Industry News

WLS-AM, Chicago Celebrates 100 Years of Service

Cumulus Media news/talk WLS-AM celebrated 100 years on the air on Friday (4/12) and over the weekend. The station launched on April 12, 1924, at 6:00 pm. The station aired a two-part special hosted by Jeff Davis on Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Cumulus Chicago viceim president and market manager Marv Nyren says, “WLS is bigger than a destination on your radio dial – it’s a Chicago institution and treasure. 100 years ago, radio was simply sound communication via radio waves but there’s nothing simple about the impact of WLS on Chicago. WLS has been a neighbor, a friend, and a mentor for people in Chicagoland. It’s been a place where people can go for entertainment and information – and it’s been a companion to the biggest moments in history. We are excited to usher in WLS-AM’s next 100 years with Chicago’s best audio content on-air, online, on-demand, and onsite.”

Industry News

White House Accuses WBT, Charlotte of Manufacturing Controversy

According to a report in The Daily Beast, the White House is saying that Urban One’s WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte is “ginning up controversy” by claiming Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre hung up on newsim director Mark Garrison after he asked if President Joe Biden suffers from dementia. Garrison did ask Jean-Pierre that question and she responded, “Mark, I can’t even believe you’re asking me this question. That is an incredibly offensive question to ask.” Then, after presenting the president’s accomplishments, Jean-Pierre thanked Garrison and ended the call. The White House says WBT was given seven minutes as part of Jean-Pierre’s media schedule and that she ended the interview at that time. The White House also suggested that the station employed a bit of theater by adding a dial-tone sound effect to the end of the interview that its phones don’t make after a call ends. Read the Daily Beast story here.

Industry News

Bold Gold Media Group Unveils Bold Gold Studios

Bold Gold Media Group announces the grand opening of Bold Gold Studios – a brand-new, state-of-the-art audio and video podcast and recording studio located in the newly renovated historic Liberty Theater, on Main Street in Liberty, New York. The company says that in addition to providing interested podcasters and content creators a place to make their audio and video magic, this studio will also serveim as a satellite radio studio for Bold Gold Media’s four local broadcast radio stations, including news/talk WVOS-AM/W223DB “Catskills News Talk 92.5 & 94.9.”  Bold Gold Studios will be available for lease opportunities, and offers brand new professional audio and video recording gear, with experts available to assist in recording, producing, and even marketing branded multi-media podcast or A/V productions. The company will hold a grand opening celebration on April 19. Bold Gold New York general manager Dawn Ciorciari says, “We are grateful to Bruce Davidson at the Liberty Theater for partnering with Bold Gold Media to create and manage this state-of-the-art studio in his historic building.  This studio will extend Bold Gold Media’s reach in Sullivan and the Catskills and serve as a new professional space for audio and video content creators.”

Industry News

WPHT, Philadelphia Raises $109k for Veterans Charity

im

Pictured above is the staff of Audacy’s news/talk WPHT, Philadelphia at the seventh annual “Talk Radio 1210 WPHT Radiothon” last Friday (3/22) that raised more than $109,000 for the Travis Manion Foundation which supports “programs, training opportunities, and events designed to empower veterans and families of the fallen and then inspire them to pass on their values to the next generation and the community at large.” Audacy SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “Our WPHT listeners and advertisers are extremely passionate and generous, and we are so grateful for their contributions. Audacy Philadelphia is a strong supporter of the Travis Manion Foundation and the great work they do for veterans in our local community.”

Industry News

Talk Host Dan Parsons Exits KLIN-AM, Lincoln, Nebraska

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Dan Parsons exits NRG Media’s news/talk KLIN-AM, Lincoln, Nebraska after just 10 months. Parsons hosted the 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm hour between Premiere’s “Seanim Hannity Show” and the “Sports Nightly” program. KLIN general manager Ami Graham tells the paper that Parsons was not terminated for cause, “We’ve just chosen to go in a different direction.” For his part, Parsons tells the Journal Star that “he tried cutting against the grain by hosting a talk radio show that stressed ‘lifting up instead of tearing down — and truth over tribalism. I thought we were taking radio in a different direction.’” Read the Journal Star story here.

Industry News

Audacy Names Tatjana Deegan VP of Sales in Austin

Audacy announces the appointment of Tatjana Deegan as VP of sales for the Austin, Texas cluster that includes news/talk KJCE-AM and three music brands. Audacy regional president Doug Abernethy says,im “It’s much better working with Tatjana than against her. She is a powerhouse seller and a dependable colleague. Audacy’s Austin sales team is set to have a successful future with her influence.” Deegan comments, “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the incredibly talented sales team at Audacy in Austin under the leadership of Doug. For the second time in my career, I am eager to learn from him and cannot wait to bring everything I’ve got to the table!”

Industry News

Round Four of February PPMs Released

imThe fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Austin, Waterloo Media’s news/talk KLBJ-AM drops six-tenths to finish with a 5.1 share (6+, weekly AQH share) but remains ranked #5, while Audacy’s news/talk KJCE-AM rises two-tenths for a 0.3 share and stays ranked #28. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM rises half a share to finish with an 8.0 share that lifts it to the #3 rank, while Curtis Media’s news/talk WPTF loses two-tenths for a 0.8 share finish good for the #19 rank. In Nashville, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM tacks on three-tenths to wrap the survey with a 5.7 share and inches up to the #5 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLAC is steady with a 2.1 share but moves up one spot to the #17 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Round Three of February PPMs Released

imThe third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. The survey period covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM slips one-tenth to finish with a 6.9 share (6+, weekly AHQ share) but remains ranked #2 in the market, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk KEX-AM adds three-tenths for a 1.5 share finish good for the #21 rank. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOAI sheds three-tenths to finish with a 2.7 share and falls one spot to the #14 rank, while Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA is steady at a 2.3 share but rises two spots to the #16 rank. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville’s news/talk KSL-AM/FM rises nine-tenths for a 6.4 share finish but remains ranked #2, while iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM/FM dips four-tenths to a 3.1 share but stays put at the #13 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

February 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three

imFebruary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the February 2024 ratings period (February 1 – February 28) has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.

