Ratings Takeaways

October 2023 PPM Ratings – Part One

imOctober 2023 PPM Data – Information for the October 2023 ratings period (September 14 – October 11) has been released for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

Comparisons are September 2023 – October 2023 (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.4 – 3.1, #11 – #11

WOR 1.2 – 1.2, #22 – #23

WKXW .7 – .8, #24 – #25

WKXW Stream .2 – .3, #41 – #37

WLIR-FM .0 – .0, DNA – DNA

News

WINS-FM 4.6 – 4.3, #7 – #7

WCBS-AM 2.5 – 2.3, #13 – #15

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .4, #32 – #34

Business News WBBR .3 – .4, #35 – #34

WCBS-AM Stream .3 – .2, #35 – #40

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 3.1 – 2.9, #12 -#13 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.1 – 1.4 #23 – #21 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .7 – .9, #24 -#24 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 3.6 – 4.4, #10 – #6

WNYC-AM 1.4 – 1.3, #21 – #22

Note: Public radio news/talk WNYC-FM’s +.8 (3.6 – 4.4) ties contemporary Christian WPLJ for the market’s greatest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+).

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 4.8 – 4.5, #4 – #5

KEIB .7 – .8, #32 – #32  (Clippers)

KRLA .6 – .6, #34 – #33

News

KNX-FM 3.7 – 3.3, #8 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .1 – .1, #43 – #39

Sports Talk

KLAC 1.6 – 1.3, #26 – #27 (Chargers, Clippers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.1 – 2.5, #20 – #13

Flagship of the Rams and Lakers is sports talk KSPN, which is unlisted in this sweep.

Kings’ games are heard on the iHeartRadio app, while games of the Anaheim Ducks are heard on the Ducks stream.

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.4 – 3.6, #8 – #8  (Blackhawks)

WLS-AM 1.4 – 1.5, #23 – #24

WLIP .3 – .3, #37 – #37

WVON .1 – .0, #44 – DNA

WLS-AM Stream .0 – .0, DNA – DNA

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 4.9 – 5.6, #3 – #3

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .2 – .1, #42 – #45

Sports Talk

WSCR 3.2 – 2.5, #11 – #14 (Bulls)

WMVP 1.4 – 1.6, #23 – #22 (Bears)

WSCR Stream .7 – .3, #28 – #37  (Bulls)

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 3.0 – 3.2, #13 – #12  

Note: Sports talk WSCR’s -.7 (3.2 – 2.5) is the market’s greatest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease (6+).

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 2.0 – 1.6, #16 – #20

KSFO Stream .3 – .4, #29 – #28

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 7.1 – 6.6, #2 – #2

KNEW .1 – .2, #33 – #32  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .1 – .1, #33 – #36

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.7 – 3.2, #7 – #11 (49ers)

KGMZ 1.5 – 1.8, #22 – #18   (Golden State Warriors)

KTCT .2 – .3, #30 – #29  

KGO .1 – .3, #33 – #29  

KGO Stream .2 – .2, #30 – #32  

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 5.3 – 5.3, #3 – #3

KALW .2 – .3, #30 – #29

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 4.6 – 4.5, #5 – #4

KEGL 1.5 – 1.4, #26 – #27  (Mavericks)

KSKY .5 – .6, #35 – #33

KLIF-AM .6 – .4, #34 – #37

KSKY Stream .1 – .0, #42 – #DNA

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.8 – 2.1, #22 – #21 (Cowboys)

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream .0 – .0, DNA – DNA (Cowboys)

Sports Talk

KTCK 4.7 – 4.7, #3 – #3  (Stars)

KRLD-FM 2.9 – 3.6, #15 – #10 (Cowboys)

KRLD-FM Stream .1 – .2, #42 – #38 (Cowboys)

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 2.7 – 2.4, #16 – #18

Note: Sports talk KRLD-FM’s +.7 (2.9 – 3.6) is the market’s greatest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+).

HOUSTON

News/Talk

KTRH 3.7 – 4.0, #12 – #9  (Rockets)

KPRC .9 – .9, #27 – #26  

News

None

Sports Talk

KBME 1.9 – 1.5, #22 – #22  (Rockets)

KILT-AM 1.3 – 1.5, #25 – #22 (Texans)

KFNC .2 – .3, #30 – #29

KILT-AM Stream .1 – .2, #34 – #31 (Texans)

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 2.2 – 1.8, #18 – #21

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.3 – 8.1, #3 – #2

WFOM .4 – .4, #29 – #30

WGKA .3 – .3, #31 – #32

WSRV-HD3 Stream .0 – .2, DNA – #33

WAOK .1 – .1, #36 – #37

WAOK Stream .0 – .1, DNA – #37

News

WBIN  .1 – .0, #36 – #DNA

Sports Talk

WZGC 2.8 – 3.0, #14 – #14 (Falcons, Hawks)

