September 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One
September 2023 PPM Data – Information for the September 2023 ratings period has been released for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey).
Nielsen Audio’s September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13.
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 August 2023 – September 2023 (6+).
Note: The NFL season began September 7 (flagships are bolded).
NEW YORK
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 1.4 – 1.2, -.2, #21 to #19
Red Apple Media‘s WABC-AM 3.1 — 3.4, +.3, #10 to #11
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 4.9 – 4.6, -.3, seventh to fifth
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) steady at 2.5, #13 to #10
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees, Giants) 2.9 – 3.1, +.2, #12 to #9
Good Karma Brands‘ WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” (Jets) flat at 1.1 #23 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM 3.1 – 3.6, +.5, tenth to eighth
WNYC-FM cluster-mate WNYC-AM 1.3 – 1.4, +.1, #22 to #18
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, eleventh month in a row, 8.1 – 7.3, -.8
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: public radio news/talk WNYC-FM (+.5)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WLTW (-.8)
LOS ANGELES
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” flat at 4.8, third to fourth
News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 2.9 – 3.7, +.8, #12 to #8
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.0 – 2.1, +.1, repeats at #20
Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies KRTH, seventh month in succession, 6.4 – 6.1, -.3
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: news KNX (+.8)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: Spanish contemporary KLLI (-.7)
CHICAGO
News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” 3.0 – 3.4, +.4, #11 to #8
News: Audacy’s WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” 4.6 – 4.9, +.3, fourth to third
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WSCR “670 The Score” (Cubs) 3.0 – 3.2, +.2, stays at #11
Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media’s WBEZ 2.9 – 3.0, +.1, remains at #13
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT, twelfth straight month, 7.7 – 6.8, -.9 and Hubbard Broadcasting classic rock WDRV, first month, 6.2 – 6.8, +.6
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: hot AC WTMX (+.7)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WLIT (-.9)
SAN FRANCISCO
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” steady at 2.0, #18 to #16
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” unchanged at 7.1, anchored in the runner-up slot
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants, 49ers) 3.6 – 3.7, +.1, eighth to seventh
Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED flat at 5.3, repeats in third-place
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, sixth month in succession, 8.0 – 8.4, +.4
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: CHR KMVQ (+.7)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: regional Mexican KSOL (-.7)
DALLAS
News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 4.3 – 4.6, +.3, fourth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” 4.4 – 4.7, +3, repeats in third-place
Audacy-owned KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Texas Rangers, Cowboys) 2.7 – 2.9, +.2, #17 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting’s KERA 2.8 – 2.7, -.1, #15 to #16
Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies KSPF, fourth month in a row, flat at 4.9, and Cumulus Media country KPLX, first month, 4.1 – 4.9, +.8
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: contemporary Christian KLTY (+1.2)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary KKDA-FM (-.7)
HOUSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” (Astros) flat at 3.7, repeats at #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston’s KUHF 2.3 – 2.2, -.1, continues at #18
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA second month in a row, 7.5 – 7.9, +.4
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: alternative KTBZ (+.8)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: regional Mexican KLTN (-.6)
ATLANTA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 6.6 – 7.3, +.7, locked in third-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WZGC “92.9 The Game” (Falcons) steady at 2.8, #15 to #14
Dickey Broadcasting’s WCNN “The Fan” (Braves) 2.5 – 1.5, -1.0, #18 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools’ WABE 3.7 – 3.5, -.2, #10 to #12
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, ninth successive month, 9.2 – 7.9, -1.3
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: classic rock WNNX (+1.0)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WSRV (-1.3)*
*Represents the largest August 2023 – September 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
PHILADELPHIA
News/Talk: Audacy’s WPHT “Talk Radio 1210” 1.2 – 1.5, +.3, #22 to #19
News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” 4.6 – 5.8, +1.2, ninth to fifth
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Phillies, Eagles) 5.5 – 5.8, +.3, fourth to fifth
Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 3.8 – 3.6, -.2, #10 to #11
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group classic rock WMGK, fifth straight month, 9.5 – 10.1, +.6
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: news KYW (+1.2)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: adult hits WBEN-FM (-1.1)
LONG ISLAND
News/Talk: Red Apple Media-owned WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 1.8 – 3.9, +2.1, #18 to #8
News: Audacy-owned WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 4.7 – 4.0, -.7, third to seventh
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 2.3 – 2.5, +.2, #17 to #14
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees, Giants) 3.5 – 3.8, +.3, eighth to tenth
Good Karma-owned WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” (Jets) steady at 1.7, #19 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WBAB, seventh month in a row, 7.1 – 8.0, +.9
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: news/talk WABC (+2.1)**
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: news WINS and Spanish tropical WSKQ (-.7)
**Represents the largest August 2023 – September 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
RIVERSIDE
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: San Bernardino Community College District’s KVCR, .5 – .4, -.1, #18 to #19
Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC flat at .2, repeats at #20
Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, sixth straight month, unchanged at 9.9
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: urban-rhythmic oldies KDAY (+1.0)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: regional Mexican KSCA (-.4)
SAN JOSE
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 6.5 – 6.6, +.1, #1
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants, 49ers) 5.5 – 4.8, -.7, repeats in fourth-place
Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 1.7 – 2.2, +.5, #19 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: news KCBS-AM & KFRC, third month in a row, 6.5 – 6.6, +.1
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: 1980s-based KOSF (+.9)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: classic rock KUFX (-1.0)
MIDDLESEX
News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 5.5 – 5.2, -.3, third to fourth
News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 2.0 – 2.1, +.1, #12 to #13
WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 1.0 – 1.2, +.2, #19 to #17
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees, Giants) 3.3 – 4.1, +.8, ninth to eighth
Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” (Jets) 1.0 – .9, -.1, remains at #19
WFAN’s internet stream 1.2 – .8, -.4, #18 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic rock WAXQ, third straight month, 6.7 – 6.3, -.4
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Increase: sports talk WFAN (+.8)
Largest 6+ August 2023 – September 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WLTW (-.8)
Up next: September 2023 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.