April 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four
April 2023 PPM Data – Information for the April 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
Nielsen Audio’s April 2023 sweep covered March 30 – April 26.
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 March 2023 – April 2023 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk: Waterloo Media Group’s KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 5.6 – 5.5, -.1, fourth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas’ KUT 5.3 – 4.7, -.6, fifth to seventh
Number One 6+: Waterloo Media Group adult hits KBPA, fourth month in succession, 8.7 – 9.7, +1.0
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: adult hits KBPA and rhythmic CHR KPEZ (+1.0)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: Spanish adult hits KLJA (-1.3)
RALEIGH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 8.3 – 8.8, +.5, locked in the runner-up slot
News: Capitol Broadcasting-owned WRAL-HD3 “WRAL News+” flat at .3, #23 to #15
Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” (Carolina Hurricanes) 3.1 – 3.4, +.3, #11 to #8
Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 7.5 – 8.0, +.5, anchored in third-place
Number One 6+: Urban One urban AC WFXC, fourth straight month, 9.6 – 9.3, -.3
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WQOK and CHR WDCG (+.8)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: country WNCB (-.5)
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk: Urban One’s WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 8.1 – 6.4, -1.7, second to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” 2.9 – 2.6, -.3, #12 to #13
Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting-owned WFYI 4.9 – 5.1, +.2, repeats in seventh-place
Number One 6+: Urban One adult contemporary WYXB, third month in a row, 9.0 – 8.4, -.6 and country cluster-mate WLHK, first month, 5.9 – 8.4, +2.5
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: country WLHK (+2.5)*
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: news/talk WIBC (-1.7)**
*Represents the largest March 2023 – April 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
**Represents the largest March 2023 – April 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” unchanged at 9.7, #2 to #1
Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Bucks, Brewers) 7.4 – 9.2, +1.8, fourth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRNW “97.3 The Game” flat at 1.3, repeats at #16
Good Karma Brands-owned WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” 1.2 – 1.0, -.2, stays at #17
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM 2.1 – 2.8, +.7, #15 to #13
Number One 6+: news/talk WISN, first month, steady at 9.7
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: news/talk WTMJ (+1.8)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary WKKV (-1.1)
NASHVILLE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” 6.9 – 6.7, -.2, locked in fourth-place
iHeartMedia-owned WLAC “Talk Radio 1510” 1.0 – 1.3, +.3, #20 to #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” 4.9 – 4.1, -.8, sixth to eighth
Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” (Predators) 1.1 – 1.3, +.2, #18 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 2.8 – 2.9, +.1, #12 to #13
Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA, third month in succession, 14.7 – 13.3, -1.4
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: adult hits WCJK (+.8)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WJXA (-1.4)
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 6.0 – 5.7, -.3, sixth to seventh
iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” .3 – .4, +.1, remains at #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (Bruins, Celtics) 3.6 – 3.8, +.2, anchored in eighth-place
Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 2.3 – 2.5, +.2, repeats at #10
Public Radio News/Talk: WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.2 – 3.4, +.2, steady at #9
Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN 1.7 – 1.5, -.2, #14 to #13
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI, seventh month in succession, 9.8 – 9.0, -.8
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WWBB (+1.0)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WWLI (-.8)
NORFOLK
News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” 2.6 – 2.8, +.2, #13 to #12
News: iHeartMedia-owned WNOH “BIN 105.3 Because Truth Matters” flat at .3, locked at #20
Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group’s WVSP “94.1 ESPN” 1.8 – 2.0, +.2, #16 to #15
Sinclair’s WTAR “Sports Radio 850” unchanged at .3, continues at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WVKL, fourth straight month, 10.9 – 9.4, -1.5
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: rock WNOR (+1.1)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: urban AC WVKL (-1.5)
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 7.0 – 6.1 -.9, repeats in sixth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 3.3 – 3.2, -.1, flat at #11
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC WSOL, first month, 7.8 – 8.1, +.3 and Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ, first month, steady at 8.1
