August 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four
August 2023 PPM Data – Information for the August 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 August 2023 sweep covered July 20 – August 16.
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 July 2023 – August 2023 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk: Waterloo Media Group’s KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 4.0 – 3.3, -.7, #10 to #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas’ KUT 5.4 – 6.1, +.7, fifth to third
Number One 6+: Waterloo Media Group adult hits KBPA, eighth month in succession, 10.4 – 9.7, -.7
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: rhythmic CHR KPEZ (+.9)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: country KASE (-1.3)
RALEIGH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 7.9 – 9.2, +1.3, third to second
News: Capitol Broadcasting-owned WRAL-HD3 “WRAL News+” flat at .1, repeats at #16
Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” 1.8 – 2.3, +.5, #12 to #9
Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 9.9 – 9.5, -.4, #1
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WUNC, second consecutive month, 9.9 – 9.5, -.4
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: news/talk WTKK (+1.3)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WRAL (-.7)
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk: Urban One’s WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 5.7 – 6.0, +.3, sixth to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” 2.2 – 2.8, +.6, #16 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting-owned WFYI 6.6 – 6.3, -.3, remains in third-place
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media adult hits WJJK, third successive month, 8.4 – 7.8, -.6
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: hot AC WNTR (+2.7)*
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: country WLHK (-1.5)
*Represents the largest July 2023 – August 2023 increase (6+) of any station in all 48 PPM-markets
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” 9.7 – 10.7, +1.0, #1
Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Brewers) 7.9 – 8.7, +.8, fourth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRNW “97.3 The Game” 1.0 – 1.4, +.4, steady at #17
Good Karma Brands-owned WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” .8 – 1.0, +.2, #20 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM flat at 2.5, #13 to #14
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board’s WHAD 1.5 – 1.7, +.2, repeats at #16
Number One 6+: news/talk WISN, fifth straight month, 9.7 – 10.7, +1.0
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: news/talk WISN (+1.0)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: rock WHQC (-.7)
NASHVILLE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” 5.6 – 5.8, +.2, sixth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” 4.3 – 4.8, +.5, ninth to eighth
Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” 1.3 – 1.6, +.3, #20 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 3.4 – 4.2, +.8, #13 to #11
Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA, seventh month in succession, 11.4 – 10.3, -1.1
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: adult hits WCJK (+1.0)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WJXA (-1.1)
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 6.2 – 6.8, +.6, sixth to fifth
iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” .2 – .4, +.2, repeats at #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, continues in eighth-place
Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 2.1 – 2.6, +.5, tenth to eighth
Cumulus Media’s WPRV “790 The Score” steady at .1, #20 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 1.9 – 2.0, +.1, unchanged at #11
Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN 1.5 – 1.4, -.1, anchored at #14
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI, second month in a row, 9.6 – 9.7, +.1
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: Spanish tropical WKKB (+.8)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: CHR WPRO-FM (-1.0)
NORFOLK
News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” 3.9 – 3.1, -.8, ensconced at #11
News: iHeartMedia-owned WNOH “BIN 105.3 Because Truth Matters” flat at .2, #22 to #20
Max Broadcast Group’s business talk WGH-FM-HD2 “Money Radio” steady at .2, #22 to #20
Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group-owned WVSP “Sports Radio 94.1 ESPN” 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, repeats at #14
WVSP cluster-mate WGH-AM “Fox Sports 1310” unchanged at .2, #22 to #20
Sinclair’s WTAR “Sports Radio 850” flat at .2, #22 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WVKL, eighth straight month, 10.0 – 11.3, +1.3
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WWDE (+2.1)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WTWV (-1.0)
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 6.1 – 6.5, +.4, sixth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 3.6 – 3.2, -.4, #10 to #12
Number One 6+: Renda adult contemporary WEJZ, first month, 9.5 – 9.3, -.2
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: country WQIK (+1.4)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WJGL (-.8)
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WZZR “92.1 Real Radio” 1.9 – 1.8, -.1, #12 to #10
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” 1.3 -1.6, +.3, #13 to #12
WZZR cluster-mate WJNO “News Radio 1290” 1.1 – 1.3, +.2, repeats at #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WMEN “Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida” .2 – .4, +.2, anchored at #18
iHeartMedia-owned WBZT “Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler” flat at .2, #18 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board’s WLRN 2.8 – 2.3, -.5, eighth to ninth
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting classic hits-oldies WEAT, second straight month, 10.2 – 9.2, -1.0
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: contemporary Christian WAYF (+1.3)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WOLL (-1.7)**
**Represents the largest July 2023 – August 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
GREENSBORO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 3.9 – 4.7, +.8, 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 2.3 – 2.8, +.5, #11 to #9
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC flat at 1.4, repeats at #13
Number One 6+: Audacy adult hits WSMW, eighth month in a row, 12.3 – 12.5, +.2
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: country WPAW (+1.6)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: country WTQR (-1.0)
MEMPHIS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 2.5 – 2.0, -.5, eighth to ninth
Starnes Media Group-owned KWAM “News Talk Memphis The Mighty 990” steady at .2, #16 to #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” 2.5 – 2.8, +.3, eighth to seventh
WFMS’ internet stream .4 – .2, -.2, #13 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications-owned WKNO 1.4 – 1.8, +.4, #11 to #10
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS, sixth straight month, 13.7 – 12.9, -.8
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WRVR (+1.0)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: gospel WHAL (-1.6)
HARTFORD
News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” 4.7 – 4.8, +.1, repeats in seventh-place
Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” 1.6 – 1.5, -.1, flat at #14
WTIC-AM’s internet stream steady at .8, unchanged at #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WUCS “97.9 ESPN” 1.6 – 1.3, -.3, #14 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications-owned WNPR 3.7 – 4.0, +.3, eighth to ninth
New England Public Media’s WFCR unchanged at .6, continues at #18
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 43rd month in a row, 9.6 – 10.1, +.5
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WRCH; rhythmic CHR WZMX; and CHR WKCI (+.5)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: alternative WMRQ (-1.4)
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
August 2023 PPM Data – Information for the August 2023 ratings period has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s August 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen’s August 2023 sweep covered July 20 – August 16. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, DC, Hubbard Broadcasting all-news WTOP-FM adds two-tenths for a 9.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #2 in the market, while Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM is steady with a 3.5 share but rises to the #7 rank. In Seattle, Bonneville news/talk KIRO-FM dips two-tenths to finish with a 4.7 share and falls to the #7 rank, while Lotus Communications all-news KNWN-AM/FM declines three-tenths to wrap the survey with a 2.0 share good for the #19 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI adds a full share for a 3.9 share finish that lifts it to the #10 rank, while Bonneville’s crosstown news/talk KTAR-FM adds three tenths to finish with a 3.0 share but remains ranked #15 in the market.