September 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three
September 2023 PPM Data – Information for the September 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 September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13.
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 August 2023 – September 2023 (6+).
Note: The NFL season began September 7 – flagships are bolded, where applicable.
PORTLAND
News/Talk: Alpha Media’s KXL “FM 101 News” flat at 6.7, repeats in third-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB 6.1 – 6.3, +.2, repeats in fourth-place
KOPB’s internet stream 1.7 – 20, +.3, #20 to #18
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KLTH, first month, 8.7 – 8.5, -.2
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: triple A KINK and hot AC KRSK (+.8)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KKCW (-2.0)*
*Represents the largest August 2023 – September 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
CHARLOTTE
News/Talk: Urban One-owned WBT-AM & WBT-FM “Charlotte’s News Talk” 6.4 – 5.2, -1.2, third to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One’s WFNZ-FM “Sports Radio 92.7” 1.8 – 2.4, +.6, #16 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: University Radio Foundation’s WFAE 4.6 – 5.2, +.6, sixth to fifth
South Carolina Educational Television Commission-owned WNSC .5 – 1.0, +.5, #20 to #18
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group country WSOC, first month, 7.2 – 7.4, +.2
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: sports talk WFNZ and public radio news/talk WFAE (+.6)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: news/talk WBT-AM & WBT-FM (-1.2)
SAN ANTONIO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WOAI “News Radio 1200” 2.4 – 2.6, +.2, #17 to #15
Alpha Media-owned KTSA “Stay Connected” 2.6 – 2.2, -.4, #15 to #19
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 hits-oldies KONO-FM, ninth consecutive month, 8.6 – 7.1, -1.5
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: classic rock KTKX (+.6)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies KONO-FM (-1.5)
SACRAMENTO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM “News 1530 AM & 93.1 FM” 9.7 – 10.1, +.4, #1
KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM cluster-mate KSTE-AM “Talk 650” 3.7 – 3.3, -.4, #10 to #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KHTK “Sacramento Sports 1140” .8 – 1.1, +.3, #24 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Capital Public Radio-owned KXJZ 2.3 – 1.9, -.4, #14 to #15
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia news/talk KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM, third month in a row, 9.7 – 10.1, +.4
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: urban-rhythmic oldies KHYL (+1.3)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KBEB (-1.0)
PITTSBURGH
News/Talk: Audacy’s KDKA-AM “News Radio 1020 AM” 3.8 – 4.0, +.2, #10 (third straight month)
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KDKA-FM “93.7 The Fan All Sports All The Time” (Pirates) 6.8 – 7.9, +1.1, fourth to third
Public Radio News/Talk: Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting’s WESA 4.6 – 4.1, -.5, repeats in eighth-place
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW, tenth month in a row, 11.4 – 11.2, -.2
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: sports talk KDKA-FM (+1.1)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk WESA and classical WQED (-.5)
SALT LAKE CITY
News/Talk: Bonneville-owned KSL “News Radio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM” 4.9 – 5.2, +.3, repeats in fifth-place
iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM “Talk Radio” 3.4 – 4.0, +.6, #11 to #9
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Utah’s KUER 2.6 – 2.5, -.1, repeats at #17
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI, eleventh straight month, 10.8 – 10.3, -.5
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: rock KBER (+1.2)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: hot AC KJMY (-1.0)
LAS VEGAS
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMXB-HD3 “101.5 K-Dawn The Talk Of Las Vegas” 1.1 – 1.9, +.8, #26 to #18
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+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE, third month in succession, 9.3 – 9.5, +.2
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: Spanish adult hits KWID and classic rock KXPT (+1.8)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: CHR KLUC (-1.2)
ORLANDO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKS “Real Radio 104.1” 4.4 – 4.6, +.2, seventh to eighth
Cox Media Group-owned WDBO “Orlando’s News Talk” steady at 3.4, #13 to #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WYGM “96.9 The Game” 1.4 – 1.1, -.3, #18 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Community Connections-owned WMFE 2.9 – 2.4, -.5, #14 to #15
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMGF, fourth consecutive month, 9.1 – 10.1, +1.0
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: Spanish tropical WRUM (+1.4)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: alternative WQMP (-1.0)
CINCINNATI
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WLW “700 Cincinnati’s News Radio” (Reds, Bengals) 14.0 – 13.9, -.1, #1
WLW’s cluster-mate WKRC “55 KRC The Talk Station” 4.4 – 4.6, +.2, repeats in sixth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WCKY “ESPN 1530” (Bengals) 1.2 – 1.6, +.4, #20 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Cincinnati Public Radio’s WVXU 4.0 – 3.6, -.4, eighth to ninth
Number One 6+: news/talk WLW, 20th consecutive month, 14.0 – 13.9, -.1
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: rock WEBN (+1.2)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: rhythmic hot AC WREW (-.9)
