Industry News

Round Four of February PPMs Released

imThe fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Austin, Waterloo Media’s news/talk KLBJ-AM drops six-tenths to finish with a 5.1 share (6+, weekly AQH share) but remains ranked #5, while Audacy’s news/talk KJCE-AM rises two-tenths for a 0.3 share and stays ranked #28. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM rises half a share to finish with an 8.0 share that lifts it to the #3 rank, while Curtis Media’s news/talk WPTF loses two-tenths for a 0.8 share finish good for the #19 rank. In Nashville, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM tacks on three-tenths to wrap the survey with a 5.7 share and inches up to the #5 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLAC is steady with a 2.1 share but moves up one spot to the #17 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

February 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imFebruary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the February 2024 survey period (February 1 – February 28) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here 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 January 2024 – February 2024 (6+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 5.7 – 5.1, #5 – #5

KJCE .1 – .3, #28 – #28

News

None

Sports Talk

KVET-AM .8 – .9, #22 – #21

KBPA-HD2  1.1 – .5, #19 – #24

KTAE DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 6.9 – 7.4, #3 – #2

KUT-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 7.5 – 8.0, #4  – #3

WPTF 1.0 – .8, #18 – #19

News

WRAL-HD3 .3 – .3, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.4 – 2.2, #11 – #15 (Carolina Hurricanes)

WCMC-FM HD2 DNA – .2, DNA – #25 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 9.0 – 8.5, #2 – #2

Note: Sports talk WCMC-FM’s -1.2 (3.4 – 2.2) represents Raleigh’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 5.1 – 4.9, #7 – #10

News

WOLT-HD2 .2 – .2, #25 – #25

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  3.7 – 3.0, #13 – #16

WNDE .5 – .5, #22 – #21

WXNT DNA – .2, DNA – #25

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 4.6 – 4.6, #8 – #11

Sports talk WFNI (DNA – DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 11.5 – 9.0, sixth consecutive month at #1

WLIP .1 – .1, #26 – #27

WTMJ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

WGKB DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 3.7 – 2.1, #11 – #15

WOKY .2 – .2, #23 – #20

WSSP .2 – .2, #23 – #20

WKTI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 2.2 – 2.6, #14 – #13

WHAD 1.2 – 1.2, #16 – #17

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Notes: News/talk WISN’s -2.5 (11.5 – 9.0) represents Milwaukee’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease.

Sports talk outlets WOKY and WSSP are part of a seven-way tie at #20

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 5.4 – 5.7, #6 – #5

WLAC 2.1 – 2.1, #18 – #17

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 8.0 – 4.9, #2 – #9

WPRT 2.3 – 1.5, #17 – #19 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.9 – 4.9, #8 – #9

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .2, #23 – #24 

Note: Sports talk WGFX’s -3.1 (8.0 – 4.9) is the largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 decrease by any station in the 48 PPM-markets.

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.9 – 6.8, #4 – #4

WHJJ  1.0 – 1.1, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WVEI 2.1 – 1.7, #9 – #11

WBZ-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 2.1 – 2.4, #9 – #8

WNPN 1.5 – 1.4, #12 – #12

WCAI .1 – .1, #18 – #18

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  2.3 – 2.0, #14 – #14

WGH-FM HD2  .2 – .2, #23 – #23

News

WNOH .3 – .3, #21 – #22

Sports Talk

WVSP 1.9 – 1.4, #15 – #16

WGH-AM .2 – .2, #23 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

None

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 8.0 – 8.9, #3 – #3

News

WJBT-HD2 .2 – DNA, #24 – DNA

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .4 – .2, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 1.6 – 2.2, #16 – #13   

Note: News/talk WOKV-FM’s +.9 (8.0 – 8.9) represents Jacksonville’s largest (6+) January 2024 – February 2024 increase.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 3.0 – 2.3, #7 – #9

WZZR 1.3 – 1.4 #14 – #13

WJNO .9 – 1.1, #15 – #14

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .7 – .5, #16 – #16

WBZT .4 – .4, #18 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.8 – 2.1, #9 – #10

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA    

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 3.5 – 3.2 #9 – #10

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 5.3 – 4.7, #6 – #6

WUNC 2.8 – 2.6, #11 – #12

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 1.4 – 1.5, #11 – #10

KWAM .5 – .4, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 3.2 – 2.5, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #14 – #14 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.9 – 1.7, #9 – #9

WKNO-HD2  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 6.6 – 5.7, #4 – #6

WDRC-AM 1.8 – 1.6, #14 – #14

WTIC-AM Stream .4 – .4, #18 – #18

WPOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.0 – 1.4, #13 – #16

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 4.1 – 5.1, #8 – #7

WFCR .6 – .4, #17 – #18 

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

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

Ratings Takeaways

January 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imJanuary 2024 PPM Data – Information for the January 2024 survey period (January 4 – January 31) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here 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+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 4.1 – 5.7, #6 – #5

KJCE .1 – .1, #31 – #28

News

None

Sports Talk

KBPA-HD2  1.4 – 1.1, #19 – #19

KVET-AM 1.1 – .8, #23 – #22

KTAE .9 – DNA, #24 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 5.3 – 6.9, #3 – #3

KUT-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

Note: The +1.6 by public radio news talk KUT (5.3 – 6.9) and news/talk KLBJ-AM (4.1 – 5.7) represent Austin’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase. 

