Industry News

Marc Ryan Joins “97.1 The Ticket” in Detroit

Sports media personality Marc Ryan moves from Audacy’s Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina sports talker WYRD-AM/W249DL/W246CV “The Fan Upstate” where he hosted “Offsides with Marcim Ryan,” to the company’s sports talk WXYT-FM, Detroit “97.1 The Ticket.” In Detroit, Ryan will serve as network pregame, postgame and weekday fill-in host, beginning April 1. Ryan comments, “I’ve carried around a post-it note for 14 years with three sports stations written on it, including ‘97.1 The Ticket.’ My longterm goal was to get a full-time job at one of them. I am so excited to join one of the best media teams in the country as I unlock this long-awaited achievement.”

Industry News

Round Two of February PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 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 covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM is steady at a 4.5 share (6+, weekly AQH share) and remains ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM, sheds seven-tenths for a 7.6 share but stays ranked #2 in the market. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO adds four-tenths to finish with a 3.2 share that lifts it to the #13 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-FM rises three-tenths for a 4.9 share but remains ranked #6. In Detroit, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR tacks on four-tenths to finish the survey with a 2.5 share and moves up to the #14 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WWJ loses three-tenths, wrapping the survey with a 5.3 share and falling one spot to the #9 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

February 2024 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imFebruary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the February 2024 ratings period (February 1 – February 28) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below is that they be a Nielsen Audiosubscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NBA and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are January 2024 – February 2024 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.5 – 4.5, #7 – #7

WFED .1 – .1, #29 – #30 (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 8.3 – 7.6, #2 – #2

WDCH .6 – .7, #23 – #22

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.8 – 2.3, #15 – #16 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream 1.0 – .8, #20 – #21 (Capitals)

WTEM .4 – .4, #25 – #24 (Wizards)

WTEM Stream .3 – .3, #26 – #27 (Wizards)

WJFK-AM .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA (Capitals)

WSBN .1 – .1, #29 – #30

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 12.7 – 13.0, 28th month in succession at #1 

Note: News WTOP & WTLP’s -.7 (8.3- 7.6) represents Washington, DC’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease. 

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 2.8 – 3.2, #15 – #13

WXKS-AM .7 – .8, #23 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.6 – 4.9, #6 – #6

Business news WRCA .1 – .2, #28 – #26

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 11.2 – 9.1, second straight month at #1 (Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 3.9 – 3.3, #11 – #12

WEEI-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #30

WEEI-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 6.0 – 6.1, #3 – #3

WGBH 4.2 – 4.6, #9 – #8

Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s -2.1 (11.2- 9.1) represents Boston’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.4 – 1.2, #23 – #25

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.2 – 1.2, #25 – #25 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .5 – .6, #27 – #28

WMEN .2 – .1, #33 – #36

WQAM Stream .1 – .1, #36 – #36 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 4.1 – 5.1, #6 – #5

WLRN-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #36    

Note: Public radio news/talk WLRN’s +1.0 (4.1- 5.1) represents Miami’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 increase.

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.2 – 4.1, #7 – #10

KTTH 1.9 – 1.6, #21 – #22

KVI 1.3 – 1.0, #24  – #24

KPTR DNA – .1, DNA – #28

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.6 – 2.5, #19 – #17

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KJR-FM 4.2 – 2.4, #7 – #18 (Kraken)

KIRO-AM 3.3 – 2.3, #14 – #19

KJR-AM .8 – .7, #25 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 6.9 – 7.2, #2 – #1

KSWS DNA – .1, DNA – #28

Note: Sports talk KJR-FM’s -1.8 (4.2- 2.4) represents Seattle’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease. 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.1 – 2.5, #16 – #14

WFDF .5 – .6, #23 – #22

WJR Stream .1 – .1, #29 – #29

News

WWJ 5.6 – 5.3, #8 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .4 – .4, #24 – #25 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #29 – #29

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 9.8 – 7.1, #1 – #3 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.8 – 1.1, #17 – #21 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .3 – .2, #28 – #28

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.6 – 1.8, #19 – #18

WUOM 1.1 – 1.2, #21 – #20 

Note: Sports talk WXYT-FM’s -2.7 (9.8- 7.1) is the largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decreaseby any station in the 24 PPM-markets analyzed thus far.

PHOENIX

News/Talk

KFYI 3.1 – 3.5, #10 – #9

KTAR-FM 2.6 – 2.7, #14 – #12 (Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 1.9 – 2.2, #20 – #18 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KGME .1 – .1, #31 – #34

KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #31 – #34 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 3.0 – 2.3, #11 – #15

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.7 – 4.7, #10 – #8 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 2.9 – 3.0, #14 – #14

KTLK-AM 1.8 – 2.2, #19 – #15

WCCO Stream .1 – .3, #31 – #29 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #31 – #31

Sports Talk

KFXN 7.5 – 7.1, #2 – #3 (Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .2 – .1, #27 – #31

KSTP-AM .1 – .1, #31 – #31

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 6.6 – 7.4, #4 – #2

KNOW Stream .8 – .7, #23 – #23

SAN DIEGO 

News/Talk

KOGO 4.9 – 4.6, #5 – #7

KLSD .4 – .5, #25 – #25

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 3.9 – 3.0, #10 – #16

KGB-AM .8 – .8, #21 – #21

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 6.2 – 7.3, #2 – #1 

Note: Sports talk KWFN’s -.9 (3.9- 3.0) represents San Diego’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 5.3 – 4.9, #3 – #6 (Lightning)

WFLA 4.1 – 4.2, #11 – #10

News

Business news WHNZ .1 – .2, #34 – #28

Sports Talk

WDAE 2.1– 1.7, #17 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 2.3 – 1.9, #16 – #16

WMNF-HD3 Stream .4 – .2, #26 – #28

WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 3.0 – 2.6, #14 – #17

KDFD 1.4 – 1.4, #22 – #22

KHOW 1.4 – 1.2, #22 – #24

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 4.0 – 3.7, #10 – #10

KKSE-FM 3.0 – 2.2, #14 – #18 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KAMP .1 – .1, #35 – #36