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

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are January 2024 – February 2024 (6+).

PORTLAND

News/Talk

KXL 7.0 – 6.9, #2 – #2

KEX 1.2 – 1.5, #22 – #21

KUFO .5 – .8, #26 – #24

KPAM .1 – .1, #32 – #34

News

None

Sports Talk

KFXX 1.6 – 1.6, #19 – #20

KXTG 1.9 – 1.2, #18 – #22

KPOJ .6 – .6, #25 – #26 (Trailblazers)

KMTT .1 – .1, #32 – #34

KFXX Stream  .1 – DNA, #32 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KOPB 6.0 – 5.1, #4 – #4

KOPB Stream  1.2 – 1.0, #22 – #23

CHARLOTTE

News/Talk

WBT-AM 4.3– 4.6, #10 – #8

News

WRFX-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WFNZ-FM 3.3 – 3.4, #13 – #14 (Hornets)

WSOC-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFAE 5.7 – 4.9, #5 – #6

WNSC 1.2 – .8, #18 – #18

WFAE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

SAN ANTONIO

News/Talk

WOAI 3.0– 2.7, #13 – #14 (Spurs)

KTSA 2.3 – 2.3, #18 – #16

News

None

Sports Talk

KTFM 1.5 – .9, #21 – #25

KTKR .8 – .5, #26 – #30

KZDC .3 – .3, #35 – #33

Public Radio News/Talk

KSTX 2.9 – 2.3, #14 – #16 

SACRAMENTO

News/Talk

KFBK-AM 7.6 – 7.3 #3 – #3

KSTE-AM 3.5 – 2.9, #9 – #12

News

None

Sports Talk

KHTK 1.9 – 1.4, #18 – #18 (Kings)

KIFM .9 – .9, #25 – #23

KIFM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

KXJZ 2.8 – 2.8, #14 – #13

KQEI .3 – .3, #28 – #27

KQED .3 – .1, #28 – #29

KUOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

PITTSBURGH

News/Talk

KDKA-AM 4.3 – 4.5, #9 – #9

KDKA-AM Stream  .4 – .3, #21 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

KDKA-FM 8.3 – 7.6, #3 – #3

KDKA-FM Stream  .4 – .6, #21 – #19

WBGG DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WESA 5.5 – 5.2, #6 – #8

SALT LAKE CITY

News/Talk

KSL-AM 5.5 – 6.4, #3 – #3

KNRS-FM 3.5 – 3.1, #13 – #13

KKAT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KALL .8 – .8, #24 – #23

KZNS-FM .7 – .7, #25 – #24 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM .4 – .1, #27 – #28 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM Stream  .1 – .1, #28 – #28 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-FM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Utah Jazz)

KOVO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUER 3.6 – 2.8, #11 – #15

KBYU-HD2 Stream  .1 – .3, #28 – #27

KUMT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA    

LAS VEGAS

News/Talk

KMXB-HD3 .8 – .9, #28 – #26

KXNT .3 – .6, #32 – #29

KXNT Stream .1 – .1, #35 – #36

KMZQ .1 – DNA, #35 – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KWWN .9 – .6, #26 – #29

KKGK .5 – .3, #29 – #32 (Golden Knights)

KRLV .3 – .2, #32 – #34

KENO .1 – DNA, #35 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KNPR 1.4 – 1.6, #24 – #22

ORLANDO

News/Talk

WTKS 4.3 – 5.0, #10 – #7

WDBO 3.5 – 3.1, #13 – #13

WFLF .6 – .8, #21 – #19

WFYY-HD3 DNA – .3, DNA – #24

News

None

Sports Talk

WYGM 1.0 – .8, #19 – #19 (Magic)

WOCL-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WMFE 3.4 – 2.4, #14 – #14

CINCINNATI

News/Talk

WLW 12.1 – 10.2, #1 – #2

WKRC 6.1 – 6.1, #5 – #5

News

None

Sports Talk

WCKY 1.5 – 1.1, #18 – #19

WSAI .7 – .6, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WVXU 3.8 – 3.1, #8 – #10   

Note: News/talk WLW’s -1.9 (12.1 – 10.2) represents Cincinnati’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

CLEVELAND

News/Talk

WTAM 5.6 – 5.8, #10 – #9 (Cavaliers)

News

WMMS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WKRK 5.9 – 3.7, #8 – #11

WKRK Stream .9 – .4, #19 – #21

WARF .2 – .2, #22 – #22

Public Radio News/Talk

WKSU 6.1 – 6.4, #7 – #6

WKSU-HD4 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

Note: Sports/talk WKRK’s -2.2 (5.9 – 3.7) is the largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

KANSAS CITY

News/Talk

KMBZ-FM 5.0 – 4.4, #4 – #6

KCMO-AM 2.2 – 2.3, #15 – #14

KMBZ-AM 1.7 – 1.8, #17 – #17

KMBZ-FM Stream 1.0 – .8, #21 – #22

KCMO-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KMBZ-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KCSP 3.1 – 3.0, #14 – #12

KCSP Stream  .2 – .3, #27 – #25

KWOD .1 – .1, #29 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

KCUR 3.2 – 2.9, #12 – #13

KANU-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

COLUMBUS

News/Talk

WTVN 5.2 – 5.3, #7 – #7    

News

WYTS DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WBNS-FM 7.8 – 7.2, #2 – #2 (Blue Jackets)

WBNS-AM .3 – .3, #21 #21 (Blue Jackets)

WMNI .1 – .1, #22 – #22

WBNS-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WOSU 4.7 – 5.6, #8 – #6

Up next: February 2024 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.

