Holiday 2022 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2022 sweep has been released for Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
Nielsen Audio’s Holiday 2022 sweep covered December 8 (2022) – January 4 (2023).
TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.
Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.
All comparisons noted are December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 (6+).
WASHINGTON, DC
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” 3.5 – 3.4, -.1, eighth to seventh
News: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WTOP & WTLP “Washington’s Top News” 8.6 – 7.8, -.8, repeats in third-place
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJFK-FM “106.7 The Fan” (Capitals) 2.8 – 2.7, -.1, flat at #14 and WJFK-FM’s internet stream .7 – 1.0, +.3, #21 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: American University-owned WAMU 11.5 – 11.3, -.2, #1
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WAMU, 13th month in succession, 11.5 – 11.3, -.2
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WASH (+2.0)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease (Tie): country WMZQ and classic hits-oldies WIAD (-1.0)
BOSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRKO “AM 680 The Voice Of Boston” 2.7 – 2.8, +.1, #14 to #13
News – Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WBZ-AM “News Radio 1030” 4.7 – 4.8, +.1, fifth to sixth
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group’s WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (Celtics, Bruins, and New England Patriots) 8.5 – 8.0, -.5, repeats in the runner-up slot
Audacy-owned WEEI-FM “93.7 Boston’s Sports Station” 4.7 – 4.6, -.1, fifth to seventh
Public Radio News/Talk: Boston University’s WBUR 4.2 – 4.6, +.4, eighth to seventh
WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 4.0 – 3.4, -.6, continues in ninth-place
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WMJX, second month in a row, 9.7 – 12.5, +2.8
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WMJX (+2.8)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease (Tie): classic hits-oldies WROR and CHR WXKS-FM (-.8)
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 2.9 – 3.1, +.2, #14 to #13
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group urban AC WHQT, first month, 8.0 – 8.9, +.9
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: urban AC WHQT (+.9)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: adult contemporary WFEZ (-1.2)
SEATTLE
News/Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-FM “97.3 FM” (Seahawks) 6.6 – 5.5, -1.1, second to third
News: Lotus Communications’ KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM “Northwest News Radio” 5.2 – 5.5, +.3, fifth to third
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-AM “710 AM ESPN Seattle” (Seahawks) 3.8 – 3.5, -.3, #11 to #10
Public Radio News/Talk: Northwest Public Radio’s KUOW 4.6 – 4.9, +.3, repeats in sixth-place
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting adult contemporary KRWM, second month in succession, 10.0 – 11.3, +1.3
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KSWD (+2.7)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: news/talk KIRO-FM (-1.1)
DETROIT
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WJR “News Talk 760 AM” 2.5 – 2.3, -.2, flat at #15
News: Audacy-owned WWJ News Radio 950” (Pistons) 4.6 – 4.5, -.1, repeats in seventh-place
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” (Red Wings and Lions) 7.4 – 7.6, +.2, continues in the runner-up slot and WXYT-FM’s internet stream 2.0 – 2.2, +.2, #18 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Michigan-owned WUOM 2.4 – 2.2, -.2, #17 to #16
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WNIC, second month in a row, 11.7 – 15.7, +4.0
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WNIC (+4.0)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: rock WRIF (-1.0)
PHOENIX
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFYI “News Talk 550” 3.5 – 3.3, -.2, repeats in eighth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Maricopa County Community College-owned KJZZ 7.8 – 8.1, +.3, continues in the runner-up slot
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KESZ, second consecutive month, 11.3 – 16.7, +5.4
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KESZ (+5.4)*
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: sports talk KMVP-FM (-1.1)
*Represents a tie for the largest December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MINNEAPOLIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s WCCO “News Talk 830” (Minnesota Timberwolves) 4.0 – 3.7, -.3, anchored at #12
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned KTMY “My Talk 107.1” 2.9 – 3.1, +.2, steady at #14
iHeartMedia’s KTLK-AM “Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130” 2.7 – 2.0, -.7, flat at #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFXN “FM 100.3 K-Fan” (Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Vikings) unchanged at 7.5, repeats in the runner-up slot
