Industry Views

Pending Business: Baked-In?

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imIs that host read you are pitching “baked-in?”

No, I am not talking baked in the content, as in before the break with all the produced commercials. I am talking about “baked-in” the audio that will live on as long as that show is available.

Still confused? You should ask someone who has handled an actual audio podcast avail. Some advertisers and their ad agencies are shaping the future and “baked-in” is a fundamental element of the new-think that is pushing the needle on podcast CPM, while your team struggles to compete for low CPM based on old school models that are dropping like flies.

The good news is that host read is still the gold standard that moves the listener to action. The bad news is radio station sellers are hanging onto older strategies that have little room in a future filled with millions of audio podcasts that contain no music and feature comedy, news, talk, opinion, lifestyle, sports, politics, entertainment, financial, medical, legal, self-help, religion, even foreign language – as in nothing but the human voice and a little production.

Sound familiar? I call it the great sales equalizer: the host read.

So how can this magical host read have such a dramatic impact in this super-crowded environment, yet be so underappreciated on radio stations coast to coast? Let us look at the three legs of the sales stool that have never changed.

1. The seller. Most radio sellers are presenting the host read the same way they did since their first order. What is new, different, and exciting in the way you present your talent today?

2. The audience. Size matters, intimacy matters, performance matters. Can you demonstrate how your host-audience relationship fulfills those criteria and generates a response for your advertisers?

3. The inventory. Why do we still have the same number of host reads in every hour of a show? Anyone have the courage to vary the inventory or pricing throughout a show?

The podcast world is leading the way to a future filled with:

1. Baked-In host reads.
2. Pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll price differences.
3. Commercial inventory limits.
4. Impression delivery options that demonstrate clear accountability.

There is a bright future in audio sales that will look and feel different from what we take for granted today. Make sure you are on the right side of the wave and not stuck in the mud.

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.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

Industry News

Legendary Radio Personality Jim Ladd Dies at 75

Rock radio personality Jim Ladd died on Saturday (12/16) at the age of 75 after suffering a heart attack. Ladd, who was a prominent figure in rock radio in the 1970s and 1980s hosting shows at KLOS-FM and KMET-FM in Los Angeles, had been hosting a regular show on SiriusXM’s Deep Tracks channel for the past 11 years. Ladd was a pioneer in talk on FM with his nationally syndicated “Innerview” program consisting of hour-long conversations with rock artists about their music and more. Read his LA Times obituary here.

Industry News

WWO’s Audio Active Group Analyzes Edison’s Q3 Share of Ear

Today’s blog post from Westwood One’s Audio Active Group looks at the results of Edison Research’s Q3 2023 Share of Ear study of the reach and time spent with all forms of audio. Some of the takeawaysim from the study include: 1) the proportion of AM/FM radio in-car listening rose 9% year-over-year and is on par with pre-pandemic levels of listening; 2) spoken-word content listening is at an eight-year high with 39% of ad-supported listening (including AM/FM, streaming and podcasts) devoted to news/talk, talk, and sports; and 3) looking at Persons 25-54, the share of ad-supported audio time spent with personalities/talk shows has increased the most – from 11% of ad-supported listening in Q4 2016 to 19.4% in Q3 of 2023. See the blog post here.

Industry News

Robert Dove to Lead Alpha Media Portland as Lisa Decker Retires

Alpha Media names Robert Dove SVP/market manager for its Portland station group that includes news/talk KXL-FM, talk KUFO-AM, sports talk KXTG-AM and four music brands. This comes as current market manager Lisa Decker announces her retirement at the end of this year after seven years withim the company. Dove, who starts on January 1, comes to Alpha Media from iHeartMedia where he most recently served as Pacific Northwest Region president. Alpha Media president and CEO Bob Proffitt commented on the announcement, “I am very excited to have Robert lead us to new heights, opportunities, and successes. He knows Portland like no other broadcaster, has deep relationships and knowledge of our city’s intricacies, and will be a great addition to our team of market managers all across America.” Dove adds, “I’m very excited to join the Alpha Media team. As a native Portlander having the chance to work with some of Portland radio’s most iconic brands is very rewarding and fulfilling. I can’t wait to get started.”

