Industry Views

Monday Memo: Calculating Taylor Swift

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imNow that every single thing is a political argument, the angry social media conversation about Taylor Swift is unsurprising. And with the Super Bowl looming, the decibel level amps-up.

So, kudos to SiriusXM and CNN host Michael Smerconish. I’ve previously cited him here as technique worth emulating when it comes to:

– Polling the audience on an ongoing basis (a sponsored feature on smart radio stations)
– Leveraging social media to give audience ownership of the show; and
– Genuine curiosity. His centrist approach earns him scorn from both sides in this Cold Civil War we’re living through. I can relate. When I managed WTOP, Washington, the quickest way to make the phone explode was to announce a crowd estimate for an abortion rally. Both sides jammed the lines to damn the number.

This preposterous Swift kerfuffle had been all heat until Smerconish shed light on it this past weekend. Noting rumors shared by FOX News that she would photobomb the Super Bowl with a Joe Biden endorsement, his poll question was “Could Taylor Swift determine the outcome of the presidential election?”

im

Just now, you answered that question in your own mind. But – for our purposes – the more useful approach is to consider information Smerconish curated unfiltered by personal politics:

– Swift has 279 million Instagram followers
– She has (so far) sold 4.35 million pricey tickets for The Eras Tour. Its “record-shattering revenue” (so far) is $1 billion+
– $200 million (so far) in tour merchandise. Her gray $45 T-shirt is now sold-out in all but 3XL and 4XL.
– 26 billion+ Spotify streams in 2023.
– SSRS polling: 59% of USA adults identify as Swift fans, 63% of women; and her fans are evenly divided 50/50 between Democrat or Dem-leaning and Republican or GOP-leaning.
– On her urging, several hundred thousand Americans younger than 25 have registered to vote.

Add it all up? “Taylor knows your social media interactions, where you saw her on tour, how much merch’ you’ve bought from her website, she knows the size of your T-shirt, the number of downloads you’ve made. We’re embarking on an election cycle which will be (a) the most expensive in history, and (b) will see much of the money spent on ‘micro-targeting,’ the use of online data to tailor – pun intended – advertising messages to individuals based on the identification of recipients’ personal vulnerabilities and interests. In order to target effectively, data is essential. And Taylor’s got lots and lots of it, and on a demographic that is exactly what the Biden team needs the most: disproportionally female, young, and passionate. With truly the touch of a button Taylor Swift is uniquely situated to use the data at her disposal to impact the presidential race.”

Leave it to your nerdy consultant to ask: Are WE using OUR listener data to OUR benefit?

Bigger-picture issues:

– Privacy: We have all volunteered LOTS of information about ourselves. Look what pops up in your email and your social media.
– Vulnerability of the Electoral vote process: The last two Republican presidents took office after losing the popular vote. Taylor Swift is my coastal Rhode Island neighbor, and if she votes here, neither of us matter. Our state has four electoral votes. Just 40 thousand-some popular votes in three key states gave Biden his 2020 win.
– Tone: The measurable appeal of Swift’s sunny disposition vs. “I am your retribution.”

Good for us. News/talk radio is in the suspense business. “What JUST happened??? What happens NEXT???” So, we should wish Nikki Haley well.

Inquisitive Smerconish sounds like dispassionate Mr. Spock: “What [Swift detractors on the right] should be worried about is her data.”

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn.

Industry News

“The Daily” Stays Atop Podtrac’s August Podcast Ranker

According to data from Podtrac (based on U.S. unique monthly audience), The New York Times’ “The Daily” stays atop its Top Podcasts chart for the period of August 2023. The Daily Wire/Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” stayed in its spot at #7, iHeartPodcast’s “Stuff You Should Know”im remained at #9, Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” rose one spot to #11, and FOX Audio Network’s “FOX News Hourly Update” fell one spot to #16.  Other data from Podtrac from this report includes: 1) U.S. unique monthly audience increased for all but one of the Top 20 publishers in August 2023 over July 2023; 2) The average U.S. unique monthly audience for the Top 20 publishers was up 13% month-over-month and down 3% over July 2022; 3) Total global downloads for the Top 20 publishers were up 7% month-over-month and flat year-over-year; and 4) The combined audience for the Top Sales Networks was up 15% month-over-month.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman and COO CFO Rich Bressler will participate in a question and answer session during the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference on September 7 at 3:25 pm ET. A live webcast of the session will be available to the general public at the start of the session through a link on the Investors homepage of iHeartMedia’s website. A replay of the webcast will be available in the Events & Presentation section of iHeartMedia’s Investors homepage.

