Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/12) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The aftermath of the Hunter Biden guilty verdict; the G7 meeting in Italy and the plan to loan Ukraine $50 billion; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the U.S. House votes to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt; Southern Baptist convention bans churches with women pastors; the Israel-Hamas war and the strikes against Northern Israel from Lebanon; Russian war games near Cuba; the Fed reports inflation is easing but expects just one rate cut this year; and NBA legend Jerry West dies at 86 were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Ratings Takeaways

May 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three

imMay 2024 PPM Data – Information for Nielsen Audio’s May 2024 ratings period (April 25 – May 22) has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.

No share or rank thresholds are required to be included here.

MLB team names of spoken-word flagships are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are April 2024 – May 2024 (6+).

PORTLAND

News/Talk

KXL 6.4 – 5.8, #2 – #2

KEX 1.6 – 1.7, #20 – #20

KUFO .7 – .7, #23 – #24

KPAM .3 – .3, #30 – #31

News

None

Sports Talk

KXTG 1.5 – 1.2, #21 – #21

KFXX 1.4 – 1.0, #22 – #22

KPOJ .6 – .4, #27 – #26

KMTT .2 – .2, #34 – #33

KFXX Stream  DNA – .1, DNA – #36

Public Radio News/Talk

KOPB 5.1 – 5.0, #4 – #5

KOPB Stream  .7 – 1.0, #23 – #22

CHARLOTTE

News/Talk

WBT-AM/FM 4.2– 4.7, #8 – #7

News

WRFX-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #23

Sports Talk

WFNZ-FM 3.3 – 3.7, #13 – #10

WSOC-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFAE 4.4 – 3.4, #6 – #12

WNSC .8 – .7, #20 – #21

WFAE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

SAN ANTONIO

News/Talk

WOAI 2.8– 2.8, #12 – #13

KTSA 2.1 – 1.9, #17 – #19

News

None

Sports Talk

KTFM 1.2 – 1.4, #24 – #21

KTKR .6 – .5, #29 – #29

KZDC .5 – .4, #31 – #31

Public Radio News/Talk

KSTX 2.2 – 2.1, #15 – #17 

SACRAMENTO

News/Talk

KFBK 6.2 – 8.0 #3 – #2

KSTE-AM 1.9 – 2.5, #19 – #15

KSAC-AM .8 – 1.0, #23 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

KIFM 1.0 – 1.0, #22 – #21

KHTK 1.8 – .9, #20 – #23

KIFM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Public Radio News/Talk

KXJZ 2.8 – 3.6, #14 – #10

KQEI .3 – .2, #28 – #28

KQED .1 – .1, #30 – #30

KUOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: News/talk KFBK’s +1.8 (6.2 – 8.0) represents the largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

PITTSBURGH

News/Talk

KDKA-AM 4.3 – 4.6, #9 – #9

KDKA-AM Stream  .2 – .3, #21 – #18

News

None

Sports Talk

KDKA-FM (Pirates) 8.0 – 7.8, #2 – #3

KDKA-FM Stream (Pirates).4 – .3, #20 – #18

WBGG DNA – .1, DNA – #20

Public Radio News/Talk

WESA 5.4 – 4.7, #7 – #8

SALT LAKE CITY

News/Talk

KSL-AM/FM 8.1 – 4.9, #2 – #4

KNRS-AM/FM 2.6 – 3.1, #15 – #14

KKAT .1 – .1, #29 – #27

News

None

Sports Talk

KALL 1.0 – 1.2, #23 – #22

KZNS-FM .4 – .7, #26 – #25

KZNS-AM .6 – .3, #24 – #26

KZNS-AM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KZNS-FM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KOVO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUER 3.2 – 3.6, #14 – #12

KBYU-HD2 Stream  .3 – .1, #27 – #27

KUMT .3 – .1, #27 – #27    

Note: News/talk KSL’s -3.2 (8.1 – 4.9) represents the largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease by any station in the 36 PPM-markets analyzed thus far. 

