Industry News

Round One of January PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s January 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 January 4 – 31. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC-AM adds half a share to finish with a 3.5 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #11, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR-AM rises half a share to a 1.7 share that lifts it to the #17 rank. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI adds nine-tenths for a 4.5 share finish good for the #3 rank in the market. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN-AM is up a half share, finishing with a 3.1 share and the #10 rank, while Cumulus Media Group’s news/talk WLS-AM rises two-tenths to a 1.9 share and moves up one spot to the #18 rank. And in Atlanta, Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM claims the #1 rank after rising 1.2 shares to an 8.6 share. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

May 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One

imMay 2023 PPM Data – Information for the May 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 May 2023 sweep covered April 27 – May 24.

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 April 2023 – May 2023 (6+). 

NEW YORK

News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” steady at 3.7, #10 to #11

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 1.9 – 1.7, -.2, continues at #18

News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 4.5 – 4.3, -.2, repeats in seventh-place

WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 2.9 – 2.8, -.1, stays at #13

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.2 – 3.0, -.2, stagnant at #12

Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM unchanged at 3.8, ninth to eighth

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, seventh month in a row, 7.6 – 8.4, +.8

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+.8)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: Spanish tropical WSKQ (-.5) 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” flat at 4.3, fourth to fifth

News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 2.9 – 2.8, -.1, repeats at #11

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.4 – 2.2, -.2, #16 to #18

Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies KRTH, third month in succession, 5.7 – 5.9, +.2

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: hot AC KBIG (+.8)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary KRRL (-.7)

CHICAGO

News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” 3.2 – 3.3, +.1, tenth to ninth

News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” 4.4 – 4.2, -.2, fourth to third

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WSCR “670 The Score” (Cubs) 3.1 – 2.9, -.2, #12 to #13

Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ 3.1 – 3.0, -.1, repeats at #12  

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT, eighth straight month, 6.8 – 7.3, +.5

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLIT (+.5)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: triple A WXRT and regional Mexican WOJO (-.5)

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk: None in the top twenty

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 7.3 – 6.4, -.9, first to second

Sports Talk: Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 2.7 – 3.1, +.4, #13 to #9

Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 3.3 – 2.6, -.7, #9 to #13

Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 5.2 – 4.5, -.7, fourth to fifth

Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, second month in succession, 7.3 – 9.0, +1.7

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KOIT-FM (+1.7)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KISQ (-1.0)

DALLAS

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 3.2 – 3.3, +.1, #13 to #11

News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” 2.1 – 1.9, -.2, remains at #20

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” 5.6 – 6.6, +1.0, #1

Audacy’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Texas Rangers) 3.0 – 2.3, -.7, #14 to #18

Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA 2.2 – 1.9, -.3, #19 to #20

Number One 6+: Cumulus Media sports talk KTCK, fifth straight month, 5.6 – 6.6, +1.0

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: sports talk KTCK (+1.0)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KDGE (-.9)

HOUSTON

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” (Astros) 3.7 – 3.9, +.2, tenth to ninth

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston’s KUHF 2.8 – 2.7, -.1, #15 to #17

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, 27th consecutive month, 8.9 – 9.2, +.3

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult hits KKHH (+.9)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: alternative KTBZ (-1.1)

ATLANTA

News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 7.0 – 6.7, -.3, locked in third-place

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, #18 to #17

Dickey Broadcasting-owned WCNN “The Fan” (Braves) 2.6 – 2.3, -.3, #16 to #18

Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE 3.4 – 2.9, -.5, #11 to #14

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, fifth successive month, 8.9 – 8.7, -.2

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: urban AC WAMJ (+.7)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk WABE and hot AC WSTR (-.5)

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk: None in the top twenty

News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” 5.5 – 5.1, -.4, repeats in seventh-place

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Phillies) 5.9 – 4.9, -1.0, sixth to eighth

WIP’s internet stream 1.3 – 2.0, +.7, #21 to #16

Beasley Media Group-owned WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” 1.4 – 1.6, +.2, continues at #20

Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 4.9 – 4.4, -.5, flat at #9

Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group classic rock WMGK, first month, 7.5 – 8.5, +1.0

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country WXTU (+1.7)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WOGL (-1.1)

LONG ISLAND

News/Talk: Red Apple Media-owned WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 1.8 – 3.2, +1.4, #19 to #10

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 2.2 – 1.6, -.6, #15 to #20

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 3.8 – 3.4, -.4, seventh to ninth

WCBS-AM cluster-mate WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 3.3 – 3.2, -.1, repeats in tenth-place

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 4.6 – 4.0, -.6, fifth to seventh

Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.4 – 1.6, +.2, #21 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WBAB, third month in a row, 7.0 – 6.4, -.6

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult standards WHLI (+1.9)*

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: classic rock WBAB; hot AC WALK-FM; sports talk WFAN; news/talk WOR; and the internet stream of CHR WBLI (-.6)

*Represents the largest April 2023 – May 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, unchanged at .3, stationary at #19

Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, second straight month, 5.7 – 7.2, +1.5

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies KOLA (+1.5)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian KSGN (-1.2)

SAN JOSE

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 1.7 – 1.5, -.2, stays at #20

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 6.2 – 6.5, +.3, first to third

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 4.4 – 4.0, -.4, sixth to seventh

Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 1.9 – 2.3, +.4, #18 to #16

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, first month, 5.4 – 6.6, +1.2 and classic rock cluster-mate KUFX, first month, 5.7 – 6.6, +.9

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: hot AC KIOI (+1.3)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KISQ (-1.7)**

**Represents the largest April 2023 – May 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets 

MIDDLESEX

News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 7.1 – 6.4, -.7, first to fourth 

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 1.3 – 1.0, -.3, repeats at #20

News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 2.0 – 1.8, -.2, #13 to #16

WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 1.7 – 1.2, -.5, #16 to #18

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.8 – 3.2, -.6, flat at #9

Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.6 – 1.2, -.4, #18 to #19

WFAN’s internet stream .8 – 1.0, +.2, #23 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic rock WAXQ, first month, 6.8 – 7.7, +.9

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+1.5)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: news/talk WKXW (-.7)

Up next: May 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.

Industry News

WABC and Cousin Brucie to Recreate British Invasion

WABC-AM, New York announces that on September 7 of this year, radio legend “Cousin” Bruce Morrow – who hosts a weekend program on 77WABC – will recreate The Beatles’ British Invasion at 2:00 pm at the WABC Radio Studio as the station marks the 100th anniversary of WABC. The Red Apple Media station says, “Some 60 years ago Cousin Brucie was one of the first disc jockeys in the country to air The Beatles. The record changed the sound of rock and roll forever. State and city officials will be proclaiming WABC Radio Day in New York as Cousin Brucie replays the original vinyl Meet the Beatles album that made history. Red Apple CEO John Catsimatidis will also dedicate the WABC Radio Studio in Cousin Brucie’s name.  TALKERS founder Michael Harrison comments, “Once again the strategists at WABC are maximizing their historic assets as having been both a successful talk station and music station over the years – personified by the remarkable Cousin Brucie – to play great music and talk about it as well. A powerful combination!”

Industry News

Round One of Holiday PPM Ratings Released

The first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s Holiday 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). Nielsen’s Holiday 2022 sweep covered December 8 – January 4. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC-AM & WLIR-FM dips two-tenths to a 3.1 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) good for the #10 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WINS-AM/FM adds four-tenths to finish with a 4.6 share that lifts it to the #5 rank. Audacy all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM, Chicago dips one-tenth to a 4.8 share that keeps it locked in the #4 rank, while Nexstar Media Group news/talk WGN falls two-tenths to finish with a 2.8 share good for the #12 rank. In Dallas, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WBAP, Dallas-Fort Worth tacks on four-tenths to wrap the survey with a 3.7 share that puts it in the #7 rank. And Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta falls one share for a 4.4 share finish good for the #7 rank. You can see Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

Holiday 2022 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One

Holiday 2022 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2022 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.

Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” 2022 sweep covered December 8 (2022) – January 4 (2023).

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 December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 3.3 – 3.1, -.2, ninth to tenth

News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 4.2 – 4.6, +.4, seventh to fifth and co-owned WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” 2.2 – 2.1, -.1, locked at #17

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Brooklyn Nets and NY Giants) 2.9 – 3.1, +.2, #12 to #10

Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s 3.2 – 2.8, -.4, #10 to #12

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, second month in a row, 7.6 – 10.4, +2.8

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+2.8)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: classical WQXR (-.6)

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” 4.7 – 4.4, -.3, second to third

News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 2.9 – 2.5, -.4, #8 to #12

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.2 – 2.0, -.2, #18 to #19

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KOST, sixth month in succession, 12.1 – 13.1, +1.0

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KOST (+1.0)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: smooth AC KTWV (-.5)

CHICAGO

News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” (Blackhawks) 3.0 – 2.8, -.2, #10 to #12

News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” (Bears) 4.9 – 4.8, -.1, anchored in fourth-place

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WSCR “670 The Score” (Bulls) 1.9 – 1.7, -.2, repeats at #20

Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ 3.7 – 3.4, -.3, seventh to sixth  

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT, third straight month, 12.4 – 14.8, +2.4

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WLIT (+2.4)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: triple A WXRT (-1.0)

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 1.6 – 1.7, +.1, #20 to #18

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 7.4 – 6.7, -.7, locked in second-place

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (49ers) 3.5 – 3.3, -.2, seventh to eighth

Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” (Golden State Warriors) steady at 1.9 #18 to #16

Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 7.4 – 5.9, -1.5, second to third

Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, second successive month, 10.5 – 15.5, +5.0

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KOIT-FM (+5.0)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk KQED (-1.5)

DALLAS

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 3.3 – 3.7, +.4, tenth to eighth

News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” (Cowboys) 2.5 – 2.2, -.3, #18 to #20

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” (Stars) 5.1 – 3.8, -1.3, third to sixth

Audacy’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Cowboys) 2.9 – 3.7, +.8, #13 to #8

Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA 3.1 – 2.5, -.6, #12 to #16

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KDGE, second month in a row, 7.1 – 9.1, +2.0

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KDGE (+2.0)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: classic rock KZPS (-1.6)

HOUSTON

 News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” 3.8 – 3.3, -.5, #11 to #12

News: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston’s KUHF 2.0 – 2.4, +.4, continues at #18

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, 22nd consecutive month, 12.5 – 14.7, +2.2

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KODA (+2.2)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: CHR KRBE (-1.2)

ATLANTA

News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 5.4 – 4.4, -1.0, sixth to seventh

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” (Hawks and Falcons) 2.1 – 2.2, +.1, #14 to #16

Dickey Broadcasting-owned WCNN “The Fan” 1.3 – 1.4, +.1, #21 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE 3.8 – 3.0, -.8, eighth to tenth

Number One 6+: Urban One urban AC WAMJ, first month, 8.6 – 8.3, -.3

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase (Tie): contemporary Christian WVFJ and classic rock WNNX (+1.1)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: contemporary Christian WFSH (-1.1)

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk: Townsquare Media’s WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 1.0 – 1.2, +.2, #23 to #20

News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” 5.8 – 6.2, +.4, sixth to third

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Eagles) 6.1 – 5.9, -.2, fourth to fifth

Beasley Media Group-owned WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” (76ers and Flyers) 1.6 – 1.3, -.3, #18 to #19

WIP’s internet stream, flat at1.2, #21 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 5.2 – 3.6, -1.6, repeats in seventh-place

Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WBEB, second month in succession, 10.7 – 16.8, +6.1

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WBEB (+6.1)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WOGL (-1.7)*

*Represents the largest December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022  decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

LONG ISLAND

News/Talk: None in the top twenty

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” 3.4 – 3.8, +.4, ninth to seventh and cluster-mate WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 2.9 – 3.0, +.1, #12 to #10

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Brooklyn Nets and NY Giants) 4.1 – 4.8, +.7, repeats in sixth-place and WFAN’s internet stream steady at 1.6, #18 to #16

Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” (Knicks, Jets, Rangers, Islanders) flat at 1.4, remains at #19

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Connoisseur hot AC WALK-FM, first month, 6.1 – 10.7, +4.6

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: hot AC WALK-FM (+4.6)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease (Tie): urban contemporary WWPR and classic hits-oldies WBZO (-1.4)

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, repeats at #18

Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, 13th consecutive month, 8.3 – 7.6, -.7

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: contemporary Christian KSGN (+1.4)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KRQB (-1.0)

SAN JOSE

News/Talk: None in the top twenty

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 7.1 – 7.0, -.1, locked in second-place

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (49ers ) steady at 2.9, tenth to eighth

Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 1.5 – 1.3, -.2, #21 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, seventh consecutive month 13.8 – 22.7, +8.9

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KOIT-FM (+8.9)**

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: country KBAY (-1.6)

**Represents the largest December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022  increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets; KOIT-FM’s 22.7 is the largest 6+ share of any station from these 12 markets. 

MIDDLESEX

News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 6.3 – 6.2, -.1 repeats in fourth-place

News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 1.8 – 1.7, -.1, #15 to #14 and co-owned WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” 1.3 – 1.2, -.1, #19 to #18

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Brooklyn Nets and NY Giants) 2.7 – 3.0, +.3, tenth to ninth

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” (Knicks, Jets, Rangers, Islanders) 1.3 – 1.1, -.2, flat at #20

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, second straight month, 7.1 – 11.2, +4.1

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WMGQ (+4.8)

Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: classic rock WAXQ (-1.4)

Up next: “Holiday” 2022 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.

Front Page News Industry News

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Round One of October PPMs Released. The first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s October 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). Nielsen’s October 2022 sweep covered September 15 – October 12. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets. In New York City, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC-AM/WLIR-FM is flat with a 3.0 share (6+, weekly AQH share) but falls to the #12 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR sheds two-tenths for a 1.5 share finish good for the #19 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles is steady with a 4.7 share that keeps it ranked #4 in the market. Audacy’s all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM, Chicago rises four-tenths to a 5.3 share but falls back to the #4 rank as the company’s all-news KCBS-AM/KFRC-FM, San Francisco rises six-tenths to a 7.0 share that lifts it to the #1 spot in that market. Cumulus Media’s news/talk WBAP, Dallas remains ranked #3 after losing one-tenth for a 4.8 share finish. In Atlanta, Cox Media Group’s news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM dips four-tenths to finish the survey with a 5.9 share good for the #6 rank in the market. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Al Jazeera English Produces Documentary About American Talk Radio. The London-based, English-language arm of Al Jazeera (Al Jazeera English) produced and published a one-hour video documentary, titled “The Right Frequency: Is talk radio dividing the US? | The Listening Post.” They describe the program as follows: All day, every day, conservative talk radio hosts keep millions of Americans company as they commute, work and go about their daily lives. The mix of opinionated, entertaining and unapologetically right-wing talk has proven a winning broadcast formula – a billion-dollar industry – one that has given a voice to an audience that long felt unheard. But with partisan issues dominating today’s political discussion, is the controversial conservative commentary driving much of the division? Ahead of the midterm elections, reporter Flo Phillips and producer Johanna Hoes travel parts of the country to understand the power of talk radio – the sway it holds over Americans, and the role it is playing in the division of the United States. The major contributors to the piece include: WRVA, Richmond afternoon drive host, Jeff Katz (pictured above); TALKERS founder Michael Harrison; University of Delaware professor/author, Dannagal YoungUniversity of Pennsylvania scholar in residence/author, Brian Rosenwald; along with truck driver, Alex Brookhouse; restaurant owner Wendy Yohman; and advertising consultant/part-time Lyft driver, Shelly Perkins. Upon viewing the final cut, Michael Harrison stated, “I am always hesitant when invited to be interviewed for a newspaper story or video report about ‘talk radio’ and its political influence because of my concerns that it is going to be a hit piece against conservative talk radio. However, I often take my chances based upon my belief in my own knowledge of the facts and my faith in the good nature of most reporters not to take me out of context to support their pre-determined narrative. Ninety percent of the time this proves to be a good path and, in many cases, I actually play a significant role in softening the stories’ bias-based attacks. In many cases, I am influential in actually changing the story to reach a more balanced conclusion. Sometimes, reporters or their editors actually cancel the stories based upon my interviews which convince them that they are largely off-base or simply biased to the point of lying. In the case of this project, I was especially hesitant to get involved because of my own concerns about the credibility and agenda of Al Jazeera.  But, on the other hand, I am deeply concerned about the image of American talk radio around the world, so I agreed to be interviewed on camera upon receiving assurance from the program’s reporter and producer that I would not be taken out of context and that they are not setting out to do an intentional hit piece on conservative talk radio. As it turned out, they told me the truth… although it bugs the hell out of me when people believe the terms ‘talk radio’ and ‘conservative’ talk radio are one and the same.” To view the documentary in its entirety, please click here

