December 2023 PPM Ratings – Part Two
December 2023 PPM Data – Information for the December 2023 ratings period (November 9 – December 6) 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.
NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.
DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear
Comparisons are November 2023 – December 2023 (6+).
WASHINGTON, DC
News/Talk
WMAL 4.6 – 3.5, #6 – #9
WFED .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA (Capitals)
News
WTOP & WTLP 7.4 – 6.9, #3 – #3
WDCH .6 – .5, #23 – #23
WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
WJFK-FM 2.8 – 2.4, #14 – #17 (Capitals)
WJFK-FM Stream .8 – .5, #21 – #23 (Capitals)
WTEM Stream .3 – .2, #25 – #26 (Wizards)
WTEM .2 – .1, #27 – #28 (Wizards)
WSBN DNA – .1, DNA – #28
Public Radio News/Talk
WAMU 12.7 – 11.3, 25th month in succession at #1
Notes: Even though WAMU’s -1.4 (12.7 – 11.3) represents Washington, DC’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease, the public radio news/talk station remains #1 for the 25th straight month.
The flagship of the Commanders is classic rock WBIG.
BOSTON
News/Talk
WRKO 2.5 – 2.9, #14 – #14
WXKS-AM .8 – .8, #23 – #23
News
News – Talk WBZ-AM 5.0 – 5.1, #6 – #5
Business news WRCA .1 – .1, #27 – #27
Sports Talk
WBZ-FM 10.7 – 9.2, following three straight months at #1, slips to #2 (New England Patriots, Celtics, Bruins)
WEEI-FM 3.6 – 3.2, #10 – #12
WEEI-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WBUR 6.4 – 5.6, #2 – #3
WGBH 3.9 – 4.2, #9 – #8
Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s -1.5 (10.7 – 9.2) represents Boston’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.
MIAMI
News/Talk
WIOD 1.4 – 1.4, #24 – #22
News
None
Sports Talk
WQAM 2.1 – 1.2, #20 – #24 (Heat, Florida Panthers)
WINZ .5 – .5, #29 – #28 (Dolphins)
WMEN .4 – .1, #31 – #36
WQAM Stream .1 – .1, #37 – #36 (Heat, Florida Panthers)
WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WLRN 3.9 – 3.6, #7 – #8
Note: Sports talk WQAM’s -.9 (2.1 – 1.2) represents Miami’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.
SEATTLE
News/Talk
KIRO-FM 4.7 – 4.1, #6 – #9 (Seahawks)
KTTH 1.6 – 1.6, #21 – #22
KVI 1.5 – 1.6, #23 – #22
KPTR .1 – DNA, #32 – DNA
News
KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.6 – 2.6, #18 – #19
KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
KJR-FM 3.1 – 3.6, #12 – #11 (Kraken)
KIRO-AM 3.1 – 3.0, #12 – #16 (Seahawks)
KJR-AM .6 – .7, #26 – #26
Public Radio News/Talk
KUOW 6.8 – 6.2, #2 – #2
KSWS .1 – .1, #32 – #32
DETROIT
News/Talk
WJR 2.4 – 2.3, #16 – #16
WFDF .4 – .4, #23 – #23
WJR Stream .2 – .2, #26 – #25
News
WWJ 4.6 – 4.3, #9 – #9 (Pistons)
WWJ Stream .4 – .2, #23 – #25 (Pistons)
WDFN .1 – .1, #31 – #30
Sports Talk
WXYT-FM 9.6 – 9.6, after three straight months at #1, falls to #2 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)
WXYT-FM Stream 1.5 – 1.7, #20 – #18 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)
WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #26 – #25
WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WDET 1.2 – 1.2, #21 – #20
WUOM 1.6 – 1.0, #18 – #21
PHOENIX
News/Talk
KFYI 3.3 – 3.2, #11 – #8
KTAR-FM 2.7 – 1.8, #14 – #23 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns)
News
None
Sports Talk
KMVP-FM 3.5 – 2.1, #7 – #19 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)
KTAR-AM .2 – .1, #31 – #33 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)
KDUS .1 – .1, #34 – #33
KGME .1 – .1, #34 – #33
KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)
Public Radio News/Talk
KJZZ 3.1 – 2.8, #12 – #11
Notes: Sports talk KMVP-FM’s -1.4 (3.5 – 2.1) represents Phoenix’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.
Adult contemporary KESZ boasts the highest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 increase (+7.0) by any station in the first two rounds of PPM results, as well as posting the largest (6+) share (8.2 – 15.2).