KEPN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KKSE-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 4.5 – 3.7, #7 – #10

KUNC 1.0 – 1.1, #25 – #27

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 4.3 – 3.3, #9 – #10

WCBM 1.9 – 2.0, #15 – #14

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.4 – 1.3,  #17 – #18

WDCH  .9 – .6,  #19 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 4.8 – 3.1, #6 – #12

WJZ-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 3.4 – 3.2, #12 – #11

WYPR HD2 Stream DNA – .3, DNA – #26 

Note: Sports talk WJZ-FM’s -1.7 (4.8- 3.1) represents Baltimore’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 3.7 – 2.8, #13 – #14

KFTK 2.2 – 2.1, #15 – #17

KTLK-FM 1.3 – 1.1, #18 – #18

KMOX Stream .4 – .2, #23 – #24

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #28 – #24

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .3 – .2, #25 – #24

Sports Talk

WXOS 5.7 – 5.0, #7 – #9 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 5.1 – 4.9, #9 – #10

Up next: February 2024 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.

Reach Mike Kinosian at: Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com. 

Industry News

Rob Parker to Build Detroit Sports Talker with Black Talent

This story was first reported by the Detroit News last week. Awful Announcing summarizes the piece as sports media personality Rob Parker and retired NBA player and current agent B.J. Armstrong areim building “Sports Rap Radio” to air on Audacy’s WXYT-AM, Detroit with a target launch of mid-May. In what will likely be a first in sports talk radio, the lineup of air talent will be all-Black. WXYT-AM currently airs Audacy’s BetQL Network programming. Parker is quoted by the Detroit News saying, “It will be young people getting opportunities and former athletes, from Detroit or with ties to Detroit.” The lineup will be local from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and will segue into FOX Sports Radio’s “The Odd Couple” featuring Parker and Chris Broussard at 7:00 pm. Parker plans to fill the overnight hours with podcasts featuring Black hosts. Read the Awful Announcing story here.

Ratings Takeaways

Round Two of January PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s January 2024 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 January 4 – 31. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media Group’s news/talk WMAL-FM jumps 1.4 shares to finish with a 4.5 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #7 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM leaps two full shares to an 8.3 share good for the #2 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFYI rises two-tenths to a 3.1 share but falls two posts to the #10 rank, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM adds four-tenths for a 2.6 share finish and remains ranked #14. In Baltimore, Hearst Television’s news/talk WBAL-AM adds 1.6 shares to finish with a 4.3 share that boosts it to the #9 rank, while WCBM Maryland’s news/talk WCBM-AM tacks on four-tenths for a 1.9 share finish that lifts it to the #15 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

January 2024 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imJanuary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the January 2024 PPM ratings period (January 4 – January 31) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NBA and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 3.1 – 4.5, #9 – #7

WFED DNA – .1, DNA – #29 (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 6.3 – 8.3, #4 – #2

WDCH .5 – .6, #23 – #23

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.6 – 2.8, #15 – #15 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream .6 – 1.0, #21 – #20 (Capitals)

WTEM .2 – .4, #26 – #25 (Wizards)

WTEM Stream .2 – .3, #26 – #26 (Wizards)

WJFK-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #29 (Capitals)

WSBN DNA – .1, DNA – #29

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 11.5 – 12.7, 27th month in succession at #1

Note: All-news WTOP & WTLP’s +2.0 (6.3- 8.3) represents a tie for the largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets. 

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 3.1 – 2.8, #9 – #15

WXKS-AM .9 – .7, #24 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.7 – 4.6, #5 – #6

Business news WRCA .1 – .1, #29 – #28

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 9.2 – 11.2, #2 – #1 (Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 2.8 – 3.9, #13 – #11

WEEI-FM Stream .4 – DNA, #25 – DNA

WEEI-AM .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 6.1 – 6.0, #3 – #3

WGBH 3.9 – 4.2, #6 – #9

Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s +2.0 (9.2- 11.2) represents a tie for the largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.2 – 1.4, #23 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.3 – 1.2, #22 – #25 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .5 – .5, #27 – #27

WMEN .1 – .2, #36 – #33

WQAM Stream .1 – .1, #36 – #36 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 3.3 – 4.1, #10 – #6

WLRN-HD2 .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.0 – 4.2, #6 – #7

KTTH 1.3 – 1.9, #23 – #21

KVI 1.0 – 1.3, #24  – #24

KPTR DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.3 – 2.6, #20 – #19

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KJR-FM 2.6 – 4.2, #17 – #7 (Kraken)

KIRO-AM 2.8 – 3.3, #15 – #14

KJR-AM .9 – .8, #25 – #25

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 6.2 – 6.9, #3 – #2

KSWS .1 – DNA, #32 – DNA

Note: Sports talk KJR-FM’s +1.6 (2.6- 4.2) represents a tie for Seattle’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase. 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.4 – 2.1, #15 – #16

WFDF .4 – .5, #23 – #23

WJR Stream .1 – .1, #28 – #29

News

WWJ 4.3 – 5.6, #9 – #8 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .2 – .4, #26 – #24 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #28 – #29

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 8.6 – 9.8, #2 – #1 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.2 – 1.8, #19 – #17 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .2 – .3, #26 – #28

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.2 – 1.6, #19 – #19

WUOM 1.1 – 1.1, #21 – #21

PHOENIX

News/Talk

KFYI 2.9 – 3.1, #8 – #10

KTAR-FM 2.2 – 2.6, #14 – #14 (Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 1.5 – 1.9, #23 – #20 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – .1, #32 – #31

KGME .1 – .1, #32 – #31

KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #32 – #31 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 2.6 – 3.0, #11 – #11

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 3.8 – 4.7, #10 – #10 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 1.9 – 2.9, #17 – #14

