July 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four
July 2024 PPM Data – Ratings information for Nielsen Audio’s July 2024 survey period (June 20 – July 17) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
No share or rank thresholds are required to be included here.
DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear
Comparisons are June 2024 – July 2024 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk
KLBJ-AM 4.5 – 3.7, #8 – #9
KJCE DNA – .1, DNA – #31
News
None
Sports Talk
KBPA-HD2 1.0 – .8, #19 – #22
KVET-AM .7 – .7, #22 – #23
KTAE DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KUT 4.9 – 6.2, #5 – #2
KUT-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #31
Note: Public radio news/talk KUT posts a +1.3 (4.9 – 6.2), which is Austin’s largest (6+) June 2024 – July 2024 increase.
RALEIGH
News/Talk
WTKK 8.6 – 8.9, #3 – #3
WPTF .5 – .6, #24 – #23
News
WRAL-HD3 .6 – .5, #21 – #24
Sports Talk
WCMC-FM 2.3 – 1.8, #14 – #15
WCMC-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WUNC 8.0 – 7.8, #4 – #4
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk
WIBC 7.5 – 8.1, #4 – #2
News
WOLT-HD2 .3 – .2, #22 – #25
Sports Talk
WIBC-HD2 2.9 – 1.4, #14 – #17
WNDE .3 – .2, #22 – #25
WXNT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
WFNI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WFYI 4.8 – 4.7, #8 – #9
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk
WISN 12.5 – 13.0, eleventh consecutive month at #1
WLIP .1 – .2, #27 – #23
WTMJ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brewers)
WAUK .2 – DNA, #22 – DNA
WGKB DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
News
None
Sports Talk
WRNW 1.9 – 1.5, #15 – #15
WOKY .2 – .2, #22 – #23
WSSP .1 – .1, #27 – #27
WKTI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WUWM 2.4 – 2.7, #14 – #12
WHAD-HD2 .1 – .1, #27 – #27
Note: In addition to being #1 for the eleventh successive month, news/talk WISN posts July 2024’s highest 6+ share (13.0) of any station in all 48 PPM markets. Furthermore, owing to five straight months without a loss, “News Talk 1130” gains four full-shares (9.0 – 9.0 – 10.3 – 12.1 – 12.5 – 13.0, 6+).
NASHVILLE
News/Talk
WWTN 5.5 – 6.7, #8 – #3
WLAC 1.0 – 1.3, #18 – #18
News
WNRQ-HD2 Black Information Network DNA – .3, DNA – #21
Sports Talk
WGFX 6.6 – 5.9, #3 – #6
WPRT 1.9 – 1.8, #16 – #17
Public Radio News/Talk
WPLN 2.9 – 3.3, #14 – #13
WPLN-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Note: News/talk WWTN’s +1.2 (5.5 – 6.7) is Nashville’s largest (6+) June 2024 – July 2024 increase.
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk
WPRO-AM 6.5 – 7.1, #5 – #4
WHJJ 1.1 – 1.6, #12 – #11
News
None
Sports Talk
WVEI 1.6 – 2.3, #10 – #8
WPRV .1 – .2, #18 – #18
WBZ-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WGBH 2.0 – 2.3, #8 – #8
WNPN 1.1 – 1.6, #12 – #11
WCAI .1 – DNA, #18 – DNA
NORFOLK
News/Talk
WNIS 2.2 – 2.4, #13 – #13
WGH-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
News
WNOH Black Information Network .3 – .3, #22 – #23
Sports Talk
WVSP .9 – .9, #19 – #19
WGH-AM .1 – DNA, #25 – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
None
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk
WOKV-FM 9.4 – 9.0, #2 – #3
News
WJBT-HD2 Black Information Network .2 – DNA, #20 – DNA
Sports Talk
WOKV-AM .2 – DNA, #20 – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WJCT 1.9 – 1.9, #14 – #15
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk
WJNO 1.6 – 1.9, #13 – #11
WFTL 2.1 – 1.5, #9 – #12
WZZR 1.3 – 1.3 #14 – #13
News
None
Sports Talk
WBZT .4 – .4, #16 – #17
WMEN .4 – .4, #16 – #17
Public Radio News/Talk
WLRN 2.9 – 3.4, #8 – #8
WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Note: Public radio news/talk WLRN’s +.5 (2.9 – 3.4) represents a tie for West Palm Beach’s largest (6+)June 2024 – July 2024 increase.
