March 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One
March 2023 PPM Data – Information for the March 2023 ratings period 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).
Nielsen Audio’s March 2023 sweep covered March 2 – March 29.
TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.
Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.
All comparisons noted are February 2023 – March 2023 (6+).
NEW YORK
News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 3.9 – 3.7, -.2, tenth to ninth
iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 1.7 – 1.9, +.2, steady at #18
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 4.6 – 5.0, +.4, seventh to sixth
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 2.1 – 2.4, +.3, #16 to #15
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Brooklyn Nets and Yankees) 2.6 – 2.9, +.3, locked at #12
WFAN’s internet stream 1.4 – 1.5, +.1, repeats at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM 4.0 – 3.5, -.5, ninth to tenth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, fifth month in a row, 7.0 – 7.6, +.6
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+.6)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM and public radio news/talk WNYC-FM (-.5)
LOS ANGELES
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” unchanged at 4.1, repeats in fifth-place
News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 2.9 – 3.3, +.4, #12 to #10
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.7 – 2.2, -.5, #14 to #17
Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies KRTH, first month, 5.4 – 5.8, +.4
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: CHR KIIS (+1.1)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KOST (-1.4)
Note: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KOST had been #1 the past eight months
CHICAGO
News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” (Blackhawks) 3.2 – 3.4, +.2, tenth to ninth
News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” steady at 4.8, locked in fourth-place
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WSCR “670 The Score” (Bulls and Cubs) 1.7 – 2.5, +.8, #23 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ 3.7 – 3.4, -.3, seventh to ninth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT, sixth straight month, 8.0 – 6.7, -1.3
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: sports talk WSCR (+.8)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WLIT (-1.3)
SAN FRANCISCO
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 6.0 – 8.0, +2.0, third to first
Sports Talk: Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” (Golden State Warriors) 2.3 – 2.2, -.1, repeats at #14
Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 2.3 – 2.1, -.2, #14 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 4.6 – 5.3, +.7, continues in fourth-place
Number One 6+: news KCBS-AM & KFRC, first month, 6.0 – 8.0, +2.0
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: news KCBS-AM & KFRC (+2.0)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary KMEL (-.8)
DALLAS
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 2.6 – 3.4, +.8, #16 to #12
News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” steady at 2.3, #20 to #18
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” (Stars) unchanged at 5.6, #1
Audacy’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Cowboys and Texas Rangers) 2.9 – 2.3, -.6, #14 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA 3.0 – 2.7, -.3, #13 to #16
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media sports talk KTCK, third straight month, unchanged at 5.6
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: news/talk WBAP (+.8)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: urban AC KRNB and sports talk KRLD-FM (-.6)
HOUSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” (Astros) 3.8 – 3.7, -.1, #11 to #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston’s KUHF 3.1 – 2.6, -.5, #13 to #17
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, 25th consecutive month, 8.0 – 9.0, +1.0
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KODA (+1.0)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic rock KGLK and alternative KTBZ (-.7)
ATLANTA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 7.2 – 6.6, -.6, repeats in third-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” (Hawks) 2.3 – 2.4, +.1, #18 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE steady at 3.6, tenth to ninth
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, third successive month, 8.1 – 8.3, +.2
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WHTA (+1.6)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: country WUBL (.7)
PHILADELPHIA
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” 5.9 – 6.2, +.3, fourth to third
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Phillies) 5.9 – 4.7, -1.2, fourth to eighth
WIP’s internet stream 1.8 – 1.5, -.3, locked at #19
Beasley Media Group-owned WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” (76ers and Flyers) 1.7 – 1.4, -.3, repeats at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 4.8 – 5.4, +.6, eighth to seventh
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC WDAS-FM, second month in a row, 6.7 – 7.2, +.5
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: public radio news/talk WHYY (+.6)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: sports talk WIP (-1.2)
LONG ISLAND
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 1.9 – 2.1, +.2, anchored at #16
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 3.3 – 3.7, +.4, tenth to eighth
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 4.2 – 3.5, -.7, sixth to ninth
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Brooklyn Nets and Yankees) 4.2 – 4.4, +.2, repeats in sixth-place
Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” (Knicks, Rangers, Islanders) 1.6 – 1.5, -.1, #18 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WBAB, first month, 5.5 – 6.0, +.5
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: CHR WBLI’s internet stream (+.8)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic rock WAXQ and rhythmic CHR WKTU (-.9)