Reach Mike Kinosian at: Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Round Two of February PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM is steady at a 4.5 share (6+, weekly AQH share) and remains ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM, sheds seven-tenths for a 7.6 share but stays ranked #2 in the market. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO adds four-tenths to finish with a 3.2 share that lifts it to the #13 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-FM rises three-tenths for a 4.9 share but remains ranked #6. In Detroit, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR tacks on four-tenths to finish the survey with a 2.5 share and moves up to the #14 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WWJ loses three-tenths, wrapping the survey with a 5.3 share and falling one spot to the #9 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

February 2024 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imFebruary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the February 2024 ratings period (February 1 – February 28) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

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

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are January 2024 – February 2024 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.5 – 4.5, #7 – #7

WFED .1 – .1, #29 – #30 (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 8.3 – 7.6, #2 – #2

WDCH .6 – .7, #23 – #22

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.8 – 2.3, #15 – #16 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream 1.0 – .8, #20 – #21 (Capitals)

WTEM .4 – .4, #25 – #24 (Wizards)

WTEM Stream .3 – .3, #26 – #27 (Wizards)

WJFK-AM .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA (Capitals)

WSBN .1 – .1, #29 – #30

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 12.7 – 13.0, 28th month in succession at #1 

Note: News WTOP & WTLP’s -.7 (8.3- 7.6) represents Washington, DC’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease. 

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 2.8 – 3.2, #15 – #13

WXKS-AM .7 – .8, #23 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.6 – 4.9, #6 – #6

Business news WRCA .1 – .2, #28 – #26

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 11.2 – 9.1, second straight month at #1 (Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 3.9 – 3.3, #11 – #12

WEEI-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #30

WEEI-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 6.0 – 6.1, #3 – #3

WGBH 4.2 – 4.6, #9 – #8

Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s -2.1 (11.2- 9.1) represents Boston’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.4 – 1.2, #23 – #25

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.2 – 1.2, #25 – #25 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .5 – .6, #27 – #28

WMEN .2 – .1, #33 – #36

WQAM Stream .1 – .1, #36 – #36 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 4.1 – 5.1, #6 – #5

WLRN-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #36    

Note: Public radio news/talk WLRN’s +1.0 (4.1- 5.1) represents Miami’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 increase.

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.2 – 4.1, #7 – #10

KTTH 1.9 – 1.6, #21 – #22

KVI 1.3 – 1.0, #24  – #24

KPTR DNA – .1, DNA – #28

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.6 – 2.5, #19 – #17

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KJR-FM 4.2 – 2.4, #7 – #18 (Kraken)

KIRO-AM 3.3 – 2.3, #14 – #19

KJR-AM .8 – .7, #25 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 6.9 – 7.2, #2 – #1

KSWS DNA – .1, DNA – #28

Note: Sports talk KJR-FM’s -1.8 (4.2- 2.4) represents Seattle’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease. 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.1 – 2.5, #16 – #14

WFDF .5 – .6, #23 – #22

WJR Stream .1 – .1, #29 – #29

News

WWJ 5.6 – 5.3, #8 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .4 – .4, #24 – #25 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #29 – #29

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 9.8 – 7.1, #1 – #3 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.8 – 1.1, #17 – #21 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .3 – .2, #28 – #28

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.6 – 1.8, #19 – #18

WUOM 1.1 – 1.2, #21 – #20 

Note: Sports talk WXYT-FM’s -2.7 (9.8- 7.1) is the largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decreaseby any station in the 24 PPM-markets analyzed thus far.

PHOENIX

News/Talk

KFYI 3.1 – 3.5, #10 – #9

KTAR-FM 2.6 – 2.7, #14 – #12 (Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 1.9 – 2.2, #20 – #18 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KGME .1 – .1, #31 – #34

KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #31 – #34 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 3.0 – 2.3, #11 – #15

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.7 – 4.7, #10 – #8 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 2.9 – 3.0, #14 – #14

KTLK-AM 1.8 – 2.2, #19 – #15

WCCO Stream .1 – .3, #31 – #29 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #31 – #31

Sports Talk

KFXN 7.5 – 7.1, #2 – #3 (Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .2 – .1, #27 – #31

KSTP-AM .1 – .1, #31 – #31

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 6.6 – 7.4, #4 – #2

KNOW Stream .8 – .7, #23 – #23

SAN DIEGO 

News/Talk

KOGO 4.9 – 4.6, #5 – #7

KLSD .4 – .5, #25 – #25

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 3.9 – 3.0, #10 – #16

KGB-AM .8 – .8, #21 – #21

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 6.2 – 7.3, #2 – #1 

Note: Sports talk KWFN’s -.9 (3.9- 3.0) represents San Diego’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 5.3 – 4.9, #3 – #6 (Lightning)

WFLA 4.1 – 4.2, #11 – #10

News

Business news WHNZ .1 – .2, #34 – #28

Sports Talk

WDAE 2.1– 1.7, #17 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 2.3 – 1.9, #16 – #16

WMNF-HD3 Stream .4 – .2, #26 – #28

WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 3.0 – 2.6, #14 – #17

KDFD 1.4 – 1.4, #22 – #22

KHOW 1.4 – 1.2, #22 – #24

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 4.0 – 3.7, #10 – #10

KKSE-FM 3.0 – 2.2, #14 – #18 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KAMP .1 – .1, #35 – #36

KEPN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KKSE-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 4.5 – 3.7, #7 – #10

KUNC 1.0 – 1.1, #25 – #27

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 4.3 – 3.3, #9 – #10

WCBM 1.9 – 2.0, #15 – #14

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.4 – 1.3,  #17 – #18

WDCH  .9 – .6,  #19 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 4.8 – 3.1, #6 – #12

WJZ-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 3.4 – 3.2, #12 – #11

WYPR HD2 Stream DNA – .3, DNA – #26 

Note: Sports talk WJZ-FM’s -1.7 (4.8- 3.1) represents Baltimore’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 3.7 – 2.8, #13 – #14

KFTK 2.2 – 2.1, #15 – #17

KTLK-FM 1.3 – 1.1, #18 – #18

KMOX Stream .4 – .2, #23 – #24

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #28 – #24

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .3 – .2, #25 – #24

Sports Talk

WXOS 5.7 – 5.0, #7 – #9 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 5.1 – 4.9, #9 – #10

Up next: February 2024 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.

Reach Mike Kinosian at: Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com. 

