January 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four
January 2023 PPM Data – Information for the January 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
Nielsen Audio’s January 2023 sweep covered January 5 – February 1.
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 “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk: Waterloo Media Group’s KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 4.4 – 5.1, +.7, repeats in fifth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Genuine Austin Radio-owned KTXX “The Horn” flat at 2.1, #17 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas’ KUT 5.2 – 5.3, +.1, continues at #4
Number One 6+: Waterloo Media Group adult hits KBPA, first month, 8.8 – 9.9, +1.1
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: adult hits KBPA (+1.1)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KKMJ (-4.6)
RALEIGH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 10.4 – 8.3, -1.1, repeats in the runner-up slot
News: Curtis Media Group-owned WPTF “News Radio 680” 1.8, #16 (did not appear in the “Holiday” 2022 report)
Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” (Carolina Hurricanes) 3.9 – 3.1, -.8, #8 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 9.2 – 8.3, -.9, fourth to second
Number One 6+: Urban One urban AC WFXC, first month, 9.6 – 8.5, -1.1
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: country WNCB and contemporary Christian WCCE (+.4)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WRAL (-6.3)
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk: Urban One’s WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 5.7 – 7.2, +1.5, locked in third-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” (Colts) 3.3 – 3.0, -.3, repeats at #12
iHeartMedia’s WNDE “Fox Sports 1260” .4 – .7, +.3, #19 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting-owned WFYI 4.0 – 4.3, +.3, ninth to tenth
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WJJK, first month, 7.9 – 10.4, +2.5
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WJJK (+2.5)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WYXB (-7.8)
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” 8.8 – 9.6, +.8 third to first
Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Bucks) 6.2 – 7.5, +1.3, anchored in fifth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRNW “97.3 The Game” (Green Bay Packers) 1.6 – 1.7, +.1, repeats at #15
Good Karma Brands-owned WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” 1.0 – 1.1, +.1, #17 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM 3.3 – 4.5, +1.2, #11 to #7
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board’s WHAD .6 – 1.1, +.5, #21 to #16
Number One 6+: news/talk WISN, first month, 8.8 – 9.6, +.8
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: country WMIL (+2.1)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WLDB (-3.4)
NASHVILLE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” 4.9 – 6.2, +1.3, seventh to sixth
iHeartMedia-owned WLAC “Talk Radio 1510” 1.2 – 1.0, -.2, #17 to #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” (Tennessee Titans) 6.6 – 5.5, -1.1, fourth to seventh
Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” (Predators) 1.1 – 1.2, +.1, repeats at #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 2.6 – 3.8, +1.2, #13 to #10
Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult hits WCJK, first month, 8.1 – 9.3, +1.2
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WUBT (+1.5)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WJXA (-6.9)
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 4.5 – 5.0, +.5, repeats in seventh-place
iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” .5 – .4, -.1, #18 to #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (Bruins, Celtics, New England Patriots) 4.0 – 4.2, +2, locked in eighth-place
Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 2.2 – 2.5, +.3, #11 to #12
Public Radio News/Talk: WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.3 – 3.2, -.1, continues in ninth-place
Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN flat at 2.6, #10 to #11
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI, fourth month in succession, 16.9 – 10.5, -6.4
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WWBB (+1.5)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WWLI (-6.4)
NORFOLK
News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” flat at 2.8, #11 to #13
News: iHeartMedia-owned WNOH “BIN 105.3 Because Truth Matters” .8 – 1.3, +.5, repeats at #20
Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group’s WVSP “94.1 ESPN” 1.6 – 1.8, +.2, #17 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WVKL, first month, 9.0 – 10.1, +1.1
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: classic rock WAFX (+2.5)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WWDE (-6.6)
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 6.1 – 7.8 +1.7, fifth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 2.8 – 3.0, +.2, #11 to #13
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia country WQIK, first month, 7.1 – 10.0, +2.9
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: country WQIK (+2.9)*
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WEJZ (-10.0)**
*Represents the largest “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
**Represents the largest “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WJNO “News Radio 1290” 1.1 – 1.7, +.6, #13 to #11 and cluster-mate WZZR “92.1 Real Radio” flat at 1.7, #10 to #11
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” 1.0 -.9, -.1, #15 to #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WMEN “Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida” (Florida Panthers) 1.1 – .9, -.2, #13 to #14
iHeartMedia-owned WBZT “Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler” unchanged at .2, #19 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board’s WLRN 3.2 – 3.1, -.1, repeats in seventh-place and the stream of co-owned WLRN-HD2 .2, #18 (unlisted in “Holiday” 2022)
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting hot AC WRMF, first month, 7.6 – 8.2, +.6
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: contemporary Christian WAYF (+1.1)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WOLL (-1.2)
GREENSBORO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 3.2 – 3.9, +.7, locked in eighth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Wake Forest University’s WFDD 2.6 – 2.8, +.2, ninth to tenth
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 1.3 – 1.9, +.6, #13 to #14
Number One 6+: Audacy adult hits WSMW, first month, 9.8 – 12.2, +2.4