Triton Digital announces that it is integrating data with YouTube views of podcast episodes into its Triton Podcast Metrics. With this data, publishers can now view how their content is consumed on YouTube in conjunction with their overall podcast downloads.

The Kansas Association of Broadcasters announces the Hall of Fame inductees and Distinguished Service Award honoree for 2023. KSU professor and longtime broadcaster (WGN, Chicago; WGST, Atlanta; Coast to Coast AM) Ian Punnett is the Distinguished Service Award honoree. Mike Manns, Dale Morrell, and Randy Picking are the Hall of Fame inductees. See more about them here.

Industry News

Round Four of April PPMs Released

imThe fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 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. Nielsen’s April 2023 sweep covered March 30 – April 26. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN is unchanged at a 9.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but rises from #2 to #1, while Good Karma Brands’ crosstown news/talk WTMJ jumps 1.8 shares to finish the survey with a 9.2 share lifting it to the #3 rank. Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM, Nashville dips two-tenths to a 6.7 share and remains ranked #4, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WLAC-AM rises three-tenths to a 1.3 share that lifts it to the #17 rank. In Memphis, iHeartMedia’s WREC-AM adds a half share to wrap the month with a 2.8 share and stays locked in the #11 spot, while Starnes Media Group’s crosstown news/talk KWAM is steady at .2 share but rises to the #19 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Outkick Celebrates YouTube Growth

Sports media platform OutKick announces that its YouTube subscriptions rose more than 140% from March to April 2023. Outkick also says it enjoyed a record month of video views on YouTube with 284.2 million – up 909% versus March 2023, according to Shareable. Additionally, the platform finished April 2023 ahead of itsim custom competitive set in year-over-year growth across multiplatform unique visitors, page views, and minutes spent, according to data from Comscore. OutKick delivered over 8 million multiplatform total unique visitors, up 394% year-over-year, 32 million multiplatform total views, and 36 million multiplatform total minutes. OutKick founder Clay Travis says, “OutKick continues to be the only platform that drives the sports, culture, and political intersection and that separates us from the rest of the field. Our authentic and unfiltered reporting across the board is unmatched which is a direct result of the significant increases we’re seeing every month.”

Industry News

Audacy Using Veritone Attribute for Enhanced Data and Analytics

Veritone, Inc announces that Audacy is using its Veritone Attribute to improve and enhance data and analytics reporting for advertising customers. Veritone says, “Through the addition of Veritone Attribute, Audacy will supplement their ability to prove the efficacy of broadcast ad campaigns by sharing directional insights withLogo - Broadcasting advertisers as to how their campaigns are performing over a cross section of Audacy’s portfolio of radio brands. With these insights, advertisers will be better able to evaluate campaign performance on Audacy stations in comparison to other mediums. Research has shown that advertisers who receive attribution reporting spend more year-over-year and cancel their ad campaigns less often on average than those who don’t measure performance.” Audacy chief revenue officer Brian Benedik states, “As we aim to best serve our clients, Veritone Attribute will further enable us to optimize advertisers’ campaigns and maximize their ad dollars. There has never been a better time to leverage the power of audio to tap consumers, and this technology will complement our existing capabilities.”

Industry Views

Radio’s Valuable Asset

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison says one of the most valuable assets possessed by the radio industry, at this juncture, is the actual word radio itself regardless of which platform carries its content. At this morning’s TALKERS editorial board meeting, Harrison stated, “The rush to abandon the word radio in favor of audio is short-sighted, foolish and a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. This trend is indicative of a major blind spot regarding the basics of media theory and the delicate three-way relationship between form, content and institutional branding.”  Harrison continued, “The rush to convert the ‘magical’ business and products of radio to the utilitarian term audio is akin to the motion picture industry theoretically abandoning the words filmmovie or cinema in favor of video… or the journalism industry trading in the word news for information or data… or the automobile industry ditching the word car for vehicle.”  Harrison concludes, “Looking back, maybe the captains of the railroad industry should have stayed in the train business after all and focused on modernizing and improving it as opposed to getting hung up on transportation and winding up with nothing.”