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WJGL-HD2 and its internet stream (+.6)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: country WQIK (-1.4)
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WZZR “92.1 Real Radio” 1.9 – 1.8, -.1, repeats at #11
WZZR cluster-mate WJNO “News Radio 1290” 1.6 – 1.5, -.1, #12 to #13
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” 1.1 -.8, -.3, #14 to #16
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WMEN “Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida” (Florida Panthers) steady at .5, stays at #18
iHeartMedia-owned WBZT “Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler” flat at .2, #19 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board’s WLRN 2.1 – 2.5, +.4, tenth to ninth
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting classic hits-oldies WEAT, third straight month, 10.4 – 11.8, +1.4
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WOLL (+1.5)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: regional Mexican WLLY (-.9)
GREENSBORO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 5.1 – 5.2, +.1, anchored 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 2.6 – 2.0, -.6, #11 to #12
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 1.3 – 1.1, -.2, #15 to #13
Number One 6+: Audacy adult hits WSMW, fourth month in a row, 12.8 – 13.4, +.6
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: CHR WKZL (+.8)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WMAG (-.7)
MEMPHIS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 2.3 – 2.8, +.5, remains at #11
Starnes Media Group-owned KWAM “News Talk Memphis The Mighty 990” steady at .2, #20 to #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” (Grizzlies) 3.8 – 3.2, -.6, seventh to tenth
WFMS’ internet stream .7 – .5, -.2, repeats at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications-owned WKNO 1.6 – 1.4, -.2, #13 to #14
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS, second straight month, 10.1 – 11.0, +.9
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WHRK (+1.4)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: sports talk WMFS (-.6)
HARTFORD
News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” 5.4 – 5.3, -.1, locked in sixth-place
Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” 1.3 – 1.7, +.4, #15 to #14
WTIC-AM’s internet stream .4 – .6, +.2, #19 to #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WUCS “97.9 ESPN” 1.7 – 1.3, -.4, #14 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications-owned WNPR 5.4 – 5.2, -.2, sixth to seventh
New England Public Media’s WFCR steady at .4, #19 to #18
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 39th month in a row, 11.7 – 11.0, -.7
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WHCN (+1.6)
Largest 6+ March 2023 – April 2023 Decrease: hot AC WTIC-FM (-1.1)
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
March 2023 PPM Data – Information for the March 2023 ratings period has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Columbus, Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
February 2023 PPM Data – Information for the February 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
January 2023 PPM Data – Information for the January 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
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.
yesterday (TALKERS, Monday, 10/10) WCBS-AM news director/brand manager Tim Scheld indicated in a staff memo that he’d be exiting the all-news outlet before the end of the year. A new agreement with SAG-AFTRA will allow cross-utilization of anchors and reporters for WINS and WCBS-AM. Audacy New York market president Chris Oliviero comments, “At a time when quality journalism and local reporting is so critical, it was the ideal moment to make a strong investment in our news creation and distribution capabilities. Audacy New York’s news organization, anchored by both WINS and [WCBS-AM], is the premier audio news outlet in the city. Now more than ever, we remain committed to serving our audiences as we have done so for over the last 50 years.” Mevorach states, “We are standing at the edge of an exciting new era for news in New York for our team, advertisers, and – most importantly – our listeners. [WINS and WCBS-AM] will be in more places, covering more stories, creating more original content, expanding our digital footprint, and now offering listeners a crystal-clear FM audio experience. Both brands will retain their distinct identities but will now harness resources with the single mission of better serving our communities and reaching the next generation of news consumers.” Mevorach began his career in Boston as a magazine writer/editor for The Library Scene. Lee previously was operations manager at Talk America, which rebranded to Liberty Broadcasting; became WCBS-AM’s operations coordinator in 2004; WINS’ news editor in 2010; and was promoted to assistant news director in 2012. From November 1985 – December 2005, WXRK (now WNYL) was Howard Stern’s flagship station. The station flipped from CHR “Amp Radio” to alternative in February 2017. Recording its third consecutive down trend (1.6 – 1.5 – 1.3 – 1.2, 6+), WNYL ranks #21 in Nielsen Audio’s September 2022 sweep. WINS (3.0, 6+) and WCBS-AM (2.9, 6+) rank #11 and #13, respectively.
