Holiday 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three
Holiday 2023 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2023 ratings period (December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024) 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.
NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.
DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear
Comparisons are December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 (6+).
PORTLAND
News/Talk
KXL 5.9 – 4.9, #3 – #6
KEX 1.2 – 1.1, #22 – #21
KUFO .6 – .5, #26 – #25
KPAM .1 – .1, #33 – #34
News
None
Sports Talk
KFXX 2.0 – 1.7, #20 – #20
KXTG 1.2 – 1.1, #22 – #21
KPOJ .7 – .7, #24 – #24 (Trailblazers)
KFXX Stream .1 – .1, #33 – #34
KMTT .1 – .2, #33 – #31
Public Radio News/Talk
KOPB 6.1 – 5.5, #2 – #3
KOPB Stream 1.4 – 1.4, #21 – #21
Note: News/talk KXL’s -1.0 (5.9 – 4.9) represents Portland’s largest (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 decrease.
CHARLOTTE
News/Talk
WBT-AM 4.2– 4.0, #11 – #9
News
WRFX-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
WFNZ-FM 2.7 – 2.5, #13 – #15 (Hornets)
WSOC-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WFAE 5.0 – 3.5, #8 – #11
WNSC 1.3 – 1.4, #18 – #18
WFAE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Notes: Public radio news/talk WFAE’s -1.5 (5.0 – 3.5) represents Charlotte’s largest (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 decrease.
The Carolina Panthers’ flagship is classic rock WRFX.
SAN ANTONIO
News/Talk
WOAI 2.7– 2.4, #14 – #15 (Spurs)
KTSA 2.0 – 1.8, #19 – #19
News
None
Sports Talk
KTFM 1.3 – 1.1, #22 – #23
KTKR .8 – .7, #27 – #25
KZDC .3 – .2, #30 – #32
Public Radio News/Talk
KSTX 2.3 – 2.3, #17 – #17
SACRAMENTO
News/Talk
KFBK-AM 6.6 – 6.1 #3 – #3
KSTE-AM 3.1 – 2.1, #12 – #16
News
None
Sports Talk
KHTK 1.7 – 1.6, #18 – #19 (Kings)
KIFM .9 – .9, #22 – #21
KIFM Stream .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KXJZ 2.3 – 2.4, #15 – #15
KQED .1 – .3, #29 – #28
KQEI .3 – .1, #28 – #30
KUOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
PITTSBURGH
News/Talk
KDKA-AM 3.8 – 3.6, #9 – #8
KDKA-AM Stream .3 – .4, #24 – #22
News
None
Sports Talk
KDKA-FM 7.2 – 7.2, #5 – #4
KDKA-FM Stream .2 – .1, #25 – #27
WBGG .1 – DNA, #27 – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WESA 4.2 – 3.9, #7 – #7
Flagships of the Steelers and Penguins are rock WDVE and alternative WXDX, respectively.
SALT LAKE CITY
News/Talk
KSL-AM 5.4 – 3.6, #3 – #9
KNRS-FM 2.8 – 2.2, #14 – #17
KKAT .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA
News
None
Sports Talk
KALL 1.9 – 1.1, #20 – #22
KZNS-FM .5 – .6, #26 – #25 (Utah Jazz)
KZNS-AM .7 – .2, #24 – #27 (Utah Jazz)
KZNS-AM Stream .1 – .1, #30 – #30 (Utah Jazz)
KZNS-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Utah Jazz)
KOVO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KUER 2.4 – 2.2, #18 – #17
KBYU-HD2 Stream .2 – .2, #28 – #27
KUMT .1 – .1, #30 – #30
Notes: Adult contemporary KSFI’s +6.3 (13.9 – 20.2) is the largest (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 increase in these 12 PPM-markets. Moreover, KSFI is the first station to reach a 20-share (6+) in the first three rounds of “Holiday” 2023 PPM results.
Conversely, news/talk KSL’s -1.8 (5.4 – 3.6) represents Salt Lake City’s largest (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 decrease.
LAS VEGAS
News/Talk
KMXB-HD3 .3 – .6, #29 – #28
KXNT .2 – .3, #31 – #31
KMZQ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
News
None
Sports Talk
KWWN .8 – .8, #26 – #27
KKGK .4 – .3, #28 – #31 (Golden Knights)
KRLV .2 – .2, #31 – #33 (Raiders)
KENO .2 – .2, #31 – #36
Public Radio News/Talk
KNPR 1.6 – 1.5, #21 – #21
ORLANDO
News/Talk
WDBO 3.2 – 3.1, #13 – #12
WTKS 3.6 – 3.1, #10 – #12
WFLF .7 – .6, #20 – #20
WFYY-HD3 .1 – DNA, #27 – DNA
News
None
Sports Talk
WYGM .9 – .9, #18 – #19 (Magic)
WOCL-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WMFE 2.8 – 2.7, #14 – #14
CINCINNATI
News/Talk
WLW 11.2 – 10.8, after 23 consecutive months at #1, slips to #2 (Bengals)
WKRC 4.9 – 4.5, #6 – #6
News
None
Sports Talk
WCKY 1.3 – 1.2, #19 – #18 (Bengals)
WSAI .5 – .5, #21 – #21
Public Radio News/Talk
WVXU 3.8 – 3.2, #9 – #10
CLEVELAND
News/Talk
WTAM 4.8 – 4.8, #10 – #8 (Cavaliers)
News
WMMS-HD2 .1 – DNA, #24 – DNA
Sports Talk
WKRK 5.8 – 6.5, #7 – #6 (Browns)
WKRK Stream .7 – .8, #21 – #20 (Browns)
WARF .2 – .1, #23 – #23
Public Radio News/Talk
WKSU 5.2 – 4.1, #9 – #10
WKSU-HD4 .1 – DNA, #24 – DNA
KANSAS CITY
News/Talk
KMBZ-FM 5.3 – 4.1, #5 – #7
KCMO-AM 1.9 – 1.8, #17 – #17
KMBZ-AM 1.6 – 1.4, #18 – #19
KMBZ-FM Stream .7 – .5, #21 – #23
KCMO-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
KMBZ-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
News
None
Sports Talk
KCSP 2.6 – 2.1, #15 – #15
KCSP Stream .2 – .2, #25 – #28
KWOD .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KCUR 2.8 – 2.4, #13 – #13
KANU-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Note: Country WDAF is the flagship of the Chiefs.
COLUMBUS
News/Talk
WTVN 6.0 – 4.5, #4 – #7
News
WYTS DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
WBNS-FM 9.8 – 6.9, #2 – #4 (Blue Jackets)
WBNS-AM .3 – .3, #21 #21 (Blue Jackets)
WBNS-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
WMNI DNA – .1, DNA – #23
Public Radio News/Talk
WOSU 4.0 – 3.6, #9 – #9
Note: Sports talk WBNS-FM’s -2.9 (9.8 – 6.9) is the largest (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 decrease by any station in the first three rounds of “Holiday” 2023 PPM results.
Up next: “Holiday” 2023 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.
Mike Kinosian can be reached at: Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com
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.”
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.