CLEVELAND
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTAM “News Radio 1100” (Guardians) 5.5 – 6.1, +.6, eighth to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WKRK “Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan” (Browns) 4.0 – 5.1, +1.1, #11 to #10
WKRK’s internet stream .5 – .8, +.3, #18 to #17
iHeartMedia-owned WARF “Fox Sports 1350 AM The Gambler” .2 – .3, +.1, repeats at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Kent State University’s WKSU 5.2 – 4.9, -.3, #9 to #11
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI, eleventh month in a row, 10.5 – 11.8, +1.3
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WMJI +1.3)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: rock WMMS (-1.1)
KANSAS CITY
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMBZ-FM “98.1 FM News, Traffic, Weather” flat at 5.1, third to fourth
KMBZ-FM cluster-mate KMBZ-AM “Talk 980 AM” 1.3 – 1.2, -.1, repeats at #19
Cumulus Media’s KCMO-AM “Talk Radio 710 AM” unchanged at 1.0, #22 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s KCSP “Sports Radio 610 Our Teams, Our Town” (Royals) 2.7 – 3.1, +.4, #13 (third successive month)
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KCUR 3.5 – 3.2, -.3, #10 to #12
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM, second straight month, 10.6 – 9.8, -.8
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: contemporary Christian KJNW (+.7)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: country KBEQ (-1.1)
COLUMBUS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WTVN “News Radio 610” 7.4 – 7.3, -.1, second to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Tegna-owned WBNS-FM “97.1 FM The Fan” 5.6 – 7.9, +2.3, fifth to second
Public Radio News/Talk: Ohio State University’s WOSU 4.4 – 4.5, +.1, ninth to eighth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia country WCOL, eleventh straight month, 10.4 – 9.8, -.6
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: sports talk WBNS-FM (+2.3)**
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WSNY (-.9)
**Represents the largest August 2023 – September 2023 increase (6+) of any station from the 36 PPM-markets analyzed thus far
Up next: September 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.
station manager Cody Welling states, “‘97.1 The Fan’ and WBNS-FM/AM is a special brand that is very important to our community, our stakeholders, and our client partners. Matt’s love of sports radio and his track record of building strong teams, made him the right choice to lead our very talented group of broadcasters, content creators, and flagship partners.” Fishman comments, “‘97.1 The Fan’ is a juggernaut of a radio station. I’m privileged to get to work with an incredible team, a great lineup, and broadcast partners like Ohio State Sports Properties-Learfield, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Columbus Crew, ESPN and Westwood One.”
The third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s August 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. 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 Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM jumps nine-tenths to finish with a 6.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #3 rank in the market, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KEX adds a half share for a 1.9 share finish good for the #18 rank. In San Antonio, Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA tacks on one-tenth to wrap the survey with a 2.6 share and rises to the #15 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WOAI dips two-tenths for a 2.4 share finish and falls to the #17 rank. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville news/talk KSL-AM/FM jumps six-tenths for a 4.9 share finish that lifts it to the #5 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KNRS-AM/FM drops 1.2 shares to finish with a 3.4 share that drags it down to the #11 rank. 
The third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s July PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. 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 San Antonio, iHeartMedia news/talk WOAI falls two-tenths to post a 2.6 share (weekly, 6+ AHQ share) and falls to the #15 rank, while Alpha Media’s crosstown news/talk KTSA adds one-tenth for a 2.5 share finish that lifts it to the #16 rank. In Salt Lake City, iHeartMedia news/talk KNRS-AM/FM loses a full share to wrap the survey with a 4.6 share and regresses to the #4 rank, while Bonneville’s crosstown news/talk KSL-AM/FM tacks on two-tenths for a 4.3 share finish that lifts it to the #6 rank. In Orlando, iHeartMedia talk WTKS-FM loses six-tenths to finish with a 4.0 share but remains ranked #10, while Cox Media Group’s crosstown news/talk WDBO remains flat with a 3.9 share and the #11 rank. 
The third of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s June 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. Nielsen’s June 2023 sweep covered May 25 – June 21. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia news/talk WOAI dips three-tenths to finish the survey with a 2.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that leaves it ranked #14, while Alpha Media’s crosstown news/talk KTSA loses nine-tenths for a 2.4 share finish and falls to the #17 rank. In Salt Lake City, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KNRS-AM/FM sheds one-tenth for wrap the survey with a 5.6 share and remains ranked #3, while Bonneville’s crosstown news/talk KSL-AM/FM loses eight-tenths for a 4.1 share finish and falls one spot to the #8 rank. In Orlando, iHeartMedia’s talk WTKS-FM adds one-tenths to finish with a 4.6 share and remains ranked #10, while Cox Media Group’s news/talk WDBO tacks on two-tenths for a 3.9 share finish that keeps it ranked #11. 