Industry News

Round One of February PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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). The February survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC adds three-tenths to finish the survey with a 3.8 share (6+, weekly AQH share) but remains ranked #11, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR loses one-tenth for a 1.6 share finish and falls to the #20 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN tacks on four-tenths to finish with a 3.5 share that lifts it to the #8 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM adds two-tenths for a 2.0 share finish and remains ranked #18. Audacy’s crosstown all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM fell eight-tenths to a 5.4 share but only regressed one spot to the #3 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

February 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One

imFebruary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the February 2024 ratings period (February 1 – February 28) 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).

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

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are January 2024 – February 2024  (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.5 – 3.8, #11 – #11

WOR 1.7 – 1.6, #17 – #20

WKXW 1.0 – 1.0, #24 – #23

WKXW Stream .3 – .3, #35 – #35

News

WINS-FM 4.7 – 4.5, #6 – #7

WCBS-AM 1.7 – 1.7, #17 – #19

WINS-FM Stream .5 – .4, #27 – #33

Business News WBBR .4 – .4, #31 – #33

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .1, #39 – #46 

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 2.7 – 2.0, #13 -#15 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .8 – .8, #25 -#25 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)   

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 4.5 – 4.7, #7 – #4

WNYC-AM 1.2 – 1.1, #22 – #22 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 5.5 – 5.4, #3 – #3

KEIB .8 – .7, #33 – #32  (Clippers)

KRLA .6 – .6, #34 – #34  

News

KNX-FM 2.8 – 3.3, #12 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .2 – .3, #39 – #37  

Sports Talk

KLAC .9 – .7, #32 – #32 (Clippers 

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.3 – 2.4, #15 – #15

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

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.1 – 3.5, #10 – #8  (Blackhawks)

WLS-AM 1.9 – 2.0, #18 – #18

WLIP .4 – .4, #35 – #34

WLS-AM Stream .1 – .1, #41 – #40

WVON .1 – .1, #41 – #40

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 6.2 – 5.4, #2  – #3

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .2 – .3, #38 – #35

Sports Talk

WSCR 3.4 – 3.1, #8 – #10 (Bulls)

WSCR Stream .6 – .3, #32 – #35 (Bulls)

WMVP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 2.7 – 2.4, #13 – #16   

Note: News WBBM-AM & WCFS’ -.8 (6.2 – 5.4) represents Chicago’s highest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.5 – 1.4, #22 – #22

KSFO Stream .3 – .3, #30 – #32

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.6 – 6.7, #3 – #3

KNEW .3 – .4, #30 – #28  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #34

KKSF DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.9 – 3.2, #6 – #9

KGMZ 2.4 – 2.1, #14 – #16 (Golden State Warriors)

KGO .2 – .1, #34 – #34  

KGO Stream .2 – .1, #34 – #34  

KTCT .2 – .1, #34 – #34  

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Golden State Warriors)      

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 7.9 – 7.6, #2 – #2

KALW .3 – .4, #32 – #28

Note: Sports talk KNBR’s -.7 (3.9 – 3.2) represents San Francisco’s highest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 3.7 – 3.3, #9 – #12

KEGL 1.2 – 1.3, #29 – #29  (Mavericks)

KSKY .6 – .8, #32 – #33

KLIF-AM .5 – .3, #33 – #38

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.7 – 1.5, #24 – #27

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News KKGM DNA – .1, DNA – #42

Sports Talk

KTCK 5.6 – 4.9, second straight month at #1 (Stars)

KRLD-FM 2.8 – 2.3, #17 – #19

KRLD-FM Stream .4 – 1.0, #35 – #30

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 4.0 – 4.0, #7 – #8  

Notes: The +.6 (.4 – 1.0) registered by sports/talk KRLD-FM’s internet stream represents a tie for Dallas’ highest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 increase, while similarly-formatted KTCK’s -.7 (5.6 – 4.9) is the market’s highest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 3.6 – 3.4, #9 – #14  (Rockets)

KPRC . 3 – .4, #28 – #28  

News

KXYZ .1 – .1 #34 – #33

Sports Talk

KILT-AM 1.6 – .7, #21 – #25

KBME .6 – .5, #27 – #27  (Rockets)

KILT-AM Stream .3 – .1, #28 – #33

KFNC .2 – .1, #33 – #33

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 2.8 – 2.8, #19 – #17

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 8.6– 7.3, #1 – #3

WFOM .6 – .5, #27 – #26

WGKA .3 – .3, #30 – #30

WAOK .2 – .1, #31 – #34

WAOK Stream .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

WSRV-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBIN .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

Sports Talk

WZGC 4.2 – 3.6, #8 – #11 (Hawks)

WCNN 2.2 – 2.1, #16 – #17

WZGC Stream .8 – .5, #24 – #26 (Hawks)

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 4.0 – 3.6, #9 – #11

WRAS  .7 – .5, #25 – #26

WABE-HD3 .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

Note: News/talk WSB-AM & WSBB’s -1.3 (8.6 – 7.3) represents Atlanta’s highest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 2.2 – 2.0, #16 – #15

WKXW 1.3 – 1.1, #23 – #24

WPHT Stream .7 – .8, #26 – #26

WURD .4 – .4, #28 – #27

WURD Stream .2 – .2, #30 – #29

WKXW Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #32

WDEL-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

KYW & WPHI 6.2 – 6.0, #5 – #5

KYW & WPHI Stream .1 – .3, #32 – #28

WTEL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WIP 7.0 – 5.7, #4 – #6

WIP Stream 2.3 – 2.0, #15 – #15

WPEN-FM 1.5 – 1.2, #21 – #22 (76ers, Flyers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.1 – 3.3, #10 – #12      

Note: Sports talk WIP’s -1.3 (7.0 – 5.7) represents Philadelphia’s highest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease. 

