August 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Two
August 2023 PPM Data – Information for the August 2023 sweep has been released for Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
Nielsen Audio’s August 2023 sweep covered July 20 – August 16.
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 July 2023 – August 2023 (6+).
WASHINGTON, DC
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” steady at 3.5, ninth to seventh
News: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WTOP & WTLP “Washington’s Top News” 9.1 – 9.3, +.2, anchored in the runner-up slot
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJFK-FM “106.7 The Fan” (Nationals) 2.4 – 2.6, +.2, repeats at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: American University-owned WAMU unchanged at 11.6, #1
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WAMU, 21st month in succession, flat at 11.6
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: classic rock WBIG (+.5)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian WGTS (-1.3)
BOSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRKO “AM 680 The Voice Of Boston” 3.4 – 3.5, +.1, #13 to #12
News – Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WBZ-AM “News Radio 1030” 4.5 – 4.2, -.3, seventh to eighth
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group’s WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” 4.9 – 5.6, +.7, fifth to third
Audacy-owned WEEI-FM “93.7 Boston’s Sports Station” (Red Sox) 3.5 – 3.7, +.2 #12 to #11
Public Radio News/Talk: Boston University’s WBUR 6.1 – 5.6, -.5, second to third
WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.8 – 3.9, +.1, #11 to #10
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group classic hits-oldies WROR, third month in succession, 6.2 – 6.5, +.3
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: country WBWL (+1.1)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult hits WBGB (-1.0)
MIAMI
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board-owned WLRN 3.6 – 3.9, +.3, tenth to eighth
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group urban AC WHQT, sixth straight month, 8.0 – 7.9, -.1
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLYF and country WKIS (+.7)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WFEZ (-1.1)
SEATTLE
News/Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-FM “97.3 FM” 4.9 – 4.7, -.2, fifth to seventh
News: Lotus Communications-owned KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM “Northwest News Radio” 2.3 – 2.0, -.3, #17 to #19
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KIRO-AM “710 AM ESPN Seattle” (Mariners) 4.0 – 4.7, +.7, ninth to seventh
iHeartMedia’s KJR-FM “93.3 FM Seattle’s Sports Leader” 1.6 – 2.4, +.8, #22 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Northwest Public Radio-owned KUOW 4.5 – 6.8, +2.3, seventh to second
Number One 6+: Audacy country KKWF, third straight month, 7.7 – 7.9, +.2
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: public radio news/talk KUOW (+2.3)*
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: rhythmic hot AC KHTP (-1.1)
*Represents the largest July 2023 – August 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 – and the previous 12 – PPM-markets
DETROIT
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WJR “News Talk 760 AM” 2.1 – 1.9, -.2, #17 to #16
News: Audacy-owned WWJ News Radio 950” 3.9 – 4.0, +.1, #10 to #11
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” (Tigers) 6.7 – 7.2, +.5, third to second
WXYT-FM’s internet stream 1.8 – 1.3, -.5, #18 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Michigan-owned WUOM 1.7 – 1.6, -.1, #19 to #17
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia CHR WKQI, third successive month, 9.6 – 9.2, -.4
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: country WYCD (+1.5)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: country WDRQ (-1.4)
PHOENIX
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFYI “News Talk 550” 2.9 – 3.9, +1.0, #13 to #10
Bonneville-owned KTAR-FM “News 92.3 FM” 2.7 – 3.0, +.3, repeats at #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Maricopa County Community College-owned KJZZ 6.5 – 4.1, -2.4, second to seventh
Number One 6+: Hubbard classic rock KSLX, third consecutive month, 7.8 – 7.6, -.2
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: news/talk KFYI and rock KUPD (+1.0)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk KJZZ (-2.4)**
**Represents the largest July 2023 – August 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MINNEAPOLIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s WCCO “News Talk 830” (Minnesota Twins) flat at 3.5, #13 to #14
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned KTMY “My Talk 107.1” 2.3 – 2.2, -.1, continues at #16
iHeartMedia’s KTLK-AM “Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130” unchanged at 1.3, repeats at #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFXN “FM 100.3 K-Fan” 3.8 – 4.8, +1.0, #12 to #9
Public Radio News/Talk: Minnesota Public Radio’s KNOW 6.7 – 6.2, -.5, stays in fourth-place
KNOW’s internet stream 1.2, #20 (unlisted in July 2023)
