October 2022 PPM Data – Information for the October 2022 sweep has been released for Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.
Nielsen Audio’s October 2022 sweep covered September 15 – October 12.
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 September 2022 – October 2022 (6+).
The NHL season began October 7; NHL and NFL flagships are noted where applicable.
WASHINGTON, DC
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” 4.5 – 4.1, -.4, repeats in seventh-place
News: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WTOP & WTLP “Washington’s Top News” 8.1 – 9.0, +.9, locked in the runner-up slot
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJFK-FM “106.7 The Fan” (Capitals) 2.6 – 2.8, +.2, #15 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: American University-owned WAMU 11.1 – 11.8, +.7, #1
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WAMU, tenth month in succession, 11.1 – 11.8, +.7
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: news WTOP & WTLP (+.9)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: urban AC WMMJ (-.8)
BOSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRKO “AM 680 The Voice Of Boston” flat at 3.8, repeats in ninth-place
News – Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WBZ-AM “News Radio 1030” steady at 5.3, continues in fifth-place
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group’s WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (Bruins, New England Patriots) 7.3 – 9.4, +2.1, second to first
Audacy-owned WEEI-FM “93.7 Boston’s Sports Station” 4.0 – 4.9, +.9, seventh to sixth
Public Radio News/Talk: Boston University’s WBUR 4.0 – 4.3, +.3, seventh to eighth
WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 2.3 – 3.0, +.7, #19 to #11
Number One 6+: sports talk WBZ-FM, first month, 7.3 – 9.4, +2.1
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: sports talk WBZ-FM (+2.1)*
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: country WBWL (-.7)
*Represents the largest September 2022 – October 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets – as well as the previous 12-PPM markets
MIAMI
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board-owned WLRN 3.4 – 3.5, +.1, repeats in ninth-place
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group adult contemporary WFEZ, third consecutive month, 8.3 – 8.4, +.1
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: Spanish tropical WRTO (+1.0)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: Spanish tropical WXDJ (-1.7)
SEATTLE
News/Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-FM “97.3 FM” (Seahawks) 6.6 – 7.1, +.5, third to second
News: Lotus Communications’ KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM “Northwest News Radio” 3.5 – 4.8, +1.3, #14 to #6
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-AM “710 AM ESPN Seattle” (Seahawks) 7.0 – 7.6, +.6, first
iHeartMedia’s KJR-FM “93.3 FM Seattle’s Sports Leader” 1.3 – 2.3, +1.0, #23 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Northwest Public Radio’s KUOW 4.3 – 4.5, +.2, seventh to ninth
Number One 6+: sports talk KIRO-AM, second month in succession, 7.0 – 7.6, +.6
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: news KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM (+1.3)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: adult hits KJAQ (-1.0)
DETROIT
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WJR “News Talk 760 AM” 3.5 – 3.4, -.1, anchored at #13
News: Audacy-owned WWJ News Radio 950” 4.6 – 4.8, +.2, remains in eighth-place
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” (Red Wings, Lions) 5.6 – 7.1, +1.5, fourth to second and WXYT-FM’s internet stream 1.9 – 1.8, -.1, repeats at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Michigan-owned WUOM 2.1 – 2.4, +.3, carries on at #17
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group classic rock WCSX, first month, 7.0 – 7.4, +.4
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: sports talk WXYT-FM (+1.5)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WOMC (-.7)
PHOENIX
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFYI “News Talk 550” 3.5 – 3.1, -.4, #10 to #12
Bonneville-owned KTAR-FM “News 92.3 FM” (Arizona Cardinals) 2.6 – 2.3, -.3, #17 to #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KMVP-FM “98.7 Arizona’s Sports Station” 2.3 – 3.9, +1.6, #20 to #8
Public Radio News/Talk: Maricopa County Community College-owned KJZZ 7.3 – 7.9, +.6, second to first
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk KJZZ, first month, 7.3 – 7.9, +.6
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: sports talk KMVP-FM (+1.6)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: adult contemporary KESZ (-1.0)
MINNEAPOLIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s WCCO “News Talk 830” 5.6 – 4.8, -.8, seventh to tenth
iHeartMedia’s KTLK-AM “Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130” 3.1 – 3.5, +.4, #15 to #13
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned KTMY “My Talk 107.1” 3.1 – 2.9, -.2, #15 to #16