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 1.5 – 1.8, #18 – #17

WOR 1.1 – 1.2, #19 – #19

WLIR .1 – .2, #32 – #27

News

WINS-FM 4.8 – 5.1, #5 – #3

WCBS-AM 2.2 – 1.7, #15 – #18

WINS-FM Stream 1.0 – .7, #20 – #23

Business News WBBR .3 – .4, #26 – #26

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .2, #32 – #27

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 4.6 – 2.7, #7 – #12 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .3 – .2, #26 – #27

Note: Sports talk WFAN’s -1.9 (4.6 – 2.7) represents the highest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO .1 – DNA, #21 – DNA

Sports Talk

KPWK .1 – .5, #21 – #19

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .4 – .5 #20 – #19

KPCC DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.8 – 2.1, #20 – #15

KSFO Stream DNA – .2, DNA – #30  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 5.2 – 5.4, #4 – #4

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream DNA – .3, DNA – #26

KNEW .2 – .3, #28 – #26  

Sports Talk

KNBR 4.7 – 3.6, #5 – #7

KGMZ 2.8 – 2.0, #10 – #19 (Golden State Warriors)

KGO Stream .8 – .3, #26 – #26  

KTCT .3 – .3, #27 – #26   

KGO .2 – .2, #28 – #30  

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Golden State Warriors) 

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Notes: Sports talk KNBR’s -1.1 (4.7 – 3.6) represents San Jose’s highest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

Sharks’ games are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION 

News/Talk

WKXW 7.4 – 7.2, #1 – #2

WOR 2.7 – 3.6, #9 – #9

WKXW Stream .8 – 1.1, #20 – #18    

News

WINS-FM 2.7 – 2.4, #9 – #11

WCBS-AM .9 – .8, #19 – #19

WINS-FM Stream .5 – .5, #22 – #23

WCBS-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.7 – 2.9, #9 – #10 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Up next: February 2024 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

The Presidential Race is Top News/Talk Media Story for Week of March 11 – 15

The presidential race was the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was former President Donald Trump’s legal battles, followed by the House-passed bill to force ByteDance to sell TikTok or the app becomes illegal in the U.S. at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result on ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Todd Starnes Honored by U.S. Reps

im

Pictured above is conservative media figure Todd Starnes (right) with U.S. Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN) and U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) at a book launch event hosted by the Conservative Partnership Institute to honor Starnes and recognize the publishing of his eighth book, Twilight’s Last Gleaming (Simon & Schuster/Post Hill Press, 2024). The event was emceed by former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows. Starnes’ talk radio show is syndicated nationally, and he is the owner of news/talk KWAM, Memphis. Starnes is also on the board of directors of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters.

Industry News

Mary Ayala Named PD for iHM’s San Diego Talkers

iHeartMedia San Diego promotes Mary Ayala to program director for news/talk KOGO-AM “Newsradio 600,” talk KLSD-AM “The Patriot AM 1360,” and sports talk KGB-AM “San Diego Sports 760.” Ayala hasim been serving as assistant program director and executive producer. iHeartMedia San Diego market president Noreen Ippolito says, “Mary has been a part of our cluster for many years and is more than ready to take the lead role of our talk stations. She’s smart, experienced, and incredibly detailed with her work.” Ayala comments, “This is an exciting time to be taking over the program director position for these brands. Each station has its own distinct flavor, and all of them are filled with great talent I’m looking forward to working with.”

Industry News

WJR, Detroit Raises $1.6 Million for Salvation Army

im

Cumulus Media news/talk WJR, Detroit helps raise $1,637,238 for The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit combat hunger and homelessness during its 37th Annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon held last week (2/22-23). The 27-hour radio fundraiser featured on-air personalities Rene Vitale, Mike Parsons, Guy Gordon, Lloyd Jackson, Jamie Edmonds, Kevin Dietz, Tom Jordan, Marie Osborne, Paul W. Smith, Mitch Albom (pictured above right), Ken Brown, Kevin O’Neill (pictured above left), Dan Aronson, and Bed & Bread Club founder and Detroit Radio Hall of Famer Dick Purtan. The annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has raised more than $44.8 million since Dick Purtan’s first Radiothon in 1988.

Industry News

Taylor Jukes Named SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia San Diego

iHeartMedia names Taylor Jukes SVP of programming for the San Diego station group that includesim news/talk KOGO-AM, talk KLSD-AM, sports talk KGB-AM, and five music brands. iHeartMedia San Diego market president Noreen Ippolito says, “We are so excited to welcome Taylor into our San Diego cluster. Her knowledge of the audio business and track record speak for themselves. We are eager for Taylor to bring her skill set and big ideas from Miami to an already incredible cluster of stations.”

Industry News

Cumulus Bloomington Raises $100k-plus for St Jude

im

Pictured above are members of the staff of Cumulus Media’s radio stations in Bloomington, Illinois – including news/talk WJBC-AM, CHR WBNQ-FM, and country WBWN-FM – as they helped raise $103,739 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital via its annual two-day Cumulus Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon that took place February 8 and 9.

Industry News

Shelby Cassesse Announces Exit from Audacy Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh media personality Shelby Cassesse is leaving her role with Audacy’s news/talk KDKA-AM and sports talk KDKA-FM “93.7 The Fan,” according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Cassesse had beenim serving as a full-time KDKA Radio reporter since February 2021 and hosted her own Sunday morning talk show on “93.7 The Fan.” She posted to social media, “While news has offered so many opportunities for growth, my heart has always been in sports journalism and it’s time to fully focus on that path.” Audacy Pittsburgh SVP and market manager Michael Spacciapolli says, “We are so grateful for all of Shelby’s work in the KDKA newsroom. Her time as a host at ‘The Fan’ will forever be a part of the history of that great radio station. We know the future will bring her great things. We are fortunate to be a part of her journey.” Read the Post-Gazette story here.