Front Page News Industry News

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Urban One Enters into Deal to Acquire Emmis Communications’ Indy Radio Stations. The price for the four radio stations, two translators and the regional programming network has not been revealed yet, but Urban One, Inc’s definitive asset purchase agreement with Emmis Communications to purchase its Indianapolis radio cluster means Emmis will be effectively out of the radio business. It still owns the licenses to WEPN-FM and WLIB-AM in New York but leases them. Under the terms of this new deal, Urban One will acquire adult contemporary WYXB-FM, country WLHK-FM, news/talk WIBC-FM, sports talk “The Fan” (translators W228CX at 93.5 and W298BB at 107.5), and Network Indiana. Urban One president and CEO Alfred Liggins comments, “These are terrific general market formats and will be a great addition to Urban One in a transaction that is accretive and deleveraging.” Urban One adds that in anticipation of the transaction, it will sell its hip hop WHHH-FM, Indianapolis along with the intellectual property related to WNOW to a third party. Emmis will continue to operate its stations and Urban One will continue to operate WHHH until the transaction closes. Meanwhile, Emmis founder and chairman Jeff Smulyan states, “When Emmis launched our first station, WENS now ‘HANK FM,’ in 1981, I never could have envisioned the journey we would go on. Indianapolis is my hometown, and I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish – we’ve become an invaluable contributor to the Indianapolis community, a leader of radio industry initiative and innovation, and a trusted resource for Central Indiana listeners and businesses.” Emmis notes in its press release that in recent years it “has sold many of its media assets and redeployed capital into new ventures which emphasize its sales and marketing experience including: Lencore Acoustics, a leader in high-quality sound masking solutions for commercial applications; Sound That BRANDS, the Los Angeles-based podcasting studio specializing in branded audio content for national advertisers; and Digonex, a leading provider of dynamic pricing solutions for attractions and live entertainment industries.”

 

Round One of May PPMs Released. The first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s May 2022 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). Nielsen’s May 2022 sweep covered April 28 – May 25. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York City, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC slips by three-tenths to a 3.3 share (weekly, 6+ AHQ share) finish good for the #10 rank. Across town, Audacy’s all-news WINS sheds 1.1 shares to finish with a 3.1 share and the #11 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles loses one-tenth, but remains ranked #3 on the strength of a 5.0 share. Audacy’s all-news KCBS-AM/KFRC-FM, San Francisco is up one-tenth, finishing with a 6.2 share that bumps it into the #2 rank. In Dallas, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WBAP posts a seven-tenths increase that pushes it to the #10 rank with a 3.6 share, while Audacy’s crosstown all-news KRLD-AM is steady at a 2.1 share but falls to the #20 rank. You can see Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

 

TALKERS 2022 Coverage Coming Soon.  The 25th annual installment (and second pandemic-era edition) of the talk media industry’s longest-running, largest, and most important national convention – TALKERS 2022 – took place this past Friday, June 10 and by all accounts significantly exceeded expectations. It was widely hailed by many of its longtime participants as “the best ‘TALKERS’ ever!” It was presented by TALKERS in association with Hofstra University’s award-winning radio station WRHU-FM/WRHU.org. Some 275 passionate media professionals from all over the country traveled to the beautiful campus of Hofstra on Long Island to see, hear and meet more than 60 luminary speakers – from talk media programming, management, station ownership, syndication, sales, marketing and technology – tackle the most compelling issues, opportunities and challenges currently at play in the industry. It was a power-packed day of non-stop panels, solo addresses, fireside charts, award presentations, exhibits and networking opportunities. The TALKERS editorial staff is now sifting through hundreds of photos and hours of video preparing extensive coverage of the conference and its enormous treasure trove of content that will be appearing in TALKERS magazine for days and weeks ahead. Pictured at the top of this story is TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison (left) interviewing Key Networks-syndicated star Bill O’Reilly (right) during one of three keynote addresses. Pictured in the inset is Premiere Networks nationally syndicated talk radio personality Buck Sexton addressing the attendees during the opening session.