LAS VEGAS

News/Talk

KMXB-HD3 1.6– 1.7, #23 – #22

KXNT .2 – .2, #34 – #33

KMZQ .1 – .1, #35 – #37

KXNT Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KWWN .6 – .5, #28 – #28

KKGK .6 – .3, #28 – #29

KENO .1 – .1, #35 – #37

KRLV .1 – .1, #35 – #37

Public Radio News/Talk

KNPR 1.9 – 1.5, #20 – #24

ORLANDO

News/Talk

WTKS 6.5 – 5.1, #4 – #7

WDBO 3.9 – 3.7, #10 – #10

WFLF .6 – .8, #19 – #19

WFYY .5 – .5, #21 – #21

WFYY-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WYGM .9 – 1.0, #17 – #17

WOCL-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WMFV 1.9 – 1.8, #15 – #16

WMFE DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Note: News/talk WTKS’ -1.4 (6.5 – 5.1) is Orlando’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

CINCINNATI

News/Talk

WLW 13.3 – 11.8, following back-to-back months at #1, slips to #2 (Reds)

WKRC 6.0 – 6.1, #5 – #5

News

None

Sports Talk

WCKY .7 – .8, #19 – #19

WSAI .7 – .4, #19 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WVXU 3.3 – 3.2, #10 – #10

Note: News/talk WLW’s -1.5 (13.3 – 11.8) is Cincinnati’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

CLEVELAND

News/Talk

WTAM 7.4 – 7.4, #4 – #5 (Guardians)

News

WMMS-HD2 .1 – .1, #23 – #23

Sports Talk

WKRK 4.2 – 4.8, #10 – #10

WKRK Stream .6 – 1.0, #20 – #19

WARF .1 – .1, #23 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

WKSU 6.5 – 5.5, #7 – #7

WKSU-HD4 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KANSAS CITY

News/Talk

KMBZ-FM 5.6 – 5.4, #4 – #4

KCMO-AM 1.5 – 1.5, #18 – #17

KMBZ-AM 1.3 – 1.3, #19 – #18

KMBZ-FM Stream .9 – 1.3, #22 – #18

KCMO-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KMBZ-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KCSP 3.4 – 3.3, #10 – #11 (Royals)

KCSP Stream  .6 – 1.1, #26 – #21 (Royals)

KWOD DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCUR 2.2 – 2.3, #15 – #15

KANU-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

COLUMBUS

News/Talk

WTVN 5.2 – 5.5, #7 – #6    

News

WYTS DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WBNS-FM 7.6 – 7.8, #2 – #2

WBNS-AM .6 – .4, #20 #21

WMNI .1 – .1, #22 – #23

WBNS-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WOSU 6.1 – 5.4, #5 – #7

Note: Public radio news/talk WOSU’s -.7 (6.1 – 5.4) is Columbus’ largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

Up next: May 2024 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Round Two of May PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s May 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 April 25 through May 22. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, DC, Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM declines eight-tenths to finish with a 3.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and is ranked #11 in the market, while Hubbard Broadcasting all-news WTOP-FM rises four-tenths for an 8.2 share that keeps it ranked #2. In Boston, iHeartMedia news/talk slides four-tenths to finish with a 2.9 share and the #14 rank, as sister all-news WBZ-AM dips four-tenths to a 4.5 share but remains ranked #7 in the market. And in Seattle, Bonneville news/talk KIRO-FM gains seven-tenths to finish with a 4.5 share lifting it to the #6 rank, while sister conservative talk KTTH-AM rises one-tenth to a 1.5 share and the #23 rank, and Lotus Communications’ conservative talk KVI-AM adds a half share for a 1.8 share finish good for the #21 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/11) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Hunter Biden is convicted on all three counts in his felony gun charge trial; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the European Union election results and migration; Russia’s military drills planned for Cuba; House Republicans to vote on contempt of congress charge against Attorney General Merrick Garland; the Israel-Hamas war and the proposed Gaza cease-fire; and the controversy over Justice Samuel Alito’s recorded comments on “godliness” were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Ratings Takeaways

May 2024 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imMay 2024 PPM Data – Information for Nielsen Audio’s May 2024 ratings period (April 25 – May 22) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

No share or rank thresholds are required for spoken-word stations to be included in our Ratings Takeaways.

MLB spoken-word flagships are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are April 2024 – May 2024 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.6 – 3.8, #6 – #11

WFED .1 – .1, #30 – #31 (Nationals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 7.8 – 8.2, #2 – #2

Business News WDCH .5 – .6, #23 – #24

WUST .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Business News WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.5 – 2.0, #17 – #16 (Nationals)

WJFK-FM Stream .8 – .9, #20 – #19 (Nationals)

WTEM .2 – .5, #25 – #26

WTEM Stream .2 – .4, #25 – #28

WSBN .1 – .1, #30 – #31

WTSD DNA – .1, DNA – #31

WJFK-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Nationals)

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 11.3 – 10.7, 31st month in succession at #1 

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 3.3 – 2.9, #12 – #13

WXKS-AM .4 – .6, #24 – #24

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.9 – 4.5, #7 – #7

Business news WRCA .2 – .2, #26 – #26

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 10.1 – 11.0, fifth straight month at #1

WEEI-FM 3.9 – 4.0, #10 – #8 (Red Sox)

WEEI-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Red Sox)

WEEI-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Red Sox)

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 5.8 – 5.4, #3 – #4

WGBH 4.3 – 3.8, #8 – #9 

Note: Sports talk WBZ-FM’s +.9 (10.1 – 11.0) represents Boston’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024increase.

