April 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three
April 2023 PPM Data – Information for the April 2023 ratings period has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.
Nielsen Audio’s April 2023 sweep covered March 30 – April 26.
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 March 2023 – April 2023 (6+).
PORTLAND
News/Talk: Alpha Media’s KXL “FM 101 News” 5.7 – 5.3, -.4, anchored in fourth-place
iHeartMedia-owned KEX “News Radio 1190” 2.4 – 1.7, -.7, #16 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB 7.4 – 7.5, +.1, remains at #3
KOPB’s internet stream steady at 2.0, #20 to #19
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KKCW, second straight month, 10.2 – 10.4, +.2
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: country KWJJ (+1.2)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: news/talk KEX and jazz KMHD’s internet stream (-.7)
CHARLOTTE
News/Talk: Urban One-owned WBT-AM/FM “Charlotte’s News Talk” flat at 5.2, fourth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One’s WFNZ-FM “Sports Radio 92.7” (Hornets) 2.6 – 2.0, -.6, repeats at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: University Radio Foundation’s WFAE 3.8 – 3.7, -.1, #11 to #10
South Carolina Educational Television Commission-owned WNSC .5 – .7, +.2 #21 to #20
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group urban AC WBAV, fourth straight month, 7.9 – 8.7, +.8
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: urban-rhythmic oldies WOSF (+1.3)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: hot AC WLNK (-1.0)
SAN ANTONIO
News/Talk: Alpha Media-owned KTSA “Stay Connected” unchanged at 3.6, #13 to #10
iHeartMedia’s WOAI “News Radio 1200” (Spurs) steady at 3.4, #14 to #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Texas Public Radio’s KSTX 1.8 – 2.0, +.2, repeats at #18
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies KONO-FM, fourth consecutive month, 7.8 – 8.3, +.5
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KQXT (+1.3)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: rhythmic hot AC KVBH (-1.0)
SACRAMENTO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM “News 1530 AM & 93.1 FM” steady at 9.4, #1
KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM cluster-mate KSTE-AM “Talk 650” 4.2 – 3.7, -.5, sixth to ninth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KHTK “Sacramento Sports 1140” (Kings) 1.3 – 1.7, +.4, #19 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Capital Public Radio-owned KXJZ 3.5 – 3.1, -.4, #10 to #12
Number One 6+: news/talk KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM, fourth month in succession, steady at 9.4
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: urban-rhythmic oldies KHYL (+1.0)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: classical KXPR (-.6)
PITTSBURGH
News/Talk: Audacy’s KDKA-AM “News Radio 1020 AM” 3.5 – 3.8, +.3, #13 to #11
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KDKA-FM “93.7 The Fan All Sports All The Time” (Pirates) 6.8 – 7.1 +.3, anchored in fourth-place
Public Radio News/Talk: Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting’s WESA 3.9 – 4.0, +.1, #12 to #9
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW, fifth month in a row, 10.8 – 10.1, -.7
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: CHR WKST and hot AC WLTJ (+.6)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: country WDSY (-.8)
SALT LAKE CITY
News/Talk: Bonneville-owned KSL “News Radio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM” 5.1 – 6.5, +1.4, fourth to second
iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM “Talk Radio” 4.8 – 5.0, +.2, repeats in sixth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Utah’s KUER 3.3 – 3.0, -.3, #11 to #14
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI, sixth straight month, 12.0 – 11.9, -.1
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: news/talk KSL (+1.4)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: country KSOP-FM (-1.5)
LAS VEGAS
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMXB-HD3 “101.5 K-Dawn The Talk Of Las Vegas” 2.0 – 1.8, -.2, #19 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE, seventh successive month, 10.0 – 11.2, +1.2
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: CHR KLUC (+1.6)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: Spanish contemporary KRGT (-.8)
ORLANDO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKS “Real Radio 104.1” 5.0 – 5.1, +.1, locked in eighth-place
Cox Media Group-owned WDBO “Orlando’s News Talk” 3.7 – 3.5, -.2, repeats at #11
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WYGM “96.9 The Game” (Magic) .4 – .7, +.3, #21 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Community Connections-owned WMFE 2.1 – 2.2, +.1, #16 to #14
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WMMO, first month, 6.3 – 9.4, +3.1
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: classic rock WMMO (+3.1)*
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary WTKS-HD2 (-1.5)
*Represents the largest March 2023 – April 2023 increase (6+) of any station from all 36 PPM-markets analyzed thus far
CINCINNATI
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WLW “700 Cincinnati’s News Radio” (Reds) 11.1 – 11.6, +.5, #1
cluster-mate WKRC “55 KRC The Talk Station” 3.3 – 3.5, +.2, #11 to #9
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Cincinnati Public Radio’s WVXU 4.4 – 4.9, +.5, seventh to sixth
Number One 6+: news/talk WLW, 15th consecutive month, 11.1 – 11.6, +.5
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: rock WEBN (+.7)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: rhythmic hot AC WREW (-.6)