 

Greta Van Susteren Launches on Newsmax TV Tonight. This evening (6/14), news/talk television pro Greta Van Susteren begins her program on Newsmax TV’s evening lineup. “The Record with Greta Van Susteren” airs at 6:00 pm ET. Van Susteren says, “With all that is going on in the world, I am getting back to my roots — a daily live news show with real reporting from the places where things are happening.” At the same time, Newsmax announces the new daily program schedule on the network: “The Chris Salcedo Show,” 4:00 pm; “Spicer & Co.” with Sean Spicer, Lyndsay Keith, 5:00 pm; “The Record with Greta Van Susteren,” 6:00 pm; “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” 7:00 pm; “Eric Bolling The Balance,” 8:00 pm; “Prime News” with Jenn Pellegrino, 9:00 pm; and “Greg Kelly Reports,” 10:00 pm. Newsmax EVP programming Elliot Jacobson comments, “This new schedule will strengthen Newsmax’s ability to deliver hard-hitting news and analysis when Americans need it the most.”

 

ATTENTION: TALKERS Heavy Hundred MembersTALKERS has been made aware that a trophy and plaque manufacturing company has been contacting talk show hosts who are listed as being members of the Heavy Hundred (The 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America) and is soliciting them to purchase a costly plaque or trophy commemorating the honor. Please be advised that this plaque (or a variety of variations of awards and trophies available in their catalogue) is unofficial and the company – SHOWMARK MEDIA, LLC – enjoys no official connection or licensing agreement with TALKERS. According to TALKERS VP/associate publisher Matthew B. Harrison, “TALKERS has never engaged in charging its award recipients for items or products indicating their receiving an honor bestowed by our organization.”

 

Radio Hall of Fame 2022 Nominees Announced. The nominees for the Radio Hall of Fame class of 2022 have been announced by the Museum of Broadcast Communications. The 24 nominees were chosen by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, with input from the radio industry and listeners. Voting for inductees begins Tuesday, June 22 and runs through July 8. The top six vote recipients will gain induction as part of the 2022 Radio Hall of Fame Induction class. The two additional inductees that will make up the eight-person induction class will be selected by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. More than 600 industry members will receive a confidential ballot on Tuesday, June 22, to cast votes for up to six nominated individuals. The confidential ballot will be conducted by Votem.com, and overseen by Miller Kaplan’s Andrew Rosen. The nominees in spoken-word radio include: Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, SiriusXM; Dave Ross, KIRO-FM, Seattle; Diane Rehm, WAMU-FM,Washington DC; John & Ken, KFI, Los Angeles; Larry Elder; and Suzyn Waldman, New York Yankees Radio Network. You can see the complete list of nominees here. Radio Hall of Fame co-chairman Kraig T. Kitchin says, “We’ve made changes in 2022, to allow voting participants to vote for up to six nominees for induction, and limit the voting process to knowledgeable industry members. Listeners and industry members alike contributed more than 2,500 suggestions for the Nominating Committee to consider in addition to their own considerations.”

 

iHeartMedia Names AJ Punjabi Market President for San Francisco. Radio sales and management pro AJ Punjabi moves from iHeartMedia’s Charleston market, where he most recently served as the market president and enterprise leader of the Blockchain/Crypto/NFT category, to San Francisco to serve as market president. iHeartMedia’s San Francisco station group includes business talk KNEW-AM “Bloomberg Radio” and KKSF-AM “BIN: Black Information Network. iHeartMedia division president Scott Hopeck says, “AJ is a talent-focused leader with exceptional digital experience, which will serve him well in the Bay Area, where he will lead a talented team of creators and sales professionals. I’m excited for AJ to begin working with his team and our partners!”

 

Rob Parker Makes Debut at LA’s The Comedy Store. Last week, FOX Sports Radio personality Rob Parker, co-host of “The Odd Couple with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker,” made his stand-up comedy debut at the legendary Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Parker participated in the “Crack’Em Up Comedy” show in the Belly Room, a weekly showcase and workout room featuring rising comedy stars and established comedians. Pictured above are (l-r): Elijah Sebunnya, FOX Sports Radio digital content director; Scott Shapiro, FOX Sports Radio VP of programming; Parker; Jade Kozup, Premiere Networks director of marketing; and Mike Lingard, FOX Sports Radio executive news producer & operations manager.