KTLK-AM 1.6 – 1.8, #19 – #19

WCCO Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #31 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #31 – #31

Sports Talk

KFXN 6.8 – 7.5, #3 – #2 (Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .2 – .2, #27 – #27

KSTP-AM .1 – .1, #31 – #31

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 5.2 – 6.6, #4 – #4

KNOW Stream .7 – .8, #23 – #23

Note: Public radio news/talk KNOW’s +1.4 (5.2- 6.6) represents Minneapolis’ largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

SAN DIEGO 

News/Talk

KOGO 3.9 – 4.9, #6 – #5

KLSD .3 – .4, #28 – #25

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 2.8 – 3.9, #14 – #10

KGB-AM 1.0 – .8, #20 – #21

KWFN Stream .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 4.7 – 6.2, #4 – #2 

Note: Public radio news/talk KPBS’ +1.5 (4.7- 6.2) represents a tie for San Diego’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 4.1 – 5.3, #7 – #3 (Lightning)

WFLA 3.2 – 4.1, #13 – #11

News

Business news WHNZ DNA – .1, DNA – #34

Sports Talk

WDAE 1.6– 2.1, #18 – #17

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 1.9 – 2.3, #17 – #16

WMNF-HD3 Stream .5 – .4, #23 – #26

WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: News/talk WHPT’s +1.2 (4.1- 5.3) represents Tampa’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 2.7 – 3.0, #14 – #14

KDFD 1.3 – 1.4, #22 – #22

KHOW 1.4 – 1.4, #19 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 3.5 – 4.0, #10 – #10

KKSE-FM 2.0 – 3.0, #18 – #14 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KAMP DNA – .1, DNA – #35

KEPN .1 – DNA, #35 – DNA

KKSE-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 3.0 – 4.5, #13 – #7

KUNC .7 – 1.0, #26 – #25

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 2.7 – 4.3, #11 – #9

WCBM 1.5 – 1.9, #17 – #15

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.0 – 1.4,  #20 – #17

WDCH  .8 – .9,  #22 – #19

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 4.5 – 4.8, #6 – #6

WJZ-FM Stream .1 – DNA, #31 – DNA

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 3.4 – 3.4, #9 – #12

WYPR HD2 Stream .2 – DNA, #28 – DNA 

Note: News/talk WBAL’s +1.6 (2.7- 4.3) represents a tie for Baltimore’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 2.8 – 3.7, #14 – #13

KFTK 1.5 – 2.2, #17 – #15

KTLK-FM 1.1 – 1.3, #18 – #18

KMOX Stream .2 – .4, #24 – #23

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #24 – #28

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .2 – .3, #24 – #25

Sports Talk

WXOS 3.9 – 5.7, #12 – #7 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 4.5 – 5.1, #8 – #9 

Note: Sports talk WXOS’ +1.8 (3.9- 5.7) represents St. Louis’ largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

Up next: January 2024 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

WXYT-FM, Detroit’s Mike Stone Signs Off

Longtime Detroit sports media personality Mike Stone, a.k.a., Stoney, co-hosted his last show on Friday (2/16) as he retires from Audacy’s WXYT-FM, Detroit “97.1 The Ticket.” The Detroit News report says,im “He arrived in the area in 1986, and in 1994, he helped launch WDFN ‘The Fan.’ In the late 1990s, he teamed with Bob Wojnowski for the ‘Stoney and Wojo Show,’ that made Stone a household name for decades to come.” Stone told his listeners, “I am somewhat sad that I will not be on the air every day. But I know that sadness ends when there’s no fricking alarm at 4:30 in the morning.” Read the Detroit News’ coverage here.

Industry News

Industry and Nation Mourn Death of Joe Madison

Talk radio host Joe Madison – also known for much of his career as The Black Eagle – died on Thursday (2/1) at 74 after a battle with cancer. His family released the following statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Joe Madison. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Joe dedicated his life to fighting for all those who are undervalued, underestimated, and marginalized. On air he often posed the question, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ Although he is no longer with us, we hope you will join us in answering that call by continuing to be proactive in the fight against injustice. The outpouring of prayers and support over the last few months lifted Joe’s spirits and strengthened us as a family. We continue to ask for privacy as we gather together to support each other through this difficult time.” Madison had been hosting the morning drive program on SiriusXM’s Urban View channel since 2008. Before he went into radio, Madison had become the youngest Detroit NAACP chapter leader at 24 years old. While Madison dabbled in radio while at Washington University in St. Louis, he first worked in commercial radio at Detroit’s WXYZ. From there he hosted a show on WWDB-FM, Philadelphia before moving to Washington, DC for a long stint at WWRC. He moved across town to Radio One-owned WOL, Washington where he hosted the afternoon drive show and served as program director. At this time, Radio One began syndicating his show nationally and it was simultaneously added to the lineup at SiriusXM. TALKERS founder Michael Harrison issued the following statement: “Joe Madison was one of the greatest of the greats among radio talk show hosts of the modern era. He transcended the role of ‘talent’ to rise among the ranks of America’s most influential civil rights thought leaders. His devoted following crossed the boundaries of race, age, gender, and politics. During his illustrious career, in addition to receiving countless awards in the fields of broadcasting and activism, he was a recipient of TALKERS magazine’s two most important honors, the Freedom of Speech Award and the Humanitarian of the Year Award. I am humbled to have had the privilege of this great man’s friendship for more than three decades and will treasure his inspiring memory for the rest of my days.”

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.

Ratings Takeaways

Holiday 2023 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imHoliday 2023 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2023 ratings period (December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below is that they be a Nielsen Audiosubscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are December 2023 – Holiday 2023 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 3.5 – 3.1, #9 – #9

WFED DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 6.9 – 6.3, #3 – #4

WDCH .5 – .5, #23 – #23

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.4 – 2.6, #17 – #15 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream .5 – .6, #23 – #21 (Capitals)

WTEM Stream .2 – .2, #26 – #26 (Wizards)

WTEM .1 – .2, #28 – #26 (Wizards)

WSBN .1 – DNA, #28 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 11.3 – 11.5, 26th month in succession at #1

The flagship of the Commanders is classic rock WBIG. 

