Industry News

Round Four of Holiday 2023 PPM Ratings Released

imThe fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s Holiday 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey period covers December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM falls a full share to finish with a 5.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that leaves it ranked #5, while Curtis Media’s news/talk WPTF loses two-tenths for a .6 share finish good for the #22 rank. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN sheds six-tenths to wrap the survey with a 9.0 share, but remains ranked #1 for the fourth consecutive survey, while Good Karma Brands’ news/talk WTMJ declines 1.2 shares for a 6.4 share finish that leaves it ranked #5. In Nashville, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM falls four-tenths to a 3.9 share good for the #12 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLAC-AM dips three-tenths to a 1.2 share and remains ranked #19. See Mike Kinosian’s Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets – as well as the other 36 markets – here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

OutKick announces that FOX News contributor, New York Times best-selling author and former professional wrestler, Tyrus, a.k.a. George Murdoch, joins the platform to host the new show, “Maintaining with Tyrus.” The first episode launches on February 1 featuring a sit-down with talk TV host Piers Morgan, followed by interviews with Wolf of Wall Street inspiration Jordan Belfort, and “How America Works” host Mike Rowe.

ESPN is expanding the reach of its ESPN podcast offerings starting January 29 as ESPN2 will televise an ESPN video podcast every weekday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET. The premiering lineup will include: “First Draft,” “The Hoop Collective,” “The Lowe Post,” “The Mina Kimes Show” and “The Elle Duncan Show.” Mike Foss, ESPN SVP, production says, “This strategic content initiative provides our ESPN podcasts with a tremendous opportunity for continued growth and audience expansion, while simultaneously lending compelling content to our ESPN2 television lineup.”

New England Public Media promotes Elizabeth Román to managing editor – daily and digital news. NEPM says, “Although her title did not dramatically change, her responsibilities have evolved and Román will now be taking the lead on delivering daily news programming on the radio, NEPM website and social media channels.” Román says, “As a lifelong Springfield resident and Western Massachusetts native. I’m excited to continue working with our skilled news department to bring you even more stories that highlight the needs, concerns and successes of the people living and working in this community.”

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One is presenting play-by-play coverage of this weekend’s NFL Conference Championships presented by lead sponsor Intuit Turbo Tax. Doubleheader coverage begins with the pregame show at 2:00 pm ET on Sunday before the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens meet for the AFC Championship game and the Detroit Lions battle the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

Industry News

Round Two of Holiday 2023 PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s Holiday 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. The survey period covered December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM dips four-tenths to a 3.1 share (weekly, 6+ AHQ share) but remains ranked #9, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM loses three-tenths to finish with a 6.3 share good for the #4 rank. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO added two-tenths for a 3.1 share finish that lifts it to the #9 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-AM declines four-tenths to a 4.7 share but remains ranked #5. In Detroit, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR rises one-tenth to a 2.4 share and climbs to the #15 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WWJ is steady at a 4.3 share and remains ranked #9. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

WXNT-AM Brings Dan Dakich Back to Indy Airwaves

Cumulus Media is bringing Indianapolis sports media personality Dan Dakich back to the radio in the market as host of “The Dan Dakich Show” on WXNT-AM “Indy’s Sports Ticket 1430 AM,” effective Monday (1/29). Dakich, who played basketball at Indiana University under Bobby Knight and coached basketball there (as well as at Bowling Green State University), was most recently on air at Urbanim One’s WFNI, Indianapolis “The Fan.” After leaving “The Fan,” Dakich began hosting a late morning program streamed on the Outkick Network. Cumulus Indianapolis VP and market manager Darlene Park says, “Indiana’s very own Dan Dakich returns to the airwaves as opinionated as ever and ready to break down all things sports on ‘Indy’s Sports Ticket 1430 AM’ every weekday from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. He is an Indiana sports legend, and we are so excited he is bringing his game to our team.” Dakich comments, “Couldn’t be more thrilled to join the fantastic team at ‘Indy’s Sports Ticket 1430 AM.’ The state of Indiana and I have had a lifetime love affair that extends way beyond sports and sharing that daily is going to, once again, be a blast! Can’t wait to get started as we build ‘Indy’s Sports Ticket 1430 AM’ into Indy’s go-to home for all things sports.”

Industry News

Round One of Holiday 2023 PPM Ratings Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s Holiday 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The ratings period covered December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC adds two-tenths to finish with a 3.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #11, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR tacks on one-tenth for a 1.2 share finish good for the #21 rank, and Audacy’s all-news WINS-FM falls two-tenths to a 3.9 share but rises to the #9 rank. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia news/talk KFI loses half a share to finish with a 4.6 share pulling it from the #2 to the #4 rank, while Audacy’s all-news KNX-AM/FM loses two-tenths to finish with a 2.5 share good for the #12 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN-AM dips two-tenths for a 2.6 share finish leaving it ranked #11, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM is steady at a 1.7 share good for the #19 rank, and Audacy’s all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM loses three-tenths to finish with a 4.9 share and remaining ranked #4. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways here.