WBEN/Buffalo Adds the Armstrong & Getty Show. The Armstrong & Getty Show has added yet another major market – WBEN, Buffalo. The Audacy-owned outlet is one of the most respected news/talk radio stations in the country having won numerous state, regional, and national awards for its news reporting. It is also one of the country’s heritage stations, tracing its beginning to 1922. WBEN operations director/Audacy news talk format VP Tim Wenger tells TALKERS, “We’re thrilled to have Armstrong & Getty as part of the evening lineup at WBEN. Their entertaining approach to current events and politics is a refreshing way to cap off the daylong programming on the station.” In a joint statement, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty (pictured above left) say, “We’re excited to join the list of great radio voices that have been part of Buffalo and WBEN. Now, more than ever, it’s important that folks get a perspective from outside the mainstream media. We’re here to be that honest voice.” For more information about The Armstrong & Getty Show, contact Eric Weiss at The Weiss Agency: 
Las Vegas Abuzz Over Raiders and Jimmy Garoppolo. Nationally syndicated, Las Vegas-based TALKERS Heavy Hundred host Dr. Daliah Wachs of the Genesis Communications Network met and received a jersey signed by the new Las Vegas Raider‘s quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The two are pictured (right) at an NFL “Salute To Service” event at Nellis Air Force Base. Wachs tells TALKERS, “The region is hopeful that Garoppolo will add that winning spark to the team if only he stays healthy.”
The third of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s May 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. 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 San Antonio, Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA falls three-tenths and finishes the survey with a 3.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that leaves it ranked #12, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WOAI also dips three-tenths to wrap with a 3.1 share good for the #14 rank in the market. iHeartMedia’s talk WTKS-FM, Orlando declines six-tenths for a 4.5 share finish and the #10 rank, while Cox Media Group’s crosstown news/talk WDBO adds two-tenths to finish with a 3.7 share that leaves it locked in the #11 position. 
The third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. 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 San Antonio, 
Tampa and Sarasota responsibilities. Salem Media Group regional VP Val Carolin comments, “As we worked to fill the big shoes that Barb Yoder has worn so effectively these past 12 years as general manager, we were thrilled to learn that Carolyn had a strong desire to return to her Florida roots and serve the communities in her home state. Carolyn has proven herself to be a tireless leader with a deep commitment to service. She’s a hard and smart worker who gets involved and gets things done. I’m confident that the dedication and the skills she possesses will prove to be a great fit for our strong Tampa/Sarasota operation.”
manager. ‘97.1 The Fan’ is the flagship station for all Ohio State Athletics as well as NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and the MLS Columbus Crew. ‘The Fan’ is also the Columbus home for Cleveland Browns football. Our legacy properties boast one of the top-rated ESPN affiliates in the United States as well as a statewide network of over 80 stations and a digital platform of full-service digital solutions. This position reports to the president and general manager of WBNS-TV.” 
Rounds three and four of Nielsen Audio’s March 2023 PPM survey have been released for 24 markets including: Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Columbus, Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s March 2023 sweep covered March 2 – March 29. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from these markets. In Portland, Alpha Media news/talk KXL-FM falls 1.3 shares to a 5.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but stays in the #4 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KEX-AM dips a full share for a 2.4 share finish that leaves it ranked #16. Bonneville’s Salt Lake City news/talk KSL-AM/FM adds one-tenth for a 5.1 finish that lifts it to the #4 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KNRS-AM/FM dips three-tenths to finish the survey with a 4.8 share good for the #6 rank. And in Milwaukee, iHeartMedia news/talk WISN falls one-tenth to a 9.7 share that leaves it ranked #2, while Good Karma Brands’ news/talk WTMJ rises four-tenths for a 7.4 share repeating in the #4 rank. 
The third of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s February PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. Nielsen’s February 2023 sweep covered February 2 – March 1. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM rises four-tenths to finish with a 7.0 share (weekly, 6+ AHQ share) good for the #4 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KEX-AM also goes up four-tenths and finishes with a 3.4 share that lifts it to the #9 rank. Urban One’s news/talk WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte shoots up 1.2 shares to finish the survey with a 5.5 share that moves it from the #8 rank to #4. In San Antonio, Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA-AM is up half a share, wrapping the survey with a 3.7 share good for the #10 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WOAI-AM falls two-tenths for a 3.3 share that sees it decline from the #9 rank to #14. 