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: adult hits WSMW (+2.4)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WMAG (-9.5)
MEMPHIS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 2.6 – 3.9, +1.3, #13 to #8
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” (Grizzlies) 3.6 – 3.9, +.3, ninth to eighth and WFMS’ internet stream flat at .4, #21 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications-owned WKNO 1.1 – 1.4, +.3, #17 to #15
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WRBO, 14th successive month, 13.2 – 11.8, -1.4
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: gospel WHAL (+1.3)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WRVR (-3.5)
HARTFORD
News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” flat at 5.1, sixth to eighth
Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” steady at 1.0, #17 to #16
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WUCS “97.9 ESPN” unchanged at 2.0, #13 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications-owned WNPR flat at 5.7, fifth to seventh
New England Public Media’s WFCR steady at .4, #18 to #19 and WFCR’s internet stream .2 – .4, +.2, #20 to #19
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 36th month in a row, 15.8 – 10.9, -4.9
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Increase: CHR WKSS (+2.4)
Largest 6+ “Holiday” 2022 – January 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WRCH (-4.9)
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
Holiday 2022 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2022 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” began at 6:00 this morning (Wednesday, 10/12). The 65-year-old McGuirk passed away last Wednesday (10/5) from prostate cancer. For the past four and a half years, he and Sid Rosenberg co-hosted “Bernie & Sid in the Morning.” According to Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis, who purchased WABC two years ago, “We are airing this all-day tribute to honor our friend and colleague, who loved New York, radio, and his listeners. We’ll have the opportunity to bid farewell to a wonderful man who reached WABC radio listeners around the world every morning 
with his unique take on the news.” Red Apple Media/WABC radio president Chad Lopez notes, “Bernie’s observations and analysis of world and local news and politics were not only insightful – they were authentic. His brilliant mind, combined with that New York attitude, [gave] listeners what they wanted – the truth; we will miss him.” News anchor/air personality Charles McCord worked with McGuirk during their years together on “(Don) Imus in the Morning” and will appear this morning in the 9:00 hour. Among others scheduled to be part of the tribute are: New York City mayor Eric Adams; comedian/longtime “Imus” cast member Rob Bartlett; sports talk host Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo; former “Imus In The Morning” sports personality Warner Wolf; NBA play-by-play announcer Mike Breen; actor/author Chazz Palminteri; Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean; and WABC host Bill O’Reilly. McGuirk joined WABC in 2007 as “Imus in the Morning” producer/on-air contributor. He’d previously been with Imus at New York’s WNBC and WFAN. In 2016, WABC teamed McGuirk and Rosenberg in mid-days (10:00 am – 12:00 noon), before boosting them to morning drive. Rosenberg reflected on McGuirk with TALKERS founder Michael Harrison. Listen to their conversation by clicking 
Round Four of August PPMs Released. The fourth round of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s September 2022 PPM survey has been released for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford. Nielsen Audio’s September 2022 sweep covered August 18 – September 14. TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his “Ratings Takeaways” from this group of markets. Three news/talk outlets are included in West Palm Beach’s top twenty (6+). A four-tenths improvement from August 2022 by iHeartMedia’s WZZR (1.8 – 2.2, 6+) coupled with co-owned WJNO’s half-share dip (1.8 – 1.3, 6+) results in “92.1 Real Radio” (ninth to eighth) overtaking “News Radio 1290” (#9 to #11). Also in that Florida market’s mix is Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850,” which drops two-tenths (1.1 – .9, #13 to #14, 6+). Although they only yield a combined 5.0 (6+), four Hartford news/talk stations crack the top twenty. Leading that group is Audacy’s WTIC-AM, although “News Talk 1080” logs a full-share deficit from August (4.6 – 3.6, 6+), slipping from eighth to ninth; its internet stream is unchanged in share and market rank (.2 and #20, respectively). Meanwhile, Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” picks up two-tenths (.8 – 1.0, #15 to #14, 6+) and iHeartMedia’s WPOP “News Radio 1410 AM & 100.9 FM,” which had been unlisted since April, resurfaces with a .2, (#20, 6+). See Mike Kinosian’s complete “Ratings Takeaways” from this group of markets (as well as the first three groups) 
the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee, a case that was chronicled in the first season of the podcast “Serial.” Laura Nirider, co-director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, tweeted, “After the latest round of DNA testing generated results that, like previous rounds of testing, excluded Adnan Syed, he has now been formally exonerated.” A Baltimore judge last month overturned Syed’s murder conviction and ordered him released from prison, where the 41-year-old had spent more than two decades. Circuit judge Melissa Phinn gave prosecutors 30 days in which to decide whether to retry Syed or drop the charges. Syed captured the attention of millions in 2014 when the debut season of “Serial” focused on the case and raised doubts about some of the evidence, including cellphone tower data. Syed served more than 20 years in prison for strangling the 18-year-old Lee. Her body was found weeks later buried in a Baltimore park. More than a decade later, “Serial” revealed little-known evidence and attracted millions of listeners, shattering podcast-streaming and downloading records. Prosecutors failed to tell Syed’s defense attorneys about evidence that would have allowed him to defend himself, including details that established two other people had threatened Lee’s life. In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, the state’s attorney for Baltimore, Marilyn Mosby, said that recently tested DNA completely exculpated Syed from the crime. She declined to say if any other known suspects may be implicated in the recent DNA testing, saying that the investigation is ongoing.