 

‘New Jersey 101.5’ to Present Town Hall on ‘Growing Weed in the Garden State.’ This Thursday (6/16) at 7:00 pm,Townsquare Media’s WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” presents the latest in a series of Town Hall broadcasts. “Growing Weed in the Garden State” explores how the legal adult use marijuana industry is impacting New Jersey. The station’s Eric Scott leads a panel that includes law enforcement, legal experts, regulators, growers and dispensary operators. “The sale of legal cannabis products for recreational use generated over $24 million in the first month,” Scott says. “While there is clearly demand for product, unintended consequences are continuing to surface.” The program will explore not only those unintended consequences, but also how legal marijuana sales are positively impacting New Jersey. The program’s on-air panel will feature: Bill Caruso, co-founder of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform; Rob Nixon with the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association; New Jersey State Senate president Nicholas Scutari; Chrissy Buteas, chief government affairs officer at New Jersey Business & Industry Association; as well as marijuana cultivators and dispensary operators.

 

The Economy, January 6 Hearings, Midterms/Trump & the GOP, Russia-Ukraine War, COVID-19, White Nationalist Movement, and Western Heat-Drought Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (6/13). Financial markets hit bear territory, the soaring price of gasoline & food, and concerns about a recession; Monday’s session of the January 6 hearings; the primary elections for November’s midterms and Donald Trump’s influence over the GOP; Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine and the effects of the blockade on Ukraine’s major ports; the rate of infections of COVID-19; the arrest of 30 members of the white nationalist organization Patriot Front in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and the Western heatwave and ongoing drought were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Ratings Takeaways

April 2022 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

April 2022 PPM Data – Information for the April 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 April 2022 sweep covered March 31 – April 27.

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 2022 – April 2022 (6+).

Sports-Related Notes: The MLB season began April 7; NBA playoffs got underway May 1; and NHL playoffs started May 2.

AUSTIN

News/Talk: Waterloo Media-operated KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 4.8 – 4.7, -.1, seventh to eighth

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Genuine Austin Radio’s KTXX “The Horn” 1.7 – 1.6, -.1, #17 to #19

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas-owned KUT 6.8 – 6.5, -.3, second to third

Number One 6+: Waterloo Media-operated adult hits KBPA, fourth month in a row, 10.0 – 9.0, -1.0

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: regional Mexican KLQB (+1.2)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: classical KMFA (-1.4)

RALEIGH

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 6.7 – 7.4, +.7, fourth to third

Curtis Media Group-owned WPTF “News Radio 680” 1.9 – 2.0, +.1, #13 to #14

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” (Carolina Hurricanes) flat at 2.5, steady at #12

Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 7.8 – 8.0, +.2, third to second

Number One 6+: Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary WRAL, second successive month 8.4 – 9.0, +.6

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase (Tie): news/talk WTKK and CHR WDCG (+.7)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: country WQDR-FM (-.8)

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk: Emmis’ WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 9.5 – 9.0, -.5, anchored in the runner-up slot

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Emmis-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” (Pacers) 3.3 – 2.6, -.7, #10 to #12

iHeartMedia’s WNDE “Fox Sports 1260” .9 – .6, -.3, remains at #19

Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting-owned WFYI 4.7 – 5.3, +.6, repeats in seventh-place

Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies WJJK, fourth successive month, 12.4 – 12.8 +.4

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase (Tie): country WLHK and public radio news/talk WFYI (+.6)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: sports talk WIBC-HD2 (-.7)

MILWAUKEE

News/Talk: Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Brewers and Bucks) 8.2 – 9.9, +1.7, third to first

iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” 8.3 – 7.5, -.8, second to fourth

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Good Karma Brands-owned WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” 1.2 – 1.3, +.1, #16 to #15

Audacy’s WSSP “1250 AM The Fan” 1.0 – .8, -.2, #19 to #18

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM 5.9 – 5.3, -.6, fifth to seventh

Number One 6+: news/talk WTMJ, first month, 8.2 – 9.9, +1.7

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: news/talk WTMJ (+1.7)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: classic rock WKLH (-.9)

NASHVILLE

News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” 6.8 – 6.1, -.7, second to sixth

iHeartMedia-owned WLAC “Talk Radio 1510” 3.1 – 3.2, +.1, repeats at #12

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” 2.8 – 2.2, -.6, #14 to #15

Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” (Predators) 1.0 – 1.2, +.2, stays at #20

Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 5.5 – 6.4, +.9, seventh to fifth

Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult hits WCJK, fourth month in a row, 7.5 – 9.4, +1.9

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: adult hits WCJK (+1.9)*

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: CHR WNFN (-.9)

*Represents the largest March 2022 – April 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

PROVIDENCE

News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 6.7 – 5.0, -1.7, fourth to fifth

iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” .8 – .6, -.2, continues at #17

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 3.7 – 4.4, +.7, ninth to seventh

Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” (Celtics, and Bruins) 3.9 – 4.1, +.2, locked in eighth-place

Public Radio News/Talk: WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH flat at 3.1, carries on in tenth-place

Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN 2.3 – 2.0, -.3, #11 to #12

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia rock WHJY, third straight month, 11.3 – 11.5, +.2

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: classic hits-oldies WNBH (+1.2)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: country WCTK (-2.2)

NORFOLK

News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” 2.5 – 2.9, +.4, #13 to #11

News: iHeartMedia-owned WNOH “BIN 105.3 Because Truth Matters” .3 – .4, +.1, #21 to #20

Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group’s WVSP “94.1 ESPN” 1.0 – 1.3, +.3, #19 to #18

Sinclair’s WTAR “Sports Radio 850” flat at .4, repeats at #20

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WVKL, fourth month in succession, 10.4 – 10.5, +.1

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: country WUSH (+.6)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: hot AC WPTE (-.9)

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 10.5 – 10.6 +.1, #1

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WOKV-AM “ESPN Jacksonville 690 AM” flat at .7, stays at #18

Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 3.7 – 2.9, -.8, repeats at #11

Number One 6+: news/talk WOKV-FM, fourth consecutive month, 10.5 – 10.6 +.1

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase:  urban AC WSOL (+1.3)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease (Tie): adult contemporary WEJZ and rock WWJK (-1.4)

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WJNO “News Radio 1290” 2.3 – 2.2, -.1, ninth to tenth

Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” steady at 1.3, #13 to #12

iHeartMedia’s WZZR “92.1 Real Radio” unchanged at 1.1, #14 to #13

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WMEN “Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida” .4 – .5, +.1, #18 to #17

Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board’s WLRN 3.8 – 2.7, -1.1, sixth to seventh

Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting hot AC WRMF, fourth month in succession, 9.6 – 9.8, +.2

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: country WIRK (+1.2)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk WLRN (-1.1)

GREENSBORO

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 5.1 – 5.6, +.5, anchored in fifth-place

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Wake Forest University’s WFDD 3.4 – 2.8, -.6, #10 to #12

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 1.5 – 1.1, -.4, stays at #14

Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WQMG, fourth month in a row, 13.4 – 12.6, -.8

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: CHR WMKS (+.7)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: urban AC WQMG (-.8)

MEMPHIS

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 2.5 – 2.7, +.2, #14 to #12

Cumulus Media-owned WKIM “News/Talk 98.9, The Roar of Memphis” .7 – .5, -.2, #20 to #19

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” (Grizzlies) 3.4 – 3.2, -.2, continues in tenth-place and WMFS’ internet stream 1.0 – .7, -.3, #19 to #18

Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications-owned WKNO flat at 1.8, steady at #16

Number One 6+: Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WRBO, fourth successive month, 13.6 – 12.1, -1.5

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: urban AC KJMS (+1.6)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: urban-rhythmic oldies WRBO (-1.5)

HARTFORD

News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” 5.1 – 4.5, -.6, repeats in ninth-place

Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” 1.0 – .8, -.2, #15 to #16

The internet stream of Audacy’s WTIC-AM, .6 – .8, +.2, #18 to #16

iHeartMedia’s WPOP “News Radio 1410 AM & 100.9 FM” .2, #20 (unlisted in March 2022)

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WUCS “97.9 ESPN” steady at 1.0, #15 to #14

Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications-owned WNPR 10.1 – 7.8, -2.3, second to third

New England Public Media’s WFCR .4 -.8, +.4, #20 to #16

Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 26th month in a row, 10.9 – 12.5, +1.6

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: adult contemporary WRCH (+1.6)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk WNPR (-2.3)**

**Represents the largest March 2022 – April 2022 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.  

 

Ratings Takeaways

April 2022 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three

April 2022 PPM Data – Information for the April 2022 ratings period has been released for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.

