January 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One
January 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.
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.
If you’re a news/talk station, don’t assume that you own “news radio” in your market. Imaging is important, but it merely talks-the-talk. You walk-the-walk with local news copy that delivers what solid commercial copy does: benefits. Just doing local news makes you special. But do listeners simply hear a station voice… reading something? Are you merely… accurate? Or do you deliver “take-home pay,” unwrapping the story to tell the listener something useful?
Jacksonville. Both stations will air the full slate of FOX Sports Radio programs. These format flips spell the end of the “Accion Radio Network” airing Spanish-language news/talk and information. iHeartMedia North Florida area president Paul Rogers says, “We remain fully committed to providing the best quality entertainment and information to the Hispanic residents on the First Coast and will continue to explore ways we can increase our impact there. The opportunity to return the FOX Sports brand to its original home on AM 930 in Jacksonville was simply too good to pass up. Its appeal cuts across and unites every segment of our community.”
the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. They include: WPHT, Philadelphia afternoon host Rich Zeoli and the morning show “Kayal & Company” both receiving 2024 Outstanding Local Radio Personality/Team honors, and news/talk KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh and all-news KYW-AM/FM, Philadelphia both receiving several programming honors. Recipients will celebrate at a luncheon in May.
Jessica Tighe, who joins the station from “CBS58” airing from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm; “Spanning the State,” hosted by As Goes Wisconsin founder Kristin Brey, airing from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm; and “Wisconsin’s Afternoon News” host John Mercure is joined by new co-host Julia Fello, formerly a lead reporter at WTMJ-TV. Good Karma Milwaukee market manager Greg Scalzo comments, “As a Wisconsin-based media company, we are excited to further our commitment to providing best-in-class news content that unites the state and strengthens the communities we call home. With this new lineup, one thing we wanted to emphasize is a shift in who we hear on the station and how our content can be consumed. Our fans will hear from hosts with new, diverse perspectives and experiences with shows and stories distributed across all mediums to reach fans where they are. We remain dedicated to continuing 620 WTMJ’s storied legacy, delivering purposeful news and telling the stories that matter to you throughout Wisconsin. Our new shows and voices will give us more of an opportunity to relate and be relevant to anyone who tunes in, while staying committed to the mission of being Wisconsin’s News Radio.” 
Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian does a deep-dive into the recent performances of the news/talk format during Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” PPM ratings period. He writes, “Last week, we recapped how all-news stations have recently performed in (volatile) ‘Holiday’ survey periods. As a companion piece, the data summarizes ratings performances of news/talk stations in the two most recent ‘Holiday’ sweeps.” 
announced. Neuhoff states in announcing the sale that this “transaction is part of an overall strategic decision on behalf of the Neuhoff family to depart the broadcast industry after nearly 70 years,” according to Julian Hickman and Makena Neuhoff, trustees of the Neuhoff family. The company still owns 13 radio brands spread across the Springfield, Illinois; Bloomington, Illinois; and Lafayette, Indiana markets and it “expects to make additional announcements regarding future agreements as the Neuhoff divestiture process moves forward.” Hickman states, “We are proud of what broadcast ownership has meant to our family, our employees, and the markets we serve. Our grandfather, Roger Neuhoff, began his ownership in the business during the mid-1950s. He loved the broadcast industry and was proud of the way our radio and television stations served their local communities.” Neuhoff Media president Mike Hulvey adds, “We are pleased to see the iconic local media brands of Neuhoff Media’s Danville and Decatur markets all brought together through this historic transaction with the Champaign Multimedia Group. The next chapter for the Danville and Decatur radio stations and digital platforms will create something very special for each community.” Kalil & Co., Inc. acted as the exclusive broker for this transaction.
market, Cumulus operates news/talk WBAP-AM/FM, news/talk KLIF-AM/FM, sports talk KTCK-AM/FM and two country music brands. Cumulus regional vice president Dan Bennett says, “I can’t say enough about our air talent and programming team who understand that serving our community in Dallas-Fort Worth means raising awareness for organizations that give a lift to people who need it. They give so much of their time to make a difference and 2023’s efforts show the incredible results.”
Holiday 2023 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2023 survey period (December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
Holiday 2023 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2023 ratings period (December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024) 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).
radio pros Chris Merrill and Joe Huizenga. Bonneville Phoenix SVP and market manager Ryan Hatch says, “We are thrilled to add new shows that will keep our community informed and connected at such an important time. In addition to being one of the most dynamic and fastest growing cities in the country, Phoenix is also the epicenter of the 2024 election with Arizona being a key battleground state.” St. James served with KTAR-FM from 2010-2020. Merrill hosted a local show on the station from 2014-2017. Huizenga is currently the assistant program director and is a familiar voice as a fill-in host. Station PD Martha Maurer adds, “I am excited to welcome back Bruce and introduce Chris and Joe to our already impressive news and talk teams. This new lineup will bring exciting new energy and depth to our live and local coverage, both on-air and on our growing digital platforms.”
compliance reports to the Bureau through the remainder of the current license terms of the two stations, and pay a Civil Penalty to the United States Treasury in the total amount of $500,000.” The violations in question center on a program that aired on Townsquare’s news/talk outlets KIDO-AM, Boise and KLIX-AM, Idaho Falls from October 2021 through March 2023 in which they “broadcast a one-hour episode of, and 30-second advertisements promoting, the Program. The format of each episode nominally resembled a news interview/public affairs program produced and presented by the Stations. In fact, however, all episodes of the Program were paid political presentations. Townsquare was paid to broadcast episodes of the Program and related advertisements initially by and on behalf of the Idaho Republican Party, and later by Tom Luna on behalf of a company doing business as Tom Luna and Associates. The hosts of each episode (Tom Luna and Victor Miller, chairman of the Ada County (Idaho) Republican Party) were solely responsible for producing the Program, including selecting guests and determining program content. Neither station provided any on-air Sponsorship ID announcements for the vast majority of the episodes or promotional advertisements that they aired revealing to listeners the true nature of the broadcasts and the identity of those who paid for them. In addition, multiple episodes of the Program contained appearances that constituted uses by legally qualified candidates for public office and communicated messages relating to political matters of national importance. Neither station uploaded records of any such candidate uses or messages to their respective online political files.”