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; and Providence. 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. News/talk is again #1 and #2 in Milwaukee – but – with a +1.1 from August (8.9 – 10.0, 6+), Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” advances from second to first, while iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” drops seven-tenths (10.3 – 9.6, 6+) and shifts from first to second. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” notches a +1.5 (7.3 – 8.8, 6+), progressing from third to first. Simultaneously with Cumulus Media Providence’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” gaining seven-tenths (4.8 – 5.5, seventh to sixth, 6+), cross-town iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” dips eight-tenths (1.2 – .4, #15 to #16, 6+). Not only does Cumulus Media Nashville sports talk WGFX vault from #13 to #5, “104.5 The Zone” ties Columbus’ similarly-formatted WBNS-FM for the largest (6+) August 2022 – September 2022 increase of any station from the 42 PPM-markets analyzed thus far (3.5 – 6.1, +2.6). In Austin, Genuine Austin Radio sports talk KTXX “The Horn” posts a +1.1 from August (1.4 – 2.5, 6+), inching up from #19 to #16. See Mike Kinosian’s complete “Ratings Takeaways” from this group of markets (as well as the first three groups) 
Hockey League’s Florida Panthers is effective through the 2024 – 2025 season. As part of the deal, Florida Panthers games will be aired on sports gambling-formatted WBZT “Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler.” iHeartMedia market president Mark McCauley states, “We’re excited to partner with the Florida Panthers and provide listeners great play-by-play action on ‘1230 The Gambler.’” Meanwhile, Panthers chief revenue officer Shawn Thornton adds, “We’re excited for iHeartMedia West Palm Beach to join the Florida Panthers radio network. With the refresh of their sports radio station ‘1230 The Gambler’ this past summer, we look forward to working with the leading audio media company in America to broadcast Panthers games to our fans in Palm Beach County.” In addition to Panthers play-by-play coverage, WBZT will air a one-hour Florida Panthers weekend show. The eight-station iHeartMedia West Palm Beach cluster includes WBZT, news/talk WJNO “News Radio 1290,” and news/talk WZZR “92.1 Real Radio.”
Year” Joe Maddon and three-time “Sportswriter of the Year” Tom Verducci provide insight, commentary and discussion on the MLB postseason. According to Maddon, “We are here to tell you what we think, not what we’ve heard. No regurgitation and original thoughts are valued.” Maddon managed in the big leagues for 19 years. He famously led the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years and the Tampa Bay Rays to their first-ever World Series. Five-time Emmy Award winner Verducci is the lead baseball writer for Sports Illustrated; lead analyst/reporter for MLB Network and Fox Sports; and a member of the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame. He comments, “Like its namesake [forthcoming] book, the podcast will be full of surprises and insight. From game strategy to baseball history to leadership lessons – and maybe to some rock & roll and classic cars – we’ll cover more ground than a gold glove shortstop on the most illuminating and interesting podcast in baseball.” The podcast launched yesterday (Monday, 10/10) and will air through the World Series.
WBAL president/general manager Dan Joerres comments, “The production and broadcast of this debate on both WBAL ‘News Radio’ and WBAL-TV is an important part of our ‘Commitment 2022’ political coverage. Putting all of our broadcast and digital sources to work to bring voters across the state this gubernatorial debate is a major part of our continuing effort to help them make informed decisions on election day. The debate will be moderated by WBAL-TV anchor Jason Newton. … The first episode of ESPN’s “The CJ McCollum Show” was posted last Thursday (10/6). The guard of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans had teammate Brandon Ingram as the inaugural guest on the podcast, which will post episodes each Thursday. McCollum formerly hosted Cadence 13’s “Pull Up With CJ McCollum.” … Elsewhere in NBA-themed podcasts, Jam Street Media introduces 15-year-old Sloane Weinstein hosting the bi-weekly “Sloane Knows.” She’ll interview some of the NBA’s biggest names, including the Boston Celtics’ newly-signed Blake Griffin; free agent Dwight Howard; and former NBA players Richard Jefferson and Baron Davis.
by San Francisco public radio news/talk KQED that paved the way for the release of videotapes from the 2009 – 2010 Prop 8 trial, leading to legalization of same-sex marriage in California. Proposition 8 passed in 2008 and banned same-sex marriage in the state. The subsequent trial, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, questioned whether Prop. 8 violated the U.S. Constitution. Judge Vaughn Walker ruled in favor of the right to same-sex marriage, but said at the time that videotapes of the trial would remain sealed for 10 years. KQED “Political Breakdown” podcast co-host Scott Shafer spearheaded the effort to make the tapes public. Shafer states, “As someone who sat through the entire Prop. 8 trial, I witnessed some very dramatic and moving testimony, as well as riveting cross-examinations. I’m glad others will now get to view this important part of the historical record.” KQED chief content officer Holly Kernan notes, “If our systems work behind closed doors, with no press or public access, we have no idea how decisions are made, nor what arguments are leading to these decisions. KQED wants more sunlight on our legal system, and we will fight on behalf of the public to get that access.”