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFXN “FM 100.3 K-Fan” (Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Vikings) 6.7 – 8.2, +1.5, third to first
Public Radio News/Talk: Minnesota Public Radio’s KNOW 6.2 – 5.7, -.5, fifth to sixth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia sports talk KFXN, first month, 6.7 – 8.2, +1.5
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: sports talk KFXN (+1.5)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: classic hits-oldies KQQL (-1.8)**
**Represents the largest September 2022 – October 2022 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
SAN DIEGO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOGO “News Radio 600” 5.0 – 4.6, -.4, fourth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KWFN “97.3 The Fan” 1.9 – 2.9, +1.0, #17 to #15 and KWFN’s internet stream .8 – 1.6, +.8, #23 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: San Diego State University’s KPBS 5.6 – 6.1, +.5, repeats in third-place
Number One 6+: Local Media San Diego adult hits KFBG, seventh consecutive month, 8.1 – 6.8, -1.3
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: sports talk KWFN (+1.0)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: rhythmic hot AC XHRM (-1.5)
TAMPA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WHPT “102.5 The Bone – Real, Raw, Radio” (Lightning) 4.2 – 4.7, +.5, eighth to seventh
iHeartMedia-owned WFLA “News Radio 970” 2.7 – 3.1, +.4, #16 to #13
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WDAE “Tampa Bay’s Sports Radio” 2.1 – 1.9, -.2, repeats at #19
Public Radio News/Talk: University of South Florida’s WUSF 2.2 – 2.4, +.2, continues at #18
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group adult contemporary WDUV, fourteenth month in a row, 9.1 – 9.4, +.3
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: rhythmic CHR WLLD (+.9)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: contemporary Christian WCIE (-1.7)
DENVER
News/Talk: In the iHeartMedia cluster, KHOW “Talk Radio 630” 2.1 – 2.5, +.4, #18 to #17; KOA “News Radio 850” (Broncos) 2.4 – 2.3, -.1, #17 to #18; and KDFD “Freedom 93.7” flat at 1.7, #21 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KKFN “104.3 The Fan” 3.3 – 4.1, +.8, tenth to eighth
Public Radio News/Talk: Colorado Public Radio-owned KCFR 3.9 – 4.1, +.2, ninth to eighth
Number One 6+: Audacy hot AC KALC, first month, 6.2 – 6.9, +.7
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase (Tie): classic hits-oldies KXKL and sports talk KKFN (+.8)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: triple A KBCO (-1.4)
BALTIMORE
News/Talk: Hearst Television’s WBAL “News Radio 1090 AM & 101.5 FM” (Ravens) 3.8– 3.9, +.1, repeats in ninth-place
WCBM Maryland-owned WCBM “Talk Radio AM 680” 1.7 – 1.3, -.4, #17 to #18
Cumulus Media-owned WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” .7 – .8, +.1, #22 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJZ-FM “Baltimore Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan” 4.2 – 5.9, +1.7, seventh to fifth
Public Radio News/Talk: Your Public Radio Corporation-owned WYPR 3.3 – 3.4, +.1, stays at #11
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WLIF, second consecutive month, 9.5 – 9.0, -.5
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: sports talk WJZ-FM (+1.7)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: urban AC WWIN-FM (-.9)
ST. LOUIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s KMOX “The Voice Of St. Louis” 6.5 – 6.9, +.4, fifth to fourth and cluster-mate KFTK “Talk 97.1 FM” 1.7 – 1.9, +.2, repeats at #16
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WXOS “101 ESPN” (Blues) 3.6 – 3.7, +.1, #11 to #12
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KWMU 3.0 – 3.9, +.9, #14 to #11
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting adult hits WARH, first month, 8.1 – 9.3, +1.2
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Increase: adult hits WARH (+1.2)
Largest 6+ September 2022 – October 2022 Decrease: alternative KPNT (-1.0)
Up next: October 2022 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com
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Generally speaking, Major League Baseball radio flagships enjoyed a solid first at bat in Nielsen Audio’s 2024 rating season (March 28 – April 24).
program currently in development with executive producer Chris Mathis. Lane will take on a new role as host of the signature Rays pre-game show “The Inside Pitch.” He will also continue his seasonal hosting duties with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers radio network. WDAE program director John Mamola says, “We couldn’t be more excited for Ronnie and Tom as they embark on their new opportunities at WDAE. These programs promise fresh content and compelling, engaging experiences for our listeners. We will continue the legacy of high performance the hosts built as a duo and the voice of Tampa Bay sports fanatics everywhere.”
