNX-FM tacks on three-tenths to wrap the survey with a 2.8 share good for the #9 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN-AM adds six-tenths for a 3.4 share and the #9 rank, while Audacy’s crosstown all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM dips three-tenths for a 4.5 share finish and the #4 rank. 
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.
appeared on the “Parkins & Spiegel” show. Olivia Finestead is the mother of Clevinger’s 10-month-old who went on the radio show to discuss the allegations against Clevinger, a move he called “really trashy of them. That was some lowlife material right there.” He was also quoted saying, “My lawyers are paying attention. My lawyers are getting in contact with them, and they probably already sent a cease-and-desist for defamation. So [they] just got themselves involved in this, too, so good for them.” 
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.”
Jones to pay $965 million in total damages to the families of eight victims of the Sandy Hook school shootings and an FBI agent. Additional damages covering attorneys’ fees will be determined next month. The verdict came after three weeks of testimony in a state court in Waterbury. Not sounding remorseful on yesterday’s radio show (Wednesday, 10/12), Jones railed against the jury’s decision, urging listeners to send money or buy supplements sold on his website. He stated, “They want to scare us away from questioning Uvalde or Parkland [but] we’re not going away, we’re not going to stop.” Jones actually cheered as the judge listed off millions in damages for each count. After one count was read, Jones said, “Get those numbers up.” At times he gave thumbs-up and raised his hand in the air. Jones and Free Speech Systems – parent of his Infowars content company – were held liable for defamation for spreading false stories that the Sandy Hook shootings were a hoax and the victims were actually “crisis actors,” who were following a script written by the government to build support for gun control. Fifteen plaintiffs were awarded damages in the case, one of three suits against Jones from his conspiracy theories about the shooting. The largest single award of $120 million went to Robbie Parker, whose six-year-old daughter, Emilie, was killed in the shooting. Jones spent years mocking Parker as an actor. The plaintiffs also included an FBI agent who responded to the shooting; he was awarded $90 million in damages. An earlier suit in Texas awarded one victim’s parents close to $50 million. Another case is going to the damages phase after Jones lost the suit.
Jim Bohannon is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. Longtime talk radio superstar Jim Bohannon is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Yesterday (10/10), the radio industry was shocked and deeply saddened at the announcement by Cumulus Media’s Westwood One in TALKERS that one of its longest running, most successful and universally beloved syndicated talk show hosts would be hanging up his headphones on Friday October 14th due to health issues. It was a surprise to many – but industry insiders were already aware that this broadcasting legend was suffering from an advanced case of esophageal cancer… and the prognosis was increasingly grim. His career that spanned more than five decades including the past 30 as host of his solid late-night syndicated show is one of the greatest of all time. His achievements include induction into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame, the Radio Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. He has received the First Amendment Award from the Radio-Television Digital News Association and the Lifetime Achievement Award from TALKERS magazine; along with numerous other awards and honors. Michael Harrison interviewed Jim Bohannon this past Sunday (10/9) afternoon. It is candid, compelling and will no doubt be a historic audio document capturing a dramatic slice of radio history and culture – as well as deep insights into the human condition. After recording the interview and podcast, Michael Harrison stated, “It is with profound sadness and love that I have the honor of presenting this interview to the public.” Not to be missed! To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click 
have honored individual talent and exemplary programming created by women, for women, and about women in radio, television, and digital media in news and entertainment. AWMF president Becky Brooks comments, “We are more committed than ever to honor the remarkable work by so many in our creative community. As our most important fundraiser of the year, the Gracies enables the Foundation to deliver on its promise to further the connection, education and recognition of women in media.” The 2023 Gracie Awards co-chairs are: The Weiss Agency executive vice president Heather Cohen; McVay Media Consulting president Mike McVay; and Hallmark Media chief communications officer Annie Howell. Emmy winner Vicangelo Bulluck has produced the Gracie Awards since 2016 and will return in that capacity for the 2023 awards. Entry eligibility air dates are January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022; deadline for all entries is January 12, 2023 at 11:59 pm (ET).