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 5.0 – 7.5, #5  – #4

WPTF .6 – 1.0, #22 – #18

News

WRAL-HD3 .2 – .3, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.1 – 3.4, #12 – #11 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 7.9 – 9.0, #2 – #2

Note: News/talk WTKK’s +2.5 (5.0 – 7.5) represents Raleigh’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 4.8 – 5.1, #8 – #7

News

WOLT-HD2 .2 – .2, #25 – #25

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  3.0 – 3.7, #16 – #13

WNDE .3 – .5, #21 – #22

WXNT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 3.4 – 4.6, #11 – #8

Sports talk WFNI (DNA – DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.0 – 11.5, fifth consecutive month at #1

WLIP .1 – .1, #28 – #26

WTMJ 6.4 – DNA, #5 – DNA 

WGKB .1 – DNA, #28 – DNA  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.7 – 3.7, #15 – #11

WOKY .2 – .2, #22 – #23

WSSP .2 – .2, #22 – #23

WKTI 1.6 – DNA, #17 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 2.5 – 2.2, #16 – #14

WHAD .8 – 1.2, #20 – #16

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Note: News/talk WISN’s +2.5 (9.0 – 11.5) represents Milwaukee’s largest (6+) “Holiday” 2023 – January 2024 increase.

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 3.9 – 5.4, #12 – #6

WLAC 1.2 – 2.1, #19 – #18

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 6.9 – 8.0, #2 – #2

WPRT 2.0 – 2.3, #17 – #17 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.1 – 4.9, #11 – #8

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .2, #23 – #23

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 5.9 – 6.9, #5 – #4

WHJJ  .8 – 1.0, #15 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WVEI 2.0 – 2.1, #10 – #9

WBZ-FM 3.0 – DNA, #8 – DNA

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 1.6 – 2.1, #13 – #9

WNPN 1.3 – 1.5, after nine straight months at #14, moves to #12

WCAI .1 – .1, #20 – #18

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  2.0 – 2.3, #14 – #14

WGH-FM HD2  .2 – .2, #24 – #23

News

WNOH .2 – .3, #24 – #21

Sports Talk

WVSP 1.8 – 1.9, #15 – #15

WGH-AM .2 – .2, #24 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

None

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 6.5 – 8.0, #3 – #3

News

WJBT-HD2 DNA – .2, DNA – #24

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .4, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 1.8 – 1.6, #15 – #16

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.1 – 3.0, #9 – #7

WZZR 1.3 – 1.3 #13 – #14

WJNO .6 – .9, #15 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .6 – .7, #15 – #16

WBZT .2 – .4, #19 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 1.9 – 2.8, #10 – #9

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA    

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 3.3 – 3.5 #8 – #9

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 4.2 – 5.3, #7 – #6

WUNC 2.2 – 2.8, #13 – #11

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 1.0 – 1.4, #11 – #11

KWAM .4 – .5, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.8 – 3.2, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #15 – #14 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.6 – 1.9, #9 – #9

WKNO-HD2  .2 – DNA, #15 – DNA

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 5.2 – 6.6, #6 – #4

WDRC-AM 1.5 – 1.8, #15 – #14

WTIC-AM Stream .4 – .4, #19 – #18

WPOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.5 – 2.0, #11 – #13

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 4.0 – 4.1, #8 – #8

WFCR .6 – .6, #18 – #17

Mike Kinosian is managing editor at TALKERS magazine. Reach him at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

Holiday 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imHoliday 2023 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2023 survey period (December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here 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 December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 (6+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 4.6 – 4.1, #5 – #6

KJCE .3 – .1, #29 – #31

News

None

Sports Talk

KBPA-HD2  .8 – 1.4, #24 – #19

KVET-AM 1.4 – 1.1, #18 – #23

KTAE 1.0 – .9, #22 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 5.1 – 5.3, #4 – #3

KUT-HD2 .1 – DNA, #33 – DNA   

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 6.0 – 5.0, #4 – #5

WPTF .8 – .6, #20 – #22

News

WRAL-HD3 .3 – .2, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.3 – 3.1, #12 – #12 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 8.8 – 7.9, after back-to-back months at #1, slips to #2

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 5.3 – 4.8, #7 – #8

News

WOLT-HD2 .2 – .2, #25 – #25

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  3.5 – 3.0, #12 – #16 (Colts)

WNDE .9 – .3, #19 – #21

WXNT .2 – DNA, #25 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 4.2 – 3.4, #10 – #11

Notes: Adult contemporary WYXB registers the largest (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 increase(11.0 – 19.5, +8.5) by any station in all 48 PPM-markets.

Sports talk WFNI (DNA – DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.