Nielsen Audio’s April 2022 sweep covered March 31 – April 27.

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 2022 – April 2022 (6+).

Sports-Related Notes: The MLB season began on April 7; NBA playoffs got underway on May 1; and NHL playoffs started on May 2.

PORTLAND

News/Talk: Alpha Media’s KXL “FM 101 News” 8.1 – 8.2, +.1, third to fourth

iHeartMedia-owned KEX “News Radio 1190” 3.3 – 2.6, -.7, #13 to #16

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB 8.9 – 8.5, -.4, second to third and KOPB’s internet stream 1.7 – 1.2, -.5, flat at #20

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KLTH, second successive month, 9.1 – 9.3, +.2

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: adult hits KYCH (+.9)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: country KUPL (-1.4)

CHARLOTTE

News/Talk: Radio One-owned WBT AM & WBT-FM “Charlotte’s News Talk” 4.2 – 4.0, -.2, #10 to #11

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Radio One’s WFNZ-FM “Sports Radio 92.7” 1.8 – 1.7, -.1, #16 to #17

Beasley Media Group-owned WSOC-HD3 “Fox Sports Charlotte” .5 – .4, -.1, #19 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: University Radio Foundation’s WFAE 4.2 – 4.8, +.6, tenth to seventh

South Carolina Educational Television Commission-owned WNSC .8 – .5, -.3, #18 to #19

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult hits WLKO, first month, 5.6 – 6.7, +1.1

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: alternative WEND (+1.4)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: classical WDAV (-2.1)

SAN ANTONIO

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WOAI “News Radio 1200” (Spurs) 6.2 – 5.3, -.9, third to fifth

Alpha Media-owned KTSA “Stay Connected” 2.2 – 2.3, +.1, #14 to #15

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Texas Public Radio’s KSTX 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, repeats at #13

Number One 6+ (Tie): Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies KONO-FM, third straight month, 8.4 – 7.6, -.8 and iHeartMedia adult contemporary KQXT, first month, 6.3 – 7.6, +1.3

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase:  adult contemporary KQXT (+1.3)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: regional Mexican KROM (-1.4)

SACRAMENTO

News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM “News 1530 AM & 93.1 FM” 6.5 – 6.6, +.1, locked in third-place and cluster-mate KSTE “Talk 650” 2.8 – 2.7, -.1, repeats at #13

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Audacy’s KIFM-AM “ESPN 1320” flat at 1.1, continues at #18

Public Radio News/Talk: Capital Public Radio-owned KXJZ 4.2 – 4.4, +.2, stays at #8

Number One 6+: Audacy classic rock KSEG, fourth month in a row, 11.3 – 10.0, -1.3

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase:  country KNCI (+1.7)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: classic rock KSEG (-1.3)

PITTSBURGH

News/Talk: Audacy’s KDKA-AM “News Radio 1020 AM” 3.9 – 3.5, -.4, ninth to tenth

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KDKA-FM “93.7 The Fan All Sports All The Time” (Pirates) 7.6 – 7.1, -.5, locked in fourth-place

Public Radio News/Talk: Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting’s WESA 2.4 – 2.5, +.1, repeats at #12

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW, sixth month in succession, 11.4 – 10.4, -1.0

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase (Tie): adult contemporary WSHH and CHR WKST (+.7)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease:  classic hits-oldies WWSW (-1.0)

SALT LAKE CITY

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM “Talk Radio” 9.9 – 10.8, +.9, #1

Bonneville-owned KSL “News Radio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM” 6.3 – 7.6, +1.3, third to second

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Utah’s KUER 4.6 – 3.6, -1.0, sixth to ninth

Number One 6+: news/talk KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM, third month in succession, 9.9 – 10.8, +.9

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase (Tie): news/talk KSL; adult contemporary KSFI; and adult hits KYMV  (+1.3)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: classical KBYU (-1.2)

LAS VEGAS

News/Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned KDWN “The Talk Of Las Vegas” 2.0 – 2.3, +.3, #18 to #16