GREENSBORO
News/Talk
WPTI 3.5 – 3.6 #11 – #10
News
None
Sports Talk
None
Public Radio News/Talk
WFDD 4.3 – 4.2, #8 – #8
WUNC 1.9 – 1.5, #14 – #14
WFDD-HD3 DNA – .2, DNA – #15
MEMPHIS
News/Talk
WREC 2.7 – 1.7, #7 – #9
KWAM .4 – .4, #12 – #13
News
WJMS-HD2 Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
WMFS 2.7 – 3.0, #7 – #7
WMFS Stream .4 – .6, #12 – #11
WMC-AM .4 – .4, #12 – #13
Public Radio News/Talk
WKNO .5 – .6, #11 – #11
WKNO-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
HARTFORD
News/Talk
WTIC-AM 4.4 – 3.6, #8 – #9
WDRC-AM 1.7 – 1.9, #15 – #15
WPOP .2 – .2, #20 – #20
WTIC-AM Stream .2 – .2, #20 – #20
News
None
Sports Talk
WUCS 1.1 – 1.3, #16 – #16
Public Radio News/Talk
WNPR 5.7 – 4.6, #6 – #8
WFCR .6 – .6, #17 – #17
Note: Public radio news/talk WNPR’s -1.1 (5.7 – 4.6) is Hartford’s largest (6+) June 2024 – July 2024 decrease.
iHeartMedia’s news/talk WFLF, Orlando, airing from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. iHeartMedia Orlando SVP of programming Ken Holiday states, “We are thrilled to welcome Jesse Kelly to WFLA Orlando! Starting Monday, July 15, Jesse will bring his unfiltered and unapologetic insights to our listeners. From history to politics to pizza, Jesse’s show has it all in a no-nonsense kind of way. Whether you’re a veteran like Jesse or just a good ol’ fashioned red-blooded American, the show has something for everyone.”
radio and television in St. Louis – will join news/talk KTRS, St. Louis to co-host the midday show with incumbent Wendy Wiese. Cusumano was most recently with sports talk KFNS, St. Louis until owner Dave Zobrist pulled the plug on local sports hosts and installed FOX Sports Radio. Zobrist is putting KFNS up for sale. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Cusumano is taking over the co-hosting duties from Jennifer Blome after her recent retirement.
The third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s June 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 May 23 through June 19. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM drops eight-tenths for a 5.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish that leaves it ranked #5 in the market, while iHeartMedia news/talk KEX adds one-tenth for a 1.8 share that lifts it to the #18 rank. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOAI rises three-tenths to a 3.1 share and remains ranked #13, while Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA dips a half share to finish with a 1.4 share leaving it ranked #22 in the market. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville’s news/talk KSL-AM/FM rises 1.2 shares for a 6.1 share finish that lifts it to the #2 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk KNRS-AM/FM is steady with a 3.1 share but rises to the #12 rank. 
Des Moines cluster that includes news/talk WHO and sports talk KXNO. Thiele joined the Des Moines operations in January of this year. He can be reached at 646-926-6581.
Kelley is taking the high road, writing in a Facebook post, “Nothing lasts forever. I have spent the last 19 years of my career working for Cox Media Group. But that ended today. I can honestly say that CMG has been the best part of my 41-year career. I walk away with marketable skills, good friends, and countless contacts. Shed no tears for me. I’m blessed beyond words. If you ever get a job offer from CMG, take it. You won’t regret it.”
When market leaders drop rates, what comes next?
discussions and analysis of local issues.” Charlottesville Radio Group operations manager and WINA program director Paul McDaniel says, “We are thrilled to extend ‘The Schilling Show’ by an hour each weekday. Rob’s ability to connect with the audience and provide insightful commentary has made the show a cornerstone of our programming. This expansion is a testament to his unparalleled work and the loyalty of his listeners.” Schilling comments, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend more time daily with my loyal listening audience as we further explore and examine pressing issues of the day. This additional hour will allow for more compelling guests, more in-depth analysis, and most importantly, more time for WINA listeners to engage with their community.”
also affects air personalities Andrea Darlas and Jane Clauss, but it appears Darlas will continue with the station for weekends and her podcast. WLS-AM program director Stephanie Tichenor says, “Ray has been part of the fabric of ‘The Big 89’ for years. We’re thrilled to have him back in morning drive on 890 WLS-AM.” Stevens comments, “I am beyond ecstatic to be back doing mornings at WLS and 890 in my hometown. Special thanks to Marv Nyren and Stephanie Tichenor for having faith and believing in me. Also special thanks to KCMO’s Donna Baker and Pete Mundo who’ve let me work middays at the radio station for the better part of the year. I can’t wait to get to work and be on the air at the legendary 890 WLS-AM talking NASCAR, politics, football, and everything that makes us the greatest city in the world!”
