December 2020 PPM Data – Information for the December 2020 ratings period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

Nielsen Audio’s December 2020 survey period covered November 5 – December 2.

Managing editor Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@TALKERS.com) provides his “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.

NEWS/TALK

• Three straight spikes by Waterloo Media Group Austin’s KLBJ-AM led to a collective +1.1 (5.0 – 5.5 – 6.0 – 6.1, 6+), but “News Radio 590” has that entire windfall obliterated with a December -1.1 (5.0, flat at #3, 6+).
• An overall +1.8 in three successive upticks (6.7 – 7.0 – 7.7 – 8.5, 6+), iHeartMedia Raleigh’s WTKK “106.1 Stay Connected” forfeits the entire bounty (6.7, -1.8, second to fourth, 6+).
• In three straight improvements, Curtis Media Group’s WPTF is a cumulative +1.0 (1.7 – 1.8 – 1.9 – 2.7, 6+) as “News Radio 680” jumps from #17 in Raleigh to #13.
• Emmis-owned WIBC was +3.5 via five straight increases and reached double-digits for the first time since April’s 10.3 (7.4 – 7.5 – 8.0 – 9.1 – 9.2 – 10.9, 6+), but “Indy’s Mobile News 93.1” – which repeats at #1 – surrenders nine-tenths (10.0, 6+).
• While remaining at #1 the fourth time in a row, iHeartMedia Milwaukee’s WISN “News/Talk 1130” is -2.0 (10.7, 6+), thus snapping at four its consecutive string of increases that netted an overall +5.9 (6.8 – 8.6 – 10.2 – 11.2 – 12.7, 6+); November’s 12.7 represents its highest 6+-stat in the PPM-era.
• In three gains in a row, Good Karma Brands Milwaukee’s WTMJ (Bucks, Green Bay Packers) was a cumulative +2.5 (5.5 – 6.7 – 7.2 – 8.0, 6+), but “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” is -1.2 in November/December (8.0 – 7.1 – 6.8, flat at #3, 6+).
• Cumulus Media Nashville’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7,” which was +1.2 in October/November (5.6 – 5.6 – 6.8, 6+), surrenders more than half that boon (6.1, -.7, third to fourth, 6+).
• Immediately after posting November’s +.9, iHeartMedia Nashville’s WLAC “Talk Radio 1510” erodes by seven-tenths (2.8 – 2.1, #15 to #17, 6+).
• A combined +2.0 in October/November (4.0 – 5.1, 6.0, 6+), Cumulus Media Providence’s WPRO-AM “News Talk 630” relinquishes 25% of that increase (5.5, -.5, fourth to fifth, 6+).
• In three successive bumps, iHeartMedia Providence’s WHJJ gained six-tenths (1.2 – 1.3 – 1.7 – 1.8, 6+), but “News Radio 920” is down seven-tenths in November/December (1.8 – 1.6 – 1.1, (#12 to #14, 6+).
• On top the past two months with a combined +1.5 (10.2 – 10.7 – 11.7, 6+), Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News, Weather, and Traffic” plummets by -1.7to 10.0 (6+) and is now tied for the lead.
• As a result of three straight sweeps without an increase, iHeartMedia-owned WJNO “1290 The Palm Beaches’ News & Talk” is a collective -.9 (3.9 – 3.9 – 3.8 – 3.0, sixth to ninth, 6+).
• Down one-half share in October/November (2.1 – 1.8 – 1.6, 6+), iHeartMedia West Palm Beach’s WZZR “Real Radio 94.3” improves by two-tenths to 1.8 (6+) and continues at #13.
• Jumping from #15 in West Palm Beach to #13 (where it is tied with WZZR), Hubbard Broadcasting’s WFTL “News Talk 850” gains six-tenths in November/December (1.2 – 1.4 – 1.8, 6+).
• Following four upticks in a row that led to an overall +2.3 (4.2 – 5.0 – 5.2 – 5.9 – 6.5, 6+), iHeartMedia Greensboro’s WPTI “94.5 Your News, Talk, & Sports Station” falters by -1.0 to 5.5 (fifth to sixth, 6+).
• A combined +1.6 in October/November (4.1 – 4.9 – 5.7, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WREC “600 AM – Memphis’ News, Traffic, & Weather” spirals by -1.9 (3.8, fifth to eighth, 6+).
• Four upticks in succession by Entercom Hartford’s WTIC-AM generated an overall +2.7 (6.1- 6.9 – 7.3 – 7.8 – 8.8, 6+), but “News Talk 1080” stumbles by seven-tenths to 8.1 (6+) and remains at #2.
• Flat at #14, Red Wolf Broadcasting Hartford’s WDRC-AM “AM 1360 The Talk of Connecticut” continues a rotating up/down pattern that began in February and includes December’s loss of one-tenth (.8 – 1.2 -.7 – .8 – .7 – 1.3 – 1.0 – 1.3 – .7 – .9 – .8, 6+).
• Although down or flat the third time in a row for a net loss of two-tenths (.4 – .3 – .2 – .2, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WPOP “News Radio 1410” advances from #17 in Hartford to #16.