WBZ-FM is the flagship of the NBA’s Celtics, now playing in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, whose flagship is rock KEGL.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.3 – 1.4, #23 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.0 – .9 #25 – #25

WINZ .3 – .5, #31 – #30 (Marlins)

WQAM Stream .2 – .2, #34 – #33

WMEN .3 – .1, #31 – #36

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 5.3 – 4.3, #5 – #6

WLRN-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #36    

Notes: Public radio news/talk WLRN’s -1.0 (5.3 – 4.3) represents Miami’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 decrease.

Sports talk WQAM is the flagship of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, now playing in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, whose flagship is Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) news/talk CHED.

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 3.8 – 4.5, #10 – #6

KVI 1.3 – 1.8, #24  – #21

KTTH 1.4 – 1.5, #22 – #23

KPTR .1 – .1, #30 – #29

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.4 – 2.4, #18 – #17

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 3.8 – 3.3, #10 – #14 (Mariners)

KJR-FM 1.6 – 1.8, #21 – #21

KJR-AM .5 – .7, #26 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 7.3 – 7.3, #3 – #2

KSWS DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 1.7 – 1.7, #17 – #17

WFDF .4 – .3, #25 – #25

WJR Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WWJ 4.6 – 4.4, #10 – #11

WWJ Stream .6 – .4, #23 – #24

WDFN .1 – .1, #27 – #29

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 9.2 – 8.2, #1 – #2 (Tigers)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.5 – 1.6, #18 – #18 (Tigers)

WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #26 – #26 (Tigers)

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Tigers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.9 – 1.9, #16 – #16

WUOM 1.3 – 1.5, #19 – #19 

Note: Sports talk WXYT-FM’s -1.0 (9.2 – 8.2) represents Detroit’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024decrease.

PHOENIX

News/Talk

KFYI 2.9 – 3.4, #10 – #8

KTAR-FM 2.7 – 2.3, #12 – #19

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 2.9 – 3.4, #10 – #8 (Arizona Diamondbacks)

KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #33 – #33 (Arizona Diamondbacks)

KDUS .1 – .1, #33 – #33

KGME DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Arizona Diamondbacks)

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 2.6 – 2.6, #15 – #14

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.4 – 4.6, #10 – #9 (Minnesota Twins)

KTMY 2.3 – 2.7, #15 – #14

KTLK-AM 2.1 – 1.9, #16 – #17

WCCO Stream .6 – .5, #26 – #25 (Minnesota Twins)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #30 – #30

Sports Talk

KFXN 8.0 – 8.4, #2 – #2

KSTP-AM .1 – .1, #30 – #30

KQQL-HD3 .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 6.4 – 6.0, #6 – #6

KNOW Stream .8 – .9, #22 – #23

SAN DIEGO

News/Talk

KOGO 4.3 – 3.9, #8 – #9

KLSD .5 – .4, #24 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 4.0 – 4.3, #10 – #7 (Padres)

KGB-AM .5 – .4, #24 – #23

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Padres)

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 6.6 – 6.6, #2 – #2

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 5.1 – 5.3, #5 – #6

WFLA 3.8 – 3.4, #12 – #13

News

Business news WHNZ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WDAE 2.3 – 2.2, #16 – #16 (Rays)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 2.0 – 2.1, #18 – #18

WMNF-HD3 Stream .1 – .1, #31 – #31

WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 3.0 – 2.6, #15 – #17 (Colorado Rockies)

KDFD 1.3 – 1.3, #21 – #22

KHOW 1.2 – 1.2, #22 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

KKSE-FM 3.0 – 3.4, #15 – #12

KKFN 3.4 – 2.8, #13 – #13

KAMP .1 – .1, #33 – #35

KEPN .1 – .1, #33 – #35

KKSE-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 2.9 – 2.7, #17 – #16

KUNC 1.1 – 1.2, #23 – #23

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 3.3 – 3.6, #10 – #11 (Orioles)

WCBM 1.4 – 1.8, #15 – #14

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.4 – 1.2,  #15 – #17

Business News WDCH  .5 – .6,  #21 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 2.9 – 3.6, #12 – #11

WJZ-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #28

WJZ-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 3.3 – 5.2, #10 – #6

WYPR HD2 Stream .2 – DNA, #26 – DNA 

Note: Public radio news/talk WYPR’s +1.9 (3.3 – 5.2) is tied for Baltimore’s largest (6+) April 2024 – May 2024 increase.