WWO Blog: The Masters of Marketing Conference. In this week’s edition of the Westwood One Audio Active Group blog is coverage of last week’s Masters of Marketing conference held in Orlando by the Association of National Advertisers. WWO says audio was front and center at the conference thanks to the marketing efforts of the RAB, iHeartMedia, and Audacy. Some of the takeaways from the event include: 1) Emotion-based storytelling is the most powerful form of creative, according to United and Shell. Emotion is the most powerful selling tool we have; 2) Advertising builds brands best when it is entertaining, popular, and memorable, when it is not just a pitch, but a performance. This was a major theme from Caesars, eos, and a number of other brands; 3) Multicultural marketing is mainstream marketing. This was a key focus of many of the speakers including P&G and Verizon; 4) The most successful B2B brands focus on the human aspect of communication. While most B2B creative is dry, rational, and full of forgettable facts and figures, more successful creative focuses on the human; 5) Marketers say AM/FM radio is one of the most effective media; and 6) The stronger the brand, the stronger the business outcomes. Highly branded firms far outperform the S&P 500. See the complete coverage here.

Salem Radio Network’s Greg Clugston Covering Joe Biden Florida Trip. Journalist Greg Clugston is accompanying President Joe Biden on the president’s trip to Florida. The Salem Radio Network White House correspondent will cover the president’s appearance in Hallandale Beach where Biden will address Social Security, Medicare and the cost of prescription drugs with Florida senior citizens. Clugston will also provide on-scene updates from a 4:45 pm fundraiser for Democrat Charlie Crist – running for governor against incumbent Ron DeSantis – in Golden Beach, and wrap up the Florida trip at a Biden Miami Gardens rally for Democrat Val Demings, seeking the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Marco Rubio (R-FL.)

TALKERS News Notes. Two deals between SiriusXM and auto manufacturers will put the satellite service on the vehicles’ entertainment systems. The first is with Stellantis which extends their longstanding distribution agreement to continue SiriusXM in Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Maserati vehicles into 2027. The second deal is with Lucid Group, Inc. to put the service in the company’s full lineup of luxury electric vehicles…..iHeartRadio announces an all-new, original podcast titled, “Witches Anonymous” hosted by Hilaria Baldwin and Michelle Campbell Mason. The two lend their voices and share personal experiences on what’s made them the women they are today and examine the complexities in female relationships ranging from bonding and sisterhood to the dichotomies in friendships. As a descendant of one of the Salem witches, Mason will lean into what it means to be a witch, and the cohosts will talk about the evolution of witches in pop culture…..”The Common,” a daily local news podcast from WBUR, Boston debuts on Monday (11/7). The daily local news podcast, hosted by Darryl C. Murphy and produced by WBUR Podcasts with help from the WBUR Newsroom, will present “a fresh, new approach for local audiences to wake up informed and inspired on what’s really going on in Greater Boston.” Each listen promises to be time-friendly – clocking in at less than 15 minutes…..Claire M. Regan was sworn in as the 106th president of the Society of Professional Journalists during the President’s Awards Banquet at MediaFest22, SPJ’s annual convention held in Washington, D.C. Regan has spent much of her career at her hometown newspaper, the Staten Island Advance, where she started as a part-time wedding writer and rose to managing editor. At Wagner College, her alma mater in New York City, she is an assistant professor of journalism and faculty adviser to the student newspaper. She takes the reins from Rebecca Aguilar, a freelance reporter based in Dallas.

Affirmative Action, Midterm Elections, Pelosi Attack Aftermath, The Economy, Russia-Ukraine War, Trump Legal Issues, and Twitter Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/31). The Supreme Court hears arguments about Affirmative Action as applied to college admissions; the November midterm elections and speculation about which party will control the House and the Senate; public figures spread rumor that Paul Pelosi’s attacker was his gay lover; inflation and concerns about a recession; Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure as Iran sells more weapons to Russia; the various legal battles facing former President Donald Trump; and Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Ratings Takeaways

October 2022 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One

October 2022 PPM Data – Information for the October 2022 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 October 2022 sweep covered September 15 – October 12.

TALKERS 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 September 2022 – October 2022 (6+).

The NHL season began October 7; NHL and NFL flagships are noted where applicable.

NEW YORK

News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” flat at 3.0, #11 to #12

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 1.7 – 1.5, -.2, #18 to #19

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” 2.9 – 3.2, +.3, #13 to #11 and co-owned WINS “1010 – All News/All The Time” unchanged at 3.0, #11 to #12

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (NY Giants) 3.2 – 3.7, +.5, tenth to eighth

Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s 4.1 – 3.6, -.5, eighth to ninth

Number One 6+: Mediaco Holding-owned/Emmis operated urban AC WBLS, second month in a row, 6.6 – 6.9, +.3

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase (Tie): sports talk WFAN and Spanish contemporary WXNY (+.5)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease (Tie): adult contemporary WLTW; CHR WHTZ; and public radio news/talk WNYC-FM (-.5)

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” flat at 4.7, continues in fourth-place

News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 3.5 – 3.2, -.3, eighth to ninth

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.6 – 2.7, +.1, #14 to #12

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KOST, third month in a row, 5.8 – 5.7, -.1

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: urban contemporary KRRL (+.7)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: adult hits KCBS-FM (-.6)

CHICAGO

News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” 3.5 – 2.9, -.6, ninth to tenth

News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” (Bears) 4.9 – 5.3, +.4, third to fourth

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WSCR “670 The Score” (Blackhawks) 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, #14 to #15

Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ 4.4 – 4.0, -.4, fifth to seventh  

Number One 6+: Hubbard Radio classic rock WDRV, sixth month in a row, 6.6 – 6.1, -.5

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: urban AC WVAZ (+.7)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: news/talk WGN (-.6)

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KGO 1.7 – 1.6, -.1, repeats at #20

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 6.4 – 7.0, +.6, second to first

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (49ers) 3.6 – 3.3, -.3, sixth to eighth

Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 7.8 – 6.6, -1.2, first to third

Number One 6+ (Tie): news KCBS-AM & KFRC, first month, 6.4 – 7.0, +.6 and Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, first month, 6.0 – 7.0, +1.0

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KOIT-FM (+1.0)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk KQED (-1.2)

Note: KGO transitioned from news/talk to sports betting (10/10/2022)

DALLAS

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 4.9 – 4.8, -.1, repeats in third-place

News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” (Cowboys) 2.6 – 2.7, +.1, steady at #16

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” (Stars) 4.0 – 4.4, +.4, seventh to fourth

Audacy’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Cowboys) 1.9 – 2.8, +.9, #21 to #15

Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA flat at 3.0, #13 to #14

Number One 6+: Univision regional Mexican KLNO, ninth month in a row, 5.4 – 5.2, -.2