Industry News

Round Four of January PPMs Released

imThe fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s January 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey covered January 4 – 31. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN adds 2.5 shares to finish with an 11.5 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) good for its fifth straight month ranked #1, while Good Karma Brands’ crosstown news/talk WTMJ does not appear in this survey. (TALKERS has reached out to GKB for clarification.) In Nashville, Cumulus Media Group’s news/talk WWTN-FM rises 1.5 shares to finish with a 5.4 share that lifts it to the #6 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLAC adds nine-tenths for a 2.1 share finish good for the #18 rank. In Providence, Cumulus Media Group’s news/talk WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM tacks on a full share to wrap the survey with a 6.9 share, lifting it to the #4 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WHJJ-AM is up two-tenths for a 1.0 share finish and the #13 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

January 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imJanuary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the January 2024 survey period (January 4 – January 31) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

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

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 (6+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 4.1 – 5.7, #6 – #5

KJCE .1 – .1, #31 – #28

News

None

Sports Talk

KBPA-HD2  1.4 – 1.1, #19 – #19

KVET-AM 1.1 – .8, #23 – #22

KTAE .9 – DNA, #24 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 5.3 – 6.9, #3 – #3

KUT-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

Note: The +1.6 by public radio news talk KUT (5.3 – 6.9) and news/talk KLBJ-AM (4.1 – 5.7) represent Austin’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase. 

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 5.0 – 7.5, #5  – #4

WPTF .6 – 1.0, #22 – #18

News

WRAL-HD3 .2 – .3, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.1 – 3.4, #12 – #11 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 7.9 – 9.0, #2 – #2

Note: News/talk WTKK’s +2.5 (5.0 – 7.5) represents Raleigh’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 4.8 – 5.1, #8 – #7

News

WOLT-HD2 .2 – .2, #25 – #25

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  3.0 – 3.7, #16 – #13

WNDE .3 – .5, #21 – #22

WXNT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 3.4 – 4.6, #11 – #8

Sports talk WFNI (DNA – DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.0 – 11.5, fifth consecutive month at #1

WLIP .1 – .1, #28 – #26

WTMJ 6.4 – DNA, #5 – DNA 

WGKB .1 – DNA, #28 – DNA  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.7 – 3.7, #15 – #11

WOKY .2 – .2, #22 – #23

WSSP .2 – .2, #22 – #23

WKTI 1.6 – DNA, #17 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 2.5 – 2.2, #16 – #14

WHAD .8 – 1.2, #20 – #16

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Note: News/talk WISN’s +2.5 (9.0 – 11.5) represents Milwaukee’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 3.9 – 5.4, #12 – #6

WLAC 1.2 – 2.1, #19 – #18

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 6.9 – 8.0, #2 – #2

WPRT 2.0 – 2.3, #17 – #17 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.1 – 4.9, #11 – #8

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .2, #23 – #23

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 5.9 – 6.9, #5 – #4

WHJJ  .8 – 1.0, #15 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WVEI 2.0 – 2.1, #10 – #9

WBZ-FM 3.0 – DNA, #8 – DNA

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 1.6 – 2.1, #13 – #9

WNPN 1.3 – 1.5, after nine straight months at #14, moves to #12

WCAI .1 – .1, #20 – #18

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  2.0 – 2.3, #14 – #14

WGH-FM HD2  .2 – .2, #24 – #23

News

WNOH .2 – .3, #24 – #21

Sports Talk

WVSP 1.8 – 1.9, #15 – #15

WGH-AM .2 – .2, #24 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

None

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 6.5 – 8.0, #3 – #3

News

WJBT-HD2 DNA – .2, DNA – #24

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .4, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 1.8 – 1.6, #15 – #16

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.1 – 3.0, #9 – #7

WZZR 1.3 – 1.3 #13 – #14

WJNO .6 – .9, #15 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .6 – .7, #15 – #16

WBZT .2 – .4, #19 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 1.9 – 2.8, #10 – #9

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA    

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 3.3 – 3.5 #8 – #9

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 4.2 – 5.3, #7 – #6

WUNC 2.2 – 2.8, #13 – #11

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 1.0 – 1.4, #11 – #11

KWAM .4 – .5, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.8 – 3.2, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #15 – #14 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.6 – 1.9, #9 – #9

WKNO-HD2  .2 – DNA, #15 – DNA

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 5.2 – 6.6, #6 – #4

WDRC-AM 1.5 – 1.8, #15 – #14

WTIC-AM Stream .4 – .4, #19 – #18

WPOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.5 – 2.0, #11 – #13

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 4.0 – 4.1, #8 – #8

WFCR .6 – .6, #18 – #17

Mike Kinosian is managing editor at TALKERS magazine. Reach him at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Round Three of January PPMs Released

imThe third of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s January 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. The survey covered January 4 – 31. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM shoots up 2.1 shares for a 7.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish and rises to the #2 rank in the market, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk KEX-AM adds one-tenth to finish with a 1.2 share good for the #22 rank. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOAI adds six-tenths to wrap the survey with a 3.0 share good for the #13 rank, while Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA tacks on half a share for a 2.3 share finish that lifts it to the #18 rank. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville’s news/talk KSL-AM/FM rises 1.9 shares to finish with a 5.5 share and climbs to the #3 rank, while, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KNRS-AM/FM adds 1.3 shares for a 3.5 share finish good for the #13 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

January 2024 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imJanuary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the January 2024 PPM ratings period (January 4 – January 31) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

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.

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 3.1 – 4.5, #9 – #7

WFED DNA – .1, DNA – #29 (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 6.3 – 8.3, #4 – #2

WDCH .5 – .6, #23 – #23

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.6 – 2.8, #15 – #15 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream .6 – 1.0, #21 – #20 (Capitals)

WTEM .2 – .4, #26 – #25 (Wizards)

WTEM Stream .2 – .3, #26 – #26 (Wizards)

WJFK-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #29 (Capitals)

WSBN DNA – .1, DNA – #29

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 11.5 – 12.7, 27th month in succession at #1

Note: All-news WTOP & WTLP’s +2.0 (6.3- 8.3) represents a tie for the largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets. 