MILWAUKEE

News/Talk

WISN 9.6 – 9.0, fourth consecutive month at #1

WTMJ 7.6 – 6.4, #3 – #5 

WLIP .2 – .1, #23 – #28  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 3.4 – 2.7, #13 – #15 (Green Bay Packers)

WKTI 1.3 – 1.6, #18 – #17

WSSP .2 – .2, #23 – #22

WOKY .1 – .2, #27 – #22

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 2.7 – 2.5, #14 – #16

WHAD .7 – .8, #21 – #20

WGKB .1 – .1, #27 – #28

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 4.3 – 3.9, #9 – #12

WLAC 1.5 – 1.2, #19 – #19

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 7.3 – 6.9, #3 – #2 (Tennessee Titans)

WPRT 1.6 – 2.0, #18 – #17 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.0 – 4.1, #11 – #11

WPLN-HD3 Stream .1 – .2, #23 – #23

PROVIDENCE

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.4 – 5.9, #5 – #5

WHJJ  .8 – .8, #15 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 3.2 – 3.0, #8 – #8

WVEI 2.3 – 2.0, #11 – #10

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 2.1 – 1.6, #12 – #13

WNPN 1.5 – 1.3, ninth straight month at #14

WCAI .1 – .1, #20 – #20

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  2.5 – 2.0, #11 – #14

WGH-FM HD2  .2 – .2, #23 – #24

News

WNOH .3 – .2, #20 – #24

Sports Talk

WVSP 1.7 – 1.8, #15 – #15

WTAR .3 – .3, #20 – #20

WGH-AM .2 – .2, #23 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

None

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 6.8 – 6.5, #5 – #3

News

None

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .4 – .2, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.1 – 1.8, #13 – #15

Sports talk WJXL-AM (DNA – DNA); sports talk WJXL-FM (DNA – DNA); and country WGNE are the flagships of the Jaguars.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.5 – 2.1, #9 – #9

WZZR 1.2 – 1.3 #13 – #13

WJNO .7 – .6, #15 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .5 – .6, #16 – #15

WBZT .4 – .2, #18 – #19

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.0 – 1.9, #11 – #10

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA    

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 3.5 – 3.3 #9 – #8

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 4.0 – 4.2, #7 – #7

WUNC 1.7 – 2.2, #14 – #13

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 1.8 – 1.0, #10 – #11

KWAM .4 – .4, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.6 – 2.8, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #15 – #15 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.8 – 1.6, #10 – #9

WKNO-HD2  .2 – .2, #15 – #15

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 5.3 – 5.2, #5 – #6

WDRC-AM 1.6 – 1.5, #15 – #15

WTIC-AM Stream .4 – .4, #20 – #19

WPOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.5 – 2.5, #12 – #11

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 4.3 – 4.0, #9 – #8

WFCR .6 – .6, #17 – #18

Note: Country WWYZ registers the largest (6+) December 2023 – “Holiday” 2023 decrease (8.2 – 5.4, -2.8) by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

Mike Kinosian can be reached at: Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

December 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

December 2023 PPM Data – Information for the December 2023 survey period (November 9 – December 6) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here 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+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 4.3 – 4.6, #6 – #5

KJCE .3 – .3, #28 – #29

News

None

Sports Talk

KVET-AM 1.0 – 1.4, #22 – #18

KTAE 1.0 – 1.0, #22 – #22

KBPA-HD2  .5 – .8, #27 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 5.8 – 5.1, #4 – #4

KUT-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #33

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 6.9 – 6.0, #3 – #4

WPTF .8 – .8, #19 – #20

News

WRAL-HD3 .3 – .3, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.0 – 3.3, #12 – #12 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 9.8 – 8.8, repeats at #1

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 7.3 – 5.3, #2 – #7

News

WOLT-HD2 DNA – .2, DNA – #25

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  4.0 – 3.5, #12 – #12 (Colts)

WNDE 1.0 – .9, #20 – #19

WXNT .1 –.2, #24 – #25

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 4.3 – 4.2, #11 – #10

Notes: News/talk WIBC’s -2.0 (7.3 – 5.3) represents Indianapolis’ largest November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.

Sports talk WFNI (DNA – DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.

MILWAUKEE

News/Talk

WISN 10.7 – 9.6, third consecutive month at #1

WTMJ 7.7 – 7.6, #2 – #3 

WLIP .2 – .2, #23 – #23

WRJN  DNA – .1, DNA – #27  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.8 – 3.4, #14 – #13 (Green Bay Packers)

WKTI 1.2 – 1.3, #19 – #18

WSSP .2 – .2, #23 – #23

WOKY .3 – .1, #22 – #27

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 3.1 – 2.7, #12 – #14

WHAD 1.6 – .7, #17 – #21

WGKB .1 – .1, #27 – #27

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 5.7 – 4.3, #5 – #9

WLAC 1.5 – 1.5, #19 – #19

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 7.4 – 7.3, #3 – #3 (Tennessee Titans)

WPRT 2.0 – 1.6, #18 – #18 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.4 – 4.0, #10 – #11

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .1, #23 – #23 

Notes: News/talk WWTN’s -1.4 (5.7 – 4.3) represents Nashville’s  largest November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.