Industry News

WJR, Detroit Brings Anthony Bellino Aboard as “SportsWrap” Co-Host

Cumulus Media names Detroit sports media personality Anthony Bellino co-host of WJR’s “SportsWrap,” alongside Lomas Brown. WJR parted ways with the program’s previous co-host Sean Baligian in December.  Bellino currently serves as an in-game host for Detroit Lions and University of Michigan football broadcasts and is public address announcer for University of Michigan men’s andim women’s basketball programs and the University of Toledo men’s and women’s basketball programs. WJR notes that Bellino spends his free time helping his family at their Monroe, Michigan grocery store, Danny’s Fine Foods, where he works as a fourth-generation butcher. WJR program director Ann Thomas says, “Anthony Bellino started his broadcasting career as an intern for the ‘Paul W. Smith Show’ in 2007. I could not be more pleased to welcome him back to the ‘Great Voice of the Great Lakes’ as a seasoned sports professional ready to bring our listeners timely and thoughtful insights on Detroit’s sports scene.” Bellino comments, “What an honor and a privilege it is to be joining the ‘Great Voice of the Great Lakes,’ 760 WJR. I can’t wait to contribute to the station’s legendary broadcasting history and make some new history of our own. The phone call from WJR was really a full-circle moment… I can’t wait to get started and to host ‘SportsWrap’ with my good friend Lomas Brown.”

Industry News

KTCK-AM/FM, Dallas-Fort Worth Host Corby Davidson Inks Extension

Dallas sports talk personality Corby Davidson – who co-hosts the afternoon drive “The Hardline” show with Bob Sturm and Dave Lane at Cumulus Media’s KTCK-AM/FM, Dallas-Fort Worth – announces on X that he’s signed a new, five-year deal with the station. He tweets, “30 years ago I walked into theim Ticket radio station as a kid, and I knew within about 5 seconds it’s where I wanted to be. It was a magical place. The energy was off the charts. I was hooked. From intern, to overnight board op, to fill in producer to full time producer, to host… it didn’t matter what I did there, it just mattered that I WAS THERE. Well here we are, 30 years down the road, and I’m still here. And I still have a blast every single day, and it’s still such a magical place. I know I’m lucky. So I just signed a 5 year deal, ensuring I will begin and end my work life there. Love my team, love our show, and love that place. Cheers to you, good P1s, Let’s go.”

Industry News

WWO: Study Reveals What Ads Resonate with Podcast Listeners

Westwood One’s Audio Active Group blog presents data from the Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights Podcast Download report. The companies retained MARU/Matchbox to conduct an in-depth study of 608 weekly podcast consumers in October 2023 and this blog post focuses on podcast ads. The study finds that podcast consumers prefer funny and entertaining ads but 78% say they currently hearim more ads that communicate dry features/benefits. Additionally, research indicates that converting existing demand and creating future demand require different creative/copy approaches and different media strategies. Converting existing demand is most efficiently achieved by tightly targeting those “in the market” with rational messaging of product and price information that persuades them to choose the advertiser’s product over others. Creating future demand is most efficiently achieved by targeting very broad audiences of “all category buyers” with emotional messaging that is designed to stand out and be enjoyed by consumers, creating positive memories of the brand that will influence future purchase decisions. Finally, podcast consumers are invested in the success of their favorite shows. Half of weekly podcasts consumers said they wouldn’t mind a couple of extra ads per show so their favorite podcasts could continue. See the full blog post here.

Industry News

FCC Fines Cumulus $26k for EEO Report Violations

The FCC knocked $6,000 off the forfeiture amount for Cumulus Media’s failure to post its EEO public file report for the Albany, Georgia cluster in a timely manner and fines the company $26,000. Cumulus asked for a reconsideration of the Notice of Apparent Liability arguing that it completed the EEO report but admitted to failing to upload it to its station websites on time. But the FCC concluded, “[C]ompilingim the Annual Report alone, without also uploading it to its intended destination in a timely manner, here more than nine months late, may, in certain circumstances, constitute (and here does constitute) a violation of the requirements to analyze the Stations’ EEO program. The length of time during which Cumulus failed to upload its Annual Report is persuasive evidence that Cumulus did not ‘routinely analyze the adequacy of their various EEO program elements in achieving broad outreach to all segments of the community’ and address any problems found as a result of such analysis… Consequently, given the specific circumstances of this case, we reject Cumulus’s argument that any self-evaluation it did in fact undertake was adequate and satisfied the self-assessment rule.”