Public Radio News/Talk: Minnesota Public Radio’s KNOW 6.7 – 6.3, -.4, third to fourth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KQQL, second straight month, 11.4 – 15.0, +3.6
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: classic hits-oldies KQQL (+3.6)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: adult hits KZJK (-1.4)
SAN DIEGO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOGO “News Radio 600” 4.6 – 5.4, +.8, sixth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KGB-AM “San Diego Sports 760” .8 – 1.0, +.2, #21 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: San Diego State University’s KPBS 6.5 – 5.5, -1.0, third to fourth
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary KYXY, second month in a row, 8.3 – 13.6, +5.3
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KYXY (+5.3)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: adult hits KFBG (-2.2)
TAMPA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WHPT “102.5 The Bone – Real, Raw, Radio” (Lightning) 4.8 – 3.7, -1.1, #7 to #12
iHeartMedia-owned WFLA “News Radio 970” steady at 2.2, #18 to #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WDAE “Tampa Bay’s Sports Radio” 1.9 – 1.5, -.4, anchored at #19
Public Radio News/Talk: University of South Florida’s WUSF unchanged at 2.6, #17 to #15
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group adult contemporary WDUV, 17th month in a row, 8.1 – 11.4, +3.3
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WDUV (+3.3)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: news/talk WHPT (-1.1)
DENVER
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KOA “News Radio 850” (Broncos) steady at 2.4, #17 to #16 and cluster-mate KHOW “Talk Radio 630” 1.8 – 1.5, -.3, #19 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KKFN “104.3 The Fan” (Nuggets) 3.4 – 4.0, +.6, #11 to #7
Public Radio News/Talk: Colorado Public Radio-owned KCFR 4.0 – 3.6, -.4, #8 to #11
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOSI, third consecutive month, 9.8 – 14.4, +4.6
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KOSI (+4.6)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: hot AC KALC (-2.0)
BALTIMORE
News/Talk: Hearst Television’s WBAL “News Radio 1090 AM & 101.5 FM” (Ravens) 3.5 – 3.6, +.1, ninth to tenth
WCBM Maryland-owned WCBM “Talk Radio AM 680” steady at 1.6, locked at #17
Cumulus Media-owned WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” .4 – .6, +.2, #25 to #20
News: Audacy-owned business news WDCH “Bloomberg 99.1 FM”.7 – .6, -.1, flat at #20
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJZ-FM “Baltimore Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan” 4.6 – 4.3, -.3, seventh to sixth
Public Radio News/Talk: Your Public Radio Corporation-owned WYPR 3.1 – 2.9, -.2, #11 to #12
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WLIF, fifth consecutive month, 11.8 – 14.5, +2.7
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WLIF (+2.7)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: adult hits WQSR (-2.5)**
**Represents the largest December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
ST. LOUIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s KMOX “The Voice Of St. Louis” 4.0 – 4.4, +.4, #12 to #9 and cluster-mate KFTK “Talk 97.1 FM” 1.6 – 1.4, -.2, #16 to #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WXOS “101 ESPN” (Blues) 4.2 – 3.7, -.5, flat at #11
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KWMU 4.3 – 3.6, -.7, #10 to #13
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary KEZK, first month, 9.4 – 14.8, +5.4
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KEZK (+5.4)*
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: rock KSHE (-1.3)
*Represents a tie for the largest December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
Up next: “Holiday” 2022 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
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Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian does a deep-dive into the recent performances of the news/talk format during Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” PPM ratings period. He writes, “Last week, we recapped how all-news stations have recently performed in (volatile) ‘Holiday’ survey periods. As a companion piece, the data summarizes ratings performances of news/talk stations in the two most recent ‘Holiday’ sweeps.” See the full story here.
Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian does a deep-dive into the recent performances of the all-news format during Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” PPM ratings period. He writes, “Ever since Arbitron (now Nielsen Audio) instituted the Portable People Meter as ratings currency in 2007, the ‘Holiday’ ratings period has been a veritable goldmine for stations employing the wall-to-wall Christmas music programming strategy. Adult contemporary comprises the overwhelming majority of those outlets. Usually substantial, however, is the negative impact on many other formats in ‘Holiday’ sweeps.”