PROVIDENCE

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.8 – 6.4, #5 – #5

WHJJ  .5 – .8, #16 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 3.4 – 3.2, #9 – #8

WVEI 2.0 – 2.3, #11 – #11

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 2.0 – 2.1, #11 – #12

WNPN 1.6 – 1.5, eighth straight month at #14

WCAI .1 – .1, #20 – #20

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  3.0 – 2.5, #13 – #11

WGH-FM HD2  .2 – .2, #23 – #23

News

WNOH .3 – .3, #20 – #20

Sports Talk

WVSP 2.4 – 1.7, #14 – #15

WTAR .3 – .3, #20 – #20

WGH-AM .2 – .2, #23 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

None

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 8.3 – 6.8, #3 – #5

News

None

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .3 – .4, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.4 – 2.1, #13 – #13   

Notes: News/talk WOKV-FM’s -1.5 (8.3 – 6.8) represents Jacksonville’s  largest November 2023 – December 2023 decrease.

Sports talk WJXL-AM (DNA – DNA); sports talk WJXL-FM (DNA – DNA); and country WGNE are the flagships of the Jaguars.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.7 – 2.5, #9 – #9

WZZR 2.0 – 1.2 #11 – #13

WJNO 1.2 – .7, #15 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .5 – .5, #16 – #16

WBZT .3 – .4, #18 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.9 – 2.0, #8 – #11

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 4.4 – 3.5 #8 – #9

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 3.6 – 4.0, #9 – #7

WUNC 1.5 – 1.7, #14 – #14

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 2.4 – 1.8, #9 – #10

KWAM .4 – .4, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.8 – 2.6, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #15 – #15 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 2.0 – 1.8, #11 – #10

WKNO-HD2  DNA – .2, DNA – #15

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 4.8 – 5.3, #6 – #5

WDRC-AM 1.9 – 1.6, #15 – #15

WTIC-AM Stream .6 – .4, after five consecutive months at #17, slips to #20

WPOP .2 – DNA, #23 – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.3 – 2.5, #13 – #12

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 4.0 – 4.3, #9 – #9

WFCR .6 – .6, #17 – #17

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

November 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imNovember 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 survey period (October 12 – November 8) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here 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+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 4.7 – 4.3, #5 – #6

KJCE .4 – .3, #28 – #28

News

None

Sports Talk

KVET-AM 1.3 – 1.0, #22 – #22

KTAE .7 – 1.0, #25 – #22

KBPA-HD2  .5 – .5, #27 – #27

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 5.6 – 5.8, #4 – #4    

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 8.2 – 6.9, #3 – #3

WPTF .7 – .8, #20 – #19

News

WRAL-HD3  .1 – .3, #23 – #24

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.5 – 3.0, #11 – #12 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 9.4 – 9.8, #2 – #1

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 6.9 – 7.3, #3 – #2

News

WOLT-HD2  .1 – DNA, #24 – DNA

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  4.3 – 4.0, #12 – #12 (Colts)

WNDE .9 – 1.0, #21 – #20

WXNT .1 –.1, #24 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 4.6 – 4.3, #10 – #11

Note: Sports talk WFNI (DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.7 – 10.7, #1 #1

WTMJ 9.6 – 7.7, #2 – #2 

WLIP .1 – .2, #28 – #23  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.6 – 2.8, #14 – #14 (Green Bay Packers)

WKTI 1.0 – 1.2, #18 – #19

WOKY .4 – .3, #22 – #22

WSSP .2 – .2, #25 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 3.0 – 3.1, #13 – #12

WHAD 1.7 – 1.6, #17 – #17

WGKB .1 – .1, #28 – #27

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: Whereas news/talk WISN’s +1.0 (9.7 – 10.7) represents Milwaukee’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase, similarly-formatted WTMJ’s -1.9 (9.6 – 7.7) is the market’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease; the two rivals remain first and second (6+).

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 5.7 – 5.7, #5 – #5

WLAC 1.4 – 1.5, #19 – #19

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 7.3 – 7.4, #3 – #3 (Tennessee Titans)

WPRT 1.9 – 2.0, #17 – #18 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.1 – 4.4, #10 – #10

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .2, #23 – #23

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.5 – 6.8, #5 – #5

WHJJ  .3 – .5, #18 – #16

News

None

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 3.6 – 3.4, after thirteen consecutive months at #8, slips to #9

WVEI 2.4 – 2.0, #9 – #11

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 2.4 – 2.0, #9 – #11

WNPN 1.4 – 1.6, seventh straight month at #14

WCAI .1 – .1, #20 – #20

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  3.3 – 3.0, #12 – #13

WGH-FM HD2  .2 – .2, #22 – #23

News

WNOH .3 – .3, #20 – #20

Sports Talk

WVSP 2.9 – 2.4, #13 – #14

WTAR .2 – .3, #22 – #20

WGH-AM .3 – .2, #20 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 7.5 – 8.3, #3 – #3

News

None

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .3, #22 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.8 – 2.4, #12 – #13   

Note: Sports talk WJXL-AM (DNA); sports talk WJXL-FM (DNA); and country WGNE are the flagships of the Jaguars.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.3 – 2.7, #9 – #9