The third of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s January 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. Nielsen’s January 2023 sweep covered January 5 – February 1. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM rises six-tenths to finish the survey with a 6.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #4 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KEX is up eight-tenths for a 3.0 share finish good for the #10 rank. Urban One’s news/talk WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte adds six-tenths to finish the sweep with a 4.3 share that boosts it to the #8 rank. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOAI rises nine-tenths for a 3.5 share finish that puts it in the #9 position, while Alpha Media’s crosstown news/talk KTSA adds seven-tenths to finish with a 3.2 share good for the #13 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KNRS-AM/FM, Salt Lake City grows 1.5 shares to finish with a 5.9 share that lifts it to the #3 rank, while Bonneville’s crosstown news/talk KSL-AM/FM rises nine-tenths to finish the survey with a 5.5 share as it remains ranked #5. 
Monday Memo: Plan NOW For The Big Story. “When-the-fit-hits-the-shan, news/talk stations need to be conspicuous.” In this week’s column, consultant Holland Cooke uses that colorful quote as he provides four suggestions for stations to re-familiarize themselves with their network’s continuing coverage routine.” Read Holland Cooke’s column 
Pending Business: To Do Lists. Radio sales pro Steve Lapa knows the importance of being organized in running a sales department or being a seller in this business. He gains inspiration from Benjamin Franklin – an incredibly busy man known for creating “To Do” lists – in drawing up five important things he suggests you include in creating yours each day. Read it 
Hundred” an astounding 27 consecutive years, the highly affable “Jimbo” is calling it quits due to health reasons. Beginning next Monday (10/17), Rich Valdes will succeed Bohannon on the weeknight, three-hour (10:00 pm – 1:00 am) Cumulus Media Westwood One broadcast. Bohannon states, “It’s been a great 40 years with Westwood One – the last 30 of which as host of ‘The Jim Bohannon Show.’ I’ve enjoyed every minute of our daily nighttime town hall with my guests, callers, and all of America. “Now, I’d like to introduce Rich Valdes, a very bright, vibrant young man who will be taking over in the same tradition.” Cumulus Media executive vice president of corporate marketing/Westwood One president Suzanne Grimes remarks, “We celebrate Jim’s long radio history and all his achievements, including his induction into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame; the First Amendment Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association; the Lifetime Achievement Award from TALKERS Magazine; and his inductions into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the Missouri Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. We are especially proud that Jim has been an invaluable member of our Westwood One family these many years – he is truly an industry legend. As we pass the baton to Rich Valdes, we’re excited to bring a new name and voice to talk radio. We look forward to continuing our tradition of providing the best programming to our affiliates and listeners.” Valdes notes, “No one can ever fill Jim’s shoes. I consider it a blessing and great honor to be part of the next generation of late-night talk show hosts, following the tradition of Jim Bohannon and Larry King.” TALKERS founder/publisher Michael Harrison has a very candid conversation with Bohannon on PodcastOne’s “The Michael Harrison Interview,” which drops tomorrow (Tuesday, 10/11). Bohannon joined Westwood One in 1983 and spent over 31 years as host of the early morning weekday news magazine “America in the Morning” and previously hosted “America This Week.” He began his career in 1960 at KLWT-AM, his hometown station in Lebanon, Missouri.
market president Chris Oliviero, Scheld writes that “Audacy New York is in great hands.” Also included in the memo, Scheld states an Audacy arrangement with SAG-AFTRA signifies a new strategy, combining WCBS-AM’s resources with those of co-owned/similarly-formatted WINS. “[It’s] a plan I have endorsed and frankly helped design.” Scheld was a WCBS-AM reporter from 1987 – 1994 and rejoined the station in 2003, after a nine-year stint as a correspondent for ABC Radio News. In addition to his WCBS-AM duties, he’s chair of the Radio Television Digital News Association.