CLEVELAND
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTAM “News Radio 1100” (Cavaliers, Guardians) 5.2 – 6.6, +1.4, tenth to sixth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WKRK “Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan” 4.8 – 4.4, -4, #11 to #10
WKRK’s internet stream flat at 1.1, remains at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: Kent State University-owned WKSU 5.7 – 6.0, +.3 eighth to ninth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI, sixth month in a row, unchanged at 10.0
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: rock WMMS (+1.9)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary WENZ (-3.1)**
**Represents the largest March 2023 – April 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from all 36 PPM-markets analyzed thus far
KANSAS CITY
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMBZ-FM “98.1 FM News, Traffic, Weather” 4.4 – 4.6, +.2, repeats in ninth-place
KMBZ-FM cluster-mate KMBZ-AM “Talk 980 AM” 1.2 – 1.3, +.1, stays at #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s KCSP “Sports Radio 610 Our Teams, Our Town” (Royals) 2.1 – 3.2, +1.1, #16 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KCUR 5.0 – 4.6, -.4, fifth to ninth
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic rock KCFX, first month, 7.8 – 8.5, +.7
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: sports talk KCSP (+1.1)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM’s internet stream (-.9)
COLUMBUS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WTVN “News Radio 610” 6.0 – 6.4, +.4, sixth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Tegna-owned WBNS-FM “97.1 FM The Fan” (Blue Jackets) 6.2 – 5.3, -.9, repeats in fourth-place
Public Radio News/Talk: Ohio State University’s WOSU 6.2 – 4.9, -1.3, fourth to eighth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia country WCOL, sixth straight month, 9.5 – 9.2, -.3
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: rock WRKZ (+1.0)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: classic rock WLVQ and public radio news/talk WOSU (-1.3)
Up next: April 2023 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
vice president of BetQL Network. Audacy Chicago VP of programming and operations Greg Solk says, “Mitch Rosen is ‘The Score’ and has led his team for nearly two 
decades of unprecedented success. He has a keen eye for talent and has the deepest relationships in Chicago sports media. We are all excited about the future of ‘The Score’ with Mitch leading the way.” At the same time, the company promotes assistant brand manager Ryan Porth to program manager, reporting to Rosen. In this role, Porth will assume day-to-day responsibilities of the station’s programming. Rosen comments, “Ryan Porth came into “The Score Clubhouse” in January of 2022 and has fit in like a veteran. We are excited about his next step in helping to guide the future of Chicago’s sports powerhouse.”
stations and the local community and advocacy groups to grow and maintain positive relationships and provide community service throughout the Charlotte Metro.” Holloway has served with WLNK-FM for the past 22 years as co-host of “The Matt & Ramona Show” with partner Matt Harris. She comments, “I’ve been blessed to have lived my radio dreams. I’ve worked every format from country to gospel. I’ve been a news director and hosted a syndicated show with my brother from another mother, Matt Harris. It’s time to move into a new chapter, one that feeds my passion and gives me an opportunity to forge community partnerships that can make a positive contribution. I’ll still stop by the ‘MIX 107.9’ studios on Tuesdays and Thursdays to have fun with my friends on the MIX morning show, but my goal is to expand Radio One’s philanthropic endeavors across all six stations in the cluster.”
13.5 years at The Fan. @giglio_OG and I did some really great stuff in just over 3 years of the show. Thanks for making us part of your routines.” The story quotes Capitol Broadcasting general manager Brian Grube saying a replacement show will have a single host format. The station added, “We’ve decided to move in a new direction in afternoons on ‘99.9 The Fan’ that focuses on the best way to deliver fast-moving, informative, engaging local sports content that leverages the full scope of CBC’s powerful radio, TV and digital platforms…. We’re truly grateful for Joe Ovies’ and Joe Giglio’s many contributions and wish them both the best moving forward.” 
previously hosted together on Townsquare Media’s crosstown sports talk WTMM-FM. Goslowski tells the Daily Gazette, “We are happy to give Capital Region sports fans an outlet to talk sports, to talk local [sports], to talk New York [sports], to talk national [sports]. Levack and I have worked together a bunch. It’s an awesome opportunity here at ‘FOX Sports Radio 95.9/980.’ We’re so excited to get back. We’ve been looking forward to this. We’re happy to talk sports again with people here locally.” 
manager. ‘97.1 The Fan’ is the flagship station for all Ohio State Athletics as well as NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and the MLS Columbus Crew. ‘The Fan’ is also the Columbus home for Cleveland Browns football. Our legacy properties boast one of the top-rated ESPN affiliates in the United States as well as a statewide network of over 80 stations and a digital platform of full-service digital solutions. This position reports to the president and general manager of WBNS-TV.” 
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.
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.”