WWL-AM/FM, sports talk WWWL-AM, and four music brands. Barron succeeds Kevin Cassidy, who was named SVP and market manager of Audacy Chicago in December. Additionally, Bob Mackay assumes the role of vice president of sales for Audacy Dallas after serving in the same post in Austin. And three regional presidents add responsibilities to their regions as Doug Abernethy picks up regional and direct oversight of Audacy Austin, Brian Purdy adds regional oversight for Audacy Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee, and Mark Hannon assumes regional oversight of Audacy Minneapolis. Audacy COO Susan Larkin comments, “We have a very strong leadership team that has enabled us to make strategic changes and promote talent with multi-year track records of success. These leadership moves continue to position our local brands to deliver exceptional listener experiences and client value while reinforcing our commitment to excellence in the communities we serve.”
at Wingate University’s Batte Fine Arts Center. The event will be moderated by personalities Bo Thompson and Beth Troutman and will feature questions for the candidates presented by the station’s late morning host Vince Coakley, afternoon host Brett Winterble, evening host Brett Jensen, and news director Mark Garrison. It will also include a 30-minute lead-in show hosted by Thompson and Troutman. All six registered candidates for the seat have accepted invitations to take part in the commercial-free broadcast. 
anchor of the “WBAP Morning News” with co-anchors Hal Jay and Ernie Brown. News pro James Parker also joins WBAP as afternoon host in the 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm daypart. He was most recently a television personality in Tyler, Texas. Laura Sadler joins the “KLIF-AM Morning News” as co-anchor with Clayton Neville, and Gabrielle Taite joins Cumulus Dallas-Fort Worth’s newsroom. She previously worked in Athens, Georgia in television news. Cumulus regional VP Dan Bennett comments, “As we move into a critical election year, these talent moves and an FM frequency for WBAP speak to our commitment to spoken-word radio. We will carry our stations on a variety of signals and streaming to improve accessibility of this outstanding news and talk content to our listeners. 2024 will be a great year for news/talk.”
flexibility rarely found in corporate-structured environments.” Duties include: Managing the station’s audio image via branding, focusing on timely and frequent updates; overseeing social media and creating content that relates to the station’s brand and target audience; hosting a daily on-air shift; proficiency with Google’s G Suite, Selector, and Wide Orbit Automation system; and coaching staff. Learn more at 
director at WIVB-TV, Buffalo and served as a weekend anchor at WBEN-AM in 2002 and at sister WGR-AM in 1999. Audacy Buffalo SVP and market manager Tim Wenger states, “Lisa’s extraordinary background in leading award-winning content generation in local television news will be invaluable for WBEN as it continues to evolve as the radio station that’s always there when the community needs it the most. I look forward to Lisa taking an already stellar brand to new heights.”
Gagliardi, who goes by Sam Elliot on the air, most recently served as the director of content for Townsquare’s Monmouth-Ocean market. Gagliardi says, “I sincerely thank the leadership at Townsquare – Bill Wilson, Erik Hellum, Jared Willig, and Brian Lang — for this incredible opportunity. Collaborating with the skilled professionals at the iconic brands of ‘New Jersey 101.5’ and PST presents an amazing opportunity. I am excited about working with such a highly talented group and look forward to engaging in collaborative efforts with the fantastic on-air and online creators at the Jersey 
next best competitor – YouTube Music – at 31%. When it comes to Blacks 35-49, AM/FM reaches 90% of that demographic. The Nielsen report dips into Edison Research’s Share of Ear study and notes that when it comes to share of daily time spent listening to all audio sources (Black adults 18+) 44% of that time is spent with AM/FM radio compared to its next best competitor – streaming audio – with 14%. Not surprisingly, when it comes to the top radio formats listened to by Blacks 18+, rhythmic music stations rank at the top. However, out of the 20 radio formats Nielsen lists in its study, news/talk comes in as the 6th most-listened-to format with a monthly reach of almost 2.4 million. That comes out ahead of sports talk with a monthly reach of almost 1.98 million. 
from the study include: 1) the proportion of AM/FM radio in-car listening rose 9% year-over-year and is on par with pre-pandemic levels of listening; 2) spoken-word content listening is at an eight-year high with 39% of ad-supported listening (including AM/FM, streaming and podcasts) devoted to news/talk, talk, and sports; and 3) looking at Persons 25-54, the share of ad-supported audio time spent with personalities/talk shows has increased the most – from 11% of ad-supported listening in Q4 2016 to 19.4% in Q3 of 2023. 
in need in Southern California. The charity also helps families get back into stable home environments and teaches teens the skills they need to work in the hospitality industry. This year, all 168 Wendy’s restaurants in Southern California continued their partnership and offered customers the opportunity to donate. KFI program director Robin Bertolucci says, “Once again, the KFI audience has come through with incredible generosity and kindness. This is our 13th year and every year we are touched by the giving spirit of KFI listeners. A huge thank you to them and to our partners, Smart and Final and Wendy’s for giving our listeners another way to give back to the community.”