comments, “As we reach more audiences, we need to rethink the way we program across multiple platforms. Jeff brings an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset – these are critical skills that will be a huge asset.” Co-founder of Okanjo and Zap2it, Rowe has worked at AOL; Journal Communications; Tribune Media; NBC; and VH1. … Three-year KDWN “The Talk of Las Vegas” program director Steve Hoffman exits the Beasley Media Group news/talk station. … College Station, Texas news/talk WTAW celebrated its 100th anniversary last Friday (10/7). The Bryan Broadcasting-owned outlet began as 
experimental station 5XB in 1914 and was officially licensed as WTAW by the Commerce Department in 1922. Vice president/general manager Ben Downs comments, “When we followed the [Rush] Limbaugh wave into talk in 1989, it was a great day for the station. We still control the 25+ demos, which isn’t bad for a 100-year-old station – even though we don’t look a day over 70.” … Attorney/Corporation For Public Broadcasting board chair Bruce Ramer will be honored tonight (Wednesday, 10/12) with CPB’s “Lifetime Achievement Award.” CPB president/chief executive officer Patricia Harrison notes, “Bruce Ramer’s award is in recognition of his extraordinary leadership and guidance given to CPB over the nearly 14 years of his service. He led CPB’s support for innovation, interconnection, infrastructure, and access to content over many platforms. [Bruce] was committed to strengthening local, national, and international public media journalism and editorial integrity. On a meaningful level, he always advanced diversity and inclusion personally and professionally.” CPB vice chair Laura Gore Ross adds, “Bruce’s leadership has strengthened CPB and public media when we needed it most. On his watch, CPB was able to distribute $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding and $175 million in CARES Act stabilization funding to public media stations. He has provided wise counsel through thick and thin that’s been felt by all.”
radio and recording studios, a 50-seat performance space, as well as office space. SiriusXM president/chief content officer Scott Greenstein notes, “We are excited to open our Miami broadcast complex and deepen our ties in such a multicultural and entertainment-rich city. Our Miami facility will feature a world-class performance space for our special events. Its artist-first recording studios will be a destination for major stars and emerging personalities to connect with listeners.” SiriusXM’s other facilities include its New York Rockefeller Center headquarters; West Hollywood studios; and studios/offices in Washington, DC and Nashville.
yesterday (TALKERS, Monday, 10/10) WCBS-AM news director/brand manager Tim Scheld indicated in a staff memo that he’d be exiting the all-news outlet before the end of the year. A new agreement with SAG-AFTRA will allow cross-utilization of anchors and reporters for WINS and WCBS-AM. Audacy New York market president Chris Oliviero comments, “At a time when quality journalism and local reporting is so critical, it was the ideal moment to make a strong investment in our news creation and distribution capabilities. Audacy New York’s news organization, anchored by both WINS and [WCBS-AM], is the premier audio news outlet in the city. Now more than ever, we remain committed to serving our audiences as we have done so for over the last 50 years.” Mevorach states, “We are standing at the edge of an exciting new era for news in New York for our team, advertisers, and – most importantly – our listeners. [WINS and WCBS-AM] will be in more places, covering more stories, creating more original content, expanding our digital footprint, and now offering listeners a crystal-clear FM audio experience. Both brands will retain their distinct identities but will now harness resources with the single mission of better serving our communities and reaching the next generation of news consumers.” Mevorach began his career in Boston as a magazine writer/editor for The Library Scene. Lee previously was operations manager at Talk America, which rebranded to Liberty Broadcasting; became WCBS-AM’s operations coordinator in 2004; WINS’ news editor in 2010; and was promoted to assistant news director in 2012. From November 1985 – December 2005, WXRK (now WNYL) was Howard Stern’s flagship station. The station flipped from CHR “Amp Radio” to alternative in February 2017. Recording its third consecutive down trend (1.6 – 1.5 – 1.3 – 1.2, 6+), WNYL ranks #21 in Nielsen Audio’s September 2022 sweep. WINS (3.0, 6+) and WCBS-AM (2.9, 6+) rank #11 and #13, respectively.