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 4.5 – 4.7, #10 – #10 (Cardinals)

KFTK 1.5 – 1.7, #17 – #17

KTLK-FM 1.3 – 1.3, #18 – #18

KMOX Stream .9 – .6, #19 – #20 (Cardinals)

KFTK Stream .2 – .1, #27 – #28

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .2 – .1, #27 – #28

Sports Talk

WXOS 3.8 – 3.1, #12 – #14

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 5.8 – 5.0, #6 – #9 

Up next: May 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

Round One of May PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s May 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The survey period covered April 25 through May 22. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC is up one-tenth to a 3.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #10 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR also climbs one-tenth to a 1.5 share good for the #19 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles drops six-tenths to finish with a 4.0 share and pulls it back to the #7 rank in the market. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN declines eight-tenths to a 3.0 share good for the #12 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM is steady with a .9 share and the #26 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/10) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; the far right victories in the EU elections; the Justice Samuel Alito “godliness” controversy; the Nancy Pelosi video clips from January 6; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; and the Israel-Hamas war and the UN Security Council’s cease-fire resolution were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The presidential race; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war; Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party scores victory in European Parliament elections; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the deadly heat dome affecting the Southwest U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of June 3 – 7

The presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was Joe Biden’s asylum policy change and the U.S. migrant crisis, followed by the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

TALKERS Conference is an Advance Sellout

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national event is set for Friday, June 7 at Hofstra University, just outside of New York City on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – like its colorful predecessors – is an advance sellout.  The power-packed, one-day agenda is spectacular! Check out the official Program Guide hereTALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Because the entire agenda of this year’s event will take place on the state-of-the-art television soundstage at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and a special staging area for individual interviews will be set up on an adjacent TV soundstage, the opportunity to create an in-depth video time capsule of this remarkably transitional moment in talk media history will be unprecedented.” Harrison adds, “The number of heavyweight players from all ends of the business gathered in one place for one day on a television soundstage will be of tremendous historical significance. We will grab the opportunity to save everything we can for posterity. This conference will be more than just another industry ‘convention.’ It will be a ‘symposium’ reflecting and preserving a remarkably colorful and historic era in American media and culture. Broadcasters and students of communications all over the world for years to come will bear witness to this ‘happening.’” The storied talk media industry tradition will again be presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and the school’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. For last minute information, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/5) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; the Israel-Hamas war; Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; President Joe Biden’s asylum reversal; the 80th D-Day anniversary; the deadly heat dome affecting the Southwest U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/5) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; President Joe Biden announces new restriction of asylum at U.S.-Mexico border; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war and the state of Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition; Attorney General Merrick Garland’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee; Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins reelection in India though his party loses seats in parliament; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the deadly Southwest heatwave were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/3) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Donald Trump’s conviction in New York; the presidential race; Tony Fauci’s COVID-19 testimony before a House subcommittee; the felony gun charge trial of Hunter Biden; the Israel-Hamas war and Benjamin Netanyahu’s effort to keep his coalition together; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the extreme heat forecast for the Southwest were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Former President Donald Trump’s conviction in New York; today’s beginning of Hunter Biden’s felony gun charge trial; the political implications of the Biden Israel-Hamas peace plan; the U.S. migrant crisis; Claudia Sheinbaum is elected president of Mexico; and China lands a lunar probe on the dark side of the moon were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/29) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The first day of jury deliberation in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the presidential race and RFK Jr’s complaint about debate exclusion; Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses calls to recuse himself from two January 6-related cases in the wake of his flags controversy; the Israel-Hamas war and the failure of the $320 million pier to deliver aid to Palestinian refugees; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the severe weather that’s affected parts of the southern U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Bill Doyle Exits “New Jersey 101.5”