MINNEAPOLIS
News/Talk
WCCO 4.0 – 4.0, #12 – #11 (Minnesota Timberwolves)
KTMY 2.4 – 2.3, #16 – #16
KTLK-AM 2.0 – 1.7, #17 – #17
WCCO Stream .1 – .1, #30 – #29 (Minnesota Timberwolves)
News
KQQL-HD2 .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA
Sports Talk
KFXN 8.9 – 7.6, #2 – #3 (Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild)
KQQL-HD3 .3 – .3, #26 – #27
KSTP-AM .2 – .1, #28 – #29
Public Radio News/Talk
KNOW 5.7 – 5.5, #5 – #5
KNOW Stream .7 – .7, #23 – #23
SAN DIEGO
News/Talk
KOGO 4.2 – 3.8, #6 – #9
KLSD .3 – .2, #26 – #26
News
None
Sports Talk
KWFN 3.6 – 3.4, #11 – #11
KGB-AM 1.3 – 1.0, #20 – #21
KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KPBS 6.2 – 5.9, #2 – #4
TAMPA
News/Talk
WHPT 4.5 – 4.8, #6 – #8 (Lightning)
WFLA 4.4 – 3.9, #7 – #10
News
None
Sports Talk
WDAE 1.8– 1.9, #17 – #17
Public Radio News/Talk
WUSF 1.6 – 1.7, #20 – #18
WMNF-HD3 Stream .1 – .4, #33 – #29
WUSF Stream .3 – DNA, #30 – DNA
Note: Rock WXTB is the flagship of the Buccaneers.
DENVER
News/Talk
KOA 3.3 – 3.1, #13 – #13 (Broncos)
KHOW 1.8 – 1.8, #21 – #20
KDFD 2.0 – 1.4, #20 – #22
News
None
Sports Talk
KKFN 4.2 – 3.8, #10 – #10
KKSE-FM 2.1 – 2.4, #19 – #16 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)
KEPN DNA – .1, DNA – #35
KKSE-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #35
KAMP .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KCFR 4.0 – 2.7, #11 – #14
KUNC .4 – .4, #31 – #30
Note: Public radio news/talk KCFR’s -1.3 (4.0 – 2.7) represents Denver’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.
BALTIMORE
News/Talk
WBAL 3.7 – 3.4, #11 – #10 (Ravens)
WCBM 1.8 – 1.6, #17 – #17
News
WTOP & WTLP 1.3 – 1.1, #18 – #18
WDCH .9 – .8, #20 – #21
WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
WJZ-FM 5.1 – 4.2, #5 – #8
WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WYPR 4.5 – 3.3, #9 – #11
WYPR HD2 Stream .3 – .2, #26 – #26
Note: Public radio news/talk WYPR’s -1.2 (4.5 – 3.3) represents Baltimore’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.
ST. LOUIS
News/Talk
KMOX 4.0 – 3.0, #11 – #13
KFTK 1.9 – 1.6, #17 – #17
KTLK-FM 1.0 – 1.1, #19 – #18
KMOX Stream .2 – .3, #25 – #23
KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #25 – #25
News
KATZ-FM HD2 .2 – .3, #25 – #23
Sports Talk
WXOS 3.7 – 4.1, #12 – #11 (Blues)
Public Radio News/Talk
KWMU 4.9 – 4.0, #9 – #12
Note: News/talk KMOX’s -1.0 (4.0 – 3.0) represents St. Louis’ largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.
Up next: December 2023 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.
Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com
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.”
organization addressing the essential education and enrichment needs of children and youth in foster care in Washington State. The 2023 fundraiser includes an online auction featuring one-of-a-kind sports packages from the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners, autographed Seahawks merchandise, and more. Bonneville SVP and market manager Cathy Cangiano says, “It is remarkable to celebrate 35 years of partnership between KIRO Newsradio and Treehouse in producing Holiday Magic. We have worked with Treehouse to create the Holiday Magic Campaign longer than any other community initiative and it has become a part of our purpose and mission.”
the company. Dove, who starts on January 1, comes to Alpha Media from iHeartMedia where he most recently served as Pacific Northwest Region president. Alpha Media president and CEO Bob Proffitt commented on the announcement, “I am very excited to have Robert lead us to new heights, opportunities, and successes. He knows Portland like no other broadcaster, has deep relationships and knowledge of our city’s intricacies, and will be a great addition to our team of market managers all across America.” Dove adds, “I’m very excited to join the Alpha Media team. As a native Portlander having the chance to work with some of Portland radio’s most iconic brands is very rewarding and fulfilling. I can’t wait to get started.” 
Cumulus operates news/talk WXLM-AM in the New London market and news/talk WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM and sports talk WPRV-AM in Providence. Cumulus Media president of operations Dave Milner states, “Holly is an extremely effective and capable leader. Having her lead New London in addition to Providence allows for us to provide enhanced solutions for customers in Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut.”
company operates news/talk WHLD-AM, Buffalo; sports talk WRIE-AM, Erie; and sports talk WSKO-AM, Syracuse as well as 11 music-formatted stations. Cumulus Media president of operations Bob Walker states, “We are pleased to expand Beth’s responsibilities over these three key markets for Cumulus. Her deep experience and effectiveness as a leader make her a natural choice for this enhanced role.” 