WZZR 1.8 – 2.0 #13 – #11

WJNO 1.2 – 1.2, #14 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .4 – .5, #18 – #16

WBZT .4 – .3, #18 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.5 – 2.9, #8 – #8

WLRN-HD2 Stream .2 – DNA, #21 – DNA

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 4.9 – 4.4 #7 – #8

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 3.5 – 3.6, #9 – #9

WUNC 1.7 – 1.5, #14 – #14

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 2.4 – 2.4, #9 – #9

KWAM .2 – .4, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 3.0 – 2.8, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #13 – #15 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.9 – 2.0, #10 – #11

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 5.1 – 4.8, #6 – #6

WDRC-AM 1.9 – 1.9, #15 – #15

WTIC-AM Stream .8 – .6, fifth consecutive month at #17

WPOP .2 – .2, #22 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.5 – 2.3, #11 – #13

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 3.8 – 4.0, #9 – #9

WFCR .8 – .6, #17 – #17

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Ratings Takeaways

October 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imOctober 2023 PPM Data – Information for the October 2023 survey period (September 14 – October 11) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here 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+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 3.4 – 4.7, #10 – #5

KJCE .3 – .4, #27 – #28

News

None

Sports Talk

KVET-AM 1.0 – 1.3, #22 – #22

KTAE DNA – .7, DNA – #25

KBPA-HD2 .4 – .5, #26 – #27

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 5.3 – 5.6, #3 – #4    

Note: News/talk KLBJ-AM’s +1.3 (3.4 – 4.7) represents Austin’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase. 

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 9.4 – 8.2, #2 – #3

WPTF DNA – .7, DNA – #20

News

WRAL-HD3 .3 – .1, #15 – #23

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.1 – 3.5, #8 – #11 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 9.1 – 9.4, #3 – #2

Notes: News/Talk WTKK’s -1.2 (9.4 – 8.2) represents Raleigh’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease.

Following a six-month absence, eight (8) Curtis Media Group stations – including news/talk WPTF – return as Nielsen Audio subscribers.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 6.1 – 6.9, #4 – #3

News

WOLT-HD2 .1 – .1, #27 – #24

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2 3.5 – 4.3, #13 – #12 (Colts)

WNDE .9 – .9, #22 – #21

WXNT .1 –.1, #27 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 6.4 – 4.6, #3 – #10

Note: Sports talk WFNI (DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.6 – 9.7, #2 – #1

WTMJ 9.8 – 9.6, #1 – #2 

WLIP DNA – .1, DNA – #28  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.4 – 2.6, #13 – #14 (Green Bay Packers)

WKTI 1.0 – 1.0, #18 – #18

WOKY .2 – .4, #26 – #22

WSSP .2 – .2, #26 – #25

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 2.4 – 3.0, #13 – #13

WHAD 2.1 – 2.1, #16 – #17

WGKB DNA – .1, DNA – #28

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: Public radio news/talk WUWM’s +.6 (2.4 – 3.0) ties classic hits-oldies WRIT for Milwaukee’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase.

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 6.1 – 5.7, #4 – #5

WLAC 1.1 – 1.4, #19 – #19

News

WNRQ-HD2 .2 – DNA, #23 – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 7.2 – 7.3, #3 – #3 (Tennessee Titans)

WPRT 1.4 – 1.9, #17 – #17 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 5.5 – 4.1, #6 – #10

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .2, #23 – #23 

Note: Public radio news/talk WPLN’s -1.4 (5.5 – 4.1) represents Nashville’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease.

PROVIDENCE

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.1 – 6.5, #6 – #5

WHJJ  .3 – .3, fourth straight month at #18

News

None

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 3.3 – 3.3, thirteenth consecutive month at #8

WVEI 2.3 – 2.4, #10 – #9

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 1.9 – 2.4, #12 – #9

WNPN 1.5 – 1.4, sixth straight month at #14

WCAI .1 – .1, #19 – #20

Note: Public radio news/talk WGBH’s +.5 (2.4 – 3.0) ties rock WHJY for Providence’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase.

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  3.5 – 3.3, #11 – #12

WGH-FM HD2 .2 – .2, #24 – #22

News

WNOH .4 – .3, #21 – #20

Sports Talk

WVSP 2.7 – 2.9, #13 – #13

WGH-AM .4 – .3, #21 – #20

Public Radio News/Talk

None

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 8.2 – 7.5, #3 – #3

News

None

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .2, #23 – #22

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.6 – 2.8, #12 – #12

Note: Sports talk WJXL-AM (DNA); sports talk WJXL-FM (DNA); and country WGNE are the flagships of the Jaguars.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 1.8 – 2.3, #12 – #9

WZZR 1.9 – 1.8 #10 – #13

WJNO 1.1 – 1.2, fourth successive month at #14

News

None

Sports Talk

WBZT .2 – .4, #19 – #18

WMEN .2 – .4, #19 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.6 – 2.5, #8 – #8

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – .2, DNA – #21

Note: News/talk WFTL’s +.5 (1.8 – 2.3) ties urban AC WMBX for West Palm Beach’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase. 