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 2.9 – 3.1, #14 – #9

WXKS-AM .8 – .9, #23 – #24

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 5.1 – 4.7, #5 – #5

Business news WRCA .1 – .1, #27 – #29

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 9.2 – 9.2, #2 – #2 (New England Patriots, Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 3.2 – 2.8, #12 – #13

WEEI-FM Stream DNA – .4, DNA – #25

WEEI-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #29

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 5.6 – 6.1, #3 – #3

WGBH 4.2 – 3.9, #8 – #6

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.4 – 1.2, #22 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.2 – 1.3, #24 – #22 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .5 – .5, #28 – #27 (Dolphins)

WMEN .1 – .1, #36 – #36

WQAM Stream .1 – .1, #36 – #36 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 3.6 – 3.3, #8 – #10

WLRN-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #36

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.1 – 4.0, #9 – #6 (Seahawks)

KTTH 1.6 – 1.3, #22 – #23

KVI 1.6 – 1.0, #22 – #24

KPTR DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.6 – 2.3, #19 – #20

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 3.0 – 2.8, #16 – #15 (Seahawks)

KJR-FM 3.6 – 2.6, #11 – #17 (Kraken)

KJR-AM .7 – .9, #26 – #25

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 6.2 – 6.2, #2 – #3

KSWS .1 – .1, #32 – #32 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.3 – 2.4, #16 – #15

WFDF .4 – .4, #23 – #23

WJR Stream .2 – .1, #25 – #28

News

WWJ 4.3 – 4.3, #9 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .2 – .2, #25 – #26 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #30 – #28

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 9.6 – 8.6, #2 – #2 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.7 – 1.2, #18 – #19 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #25 – #26

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.2 – 1.2, #20 – #19

WUOM 1.0 – 1.1, #21 – #21

PHOENIX 

News/Talk

KFYI 3.2 – 2.9, #8 – #8

KTAR-FM 1.8 – 2.2, #23 – #14 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 2.1 – 1.5, #19 – #23 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – .1, #33 – #32

KGME .1 – .1, #33 – #32

KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #33 – #32 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 2.8 – 2.6, #11 – #11   

Note: Adult contemporary KESZ’s 18.5 represents the largest (6+) share by any station in the first two rounds of “Holiday” 2023 results.

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.0 – 3.8, #11 – #10 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 2.3 – 1.9, #16 – #17

KTLK-AM 1.7 – 1.6, #17 – #19

WCCO Stream .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #31

Sports Talk

KFXN 7.6 – 6.8, #3 – #3 (Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .3 – .2, #27 – #27

KSTP-AM .1 – .1, #29 – #31

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 5.5 – 5.2, #5 – #4

KNOW Stream .7 – .7, #23 – #23

SAN DIEGO 

News/Talk

KOGO 3.8 – 3.9, #9 – #6

KLSD .2 – .3, #26 – #28

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 3.4 – 2.8, #11 – #14

KGB-AM 1.0 – 1.0, #21 – #20

KWFN Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #30

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 5.9 – 4.7, #4 – #4

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 4.8 – 4.1, #8 – #7 (Lightning)

WFLA 3.9 – 3.2, #10 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WDAE 1.9– 1.6, #17 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 1.7 – 1.9, #18 – #17

WMNF-HD3 Stream .4 – .5, #29 – #23

WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: Rock WXTB is the flagship of the Buccaneers.

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 3.1 – 2.7, #13 – #14 (Broncos)

KHOW 1.8 – 1.4, #20 – #19

KDFD 1.4 – 1.3, #22 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 3.8 – 3.5, #10 – #10

KKSE-FM 2.4 – 2.0, #16 – #18 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KEPN .1 – .1, #35 – #35

KKSE-AM .1 – DNA, #35 – DNA

KAMP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 2.7 – 3.0, #14 – #13

KUNC .4 – .7, #30 – #26  

Note: Adult contemporary KOSI’s +6.4 (10.1- 16.5) represents a tie for the largest (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 3.4 – 2.7, #10 – #11 (Ravens)

WCBM 1.6 – 1.5, #17 – #17

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.1 – 1.0,  #18 – #20

WDCH  .8 – .8,  #21 – #22

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 4.2 – 4.5, #8 – #6

WJZ-FM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #31

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 3.3 – 3.4, #11 – #9

WYPR HD2 Stream .2 – .2, #26 – #28

Note: CHR WWMX’s -2.3 (5.3 – 3.0) is the largest (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 decrease by any station in the first two rounds of “Holiday” 2023 results.

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 3.0 – 2.8, #13 – #14

KFTK 1.6 – 1.5, #17 – #17

KTLK-FM 1.1 – 1.1, #18 – #18

KMOX Stream .3 – .2, #23 – #24

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #25 – #24

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .3 – .2, #23 – #24

Sports Talk

WXOS 4.1 – 3.9, #11 – #12 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 4.0 – 4.5, #12 – #8

Note: Adult contemporary KEZK’s +6.4 (9.3- 15.7) represents a tie for the largest (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

Up next: “Holiday” 2023 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus. 

Reach Mike Kinosian at: Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

December 2023 PPM Ratings – Part Two

December 2023 PPM Data – Information for the December 2023 ratings period (November 9 – December 6) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below is that they be a Nielsen Audiosubscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are November 2023 – December 2023 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.6 – 3.5, #6 – #9

WFED .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 7.4 – 6.9, #3 – #3

WDCH .6 – .5, #23 – #23

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.8 – 2.4, #14 – #17 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream .8 – .5, #21 – #23 (Capitals)

WTEM Stream .3 – .2, #25 – #26 (Wizards)

WTEM .2 – .1, #27 – #28 (Wizards)

WSBN DNA – .1, DNA – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 12.7 – 11.3, 25th month in succession at #1

Notes: Even though WAMU’s -1.4 (12.7 – 11.3) represents Washington, DC’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease, the public radio news/talk station remains #1 for the 25th straight month.

