Industry News

Audacy and the Phillies Announce Multi-Year Broadcast Extension

Audacy and Major League Baseball’s Philadelphia Phillies announce a multi-year extension to their radio broadcast partnership. SportsRadio 94WIP will continue as the flagship station of the team, broadcasting allim regular and postseason games, as well as select Spring Training games. Audacy SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “As we gear up for another Red October, we’re excited to announce our continued partnership with the Phillies. The Phillies are synonymous with this city’s great sports culture, and we’re proud to continue serving as the home for Phillies faithful – from every pitch throughout the season to yearlong updates and headlines surrounding their favorite team.”

Industry News

Beasley Media Group Announces New Regional Vice President Roles

Beasley Media Group announces new RVP roles for managers overseeing multiple markets across the country. The company says that under the new leadership structure, cluster and market managers will report directly to the regional vice president responsible for overseeing their market. Ron deCastro will beim responsible for overseeing the Fort Myers and Tampa, Florida markets. In addition to serving as Ft. Myers market manager, AJ Lurie will now oversee sales across the state. Mac Edwards will oversee the Charlotte and Fayetteville markets. Kent Dunn will continue to lead the Augusta market. Mary Menna will lead the company’s Boston, Philadelphia, and New Jersey markets. Kevin Rich, who currently serves as Beasley Media Group vice president of operations, will now also be responsible for overseeing the company’s Las Vegas and Detroit-based operations. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley states, “These changes reflect the company’s continuous commitment to streamline our sales efforts and drive revenue in an efficient manner across multiple platforms throughout the company.”

Industry News

Round One of July 2024 PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s July 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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 survey period covered June 20 through July 17. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media Group’s news/talk WABC rises a half share to finish with a 3.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and climbs to the #10 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR tacks on two-tenths for a 1.7 share finish good for the #19 rank. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI adds three-tenths to finish with a 4.0 share keeping it locked in the #7 rank, while Audacy’s all-news KNX-FM rises two-tenths to a 3.3 share, lifting it to the #10 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN is flat with a 2.5 share but rises two places to the #13 rank, while Cumulus Media Group’s news/talk WLS-AM ticks up one-tenth to a 1.2 share, staying in the #25 spot, and Audacy’s all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM dips two-tenths to a 5.2 share good for the #5 rank in the market. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

July 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One

imJuly 2024 PPM Data – Information for Nielsen Audio’s July 2024 ratings period (June 20 – July 17) 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.

No share or rank thresholds are required for spoken-word stations to be included here.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are June 2024 – July 2024  (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.3 – 3.8, #11 – #10

WOR 1.5 – 1.7, #20 – #19

WKXW .9 – 1.1, #22 – #22

WLIR .1 – .2, #43 – #40

WKXW Stream .3 – .1, #36 – #44

News

WINS-FM 4.2 – 4.3, #7 – #6

WCBS-AM 1.5 – 1.7, #20 – #19 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .5, #33 – #29

Business News WBBR .4 – .4, #33 – #31

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .2, #37 – #40 (Mets)

WWRL & WWPR-HD3 Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 2.3 – 2.6, #13 -#13 (Yankees)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .6 – .7, #27 -#25 (Yankees) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 3.7 – 3.5, #9 – #11

WNYC-AM .7 – .8, #26 – #24 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 3.7 – 4.0, #7 – #7

KRLA .7 – .7, #33 – #31

KEIB .5 – .4, #34 – #34    

News

KNX-FM 3.1 – 3.3, #11 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .3 – .3, #37 – #36

KRRL-HD2 Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Sports Talk

KLAC 1.5 – 1.4, #27 – #28 (Dodgers 

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 1.6 – 1.7, #26 – #24

Note: The Angels’ flagships are sports talk KLAA (DNA) and sports talk KSPN (DNA).

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 2.5 – 2.5, #15 – #13

WLS-AM 1.1 – 1.2, #25 – #25

WVON .2 – .3, #37 – #34

WLS-AM Stream .1 – .2, #41 – #37

WLIP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 5.4 – 5.2, #4  – #5

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .1 – .1, #41 – #39

WVAZ-HD2 Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WSCR 2.7 – 2.2, #13 – #18 (Cubs)

WSCR Stream .3 – .4, #33 – #31 (Cubs)

WSHE-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 1.7 – 1.9, #22 – #21  

Note: The White Sox flagship is sports talk WMVP (DNA).

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.0 – .9, #23 – #24

KSFO Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #36 

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 5.4 – 5.8, #3 – #4

KNEW .2 – .3, #30 – #29 (Oakland A’s)  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .1 – .1, #35 – #36

KKSF Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KNBR 4.5 – 4.0, # 5 – #7 (Giants)

KGMZ 1.5 – 1.6, #21 – #20

KNBR Stream .3 – .3, #28 – #29 (Giants)

KGO .1 – .1, #35 – #36  

KGO Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

KTCT .1 – DNA, #35 – DNA  

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA     

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 7.1 – 7.1, #2 – #1

KALW .3 – .6, #28 – #26

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 3.0 – 2.9, #12 – #14

KSKY .7 – .7, #33 – #32

KLIF-AM .4 – .2, #35 – #39

KFXR-AM .1 – DNA, #38 – DNA

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.5 – 1.2, #27 – #28

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream .1 – DNA, #38 – DNA

KKGM Black Information Network .1 – DNA, #38 – DNA

Sports Talk

KTCK 5.1 – 4.2, #2 – #7

KRLD-FM 2.3 – 2.0, #20 – #22 (Texas Rangers)

KRLD-FM Stream .9 – .1, #30 – #42 (Texas Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 2.5 – 2.9, #17 – #14

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 3.3 – 4.6, #13 – #7  (Astros)

KPRC .3 – .6, #27 – #27  

News

KXYZ Black Information Network DNA – .1, DNA – #31

Sports Talk

KBME .8 – 1.1, #26 – #23  (Astros)

KILT-AM 1.3 – 1.0, #23 – #24

KILT-AM Stream .3 – .1, #27 – #31

KFNC DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 4.1 – 4.3, #7 – #9  

Note: News/talk KTRH’s +1.3 (3.3 – 4.6) represents Houston’s largest (6+) June 2024 – July 2024 increase.

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.2 – 9.1, #3 – #1

WFOM .3 – .4, #29 – #26

WGKA .2 – .2, #31 – #32

WAOK .1 – .1, #33 – #33

WAOK Stream .1 – .1, #33 – #33

WSRV-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBIN Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WCNN 4.2 – 3.7, #8 – #9 (Braves)

WZGC 2.8 – 2.9, #17 – #15

WZGC Stream .3 – .3, #29 – #30

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.6 – 3.9, #11 – #8

WRAS  .4 – .4, #26 – #26

WABE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Note: News/talk WSB-AM & WSBB’s +1.9 (7.2 – 9.1) represents the largest (6+) June 2024 – July 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets. 

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 2.2 – 2.8, #16 – #13

WPHT Stream .7 – 1.0, #26 – #24

WKXW .8 – .9, #25 – #26

WURD .3 – .4, #28 – #28

WDEL-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #33

WURD Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #33

WKXW Stream .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

News

KYW & WPHI 5.0 – 5.0, #6 – #5

KYW & WPHI Stream .7 – .8, #26 – #27

WTEL & WDAS-HD2 Black Information Network DNA – .1, DNA – #33

Sports Talk

WIP 7.5 – 7.7, #3 – #2 (Phillies)

WIP Stream 1.7 – 2.1, #19 – #16 (Phillies)

WPEN-FM 1.2 – 1.4, #22 – #22

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.1 – 3.2, #11 – #12     

Note: News/talk WPHT’s +.6 (2.2 – 2.8) is Philadelphia’s largest (6+) June 2024 – July 2024 increase.

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 1.8 – 2.1, #16 – #15

WOR 1.3 – 1.5, #20 – #19

WLIR .2 – .5, #27 – #25

News

WINS-FM 5.2 – 5.0, #2 – #3

WCBS-AM 1.7 – 2.3, #18 – #13 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .5 – 1.0 #24 – #21

WCBS-AM Stream .3 – .4, #25 – #26 (Mets)

Business News WBBR .3 – .2, #25 – #27

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.9 – 2.6, #10 – #12 (Yankees)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Yankees)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .2, #27 – #27

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KPWK .2 – .1, #24 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .4 – .1 #19 – #23

KPCC DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.4 – 1.5, #21 – #21

KSFO Stream .2 – .2, #26 – #25  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 4.1 – 4.3, #5 – #6

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .2 – .2, #26 – #25

KNEW .2 – .2, #26 – #25 (Oakland A’s)  

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.2 – 2.0, #11 – #15 (Giants)

KGMZ 1.4 – 1.9, #21 – #18

KNBR Stream .2 – .2, #26 – #25 (Giants)

KGO .2 – DNA, #26 – DNA  

KGO Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

KTCT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

None

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION 

News/Talk

WKXW 6.3 – 6.9, #2 – #2

WOR 3.0 – 3.4, #9 – #9

WKXW Stream 1.0 – .1, #18 – #20         

News

WINS-FM 2.0 – 2.6, #14 – #11

WCBS-AM .8 – .9, #20 – #17 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .3, #23 – #18

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .1, #25 – #20 (Mets)

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.3 – 2.4, #30 – #12 (Yankees)

WFAN FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Yankees)    

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Note: Seven (7) stations are tied at #20 with a .1 (6+). 

Up next: July 2024 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Mike Missanelli Back on “97.5 The Fanatic”

Philadelphia sports media pro Mike Missanelli is returning to Beasley Media Group’s WPEN-FM “97.5 Theim Fanatic” to host the midday show, effective August 12. “97.5 The Fanatic” program director Scott Masteller says, “I am excited to welcome Mike back to the Fanatic. I know that both previous and new listeners will be anxious to hear his insight and perspective on Philadelphia Sports.” The company also announces that Bill Colarulo, a recent addition to the station, will join Mike Missanelli as part of the show’s new on-air lineup.

Industry News

Beasley’s “97.5 The Fanatic” Extends Ricky Bottalico

Beasley Media Group and air personality Ricky Bottalico agree to a multiyear contract extension in which he’ll continue serving as co-host of “The Best Show Ever with Tyrone Johnson.” Bottalico – a former MLBim relief pitcher – joined the afternoon drive show in August of 2022. Beasley Philadelphia cluster manager Paul Blake comments, “Ricky was a fierce competitor on the mound during his 12-year career in Major League Baseball. His grit, toughness, and strong work ethic make him an ideal co-host for our afternoon show on ‘The Fanatic.’ We’re thrilled to announce his renewal.” Bottalico says, “I am happy to be back with Tyrone and ‘The Best Show Ever.’ I will continue to work hard to bring my best every day. As a group, we are striving to be better every chance we get!”

Industry News

Howard Eskin Returns to WIP Saturday Show

According to a report in the New York Post, longtime WIP, Philadelphia personality Howard Eskin returned to his regular Saturday show on the Audacy sports talk station and addressed the incident that happened at Citizens Bank Park in late June that got him banned from the ballpark in late June. Eskin was banned from theim Citizens Bank Park and from the 76ers’ practice facility in Camden, New Jersey after an unwanted advance on an Aramark employee at the ballpark. Eskin was off WIP since that time. He said, in part, “I’d like to briefly address the recent reports about an incident at Citizens Bank Park. Now I’m not going to get into specifics other than to say that I recognize my actions have offended and upset her. I feel awful about that. I really do. I apologized to her at the time of the incident, and I apologize again now. I’m truly sorry that this did occur. I know a lot of you want me to say more about this, but I don’t intend to comment on this any further and hopefully you understand.”  See the Post story here.

Industry News

Philadelphia Talk Host Mary Mason Dies at 94

Philadelphia talk radio veteran Mary Mason died on July 25 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Mason, a.k.a. Beatrice Turner, was a pioneering talk host in the urban talk radio format when she transitioned from a Gospel music host – beginning in 1958 – to anchor of the “Mornings with Mary” program on WHAT, Philadelphia in 1970. Thera Martin was Mason’s former program director at WHAT and tells WPVI-TV, “Reverend Louise Williams Bishop and Mary Mason are the two African American women who really broke the barrier in Philadelphia radio for us to come behind them. People used to hang onto her every word, every morning, with her very popular radio show.” The story notes that “the show catapulted Mason’s career, leading her to interviews with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, and Oprah.” See the WPVI-TV story here.

Industry News

Broadcast Pioneers of Philly Announce 2024 HOFers

Broadcast Pioneers LogoFormer MLB relief pitcher/26-year Philadelphia Phillies radio analyst Larry Anderson; Beasley Media Group account representative Tina Costello; iHeartMedia, Philadelphia news/community affairs director Loraine Ballard Morrill; and long-time (now retired) all-news KYW, Philadelphia anchor/“Reporters Roundup” host Steve Nikazy are among those who will be entering the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia (BPOP) Hall of Fame. Along with six others, these four will be inducted into the Hall at the nonprofit’s gala in approximately four months (11/22). Hosting the BPOP Hall of Fame event will be 15-time Emmy winner/2015 inductee CBS News Philadelphia morning and noon anchor Jim Donovan and former WPVI-TV, Philadelphia sports anchor/2005 HOF honoree Scott Palmer. Founded in 1962, The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia honors the broadcast history of Philadelphia, supporting the next generation of broadcasters through scholarships and educational opportunities and recognizing those who have made lasting contributions to the industry.  

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Massachusetts Broadcasters AssociatioinDuring a presentation last week at Beasley Media Group Boston, the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association awarded 11 scholarships totaling $30,000. Scholarship checks were presented by MBA’s immediate past chair/Beasley Media Group vice president/market manager Mary Menna and MBA executive director Jordan Walton. According to Menna, “Beasley Media is proud to have participated in the MBA Student Broadcaster Scholarship for many years. It’s a worthwhile investment in supporting the next generation of radio and television employees.” Walton commented, “The MBA and its members have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in our future broadcasters. We look forward to watching this group succeed in broadcasting in the years to come.” Menna and Walton delivered brief remarks to the scholarship winners before BMG Boston sports talk WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” morning hosts Fred Toucher and Rob “Hardy” Poole spoke to the winners about their paths into broadcasting. Student Broadcaster Scholarships are given to students pursuing a career in over-the-air broadcasting and enrolled at a two or four-year accredited school.

 

Rob EllisAudacy Philadelphia sports talk WIP “Sports Radio 94” names Rob Ellis Saturday 10:00 am -1:00 pm co-host, succeeding the retired Glen Macnow. Ellis will be partnered with Mike Sielski, who said during the on-air announcement, “It’s going to be terrific. We very much wanted to keep the tone, content, and humor that Glen brought to the show.” Ellis joined WIP in 2007; left in 2015; but returned in 2018. He has previously hosted afternoons; evenings; and pre- and post-game shows of the Phillies; Eagles; Sixers; and Flyers. Ellis worked in television for 23 years and is a two-time Emmy winner.

Industry News

Round One of June PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s June 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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 survey period covered May 23 through June 19. Today, TALKERS magazine editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC is steady with a 3.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but slips to the #11 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR is also steady with a 1.5 share and falls back to the #20 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media’s news/talk WGN slides a half share to finish with a 2.5 share good for the #15 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM rises two-tenths to a 1.1 share that lifts it to the #25 rank. In Dallas, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WBAP adds four-tenths for a 3.0 share and rises to the #12 rank, while Audacy’s all-news KRLD-AM is steady with a 1.5 share but slips to the #27 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways here.

Ratings Takeaways

June 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One

imJune 2024 PPM Data – Information for Nielsen Audio’s June 2024 ratings period (May 23 – June 19) 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).

No share or rank thresholds are required for spoken-word stations to be included here.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are May 2024 – June 2024  (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.3 – 3.3, #10 – #11

WOR 1.5 – 1.5, #19 – #20

WKXW 1.0 – .9, #23 – #22

WKXW Stream .2 – .3, #39 – #36

WLIR .1 – .1, #45 – #43

News

WINS-FM 4.3 – 4.2, #5 – #7

WCBS-AM 1.5 – 1.5, #19 – #20 (Mets)

Business News WBBR .4 – .4, #34 – #33

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .4, #37 – #33

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .2, #39 – #37 (Mets)

WWRL & WWPR-HD3 Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 2.4 – 2.3, #13 -#13 (Yankees)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .8 – .6, #26 -#27 (Yankees)

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 3.3 – 3.7, #10 – #9

WNYC-AM .9 – .7, #24 – #26

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 4.0 – 3.7, #7 – #7

KRLA .8 – .7, #33 – #33

KEIB .6 – .5, #34 – #34    

News

KNX-FM 3.3 – 3.1, #10 – #11

KNX-FM Stream .2 – .3, #38 – #37

KRRL-HD2 Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Sports Talk

KLAC 1.5 – 1.5, #26 – #27 (Dodgers 

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 1.8 – 1.6, #22 – #26

Note: The Angels’ flagships are sports talk KLAA (DNA) and sports talk KSPN (DNA).

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.0 – 2.5, #12 – #15

WLS-AM .9 – 1.1, #26 – #25

WVON .2 – .2, #36 – #37

WLS-AM Stream .1 – .1, #41 – #41

WLIP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 5.2 – 5.4, #4  – #4

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .1 – .1, #41 – #41

WVAZ-HD2 Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WSCR 3.2 – 2.7, #10 – #13 (Cubs)

WSCR Stream .2 – .3, #36 – #33 (Cubs)

WSHE-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 1.6 – 1.7, #21 – #22  

Note: The White Sox flagship is sports talk WMVP (DNA).

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.4 – 1.0, #22 – #23

KSFO Stream .1 – DNA, #38 – DNA 

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 5.7 – 5.4, #3 – #3

KNEW .2 – .2, #32 – #30 (Oakland A’s)  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #35

KKSF Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Sports Talk

KNBR 4.2 – 4.5, #6 – #5 (Giants)

KGMZ 1.7 – 1.5, #20 – #21

KNBR Stream .4 – .3, #28 – #28 (Giants)

KGO .1 – .1, #38 – #35  

KTCT .1 – .1, #38 – #35  

KGO Stream .2 – DNA, #32 – DNA  

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA     

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 5.9 – 7.1, #2 – #2

KALW .3 – .3, #31 – #28

Note: Public radio news/talk KQED’s +1.2 (5.9 – 7.1) represents San Francisco’s largest (6+) May 2024 – June 2024 increase.

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 2.6 – 3.0, #15 – #12

KSKY .6 – .7, #34 – #33

KLIF-AM .4 – .4, #36 – #35

KFXR-AM .1 – .1, #43 – #38

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.5 – 1.5, #26 – #27

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #38

KKGM & KHVN Black Information Network DNA – .1, DNA – #38

Sports Talk

KTCK 5.3 – 5.1, #1 – #2

KRLD-FM 2.5 – 2.3, #19 – #20 (Texas Rangers)

KRLD-FM Stream 1.2 – .9, #28 – #30 (Texas Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 2.9 – 2.5, #12 – #17

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 3.3 – 3.3, #13 – #13  (Astros)

KPRC .3 – .3, #30 – #27  

News

KXYZ Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KILT-AM 1.1 – 1.3, #24 – #23

KBME 1.0 – .8, #26 – #26  (Astros)

KILT-AM Stream .6 – .3, #27 – #27

KFNC DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 3.4 – 4.1, #12 – #7

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.1– 7.2, #2 – #3

WFOM .3 – .3, #30 – #29

WGKA .3 – .2, #30 – #31

WAOK DNA – .1, DNA – #33

WAOK Stream .1 – .1, #33 – #33

WSRV-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBIN Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WCNN 4.1 – 4.2, #8 – #8 (Braves)

WZGC 3.7 – 2.8, #11 – #17

WZGC Stream .6 – .3, #25 – #29

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 4.0 – 3.6, #9 – #11

WRAS  .5 – .4, #27 – #26

WABE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 2.1 – 2.2, #18 – #16

WKXW 1.1 – .8, #24 – #25

WPHT Stream .7 – .7, #25 – #26

WURD .3 – .3, #28 – #28

WKXW Stream .1 – .1, #31 – #30

WDEL-AM .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA

WURD Stream .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA   

News

KYW & WPHI 5.1 – 5.0, #6 – #6

KYW & WPHI Stream .5 – .7, #27 – #26

WTEL & WDAS-HD2 Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WIP 7.4 – 7.5, #4 – #3 (Phillies)

WIP Stream 3.0 – 1.7, #10 – #19 (Phillies)

WPEN-FM 1.5 – 1.2, #21 – #22

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 2.9 – 3.1, #12 – #11

Note: The -1.3 (3.0 – 1.7) by sports talk WIP’s internet stream is tied for Philadelphia’s largest (6+) May 2024 – June 2024 decrease. 

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 1.7 – 1.8, #18 – #16

WOR 1.2 – 1.3, #19 – #20

WLIR .2 – .2, #27 – #27

News

WINS-FM 5.2 – 5.2, #3 – #2

WCBS-AM 1.8 – 1.7, #16 – #18 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .6 – .5, #23 – #24

WCBS-AM Stream .4 – .3, #24 – #25 (Mets)

Business News WBBR .4 – .3, #24 – #25

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.9 – 2.9, #10 – #10 (Yankees)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Yankees)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .1 – .2, #31 – #27

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO Black Information Network DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KPWK .4 – .2, #21 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .4 – .4 #21 – #19

KPCC DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 2.0 – 1.4, #17 – #21

KSFO Stream .3 – .2, #27 – #26  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 3.5 – 4.1, #8 – #5

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .2 – .2, #29 – #26

KNEW .2 – .2, #29 – #26 (Oakland A’s)  

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.5 – 3.2, #8 – #11 (Giants)

KGMZ 1.3 – 1.4, #22 – #21

KNBR Stream .3 – .2, #27 – #26 (Giants)

KGO .2 – .2, #29 – #26  

KGO Stream .8 – DNA, #26 – DNA  

KTCT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

None

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION 

News/Talk

WKXW 7.0 – 6.3, #2 – #2

WOR 3.3 – 3.0, #9 – #9

WKXW Stream .8 – 1.0, #19 – #18         

News

WINS-FM 2.2 – 2.0, #12 – #14

WCBS-AM .8 – .8, #19 – #20 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .3, #24 – #23

WCBS-AM Stream .3 – .1, #25 – #25 (Mets)

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.9 – 2.3, #10 – #13 (Yankees)

WFAN FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Yankees)    

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Note: News/talk WKXW’s -.7 (7.0 – 6.3) represents a tie for Middlesex-Somerset-Union’s largest (6+)May 2024 – June 2024 decrease.

Up next: June 2024 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

iHM Philly Honored with Civic 50 Award

im

Pictured above are iHeartMedia Philadelphia region president Jeff Moore (right) and director of news and community affairs Loraine Ballard Morrill (left) as the company’s Philadelphia cluster is named a 2024 honoree of the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia in partnership with globally recognized nonprofit Points of Light, lead partner the Philadelphia Foundation, and other local partners. The Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia provides a standard for superior corporate citizenship showcasing how civic-minded companies can use their time, skills, and resources to drive social impact within their organizations and communities.

Industry News

Paul Blake to Lead Beasley Philadelphia

Beasley Media Group promotes Paul Blake to cluster manager for its Philadelphia stations. He most recently served as vice president/director of sales and has been with the cluster for the past 22 years. In his new role,im he will report directly to president Bruce Beasley and will be responsible for overseeing WMMR-FM, WMGK-FM, WXTU-FM, BEN FM, 97.5 The Fanatic, WWDB 860 and Camden’s WTMR 800. He states, “I am deeply honored and thrilled to take on the role of cluster manager for Beasley Media Philadelphia. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Beasley family for their unwavering trust and confidence in me. It is an incredible privilege to lead one of America’s premier groups of radio stations and digital content creators, and I look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence and innovation in the media industry.”

Industry News

Round One of May PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s May 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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 survey period covered April 25 through May 22. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC is up one-tenth to a 3.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #10 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR also climbs one-tenth to a 1.5 share good for the #19 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles drops six-tenths to finish with a 4.0 share and pulls it back to the #7 rank in the market. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN declines eight-tenths to a 3.0 share good for the #12 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM is steady with a .9 share and the #26 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

May 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One

imMay 2024 PPM Data – Information for Nielsen Audio’s May 2024 ratings period (April 25 – May 22) 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).

No share or rank thresholds are required for spoken-word stations to be included here.

MLB spoken-word flagships are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are April 2024 – May 2024  (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.2 – 3.3, #11 – #10

WOR 1.4 – 1.5, #20 – #19

WKXW 1.0 – 1.0, #23 – #23

WKXW Stream .3 – .2, #37 – #39

WLIR DNA – .1, DNA – #45

News

WINS-FM 4.7 – 4.3, #5 – #5

WCBS-AM 1.8 – 1.5, #19 – #19 (Mets)

Business News WBBR .4 – .4, #34 – #34

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .3, #34 – #37

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .2, #39 – #39 (Mets) 

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 2.3 – 2.4, #13 -#13 (Yankees)

WFAN FM & AM Stream 1.1 – .8, #22 -#26 (Yankees) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 4.0 – 3.3, #8 – #10

WNYC-AM .6 – .9, #27 – #24 

Note: Public radio news/talk WNYC-FM’s -.7 (4.0 – 3.3) represents New York’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease. 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 4.6 – 4.0, #3 – #7

KRLA .9 – .8, #32 – #33

KEIB .6 – .6, #34 – #34

News

KNX-FM 3.4 – 3.3, #10 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .2 – .2, #38 – #38

Sports Talk

KLAC 1.6 – 1.5, #27 – #26 (Dodgers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.1 – 1.8, #19 – #22

Notes: News/talk KFI’s -.6 (4.6 – 4.0) represents Los Angeles’ largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

Flagships of the Angels are sports talk KLAA (DNA) and sports talk KSPN (DNA).

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.8 – 3.0, #9 – #12

WLS-AM .9 – .9, #27 – #26

WVON .2 – .2, #39 – #36

WLS-AM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #41

WLIP .3 – DNA, #35 – DNA

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 5.2 – 5.2, #4  – #4

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .2 – .1, #39 – #41

Sports Talk

WSCR 3.3 – 3.2, #10 – #10 (Cubs)

WSCR Stream .3 – .2, #35 – #36 (Cubs)

WSHE-HD2 .1 – DNA, #45 – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 2.0 – 1.6, #18 – #21  

Note: The White Sox flagship is sports talk WMVP (DNA).

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.4 – 1.4, #22 – #22

KSFO Stream .1 – .1, #37 – #38 

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.2 – 5.7, #3 – #3

KNEW .3 – .2, #30 – #32 (Oakland A’s)  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KKSF DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.9 – 4.2, #6 – #6 (Giants)

KGMZ 1.9 – 1.7, #19 – #20

KNBR Stream .5 – .4, #28 – #28 (Giants)

KGO Stream .1 – .2, #37 – #32  

KGO .1 – .1, #37 – #38  

KTCT .1 – .1, #37 – #38  

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 7.1 – 5.9, #1 – #2

KALW .2 – .3, #32 – #31

Note: Public radio news/talk KQED’s -1.2 (7.1 – 5.9) represents San Francisco’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 3.2 – 2.6, #11 – #15

KSKY .6 – .6, #34 – #34

KLIF-AM .3 – .4, #36 – #36

KFXR-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #43

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.4 – 1.5, #28 – #26

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News KKGM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KTCK 3.7 – 5.3, #10 – #1

KRLD-FM 2.3 – 2.5, #20 – #19 (Texas Rangers)

KRLD-FM Stream 1.1 – 1.2, #31 – #28 (Texas Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 3.1 – 2.9, #12 – #12

Note: Sports/talk KTCK’s +1.6 (3.7 – 5.3) represents Dallas’ largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 increase.

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 2.8 – 3.3, #17 – #13  (Astros)

KPRC .4 – .3, #27 – #30 

News

KXYZ .1 – DNA #34 – DNA

Sports Talk

KILT-AM .9 – 1.1, #25 – #24

KBME 1.1 – 1.0, #23 – #26  (Astros)

KILT-AM Stream .4 – .6, #27 – #27

KFNC DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 2.5 – 3.4, #18 – #12

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.1– 7.1, #2 – #2

WFOM .2 – .3, #32 – #30

WGKA .2 – .3, #32 – #30

WAOK Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #33

WAOK .1 – DNA, #35 – DNA

WSRV-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBIN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WCNN 3.8 – 4.1, #10 – #8 (Braves)

WZGC 3.8 – 3.7, #10 – #11

WZGC Stream .5 – .6, #29 – #25

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.4 – 4.0, #13 – #9

WRAS  .6 – .5, #25 – #27

WABE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 2.3 – 2.1, #15 – #18

WKXW 1.1 – 1.1, #23 – #24

WPHT Stream .7 – .7, #26 – #25

WURD .4 – .3, #27 – #28

WURD Stream .1 – .1, #31 – #31

WKXW Stream .1 – .1, #31 – #31

WDEL-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #31 

News

KYW & WPHI 5.5 – 5.1, #6 – #6

KYW & WPHI Stream .3 – .5, #28 – #27

WTEL .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA

Sports Talk

WIP 6.7 – 7.4, #4 – #4 (Phillies)

WIP Stream 2.8 – 3.0, #13 – #10 (Phillies)

WPEN-FM 1.3 – 1.5, #22 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.1 – 2.9, #9 – #12 

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 1.6 – 1.7, #18 – #18

WOR 1.1 – 1.2, #19 – #19

WLIR .2 – .2, #28 – #27

News

WINS-FM 5.2 – 5.2, #2 – #3

WCBS-AM 2.2 – 1.8, #15 – #16 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .5 – .6, #24 – #23

WCBS-AM Stream .5 – .4, #24 – #24 (Mets)

Business News WBBR .5 – .4, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.6 – 2.9, #11 – #10 (Yankees)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Yankees)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .1, #28 – #31 

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO .1 – DNA, #25 – DNA

Sports Talk

KPWK .3 – .4, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .4 – .4 #19 – #21

KPCC .1 – DNA, #25 – DNA

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.9 – 2.0, #16 – #17

KSFO Stream DNA – .3, DNA – #27  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 3.9 – 3.5, #7 – #8

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .2 – .2, #28 – #29

KNEW .2 – .2, #28 – #29 (Oakland A’s)  

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.2 – 3.5, #9 – #8 (Giants)

KGMZ 1.8 – 1.3, #19 – #22

KGO Stream .4 – .8, #27 – #26  

KNBR Stream .9 – .3, #26 – #27 (Giants)

KGO .2 – .2, #28 – #29  

KTCT .2 – DNA, #28 – DNA   

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION (New Jersey) 

News/Talk

WKXW 7.3 – 7.0, #1 – #2

WOR 3.1 – 3.3, #10 – #9

WKXW Stream .7 – .8, #21 – #19     

News

WINS-FM 2.0 – 2.2, #13 – #12

WCBS-AM .9 – .8, #19 – #19 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .4, #24 – #24

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .3, #25 – #25 (Mets)

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 3.9 – 2.9, #8 – #10 (Yankees)

WFAN FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Yankees) 

Public Radio News/Talk

None

Note: Sports talk WFAN’s -1.0 (3.9 – 2.9) represents Middlesex-Somerset-Union’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

Up next: May 2024 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry Views

Sabo Sez: Do Your Show

By Walter Sabo
CEO, Sabo Media Partners
A.K.A. Walter M Sterling
Host
WPHT, Philadelphia – daily
Talk Media Network – Sundays

imWhen recently starting nightly on WPHT, Philadelphia, I asked program director Greg Stocker if there was anything else management needed from me. Greg said, “Do your show.”

Since that luncheon meeting his words have sifted through my fevered brain and I realized that at this moment in time, his words were profound: Do your show. 

What he did not say:

Meet with sales.

Meet with HR.

Be sure to hit the live reads on time.

Don’t annoy (fill in the blank).

Get all the spots in.

Make sure the studio is clean when you’re done.

David Field listens so be careful.

Meet with sales.

I do my show and nothing else and I’m very happy.  The endless whine coming from our colleagues can be traced to ignoring the prime directive:  Do your show.

 Talk radio is magic, it’s free-form radio. Your music station brethren envy your freedom. They have to call for permission to change the order of pre-programmed songs! You don’t have to do anything which means you can do what you want… which means you can do something great.

Walter Sabo has been a C Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers. HITVIEWS clients included Pepsi, FOX TV, Timberland, Microsoft, and CBS Television. He can be reached at sabowalter@gmail.com. His nightly show “Walter Sterling at Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, now in its 10th year of success.

Industry News

WIP, Philadelphia to Broadcast from London This Weekend

“SportsRadio 94WIP” in Philadelphia – the flagship station of the Philadelphia Phillies – is broadcastingim from London tomorrow and Sunday (6/8-9) as the Phillies take on the New York Mets in the MLB’s London Series. to broadcast Major League Baseball’s London Series as the Phillies take on the New York Mets June 8 and 9. To celebrate the weekend, “The WIP Morning Show” broadcast live from Passyunk Avenue, London’s Philadelphia-themed bar, this morning (6/7) and will do the same on Monday (6/10).

Ratings Takeaways

April 2024 MLB Flagship Scoreboard

imGenerally speaking, Major League Baseball radio flagships enjoyed a solid first at bat in Nielsen Audio’s 2024 rating season (March 28 – April 24).

To put things in perspective, the baseball year officially started March 20 when the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres played two games in South Korea; the other 28 teams played their first game March 28.

Listed below are each MLB team’s main flagship.

Only one station per team appears – there are no simulcast partners and/or internet streams.

In addition, flagships of the Yankees and Mets are listed only in New York (not Long Island and Middlesex), while key stations of the Giants and A’s appear in San Francisco (not San Jose).

There was a (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 uptick in approximately four of every five applicable flagship cases (81%); 15% dipped; and 4% were flat.

Representative March 2024 – April 2024 (6+) gains were +0.92, while typical declines were -0.27.

Heftiest increases (+2.0 each) were logged by news/talk WLW, Cincinnati (Reds) and news/talk WTAM, Cleveland (Guardians).

Flagships of the Angels (KESN); White Sox (WMVP); and Brewers (WTMJ) did not appear (DNA) in the March 2024 or April 2024 survey periods.

News/talk WLW, Cincinnati (Reds) 11.3 – 13.3, +2.0, #1 #1

News/talk WTAM, Cleveland (Guardians) 5.4 – 7.4, +2.0, #9 – #4

Sports talk WXYT-FM, Detroit (Tigers) 7.5 – 9.2, +1.7, #2 – #1

Sports talk KCSP, Kansas City (Royals) 1.8 – 3.4, +1.6, #17 – #10

News/talk KMOX, St. Louis (Cardinals) 3.0 – 4.5, +1.5, #14 – #10

Sports talk WCNN, Atlanta (Braves), 2.5 – 3.8, +1.3, #17 – #10

Sports talk WIP, Philadelphia (Phillies), 5.5 – 6.7, +1.2, #6 – #4

Sports talk KIRO-AM, Seattle (Mariners) 2.7 – 3.8, +1.1, #17 – #10

Sports talk KNBR, San Francisco (Giants), 3.0 – 3.9, +.9, #10 – #6

Sports talk WEEI-FM, Boston (Red Sox), 3.0 – 3.9, +.9, #13 – #10

Sports talk KLAC, Los Angeles (Dodgers), .8 – 1.6, +.8, #32 – #27

Sports talk KRLD-FM, Dallas (Texas Rangers), 1.7 – 2.3, +.6, #24 – #20

Sports talk KBME, Houston (Astros), .5 – 1.1, +.6, #27 – #23

Sports talk KWFN, San Diego (Padres) 3.4 – 4.0, +.6, #14 – #10

News/talk KOA, Denver (Colorado Rockies) 2.4 – 3.0, +.6, #17 – #15

Sports talk WFAN FM & AM, New York (Yankees), 1.9 – 2.3, +.4, #15 -#13

Sports talk WSCR, Chicago (Cubs), 2.9 – 3.3, +.4, #11 – #10

Sports talk WDAE, Tampa (Rays) 1.9 – 2.3, +.4, #17 – #16

Sports talk KMVP-FM, Phoenix (Arizona Diamondbacks) 2.6 – 2.9, +.3, #14 – #10

News/talk WCCO, Minneapolis (Minnesota Twins) 4.1 – 4.4, +.3, #11 – #10

Sports talk WJFK-FM, Washington, DC (Nationals), 2.4 – 2.5, +.1, #17 – #17

Business News KNEW, San Francisco (Oakland A’s), .3 – .3, Flat, #30 – #30

Sports talk WINZ, Miami (Marlins) .4 – .3, -.1, #31 – #31

News WCBS-AM, New York (Mets), 2.0 – 1.8, -.2, #14 – #19

News/talk WBAL, Baltimore (Orioles) 3.7 – 3.3, -.4, #10 – #10

Sports talk KDKA-FM, Pittsburgh (Pirates) 8.4 – 8.0, -.4, #2 – #2

Sports talk KESN, Los Angeles (Angels), DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports talk WMVP, Chicago (White Sox), DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News talk WTMJ, Milwaukee (Brewers), DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports talk CJCL, Toronto (Blue Jays), Canadian, Not Applicable

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry Views

WIP Sports Talk Pioneer Howard Eskin is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

Philadelphia sports talk media founding father Howard Eskin is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Eskin’s stellar career in radio and TV goes all the way back to 1972 and his impact on local media in the City of Brotherly Love is indelible. He still maintains an active presence as sports radio personality for WIP-FM 94.1 and anchor at FOX 29 News in addition to being a sideline reporter for the Eagles Radio Network. Eskin has hosted/anchored more than 8,000 sports radio programs in his career, which is likely the most by any sports radio personality in American broadcasting history. Harrison and Eskin discuss the state of sports, media, big money, the impact of gambling and the generational divide per the multi-award-winning host’s recent commencement speech at Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, Delaware where he received an honorary doctorate in acknowledgement of his contributions to media, culture and philanthropy. Don’t miss this! Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry Views

Sabo Sez: Try It, You’ll Like It

By Walter Sabo
CEO, Sabo Media Partners
A.K.A. Walter M Sterling
Host, Talk Media Network

imThis week, I started a five-night show on Audacy’s WPHT, Philadelphia. Thank you, market president David Yadgaroff. Because of my tenure in the industry, I received a flattering, humbling number of emails from colleagues in radio. THANK YOU. The support and encouragement are appreciated and certainly needed!

There was a pattern to the notes beyond the kind thoughts for my future. Almost every note hoped that the example of my show’s non-political content would compel other broadcasters to stop their political speeches and start a broader, real-life focused conversation. These emails were from CEOs, program directors, news directors, owners, and hosts. My response is, why me? If the note writer believes broader content would be good for their business, why don’t they put it on the air, today?

It would be fun to speculate on the answer to that question. It would also be pointless because the real answer is…  just do it!

Radio executives love to copy success. I am mystified by why they are copying failure. Almost all politically focused talk stations are declining in audience and gaining in demographic age. Daytime TV talk shows cover much broader topics that capture younger demos, are growing in audience and, as a category, generate $5 billion in annual revenue.

Broader topic menus work well. Thanks to enlightened owners, my company has launched many stations and hosts that are not political. Of course it works, life is what your target listener is discussing with their friends right now. Follow my example. Your audience will grow, and you’ll generate more revenue.

(EDITOR’S NOTE:  Walter Sabo will be appearing on a panel discussion titled, “Beyond Politics” at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond on Friday, June 7 at Hofstra University on Long Island. For information, click here.

Walter Sabo has been a C Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers. HITVIEWS clients included Pepsi, FOX TV, Timberland, Microsoft, and CBS Television. He can be reached at sabowalter@gmail.com. His nightly show “Walter Sterling at Night” is debuted this week on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, now in its 10th year of success.

Industry News

Round One of April PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s April 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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 survey covered March 28 through April 24. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media Group’s news/talk WABC drops eight-tenths to finish with a 3.2 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and falls to the #11 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR sheds two-tenths for a 1.4 share and remains ranked #20. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI surrenders nine-tenths to wrap the survey with a 4.6 share but remains ranked #3, as Audacy’s all-news KNX-FM rises four-tenths to finish with a 3.4 share and remains ranked #10. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN rises six-tenths for a 3.8 share and remains ranked #9, while Audacy’s all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM dips two-tenths to a 5.2 share to stay ranked #4. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

April 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One

imApril 2024 PPM Data – Information for the April 2024 ratings period (March 28 – April 24) 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.

MLB; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

For context, MLB’s 2024 season officially started March 20 when the Dodgers and Padres played two games in South Korea; the other 28 teams played their first game March 28.

Meanwhile, NBA and NHL playoffs began April 20.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are March 2024 – April 2024  (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 4.0 – 3.2, #9 – #11

WOR 1.6 – 1.4, #20 – #20

WKXW 1.0 – 1.0, #23 – #23

WKXW Stream .3 – .3, #34 – #37

News

WINS-FM 4.6 – 4.7, #5 – #5

WCBS-AM 2.0 – 1.8, #14 – #19 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .4, #32 – #34

Business News WBBR .4 – .4, #32 – #34

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .2, #45 – #39 (Mets 

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 1.9 – 2.3, #15 -#13 (Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .6 – 1.1, #26 -#22 (Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 4.0 – 4.0, #9 – #8

WNYC-AM 1.0 – .6, #23 – #27 

Notes: The +.5 registered by sports talk WFAN’s internet stream (.6 – 1.1) represents New York’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase; conversely, news/talk WABC’s -.8 (4.0 – 3.2) is the market’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

The flagship of the Knicks, Islanders, and Rangers is sports talk WEPN-FM (DNA).

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 5.5 – 4.6, #3 – #3

KRLA .7 – .9, #33 – #32

KEIB .7 – .6, #33 – #34  (Clippers 

News

KNX-FM 3.0 – 3.4, #10 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .2 – .2, #39 – #38

Sports Talk

KLAC .8 – 1.6, #32 – #27 (Dodgers, Clippers 

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.2 – 2.1, #17 – #19

Notes: Whereas sports/talk KLAC’s +.8 (.8 – 1.6) represents Los Angeles’ largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase, news/talk KFI’s -.9 (5.5 – 4.6) is the market’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

The flagship of the Angels and Lakers is sports talk KESN (DNA); Kings’ games are heard on the iHeartRadio app; games of the Anaheim Ducks are heard on the Ducks stream.

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.2 – 3.8, #9 – #9  (Blackhawks)

WLS-AM 1.4 – .9, #25 – #27

WLIP .1 – .3, #40 – #35

WVON .2 – .2, #38 – #39

WLS-AM Stream .1 – DNA, #40 – DNA

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 5.4 – 5.2, #4  – #4

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .1 – .2, #40 – #39

Sports Talk

WSCR 2.9 – 3.3, #11 – #10 (Cubs, Bulls)

WSCR Stream .4 – .3, #31 – #35 (Cubs, Bulls)

WSHE-HD2 .1 – .1, #40 – #45  

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 2.0 – 2.0, #18 – #18  

Note: The White Sox flagship is sports talk WMVP (DNA).

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.4 – 1.4, #22 – #22

KSFO Stream .1 – .1, #34 – #37

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.5 – 6.2, #3 – #3

KNEW .3 – .3, #30 – #30 (Oakland A’s)  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .1 – DNA, #34 – DNA

KKSF DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.0 – 3.9, #10 – #6 (Giants)

KGMZ 2.0 – 1.9, #18 – #19 (Golden State Warriors)

KNBR Stream .4 – .5, #28 – #28 (Giants)

KGO .1 – .1, #34 – #37  

KGO Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #37  

KTCT .1 – .1, #34 – #37  

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Golden State Warriors)

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 7.2 – 7.1, #2 – #1

KALW .2 – .2, #33 – #32

Notes: Sports/talk KNBR’s +.9 (3.0 – 3.9) represents San Francisco’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

Games of the San Jose Sharks are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 3.6 – 3.2, #10 – #11

KEGL 1.3 – 1.3, #28 – #29  (Mavericks)

KSKY .7 – .6, #33 – #34

KLIF-AM .4 – .3, #35 – #36

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.3 – 1.4, #28 – #28

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News KKGM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KTCK 3.6 – 3.7, #10 – #10 (Stars)

KRLD-FM 1.7 – 2.3, #24 – #20 (Texas Rangers)

KRLD-FM Stream 1.1 – 1.1, #31 – #31 (Texas Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 4.2 – 3.1, #5 – #12  

Note: Public radio news/talk KERA’s -1.1 (4.2 – 3.1) represents Dallas’ largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 3.2 – 2.8, #13 – #17  (Astros, Rockets)

KPRC .3 – .4, #28 – #27  

News

KXYZ .1 – .1 #32 – #34

Sports Talk

KBME .5 – 1.1, #27 – #23  (Astros, Rockets)

KILT-AM .8 – .9, #26 – #25

KILT-AM Stream .1 – .4, #32 – #27

KFNC .2 – DNA, #30 – DNA  

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 2.9 – 2.5, #17 – #18

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.7– 7.1, #2 – #2

WFOM .5 – .2, #26 – #32

WGKA .3 – .2, #30 – #32

WAOK .1 – .1, #34 – #35

WAOK Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WSRV-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBIN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WCNN 2.5 – 3.8, #17 – #10 (Braves)

WZGC 3.8 – 3.8, #9 – #10 (Hawks)

WZGC Stream .4 – .5, #28 – #29 (Hawks)

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.7 – 3.4, #10 – #13

WRAS  .5 – .6, #26 – #25

WABE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Notes: Sports/talk WCNN’s +1.3 (2.5 – 3.8) represents Atlanta’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase, while news/talk WSB-AM’s -.6 (4.2 – 3.1) represents a four-way tie for the market’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease. 

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 2.3 – 2.3, #15 – #15

WKXW 1.1 – 1.1, #24 – #23

WPHT Stream .5 – .7, #27 – #26

WURD .6 – .4, #26 – #27

WURD Stream .2 – .1, #29 – #31

WKXW Stream .1 – .1, #31 – #31

WDEL-AM .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA 

News

KYW & WPHI 5.8 – 5.5, #4 – #6

KYW & WPHI Stream .2 – .3, #29 – #28

WTEL .1 – .1, #31 – #31

Sports Talk

WIP 5.5 – 6.7, #6 – #4 (Phillies)

WIP Stream 3.2 – 2.8, #12 – #13 (Phillies)

WPEN-FM 1.2 – 1.3, #23 – #22 (76ers, Flyers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.1 – 3.1, #13 – #9      

Note: Sports/talk WIP’s +1.2 (5.5 – 6.7) represents Philadelphia’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase. 

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 1.5 – 1.6, #18 – #18

WOR 1.0 – 1.1, #21 – #19

WLIR .2 – .2, #27 – #28

News

WINS-FM 4.9 – 5.2, #5 – #2

WCBS-AM 1.8 – 2.2, #17 – #15 (Mets)

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .5, #27 – #24 (Mets)

Business News WBBR .4 – .5, #26 – #24

WINS-FM Stream .6 – .5, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.4 – 2.6, #12 – #11 (Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .2, #27 – #28

Note: The flagship of the Knicks, Islanders, and Rangers is sports talk WEPN-FM (DNA).

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO .1 – .1, #25 – #25

Sports Talk

KPWK .2 – .3, #23 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .3 – .4 #19 – #19

KPCC .1 – .1, #25 – #25

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.8 – 1.9, #19 – #16

KSFO Stream .2 – DNA, #27 – DNA  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 4.7 – 3.9, #5 – #7

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .2 – .2, #27 – #28

KNEW .2 – .2, #27 – #28 (Oakland A’s)  

Sports Talk

KNBR 2.8 – 3.2, #10 – #9 (Giants)

KGMZ 2.0 – 1.8, #18 – #19 (Golden State Warriors)

KNBR Stream .5 – .9, #26 – #26 (Giants)

KGO Stream .2 – .4, #27 – #27  

KGO .2 – .2, #27 – #28  

KTCT .2 – .2, #27 – #28   

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Golden State Warriors) 

Public Radio News/Talk

None

Note: Sharks’ games are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION

News/Talk

WKXW 7.5 – 7.3, #1 #1

WOR 3.6 – 3.1, #9 – #10

WKXW Stream .7 – .7, #19 – #21         

News

WINS-FM 2.4 – 2.0, #11 – #13

WCBS-AM .8 – .9, #18 – #19 (Mets)

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .3, #22 – #24

WCBS-AM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #25 (Mets)

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.9 – 3.9, #10 – #8 (Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)    

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Notes: Sports/talk WFAN’s +1.0 (2.9 – 3.9) represents Middlesex-Somerset-Union’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

The flagship of the Knicks, Islanders, and Rangers is sports talk WEPN-FM (DNA).   

Up next: April 2024 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Talk Host Pat Egan Exits WPEN-FM, Philadelphia

Sports talk host Pat Egan is another victim of budget cuts at Beasley Media Group sports talker WPENim-FM, Philadelphia “97.5 The Fanatic.” Egan posted confirmation of his exit on X, saying, “So last night I got laid off from the Fanatic. I figured it was coming when I heard there were cuts, & the writing was on the wall when I got moved to nights.” As Crossing Broad notes, “Egan was one of the longest-tenured employees remaining at the station. He began as an intern in 2011 and then became a street teamer and producer.” Read the Crossing Broad story here.

Industry News

Beasley Cuts 7% of its Workforce

Beasley Media Group began cost-saving personnel cuts yesterday (5/7) that the company says amountsim to about 7% of its workforce. Reports of who has been let go are just trickling in but so far some of the people who’ve been let go include (according to a report in Crossing Broad) WPEN-FM, Philadelphia afternoon drive co-host and producer Jen Scordo.

Industry News

WPHT, Philadelphia Adds “Walter Sterling at Night”

Audacy news/talk WPHT, Philadelphia is adding a new live and local evening program to its program schedule starring Walter Sterling. “Walter Sterling at Night” will air weeknights from 9:00 pm to 12:00 midnight beginning May 13. Audacy Philadelphia SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff states,im “Walter has demonstrated the importance of the late-night talk radio with his Sunday night nationally syndicated program and has welcomed his listeners, who he refers to as ‘friends on the radio,’ to unpack their day-to-day lives. He’s made strides at ‘Talk Radio 1210 WPHT’ for a decade, and we’re ecstatic to finally bring his entertaining brand to the Delaware Valley five nights a week.” Sterling, who as Walter Sabo operates the Sabo Media Partners consultancy, comments, “Late-night radio is golden media time for a live program. It’s a one-on-one stage for lighter conversations, serving as morning drive for late-shift doctors, nurses, bus drivers, hotel managers, security staff and more. Thank you, David Yadgaroff, Greg Stocker, Jeff Sottolano and the incredible programming and engineering teams at Audacy. Over the years, I’ve made strong connections with Talk Radio 1210 WPHT listeners and look forward to building them as I join weeknights!”