RIVERSIDE
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: San Bernardino Community College District’s KVCR, .5 -.3, -.2, locked at #19
Number One 6+: Audacy country KFRG, first month, 4.9 – 6.5, +1.6
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: country KFRG (+1.6)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies KOLA (-1.0)
Note: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA had been #1 the past 15 months
SAN JOSE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 1.6 – 1.5, -.1, #19 to #18
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 6.8 – 6.3, -.5, second to first
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 2.7 – 2.6, -.1, #13 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, tenth consecutive month 7.6 – 6.3, -1.3 and news KCBS-AM & KFRC, first month, 6.8 – 6.3, -.5
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: 1980s hits KOSF (+2.2)*
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: country KBAY (-1.5)**
*Represents the largest February 2023 – March 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
**Represents the largest February 2023 – March 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MIDDLESEX
News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 6.3 – 6.5, +.2, locked in second-place
iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” .7 – 1.0, +.3, #21 to #20
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 2.2 – 2.3, +.1, #12 to #9
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 1.5 – 1.6, +.1, #18 to #14
Sports Talk: Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” (Knicks, Rangers, and Islanders) 1.3 – 1.1, -.2, #19 to #17
The internet stream of Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Brooklyn Nets and Yankees) .7 – 1.0, +.3, #21 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group adult contemporary WMGQ, third consecutive month, 6.6 – 7.9, +1.3
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WMGQ (+1.3)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WLTW; contemporary Christian WAWZ; and the internet stream of Spanish tropical WSKQ (-.8)
Up next: March 2023 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
curiosity, and her work has been recognized throughout the region — she was named Press Club Media Person of the Year, she received the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists Living Legend Award and the Media Hall of Fame Award, and she is a nominee for the Lincoln University Alumni Hall of Fame. Outside of her career in radio, Carol is a wife and mother, author, motivational speaker, and ministry co-leader, and looks forward to spending time with family in her retirement. Carol has produced countless impactful, in-depth interviews in her time here, most recently as the host of the expanded ‘Total Information AM.’ Her last day with KMOX is May 25. We will be sad to see her go but are so excited for her as she takes on this new chapter.” 
down for next Wednesday, so I have the distinction of being honored. In all seriousness, I’m a big supporter of this organization and quite humbled that they picked me to be honored, so I’m hoping not to be too disappointing in terms of getting people to come and/or volunteer.” Morano is host of “The Other Side of Midnight” on the Red Apple Media talk station.
Harris tells the Tampa Bay Times that there is interest from other broadcasters but the six-month non-compete in his iHeart contract prevents him from working elsewhere right away. Harris says he didn’t get the chance to do a farewell show – something iHeartMedia West Florida president Chris Soechtig denies. Salem Media Group says it’s offered to host a farewell show on its crosstown news/talk WGUL “AM860 The Answer,” but also doesn’t want Harris to get into a legal tussle. 
January, Jay suffered two ventricular tachycardia events within a week of each other and doctors at Baylor Scott & White Hospital told him, “Your heart is done.” He was placed on the transplant list and told his expected wait would be two to six months for a new heart. Fortunately, it didn’t take that long and on February 3, Jay received a call informing him a heart had become available and he would be going into surgery that night. He received the new heart on February 4 and went home nine days later. Today (4/3), Jay returns to the air alongside his WBAP co-host Ernie Brown. Jay has been a key personality on the station for the past 42 years.
10:00 pm program for the past 13 years. In a Facebook post, Mangino calls the KDKA gig his “dream job” and says, “I couldn’t be more thankful to program director Marshall Adams and GM/VP Michael Young, who brought me on at KDKA; to Jim Graci, who kept me around all of those years and Dave Labrozzi & Michael Spacciocoli, who helped keep my dream alive. And finally, there’s PJ Kumanchik, who was integral in bringing me to KDKA, he was there during my entire ride and in the process became one of my dearest friends.”
balance between local, national, and multiplatform elements of the ever-evolving talk media space. Brian Kilmeade is a nationally known talk star hosting separate shows on FOX News Radio and FOX News Channel (TV). His syndicated radio show is carried on Long Island (where he also lives) by news/talk WRCN-FM, Riverhead “Long Island News Radio.” The station which serves Eastern Long Island is owned by JVC Broadcasting of which John Caracciolo is president/CEO. Harry Hurley, morning host at WPG, Atlantic City, NJ (and regular guest host on FOX News Radio who occasionally fills in for Kilmeade) will serve as moderator of what promises to be a fascinating three-way conversation. 
says, “This position has been a long time coming for us here at WRG. Our audiences are consuming our brands in many different ways now. I have no doubt that Kaytie will be exceptional in this role!” Kelly comments, “I’m excited to work with our talented team to build the digital arm of Woodward. There are so many incredible opportunities that lie ahead and I can’t wait to get started!” WRG owns and operates news/talk WHBY/W292FA and sports talk WSCO-AM/W256DD in the Appleton-Oshkosh market as well as four music brands. 