TALKERS has learned that talk radio host Bill Doyle is no longer co-host of the afternoon drive showim alongside Jeff Deminski on Townsquare Media’s news/talk WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5.” It’s unclear whether this move was budget related or precipitated by something else, but Doyle’s info has been scrubbed from the “New Jersey 101.5” website and Deminski is listed as solo host in afternoons. Deminski and Doyle had been on-air partners since 1994, serving two stints with NJ101.5 from 1994 – 1999 and from 2011 to the present. TALKERS’ attempts to contact management at the Townsquare Trenton offices were unsuccessful.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/28) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial goes to the jury today; the presidential race and the Republicans vying to be Trump’s VP candidate; the U.S. economy; the Israel-Hamas war and Israel’s operations in Rafah; the Justice Samuel Alito upside down flag controversy and their spat with neighbors; the intense storms that swept through the southern U.S.; Harvard University’s new “no positions” policy; and the Russia-Ukraine war were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of May 20-24

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the presidential race, followed by the Israel-Hamas war tied with the International Criminal Court’s warrants for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/22) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial in NYC and the hearing in Florida in Trump’s classified documents case; the presidential race; inflation and the U.S. economy; China launches military drills around Taiwan; the controversy over flags flown at Justice Samuel Alito’s homes; Marjorie Taylor Greene says DOJ and FBI planned Trump assassination; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Hunter Biden tax trial is set for September; the tornadoes and severe weather affecting the south and central U.S. and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calls for July 4 election were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/21) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Israel-Hamas war and Norway, Spain and Ireland’s announcement they will formally recognize a Palestinian state; the defense rests in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the presidential race; the U.S. economy; Russia reportedly launches a satellite-killing space weapon; the Justice Samuel Alito January 6 flag controversy; the controversial Trump bio-pic The Apprentice; South Carolina bans meds and procedures for gender transition for minors; and the deadly tornadoes that swept through Iowa were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories

The ICC seeks arrest of Israel and Hamas leaders; Iran’s future in the wake of the death of its president; the ongoing Donald Trump hush money trial; the presidential race; inflation, the record-high financial markets and the economy; controversy over the Trump bio-pic The Apprentice; Arizona serves Rudy Giuliani with indictment papers in the 2020 election case; hacking threats against U.S. water systems; and the Justice Samuel Alito upside-down flag controversy were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: WHY Are You Podcasting?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imBecause you can? Because you aren’t doing AM/FM radio? Because you are on radio, but can’t-do-there what you can-do podcasting? Because you are making money podcasting?

Podcasters I help must first survive a conversation about WHY. “It’s a success…if…” WHAT?

Wired magazine co-founder Kevin Kelly reckons that “a creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, video maker, or author – in other words, anyone producing works of art – needs to acquire only 1,000 true fans to make a living.”

Devour these four pages he wrote – a genuine whack-on-the-side-of-the-head – and the structure for my coaching: http://getonthenet.com/1000TrueFans.pdf

im

What you read there may change how you approach the podcast you’re doing… or nudge you into podcasting if you don’t. As does the Edison Research 2024 Infinite Dial survey. Here’s that download, and a cautionary video from TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison: http://getonthenet.com/podcasting.html

Next Monday is Memorial Day here in the USA, so I’ll be back here on “…the third of June.” If you work mornings, this is my last column you will see before your show that day, so make a note in your bumper file: Bobbie Gentry, “Ode to Billy Joe.”

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Iran’s president and foreign minister killed in helicopter crash; the Israel-Hamas war and the ICC seeking arrest warrants for Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes; former President Donald Trump speaks at NRA convention; the aftermath of Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech; President Joe Biden’s Moorhouse College commencement; the Trump hush money trial in NYC; the presidential race; and Pope Francis is interviewed on “60 Minutes” were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Round Four of April PPMs Released

imThe fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 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 March 28 through April 24. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM is steady with a 7.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that keeps it ranked #4, while Curtis Media Group’s news/talk WPTF is also steady at a .6 share and stays in the #23 rank. A number of news/talk stations with no direct competition stayed steady or improved during the period, including Urban One’s WIBC-FM, Indianapolis which added six-tenths for a 5.7 share that lifts it to the #7 rank and Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM, Jacksonville which leaped 1.2 shares for a 9.1 share finish good for the #3 rank. Elsewhere, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN, Milwaukee rose 1.3 shares for a 10.3 share and cementing its eighth straight month at #1. (Its direct competitor WTMJ stopped subscribing to Nielsen several months ago.) See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

April 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imApril 2024 PPM Data – Information for the April 2024 survey period (March 28 – April 24) 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.