WCNN 1.5 – 1.8, #20 – #18

WZGC Stream .3 – .6, #31 – #27 (Falcons, Hawks)

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.5 – 3.6, #12 – #10

WRAS  .7 – .6, #26 – #27

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 1.5 – 2.1, #19 – #15

WPHT Stream .3 – .5, #29 – #23

WURD .5 – .5, #23 – #23

WURD Stream .5 – .3, #26 – #25

WKXW 1.1 – DNA, #22 – DNA

WKXW Stream .1 – DNA, #35 – DNA

News

KYW & WPHI 5.8 – 5.4, #5 – #6

KYW & WPHI Stream .2 – .1, #31 – #27

Sports Talk

WIP 5.8 – 8.2, #5 – #2 (Eagles)

WIP Stream .7 – 1.5, #25 – #20 (Eagles)

WPEN-FM 1.1 – 1.2, #22 – #21 (76ers, Flyers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.6 – 3.1, #11 – #11

Note: Sports talk WIP’s +2.4 (5.8 – 8.2) is the greatest September 2023 – October 2023 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets (6+).

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 3.9 – 2.2, #8 – #18

WOR 1.1 – 1.1, #22 – #22

WLIR .2 – .2, #33 – #30

News

WINS-FM 4.0 – 3.7, #7 – #7

WCBS-AM 2.5 – 2.7, #14 – #12

WINS-FM Stream .5 – .6, #25 – #25

WCBS-AM Stream .4 – .2, #29 – #30

Business News WBBR .3 – .3, #32 – #29

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM 3.8 – 3.9 #10 – #6 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.7 – 3.0, #18 – #11 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

WFAN-FM Stream 1.2 – 1.2, #21 – #21 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .2, #33 – #30 

Note: Sports Talk WEPN-FM’s +1.3 (1.7 – 3.0) represents Nassau-Suffolk’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase.

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO .1 – .1, #22 – #24

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .4 – .5 #19 – #19

KPCC .2 – .1, #20 – #24

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.3 – 1.1, #22 – #23

KSFO Stream .2 – .2, #28 – #30  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.6 – 6.0, fourth consecutive month at #1

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .3 – .3, #27 – #29

KNEW .2 – .2, #28 – #30  

Sports Talk

KNBR 4.8 – 5.2, #4 – #5 (49ers)

KGMZ 2.2 – 2.1, #15 – #16 (Golden State Warriors)

KGO Stream .8 – 1.0, #24 – #25  

KTCT .5 – .8, #26 – #27   

KGO .2 – .6, #28 – #28  

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Sharks’ games are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION 

News/Talk

WKXW 5.2 – 6.0, #4 – #2

WKXW Stream .6 – 1.0, #22 – #19

WOR .6 – .6, #22 – #23  

News

WINS-FM 2.1 – 2.3, #13 – #11

WCBS-AM 1.2 – .9, #17 – #21

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .3, #27 – #27

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – DNA, #28 – DNA

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 4.1 – 3.4, #8 – #9 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .8 – 1.2, #20 – #17 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM .9 – 1.2, #19 – #17 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

None

Note: Sports talk WFAN’s -.7 (4.1 – 3.4) represents Middlesex-Somerset-Union’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease. 

Up next: October 2023 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

April 2022 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One

April 2022 PPM Data – Information for the April 2022 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 April 2022 sweep covered March 31 – April 27.

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 March 2022 – April 2022 (6+).

Sports-Related Notes: The MLB season began on April 7; the NBA playoffs got underway on May 1; and the NHL playoffs started on May 2.

NEW YORK

News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 3.8 – 3.6, -.2, repeats in eighth-place

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 2.6 – 2.3, -.3, #16 to #19

News: Audacy’s WINS “1010 – All News/All The Time” 4.1 – 4.2, +.1, seventh to sixth and co-owned WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 2.4 – 2.9, +.5, #18 to #13

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees and Brooklyn Nets) 3.1 – 3.5, +.4, #12 to #9

Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM 3.4 – 3.3, -.1, flat at #10

Number One 6+: Emmis urban AC WBLS, fourth consecutive month, steady at 6.5

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM (+1.1)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: adult contemporary WLTW (-.8)

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” 4.7 – 5.1, +.4, fifth to third

News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 3.9 – 3.4, -.5, seventh to eighth

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.4 – 2.1, -.3, #16 to #19

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KOST, tenth successive month, 5.5 – 5.8, +.3