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 4.5 – 4.9 #8 – #7

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 3.5 – 3.5, #9 – #9

WUNC 1.4 – 1.7, #13 – #14

Note: Urban AC WQMG has the highest October 2023 share (14.0, 6+) of any station in all 48 PPM-markets.

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 2.1 – 2.4, #9 – #9

KWAM .4 – .2, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.4 – 3.0, #8 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream DNA – .2, DNA – #13 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.7 – 1.9, #11 – #10

Note: Urban contemporary WHRK’s -2.7 (10.3 – 7.6) represents the largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease by any station in all 48 PPM-markets.

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 5.2 – 5.1, #6 – #6

WDRC-AM 2.3 – 1.9, #12 – #15

WTIC-AM Stream .8 – .8, fourth consecutive month at #17

WPOP .2 – .2, #22 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 1.7 – 2.5, #15 – #11

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 3.7 – 3.8, #9 – #9

WFCR .6 – .8, #18 – #17

Note: While sports talk WUCS’ +.8 (1.7 – 2.5) represents Hartford’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 increase, news/talk WDRC-AM’s -.4 (2.3 – 1.9) is the market’s largest September 2023 – October 2023 decrease.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Front Page News Industry News

Friday, September 16, 2022

NOW POSTED: This Weekend’s Installment of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The latest installment of the one-hour, weekend special, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS, is now posted. This new episode titled “Turbulence” looks back at this past week of 9/12 to 9/16. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS; Holland Cooke, media consultant; Lynn Woolley, talk show host, KJCE, Austin; Dom Giordano, talk show host, WPHT, Philadelphia; and Graham Mack, broadcaster/journalist, London. The show airs weekends (Friday evenings to Sunday nights) on almost 100 broadcast signals and networks across the U.S. and U.K as well as having developed a significant international following as a podcast. To listen to this week’s episode, please click here. To view the latest TALKERS topic research, please click here. “The Michael Harrison Wrap” is available in syndication via Talk Media Network to stations across America on a market exclusive basis. For affiliation information, please click here or call 616-884-8616.

New Jersey Child Psychologist Sues Bill Spadea and Townsquare Media for Defamation and More. In a civil suit filed in New Jersey Superior Court, psychologist Steven Tobias is suing WKXW-FM,Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” morning drive talk host Bill Spadea, the station, and Townsquare Media for defamation, business disparagement, and more. In the complaint Tobias says that he’d appeared on “New Jersey 101.5” numerous times over the years as an expert guest and, when the pandemic began, he appeared a number of times to offer advice on how to assist children struggling with wearing masks as well as with returning to school after remote learning. Tobias says he agreed to appear on Spadea’s program on September 21, 2021 after Spadea’s producer assured him he would not be pressured into taking a stand on whether children should wear masks and that his appearance would not be politicized. Tobias claims that after his appearance, Spadea launched a “vicious attack on him personally and professionally.” He says Spadea called him a “crackpot” and said Tobias “should literally be indicted for child abuse,” and more. Tobias says the attacks have damaged his reputation and his business, the Center for Child and Family Development. Tobias is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, and more. Bill Spadea did not immediately respond to TALKERS’ request for comment on the lawsuit.

Dave Ramsey Presents Building Wealth Events to Sellout Crowds in Phoenix. Pictured above on stage at Central Christian Church in Mesa, Arizona is Ramsey SolutionsDave Ramsey presenting his Building Wealth live event before a sold-out audience. Ramsey Solutions says that retirement is the number one long-term savings goal among Americans, but according to the latest edition of The State of Personal Finance study by Ramsey Solutions, inflation and the cost of living are the two biggest factors impacting people’s savings plans. The report also found that nearly 60% of respondents said they worry about their general finances daily, and about half have lost sleep in the last three months due to financial worries. Partnering with local affiliate KTAR-FM, Ramsey Solutions produced the event on September 12 and 13. Each night included presentations from Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Cruze and other Ramsey Personalities, including Dr. John Delony, Ken Coleman and George Kamel. Dave Ramsey states, “The reality is, you work too hard to feel this broke. In hard economic times and in good economic times, you have to prepare for your financial future. From my 30 years on the radio, I’ve seen over and over that real millionaires follow a proven plan for their money. This event will show you it’s possible for you too.”

Michael Biondo Promoted at iHeartMedia. The company promotes Michael Biondo to the position president of business development and strategic partnerships, effective immediately. He has been serving the company as EVP, strategic business operations of the iHeartMedia Networks Group. In his new role, Biondo will “oversee the evolution of iHeartMedia’s partnerships and deals with key companies across iHeartMedia’s field of view – from tech startups to established automotive companies, from the entertainment industry to international distribution.” iHeartMedia Digital Group CEO Conal Byrne states, “Mike has had a long, varied career at iHeartMedia, and has gained experience and wisdom across a diverse set of priorities, vendors and partners. With Mike in this new role, our company will be even better prepared to approach the market in a thoughtful, streamlined, strategic manner every day, and in every conversation.”