Industry News

“America in the Morning” Added to Cumulus Podcast Network

Cumulus Media announces that Westwood One’s daily news magazine program, “America in the Morning,” is joining the Cumulus Podcast Network. The John Trout-hosted program presents “up-to-the-imminute news reports from around the country and across the globe, with the latest overnight developments in business, breaking news, politics, sports, entertainment, and weather.” This year, “America in the Morning” celebrates its 40th anniversary and adds the “America in the Morning” podcast to its distribution. The program was originally hosted by the late Jim Bohannon beginning in 1984. He hosted the show through December of 2015, when Trout took over. The show has been recognized multiple times as Best News Magazine by the New York Festivals Radio Awards, and John Trout is a two-time recipient of the Achievement in Radio Award.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

News/talk WGDJ, Albany and owner Paul Vandenburgh are the subjects of an interesting piece by Chris Churchill in the Times-Union. Vandenburgh has been the owner of the standalone station (it also broadcasts on W254DA at 98.7 FM) for 17 years. In addition to owning and running the ship, he also hosts the local morning program. His success – Vandenburgh says the station is in the black – bucks the trend of consolidation. Read the full story here.

Cumulus Media announces that “The Ed Mylett Show” joins the Cumulus Podcast Network. The program showcases interviews with the greatest peak performers across all industries – including business, health, collegiate and professional sports, politics, entrepreneurship, science and entertainment – sharing their journeys, knowledge and thought leadership to help inspire listeners to become their best selves.

ABC News Radio adds Hubbard Broadcasting’s WTOP-FM, Washington, DC as its newest affiliate station. ABC News Radio says, “This new partnership will support WTOP-FM by providing the station access to live two-ways with ABC News correspondents, including chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, White House correspondent Karen Travers, national correspondent Steven Portnoy and many others.

iHeartMedia Connecticut adds FOX Sports Radio to the lineups at WUCS-FM, Hartford “97-9 FM” and WAVZ-AM, New Haven. Stations programmer Ben Darnell comments, “We’re thrilled to now have FOX Sports Radio’s powerful lineup on 97-9 and on 1300AM. This addition, along with ‘The Rob Dibble Show,’ play-by-play and the UConn Sports Network, will continue our position as the broadcast sports leader in Connecticut.”

FOX News Media promotes Scott Wilder to EVP of production and operations. In this capacity, Wilder will oversee all technical, field and production operations of FOX News Media’s special events and breaking news coverage, including the 2024 presidential election.

Industry News

WBAP, Dallas-Fort Worth Adds FM Signal; Four New Staffers Join WBAP/KLIF

Today (1/3), Cumulus Media debuts Dallas-Fort Worth news/talk outlet WBAP on a simulcast at 93.3 FM. KLIF-FM was formerly a hot AC outlet. Also today, Cumulus Dallas-Fort Worth adds four news professionals to its on-air team. As TALKERS previously reported, Carla Marion joins WBAP as co-imanchor of the “WBAP Morning News” with co-anchors Hal Jay and Ernie Brown. News pro James Parker also joins WBAP as afternoon host in the 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm daypart. He was most recently a television personality in Tyler, Texas. Laura Sadler joins the “KLIF-AM Morning News” as co-anchor with Clayton Neville, and Gabrielle Taite joins Cumulus Dallas-Fort Worth’s newsroom. She previously worked in Athens, Georgia in television news. Cumulus regional VP Dan Bennett comments, “As we move into a critical election year, these talent moves and an FM frequency for WBAP speak to our commitment to spoken-word radio. We will carry our stations on a variety of signals and streaming to improve accessibility of this outstanding news and talk content to our listeners. 2024 will be a great year for news/talk.”

Industry News

Nielsen Releases December 2023 PPM Survey Data

imOver the Christmas and New Year’s holiday break, Nielsen Audio released data from the December 2023 ratings period for all 48 PPM markets that covered November 9 through December 6. TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from all PPM markets. Some of the notable ratings stories from the December 2023 period include in New York City, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC falls two-tenths to a 2.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) good for the #11 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR also dips two-tenths to a 1.1 share and remains ranked #22. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM, sheds 1.1 shares for a 3.5 share finish that leaves it ranked #9, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM falls a half share to a 6.9 share but remains ranked #3. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM loses six-tenths for a 4.1 share finish and falls to the #9 rank, while the company’s sister news/talk KTTH-AM is steady with a 1.6 share good for the #22 rank, and Lotus Communications’ talk KVI-AM, rises one-tenth to a 1.6 share and ties for the #22 rank. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOAI falls four-tenths to a 2.7 share but remains ranked #14, while Alpha Media’s news/talk dips two-tenths to a 2.0 share that leaves it ranked #19. In Orlando, iHeartMedia’s talk WTKS-FM loses three-tenths for a 3.6 share finish but remains ranked #10, while Cox Media Group’s news/talk WDBO-AM sheds four-tenths for a 3.2 share and stays locked in the #13 rank. And in Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN finishes its third month in a row at #1 even though it lost 1.1 shares to finish with a 9.6 share, while Good Karma Brands’ news/talk WTMJ-AM is down one-tenth for a 7.6 share that pushes its back to the #3 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s Ratings Takeways from all 48 PPM markets here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

PodcastOne acquires the exclusive distribution and sales rights to the award-winning podcast, “Was I In A Cult?” from hosts Liz Iacuzzi and Tyler Measom.  PodcastOne co-founder and president Kit Gray says, “The cultural impact that this podcast had and the watercooler talk left a lasting impression in the world of podcasting, and we cannot wait to bring new episodes to listeners and to advertisers in 2024.”