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: sports talk KRLD-FM (+.9)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: adult contemporary KDGE (-1.0)

HOUSTON

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” 3.3 – 3.7, +.4, repeats at #14

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston-owned KUHF flat at 2.0, continues at #18

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, nineteenth consecutive month, 8.7 – 9.8, +1.1

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KODA (+1.1)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease (Tie): contemporary Christian KSBJ; alternative KTBZ; and Spanish contemporary KLOL (-.7)

ATLANTA

News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 6.3 – 5.9, -.4, fifth to sixth

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Dickey Broadcasting-owned WCNN “The Fan” 3.2 – 3.6, +.4, #11 to #9

Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” (Falcons) 2.7 – 2.4, -.3, #15 to #16

Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE 6.8 – 7.2, +.4, third to second

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, tenth successive month, 8.3 – 8.4, +.1

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase (Tie): urban AC WAMJ; contemporary Christian WFSH; and CHR WWPW (+.8)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease (Tie): urban AC WALR and country WKHX (-.8)

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk: None in the top twenty

News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” flat at 5.2, repeats in seventh-place

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Eagles) 5.3 – 6.5, +1.2, sixth to third and WIP’s internet stream, 2.6 – 2.2, -.4, #12 to #14

Beasley Media Group-owned WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” (Flyers) 1.2 – 1.5, +.3, #22 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 4.6 – 4.8, +.2, continues in eighth-place

Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group rock WMMR, third straight month, 8.7 – 7.9, -.8

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: sports talk WIP (+1.2)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: rock WMMR (-.8)

LONG ISLAND

News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” steady at 2.1, #17 to #16

Red Apple Media-owned WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 2.1 – 1.9, -.2, remains at #17

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” 3.9 – 4.0, +.1, continues in seventh-place and cluster-mate WINS “1010 – All News/All The Time” 2.4 – 2.2, -.2, repeats at #14

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (NY Giants) 3.8 – 4.7, +.9, eighth to fifth

Emmis-owned/Good Karma Brands-operated WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” (Islanders, Rangers) 1.3 – 1.6, +.3, steady at #20

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WBAB, sixth month in succession, 6.6 – 6.1, -.5

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: sports talk WFAN (+.9)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: CHR WBLI (-.8)

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, flat at .4, anchored at #19

Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, tenth consecutive month, 7.7 – 9.2, +1.5

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: classic hits-oldies KOLA (+1.5)*

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: rhythmic CHR KGGI (-.5)

*Represents the largest September 2022 – October 2022  increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

SAN JOSE

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 1.5 – 2.0, +.5, #21 to #15 and cluster-mate KGO 2.7 – 1.9, -.8, #13 to #20

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 5.7 – 6.6, +.9, second to first

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (49ers ) 3.7 – 3.9, +.2, eighth to sixth

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+ (Tie): news KCBS-AM & KFRC, first month, 5.7 – 6.6, +.9 and Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, fourth straight month 7.3 – 6.6, -.7

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: news KCBS-AM & KFRC (+.9)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KSOL (-1.0)

Note: KGO transitioned from news/talk to sports betting (10/10/2022)

MIDDLESEX

News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 6.0 – 6.5, +.5, second to third

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” .5 – 1.2, +.7, #23 to #19

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” 2.6 – 2.5, -.1, #12 to #13 and co-owned WINS 1.4 – 1.2, -.2, #17 to #19

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (NY Giants) 2.8 – 3.4, +.6, #11 to #8

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, fourth month in a row, 8.6 – 6.9, -1.7

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: Spanish tropical WSKQ (+1.2)

Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: adult contemporary WLTW (-1.7)**

**Represents the largest September 2022 – October 2022  decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

Up next: October 2022 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.

Front Page News Industry News

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

WABC’s McGuirk Tribute Airs Today. The day-long remembrance of Bernie McGuirk on Red Apple Media New York news/talk WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” began at 6:00 this morning (Wednesday, 10/12). The 65-year-old McGuirk passed away last Wednesday (10/5) from prostate cancer. For the past four and a half years, he and Sid Rosenberg co-hosted “Bernie & Sid in the Morning.” According to Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis, who purchased WABC two years ago, “We are airing this all-day tribute to honor our friend and colleague, who loved New York, radio, and his listeners. We’ll have the opportunity to bid farewell to a wonderful man who reached WABC radio listeners around the world every morning with his unique take on the news.” Red Apple Media/WABC radio president Chad Lopez notes, “Bernie’s observations and analysis of world and local news and politics were not only insightful – they were authentic. His brilliant mind, combined with that New York attitude, [gave] listeners what they wanted – the truth; we will miss him.” News anchor/air personality Charles McCord worked with McGuirk during their years together on “(Don) Imus in the Morning” and will appear this morning in the 9:00 hour. Among others scheduled to be part of the tribute are: New York City mayor Eric Adams; comedian/longtime “Imus” cast member Rob Bartlett; sports talk host Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo; former “Imus In The Morning” sports personality Warner Wolf; NBA play-by-play announcer Mike Breen; actor/author Chazz Palminteri; Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean; and WABC host Bill O’Reilly. McGuirk joined WABC in 2007 as “Imus in the Morning” producer/on-air contributor. He’d previously been with Imus at New York’s WNBC and WFAN. In 2016, WABC teamed McGuirk and Rosenberg in mid-days (10:00 am – 12:00 noon), before boosting them to morning drive. Rosenberg reflected on McGuirk with TALKERS founder Michael Harrison. Listen to their conversation by clicking here.

Round Four of August PPMs Released. The fourth round of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s September 2022 PPM survey has been released for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford. Nielsen Audio’s September 2022 sweep covered August 18 – September 14. TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his “Ratings Takeaways” from this group of markets. Three news/talk outlets are included in West Palm Beach’s top twenty (6+). A four-tenths improvement from August 2022 by iHeartMedia’s WZZR (1.8 – 2.2, 6+) coupled with co-owned WJNO’s half-share dip (1.8 – 1.3, 6+) results in “92.1 Real Radio” (ninth to eighth) overtaking “News Radio 1290” (#9 to #11). Also in that Florida market’s mix is Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850,” which drops two-tenths (1.1 – .9, #13 to #14, 6+). Although they only yield a combined 5.0 (6+), four Hartford news/talk stations crack the top twenty. Leading that group is Audacy’s WTIC-AM, although “News Talk 1080” logs a full-share deficit from August (4.6 – 3.6, 6+), slipping from eighth to ninth; its internet stream is unchanged in share and market rank (.2 and #20, respectively). Meanwhile, Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” picks up two-tenths (.8 – 1.0,  #15 to #14, 6+) and iHeartMedia’s WPOP “News Radio 1410 AM & 100.9 FM,” which had been unlisted since April, resurfaces with a .2, (#20, 6+). See Mike Kinosian’s complete “Ratings Takeaways” from this group of markets (as well as the first three groups) here.

Charges Dropped Against Subject Of “Serial” Podcast. Baltimore prosecutors yesterday (Tuesday, 10/11) dropped charges against Adnan Syed in the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee, a case that was chronicled in the first season of the podcast “Serial.” Laura Nirider, co-director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, tweeted, “After the latest round of DNA testing generated results that, like previous rounds of testing, excluded Adnan Syed, he has now been formally exonerated.” A Baltimore judge last month overturned Syed’s murder conviction and ordered him released from prison, where the 41-year-old had spent more than two decades. Circuit judge Melissa Phinn gave prosecutors 30 days in which to decide whether to retry Syed or drop the charges. Syed captured the attention of millions in 2014 when the debut season of “Serial” focused on the case and raised doubts about some of the evidence, including cellphone tower data. Syed served more than 20 years in prison for strangling the 18-year-old Lee. Her body was found weeks later buried in a Baltimore park. More than a decade later, “Serial” revealed little-known evidence and attracted millions of listeners, shattering podcast-streaming and downloading records. Prosecutors failed to tell Syed’s defense attorneys about evidence that would have allowed him to defend himself, including details that established two other people had threatened Lee’s life. In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, the state’s attorney for Baltimore, Marilyn Mosby, said that recently tested DNA completely exculpated Syed from the crime. She declined to say if any other known suspects may be implicated in the recent DNA testing, saying that the investigation is ongoing.