FOX News Media Names Jennifer Griffin Chief National Security Correspondent. Journalist Jennifer Griffin inks a new, multi-year deal with FOX News Media to serve as FOX News Channel’s chief national security correspondent. FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott says, “Jennifer is one of the industry’s premier journalists and has proven to be an indispensable asset on a consequential beat with unrivaled experience spanning more than three decades in multiple war zones. We are extremely proud that she will continue her incredible career at FOX News Media.” Griffin adds, “It has been an honor to provide viewers with trusted reporting from the Pentagon and across the world on issues that are paramount to all of us – the security and safety of our fellow citizens and allies. I am looking forward to continuing to inform the FOX News audience alongside the best journalists in the business.”

Colleen Grant Upped to Metro President for iHeartMedia Detroit. Management and sales pro Colleen Grant is named metro president for iHeartMedia Detroit. Grant has been serving the cluster as SVP of sales. The Detroit market is home to WDFN-AM “BIN Black Information Network” and five music brands. iHeartMedia division president Tom McConnell comments, “Colleen has been instrumental to the success in Detroit. She has created a culture of high performance, accountability and respect and is the perfect choice to lead the Detroit market.” Grant also served as the region vice president of automotive for iHeartMedia’s Detroit Region, and as co-host of iHeartMedia Detroit’s public service program, “Light Up the D.” She says, “This is a childhood dream come true for me. Having a father who was the general manager of television stations, I’d always wanted to oversee stations as he did. I saw the care for people it required, the creativity necessary to generate growth, and his commitment to the community. These are the things I plan to bring to this opportunity, and I couldn’t be more excited to do it.”

Politics and Elections Tie for Top News/Talk Story This Week. The combination of politics and the last of the primary elections before the November midterms was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the state of the U.S. economy tied with the averted rail strike, followed by former President Donald Trump’s legal issues at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Front Page News Industry News

Friday, January 14, 2022

NOW POSTED: This Weekend’s Installment of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The latest installment of the one-hour weekend special, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS magazine, is now posted. This new episode titled, “Mandate Shmandate,” looks back at this past week of 1/10 to 1/14. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERSDan Mandis, talk show host/PD, Supertalk 99.7 WTN, Nashville; Derek Hunter, talk show host, WCBM, Baltimore/USA Radio NetworkLynn Woolley, talk show host, KJCE, Austin; Dom Giordano, talk show host, WPHT, Philadelphia; Frank Morano, talk show host, WABC, New York; and Victoria Jones, executive director, DC Radio Company. The show airs each weekend on WONK-FM, Washington, DC; WTIC, Hartford; KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA; KDFD, Denver; KFNX, Phoenix; KTLK-FM, St. Louis; WPG, Atlantic City, NJ; SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, Nashville; WVLY, Wheeling, WV; WTRW-FM, Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA; WVOX, Westchester, NY; KBDT, Dallas; KQSP, Minneapolis; KBKW, Aberdeen, WA; WGDJ, Albany, NY; WJFN-FM, Richmond, VA; WZFG, Fargo; KTGO, Tioga, ND; KWAM, Memphis; K-NEWS, San Luis Obispo; WGMD, Rehoboth Beach, DE; WCHM, Clarkesville, GA; WPHM, Port Huron, MI; KSYL, Alexandria, LA; KTOE, Mankato, MN; WCED, DuBois, PA; K-NEWS 101.3, Owensboro, KY; WWTK, Sebring, FL; WSAR-AM/FM, Fall River, MA; WIZM-AM/FM, La Crosse, WI; WMVA, Martinsville, VA; KQEN, Roseburg, OR; the Virginia Talk Radio NetworkCRN Digital Talk Radio NetworkPodcast Radio, UK and many more. To listen to this week’s episode, please click here. To view the latest TALKERS magazine topic research, please click here. “The Michael Harrison Wrap” is now available in syndication via Talk Media Network to stations across America on a market exclusive basis. For affiliation information, please click here or call 616-884-8616.

Glenn Beck Battling Second COVID-19 Infection. During an appearance on Mark Levin’s Westwood One syndicated radio show, Premiere Networks talk radio star Glenn Beck revealed he has COVID-19 for the second time. Numerous news outlets picked up on the story, including Newsweek. Beck told Levin that his whole family had COVID in December of 2020 so they didn’t get vaccinated. He said he’s taking ivermectin and despite his second infection, feels great. “I am great, Mark. I am great…despite having COVID and seeing the destruction of our country, I’m great. I mean, I’ve been doing my show…It’s a lighter case but it’s now starting to go into my lungs today, a little disturbing. But I’m on all the medications and treatments and everything else, so we’ll see.” He also said he’s not taking monoclonal antibodies because they don’t “seem to be working for the new strain. But I’m on ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine—what is it, Fluvoxin? I’m on a bunch of different…I mean, my doctors are hitting it really hard.” He told Levin that he’s been battling COVID for about a week but is not concerned about the virus reaching his lungs. “Everybody’s getting sick because it’s very contagious but it’s not nearly as deadly. I’m a fatty fat fatso, so you know, that’s probably not the best thing…And I’ve got some other issues, but that’s just the way it is. We have got to move on with our lives.”