November 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 ratings period (October 12 – November 8) has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.
Curley and Howie Carr encouraged listeners to donate and raise funds for the DAV of Massachusetts’ homeless shelter and transportation programs. iHeartMedia Boston director of operations, news, talk and sports Bill Flaherty says, “Year after year, the WRKO listeners overwhelm us with their generosity. This year, they have helped to raise $172,852 for the DAV of Massachusetts. It’s an honor to dedicate a day of programming to those who have given so much of themselves for this country.” Since 2016, the “DAV Radiothon” has raised over $1,058,000 to benefit veterans in the community.
that resonate with them! The position requires extreme reliability and flexibility. Females are encouraged to apply. Second, Cumulus is seeking a news director to work with both stations. It says, “This is not a 9 to 5 weekday desk job. If news runs in your blood, if you get an adrenaline rush from breaking stories, if you are hands-on, and you realize the commitment that it takes to win from you and your team, then this job could be for you. Our ideal candidate should possess an extremely good work ethic and have a history of news department success as a news director.” And third, the company is looking for a managing editor for both stations. This is an early morning position from 2:30 am until 10:30 am. The main job is to make sure the shows on both stations have the content they need to have a successful broadcast. 
Providence-based talk host, podcaster, journalist and musician Bill Bartholomew says, “In a world where social media influencers and podcasters supply information to millions of young consumers, news/talk radio should be able to effectively compete for the ears of younger generations in a comparable, if not expanded way.” In a piece written for TALKERS magazine. Bartholomew says, “Unlike many digital-first content producers, radio retains a unique quality: authority. By virtue of editorial standards, FCC regulation and brand – things that social media and podcasts often lack – radio has the unique ability to deliver credible, vetted, nuanced and universally trustworthy content that can instantaneously adapt to meet the needs of the moment. This is true in everything from natural disasters to rapidly evolving breaking news stories, providing a channel for immediate, reactionary insight and analysis.” To that end, he suggests four steps news/talk stations should pursue. 
Midwest Communications’ news/talk KFGO, Fargo The Mighty 790 on November 2. He tells The Forum that he left the station due to a difference in programming philosophy with management. “We differed on the operation of the ‘Morning Crew,’ and so I decided to step away.” Michaels serves as the public address announcer for North Dakota State football and basketball games, a position he will continue to hold. 
The fourth of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s October 2023 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 period covers September 14 through October 11. 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 adds 1.3 shares (weekly, 6+ AQH share) to finish with a 4.7 share that lifts it from the #10 rank to #5. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN adds one-tenth for a 9.7 share finish that’s good enough to lift it to the #1 rank, as Good Karma Brands’ news/talk WTMJ sheds two-tenths for a 9.6 share and the #2 rank. In West Palm Beach, Hubbard Broadcasting’s news/talk WFTL rises half a share to a 2.3 share and jumps to the #9 rank, as iHeartMedia’s talk WZZR loses one-tenth to finish with a 1.8 share good for the #13 rank and sister news/talk WJNO is up one-tenth to a 1.2 share and is ranked #14 for the fourth consecutive month. 
team of award-winning journalists brings a fresh perspective to mornings while delivering a perfect mix of news, sports, and entertainment.” Also, station traffic and weather anchor Renee Vitale becomes co-host of “First Thing with Mike Parsons” from 5:00 am to 6:00 am. The station is pairing Detroit Lions great Lomas Brown with WJR’s Sean Baligian for the 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm “Sportswrap with Lomas Brown and Sean Baligian” program. Cumulus Media regional VP and market manager Steve Finateri comments, “‘JR Morning with Guy, Lloyd and Jamie’ plus ‘SportsWrap with Lomas Brown and Sean Baligian’ as bookends to our current big-name local daily shows on WJR has given ‘The Great Voice of The Great Lakes’ more prime time firepower than at any time in the past 20 years!”
Donna Baker states, “Today Cumulus Kansas City completes the market transformation of our dominant cluster. With recent moves for Kansas City’s hip hop and R&B – now ‘Power 105.1,’ ‘107.3 The Vibe All The Hits,’ and now adding 95.7 FM to the simulcast of 710 AM and 103.7 FM for a tri-cast of ‘KCMO Talk,’ we have the right formats on the right signals reaching the entire Kansas City community. Congratulations to program director Pete Mundo and our leadership team for their tireless work on this important step forward.” Mundo adds, “KCMO has a rich history. As we often say, ‘If it’s IN KCMO, it’s ON KCMO.’ These legacy call letters have been synonymous with shows that engage the audience in conversations about local and national issues that impact their everyday lives. The addition of 95.7 FM provides a crystal-clear audio experience for our rapidly growing fan base and I’m excited to even better serve talk radio listeners across the Kansas City region.”
The fourth and final round of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s September 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee,