March 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Two
March 2023 PPM Data – Information for the March 2023 sweep has been released for Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
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+).
WASHINGTON, DC
News/Talk: Cumulus Media‘s WMAL-FM 4.3 – 4.0, -.3, #7 rank
News: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WTOP & WTLP “Washington’s Top News” 8.9 – 9.0, +.1, repeats in second-place
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJFK-FM “106.7 The Fan” (Capitals and Nationals) 2.8 – 2.7, -.1, continues at #13
WJFK-FM’s internet stream 1.1 – .8, -.3, flat at #19
Public Radio News/Talk: American University-owned WAMU 12.1 – 12.0, -.1, #1
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WAMU, 16th month in succession, 12.1 – 12.0, -.1
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: urban AC WMMJ (+1.2)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian WGTS (-1.4)
BOSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRKO “AM 680 The Voice Of Boston” steady at 4.1, remains in ninth-place
News – Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WBZ-AM “News Radio 1030” 4.6 – 4.4, -.2, sixth to seventh
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group’s WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (Celtics and Bruins) 7.5 – 8.1, +.6, #1
Audacy-owned WEEI-FM “93.7 Boston’s Sports Station” (Red Sox) 3.2 – 2.6, -.6, #13 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Boston University’s WBUR 4.5 – 4.7, +.2, seventh to fifth
WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.4 – 3.7, +.3, anchored at #12
Number One 6+: sports talk WBZ-FM, third consecutive month, 7.5 – 8.1, +.6
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: sports talk WBZ-FM (+.6)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: sports talk WEEI-FM (-.6)
MIAMI
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board-owned WLRN 5.3 – 4.3, -1.0, fourth to seventh
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group urban AC WHQT, first month, 8.4 – 9.5, +1.1
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WEDR (+1.5)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk WLRN (-1.0)
SEATTLE
News/Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-FM “97.3 FM” 5.4 – 4.8, -.6, fifth to sixth
News: Lotus Communications’ KNWN-AM/FM “Northwest News Radio” 4.3 – 4.1, -.2, ninth to tenth
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-AM “710 AM ESPN Seattle” (Mariners) 2.4 – 3.1, +.7, #18 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: Northwest Public Radio’s KUOW 5.5 – 5.1, -.4, repeats in fourth-place
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KJEB, first month, 5.9 – 7.2, +1.3
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: country KKWF (+2.1)*
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: triple A KPNW (-1.5)
*Represents the largest February 2023 – March 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
DETROIT
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WJR “News Talk 760 AM” 2.6 – 3.0, +.4, #16 to #14
News: Audacy-owned WWJ News Radio 950” (Pistons) 5.0 – 4.8, -.2, repeats in ninth-place
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” (Red Wings and Tigers) 6.3 – 6.2, -.1, fourth to third
WXYT-FM’s internet stream 1.3 – 1.8, +.5, stays at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Michigan-owned WUOM 2.8 – 2.6, -.2, #15 to #16
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia CHR WKQI, first month, 7.3 – 8.3, +1.0
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: CHR WKQI (+1.0)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic rock WLLZ (-1.0)
PHOENIX
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFYI “News Talk 550” flat at 3.0, #9 to #12
Bonneville-owned KTAR-FM “News 92.3 FM” (Sun) unchanged at 2.9, #11 to #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KMVP-FM “98.7 Arizona’s Sports Station” (Sun and Arizona Diamondbacks) 2.8 – 2.3, -.5, #14 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Maricopa County Community College-owned KJZZ 7.4 – 6.4, -1.0, first to third
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting classic rock KSLX, first month, 6.4 – 7.5, +1.1
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: classic rock KSLX and adult hits KYOT (+1.1)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: rhythmic CHR KALV (-1.2)
MINNEAPOLIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s WCCO “News Talk 830” (Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Twins) 3.0 – 3.9, +.9, #15 to #12
iHeartMedia’s KTLK-AM “Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130” 2.4 – 2.9, +.5, #18 to #14
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned KTMY “My Talk 107.1” 3.4 – 2.8, -.6, #13 to #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFXN “FM 100.3 K-Fan” (Minnesota Wild) 5.6 – 6.1, +.5, eighth to sixth
Public Radio News/Talk: Minnesota Public Radio’s KNOW 6.6 – 6.7, +.1, repeats in third-place
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting hot AC KSTP-FM, first month, 6.0 – 7.9, +1.9
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: hot AC KSTP-FM (+1.9)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: country KMNB (-1.3)
SAN DIEGO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOGO “News Radio 600” 5.6 – 5.1, -.5, locked in fourth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KWFN “97.3 The Fan” 1.6 – 2.6 (Padres), +1.0, #20 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: San Diego State University’s KPBS steady at 6.3, repeats in the runner-up slot
Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies KXSN, second successive month, 6.8 – 7.3, +.5
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: sports talk KWFN (+1.0)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic rock KGB-FM (-1.6)**
**Represents the largest February 2023 – March 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from the first 24 PPM-markets
TAMPA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WHPT “102.5 The Bone – Real, Raw, Radio” (Lightning) 4.4 – 4.6, +.2, ninth to eighth
iHeartMedia-owned WFLA “News Radio 970” 2.1 – 2.3, +.2, repeats at #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WDAE “Tampa Bay’s Sports Radio” (Rays) 1.2 – 1.3, +.1, #20 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: University of South Florida’s WUSF 3.3 – 3.0, -.3, #11 to #12
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group adult contemporary WDUV, 20th month in a row, 7.8 – 9.0
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WDUV (+1.2)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian WCIE (-.8)
DENVER
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOA “News Radio 850” 2.3 – 2.4 (Colorado Rockies), +.1, repeats at #17
KOA cluster-mate KHOW “Talk Radio 630” 2.0 – 2.3, +.3, continues at #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KKFN “104.3 The Fan” (Nuggets) 4.2 – 3.5, -.7, #10 to #12
Public Radio News/Talk: Colorado Public Radio-owned KCFR 4.5 – 4.3, -.2, stays in eighth-place
Number One 6+: Bonneville country KYGO, first month, 4.9 – 6.2, +1.3
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: country KYGO (+1.3)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: classic rock KRFX (-1.2)
BALTIMORE
News/Talk: Hearst Television’s WBAL “News Radio 1090 AM & 101.5 FM” (Orioles) 3.5 – 3.4, -.1, #11 to #12
WCBM Maryland-owned WCBM “Talk Radio AM 680” 1.7 – 2.0, +.3, steady at #17
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WTOP & WTLP “Washington’s Top News” 1.1, #19 (unlisted in February 2023)
News: Audacy-owned business news WDCH “Bloomberg 99.1 FM” .5 – .9, +.4, #25 to #20
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJZ-FM “Baltimore Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan” 5.1 – 5.5, +.4, remains in fifth-place
Public Radio News/Talk: Your Public Radio Corporation-owned WYPR 4.3 – 3.9, -.4, eighth to tenth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult hits WQSR, second straight month, 9.6 – 8.2, -1.4
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: contemporary Christian WRBS-FM (+1.4)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: adult hits WQSR (-1.4)
ST. LOUIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s KMOX “The Voice Of St. Louis” (Cardinals) 5.0 – 4.9, -.1, remains in tenth-place
KMOX cluster-mate KFTK “Talk 97.1 FM” 2.3 – 2.1, -.2, flat at #16
iHeartMedia-owned KTLK-FM “104.9 The Patriot” .8 – .9, +.1, #19 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WXOS “101 ESPN” (Blues) 3.2 – 3.0, -.2, continues at #13
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KWMU flat at 3.8, repeats at #11
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting adult hits WARH, third month in succession, 9.8 – 10.6, +.8
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KEZK (+1.5)
Largest 6+ February 2023 – March 2023 Decrease: rock KSHE (-.6)
Up next: March 2023 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com
platforms since 2021. Outkick founder Clay Travis says, “Dan has been instrumental in the success of OutKick and I’m thrilled to have him on board. Every day his high energy, humor, and bold opinions drive fans to the platform and create awareness of the great content produced by OutKick.” Dakich comments, “I’ve had so much fun hosting my show with OutKick and am excited to keep it rolling. The team is tremendous and allows me to not only speak my mind but shed light on the most compelling sports news of the day. I can’t thank OutKick enough for giving me this platform.”
Alpha Media since he came on board in November of 2016. I look forward to our strong, continued partnership and am pleased to see his hard work recognized.” Alpha Portland SVP and market manager Lisa Decker adds, “It’s always special to promote from within and to honor hard work and growth. Geoff will join Cressy Walton as the co-director of sales. Cressy has been with Alpha Media since the beginning and has been the director of sales since 2019. The co-director of sales role will help to align our organization with our clients and our staff’s needs. I am proud of both of them and their accomplishments. They are the Dream Team.”
Yesterday (4/10), his on-air partner Rich Shertenlieb read a statement from Toucher on the program that read: “My voice has been messed up for a long time. I had been going to doctors and they didn’t seem overly concerned. However, a listener heard me and put me in touch with a doctor he works with. I went and things didn’t go great. He found some things in my throat that concerned him. He told me not to worry because he could fix all of it. Not to sound dramatic but it is possible a listener saved my life by setting up that appointment.” Toucher also said via social media that he plans to be back but is under a “no talking” order from the doctor and adds, “To that, I am grateful, even though the doctor doesn’t take insurance. Between this and my divorce, I’m f—ed financially! Sorry kids – Christmas is going to look a lot different this year.”
and play-by-play announcer for the University of Arizona. Kelly’s won five Associated Press first place honors for his work in radio. Cumulus Tucson operations manager Herb Crowe says, “I couldn’t be happier to welcome David to the Cumulus family. His experience covering all of the University of Arizona athletic programs for television, combined with his years of radio experience, make him the perfect person to lead ‘Wildcats Radio 1290.’” Kelly comments, “When I came here to Tucson 15 years ago, my hope was that I’d have the chance at some point to lead coverage of the high-profile collegiate sports program at UA. The opportunity to head programming for ‘Wildcats Radio 1290’ gives me the chance to do that, as well as set the pace for delivering the best sports, news and information to our listeners in Southern Arizona.”
with Community Broadcasters in Florence, South Carolina as marketing and promotions director. He’s also served in a similar capacity with Cumulus Media, CBS Radio, and Flinn Broadcasting. Lyons says, “I am excited to join the SummitMedia Omaha team. I have heard great things about the company for years and I look forward to the opportunities these stations present. I’m energized by the great team here and ready to have some fun!”
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. 
live from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET daily on OutKick.com and across all OutKick social platforms. Withrow says, “Our listeners can expect the same brand of honest, authentic, and fearless sports talk we’ve always brought to the table. We are excited to get this new branding rolling as OutKick continues to grow and expand its audience.” Hutton adds, “Hot Mic will be the agenda-free sports talk show for true sports fans. No fake debates. Authentic reactions and analysis that everyone should expect from OutKick.”
Ripken Jr. Ripken joins Bob Haynie – host of the midday “Vinny & Haynie” show – Baltimore Hall of Famer Mike Bordick, and longtime voice of Baltimore baseball Jim Hunter. 105.7 The Fan brand manager Chuck Sapienza comments, “We are thrilled to be bringing ‘Baltimore Baseball Tonight’ back to Baltimore baseball fans. The show was received so well last season, and we look forward to building off that momentum again this season. Adding Ryan to the team brings a critical young voice to the show, and his perspective having been a part of the organization and his deep family ties to the team are invaluable.” When the Orioles are home, the show is broadcast on-site at Pickles Pub near Oriole Park at Camden Yards. 
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.
Hains had to step away from his hosting duties after being hospitalized by a life-threatening case of West Nile Virus. Ladd – the longtime voice of the Missouri State Lady Bears – has been hosting the show in his absence and is now joined by Weber. Zimmer operations manager Don Louzader says, “I can’t think of a better team to carry the torch for Art Hains than Tom and Logan. Tom has a tremendous amount of knowledge of the local, regional and national sports scene and has broadcast just about every sport in the Ozarks. Logan has shown a tremendous passion for sports here in southwest Missouri and will be a great complement to Tom on the show.” At the same time, the station announces that “The Sports Reporters” host Ned Reynolds is being joined by co-host Scott Puryear as the show moves to the new time 7:00 am to 9:00 am weekdays. Reynolds and Puryear worked together on the show from 2000-2011. Louzader says, “The boys are back in town and our listeners are in for a real treat when Ned and Scott get behind the microphone together.”
considering retirement. Kay announced the deal on his program yesterday (3/16) saying, “When the story in The Post came out, I was pretty certain that was going to be it and I would leave the show after 21 years in September. It had been a great run, a long run. I just said, ‘That’s it. I’m probably too old to do it.’” Kay is supported on the show by co-host Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg. The show is simulcast on the YES TV network. Kay also serves as the television play-by-play announcer for New York Yankees baseball games. 
CEO Nate Lundy says, “This is like a gift from the sports talk gods. When the opportunity to work with two talented, intelligent talk show hosts falls in your lap you jump at the chance.” Clough comments, “This is such a tremendous city for sports talk and the fans are some of the best in the country. After spending a few short months on the sidelines, I realized that I missed spending part of my day with those fans. I’m not only happy to be back on the air but thrilled to have Shawn again as my partner in crime.” Drotar adds, “As a Colorado native, understanding the privilege and the expectations of hosting a sports talk show in my own hometown has never been lost on me. To get back together with Sandy, the best that’s ever done it in Denver, is not only a treat, but gives us the opportunity to once again provide a completely unique perspective to fans about every single team along the Front Range.”
combination of perspectives on sports, culture, current events and day-to-day life that our listeners will find to be informative, entertaining and funny. They’ve quickly developed a chemistry that I think will lead to 
Cleveland from the company’s Madison, Wisconsin cluster where he served in a similar role. He takes over for Dave Popovich, who recently retired. Audacy Cleveland SVP and market manager Tom Herschel says, “Having Chase join us from our stations in Madison is a testament to the depth of talent at Audacy and the work he’s done there. We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Chase to Cleveland.”
Over the past two decades, ESPN West Palm recognized high school athletes, covered local teams, partnered with area businesses to help achieve their goals, gave back to the community, and ultimately defined West Palm Beach as a true sports town.” GKB West Palm market manager Stephanie Prince says, “Up until 2003, West Palm Beach was the largest market in the country without a sports radio station of its own. We are proud of the team, and the relationship we’ve established with our fans via the audio, event, coverage and digital platforms we have built. We are excited to celebrate and give back to the community by donating $20,000 to various local charities.” The station began a 20-hour celebratory broadcast at midnight (3/3) and Mayor Keith James is declaring today ESPN West Palm Day to recognize the station’s impact in the town in which it operates.
The embarrassing situation and accompanying financial vulnerability being faced by our colleagues at FOX News is a high-profile example of the consequences of audience “targeting” that has become the common positioning strategy in today’s competitive media marketplace. The process is simple: You give the specifically targeted audience what it wants, not necessarily what it needs, even if what it wants is of dubious quality or unhealthy and – in the case of political talk media – untrue. It is a problematic, unsavory practice that has been brewing in our industry for years and, in the case of FOX, the proverbial toxicity has just hit the fan.
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.
serving a suspension for his racially insensitive comments made on last Friday’s program. As TALKERS reported on Tuesday (2/21), Massarotti – who co-hosts the show with Mike Felger – on Monday (2/20) apologized for his comments. 
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.
broadcasting remotely from a business center in a New Orleans hotel in which two Black people were sitting behind him. Referencing a previous trip to New Orleans in which Felger’s vehicle was stolen, Massarotti asked Felger if the two could hear him and when Felger replied that they couldn’t, he said, “OK, so I would be careful if I were you because the last time you were around a couple of guys like that, they stole your car.” During his apology on Monday, Massarotti said he gets why the joke, intended to be poking fun at Felger, was wrong. “It didn’t come off that way. It came off as something far broader and ignorant, and I’m regretful of that… I sincerely apologize, and I will do my best to make sure it never happens again.”
says of their decision in 2021 to go with Outkick, “The timing was perfect, but we also had a chance to grow what we were already doing. We didn’t have to leave Nashville. We own our intellectual property; you don’t have that with radio companies. We’re able to form our own show company, so to speak, and we’re part of the much larger grand scheme of Clay’s vision.” Gallagher’s piece looks at the digital frontier the trio began exploring with Outkick and chronicles their return to the Nashville airwaves. 
Ohio but returned to Western New York and has spent the last 18 years with Jeremy White as his co-host in mornings on Audacy’s WGR. Simon says, “I’ve been very lucky to have worked alongside some wonderful people at WJJL, WBEN, Empire Sports Network and finally at WGR. I wish I could list everyone by name, but that isn’t possible. Let me just say, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you to my many co-workers over the years. I’ve made some great, lifelong friendships, while getting a chance to do something I truly loved. I would like to mention my co-host for the last 18 years at WGR, Jeremy White. That is the longest I worked with anyone by far! Jeremy is super talented, extremely creative, and has a great feel for what topics will be of most interest to our listening audience.”
Gene. Gow Media CEO David Gow states, “We are thrilled to add Gene Thompson to our impressive roster of talent. ‘The Sports Kings’ are committed to producing two of the most informative, fast moving, and energetic hours in all of sports radio. I know our audience and affiliates will be excited about the show!” Thompson comments, “The Sports Kings are ecstatic to join Gow Media and the SportsMap Radio Network. We look forward to providing our listeners with an informational, entertaining and engaging show.”
the Birds’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, Audacy tells the Philadelphia Inquirer that this Friday (2/17) will be Cataldi’s final show. On Monday, the midday team of Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie take over as the morning drive show. The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that WIP brand manager Rod Lakin says Cataldi’s final show will feature a career retrospective and appearances from “old friends.”
Dolphins games accessible to fans in new markets. The stations will carry all Miami Dolphins football game broadcasts and play-by-play coverage as well as a pregame show, postgame show and weekly radio show featuring exclusive interviews with Dolphins’ personnel and guests from around the league. Game broadcasts will feature former Dolphins wide receiver Jimmy Cefalo handling play-by-play duties, former Dolphins tight end Joe Rose providing color commentary and former Dolphins linebacker Kim Bokamper giving analysis and updates from the sidelines. iHeartMedia Sports president Kevin LeGrett says, “We are excited about this partnership and honored to be the new broadcast home of the Miami Dolphins. The Miami Dolphins are the city’s premiere sports team and with the massive multiplatform reach and scale that iHeartMedia can provide, we have the ability to deliver great programming and coverage to millions of fans across the state and beyond.”
Holiday 2022 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2022 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.