Hockey League’s Florida Panthers is effective through the 2024 – 2025 season. As part of the deal, Florida Panthers games will be aired on sports gambling-formatted WBZT “Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler.” iHeartMedia market president Mark McCauley states, “We’re excited to partner with the Florida Panthers and provide listeners great play-by-play action on ‘1230 The Gambler.’” Meanwhile, Panthers chief revenue officer Shawn Thornton adds, “We’re excited for iHeartMedia West Palm Beach to join the Florida Panthers radio network. With the refresh of their sports radio station ‘1230 The Gambler’ this past summer, we look forward to working with the leading audio media company in America to broadcast Panthers games to our fans in Palm Beach County.” In addition to Panthers play-by-play coverage, WBZT will air a one-hour Florida Panthers weekend show. The eight-station iHeartMedia West Palm Beach cluster includes WBZT, news/talk WJNO “News Radio 1290,” and news/talk WZZR “92.1 Real Radio.”
Year” Joe Maddon and three-time “Sportswriter of the Year” Tom Verducci provide insight, commentary and discussion on the MLB postseason. According to Maddon, “We are here to tell you what we think, not what we’ve heard. No regurgitation and original thoughts are valued.” Maddon managed in the big leagues for 19 years. He famously led the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years and the Tampa Bay Rays to their first-ever World Series. Five-time Emmy Award winner Verducci is the lead baseball writer for Sports Illustrated; lead analyst/reporter for MLB Network and Fox Sports; and a member of the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame. He comments, “Like its namesake [forthcoming] book, the podcast will be full of surprises and insight. From game strategy to baseball history to leadership lessons – and maybe to some rock & roll and classic cars – we’ll cover more ground than a gold glove shortstop on the most illuminating and interesting podcast in baseball.” The podcast launched yesterday (Monday, 10/10) and will air through the World Series.
WBAL president/general manager Dan Joerres comments, “The production and broadcast of this debate on both WBAL ‘News Radio’ and WBAL-TV is an important part of our ‘Commitment 2022’ political coverage. Putting all of our broadcast and digital sources to work to bring voters across the state this gubernatorial debate is a major part of our continuing effort to help them make informed decisions on election day. The debate will be moderated by WBAL-TV anchor Jason Newton. … The first episode of ESPN’s “The CJ McCollum Show” was posted last Thursday (10/6). The guard of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans had teammate Brandon Ingram as the inaugural guest on the podcast, which will post episodes each Thursday. McCollum formerly hosted Cadence 13’s “Pull Up With CJ McCollum.” … Elsewhere in NBA-themed podcasts, Jam Street Media introduces 15-year-old Sloane Weinstein hosting the bi-weekly “Sloane Knows.” She’ll interview some of the NBA’s biggest names, including the Boston Celtics’ newly-signed Blake Griffin; free agent Dwight Howard; and former NBA players Richard Jefferson and Baron Davis.
by San Francisco public radio news/talk KQED that paved the way for the release of videotapes from the 2009 – 2010 Prop 8 trial, leading to legalization of same-sex marriage in California. Proposition 8 passed in 2008 and banned same-sex marriage in the state. The subsequent trial, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, questioned whether Prop. 8 violated the U.S. Constitution. Judge Vaughn Walker ruled in favor of the right to same-sex marriage, but said at the time that videotapes of the trial would remain sealed for 10 years. KQED “Political Breakdown” podcast co-host Scott Shafer spearheaded the effort to make the tapes public. Shafer states, “As someone who sat through the entire Prop. 8 trial, I witnessed some very dramatic and moving testimony, as well as riveting cross-examinations. I’m glad others will now get to view this important part of the historical record.” KQED chief content officer Holly Kernan notes, “If our systems work behind closed doors, with no press or public access, we have no idea how decisions are made, nor what arguments are leading to these decisions. KQED wants more sunlight on our legal system, and we will fight on behalf of the public to get that access.”