operations in Mankato, Albert Lea, and Luverne, Minnesota; Watertown and Brookings, South Dakota; and Fort Dodge, Grinnell, Newton and Mason City in Iowa. Northern Iowa Today reports that in Mason City, KGLO sports director Tim Fleming has been let go as has KGLO and KRIB news director Bob Fisher, who comments, “Alpha Media is going a different direction with their radio stations in their smaller markets. A majority of the programming staff, including myself, were terminated this morning as part of that plan. This is not only happening here but throughout the country with their smaller markets.” After making similar drastic cuts in a number of its Missouri markets, Alpha Media struck a deal with UK-based Podcast Radio and will debut “Podcast Radio Missouri” on two stations there in the coming weeks. 
Generally speaking, Major League Baseball radio flagships enjoyed a solid first at bat in Nielsen Audio’s 2024 rating season (March 28 – April 24).
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 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 March 28 through April 24. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM dips two-tenths to finish with a 4.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and slides back to the #6 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM loses one-tenth to finish with a 7.8 share good for the #2 rank. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO declines one-tenth for a 3.3 share finish and holds steady at the #12 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-AM rises three-tenths to a 4.9 share, yet it falls one spot to the #7 rank. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM dips one-tenth to a 3.8 share and slides down to the #10 rank, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM loses one-tenth to finish with a 2.4 share and remains ranked #18. 
his radio career in 2010 in Battle Creek, for WBCK-FM and WBXX-FM, former Cumulus stations now owned by Townsquare Media. Cumulus president of operations Bob Walker comments, “Steve has proven himself to be an accomplished leader in the Dallas market the past 10 years and we are thrilled to have him moving back home to Michigan, an area of the country that is important to Steve and his family. We are excited for him to get started and eager to see the impact he will have.” Holm says, “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to come back home. The Grand Rapids and Muskegon teams are a tightly knit group and are determined and ready to win. I’m excited to be joining them and look forward to the challenges and growth ahead.”
Moberly, Missouri – including news/talk KWIX – have been let go and all programming is now syndicated. The same is being reported about the company’s stations in the Farmington/Festus, Missouri market that includes news/talk KJFF. KOMU-TV reports that Moberly market manager Bob Dakin would not comment on how many employees were let go but confirmed that all local programming – including news and sports – is being replaced by national content. 
as well as conservative talk KTTH-AM morning drive host Bryan Suits. The report indicates that evening host Jake Skorheim moves to PM drive to co-host the 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm “John & Jake” show with John Curley. The evening daypart will be filled by CBS Audio’s “John Batchelor Show.” Taking over the KTTH-AM morning drive daypart from Suits is the syndicated “Armstrong & Getty” show. 
trip to the semifinals in the NCAA Tournament. GKB founder and CEO Craig Karmazin comments, “We are proud to introduce broader coverage of Badgers Volleyball and to create additional avenues for audience expansion. It is an exciting time, and our partnership with UW Athletics will present opportunities for a team that is proven to be best in class both on and off the court.” GKB market manager Greg Scalzo adds, “We are excited to build off of the already established UW Women’s Volleyball brand and enthusiasm surrounding women’s sports to deliver the ultimate listening experience for fans.”
after being diagnosed with kidney cancer, worked in the radio industry for 40 years – almost 20 of those years as morning host for WJBC. WJBC states, “Laughlin was a longtime supporter of the Salvation Army, volunteering each year to ring bells and help raise money for the Bloomington non-profit. That included the ‘Cubs vs. Cards’ challenge with his good friend Gary Morefield – and the ‘Scott vs. Scott’ challenge alongside WJBC’s Scott Miller. Last year, the Salvation Army created the ‘Scott Laughlin Spirit Award’ to honor its top fundraisers through the annual red kettle campaign.” Laughlin is survived by his wife Lori.
top of these trends when developing cross-channel media strategies. That’s why we created The Record – a quarterly look at how U.S. audiences spend their time with audio. An important tool 
for advertisers, artists, broadcasters, and podcasters alike, The Record offers a unique view of time spent with ad-supported content. The total use of audio is significant – Americans spend more than four hours with audio every day – and it’s important to view it from multiple lenses. Consumers give nearly 70% of their daily ad-supported audio time to radio, 20% to podcasts and the rest to streaming audio (music services) or satellite radio (select channels). Data from the first quarter of 2024 indicates that (for over-the-air and streaming combined), by format news/talk was tops with the 35+ demographic with a 12.3 share of total audience and was also first in persons 18+ with a 10.8 share of total audience.