December 2021 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four
December 2021 PPM Data – Information for the December 2021 survey period has been released for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.
Nielsen Audio’s December 2021 sweep covered November 11 – December 8.
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 November 2021 – December 2021 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk: Waterloo Media-operated KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 5.0 – 5.3, +.3, fifth to sixth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Genuine Austin Radio’s KTXX “The Horn” 2.0 – 2.4, +.4, #16 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas-owned KUT 6.9 – 6.8, -.1, repeats in third-place
Number One 6+: Waterloo Media-operated adult hits KBPA, tenth consecutive month, 8.0 – 8.7, +.7
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary KKMJ (+1.4)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: country KVET-FM (-1.3)
RALEIGH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 7.3 – 7.0, -.3, fourth to third
Curtis Media Group-owned WPTF “News Radio 680” steady at 2.9, repeats at #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” (Carolina Hurricanes) 2.6 – 2.5, -.1, flat at #14
Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 8.1 – 8.5, +.4, #1
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WUNC, fourteenth consecutive month, 8.1 – 8.5, +.4
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: alternative WDCG-HD2 (+1.3)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: urban AC WFXC (-.7)
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk: Emmis’ WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 7.8 – 8.1, +.3, second to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Emmis-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” (Colts and Pacers) 7.5 – 4.2, -.3.3, third to seventh
iHeartMedia’s WNDE “Fox Sports 1260” .6 – .9, +.3, #20 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting’s WFYI 7.1 – 6.8, -.3, sixth to fifth
Number One 6+: Emmis adult contemporary WYXB, first month, 7.2 – 10.7 +3.5
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WYXB (+3.5)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: sports talk WIBC-HD2 (-3.3)*
*Represents the largest November 2021 – December 2021 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” unchanged at 10.3, #1
Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Green Bay Packers and Bucks) 7.6 – 7.1, -.5, second to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRNW “97.3 The Game” 1.9 – 1.8, -.1, #15 to #16
Audacy-owned WSSP “1250 AM The Fan” 1.3 – 1.0, -.3, #16 to #17
Good Karma Brands’ WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” .9 – .7, -.2, #17 to #19
iHeartMedia-owned WOKY “The Big 920” flat at .6, stays at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM 4.2 – 4.1, -.1, locked in tenth-place
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board’s WHAD .7 – .6, -.1, #19 to #20
Number One 6+: news/talk WISN, second month in a row, steady at 10.3
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase:; urban contemporary WXSS-HD2 (+1.6)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: rock WHQG (-.7)
NASHVILLE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” 5.9 – 5.3, -.6, fifth to eighth
iHeartMedia-owned WLAC “Talk Radio 1510” 2.5 – 2.0, -.5, #14 to #16
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” (Tennessee Titans) 5.5 – 5.2, -.3, tenth to ninth
Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” (Predators) 1.2 – 1.0, -.2, remains at #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 5.7 – 5.8, +.1, eighth to fifth
Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA, first month, 5.8 – 8.6, +2.8
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WJXA (+2.8)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: classic rock WNRQ (-2.2)
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 5.2 – 5.8, +.6, anchored at #5
iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” .8 – 1.1, +.3, #19 to #15
News – Talk: iHeartMedia’s WBZ-AM “1030 News Radio” 1.5 – 1.3, -.2, #12 to #14
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (New England Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins) unchanged at 4.0, ninth to seventh
Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 4.4 – 3.6, -.8, seventh to ninth
Public Radio News/Talk: Rhode Island Public Radio-owned WNPN 3.0 – 2.4, -.6, repeats in tenth-place
WGBH Educational Foundation’s WGBH 2.4 – 2.3, -.1, continues at #11
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia rock WHJY, fifth straight month, 11.3 – 10.5, -.8
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WWLI (+2.4)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: CHR WPRO-FM (-1.2)
NORFOLK
News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” 2.8 – 2.1, -.7, #12 to #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group’s WVSP “94.1 ESPN” 1.1 – 1.2, +.1, repeats at #19
Sinclair-owned WTAR “Sports Radio 850” .5 – .4, -.1, flat at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WVKL, 38th consecutive month, 11.0 – 10.2, -.8
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: rhythmic hot AC WMOV (+3.8)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: adult hits WNOB (-1.6)
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 8.0 – 8.7, +.7, repeats in third-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WOKV-AM “ESPN Jacksonville 690 AM” flat at .4, remains at #18
Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 3.0 – 3.3, +.3, #12 to #10
Number One 6+: Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ, first month, 8.7 – 10.8, +2.1
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WEJZ (+2.1)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease (Tie): CHR WAPE and contemporary Christian WCRJ (-1.1)
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” 2.4 – 1.8, -.6, #12 to #15
iHeartMedia’s WJNO “News Radio 1290” (also) 2.4 – 1.8, -.6, #12 to #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board-owned WLRN 2.7 – 3.0, +.3, ninth to seventh
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting classic hits-oldies WEAT, first month, 6.7 – 9.4, +2.7
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: classic hits-oldies WEAT (+2.7)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: adult contemporary WOLL (-2.3)
GREENSBORO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 4.6 – 4.1, -.5, locked in seventh-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Curtis Media Group-owned WSJS & WPCM 600 AM & 920 AM” unchanged at .4, #16 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Wake Forest University’s WFDD 3.7 – 4.1, +.4, ninth to seventh
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 1.5 – 1.9, +.4, anchored at #13
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WQMG, seventh month in a row, 12.1 – 13.0, +.9
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WMAG (+4.1)**
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: adult hits WSMW and classic rock WKRR (-1.1)
**Represents a tie for the largest November 2021 – December 2021 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MEMPHIS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 3.8 – 3.2, -.6, anchored in tenth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: (Three) Audacy cluster-mates WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” (Grizzlies) 4.2 – 4.4, +.2, eighth to seventh; WMFS’ internet stream flat at .5, #17 to #18; and WMC-AM “ESPN 790 AM” steady at .2, continues at #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications’ WKNO 2.6 – 2.3, -.3, #12 to #13
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS, tenth consecutive month, 12.0 – 11.3, -.7
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WRVR (+3.6)
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease: hot AC WMC-FM (-1.0)
HARTFORD
News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” 5.7 – 5.2, -.5, continues in seventh-place
Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” .8 – .9, +.1, #14 to #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WUCS “97.9 ESPN” .8 – .9, +.1, #14 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications’ WNPR 7.0 – 7.1, +.1, locked in third-place
New England Public Media’s WFCR unchanged at .4, #16 to #17
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 21st successive month, 10.8 – 14.9, +4.1
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Increase: adult contemporary WRCH (+4.1)**
Largest 6+ November 2021 – December 2021 Decrease (Tie): classic rock WDRC-FM and alternative WMRQ (-.8)
**Represents a tie for the largest November 2021 – December 2021 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.