Industry News

Round Four of September PPMs Released

imThe fourth and final round of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s September 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee, Good Karma Brands news/talk WTMJ shoots up 1.1 shares to finish with a 9.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it from the #3 rank to #1, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN falls 1.1 shares to a 9.6 share pulling it from #1 to #2. In Nashville, Cumulus Media news/talk WWTN-FM tacks on three-tenths to finish the survey with a 6.1 share and rises to the #4 rank, while iHeartMedia news/talk WLAC-AM rises two-tenths for a 1.1 share finish good for the #19 rank. And in West Palm Beach, iHeartMedia’s talk WZZR adds one-tenth for a 1.9 share finish and remains ranked #10, while Hubbard Broadcasting news/talk WFTL rises two-tenths for a 1.8 share finish as it remains ranked #12. See Mike Kinosian’s Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

KBLA, Los Angeles to Present Specials Addressing “The Tape”

SmileyAudioMedia’s talk KBLA, Los Angeles is presenting two drive time special programs a year after “‘The Tape’ that rocked L.A. City Hall became public.” The station says the leaked recording of three Latino members of the Los Angeles City Council – then-council president Nury Martinez,im councilmember Kevin DeLeon and councilmember Gil Cedillo along with former labor leader Ron Herrera – reveals them uttering racist remarks, derogatory comments toward council colleagues, and disruptive, racially charged rhetoric about how the City Council could “skew” redistricting. The station says, “Now that a full year has passed, KBLA Talk 1580 will host two important conversations unpacking what transpired in the community since these divisive, hurtful comments were made and what the future holds for the City of Los Angeles.” Tavis Smiley will host a show featuring community voices on October 9 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Then on October 12 (from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm), the Institute for Nonviolence in Los Angeles will host “Days of Dialog: The Anatomy of Anti-Black Racism and Bigotry.”

Industry News

Round Four of July PPMs Released

imThe fourth and final round of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s July 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s July 2023 sweep covered June 22 – July 19. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia news/talk WISN dips one-tenth to finish with a 9.7 share but remains locked in the #1 rank, while Good Karma Brands crosstown news/talk WTMJ falls 1.6 shares to finish the survey with a 7.9 share that takes the station from #2 to #4. In Providence, Cumulus Media news/talk WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM rises three-tenths for a 6.2 share finish and rises to the #6 rank, while iHeartMedia crosstown news/talk WHJJ loses three-tenths to finish with an 0.2 share good for the #18 rank.  In West Palm Beach, iHeartMedia talk outlet WZZR-FM adds a half share for a 1.9 share finish that lifts it to the #12 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting news/talk WFTL dips three-tenths for a 1.3 share finish that leaves it ranked #13. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

May 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One

imMay 2023 PPM Data – Information for the May 2023 ratings period has been released for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey).

Nielsen Audio’s May 2023 sweep covered April 27 – May 24.

TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.

Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.

All comparisons noted are April 2023 – May 2023 (6+). 

NEW YORK

News/Talk: Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” steady at 3.7, #10 to #11

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 1.9 – 1.7, -.2, continues at #18

News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 4.5 – 4.3, -.2, repeats in seventh-place

WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 2.9 – 2.8, -.1, stays at #13

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.2 – 3.0, -.2, stagnant at #12

Public Radio News/Talk: WNYC Broadcasting Foundation’s WNYC-FM unchanged at 3.8, ninth to eighth

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLTW, seventh month in a row, 7.6 – 8.4, +.8

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+.8)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: Spanish tropical WSKQ (-.5) 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFI “AM 640” flat at 4.3, fourth to fifth

News: Audacy-owned KNX-FM “News 97.1” 2.9 – 2.8, -.1, repeats at #11

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: Pasadena Area Community College’s KPCC 2.4 – 2.2, -.2, #16 to #18

Number One 6+: Audacy classic hits-oldies KRTH, third month in succession, 5.7 – 5.9, +.2

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: hot AC KBIG (+.8)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: urban contemporary KRRL (-.7)

CHICAGO

News/Talk: Nexstar Media Group’s WGN “Radio 720” 3.2 – 3.3, +.1, tenth to ninth

News: Audacy-owned WBBM-AM & WCFS “News Radio 780 AM & 105.9 FM” 4.4 – 4.2, -.2, fourth to third

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WSCR “670 The Score” (Cubs) 3.1 – 2.9, -.2, #12 to #13

Public Radio News/Talk: Chicago Public Media-owned WBEZ 3.1 – 3.0, -.1, repeats at #12  

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT, eighth straight month, 6.8 – 7.3, +.5

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLIT (+.5)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: triple A WXRT and regional Mexican WOJO (-.5)

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk: None in the top twenty

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 7.3 – 6.4, -.9, first to second

Sports Talk: Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 2.7 – 3.1, +.4, #13 to #9

Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 3.3 – 2.6, -.7, #9 to #13

Public Radio News/Talk: KQED, Inc.-owned KQED 5.2 – 4.5, -.7, fourth to fifth

Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, second month in succession, 7.3 – 9.0, +1.7

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KOIT-FM (+1.7)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KISQ (-1.0)

DALLAS

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned WBAP “News Talk 820 AM & 99.5 HD2 FM” 3.2 – 3.3, +.1, #13 to #11

News – Talk: Audacy’s KRLD-AM “News Radio 1080” 2.1 – 1.9, -.2, remains at #20

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KTCK “Sports Radio The Ticket” 5.6 – 6.6, +1.0, #1

Audacy’s KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan” (Texas Rangers) 3.0 – 2.3, -.7, #14 to #18

Public Radio News/Talk: North Texas Public Broadcasting-owned KERA 2.2 – 1.9, -.3, #19 to #20

Number One 6+: Cumulus Media sports talk KTCK, fifth straight month, 5.6 – 6.6, +1.0

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: sports talk KTCK (+1.0)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KDGE (-.9)

HOUSTON

News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KTRH “AM 740 News Radio” (Astros) 3.7 – 3.9, +.2, tenth to ninth

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: University of Houston’s KUHF 2.8 – 2.7, -.1, #15 to #17

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KODA, 27th consecutive month, 8.9 – 9.2, +.3

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult hits KKHH (+.9)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: alternative KTBZ (-1.1)

ATLANTA

News/Talk: Cox Media Group-owned WSB-AM & WSBB “Atlanta’s News & Talk” 7.0 – 6.7, -.3, locked in third-place

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WZGC “92.9 The Game” 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, #18 to #17

Dickey Broadcasting-owned WCNN “The Fan” (Braves) 2.6 – 2.3, -.3, #16 to #18

Public Radio News/Talk: Atlanta Public Schools-owned WABE 3.4 – 2.9, -.5, #11 to #14

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WSRV, fifth successive month, 8.9 – 8.7, -.2

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: urban AC WAMJ (+.7)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk WABE and hot AC WSTR (-.5)

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk: None in the top twenty

News: Audacy-owned KYW & WPHI “News Radio 1060 AM & 103.9 FM” 5.5 – 5.1, -.4, repeats in seventh-place

Sports Talk: Audacy’s WIP “Sports Radio 94” (Phillies) 5.9 – 4.9, -1.0, sixth to eighth

WIP’s internet stream 1.3 – 2.0, +.7, #21 to #16

Beasley Media Group-owned WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” 1.4 – 1.6, +.2, continues at #20

Public Radio News/Talk: WHYY-owned WHYY 4.9 – 4.4, -.5, flat at #9

Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group classic rock WMGK, first month, 7.5 – 8.5, +1.0

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country WXTU (+1.7)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WOGL (-1.1)

LONG ISLAND

News/Talk: Red Apple Media-owned WABC-AM & WLIR-FM “77 Talk Radio” 1.8 – 3.2, +1.4, #19 to #10

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 2.2 – 1.6, -.6, #15 to #20

News: Audacy’s WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 3.8 – 3.4, -.4, seventh to ninth

WCBS-AM cluster-mate WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 3.3 – 3.2, -.1, repeats in tenth-place

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 4.6 – 4.0, -.6, fifth to seventh

Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.4 – 1.6, +.2, #21 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WBAB, third month in a row, 7.0 – 6.4, -.6

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult standards WHLI (+1.9)*

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: classic rock WBAB; hot AC WALK-FM; sports talk WFAN; news/talk WOR; and the internet stream of CHR WBLI (-.6)

*Represents the largest April 2023 – May 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk: None in the top twenty

News: None in the top twenty

Sports Talk: None in the top twenty

Public Radio News/Talk: San Bernardino Community College District’s KVCR, unchanged at .3, stationary at #19

Number One 6+: Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies KOLA, second straight month, 5.7 – 7.2, +1.5

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies KOLA (+1.5)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian KSGN (-1.2)

SAN JOSE

News/Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KSFO “Talk Radio 560” 1.7 – 1.5, -.2, stays at #20

News: Audacy’s KCBS-AM & KFRC “All News 740 AM & 106.9 FM” 6.2 – 6.5, +.3, first to third

Sports Talk: Cumulus Media-owned KNBR “The Sports Leader” (Giants) 4.4 – 4.0, -.4, sixth to seventh

Audacy’s KGMZ “95.7 The Game” 1.9 – 2.3, +.4, #18 to #16

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KOIT-FM, first month, 5.4 – 6.6, +1.2 and classic rock cluster-mate KUFX, first month, 5.7 – 6.6, +.9