TALKERS News Notes. Effective next Monday (10/17), Jeff Rowe will join Southern California Public Radio Pasadena-Los Angeles news/talk KPCC and LAist as vice president/programming. Southern California Public Radio chief content officer Kristen Muller comments, “As we reach more audiences, we need to rethink the way we program across multiple platforms. Jeff brings an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset – these are critical skills that will be a huge asset.” Co-founder of Okanjo and Zap2it, Rowe has worked at AOL; Journal Communications; Tribune Media; NBC; and VH1. … Three-year KDWN “The Talk of Las Vegas” program director Steve Hoffman exits the Beasley Media Group news/talk station. … College Station, Texas news/talk WTAW celebrated its 100th anniversary last Friday (10/7). The Bryan Broadcasting-owned outlet began as experimental station 5XB in 1914 and was officially licensed as WTAW by the Commerce Department in 1922. Vice president/general manager Ben Downs comments, “When we followed the [Rush] Limbaugh wave into talk in 1989, it was a great day for the station. We still control the 25+ demos, which isn’t bad for a 100-year-old station – even though we don’t look a day over 70.” … Attorney/Corporation For Public Broadcasting board chair Bruce Ramer will be honored tonight (Wednesday, 10/12) with CPB’s “Lifetime Achievement Award.” CPB president/chief executive officer Patricia Harrison notes, “Bruce Ramer’s award is in recognition of his extraordinary leadership and guidance given to CPB over the nearly 14 years of his service. He led CPB’s support for innovation, interconnection, infrastructure, and access to content over many platforms. [Bruce] was committed to strengthening local, national, and international public media journalism and editorial integrity. On a meaningful level, he always advanced diversity and inclusion personally and professionally.” CPB vice chair Laura Gore Ross adds, “Bruce’s leadership has strengthened CPB and public media when we needed it most. On his watch, CPB was able to distribute $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding and $175 million in CARES Act stabilization funding to public media stations. He has provided wise counsel through thick and thin that’s been felt by all.”

SiriusXM To Open Miami Broadcast Center. Scheduled for completion in 2023, the Miami Broadcast Center venue will feature several radio and recording studios, a 50-seat performance space, as well as office space. SiriusXM president/chief content officer Scott Greenstein notes, “We are excited to open our Miami broadcast complex and deepen our ties in such a multicultural and entertainment-rich city. Our Miami facility will feature a world-class performance space for our special events. Its artist-first recording studios will be a destination for major stars and emerging personalities to connect with listeners.” SiriusXM’s other facilities include its New York Rockefeller Center headquarters; West Hollywood studios; and studios/offices in Washington, DC and Nashville.

Ratings Takeaways

September 2022 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One

September 2022 PPM Data – Information for the September 2022 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.

Nielsen Audio’s September 2022 sweep covered August 18 – September 14.

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 2022 – September 2022 (6+).

Note: The NFL season kicked off September 8; NFL – and MLB – flagships are noted where applicable.

NEW YORK

News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 4.3 – 3.0, -1.3, #8 to #11

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 2.0 – 1.7, -.3, anchored at #18

News: Audacy’s WINS “1010 – All News/All The Time” 2.8 – 3.0 +.2, #12 to #11 and co-owned WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 3.0 – 2.9, -.1, #11 to #13

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees, NY Giants) 2.8 – 3.2, +.4, #12 to #10

Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s 3.6 – 4.1, +.5, tenth to eighth

Number One 6+: Mediaco Holding-owned/Emmis operated urban AC WBLS, first month, 5.7 – 6.6, +.9

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: urban AC WBLS (+.9)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease: news/talk WABC (-1.3)*

*Represents the largest August 2022 – September 2022  decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” 4.8 – 4.7, -.1, repeats in fourth-place

News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 3.3 – 3.5, +.2, tenth to eighth

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.3 – 2.6, +.3, #18 to #14

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KOST, second month in a row, 5.4 – 5.8, +.4

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: hot AC KBIG (+.5)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease: Spanish contemporary KLVE (-.7)

CHICAGO

News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” 3.6 – 3.5, -.1, eighth to ninth

News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” (Bears) 4.6 – 4.9, +.3, fifth to third

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WSCR “670 The Score” (Cubs) 2.7 – 2.5, -.2, repeats at #14

Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ 4.8 – 4.4, -.4, third to fifth  

Number One 6+: Hubbard Radio classic rock WDRV, fifth month in a row, 5.5 – 6.6, +1.1

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: classic rock WDRV (+1.1)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease: country WUSN (-.8)

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 2.0 – 1.8, -.2, #17 to #18 and co-owned KGO “810 AM” 1.5 – 1.7, +.2, #21 to #20

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 6.2 – 6.4, +.2, continues in the runner-up slot

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (SF Giants, 49ers) 4.0 – 3.6, -.4, fifth to sixth

Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 8.5 – 7.8, -.7, first

Number One 6+: public radio news/talk KQED third month in a row, 8.5 – 7.8, -.7

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: regional Mexican KSOL (+.8)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease (Tie): public radio news/talk KQED and adult contemporary KISQ (-.7)

DALLAS

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 4.5 – 4.9, +.4, fourth to third

News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” (Cowboys) 2.2 – 2.6, +.4, #19 to #16

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” 4.3 – 4.0, -.3, sixth to seventh

Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA 2.8 – 3.0, +.2, #14 to #13

Number One 6+: Univision regional Mexican KLNO, eighth month in a row, 5.5 – 5.4, -.1

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KDGE (+.8)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease: CHR KHKS (-1.0)

HOUSTON

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” (Astros) 3.9 – 3.3, -.6, #10 to #14

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston-owned KUHF 1.7 – 2.0, +.3, #19 to #18

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, eighteenth consecutive month, 9.0 – 8.7, -.3

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: country KKBQ (+.7)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease: news/talk KTRH (-.6)

ATLANTA

News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 5.5 – 6.3, +.8, continues in fifth-place

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Dickey Broadcasting-owned WCNN “The Fan” (Braves) 3.3 – 3.2, -.1, remains at #11

Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” (Falcons) 1.8 – 2.7, +.9, #17 to #15

Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE 5.1 – 6.8, +1.7, sixth to third

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, ninth successive month, 9.0 – 8.3, -.7

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: public radio news/talk WABE (+1.7)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease: hot AC WSTR (-.9)

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk: Townsquare Media’s WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 1.3 – 1.4, +.1, #20 to #19

News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” 5.1 – 5.2, +.1, sixth to seventh

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Phillies, Eagles) 4.8 – 5.3, +.5, seventh to sixth and WIP’s internet stream, 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, #13 to #12

Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY steady at 4.6, remains in eighth-place

Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group rock WMMR, second straight month, 8.0 – 8.7, +.7

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase (Tie): rock WMMR and adult hits WBEN-FM (+.7)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease (Tie): classic rock WMGK and alternative WRFF (-.4)

LONG ISLAND

News/Talk: Red Apple Media-owned WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 2.5 – 2.1, -.4, flat at #17

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 2.6 – 2.1, -.5, #15 to #17

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets)” 3.6 – 3.9, +.3, eighth to seventh and cluster-mate WINS “1010 – All News/All The Time” 2.6 – 2.4, -.2, #15 to #14

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees, NY Giants) 3.7 – 3.8, +.1, seventh to eighth

Emmis-owned/Good Karma Brands-operated WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” .8 – 1.3, +.5, #25 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WBAB, fifth month in succession, 6.2 – 6.6, +.4