The flagship of the Commanders is classic rock WBIG.

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 2.5 – 2.9, #14 – #14

WXKS-AM .8 – .8, #23 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 5.0 – 5.1, #6 – #5

Business news WRCA .1 – .1, #27 – #27

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 10.7 – 9.2, following three straight months at #1, slips to #2 (New England Patriots, Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 3.6 – 3.2, #10 – #12

WEEI-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 6.4 – 5.6, #2 – #3

WGBH 3.9 – 4.2, #9 – #8

Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s -1.5 (10.7 – 9.2) represents Boston’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.4 – 1.4, #24 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 2.1 – 1.2, #20 – #24 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .5 – .5, #29 – #28 (Dolphins)

WMEN .4 – .1, #31 – #36

WQAM Stream .1 – .1, #37 – #36 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 3.9 – 3.6, #7 – #8

Note: Sports talk WQAM’s -.9 (2.1 – 1.2) represents Miami’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.7 – 4.1, #6 – #9 (Seahawks)

KTTH 1.6 – 1.6, #21 – #22

KVI 1.5 – 1.6, #23 – #22

KPTR .1 – DNA, #32 – DNA

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.6 – 2.6, #18 – #19

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KJR-FM 3.1 – 3.6, #12 – #11 (Kraken)

KIRO-AM 3.1 – 3.0, #12 – #16 (Seahawks)

KJR-AM .6 – .7, #26 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 6.8 – 6.2, #2 – #2

KSWS .1 – .1, #32 – #32 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.4 – 2.3, #16 – #16

WFDF .4 – .4, #23 – #23

WJR Stream .2 – .2, #26 – #25

News

WWJ 4.6 – 4.3, #9 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .4 – .2, #23 – #25 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #31 – #30

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 9.6 – 9.6, after three straight months at #1, falls to #2 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.5 – 1.7, #20 – #18 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #26 – #25

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.2 – 1.2, #21 – #20

WUOM 1.6 – 1.0, #18 – #21

PHOENIX 

News/Talk

KFYI 3.3 – 3.2, #11 – #8

KTAR-FM 2.7 – 1.8, #14 – #23 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 3.5 – 2.1, #7 – #19 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-AM .2 – .1, #31 – #33 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – .1, #34 – #33

KGME .1 – .1, #34 – #33

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 3.1 – 2.8, #12 – #11

Notes: Sports talk KMVP-FM’s -1.4 (3.5 – 2.1) represents Phoenix’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.

Adult contemporary KESZ boasts the highest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 increase (+7.0) by any station in the first two rounds of PPM results, as well as posting the largest (6+) share (8.2 – 15.2).

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.0 – 4.0, #12 – #11 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 2.4 – 2.3, #16 – #16

KTLK-AM 2.0 – 1.7, #17 – #17

WCCO Stream .1 – .1, #30 – #29 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Sports Talk

KFXN 8.9 – 7.6, #2 – #3 (Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .3 – .3, #26 – #27

KSTP-AM .2 – .1, #28 – #29

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 5.7 – 5.5, #5 – #5

KNOW Stream .7 – .7, #23 – #23

SAN DIEGO

News/Talk

KOGO 4.2 – 3.8, #6 – #9

KLSD .3 – .2, #26 – #26

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 3.6 – 3.4, #11 – #11

KGB-AM 1.3 – 1.0, #20 – #21

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 6.2 – 5.9, #2 – #4

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 4.5 – 4.8, #6 – #8 (Lightning)

WFLA 4.4 – 3.9, #7 – #10

News

None

Sports Talk

WDAE 1.8– 1.9, #17 – #17

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 1.6 – 1.7, #20 – #18

WMNF-HD3 Stream .1 – .4, #33 – #29

WUSF Stream .3 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Note: Rock WXTB is the flagship of the Buccaneers.

DENVER

News/Talk

KOA 3.3 – 3.1, #13 – #13 (Broncos)

KHOW 1.8 – 1.8, #21 – #20

KDFD 2.0 – 1.4, #20 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 4.2 – 3.8, #10 – #10

KKSE-FM 2.1 – 2.4, #19 – #16 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KEPN DNA – .1, DNA – #35

KKSE-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #35

KAMP .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 4.0 – 2.7, #11 – #14

KUNC .4 – .4, #31 – #30  

Note: Public radio news/talk KCFR’s -1.3 (4.0 – 2.7) represents Denver’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 3.7 – 3.4, #11 – #10 (Ravens)

WCBM 1.8 – 1.6, #17 – #17

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.3 – 1.1,  #18 – #18

WDCH  .9 – .8,  #20 – #21

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 5.1 – 4.2, #5 – #8

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 4.5 – 3.3, #9 – #11

WYPR HD2 Stream .3 – .2, #26 – #26

Note: Public radio news/talk WYPR’s -1.2 (4.5 – 3.3) represents Baltimore’s largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 4.0 – 3.0, #11 – #13

KFTK 1.9 – 1.6, #17 – #17

KTLK-FM 1.0 – 1.1, #19 – #18

KMOX Stream .2 – .3, #25 – #23

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #25 – #25

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .2 – .3, #25 – #23

Sports Talk

WXOS 3.7 – 4.1, #12 – #11 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 4.9 – 4.0, #9 – #12

Note: News/talk KMOX’s -1.0 (4.0 – 3.0) represents St. Louis’ largest (6+) November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.

Up next: December 2023 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus. 