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase (Tie): sports talk KLAC (Dodgers and Clippers) and Spanish classic hits-oldies KFWB (+.6)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: news KNX (-.5)

CHICAGO

News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” (Blackhawks) 3.5 – 3.1, -.4, #7 to #11

News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” 5.5 – 4.6, -.9, second to fifth

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ 5.4 – 4.8, -.6 third to fourth

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC WVAZ, fourth consecutive month, 5.8 – 6.0, +.2

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase (Tie): classic rock WDRV and hot AC WTMX (+.9)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: news WBBM-AM & WCFS (-.9)

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 2.4 – 1.9, -.5, #14 to #17

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 7.0 – 6.1, -.9, second to third

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 2.1 – 4.3, +2.2, #15 to #6

Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.’s KQED 9.0 – 7.7, -1.3, first

Number One 6+: public radio news/talk KQED, fourth straight month, 9.0 – 7.7, -1.3

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: sports talk KNBR (+2.2)*

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk KQED (-1.3)

*Represents the largest March 2022 – April 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

DALLAS

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 3.2 – 2.9, -.3, #12 to #16

News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” 2.7 – 2.1, -.6, #15 to #19

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” (Stars) 3.5 – 3.6, +.1, repeats in tenth-place

Audacy’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Rangers) 2.2 – 2.5, +.3, #18 to #17

Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA 3.8 – 3.6, -.2, ninth to tenth

Number One 6+: Univision regional Mexican KLNO, third month in a row, 6.8 – 6.1, -.7

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: regional Mexican KMVK (+1.2)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: urban contemporary KKDA-FM (-.9)

HOUSTON

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” (Astros) 4.3 – 4.2, -.1, seventh to tenth

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston-owned KUHF 2.7 – 2.4, -.3, locked on #18

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, thirteenth consecutive month, 7.5 – 6.8, -.7

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: Spanish contemporary KLOL (+1.0)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: adult contemporary KODA (-.7)

ATLANTA

News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 6.9 – 6.4, -.5, repeats in third-place

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Dickey Broadcasting-owned WCNN “The Fan” (Braves) 2.0 – 2.4, +.4, #17 to #15

Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” (Hawks) 2.0 – 2.2, +.2, #17 to #16

Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE 3.5 – 3.2, -.3, #8 to #12

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, fourth successive month, 8.1 – 7.4, -.7

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: CHR WWPW (+1.2)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WSRV (-.7)

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk: None in the top twenty

News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” 4.7 – 5.4, +.7, repeats in seventh-place

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Phillies) 3.9 – 5.2, +1.3, ninth to eighth

Beasley Media Group-owned WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” (76ers and Flyers) 2.5 – 2.4, -.1, stays at #13

WIP’s internet stream, 1.9 – 2.0, +.1, remains at #16

Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 6.9 – 5.6, -1.3, third to fourth

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC WDAS-FM, third successive month, 8.2 – 7.3, -.9

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: sports talk WIP (+1.3)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk WHYY (-1.3)

LONG ISLAND

News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 3.7 – 3.4, -.3, seventh to ninth

Red Apple Media-owned WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 2.7 – 2.0, -.7, #13 to #17

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets)” 2.7 – 3.2, +.5, #13 to #10 and cluster-mate WINS “1010 – All News/All The Time” 3.0 – 2.8, -.2, #11 to #13

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees and Brooklyn Nets) 2.6 – 3.0, +.4, #15 to #11

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM, first month, 5.2 – 5.4, +.2

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: hot AC WALK-FM (+.6)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: classic rock WAXQ (-1.5)

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, steady at .4, unchanged at #19

Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, fourth consecutive month, 7.5 – 7.6, +.1

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: hot AC KBIG (+.9)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: Spanish adult hits KLYY (-.9)

SAN JOSE

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KGO “810 AM” 1.7 – 1.8, +.1, #14 to #15 and cluster-mate KSFO “Talk Radio 560” flat at  1.8, #13 to #15

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” unchanged at 4.4, continues in fourth-place

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 1.0 – 2.9, +1.9, #23 to #8

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Empire country KRTY third straight month 10.9 – 9.3, -1.6

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: sports talk KNBR (+1.9)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: country KBAY (-2.0)**

**Represents the largest March 2022 – April 2022 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

MIDDLESEX

News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 6.8 – 6.1, -.7, first

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 1.6 – 1.8, +.2, #18 to #16

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees and Brooklyn Nets) 3.0 – 3.1, +.1, flat at #9

Emmis’ WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” .8 – 1.6, +.8, #23 to #17

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: news/talk WKXW, third month in succession, 6.8 – 6.1, -.7

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: urban contemporary WWPR (+2.0)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM (-1.4)

Up next: April 2022 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.