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: classic hits-oldies WBZO (+.8)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease: rock WWSK (-.8)

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, .3 – .4, +.1, locked at #19

Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, ninth consecutive month, 5.9 – 7.7, +1.8

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: classic hits-oldies KOLA (+1.8)**

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease: Spanish contemporary KLVE (-.8)

**Represents the largest August 2022 – September 2022  increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

SAN JOSE

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KGO “810 AM” 2.6 – 2.7, +.1, #12 to #13

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 4.8 – 5.7, +.9, third to second

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (SF Giants, 49ers ) 3.4 – 3.7, +.3, repeats in eighth-place

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Empire Audacy adult contemporary KOIT-FM, third straight month 6.6 – 7.3, +.7

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: hot AC KEZR (+1.1)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease: 1980s-based KOSF (-.7)

MIDDLESEX

News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 5.1 – 6.0, +.9, fourth to second

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 2.7 – 2.6, -.1, repeats at #12 and co-owned WINS steady at 1.4, #18 to #17

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees, NY Giants) unchanged at 2.8, remains at #11

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, third month in a row, 7.4 – 8.6, +1.2

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+1.2)

Largest 6+ August 2022 – September 2022 Decrease (Tie): urban contemporary WWPR and sports talk WEPN-FM (-.5)

Up next: September 2022 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.

Front Page News Industry News

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Urban One Enters into Deal to Acquire Emmis Communications’ Indy Radio Stations. The price for the four radio stations, two translators and the regional programming network has not been revealed yet, but Urban One, Inc’s definitive asset purchase agreement with Emmis Communications to purchase its Indianapolis radio cluster means Emmis will be effectively out of the radio business. It still owns the licenses to WEPN-FM and WLIB-AM in New York but leases them. Under the terms of this new deal, Urban One will acquire adult contemporary WYXB-FM, country WLHK-FM, news/talk WIBC-FM, sports talk “The Fan” (translators W228CX at 93.5 and W298BB at 107.5), and Network Indiana. Urban One president and CEO Alfred Liggins comments, “These are terrific general market formats and will be a great addition to Urban One in a transaction that is accretive and deleveraging.” Urban One adds that in anticipation of the transaction, it will sell its hip hop WHHH-FM, Indianapolis along with the intellectual property related to WNOW to a third party. Emmis will continue to operate its stations and Urban One will continue to operate WHHH until the transaction closes. Meanwhile, Emmis founder and chairman Jeff Smulyan states, “When Emmis launched our first station, WENS now ‘HANK FM,’ in 1981, I never could have envisioned the journey we would go on. Indianapolis is my hometown, and I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish – we’ve become an invaluable contributor to the Indianapolis community, a leader of radio industry initiative and innovation, and a trusted resource for Central Indiana listeners and businesses.” Emmis notes in its press release that in recent years it “has sold many of its media assets and redeployed capital into new ventures which emphasize its sales and marketing experience including: Lencore Acoustics, a leader in high-quality sound masking solutions for commercial applications; Sound That BRANDS, the Los Angeles-based podcasting studio specializing in branded audio content for national advertisers; and Digonex, a leading provider of dynamic pricing solutions for attractions and live entertainment industries.”

 

Round One of May PPMs Released. The first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s May 2022 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). Nielsen’s May 2022 sweep covered April 28 – May 25. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York City, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC slips by three-tenths to a 3.3 share (weekly, 6+ AHQ share) finish good for the #10 rank. Across town, Audacy’s all-news WINS sheds 1.1 shares to finish with a 3.1 share and the #11 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles loses one-tenth, but remains ranked #3 on the strength of a 5.0 share. Audacy’s all-news KCBS-AM/KFRC-FM, San Francisco is up one-tenth, finishing with a 6.2 share that bumps it into the #2 rank. In Dallas, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WBAP posts a seven-tenths increase that pushes it to the #10 rank with a 3.6 share, while Audacy’s crosstown all-news KRLD-AM is steady at a 2.1 share but falls to the #20 rank. You can see Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

 

TALKERS 2022 Coverage Coming Soon.  The 25th annual installment (and second pandemic-era edition) of the talk media industry’s longest-running, largest, and most important national convention – TALKERS 2022 – took place this past Friday, June 10 and by all accounts significantly exceeded expectations. It was widely hailed by many of its longtime participants as “the best ‘TALKERS’ ever!” It was presented by TALKERS in association with Hofstra University’s award-winning radio station WRHU-FM/WRHU.org. Some 275 passionate media professionals from all over the country traveled to the beautiful campus of Hofstra on Long Island to see, hear and meet more than 60 luminary speakers – from talk media programming, management, station ownership, syndication, sales, marketing and technology – tackle the most compelling issues, opportunities and challenges currently at play in the industry. It was a power-packed day of non-stop panels, solo addresses, fireside charts, award presentations, exhibits and networking opportunities. The TALKERS editorial staff is now sifting through hundreds of photos and hours of video preparing extensive coverage of the conference and its enormous treasure trove of content that will be appearing in TALKERS magazine for days and weeks ahead. Pictured at the top of this story is TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison (left) interviewing Key Networks-syndicated star Bill O’Reilly (right) during one of three keynote addresses. Pictured in the inset is Premiere Networks nationally syndicated talk radio personality Buck Sexton addressing the attendees during the opening session.

 

Greta Van Susteren Launches on Newsmax TV Tonight. This evening (6/14), news/talk television pro Greta Van Susteren begins her program on Newsmax TV’s evening lineup. “The Record with Greta Van Susteren” airs at 6:00 pm ET. Van Susteren says, “With all that is going on in the world, I am getting back to my roots — a daily live news show with real reporting from the places where things are happening.” At the same time, Newsmax announces the new daily program schedule on the network: “The Chris Salcedo Show,” 4:00 pm; “Spicer & Co.” with Sean Spicer, Lyndsay Keith, 5:00 pm; “The Record with Greta Van Susteren,” 6:00 pm; “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” 7:00 pm; “Eric Bolling The Balance,” 8:00 pm; “Prime News” with Jenn Pellegrino, 9:00 pm; and “Greg Kelly Reports,” 10:00 pm. Newsmax EVP programming Elliot Jacobson comments, “This new schedule will strengthen Newsmax’s ability to deliver hard-hitting news and analysis when Americans need it the most.”

 

ATTENTION: TALKERS Heavy Hundred MembersTALKERS has been made aware that a trophy and plaque manufacturing company has been contacting talk show hosts who are listed as being members of the Heavy Hundred (The 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America) and is soliciting them to purchase a costly plaque or trophy commemorating the honor. Please be advised that this plaque (or a variety of variations of awards and trophies available in their catalogue) is unofficial and the company – SHOWMARK MEDIA, LLC – enjoys no official connection or licensing agreement with TALKERS. According to TALKERS VP/associate publisher Matthew B. Harrison, “TALKERS has never engaged in charging its award recipients for items or products indicating their receiving an honor bestowed by our organization.”

 

Radio Hall of Fame 2022 Nominees Announced. The nominees for the Radio Hall of Fame class of 2022 have been announced by the Museum of Broadcast Communications. The 24 nominees were chosen by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, with input from the radio industry and listeners. Voting for inductees begins Tuesday, June 22 and runs through July 8. The top six vote recipients will gain induction as part of the 2022 Radio Hall of Fame Induction class. The two additional inductees that will make up the eight-person induction class will be selected by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. More than 600 industry members will receive a confidential ballot on Tuesday, June 22, to cast votes for up to six nominated individuals. The confidential ballot will be conducted by Votem.com, and overseen by Miller Kaplan’s Andrew Rosen. The nominees in spoken-word radio include: Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, SiriusXM; Dave Ross, KIRO-FM, Seattle; Diane Rehm, WAMU-FM,Washington DC; John & Ken, KFI, Los Angeles; Larry Elder; and Suzyn Waldman, New York Yankees Radio Network. You can see the complete list of nominees here. Radio Hall of Fame co-chairman Kraig T. Kitchin says, “We’ve made changes in 2022, to allow voting participants to vote for up to six nominees for induction, and limit the voting process to knowledgeable industry members. Listeners and industry members alike contributed more than 2,500 suggestions for the Nominating Committee to consider in addition to their own considerations.”