Number One 6+: Northwestern Media contemporary Christian KTIS-FM, fifth consecutive month, 11.6 – 10.7, -.9
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: sports talk KFXN (+1.0)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian KTIS-FM (-.9)
SAN DIEGO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOGO “News Radio 600” 4.6 – 4.7, +.1, eighth to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KWFN “97.3 The Fan” (Padres), 5.0 – 4.9, -.1, fifth to sixth
Public Radio News/Talk: San Diego State University’s KPBS 5.2 – 5.8, +.6, fourth to third
Number One 6+: Local Media San Diego rhythmic hot AC XHRM, first month, 6.9 – 6.6, -.3
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: regional Mexican KLNV (+1.1)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KYXY (-1.1)
TAMPA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WHPT “102.5 The Bone – Real, Raw, Radio” steady at 5.2, sixth to fifth
iHeartMedia-owned WFLA “News Radio 970” 4.1 – 4.3, +.2, tenth to eighth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WDAE “Tampa Bay’s Sports Radio” (Rays) 1.3 – 1.8, +.5 #21 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: University of South Florida’s WUSF 2.7 – 2.2, -.5, #15 to #19
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group adult contemporary WDUV, 25th month in a row, 8.1 – 7.8, -.3
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: hot AC WMTX (+.8)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian WCIE (-1.1)
DENVER
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOA “News Radio 850” (Colorado Rockies) 2.8 – 2.7, -.1, repeats at #16
KOA cluster-mate KDFD “Freedom 93.7” 1.9 – 2.0, +.1, #19 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KKFN “104.3 The Fan” 2.7 – 3.8, +1.1, #17 to #11
KSE Radio Ventures’ KKSE-FM “Altitude Sports Radio 92.5” 1.8 – 2.1, +.3, #20 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Colorado Public Radio-owned KCFR 3.7 – 4.0, +.3, #11 to #10
Number One 6+: Bonneville country KYGO, first month, 6.1 – 6.6, +.5
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: sports talk KKFN (+1.1)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: classic rock KQMT (-1.3)
BALTIMORE
News/Talk: Hearst Television’s WBAL “News Radio 1090 AM & 101.5 FM” (Orioles) 3.5 – 3.2, -.3, locked at #12
WCBM Maryland-owned WCBM “Talk Radio AM 680” 1.2 – 1.5, +.3, #19 to #18
News: Audacy-owned business news WDCH “Bloomberg 99.1 FM” 1.0 – 1.4, +.4, #21 to #19
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJZ-FM “Baltimore Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan” 3.8 – 4.4, +.6, tenth to eighth
Public Radio News/Talk: Your Public Radio Corporation-owned WYPR 4.3 – 4.4, +.1, repeats in eighth-place
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult hits WQSR, first month, unchanged at 6.7
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: sports talk WJZ-FM and urban AC WWIN-FM (+.6)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: classical WBJC (-.8)
ST. LOUIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s KMOX “The Voice Of St. Louis” (Cardinals) 5.5 – 5.9, +.4, eighth to sixth
KMOX cluster-mate KFTK “Talk 97.1 FM” 1.9 – 1.8, -.1, #15 to #16
iHeartMedia-owned KTLK-FM “104.9 The Patriot” .7 – .9, +.2, #21 to #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WXOS “101 ESPN” 1.7 – 2.4, +.7, #16 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KWMU 3.9 – 3.6, -.3, repeats at #12
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting adult hits WARH, eighth month in a row, 11.4 – 10.3, -1.1
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: sports talk WXOS (+.7)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: country WIL (-1.4)
Up next: August 2023 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

August 2023 PPM Data – Information for the August 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).
with CMG in 2016 as a developmental marketing intern. She served on the community affairs department at WFTV-TV and as a digital campaign specialist and digital sales specialist for CMG Orlando. Director of sales Ashley Williams says, “I couldn’t be more excited about Kaylee returning to our team. Her digital acumen and experience will increase the value and results we deliver for our clients. Additionally, she’s a servant leader who cares deeply, making her the perfect fit for our team.”
July 2023 PPM Data – Information for the July 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
July 2023 PPM Data – Information for the July 2023 sweep has been released for Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
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.
June 2023 PPM Data – Information for the June 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
June 2023 PPM Data – Information for the June 2023 sweep has been released for Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
talk hosts he might be able to beat in a cage match, used the recently published 2023 TALKERS Heavy Hundred to muse over potential opponents. Kaye – ranked #81 on this year’s Heavy Hundred – says he’s pretty sure Sean Hannity (#1 on the Heavy Hundred) would kill him.