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

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

Round Two of November PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s November 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 ran from October 12 through November 8. 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 is up six-tenths for a 4.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish that lifts it to the #6 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM declines seven-tenths to a 7.4 share as it falls to the #3 rank after 10 months at #2. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM adds half a share to finish with a 4.7 share that lifts it to the #6 rank, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM rises four-tenths for a 2.6 share good for the #18 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI falls seven-tenths to a 3.3 share that leaves it ranked #11, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM tacks on three-tenths for a 2.7 share finish that lifts it to the #14 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

November 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Two

imNovember 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 ratings period (October 12 – November 8) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are October 2023 – November 2023 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.0 – 4.6, #7 – #6

WFED DNA – .1, DNA – #30 (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 8.1 – 7.4, falls to #3, after ten straight months at #2

WDCH .7 – .6, #22 – #23

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.8 – 2.8, #14 – #14 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream .9 – .8, #21 – #21 (Capitals)

WTEM Stream .2 – .3, #29 – #25 (Wizards)

WTEM .3 – .2, #25 – #27 (Wizards)

WSBN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 11.9 – 12.7, 24th month in succession at #1

The flagship of the Commanders is classic rock WBIG.

Note: Public radio news/talk WAMU’s +.8 (11.9 – 12.7) represents a tie for Washington, DC’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase (6+). Meanwhile, news WTOP & WTLP’s -.7 (8.1 – 7.4) is the market’s highest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 2.3 – 2.5, #16 – #14

WXKS-AM .8 – .8, #23 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.5 – 5.0, #8 – #6

Business news WRCA DNA – .1, DNA – #27

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 10.9 – 10.5, #1 for the third straight month (New England Patriots, Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 3.8 – 3.6, #10 – #10

WEEI-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 5.4 – 6.4, #3 – #2

WGBH 3.8 – 3.9, #10 – #9

Note: Public radio news/talk WBUR’s +1.0 (5.4 – 6.4) represents Boston’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase (6+).

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 2.0 – 1.4, #21 – #24

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 2.3 – 2.1, #19 – #20 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .5 – .5, #29 – #29 (Dolphins)

WMEN .2 – .4, #35 – #31

WQAM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #37 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 3.9 – 3.9, #5 – #7

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.2 – 4.7, #8 – #6 (Seahawks)

KTTH 1.5 – 1.6, #23 – #21

KVI 1.8 – 1.5, #22 – #23

KPTR .1 – .1, #32 – #32

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.2 – 2.6, #20 – #18

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 4.3 – 3.1, #6 – #12 (Seahawks)

KJR-FM 3.0 – 3.1, #14 – #12 (Kraken)

KJR-AM .4 – .6, #26 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 7.6 – 6.8, #1 – #2

KSWS DNA – .1, DNA – #32

Note: Sports talk KIRO-AM’s -1.2 (4.3 – 3.1) represents Seattle’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+). 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.3 – 2.4, #16 – #16

WFDF .4 – .4, #24 – #23

WJR Stream .1 – .2, #28 – #26

News

WWJ 4.6 – 4.6, #9 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .7 – .4, #22 – #23 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #28 – #31

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 10.1 – 9.6, #1 for the third consecutive month (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 2.4 – 1.5, #14 – #20 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #25 – #26

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUOM 1.5 – 1.6, #20 – #18

WDET 1.2 – 1.2, #21 – #21 

Note: The -.9 (2.4 – 1.5) posted by the stream of sports talk WXYT-FM represents a tie for Detroit’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

PHOENIX 

News/Talk

KFYI 4.0 – 3.3, #7 – #11

KTAR-FM 2.4 – 2.7, #16 – #14 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 2.7 – 3.5, #14 – #7 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-AM .2 – .2, #31 – #31 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – .1, #33 – #34

KGME .1 – .1, #33 – #34

KTAR-FM HD2 .1 – DNA, #33 – DNA

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 3.7 – 3.1, #9 – #12   

Note: News/talk KFYI’s -.7 (4.0 – 3.3) represents the largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+) for Phoenix.

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.6 – 4.0, #10 – #12 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 2.4 – 2.4, #16 – #16

KTLK-AM 1.8 – 2.0, #19 – #17

WCCO Stream .6 – .1, #24 – #30 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #32 – #30

Sports Talk

KFXN 7.8 – 8.9, #2 – #2 (Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .2 – .3, #28 – #26

KSTP-AM .2 – .2, #28 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 6.0 – 5.7, #5 – #5

KNOW Stream .7 – .7, #23 – #23

Oddity: Five stations – including news/talk WCCO (4.6 – 4.0, -.6) are tied for Minneapolis’ largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

SAN DIEGO 

News/Talk

KOGO 5.4 – 4.2, #5 – #6

KLSD .3 – .3, #26 – #26

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 4.2 – 3.6, #6 – #11

KGB-AM 1.2 – 1.3, #20 – #20

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 6.3 – 6.2, #3 – #2

Note: News/talk KOGO’s -1.2 (5.4 – 4.2) represents San Diego’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 4.7 – 4.5, #6 – #6 (Lightning)

WFLA 4.6 – 4.4, #8 – #7

News

None

Sports Talk

WDAE 2.4– 1.8, #16 – #17

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 1.6 – 1.6, #20 – #20

WUSF Stream .5 – .3, #25 – #30

WMNF-HD3 Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #33

Note: Rock WXTB is the flagship of the Buccaneers.

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 4.5 – 3.3, #6 – #13 (Broncos)

KDFD 2.1 – 2.0, #19 – #20

KHOW 1.8 – 1.8, #21 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 4.5 – 4.2, #6 – #10

KKSE-FM 2.0 – 2.1, #20 – #19 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KAMP DNA – .1, DNA – #36

KEPN .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 3.9 – 4.0, #13 – #11

KUNC .8 – .4, #27 – #31

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 4.8 – 3.7, #8 – #11 (Ravens)

WCBM 1.7 – 1.8, #17 – #17

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.1 – 1.3,  #18 – #18

WDCH  .8 – .9,  #20 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 5.1 – 5.1, #7 – #5

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 4.0 – 4.5, #10 – #9

WYPR HD2 Stream DNA – .3, DNA – #36 

Note: News/talk WBAL’s -1.1 (4.8 – 3.7) represents Baltimore’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 5.0 – 4.0, #9 – #11

KFTK 1.8 – 1.9, #16 – #17

KTLK-FM .9 – 1.0, #20 – #19

KMOX Stream .4 – .2, #23 – #25

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #27 – #25

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .3 – .2, #24 – #25

Sports Talk

WXOS 3.2 – 3.7, #14 – #12 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 4.0 – 4.9, #11 – #9

Note: While public radio news/talk KWMU’s +.9 (4.0 – 4.9) represents St. Louis’ largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase (6+), news/talk KMOX’s -1.0 (5.0 – 4.0) is the market’s highest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

Up next: November 2023 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus. 