 

iHeartMedia Names AJ Punjabi Market President for San Francisco. Radio sales and management pro AJ Punjabi moves from iHeartMedia’s Charleston market, where he most recently served as the market president and enterprise leader of the Blockchain/Crypto/NFT category, to San Francisco to serve as market president. iHeartMedia’s San Francisco station group includes business talk KNEW-AM “Bloomberg Radio” and KKSF-AM “BIN: Black Information Network. iHeartMedia division president Scott Hopeck says, “AJ is a talent-focused leader with exceptional digital experience, which will serve him well in the Bay Area, where he will lead a talented team of creators and sales professionals. I’m excited for AJ to begin working with his team and our partners!”

 

Rob Parker Makes Debut at LA’s The Comedy Store. Last week, FOX Sports Radio personality Rob Parker, co-host of “The Odd Couple with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker,” made his stand-up comedy debut at the legendary Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Parker participated in the “Crack’Em Up Comedy” show in the Belly Room, a weekly showcase and workout room featuring rising comedy stars and established comedians. Pictured above are (l-r): Elijah Sebunnya, FOX Sports Radio digital content director; Scott Shapiro, FOX Sports Radio VP of programming; Parker; Jade Kozup, Premiere Networks director of marketing; and Mike Lingard, FOX Sports Radio executive news producer & operations manager.

 

‘New Jersey 101.5’ to Present Town Hall on ‘Growing Weed in the Garden State.’ This Thursday (6/16) at 7:00 pm,Townsquare Media’s WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” presents the latest in a series of Town Hall broadcasts. “Growing Weed in the Garden State” explores how the legal adult use marijuana industry is impacting New Jersey. The station’s Eric Scott leads a panel that includes law enforcement, legal experts, regulators, growers and dispensary operators. “The sale of legal cannabis products for recreational use generated over $24 million in the first month,” Scott says. “While there is clearly demand for product, unintended consequences are continuing to surface.” The program will explore not only those unintended consequences, but also how legal marijuana sales are positively impacting New Jersey. The program’s on-air panel will feature: Bill Caruso, co-founder of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform; Rob Nixon with the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association; New Jersey State Senate president Nicholas Scutari; Chrissy Buteas, chief government affairs officer at New Jersey Business & Industry Association; as well as marijuana cultivators and dispensary operators.

 

The Economy, January 6 Hearings, Midterms/Trump & the GOP, Russia-Ukraine War, COVID-19, White Nationalist Movement, and Western Heat-Drought Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (6/13). Financial markets hit bear territory, the soaring price of gasoline & food, and concerns about a recession; Monday’s session of the January 6 hearings; the primary elections for November’s midterms and Donald Trump’s influence over the GOP; Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine and the effects of the blockade on Ukraine’s major ports; the rate of infections of COVID-19; the arrest of 30 members of the white nationalist organization Patriot Front in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and the Western heatwave and ongoing drought were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Ratings Takeaways

May 2022 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One

May 2022 PPM Data – Information for the May 2022 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.

Nielsen Audio’s May 2022 sweep covered April 28 – May 25.

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 April 2022 – May 2022 (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 3.6 – 3.3, -.3, eighth to tenth

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 2.3 – 2.2, -.1, repeats at #19

News: Audacy’s WINS “1010 – All News/All The Time” 4.2 – 3.1, -1.1, #6 to #11 and co-owned WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 2.9 – 2.8, -.1, #13 to #14

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.5 – 3.8, +.3, ninth to eighth

Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM 3.3 – 3.1, -.2, #10 to #11

Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM, first month, 6.3 – 6.7, +.4

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: rhythmic CHR WKTU (+1.1)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: news WINS (-1.1)

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” 5.1 – 5.0, -.1, remains in third-place

News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 3.4 – 3.2, -.2, eighth to tenth

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.1 – 2.4, +.3, #19 to #14

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KOST, eleventh successive month, 5.8 – 6.5, +.7

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: urban contemporary KRRL (+.8)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KLAX (-.6)

CHICAGO

News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” 3.1 – 3.0, -.1, stays at #11

News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” 4.6 – 4.7, +.1, continues in fifth-place

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ flat at 4.8, repeats in fourth-place

Number One 6+: Hubbard Radio classic rock WDRV, first month, 5.7 – 6.0, +.3

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: regional Mexican WOJO (+.9)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): urban AC WVAZ and hot AC WTMX (-.6)

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 1.9 – 2.0, +.1, #17 to #18

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 6.1 – 6.2, +.1, third to second

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 4.3 – 3.9, -.4, sixth to fifth

Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 1.1 – 2.2, +1.1, #24 to #14

Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 7.7 – 5.9, -1.8, first to third

Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, first month, 6.6 – 6.8, +.2

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: sports talk KGMZ (+1.1)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk KQED (-1.8)*

*Represents the largest April 2022 – May 2022 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

DALLAS

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 2.9 – 3.6, +.7, #16 to #10

News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” flat at 2.1, #19 to #20

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” 3.6 – 4.9, +1.3, tenth to third

Audacy’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Rangers) 2.5 – 2.2, -.3, #17 to #19

Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA 3.6 – 3.3, -.3, #10 to #14

Number One 6+: Univision regional Mexican KLNO, fourth month in a row, 6.1 – 6.6, +.5

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: sports talk KTCK (+1.3)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KNOR (-.5)

HOUSTON

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” (Astros) 4.2 – 4.1, -.1, tenth to ninth

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston-owned KUHF 2.4 – 2.7, +.3, anchored at #18

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, fourteenth consecutive month, 6.8 – 7.1, +.3

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: alternative KTBZ (+1.8)**

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: Spanish contemporary KLOL (-.8)

**Represents the largest April 2022 – May 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

ATLANTA

News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 6.4 – 6.0, -.4, third to fourth

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” 2.2 – 2.3, +.1, #16 to #15

Dickey Broadcasting-owned WCNN “The Fan” (Braves) 2.4 – 2.0, -.4, #15 to #16

Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE 3.2 – 3.5, +.3, #12 to #11

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, fifth successive month, 7.4 – 8.6, +1.2

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: classic hits-oldies WSRV (+1.2)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): urban AC WALR and country WKHX (-.8)

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk: None in the top twenty

News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” steady at 5.4, seventh to fifth

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Phillies) 5.2 – 5.1, -.1, repeats in eighth-place

Beasley Media Group-owned WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” 2.4 – 2.3, -.1, continues at #13

WIP’s internet stream, 2.0 – 1.5, -.5, #16 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 5.6 – 5.5, -.1, stays at #4

Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group rock WMMR, first month, 6.8 – 7.4, +.6

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: classic rock WMGK (+.8)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): urban AC WDAS-FM; sports talk WIP’s internet stream; and news/talk WPHT’s internet stream (-.5)

LONG ISLAND

News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 3.4 – 3.0, -.4, #9 to #12

Red Apple Media-owned WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 2.0 – 2.6, +.6, #17 to #15

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets)” 3.2 – 3.6, +.4, tenth to seventh and cluster-mate WINS “1010 – All News/All The Time” 2.8 – 2.6, -.2, #13 to #15

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.0 – 3.2, +.2, #11 to #10

Emmis’ WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.2 – 2.1, +.9, #23 to #19

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WBAB, first month, 5.2 – 5.7, +.5

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: sports talk WEPN-FM (+.9)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: classic rock WAXQ (-.6)

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, flat at .4, unchanged at #19

Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC .1 – .2, +.1, #21 to #20

Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, fifth consecutive month, 7.6 – 7.0, -.6

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: urban-rhythmic oldies KQIE (+1.0)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: rock KLOS (-1.2)

SAN JOSE

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KGO “810 AM” 1.8 – 1.7, -.1, repeats at #15

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 4.4 – 5.4, +1.0, fourth to third

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 2.9 – 2.8, -.1, #8 to #11

Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game”.9 – 1.6, +.7, #23 to #18

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Empire country KRTY fourth straight month 9.3 – 9.2, -.1

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase (Tie): adult contemporary KISQ and rhythmic CHR KYLD (+1.4)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KSOL (-.6)

MIDDLESEX

News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 6.1 – 5.7, -.4, #1

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 1.8 – 2.2, +.4, repeats at #16 and co-owned WINS flat at 1.0, #21 to #20

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.1 – 3.3, +.2, ninth to tenth

Emmis’ WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.6 – 1.1, -.5, #17 to #19

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: news/talk WKXW, fourth month in succession, 6.1 – 5.7, -.4

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Increase: urban contemporary WXBK (+1.1)

Largest 6+ April 2022 – May 2022 Decrease (Tie): Spanish tropical WSKQ and sports talk WEPN-FM (-.5)

Up next: May 2022 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.

