April 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Two
April 2023 PPM Data – Information for the April 2023 sweep has been released for Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
Nielsen Audio’s April 2023 sweep covered March 30 – April 26.
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 2023 – April 2023 (6+).
WASHINGTON, DC
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” 4.0 – 4.2, +.2 remains in seventh place.
News: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WTOP & WTLP “Washington’s Top News” 9.0 – 8.6, -.4, anchored in second-place
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJFK-FM “106.7 The Fan” (Capitals, Nationals) 2.7 – 2.5, -.2, #13 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: American University-owned WAMU 12.0 – 11.2, -.8, #1
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WAMU, 17th month in succession, 12.0 – 11.2, -.8
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WIAD (+.7)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk WAMU and classical WETA (-.8)
BOSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRKO “AM 680 The Voice Of Boston” 4.1 – 3.6, -.5, #9 to #11
News – Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WBZ-AM “News Radio 1030” 4.4 – 4.1, -.3, seventh to eighth
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group’s WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (Celtics, Bruins) 8.1 – 8.7, +.6, #1
Audacy-owned WEEI-FM “93.7 Boston’s Sports Station” (Red Sox) 2.6 – 3.5, +.9, #15 to #12
Public Radio News/Talk: Boston University’s WBUR 4.7 – 4.5, -.2, repeats in fifth-place
WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.7 – 4.2, +.5, #12 to #7
Number One 6+: sports talk WBZ-FM, fourth consecutive month, 8.1 – 8.7, +.6
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: sports talk WEEI-FM (+.6)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: classic rock WZLX; country WKLB; news/talk WRKO; and hot AC WWBX (-.6)
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 4.3 – 4.0, -.3, continues in seventh-place
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group urban AC WHQT, second straight month, 9.5 – 8.9, -.6
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: classic rock WBGG and CHR WFLC (+.5)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: urban AC WHQT and Spanish tropical WRTO (-.6)
SEATTLE
News/Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-FM “97.3 FM” 4.8 – 4.4, -.4, sixth to eighth
News: Lotus Communications’ KNWN-AM/FM “Northwest News Radio” 4.1 – 4.0, -.1, repeats in tenth-place
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-AM “710 AM ESPN Seattle” (Mariners) 3.1 – 4.7, +1.6, #14 to #7
iHeartMedia’s KJR-FM “93.3 FM Seattle’s Sports Leader” steady at 2.1, #21 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Northwest Public Radio’s KUOW 5.1 – 5.5, +.4, continues in fourth-place
Number One 6+: Audacy country KKWF, first month, 7.1 – 6.6, -.5
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: sports talk KIRO-AM (+1.6)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies KJEB (-1.3)
DETROIT
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WJR “News Talk 760 AM” 3.0 – 2.4, -.6, repeats at #14
News: Audacy-owned WWJ News Radio 950” (Pistons) 4.8 – 4.1, -.7, #9 to #12
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” (Red Wings, Tigers) 6.2 – 7.4, +1.2, third to second
WXYT-FM’s internet stream 1.8 – 2.1, +.3, #20 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Michigan-owned WUOM 2.6 – 2.3, -.3, #16 to #15
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group classic rock WCSX, first month, 6.5 – 7.5, +1.0
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: sports talk WXYT-FM (+1.2)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: CHR WKQI (-1.4)*
*Represents the largest March 2023 – April 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
PHOENIX
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFYI “News Talk 550” 3.0 – 2.5, -.5, #12 to #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KMVP-FM “98.7 Arizona’s Sports Station” (Sun, Arizona Diamondbacks) 2.3 – 2.4, +.1, #19 to #16
Public Radio News/Talk: Maricopa County Community College-owned KJZZ 6.4 – 6.1, -.3, repeats in third-place
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KESZ, first month, 7.3 – 8.1, +.8
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies KOAI (+1.8)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: news/talk KTAR-FM (-.7)
MINNEAPOLIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s WCCO “News Talk 830” (Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Twins) 3.9 – 4.5, +.6, #12 to #11