vice president/market manager Larry Blumhagen comments, “This is a bittersweet day for us, as it’s hard to say goodbye to the legendary KGO, which has been a part of listeners’ lives for so many years. We want to thank all the people who have been a part of KGO’s historic run these many years and the listeners who loyally tuned into the station. Times change, and we must change with them. We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to serving the Bay Area’s passionate sports fans in an incomparable way.” Cumulus San Francisco sports talk KNBR and KTCT program director Kevin Graham adds PD duties for “The Spread” and notes, “We are pleased to introduce sports-betting radio to our community. The station will feature a lineup of expert personalities that deliver unique sports talk and sports betting insights that entertain, inform, and engage. While [KGO] will feature specific gambling information, we believe our entertaining presentation will make it a favorite for all Bay area sports fans and a perfect complement to the legendary KNBR and KTCT.” The station’s weekday programming lineup includes: Joe Ostrowski, Joe Giglio, and Erin Hawksworth (6:00 am – 9:00 am); Jim Rome (9:00 am – 12:00 noon); Nick Kostos and Ken Barkley (12:00 noon – 4:00 pm); Quinton Mayo, Trysta Krick, and Ryan Horvat with “Bet MGM Tonight” (4:00 pm – 8:00 pm); and CBS Sports Radio (8:00 pm – 12:00 midnight). Among persons 6+ in Nielsen Audio’s September 2022 San Francisco sweep, KGO “810 AM” was up two-tenths from August 2022 (1.5 – 1.7, #21 to #20). In San Jose, KGO registers its fourth straight uptick for a combined +1.0 (1.7 – 2.0 – 2.2 – 2.6 – 2.7, 6+) and ranks #13.
Round Three of September PPMs Released. The third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s September 2022 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including: Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus. Nielsen Audio’s September 2022 sweep covered August 18 – September 14. TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his “Ratings Takeaways” from this group of 12 markets. News/talk packs a one-two punch (6+) in Salt Lake City, where iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM “Talk Radio” erupts with a +2.5 (9.1 – 11.6, 6+) to rank on top for the eighth month in succession, while Bonneville-owned KSL “News Radio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM” adds six-tenths (6.1 – 6.7, 6+), advancing from fourth to second. In addition to SLC, the format registers number one showings in Sacramento with iHeartMedia’s KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM “News 1530 AM & 93.1 FM” gaining eight-tenths (8.1 – 8.9, third to first, 6+), and in Cincinnati, where co-owned WLW “700 Cincinnati’s News Radio” – despite being off six-sixths – is on top for the seventh consecutive month (11.7 – 11.1, 6+). Meanwhile, Cox Media Group-owned WDBO “Orlando’s News Talk” dials up a +1.3 (3.7 – 5.0, 6+) and enters the top ten (#11 to #8). The largest (6+) August 2022 – September 2022 increase by any station in the 36 PPM-markets whose data has been released thus far is in Columbus, where Tegna-owned sports talk WBNS-FM logs a +2.6 (6.8 – 9.4, 6+); “97.1 FM The Fan” vaults from fourth to first. You can see Mike Kinosian’s complete “Ratings Takeaways” for this group of 12 markets (as well as the first two groups) 
Drew as guest of honor/keynote speaker. An additional supplemental live on-air auction is still to be staged. According to “Hurley in the Morning” Charity founder/chair Harry Hurley (pictured at the right with Jeff Van Drew), “It was an amazing, ‘Who’s Who’ evening, which will directly benefit many worthy non-for-profit organizations throughout New Jersey and beyond. For example, this special event will make it possible for the “Hurley in the Morning Charity” to make a $7,000 contribution [next June] to The Broadcasters Foundation of America. Jeff Van Drew arrived early and was the last to leave.” To date, The Harry Hurley charity has donated $21,000 to the Broadcasters Foundation of America.” Hurley, who does morning drive (6:00 am – 10:00 am) on Townsquare Media Atlantic City news/talk WPGG “WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM & 1450 AM,” reveals that Fox News Channel/Fox News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade will be guest of honor/keynote speaker September 29, 2023 at “our fifteenth annual Hurley in the Morning Charity Dinner and Silent Auction.”
director Brent Carl Fleshman won two first-place trophies at last week’s inaugural Tennessee Association of Broadcasting’s “Excellence Awards.” Fleshman was named “Best Local On-Air Personality” and “Best Local Talk Show” in the “Small Market Radio Division,” which consists of stations not in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.In 2016, Fleshman won the NAB Marconi Award as “Small Market Personality of the Year” and was a finalist for that award in 2019. … “Fridays with Frankie,” a limited-edition Audacy series hosted by reality show star Frankie Grande, debuted last Friday (10/7). 
Each episode will feature a different topic and will be live aired on Audacy’s digital platform at 8:00 am (ET) and replayed until 12:00 midnight (ET). The show will also air across Audacy’s Channel Q’s network of stations. … The Society of Professional Journalists names the headquarters of the Voice of America – 330 Independence Avenue SW in Washington, DC – as a Historic Site in Journalism. The Voice of America is the editorially independent international
broadcaster funded by the United States government. SPJ international community co-chair Dan Kubiske states that, “For 80 years, the Voice of America has been a source of solid and honest journalism. From its beginning in 1942, despite being a U.S. government agency, through custom, charters and law the editorial independence of VOA journalists has not wavered.”