Cumulus Media announces that the podcasts from real estate investment focused BiggerPockets join the Cumulus Podcast Network. BiggerPockets says it helps those interested in finding financial freedom through real estate investing by providing useful tools, education, and support with their network of six podcasts that garner more than four million downloads each month.

Industry News

F.P. Santangelo Joins “95.7 The Game”

Former MLB player and Bay Area sports personality F.P. Santangelo joins Audacy’s KGMZ-FM, San Francisco as a part-time host, according to a story in the San Francisco Chronicle. Santangelo was host of the evening show on Cumulus Media’s crosstown sports talk KNBR until November when he andim several other KNBR staffers were released from the station in a budget move. Santangelo’s first shift on “The Game” will be as a fill-in host for Dan Dibley on the afternoon drive show “Willard and Dibs” tomorrow (12/21). Also let go from KNBR last month was digital team member Jake Hutchinson, who recently joined “The Game” in a similar capacity. He says, “I am truly grateful to Audacy and 95.7 for this opportunity and recognition of what I bring to the table. The people I’ve worked next to from 95.7 have always been motivated, innovative and encouraging. They were enormously fun to share press boxes and interview rooms with, and I am ecstatic to now be able to work with them.” Read the San Francisco Chronicle piece here.

Industry News

WJR, Detroit Cuts Sean Baligian Loose

Detroit sports talk personality Sean Baligian exits Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR where he’d been co-hosting the nightly “Sportswrap” show with Lomas Brown. The Detroit NewsTony Paul reports thatim Baligian is the victim of budget cuts at the station. Baligian has worked at several Motor City sports talk stations during his career and has been with WJR for the past seven years in various capacities. Baligian, who says he might be done with radio, tells the News that getting let go is hard to put into words. “The worst part is what it does to your family. I think they’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop, and that sucks. You feel like a failure… I know the life that I chose. And I mean it when I say I’m not bitter. This is the road I decided to go down.” Meanwhile, Lomas Brown is hosting the “Sportswrap” program solo.

Industry News

Killabrew Named Ops Manager for Cumulus Indy

Cumulus Media promotes Mike Killabrew to operations manager for its Indianapolis station group thatim includes sports talk WXNT-AM and five music brands. Killabrew has been serving as the program director for WXNT-AM, classic hits WJJK-FM and rock WNDX-FM since May of 2022. He’ll continue in those roles. Cumulus Indianapolis VP and market manager Darlene Park says, “Mike is an impactful leader who has a strong track record of building and developing great teams, serving the community, and delivering results. He understands our market and our amazing brands will grow under his leadership.”

Industry News

Dan Bongino Renews Deal with Westwood One

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One announces that talk host Dan Bongino extends his contract to host both his eponymous syndicated daily radio program and his podcasts, including the unique podcast “The Dan Bongino Show,” on the Cumulus Podcast Network for multiple years. This comes a couple of years after Bongino said he would not renew his contract when it ran out because of his very public protestationim over Cumulus’ mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. Bongino says, “It’s been a fascinating couple years of ups and downs both personally and in the political space. I love what I do, and I’m ecstatic that we’ve agreed to move forward with the show after changes were made. I want to thank all the shows’ supporters, the stations, and program directors for their continued support. I promise to keep my foot on the gas pedal.” Westwood One president Suzanne Grimes states, “‘The Dan Bongino Show’ is one of the greatest growth stories in network syndication, with Dan delivering programming unlike anyone else. As we head into what will surely be an unpredictable election cycle, we know Dan will be always insightful, sometimes provocative, and never disappointing, which is why our listeners are wildly engaged, and our advertisers have flocked to the show.”

Industry News

Cumulus Promotes Holly Paras to Regional VP

Cumulus Media promotes Holly Paras to regional vice president for the company in which she adds the New London, Connecticut stations to her current oversight of the Providence, Rhode Island cluster.im Cumulus operates news/talk WXLM-AM in the New London market and news/talk WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM and sports talk WPRV-AM in Providence. Cumulus Media president of operations Dave Milner states, “Holly is an extremely effective and capable leader. Having her lead New London in addition to Providence allows for us to provide enhanced solutions for customers in Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut.”