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: hot AC KIOI (+1.3)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KISQ (-1.7)**

**Represents the largest April 2023 – May 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets 

MIDDLESEX

News/Talk: Townsquare Media-owned WKXW “New Jersey 101.5” 7.1 – 6.4, -.7, first to fourth 

iHeartMedia-owned WOR “710 – The Voice of New York” 1.3 – 1.0, -.3, repeats at #20

News: Audacy’s WINS-FM “1010 WINS All News 92.3 FM” 2.0 – 1.8, -.2, #13 to #16

WINS-FM cluster-mate WCBS-AM “News Radio 880” (Mets) 1.7 – 1.2, -.5, #16 to #18

Sports Talk: Audacy-owned WFAN-FM & WFAN-AM “Sports Radio 101.9 FM & 66 AM” (Yankees) 3.8 – 3.2, -.6, flat at #9

Good Karma’s WEPN-FM “98.7 ESPN New York” 1.6 – 1.2, -.4, #18 to #19

WFAN’s internet stream .8 – 1.0, +.2, #23 to #20

Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty

Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic rock WAXQ, first month, 6.8 – 7.7, +.9

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLTW (+1.5)

Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: news/talk WKXW (-.7)

Up next: May 2023 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

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

Industry News

iHeartMedia Names Andrew Hyrciw SVP of Sales for Central Florida

iHeartMedia announces that Andrew Hryciw is named SVP of sales for Central Florida, effective July 1.  iHeartMedia Central Florida includes talk WTKS-FM and news/talk WFLF-AM, inim Orlando among numerous music outlets. iHeartMedia area president for Central Florida Barbara Latham says, “I’m thrilled to have Andrew join us in Central Florida and bring his tenure with iHeartMedia, along with his extensive digital experience, to our team. Hryciw was most recently division VP of digital sales in the company’s Portland, Oregon market.

Industry News

Geoff Moyer Named Co-Director of Sales at Alpha Media Portland

Alpha Media names Geoff Moyer co-director of sales for the Portland cluster that includes news/talk KXL-FM, talk KUFO-AM, and sports talk KXTG-AM “The Game” plus four music brands. He now works alongside co-director Cressy Walton and she comments, “Geoff has been a significant asset to the management team at Alpha Media since he came on board in November of 2016. I look forward to our strong, continued partnership and am pleased to see his hard work recognized.” Alpha Portland SVP and market manager Lisa Decker adds, “It’s always special to promote from within and to honor hard work and growth. Geoff will join Cressy Walton as the co-director of sales. Cressy has been with Alpha Media since the beginning and has been the director of sales since 2019. The co-director of sales role will help to align our organization with our clients and our staff’s needs. I am proud of both of them and their accomplishments. They are the Dream Team.”

Industry News

Good Karma’s 101.7 The Truth Makes Programming Changes

Good Karma Brands’ talk WGKB-AM/W269DL, Milwaukee “101.7 The Truth” makes a few changes to its programming lineup. The morning drive program “MKE in the Morning” with host Melanie Ricks is replaced by “Truth Be Told With DT and Telly” – co-hosted by Telly Hughes and Denise Thomas – and airs from 7:00 am to 9:00 am. Ricks remains with the station and will host “Nothin’ But the Truth,” from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm daily, effective April 3. To accommodate the changes, “The Truth With Sherwin Hughes” – heard from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm – moves to the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon daypart.

Front Page News Industry News

Friday, July 1, 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, “Who Needs Fireworks?” looks back at this past week of 6/27 to 7/1. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS; Bill Brady, talk show host/owner, KFNX, Phoenix; Mark Simone, talk show host, WOR, New York; Victoria Jones, executive director, DC Radio Company; Todd Feinburg, talk show host, WTIC, Hartford; and Dr. Murray Sabrin, emeritus professor of finance, Ramapo College. The show airs weekends 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; KMZQ, Las Vegas;  WTPL, Manchester, NH; WEMJ, Laconia, NH; WTSN, Dover-Portsmouth, NH; WVLY, Wheeling, WV; WTRW-FM, Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA; WVOX, Westchester, NY; KBDT, Dallas; 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 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.

