Holiday 2022 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2022 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
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+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk: Waterloo Media Group KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 4.7 – 4.4, -.3, sixth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Genuine Austin Radio’s KTXX “The Horn” 2.3 – 2.1, -.2, flat at #17
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas-owned KUT 5.7 – 5.2, -.5, third to fourth
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary KKMJ, second month in a row, 9.0 – 10.7, +1.7
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary KKMJ (+1.7)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KLZT (-1.7)
RALEIGH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 9.2 – 10.4, +1.2, first to second
News: Capitol Broadcasting-owned WRAL-HD3 “WRAL News+” .3 – .2, -.1, #23 to #16
Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” (Carolina Hurricanes) 2.7 – 3.9, +1.2, #13 to #8 and co-owned WCMC-HD2 flat at .3, #23 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 8.2 – 9.2, +1.0, second to fourth
Number One 6+: Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary WRAL, first month, 6.9 – 11.6, +4.7
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WRAL (+4.7)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: classic rock WRDU (-.4)
Note: Seven (7) Curtis Media Group-owned stations that appeared in the December 2022 top twenty are no longer subscribers and are unlisted in “Holiday” 2022. In addition to news/talk WPTF (#18 in December 2022), the others are: classic hits-oldies WKIX-FM (#5); adult hits WBBB (#7); country WQDR-FM (#8); classic hits-oldies WKIX-AM (#15); CHR WPLW (#15); and regional Mexican WYMY (#15).
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk: Urban One’s WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 7.1 – 5.7, -1.4, repeats in third-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” (Colts) 3.7 – 3.3, -.4, #11 to #12
iHeartMedia’s WNDE “Fox Sports 1260” .7 – .4, -.3, #18 to #19
Audacy’s WXNT “CBS Sports 1430” .3 – .4, +.1, #21 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting-owned WFYI 4.4 – 4.0, -.4, anchored at #9
Number One 6+: Urban One adult contemporary WYXB, second month in a row, 11.5 – 17.1, +5.6
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WYXB (+5.6)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WJJK (-1.8)
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” 9.9 – 8.8, -1.1, first to third
Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Bucks) 6.6 – 6.2, -.4, locked in fifth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRNW “97.3 The Game” (Green Bay Packers) 2.4 – 1.6, -.8, #14 to #15
Good Karma Brands-owned WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” steady at 1.0, #19 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM 4.1 – 3.3, -.8, #10 to #11
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WRIT, first month, 8.3 – 11.2, +2.9
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: classic hits-oldies WRIT (+2.9)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: news/talk WISN (-1.1)
NASHVILLE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “SuperTalk 99.7” 4.4 – 4.9, +.5, eighth to seventh
iHeartMedia-owned WLAC “Talk Radio 1510” 1.3 – 1.2, -.1, #18 to #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” (Tennessee Titans) 7.3 – 6.6, -.7, third to fourth
Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” (Predators) 1.4 – 1.1, -.3, #15 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 4.0 – 2.6, -1.4, #10 to #13
Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA, second month in succession, 11.9 – 14.4, +2.5
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WJXA (+2.5)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk WPLN-FM (-1.4)
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 5.3 – 4.5, -.8, fifth to seventh
iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” flat at .5, continues at #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (Bruins, Celtics, New England Patriots) 4.5 – 4.0, -.5, anchored in eighth-place
Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 2.8 – 2.2, -.6, remains at #11
Public Radio News/Talk: WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.5 – 3.3, -.2, repeats in ninth-place
Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN 2.9 – 2.6, -.3, stays at #10
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI, third month in succession, 10.5 – 16.9, +6.4
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WWLI (+6.4)*
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease (Tie): CHR WPRO-FM and country WCTK (-1.4)
*Represents the largest December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
NORFOLK
News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” 4.4 – 2.8, -1.6, #7 to #11
News: iHeartMedia-owned WNOH “BIN 105.3 Because Truth Matters” 1.5 – .8, -.7, #17 to #20
Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group’s WVSP “94.1 ESPN” flat at 1.6, #16 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WWDE, second month in a row, 10.2 – 14.4, +4.2
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WWDE (+4.2)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: news/talk WNIS (-1.6)
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 6.9 – 6.1 -.8, fourth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WOKV-AM “ESPN Jacksonville 690 AM” .3 – .6, +.3, #21 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 3.0 – 2.8, -.2, locked at #11
Number One 6+: Renda adult contemporary WEJZ, second consecutive month, 14.0 – 18.1, +4.1
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WEJZ (+4.1)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: country WQIK (-1.9)**
**Represents the largest December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WZZR “92.1 Real Radio” 2.1 – 1.7, -.4, repeats in tenth-place and cluster-mate WJNO “News Radio 1290” 1.3 – 1.1, -.2, flat at #13
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” .9 – 1.0, +.1, anchored at #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WMEN “Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida” (Florida Panthers) .8 – 1.1, +.3, #16 to #13
iHeartMedia-owned WBZT “Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler” steady at .2, remains at #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board’s flat at 3.2, carries on at #7
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting classic hits-oldies WEAT, first month, 7.0 – 7.8, +.8
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WOLL (+1.3)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: contemporary Christian WAYF (-1.3)