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 3.1 – 2.8, #9 – #15

WXKS-AM .9 – .7, #24 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.7 – 4.6, #5 – #6

Business news WRCA .1 – .1, #29 – #28

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 9.2 – 11.2, #2 – #1 (Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 2.8 – 3.9, #13 – #11

WEEI-FM Stream .4 – DNA, #25 – DNA

WEEI-AM .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 6.1 – 6.0, #3 – #3

WGBH 3.9 – 4.2, #6 – #9

Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s +2.0 (9.2- 11.2) represents a tie for the largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.2 – 1.4, #23 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.3 – 1.2, #22 – #25 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .5 – .5, #27 – #27

WMEN .1 – .2, #36 – #33

WQAM Stream .1 – .1, #36 – #36 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 3.3 – 4.1, #10 – #6

WLRN-HD2 .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.0 – 4.2, #6 – #7

KTTH 1.3 – 1.9, #23 – #21

KVI 1.0 – 1.3, #24  – #24

KPTR DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.3 – 2.6, #20 – #19

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KJR-FM 2.6 – 4.2, #17 – #7 (Kraken)

KIRO-AM 2.8 – 3.3, #15 – #14

KJR-AM .9 – .8, #25 – #25

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 6.2 – 6.9, #3 – #2

KSWS .1 – DNA, #32 – DNA

Note: Sports talk KJR-FM’s +1.6 (2.6- 4.2) represents a tie for Seattle’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase. 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.4 – 2.1, #15 – #16

WFDF .4 – .5, #23 – #23

WJR Stream .1 – .1, #28 – #29

News

WWJ 4.3 – 5.6, #9 – #8 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .2 – .4, #26 – #24 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #28 – #29

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 8.6 – 9.8, #2 – #1 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.2 – 1.8, #19 – #17 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .2 – .3, #26 – #28

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.2 – 1.6, #19 – #19

WUOM 1.1 – 1.1, #21 – #21

PHOENIX

News/Talk

KFYI 2.9 – 3.1, #8 – #10

KTAR-FM 2.2 – 2.6, #14 – #14 (Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 1.5 – 1.9, #23 – #20 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – .1, #32 – #31

KGME .1 – .1, #32 – #31

KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #32 – #31 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 2.6 – 3.0, #11 – #11

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 3.8 – 4.7, #10 – #10 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 1.9 – 2.9, #17 – #14

KTLK-AM 1.6 – 1.8, #19 – #19

WCCO Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #31 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #31 – #31

Sports Talk

KFXN 6.8 – 7.5, #3 – #2 (Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .2 – .2, #27 – #27

KSTP-AM .1 – .1, #31 – #31

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 5.2 – 6.6, #4 – #4

KNOW Stream .7 – .8, #23 – #23

Note: Public radio news/talk KNOW’s +1.4 (5.2- 6.6) represents Minneapolis’ largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

SAN DIEGO 

News/Talk

KOGO 3.9 – 4.9, #6 – #5

KLSD .3 – .4, #28 – #25

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 2.8 – 3.9, #14 – #10

KGB-AM 1.0 – .8, #20 – #21

KWFN Stream .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 4.7 – 6.2, #4 – #2 

Note: Public radio news/talk KPBS’ +1.5 (4.7- 6.2) represents a tie for San Diego’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 4.1 – 5.3, #7 – #3 (Lightning)

WFLA 3.2 – 4.1, #13 – #11

News

Business news WHNZ DNA – .1, DNA – #34

Sports Talk

WDAE 1.6– 2.1, #18 – #17

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 1.9 – 2.3, #17 – #16

WMNF-HD3 Stream .5 – .4, #23 – #26

WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: News/talk WHPT’s +1.2 (4.1- 5.3) represents Tampa’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 2.7 – 3.0, #14 – #14

KDFD 1.3 – 1.4, #22 – #22

KHOW 1.4 – 1.4, #19 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 3.5 – 4.0, #10 – #10

KKSE-FM 2.0 – 3.0, #18 – #14 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KAMP DNA – .1, DNA – #35

KEPN .1 – DNA, #35 – DNA

KKSE-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 3.0 – 4.5, #13 – #7

KUNC .7 – 1.0, #26 – #25

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 2.7 – 4.3, #11 – #9

WCBM 1.5 – 1.9, #17 – #15

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.0 – 1.4,  #20 – #17

WDCH  .8 – .9,  #22 – #19

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 4.5 – 4.8, #6 – #6

WJZ-FM Stream .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 3.4 – 3.4, #9 – #12

WYPR HD2 Stream .2 – DNA, #28 – DNA 

Note: News/talk WBAL’s +1.6 (2.7- 4.3) represents a tie for Baltimore’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 2.8 – 3.7, #14 – #13

KFTK 1.5 – 2.2, #17 – #15

KTLK-FM 1.1 – 1.3, #18 – #18

KMOX Stream .2 – .4, #24 – #23

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #24 – #28

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .2 – .3, #24 – #25

Sports Talk

WXOS 3.9 – 5.7, #12 – #7 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 4.5 – 5.1, #8 – #9 

Note: Sports talk WXOS’ +1.8 (3.9- 5.7) represents St. Louis’ largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

Up next: January 2024 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

January 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One

imJanuary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the January 2024 ratings period (January 4 – January 31) 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).

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

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.0 – 3.5, #11 – #11

WOR 1.2 – 1.7, #21 – #17

WKXW .8 – 1.0, #27 – #24

WKXW Stream .2 – .3, #37 – #35

News

WINS-FM 3.9 – 4.7, #9 – #6

WCBS-AM 1.6 – 1.7, #19 – #17

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .5, #32 – #27

Business News WBBR .3 – .4, #34 – #31

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .2, #46 – #39 

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 2.3 – 2.7, #12 -#13 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .7 – .8, #28 -#25 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.2 – DNA #21 – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 4.1 – 4.5, #7 – #7

WNYC-AM 1.0 – 1.2, #23 – #22 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 4.6 – 5.5, #4 – #3

KEIB .4 – .8, #30 – #33  (Clippers)

KRLA .4 – .6, #30 – #34  

News

KNX-FM 2.5 – 2.8, #12 – #12

KNX-FM Stream .1 – .2, #40 – #39  

Sports Talk

KLAC .8 – .9, #28 – #32 (Clippers 

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.0 – 2.3, #14 – #15

Notes: News/talk KFI’s +.9 (4.6 – 5.5) represents a tie for Los Angeles’ highest (6+) Holiday 2023 – January 2024 increase.