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned KTMY “My Talk 107.1” 2.8 – 2.3, -.5, #15 to #16
iHeartMedia’s KTLK-AM “Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130” 2.9 – 2.1, -.8, #14 to #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFXN “FM 100.3 K-Fan” (Minnesota Wild) 6.1 – 6.4, +.3, sixth to fourth
Public Radio News/Talk: Minnesota Public Radio’s KNOW 6.7 – 6.4, -.3, third to fourth
Number One 6+: Northwestern Media contemporary Christian KTIS-FM, first month, 6.2 – 8.5, +2.3
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: contemporary Christian KTIS-FM (+2.3)**
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: hot AC KSTP-FM (-1.0)
**Represents a tie for the largest March 2023 – April 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
SAN DIEGO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOGO “News Radio 600” 5.1 – 5.4, +.3, fourth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KWFN “97.3 The Fan” (Padres), 2.6 – 4.9, +2.3, #15 to #6
Public Radio News/Talk: San Diego State University’s KPBS 6.3 – 6.5, +.2, anchored at #2
Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies KXSN, third successive month, 7.3 – 6.7, -.6
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: sports talk KWFN (+2.3)**
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: CHR KHTS (-1.2)
**Represents a tie for the largest March 2023 – April 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
TAMPA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WHPT “102.5 The Bone – Real, Raw, Radio” (Lightning) 4.6 – 5.3, +.7, eighth to seventh
iHeartMedia-owned WFLA “News Radio 970” steady at 2.3, #18 to #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WDAE “Tampa Bay’s Sports Radio” (Rays) 1.3 – 2.1, +.8, #19 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: University of South Florida’s WUSF 3.0 – 3.1, +.1, repeats at #12
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group adult contemporary WDUV, 21th month in a row, 9.0 – 9.1, +.1
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: contemporary Christian WCIE (+.9)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: hot AC WMTX and adult contemporary WDUV’s internet stream (-.7)
DENVER
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOA “News Radio 850” (Colorado Rockies) 2.4 – 3.0, +.6, #17 to #14
KOA cluster-mate KHOW “Talk Radio 630” 2.3 – 2.2, -.1, locked at #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KKFN “104.3 The Fan” (Nuggets) 3.5 – 3.4, -.1, #12 to #11
KSE Radio Ventures’ KKSE-FM “Altitude Sports Radio 92.5” 1.6 – 1.9, +.3, #21 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Colorado Public Radio-owned KCFR 4.3 – 4.5, +.2, eighth to tenth
Number One 6+: Audacy classic rock KQMT, first month, 4.6 – 5.7, +1.1
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: classic rock KQMT (+1.1)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: country KYGO (-1.3)
BALTIMORE
News/Talk: Hearst Television’s WBAL “News Radio 1090 AM & 101.5 FM” (Orioles) 3.4 – 3.3, -.1, repeats at #12
WCBM Maryland-owned WCBM “Talk Radio AM 680” 2.0 – 1.9, -.1, #17 to #16
News: Audacy-owned business news WDCH “Bloomberg 99.1 FM” .9 – 1.2, +.3, #20 to #19
Hubbard Broadcasting’s WTOP & WTLP “Washington’s Top News” flat at 1.1, #19 to #20
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJZ-FM “Baltimore Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan” 5.5 – 4.7, -.8, fifth to seventh
Public Radio News/Talk: Your Public Radio Corporation-owned WYPR 3.9 – 4.1, +.2, steady in tenth-place
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WLIF, first month, 7.3 – 8.4, +1.1
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: rock WIYY (+2.0)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: adult hits WQSR (-1.1)
ST. LOUIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s KMOX “The Voice Of St. Louis” (Cardinals) 4.9 – 7.0, +2.1, tenth to fifth
KMOX cluster-mate KFTK “Talk 97.1 FM” 2.1 – 2.2, +.1, repeats at #16
iHeartMedia-owned KTLK-FM “104.9 The Patriot” steady at .9, #20 to #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WXOS “101 ESPN” (Blues) 3.0 – 2.6, -.4, #13 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KWMU 3.8 – 3.6, -.2, anchored at #11
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting adult hits WARH, fourth month in succession, 10.6 – 9.7, -.9
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: news/talk KMOX (+2.1)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KEZK (-1.1)
Up next: April 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