United States, Barack Obama, visits his former aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor for an interview that airs tomorrow (Friday, 10/14) at 7:00 pm as an episode of Sirius XM’s “Crooked Radio” (SiriusXM Progress). It will then be issued Saturday as a podcast. The former President’s “Pod Save America” appearance will be replayed tomorrow night (Friday, 10/14) at 9:00 pm and throughout the weekend. It will be his first on the show in exactly two years (10/14/2020). … Following a 24-year tenure at Los Angeles’ KNX “News 97.1 FM,” morning co-anchor/senior political correspondent Dick Helton (pictured at right) will retire tomorrow (Friday, 10/14) from the Audacy facility. Prior to joining KNX, Helton 
spent 29 years anchoring in Chicago at co-owned/similarly-formatted WBBM-AM. … Per a report in The Lincoln Journal-Star, Damon Benning succeeds Matt Davison as analyst on University of Nebraska football radio broadcasts. Formerly a host on NRG Media Omaha sports talk KOZN “1620 The Zone,” Benning played for the Cornhuskers from 1992 – 1996. Davison had been a Nebraska analyst the past 19 years. … As part of an intra-Pennsylvania transaction, 34 full-power stations and 12 translators in five “Keystone State” markets are changing hands. Forever Media is the seller; Kristen Cantrell’s Southern Belle Media Family/Seven Mountains Media Family is the buyer. Among stations being sold include: sports talk WQWK, news/talk WRSC, W279DK, and W227DV (all in the State College market); Altoona market news/talk WFBG; news/talk WNTJ, W230BK, and W283CX, and news/talk WNTI (all in the Johnstown market); news/talk WMGW, W264DK, news-talk WTIV and W287DC, and news/talk WFRA and W251CL (all in the Meadville-Franklin market) news/talk WKST, W250CW, and W248DJ (all in the New Castle market); and Lebanon market news/talk WLBR. The complete transaction is for $17.375 million in assumption of promissory notes to Kerby E. Confer, the Judith M. Confer Irrevocable Trust, and Confermation, LLP. Kerby E. Confer is Kristen Cantrell father.
Workhouse Media; Dat Dude Entertainment; and Jam Street Media, “More To It With Marcellus Wiley” will drop next Tuesday (10/18) on The Dan Patrick Podcast Network. Former co-host of FS1’s “Speak For Yourself” and ESPN’s “SportsNation,” all-pro defensive end Wiley played ten seasons in the NFL for four different teams. Patrick opines, “Marcellus’ frequent appearances on my show always stood out because he never showed up with cliché comments. He’s never been boring and I love that he brings something new to every conversation. I’m looking forward to listening to his new show and thrilled that he’s officially part of our family.” Wiley notes, “I’m honored to work with the legendary trailblazer Dan Patrick, whose path of success perfectly embodies the title of this podcast. I’m so excited to share these amazing journeys of perseverance and success with the world to inspire the inner power we all possess.” Wiley’s podcast will feature conversations with athletes, entertainers, and people with surprising stories that prove there’s more to everyone’s reality than meets the eye. It kicks off with an interview with rapper Lil Wayne. Future scheduled guests include Anthony Anderson, Charles Barkley, Snoop Dogg, Andrew Yang, Deion Sanders and Ben Horowitz.
Andrew Devall, presidents of Texas entities Falls Media and Q-Media Group, respectively, wrote they “were entirely unaware of our participation in this proceeding and did not knowingly consent to having our name included on such filings. We are relatively small radio broadcast operators with enormous demands on our limited time and resources. In general, we do not have the bandwidth to personally monitor activities at the FCC. Given this highly unusual circumstance, [we] respectfully request that the Commission remove the prior filings indicating our support for GBS’s requested rule change from the record.” According to Colorado broadcasters Scott Poese (Ranchland Broadcasting) and Warren Epstein (Pikes Peak College), comments filed under their names “do not accurately reflect our views. Contrary to what the comments indicate, [we] do not support the GeoBroadcast Solutions petition or believe it would benefit our stations or the public.”