May 2023 PPM Data – Information for the May 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
May 2023 PPM Data – Information for the May 2023 sweep has been released for Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
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).
was stepping back from his duties, that allowed the station to use internal research to consider the best options to tweak its programming. That resulted in the station naming longtime station reporter and anchor Chris Chandler the new morning host, swapping late morning and afternoon hosts Mark Arum and Eric Von Haessler, and making Shelley Wynter solo host in evenings and giving his former co-host MalaniKai Massey her own Saturday night program. Charles says, “I feel very comfortable that we’ve got the right people in the right slots. We are set to grow our success.”
April 2023 PPM Data – Information for the April 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
be trusted, picking up the 2022 Personality of the Year Award from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters earlier this month.” Station director of branding and programming Levi May comments, “Skyler is a Tulsa native and understands the landscape of our community and offers a unique perspective that you won’t find anywhere else. KRMG is dedicated to covering our community and this move shows our listeners that we follow through with our ongoing commitment to be their go-to for all things local.” Cooper adds, “I’m thrilled to expand our local news programming in the afternoons. Our listeners told us they wanted a change and we listened. We’ll keep the same news, weather, traffic, and talk that our listeners already enjoy, we’ll just be starting earlier!”
embrace the positive impact it will have on our community. With more time to share his insightful perspective and engaging personality, Joe will continue to uplift, connect, and strengthen the bonds that make our community thrive.” Kelley comments, “I’m really excited about the opportunity given to me by WDBO to help lead on-air discussions about such vital issues during such unstable times. Instead of talking points, I’ll just bring my natural curiosity about issues and life. Instead of screaming and yelling, I’ll engage our great listeners in compelling discussion about the day’s events. Instead of calling people names, I’ll welcome all opinions and ideas equally. Most importantly, I want ‘The Joe Kelley Show’ to be fun, interesting and easy-to-listen-to.”
30 years as the first female co-anchor of ‘Atlanta’s Morning News.’ With a little back-of-the-envelope math, I calculate I’ve written more than 300,000 stories over those three decades. Now it’s time for me to write a new chapter.” Station news director Amanda Moyer comments, “Marcy has been a leader and an example in our newsroom for more than three decades. Her recent Gracie award win is the perfect cap to her long tenure at WSB as the first, and to this day, the only female lead news anchor on ‘Atlanta’s Morning News.’ She will be deeply missed, but our loss is her granddaughter’s gain.”
March 2023 PPM Data – Information for the March 2023 ratings period has been released for 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.
the same time, the station moves host Mark Arum (center) from afternoon drive to the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon daypart and “The Von Haessler Doctrine” hosted by Eric Von Haessler (right) shifts to the 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm slot. Station director of branding and programming Ken Charles comments, “‘95.5 WSB’ has such a deep roster of talent, and I’m excited to promote Chris to this new role. As part of the process, we took the time to examine the entire station lineup. Additionally, we asked our audience what they expected from WSB. These changes reflect those expectations and leverage our local stars to position the station for the future.” About his new role, Chander says, “It is the honor of a career to step into one of the great heritage radio news programs in the country. Scott Slade can’t be replaced, but I’m committed to maintaining the integrity, consistency, and fairness he brought ‘Atlanta’s Morning News’ over his legendary run.”
working with clients in the Atlanta, Athens and Jacksonville markets. CMG VP of national sales Jodi Rainey comments, “We are thrilled to have Andrea join our team. Her expertise and leadership will be instrumental in driving growth and innovation across our national sales efforts.” Clay says. “I am honored to join the team at CMG and look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success. I am excited to work with CMG’s talented national sales team and partner to deliver results for our clients.”
sales leadership and has produced consistent share growth and exceeded revenue goals across multiple CMG markets.” CMG Radio EVP Rob Babin comments, “Jodi is an outstanding leader and strategic thinker, and she’s passionate about delivering results for our clients. She has a deep understanding of our business and our clients, and I’m confident she’ll continue to deliver exceptional results while leading our national sales team.” Rainey says, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with an already successful team that includes talented and experienced leaders. We’ll continue to be laser-focused on delivering results for our clients, creating growth for CMG, and positively impacting the listeners and communities across our markets.”