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

MLB’s 2024 season officially started March 20 when the Dodgers and Padres played two games in South Korea. The other 28 teams played their first game March 28.

NBA and NHL playoffs began April 20.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are March 2024 – April 2024 (6+).

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 3.8 – 4.5, #9 – #7

KJCE .1 – .1, #30 – #30

News

None

Sports Talk

KBPA-HD2  .9 – .9, #21 – #21

KVET-AM .7 – .5, #23 – #24

KTAE DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 8.4 – 7.6, #2 – #2

KUT-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 7.3 – 7.3, #4  – #4

WPTF .6 – .6, #23 – #23

News

WRAL-HD3 .5 – .7, #24 – #21

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.0 – 3.1, #13 – #12 (Carolina Hurricanes)

WCMC-FM HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #25 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 8.7 – 7.9, #2 – #3

Note: Public radio news/talk WUNC’s -.8 (8.7 – 7.9) is tied for Raleigh’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 5.1 – 5.7, #8 – #7

News

WOLT-HD2 DNA – .2, DNA – #25

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  2.6 – 2.3, #16 – #16

WNDE .5 – .3, #22 – #22

WXNT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WFNI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Pacers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 5.6 – 5.9, #6 – #6

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.0 – 10.3, eighth consecutive month at #1

WLIP .1 – .1, #26 – #26

WAUK .2 – DNA, #22 – DNA

WTMJ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brewers)

WGKB DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.4 – 2.3, #15 – #15

WOKY .1 – .2, #26 – #21

WSSP .2 – .2, #22 – #21

WKTI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 2.9 – 3.3, #13 – #10

WHAD 1.3 – 1.8, #17 – #16

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Note: News/talk WISN’s +1.3 (9.0 – 10.3) represents Milwaukee’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 6.5 – 5.7, #5 – #5

WLAC 1.8 – 1.7, #18 – #18

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 6.6 – 5.5, #4 – #7

WPRT 2.3 – 2.5, #17 – #17 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.8 – 3.2, #9 – #15

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – DNA, #23 – DNA

Note: Public radio news/talk WPLN’s -1.6 (4.8 – 3.2) represents Nashville’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.2 – 7.0, #5 – #4

WHJJ  1.3 – 1.1, #13 – #12

News

None

Sports Talk

WVEI 1.5 – 1.7, #11 – #9

WPRV .1 – .1, #18 – #18

WBZ-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 2.1 – 2.1, #8 – #8

WNPN 1.4 – 1.0, #12 – #13

WCAI .1 – .1, #18 – #18

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  2.0 – 2.1, #14 – #14

WGH-FM HD2  .1 – .1, #23 – #24

News

WNOH .3 – .3, #21 – #23

Sports Talk

WVSP 1.3 – 1.1, #17 – #17

WGH-AM .1 – .1, #23 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 8.3 – 9.1, #3 – #3

News

WJBT-HD2 .DNA – .2, DNA – #21

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .2, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.1 – 2.4, #13 – #13   

Note: News/talk WOKV-FM’s +.8 (8.3 – 9.1) is Jacksonville’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.6 – 2.6, #8 – #8

WZZR 1.1 – 1.2 #13 – #13

WJNO 1.1 – .9, #13 – #14

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .4 – .5, #17 – #16

WBZT .4 – .3, #17 – #19

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.6 – 2.6, #8 – #8

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 3.5 – 3.9 #11 – #10

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 4.6 – 4.4, #6 – #7

WUNC 2.5 – 2.5, #12 – #12

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 1.8 – 1.4, #8 – #10

KWAM .4 – .4, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.3 – 2.3, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

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

WMC-AM DNA – .2, DNA – #15

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.6 – 1.1, #10 – #11

WKNO-HD2  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 6.2 – 5.4, #5 – #6

WDRC-AM 1.6 – 1.6, #16 – #16

WPOP .2 – .2, #20 – #20

WTIC-AM Stream .2 – .2, #20 – #20

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.1 – 1.8, #13 – #14

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 5.0 – 5.0, #7 – #7

WFCR .4 – .4, #18 – #18

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/15) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico; President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agree to two debates; the Trump “hush money” trial; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S. military aid to Israel; the record high stock indexes, inflation and the U.S. economy; China’s Xi Jinping hosts Russia’s Vladimir Putin; the Russian advances in Ukraine; and the controversy over Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s stance on women in the workplace in a commencement speech were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.