Jason Carr Named SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia West Palm and Treasure Coast. Programming pro Jason Carr moves from iHeartMedia’s Cleveland station group to the West Palm Beach/Treasure Coast markets to serve as SVP of programming, effective immediately. In this capacity, Carr will also serve as program director for talk WZZR-FM, West Palm Beach and WCZR-FM, Vero Beach “Real Radio” and for classic rock WKGR-FM “98.7 The Gater” in addition to overseeing programming on the 11-station cluster. Market president Mark McCauley states, “We’re excited to bring Jason back home. Jason’s market experience in Cleveland and his experience and familiarity of the West Palm Beach and Treasure Coast markets make him a great fit to grow our heritage brands and take them to new heights.” Carr comments, “I’m pumped to get in the trenches with this outstanding programming team. Managing a heritage rock brand like ‘98.7 The Gater’ will be a treat. Working alongside world class talent like WOLL’s Mo & Sally will be a treasure. My wild ride of a career started at ‘Real Radio 92.1’ and all these year later it is bringing me back to the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast. To say I’m excited is an understatement!”

Harry Hurley Celebrates 30 Years at WPG, Atlantic City. Today (7/1) is the 30th anniversary of Harry Hurley’s hosting the morning show on Townsquare Media’s WPG, Atlantic City. Hurley says, “Our first guest exactly 30 years ago today was New Jersey Governor Jim Florio. Governor Florio was scheduled for one hour and asked on-air if he could stay for the entire program. Governor Florio’s willingness to appear on our brand-new, unproven talk radio program and travel from Trenton to appear in-studio really helped to launch our career going forward. To start our program with the state of New Jersey’s chief executive officer was priceless. It’s hard to believe that a full 30 years has elapsed. It seems like half that amount of time. It’s also hard to believe that we’re still at the same radio station, 30 years later, now called WPG Talk Radio 95.5. This is very rare in the radio business. I want to take this opportunity to thank my employer, Townsquare Media Atlantic City, our valued listeners and advertisers for making the past three decades possible. My sincere thanks and appreciation to our Townsquare Media Atlantic City leadership team: Michael Ruble, president, Joe Kelly, content director, Chris Coleman, program director, Jennifer Doughten Smith, marketing director, Jim McClain, general sales manager and Chelsea Masterson, digital managing editor.”

New TALKERS 2022 Video Posted. The latest video from the recent TALKERS 2022 convention at Hofstra University is posted. This video is of the panel discussion titled, “Attracting Younger Demos and Broadening the Base,” moderated by WOAI, San Antonio/Compass Media Networks talk show host Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo and featured panelists: Mike “Bax” Baxendale, morning co-host, WAQY-FM, Springfield, MA “Rock 102”; Derek Hunter, host, WCBM, Baltimore/The Derek Hunter Show, TMN; John T. Mullen,operations director, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University; and Doug Stephan, CEO, Stephan Multimedia/host, the “Good Day Show.” See the video here.

Local Broadcaster John Caracciolo Welcomes Attendees to Long Island. A number of talk media industry professionals served the critical role of introducing panel discussions and presentations at the recent TALKERS 2022 convention at Hofstra University. JVC Broadcasting president/CEO John Caracciolo (pictured below), whose company owns and operates a number of Long Island radio stations including news/talk WRCN-FM, Riverhead “LI News Radio,” welcomed the attendees to Long Island during the Morning Greetings session.

TALKERS News Notes. Public media pro Lindsay Foster Thomas is named vice president, WNYC Studios in which she will oversee the strategic and editorial direction of “The Takeaway with Melissa Harris-Perry,” “Death, Sex & Money with Anna Sale,” and “The United States of Anxiety with Kai Wright,” as well as oversee the pipeline and development process for new talk shows. Thomas brings over 15 years of experience in public radio, with a background that includes work at community, college and commercial radio stations. She joins WNYC Studios from WUNC, North Carolina where she served as content director…..iHeartMedia announces a new partnership with Swoop, which provides privacy-safe AI-generated audiences for healthcare marketing. iHeartMedia says, “Pharmaceutical and life sciences companies can now leverage the same brand-exclusive Swoop segments they already use for digital activation to better inform media planning across iHeartMedia’s ad-enabled broadcast radio portfolio, which reaches nine out of 10 Americans monthly, driving greater engagement and conversion, and ultimately increasing Rx lift. As one of iHeartMedia’s preferred healthcare data providers, Swoop enables healthcare marketers to move from legacy age and gender buying to data-driven broadcast radio activation in an ad-enabled portfolio that reaches more than 275 million individuals per month, representing 90 percent of the U.S. adult population.”

January 6 Hearings Top News/Talk Story for Week of June 27 – July 1. The bombshell testimony of former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson before the January 6 Committee was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was partisan politics and Tuesday’s primary elections in Illinois, Colorado, Mississippi and elsewhere, followed by the state of the U.S. economy 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.