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Nevada Public Radio’s KNPR 2.3 – 1.9, -.4, #15 to #17

Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group classic hits-oldies KKLZ, second straight month, 7.1 – 7.2, +.1

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: regional Mexican KISF (+1.8)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease (Tie): adult contemporary KSNE and classic rock KXPT (-1.3)

ORLANDO

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKS “Real Radio 104.1” 5.9 – 5.4, -.5, sixth to eighth

Cox Media Group-owned WDBO “Orlando’s News Talk” 2.1 – 2.0, -.1, #16 to #14

iHeartMedia-owned WFLF “Orlando News Radio” 1.4 – 1.0, -.4, #17 to #18

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WYGM “96.9 The Game” (Magic) 1.1 – 1.2, +.1, #20 to #17

Public Radio News/Talk: Community Connections-owned WMFE 2.4 – 1.7, -.7, #13 to #15

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia CHR WXXL, fourth straight month, flat at 8.3

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: urban contemporary WTKS-HD2 (+3.3)*

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: rhythmic CHR WPYO (-2.3)**

*Represents the largest March 2022 – April 2022 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

**Represents the largest March 2022 – April 2022 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

CINCINNATI

News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WLW “700 Cincinnati’s News Radio” (Reds) 12.2 – 13.4, +1.2, #1 and cluster-mate WKRC “55 KRC The Talk Station” 5.1 – 5.4, +.3, fifth to fourth

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WCKY “ESPN 1530” flat at .8, anchored at #19

Public Radio News/Talk: Cincinnati Public Radio’s WVXU 5.4 – 5.1, -.3, fourth to fifth

Number One 6+: news/talk WLW, second month in a row, 12.2 – 13.4, +1.2

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: news/talk WLW (+1.2)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: rock WEBN (-1.2)

CLEVELAND

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTAM “News Radio 1100” (Guardians and Cavaliers) 4.9 – 5.3, +.4, repeats in eighth-place

News: iHeartMedia-owned WMMS-HD2 “BIN 99.1 Because Truth Matters” unchanged at .1, #21 to #18

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WKRK “Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan” 4.3 – 4.7, +.4, continues at #9 and WKRK’s internet stream 1.9 – 1.3, -.6, remains at #15

Public Radio News/Talk: Kent State University-owned WKSU 2.2 – 4.7, +2.5, #14 to #9

Number One 6+: Radio One urban AC WZAK, fourth month in a row, 10.4 – 10.2, -.2

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: public radio news/talk WKSU (+2.5)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease (Tie): classic hits-oldies WMJI and sports talk WKRK’s internet stream (-.6)

Note: Public radio news/talk WCPN (3.2, #12, 6+, March 2022) is unlisted in 2022

KANSAS CITY

News/Talk: Audacy’s KMBZ-FM “98.1 FM News, Traffic, Weather” 7.3 – 6.3, -1.0, second to third

Cumulus Media-owned KCMO-AM “Talk Radio 710 AM” 1.6 – 1.1, -.5, anchored at #20

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Audacy’s KCSP “Sports Radio 610 Our Teams, Our Town” (Royals) 2.3 – 4.6, +2.3, #17 to #6

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KCUR 5.7 – 4.6, -1.1, fourth to sixth

Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM, first month, 7.3 – 9.0, +1.7

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase: sports talk KCSP (+2.3)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease: public radio news/talk KCUR (-1.1)

COLUMBUS

News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WTVN “News Radio 610” 8.7 – 9.2, +.5, #1

News: iHeartMedia’s WYTS “Columbus’ BIN 1230” .2 – .3, +.1, #19 to #18

Sports Talk: Tegna-owned WBNS-FM “97.1 FM The Fan” (Blue Jackets) 8.6 – 7.0, -1.6, second to fourth and co-owned WBNS-AM “ESPN 1460 AM”.5 – .2, -.3, #18 to #19

Public Radio News/Talk: Ohio State University’s WOSU 8.5 – 7.1, -1.4, stays in third-place

Number One 6+: news/talk WTVN, third straight month, 8.7 – 9.2, +.5

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Increase:  CHR WNCI (+.9)

Largest 6+ March 2022 – April 2022 Decrease:  sports talk WBNS-FM (-1.6)

Up next: April 2022 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.

Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.