Note: Hubbard Broadcasting hot AC WRMF had been #1 the past 12 months
GREENSBORO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 4.7 – 3.2, -1.5, repeats in eighth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Wake Forest University’s WFDD 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, #11 to #9
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 1.9 – 1.3, -.6, flat at #13
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMAG, second month in a row, 12.8 – 17.4, +4.6
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WMAG (+4.6)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: news/talk WPTI (-1.5)
MEMPHIS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 2.7 – 2.6, -.1, remains at #13
Cumulus Media-owned WKIM “News/Talk 98.9, The Roar of Memphis” 1.9 – 2.1, +.2, continues at #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” (Grizzlies) 3.8 – 3.6, -.2, repeats in ninth-place
Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications-owned WKNO 1.3 – 1.1, -.2, #18 to #17
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WRBO, 13th successive month, 11.7 – 13.2, +1.5
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: urban contemporary WHRK (+1.6)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: urban contemporary KXHT (-1.6)
HARTFORD
News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” 5.6 – 5.1, -.5, fifth to sixth
Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” flat at 1.0, stays at #17
iHeartMedia’s WPOP “News Radio 1410 AM & 100.9 FM” unchanged at .2, #21 to #20
WTIC-AM’s internet stream steady at .2, #21 to #20
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WUCS “97.9 ESPN” 1.8 – 2.0, +.2, #14 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications-owned WNPR 7.0 – 5.7, -1.3, third to fifth
New England Public Media’s WFCR unchanged at .4, #20 to #18 and WFCR’s internet stream .2, #20 (did not appear in the December 2022 sweep)
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 35th month in a row, 15.0 – 15.8, +.8
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WRCH (+.8)
Largest 6+ December 2022 – “Holiday” 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk WNPR (-1.3)
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
Share this with your network
Cumulus Media has appointed Zach Lyons as co-host for afternoon sports radio show, “Blaine and Zach,” on its Nashville outlet WGFX-FM (104.5 The Zone). Lyons joins co-host, Blaine Bishop, former Tennessee Titans safety and a four-time Pro Bowler. Bishop retired following the 2002 season capping an outstanding 10-year NFL playing career, featuring nine seasons with the Titans franchise. In addition to the weekday show, Lyons will join Brent Dougherty, Lucas Panzica, and Kevin Dyson as co-host of the station’s Titans postgame show, “Titan Talk Back.” Lyons is best known for co-founding broadwaysportsmedia.com and for hosting the popular sports podcast, “Football and Other F Words,” which will join the podcast lineup on the 104.5 The Zone Podcast Network.
Mason, a visionary leader who has successfully guided our sports station for the past four years, is now poised to bring the same focus, passion, and energy to our news/talk station – ‘SuperTalk 99.7 WTN.’ With an exciting blend of local hosts delivering both local and national stories in an informative and engaging manner, Paul is ready to lead this station to new heights. As we recently launched the SuperTalk YouTube channel, we anticipate continued dominance in spoken word content under Paul’s steady guidance. I would be remiss if I did not at the same time thank Dan Mandis for his outstanding leadership of the station over the last 10 years. Dan has successfully managed both the station, especially through challenging times, and breaking news while maintaining hosting duties and we look forward to letting him settle into his weekday morning show.” Mason comments, “SuperTalk 99.7 WTN’s reputation in the news/talk format is among the elite. Dan Mandis has built a strong brand, and I look forward to working alongside not only Dan, but with the entire on-air staff (Chris Hand, Matt Murphy, and Brian Wilson), and our producers. The recent launch of SuperTalk TV has positioned WTN to continue to be a leader in news/talk. WTN has loyal clients and listeners, and we are committed to bringing stories, news, and opinions in a meaningful and engaging way. I’m humbled and thankful for the trust Allison Warren, Brian Phillips, and John Dimick have in me to lead spoken word at Cumulus Nashville.”
other content he creates with the station’s partnership with A to Z Sports. Cumulus Nashville VP and market manager Allison Warren says, “In the heart of Middle Tennessee, where sports pulse through our veins, we proudly announce the contract extension for our dynamic midday host, Buck Reising. Our airwaves resonate with the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and the unwavering passion of fans. As the must-listen sports station, we’re more than a frequency; we’re the heartbeat of every game, every play, and every championship.” Reising comments, “I’m so grateful to ‘The Zone’ and Cumulus for believing in and investing in Lucas, Jackson, and me. We could not be happier to continue to do the show for such an incredibly supportive audience and the city that we love. We’re just getting started.”
Dawn Davenport is seen every Saturday on the college football sidelines, and her relationships and knowledge of the SEC are huge assets for ‘104.5 The Zone’ listeners. Ron Slay is an SEC Player of the Year for the Tennessee Volunteers Men’s Basketball team and is a beloved natural entertainer.” Cumulus Nashville VP/market manager Allison Warren and program director Paul Mason say, in a joint statement, “Today, we celebrate the powerhouse trio Brent Dougherty, Dawn Davenport and Ron Slay. They have proven time and again to be a driving force behind 104.5 The Zone’s success, dominating the ratings and capturing the hearts of our listeners. They have an undeniable chemistry—a lightning in a bottle connection that brings our audience together. We are grateful to our clients, who have become our biggest fans, for choosing this remarkable station and these influential personalities to support their local businesses.”
says of their decision in 2021 to go with Outkick, “The timing was perfect, but we also had a chance to grow what we were already doing. We didn’t have to leave Nashville. We own our intellectual property; you don’t have that with radio companies. We’re able to form our own show company, so to speak, and we’re part of the much larger grand scheme of Clay’s vision.” Gallagher’s piece looks at the digital frontier the trio began exploring with Outkick and chronicles their return to the Nashville airwaves.