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Audacy Unveils Town Hall Program Across All-News Stations

Audacy announces a new, quarterly town hall program called “Audacy Conversations” involving 12 of its all-news formatted stations. The company says, “The quarterly program will feature a robust week of coordinated local coverage in Audacy’s news markets, a live town hall broadcast rotationally hosted by one of its brands and a syndicated news special heard across participating news and news/talk brands and nationwide via the Audacy app.” Audacy VP of news Bill Smee comments, “‘Audacy Conversations’ aims to foster meaningful conversations on vital topics, exemplifying the core of Audacy’s news platform and radio’s unwavering commitment to informing and connecting the local communities we serve. We look forward to leveraging the power and influence of our combined news brands to cultivateim conversations and connections on topics relevant to our local communities throughout the year.” The next “Audacy Conversations” explores the state of downtown. It says, “Over three years later, America’s cities are still grappling with challenges and unexpected fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. WBBM Newsradio (WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM) in Chicago will host a live town hall on November 9 to explore those impacts in-depth and what’s at stake for businesses and community members as cities look to revitalize their downtowns.” The program will air on WBBM Newsradio, KRLD NewsRadio 1080 (KRLD-AM) in Dallas, WWJ News Radio 950 (WWJ-AM) in Detroit, KNX News 97.1 FM (KNX-FM) in Los Angeles, WCBS 880 (WCBS-AM) in New York, KYW Newsradio (103.9 FM/1060 AM) in Philadelphia and KCBS All News (106.9 FM/740 AM) in San Francisco on November 16 at 7:00 pm local time. It will also air on WBEN-AM, Buffalo; WCCO-AM, Minneapolis; WWL-AM/FM, New Orleans; KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh; and KMOX-AM, St. Louis. Throughout the week of November 13 to 17, the all-news stations will air special content catered to the town hall topics, including interviews, news stories and feature reporting.

Industry News

WFDF, Detroit Begins Simulcast on HD Signal

Detroit news/talk outlet WFDF-AM adds an FM HD signal to its broadcast via Audacy’s WOMC-HD2 at 104.3 FM. The Adell Media-owned station recently flipped from urban talk (with a very brief stint as sports talk in between) to conservative news/talk and now positions itself as “910 AM Superstation –im Detroit’s News/Talk Radio Station.” The station features local host Justin Barclay in morning drive with Premiere Networks syndicated shows including “The Glenn Beck Program,” “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show,” “The Sean Hannity Show,” “The Jesse Kelly Show,” Key Networks’ “The Bill O’Reilly Show” and Red Apple Media’s “The Other Side of Midnight with Frank Morano.” The station is promoting itself with a heavy media schedule on iHeartMedia’s adult contemporary WNIC-FM, Detroit voiced by Sean Hannity. Adell Media CEO Kevin Adell says, “910 AM Superstation is living up to its name. The audience growth we’ve seen since launching our conservative news/talk lineup in September has been exponential, and we’re looking forward to reaching even more listeners on 104.3 HD2.”

Industry News

Round Two of October PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s October 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 was September 14 through October 11. 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 rises one-tenth to finish with a 4.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP dropped six-tenths to an 8.1 share and stays locked in the #2 rank. In Detroit, Audacy’s all-news WWJ adds six-tenths for a 4.6 share finish and rises to the #9 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR rises half a share for a 2.3 share that lifts it to the #16 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here. Note that missing data from yesterday’s first round of markets for the San Jose and Middlesex-Somerset-Union markets has been published and is included in yesterday’s Takeaways.

Ratings Takeaways

October 2023 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imOctober 2023 PPM Data – Information for the October 2023 ratings period (September 14 – October 11) has been released for: Washington, DC, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are September 2023 – October 2023 (6+).

 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 3.9 – 4.0, #7 – #7

WFED DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 8.7 – 8.1, tenth straight month at #2

WDCH .6 – .7, #23 – #22

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.6 – 2.8, #12 – #14 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream 1.1 – .9, #21 – #21 (Capitals)

WTEM .2 – .3, #27 – #25 (Wizards)

WTEM Stream .2 – .2, #27 – #29 (Wizards)

WSBN .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 12.0 – 11.9, 23rd month in succession at #1

Note: The flagship of the Commanders is classic rock WBIG. 

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 2.8 – 2.3, #15 – #16

WXKS-AM .6 – .8, #23 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 3.8 – 4.5, #10 – #8

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 7.8 – 10.9, back-to-back months at #1 (New England Patriots, Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 4.2 – 3.8, #9 – #10

WEEI-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 5.4 – 5.4, #3 – #3

WGBH 3.6 – 3.8, #11 – #10

Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s +3.1 (7.8 – 10.9) is the largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+) by any station in all 24 PPM-markets analyzed thus far.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.7 – 2.0, #21 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.4 – 2.3, #24 – #19 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .3 – .5, #32 – #29 (Dolphins)

WMEN .1 – .2, #36 – #35

WSFS-HD2 .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

WQAM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 3.8 – 3.9, #8 – #5    

Note: Sports talk WQAM’s +.9 (1.4 – 2.3) represents Miami’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+).