Rich Zeoli, Nick Kayal, Dom Giordano, Dawn Stensland and special guest Ryan Manion, Gold Star Sister and president of the Travis Manion Foundation, along with the team at the organization. Audacy Philadelphia SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff states, “Our WPHT listeners are extremely passionate and generous and it’s so gratifying when our friends, neighbors and advertisers rally together for a great cause. Our Philadelphia brands are long supporters of Travis Manion Foundation and the great work they do for veterans and families of the fallen in our local community and we’re pleased to team up with them once again to support their mission.”
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen’s February 2023 sweep covered February 2 – March 1. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, DC, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM adds four-tenths to finish the survey with a 3.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but remains ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s crosstown all-news WTOP-FM jumps eight-tenths to an 8.6 share lifting it to the #2 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO, Boston rises four-tenths to wrap the survey with a 4.1 share good for the #9 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-AM falls seven-tenths to finish with a 4.6 share that leaves it ranked #6 in the market. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM sheds seven-tenths to close with a 5.4 share that moves it from the #2 rank to #5, while Lotus Communications’ crosstown all-news KNWN-AM/FM falls 1.2 shares to finish with a 4.3 share and falls from #3 to #9. 
February 2023 PPM Data – Information for the February 2023 ratings period 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.
It is an unpredictable thing, this news cycle that drives the headlines.
C3 signal at 106.3 FM. Audacy says the change gives WORD access to a quarter million more adults 35+ from the South Carolina/Georgia border to Asheville, North Carolina, while covering parts of four South Carolina congressional districts and several North Carolina congressional districts. Audacy SVP and market manager for Greenville-Spartanburg Steve Sinicropi comments, “We are committed to delivering quality audio and content with our massive reach to our audiences. There is a tremendous demand for news/talk content in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson-Asheville area. The signal flip allows us to maximize our reach even further across the region and more broadly meet the needs of our listeners and advertisers across the Carolinas.”
April 18 on the Main Stage at NAB Show in Las Vegas. NAB will also present Bonneville International’s news/talk KTAR-FM, Phoenix with the esteemed Crystal Heritage Award during the ceremony. The Heritage Award recognizes radio stations that have won a total of five Crystal Radio Awards for exceptional year-round community service efforts. Only 10 other stations have received this honor. 
-the-hour news during the “Sid & Friends Morning Show.” He’ll also be responsible for all WABC news content and distribution, on-air and online. Laden served with WABC from 2003 to 2018 in which he was news director, news anchor on the “Imus In the Morning” show, and co-host on the Geraldo Rivera show. Laden says, “I’m very excited to join the new 77 WABC. The station has a terrific lineup of hosts and the ratings are soaring. It’s great to be part of a winning team with passionate owners. We’ve got lots of exciting plans for distribution of our news.” Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez says, “New Yorkers need to be in-the-know first thing in the morning and throughout their busy day. Our goal at WABC Radio is not only to deliver the news but to include all sides of the story.”
January 2023 PPM Data – Information for the January 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
January 2023 PPM Data – Information for the January 2023 ratings period 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.
spoke to a lot of Hoosiers, a lot of folks in Indianapolis, in part parts of the city, Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians for that matter and their eyes just lit up. A very nice lady, she donated $5. She said ‘Abdul, that’s all I can afford to give, I really want you to be mayor.’ It’s for people like that who are of limited mean, who don’t have a lot to give, and just want to feel better about where they live.” Shabazz is a weekend host on WIBC-FM and is founder and publisher of IndyPolitics.org. He formed an exploratory committee late last year to look into the feasibility of a campaign for mayor. He joins Pastor James Jackson on the GOP ticket in the May primary.
Answer.” Elswick notes that he’s beginning his 23rd year as a talk host in the Little Rock market. He says that with COVID protocols now in the rear-view mirror, he’s returning to hosting live broadcasts of the state legislature’s general session. Prior to joining Salem, Elswick served with iHeartMedia at crosstown news/talk KARN-FM.