By Mike Kinosian
Managing Editor
TALKERS

LOS ANGELES — Proven to be an extremely popular feature over the years, our analysis of Major League Baseball flagships is accompanied by its share of caveats and our first such 2018 ratings synopsis is no exception.

The following April 2018 scoreboards are for an MLB team’s English-language, Nielsen Audio subscribing key station.

It is not uncommon for an MLB team to have an AM and FM flagship and/or an emergency alternative (backup); however, we are not showing multiple stations for a team.

Rather, there is only one “Designated Hitter." per team.

Mirroring the one-station-per-team model, MLB flagships listed here have ratings data from one Nielsen Audio metro.

Specifically, information for the flagships of the Mets (WOR) and Yankees (WFAN) is limited to their home market – New York City – even though they may appear as well in Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island) and Middlesex-Somerset-Union.

Key stations for the two Bay Area teams – the San Francisco Giants (KNBR) and Oakland A’s (KGMZ) – have San Francisco ratings info only (not San Jose).

Things though admittedly get especially thorny for ratings stats of the primary flagship for the Los Angeles Angels, as KLAA is unlisted (April 2018) in both the Los Angeles and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario reports. Therefore, “NA." (Not Available) is frequently displayed next to KLAA throughout this entire overview.

Tribune Media news/talk WGN succeeds Cumulus Media-owned news/talk WLS-AM as the flagship of the Chicago White Sox. In 2014, WGN concluded a 56-year run as radio home of the cross-town Cubs.

In its first year as the San Diego Padres’ principal radio outlet, Entercom sports talk KWFN “97.3 The Fan." was CHR KEGY “Energy 97.3." up until early-May (2018).

No ratings information is shown for the flagship for the American League East’s Toronto Blue Jays (CJCL).

Data cited here is full-week, Monday-Sunday, 6:00 am – 12:00 midnight (6+) – it is not limited to any specific day-part.

With the extensive fine print concluded, it’s time to throw out the first pitch for this exclusive April 2018 TALKERS overview of MLB flagships – “Play Ball!."

Up next: A look at April 2018 results for classic hits-oldies and coming next Monday (5/28) – the news/talk overview; email managing editor Mike Kinosian at Kinosian@TALKERS.com 

Tags: April 2018 PPM Analysis: Major League Baseball Flagships, Mike Kinosian, Nielsen Audio, Sports Talk Radio, TALKERS

Category: Analysis, Sports