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.7 – 4.2, #6 – #8 (Seahawks)

KVI 1.7 – 1.8, #22 – #22

KTTH 1.4 – 1.5, #23 – #23

KPTR .1 – .1, #32 – #32

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.2 – 2.2, #20 – #20

KHHO .1 – DNA, #32 – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 6.0 – 4.3, #3 – #6 (Seahawks)

KJR-FM 2.3 – 3.0, #18 – #14 (Kraken)

KJR-AM .3 – .4, #27 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 5.9 – 7.6, #4 – #1

KSWS .1 – DNA, #32 – DNA

Note: Public radio news/talk KUOW’s +1.7 (5.9 – 7.6) represents Seattle’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+); conversely, sports talk KIRO-AM’s -1.7 (6.0 – 4.3) represents the market’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease. 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 1.8 – 2.3, #17 – #16

WFDF .1 – .4, #26 – #24

WJR Stream .1 – .1, #26 – #28

News

WWJ 4.0 – 4.6, #11 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .2 – .7, #24 – #22 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #26 – #28

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 8.6 – 10.1, #1 #1 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 2.0 – 2.4, #16 – #14 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .3 – .2, #23 – #25

WXYT-AM Stream .1 – DNA, #26 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUOM 1.8 – 1.5, #17 – #20

WDET 1.1 – 1.2, #20 – #21

PHOENIX 

News/Talk

KFYI 4.1 – 4.0, #5 – #7

KTAR-FM 2.9 – 2.4, #15 – #16 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 1.9 – 2.7, #22 – #14 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-AM .2 – .2, #32 – #31 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – .1, #34 – #33

KGME .1 – .1, #34 – #33

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – 33

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 3.9 – 3.7, #6 – #9

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 3.3 – 4.6, #12 – #10 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 2.3 – 2.4, #16 – #16

KTLK-AM 1.4 – 1.8, #19 – #18

WCCO Stream .3 – .6, #26 – #24 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #30 – #32

Sports Talk

KFXN 6.8 – 7.8, #4 – #2 (Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .1 – .2, #30 – #28

KSTP-AM .1 – .2, #30 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 6.2 – 6.0, #5 – #5

KNOW Stream .8 – .7, #23 – #23

Note: News/Talk WCCO’s +1.3 (3.3 – 4.6) represents Minneapolis’ largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase(6+).

SAN DIEGO

News/Talk

KOGO 4.7 – 5.4, #5 – #5

KLSD .3 – .3, #26 – #26

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 4.7 – 4.2, #5 – #6

KGB-AM .7 – 1.2, #23 – #20

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 6.2 – 6.3, #3 – #3

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 5.3 – 4.7, #5 – #6 (Lightning)

WFLA 4.0 – 4.6, #11 – #8

News

None

Sports Talk

WDAE 2.0 – 2.4, #19 – #16

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 2.3 – 1.6, #17 – #20

WUSF Stream .5 – .5, #25 – #25

Notes: Public Radio News Talk WUSF’s –.7 (2.3 – 1.6) represents a four-way tie for Tampa’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease (6+); rock WXTB is the flagship of the Buccaneers.

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 3.7 – 4.5, #13 – #6 (Broncos)

KDFD 1.7 – 2.1, #19 – #19

KHOW 1.5 – 1.8, #21 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 4.6 – 4.5, #7 – #6

KKSE-FM 1.4 – 2.0, #23 – #20 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KEPN DNA – .1, DNA – #36

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 4.2 – 3.9, #9 – #13

KUNC .5 – .8, #31 – #27

Note: News/Talk KOA’s +.8 (3.7 – 4.5) represents Denver’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+).

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 4.1 – 4.8, #8 – #8 (Ravens)

WCBM 1.8 – 1.7, #18 – #17

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.0 – 1.1,  #20 – #18

WDCH  .8 – .8,  #21 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 4.0 – 5.1, #9 – #7

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 4.5 – 4.0, #7 – #10

WYPR HD2 Stream .2 – DNA, #26 – DNA

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 5.8 – 5.0, #8 – #9

KFTK 1.9 – 1.8, #16 – #16

KTLK-FM 1.0 – .9, #19 – #20

KMOX Stream .5 – .4, #22 – #23

KFTK Stream .5 – .2, #22 – #27

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .4 – .3, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WXOS 2.3 – 3.2, #15 – #14 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 3.5 – 4.0, #13 – #11

Note: Sports talk WXOS’ +.9 (2.3 – 3.2) represents St. Louis’ largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase (6+).

Up next: October 2023 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.

 Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

WFDF, Detroit Owner Kevin Adell Unapologetic About New Programming

According to a piece in the Detroit Metro News, WFDF, Detroit owner Kevin Adell is all-in on the new conservative talk format recently installed on the station after several years airing an urban talk format. The station flipped after Labor Day and has been airing Premiere Networks syndicated shows includingim Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Jesse Kelly, and Clay Travis & Buck Sexton, as well as Key NetworksBill O’Reilly. The story indicates the station’s cume has skyrocketed from about 2,100 listeners per month to 29,000 in the first week after the change (Sept. 7-13). Adell tells the paper he has no regrets about the move, “The more divided we are, the better it is for radio. It comes down to one thing — show business. If we live in a utopia, we have nothing to talk about.” Adell also says he expects cume to jump to 200,000 per month as he continues to promote the new lineup. At the time of the change, the Black community was upset with the firing of the (unpaid) hosts and the format flip, but Adell said it was purely a business move. “[T]he format was no longer profitable and only attracted about 2,100 listeners a month, an abysmally small audience for a radio station. When you look at it, no one supported it. I couldn’t get the community to support it.” Read the Metro News piece here.

Industry News

Round Two of September PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s September 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 September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM adds four-tenths to finish with a 3.9 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and stays ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM dips six-tenths for an 8.7 share finish but stays ranked #2 for the ninth straight month. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM is steady with a 4.7 share but rises one spot to #6, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM tacks on two-tenths for a 2.2 share finish but falls to the #20 rank. And in Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI-AM is up two-tenths to finish the survey with a 4.1 share that lifts it from #10 to #5, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM sheds one-tenth to finish with a 2.9 share that keeps it ranked #15. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.