2021 Social Impact Report Reveals ‘Audacy Serves’ Achievements. The company releases its 2021 Social Impact Report that spotlights key achievements from its ongoing companywide Audacy Serves initiative. The report encompasses Audacy’s commitment to several pillars of impact: diversity, equity and inclusion, mental health, civic education, the environment, children’s health, and veterans and service members. Some of the achievements the company highlights include, in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category, the arrival of eight new fellows – recent graduates from historically underrepresented communities within the industry have joined the team in a variety of sales, marketing and content roles. Yearlong fellowship experiences include curated on-the-job learning and growth opportunities; in the Mental Health category the company produced its 5th annual “I’m Listening” broadcast with influential names like Doja Cat, Luke Combs and Demi Lovato, who shared their personal struggles with mental health. The event helped Audacy connect with more than 200 million people and raise more than $800,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; in the Civic Education category, Audacy’s “Engaged Impressions” study found that 71% of weekly radio listeners tune in because they feel the content is relevant to their community. Audacy says research like this indicates that listeners continue to trust local media. Audacy further invested in its news business, adding over 50 journalists in eight of its newsrooms across the country in an effort to meet that demand for trusted quality content. Audacy VP of social impact Sarah Harris comments, “This report reflects our unwavering commitment to putting our values in action and our passion to use our collective voice for good within each of our pillars of impact. We are thrilled to share these significant results and moving stories of real human connection unfolding in our communities across the country.” You can see the complete report here.

Three New Shows Added to BetQL Network. Beginning this Sunday (1/16), three new shows will debut across Audacy’s BetQL Network. “BetQL 5 Star Weekend,” (8:00 am – 10:00 am ET) is hosted by KDKA-FM, Pittsburgh host Chris Mack and CBS Sports Radio’s Damon Amendolara and uses BetQL’s star rating system to preview all of the best bets for the day and the week ahead. “Sunday’s Bets,” (12:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET) is hosted by WTEM-AM, Washington morning show host Travis Thomas and BetQL Network hosts Quinton Mayo and Michael Jenkins and keeps listeners up to date with all of the best action from a busy day in sports. “BetNation,” (4:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET) is hosted by CBS Sports Radio’s Shaun Morash and Audacy’s alternative national evening host Kevan Kenney as they take the pulse of the nation from a sports betting perspective. Audacy VP of sports Matt Volk comments, “As football season turns the corner for the home stretch, we’re pleased to introduce three dynamic Sunday shows to help bettors get ready for all the action across the sports world. These three programs will continue to put fans in position to win on Sundays, no matter the season.” Announced at the same time is news that BetQL writer Lucy Burdge will join “Back to the Futures” and co-host alongside Brandon Sprague, Sunday nights from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET.

TALKERS News Notes. The Little Rock stations owned by Cumulus Media report that their December 10 “Festival of Stars Toy and Donation Drive and Radiothon” raised $363,249 for Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Arkansas Children’s Northwest, the state’s local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The stations, including news/talk KARN-FM “News Radio 1029,” broadcast for 12 hours to encourage donations. The annual event has raised more than $3.6 million over the past 17 years…..The pro football playoffs begin this weekend and Cumulus Media’s Westwood One is presenting play-by-play coverage from all six games of the NFL Super Wild Card Playoffs. Scott Graham will host the pregame/halftime/postgame shows for the Saturday and Sunday games. Rich Eisen will be the studio host for the Monday night playoff game…..Beginning this Monday (1/17), Field of 68’s nightly college basketball show, “The Field of 68 AFTER DARK,” will air on SiriusXM’s ESPNU Radio channel. The show, currently broadcast on the network’s YouTube and social channels, is broadcast live nightly from 11:00 pm until 12:00 midnight ET and features a rotating cast of prominent sports figures. The lineup of rotating voices will include stadium insider Jeff Goodman, former college stars Robbie Hummel, Randolph Childress, Ashton Gibbs and Terrence Oglesby, as well as veteran coaches Sean Miller, Archie Miller and Steve Prohm. Field of 68 founder Rob Dauster says, “There’s a major void right now in this space with regard to college basketball. This will give diehard college basketball fans somewhere to go each night from the start of the season through the national title game to not only be informed, but also entertained.”…..iHeartRadio announces the launch of “Welcome to Our Show,” a “New Girl” rewatch podcast hosted by show stars Zooey Deschanel, Hannah Simone, and Lamorne Morris. Together, the trio will rewatch the Emmy-nominated series to reveal never-before-told stories, their favorite memories from creating the show, and divulge moments and scenes left on the cutting room floor. The first episode of “Welcome to Our Show” drops on January 24.

COVID-19 Omicron Variant, Vaccines, Masks, Mandates and School Closings Top News/Talk Story for Week of January 10-14. The fast-spreading Omicron variant, vaccine and mask mandates and battles over school policies combined as the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the economy, soaring inflation and the ongoing supply chain and labor shortage issues, followed by the January 6 Investigation and the 2022 midterm elections tied at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.