Front Page News Industry News

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Today’s Homeowner Media Founder and Host Danny Lipford is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. Home ownership issues, from the rising cost of housing to the maintenance and improvement required to protect and enhance one’s investment, are deeply tied into the national conversation about America’s economy. One of talk media’s leading experts on the myriad issues facing homeowners is Danny Lipford, founder/host of the notably successful “Today’s Homeowner” syndicated radio and TV programs. Lipford is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Harrison methodically taps into Lipford’s educated perspective on current concerns about inflation, supply chain backups, and the labor force shortage in addition to the programming and advertising compatibility of the home improvement genre with the news/talk radio station format. Don’t miss this extremely informative conversation. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here.

Cumulus Media Signs VP of Programming Operations Doug Hamand to Long-Term Extension. Programming executive Doug Hamand and Cumulus Media sign a new, long-term agreement that will keep the vice president of programming operations with the company for the foreseeable future. Hamand joined the company in January of 2016 after having served with iHeartMedia in a number of executive programming positions for 21 years. Cumulus SVP, programming operations John Dimick says, “Doug is a fierce competitor and expects the best from our content teams. His expertise and experience with multiple formats have enabled Cumulus Media to maintain its leadership position. Doug has definitely earned this new deal and many thanks for the hard work, dedication and commitment to Cumulus Media.” Hamand says, “Working the last five years with this team of exceptionally talented format VP’s, alongside Brian Philips, John Dimick and Greg Frey has been rewarding! I am glad to have helped PDs and market managers in key Cumulus cities achieve success in ratings and revenue. I look forward to serving these markets and the industry for more years to come.”

Jon Hansen’s ‘Your Money Matters’ Added to WGN-AM Program Schedule. Local media figure Jon Hansen joins the daily program schedule at Nexstar Media’s WGN-AM, Chicago as host of “Your Money Matters” beginning February 7. The program – featuring topics including the basics of personal finance, investing and wealth management, financial security, financial literacy, and retirement planning will air from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday through Thursday. Hansen says, “I’m looking forward to learning things along with the audience. Just like them, I’m someone looking for ways to save money, smart ways to spend money, and how to prepare my family for life’s surprises. I’m looking forward to engaging with experts who can help everyone – no matter their financial background. ‘Your Money Matters’ will be a show driven by the listeners’ questions with their needs and financial goals in mind – and I promise we’ll have a lot of fun along the way.” WGN VP/GM Mary Sandberg Boyle comments, “No one is more knowledgeable in hyper-local business and community news than Jon Hansen. He is the perfect host to navigate these challenging topics and make them relatable to our audience.” Hansen also hosts “Let’s Get Legal” on WGN Radio on Saturday afternoons.

Bill Michaels Clears Non-Compete; Show to Air on iHeartMedia’s WOKY-AM, Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Bill “The Big Unit” Michaels will return to the airwaves in Milwaukee after a false start five months ago. Michaels’ program had been airing on Audacy’s crosstown sports talk WSSP-AM prior to that station’s programming changes that saw the show dropped. iHeartMedia added “The Bill Michaels Show” to its sports talker WOKY-AM on August 30, but received a cease-and-desist from Audacy because Michaels had a non-compete in the Milwaukee market that kept him off the air there until now. Michaels’ show airs in the Madison market on Mid-West Family Communications’ WOZN-AM/FM. The 10:00 am to 2:00 pm show will begin on WOKY-AM “The Big 920” on Monday (1/17).

iHeartMedia Atlanta and John Hope Bryant to Launch ‘BUILDING the Good Life’ Podcast. The Atlanta operations of iHeartMedia are teaming up with entrepreneur, philanthropist and globally recognized financial literacy advocate John Hope Bryant to launch a new iHeartRadio Original podcast titled, “BUILDING the Good Life with John Hope Bryant.” iHeartMedia says the podcast showcases “Bryant’s gift for delivering inspiration through authentic and intimate conversations with some of the world’s most extraordinary people, culled from his unique orbit of leaders from business, entertainment, sports, media and government including Killer Mike, CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, PayPal CEO Dan Schulman and Nextdoor CEO Sarah Friar.” Bryant says, “This show is all about the magic of aspiration, inspiration, growing and maximizing human potential – delivered through the reach of the largest podcaster in the country. I have been a builder since I began my entrepreneurial journey as a 10-year-old boy in Compton, California, later creating Operation HOPE in response to the Rodney King riots, which evolved into the building of over 40 for-profit and non-profit organizations. This drive to build began as I listened to stories from those around me growing up in South Central Los Angeles and began to recognize the importance of everyone’s story: that by listening we can hear, by hearing we can see, and by seeing we can reach our full potential.”

WABC, New York Owner John Catsimatidis Offers $10k Reward for Arrest and Conviction of Teen’s Killer. WABC-AM owner and Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the man who shot and killed 19-year-old Kristol Bayron Nieves during the robbery of an East Harlem Burger King restaurant last weekend. The perpetrator appears in surveillance video wearing dark clothes and a mask. He got away with about $100 dollars. Nieves had been working at the restaurant at 116th and Lexington Ave for about three weeks.

FOX News Channel Promotes Jeanine Pirro to Co-Host of ‘The Five.’ FOX News Channel personality Jeanine Pirro is promoted to full-time co-host of “The Five.” Pirro has been a substitute co-host of the show since 2020 in addition to her work with FNC as a legal analyst and host of the weekend program, “Justice with Judge Jeanine.” Pirro joins the program that features a rotating cast that includes: Harold Ford Jr., Geraldo Rivera, and Jessica Tarlov as the co-hosts for the liberal seat and conservatives Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino and Jesse Watters. FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott says, “‘The Five’ continues to be a beloved show by the American audience. Each of the co-hosts are accomplished and insightful talent with diverse opinions and terrific chemistry who will certainly help drive this ensemble program going forward.” Pirro will continue hosting “Castles USA” on FOX News Media’s streaming service FOX Nation, where she dives into the rich history of iconic castles around the country.

COVID-19, January 6 Investigation, Midterms/Trump & the GOP, Voting Rights, Economy/Inflation, U.S.-Russia Relations, and Prince Andrew’s Legal Troubles Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (1/12). The high rate of COVID-19 cases across the U.S., the fate of the Omicron variant, and Dr. Anthony Fauci’s spat with Senators Rand Paul and Roger Marshall; House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy announces refusal to cooperate with House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol; speculation about which party will control Congress after the 2022 midterm elections and Donald Trump’s influence over the GOP; President Joe Biden’s push for Congress to take up the Voting Rights Act; the state of the U.S. economy and the high rate of inflation; the U.S., NATO and Russia meet over the Russian troops amassed at the Ukraine border; and Prince Andrew faces a civil suit brought by Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.