Flagship of the 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 2.6 – 3.1, #11 – #10  (Blackhawks)

WLS-AM 1.7 – 1.9, #19 – #18

WLIP .3 – .4, #38 – #35

WVON .1 – .1, #43 – #41

WLS-AM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #41

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 4.9 – 6.2, #4  – #2

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .1 – .2, #43 – #38

Sports Talk

WSCR 2.5 – 3.4, #12 – #8 (Bulls)

WMVP 1.5 – 1.5, #20 – #20

WSCR Stream .4 – .6, #36 – #32 (Bulls) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 2.1 – 2.7, #15 – #13  

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.4 – 1.5, #22 – #22

KSFO Stream .2 – .3, #32 – #30 

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 5.7 – 6.6, #3 – #3

KNEW .3 – .3, #29 – #30  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .1 – DNA, #38 – DNA

KKSF DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.6 – 3.9, #7 – #6

KGMZ 2.0 – 2.4, #14 – #14 (Golden State Warriors)

KGO .2 – .2, #32 – #34  

KGO Stream .2 – .2, #32 – #34  

KTCT .4 – .2, #27 – #34  

KGMZ Stream .2 – DNA, #32 – DNA (Golden State Warriors)

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 6.9 – 7.9, #2 – #2

KALW .2 – .3, #32 – #30

Note: Sports talk KNBR is the flagship of the 49ers, which lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 2.8 – 3.7, #14 – #9

KEGL 1.4 – 1.2, #27 – #29  (Mavericks)

KSKY .6 – .6, #33 – #32

KLIF-AM .4 – .5, #34 – #33

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.4 – 1.7, #27 – #24

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KTCK 4.2 – 5.6, #3 – #1  (Stars)

KRLD-FM 2.9 – 2.8, #13 – #17

KRLD-FM Stream .3 – .4, #35 – #35

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 3.5 – 4.0, #6 – #7  

Note: Sports/talk KTCK’s +1.4 (4.2 – 5.6) represents Dallas’ highest (6+) Holiday 2023 – January 2024 increase.

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 2.6 – 3.6, #17 – #9  (Rockets)

KPRC . 5 – .3, #28 – #28  

News

None

Sports Talk

KILT-AM 1.5 – 1.6, #21 – #21

KBME .6 – .6, #27 – #27  (Rockets)

KILT-AM Stream .3 – .3, #30 – #28

KFNC .2 – .2, #31 – #33

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 2.4 – 2.8, #18 – #19

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.4– 8.6, #2 – #1

WFOM .4 – .6, #27 – #27

WGKA .1 – .3, #31 – #30

WAOK .1 – .2, #31 – #31

WAOK Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #36

WSRV-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBIN  DNA – .1, DNA – #36

Sports Talk

WZGC 3.5 – 4.2, #9 – #8 (Hawks)

WCNN 1.4 – 2.2, #20 – #16

WZGC Stream .3 – .8, #29 – #24 (Hawks)

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.3 – 4.0, #11 – #9

WRAS  .8 – .7, #24 – #25

WABE-HD3 DNA – .1, DNA – #36 

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 1.7 – 2.2, #19 – #16

WKXW 1.2 – 1.3, #23 – #23

WPHT Stream .7 – .7, #26 – #26

WURD .3 – .4, #27 – #28

WURD Stream .2 – .2, #29 – #30

WDEL-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WKXW Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

KYW & WPHI 4.7 – 6.2, #6 – #5

KYW & WPHI Stream .1 – .1, #30 – #32

WTEL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WIP 5.7 – 7.0, #4 – #4

WIP Stream 1.5 – 2.3, #20 – #15

WPEN-FM 1.3 – 1.5, #22 – #21 (76ers, Flyers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 2.8 – 3.1, #9 – #10      

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 1.1 – 1.5, #20 – #18

WOR 1.0 – 1.1, #22 – #19

WLIR .1 – .1, #35 – #32

News

WINS-FM 3.3 – 4.8, #9 – #5

WCBS-AM 2.5 – 2.2, #12 – #15

WINS-FM Stream .9 – 1.0, #23 – #20

Business News WBBR .2 – .3, #30 – #26

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .1, #35 – #32

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 3.5 – 4.6, #7 – #7 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 2.7 – DNA, #11 – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .3, #30 – #26

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO DNA – .1, DNA – #21

Sports Talk

KPWK .2 – .1, #18 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .3 – .4 #16 – #20

KPCC DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.5 – 1.8, #19 – #20

KSFO Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 4.5 – 5.2, #4 – #4

KNEW .3 – .2, #28 – #28  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .2 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.9 – 4.7, #6 – #5

KGMZ 1.5 – 2.8, #19 – #10 (Golden State Warriors)

KGO Stream .7 – .8, #26 – #26  

KTCT .8 – .3, #25 – #27   

KGO .3 – .2, #28 – #28  

KGMZ Stream .2 – DNA, #30 – DNA (Golden State Warriors)

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Notes: Sports/talk KGMZ’s +1.3 (1.5 – 2.8) represents San Jose’s highest (6+) Holiday 2023 – January 2024 increase.

Sports talk KNBR is the flagship of the 49ers, which lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Sharks’ games are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION 

News/Talk

WKXW 5.7 – 7.4, #4 – #1

WOR 1.6 – 2.7, #15 – #9

WKXW Stream .7 – .8, #20 – #20    

News

WINS-FM 1.8 – 2.7, #13 – #9

WCBS-AM 1.0 – .9, #18 – #19

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .5, #23 – #22

WCBS-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM DNA – 2.7, DNA – #9 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.0 – DNA, #18 – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Note: News/talk WKXW’s +1.7 (5.7 – 7.4) represents Middlesex-Somerset-Union’s highest (6+)Holiday 2023 – January 2024 increase. 

Up next: January 2024 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh’s Marty Griffin Hospitalized

KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh morning drive co-host Marty Griffin is currently off the air at the Audacyim news/talk outlet and has been admitted to the hospital at UPMC dealing with what he called “crazy, insane” pain in his throat. Griffin, who battled throat cancer several years ago and has been in remission, says that late last week he couldn’t swallow anything and that the pain was something he never felt in his life. At this time, Griffin has been diagnosed with pneumonia, but doctors are also trying to determine if he has an infection of if the cancer has returned.