NEWS

• Repeating at #16 in Providence, iHeartMedia Boston’s WBZ-AM “News Radio 1030” is down or flat the sixth straight sweep for a net loss of one-half share (1.5 – 1.5 – 1.3 – 1.3 – 1.2 – 1.2 -1.0, 6+).
• Black Information Network affiliate/iHeartMedia-owned WNOH improves by three-tenths to .9 (#14 to #13), its best 6+-showing since June’s 1.5.
• A no-show from February 2020 through October 2020, Max Media Norfolk’s business news WGH-AM “Money Talk” adds two-tenths to November’s .1 (.3, 6+) and is unchanged at #15.

SPORTS TALK

• Having nearly tripled (+1.1) its 6+ AQH share in October/November (.6 – 1.0 – 1.7, 6+), Genuine Austin Radio’s KTXX drops one-tenth to 1.6 (6+) but “The Horn” repeats at #17.
• Following four straight Raleigh sweeps without a loss that generated a +1.8 (1.1 – 1.1 – 1.3 – 2.5 – 2.9, 6+), Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC “99.9 The Fan” (Carolina Hurricanes) is -1.3 in November/December (2.9 – 2.5 – 1.6, #15 to #18, 6+).
• Wiping away November’s half-share loss with a December half-share gain (3.0 – 2.5 – 3.0, 6+), Emmis-owned WFNI “The Fan – Indy’s Sports Center” (Pacers) climbs from #15 to #13.
• After adding two-tenths via four consecutive up or flat sweeps (.7 – .8 – .9 – .9 – .9, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WNDE “Fox Sports 1260 – Indy’s Sports Leader” is off one-tenth to .8 (6+) and repeats at #19.
• In Milwaukee, Good Karma Brands’ WKTI “94.5 ESPN” doubles (+.4) its 6+ AQH share through five successive up or flat moves (.4 – .6 – .6 – .6 – .7 – .8, unchanged at #16, 6+).
• While unchanged at .7 (6+), iHeartMedia-owned WRNW “97.3 The Game – Milwaukee’s Sports Talk That Rocks” slips from #16 to #17.
• Having tripled (+.4) its 6+ AQH share in four consecutive up or flat sweeps (.2 – .4 – .4 – .4 – .6, 6+), iHeartMedia Milwaukee’s WOKY “The Big 920” surrenders two-tenths to .4 (#18 to #20, 6+).
• In four straight down or flat trends, Entercom Milwaukee’s WSSP is off one-tenth as “Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan” repeats November’s 6+ AQH share and market rank (.5 – .4 – .4 – .4 – .4, #20, 6+).
• All but one-tenth of November’s increase of seven-tenths by Cumulus Media Nashville’s WGFX is purged (6.0 – 5.4, -.6, 6+), as “104.5 The Zone” (Tennessee Titans) slips from fifth to seventh.
• After more than tripling (+1.0) its 6+ AQH share in October/November (.4 – 1.3 – 1.4, 6+), Cromwell Group Nashville’s WPRT “102.5 The Game” (Predators) is off one-tenth to 1.3 (6+) yet advances from #20 to #19.
• Up four-tenths in October/November (2.2 – 2.5 – 2.6, 6+), Entercom Providence’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” sputters by one-tenth to 2.5 (flat at #9, 6+).
• This is the third time in succession that Max Broadcast Group Norfolk’s WVSP “ESPN Radio 94.1” has made a month-to-month fluctuation of two-tenths (1.4 – 1.6 – 1.8 – 1.6, ninth to tenth, 6+).
• Up three-tenths in October/November (.6 – .7 – .9, 6+), iHeartMedia Jacksonville’s WFXJ “930 The Game” surrenders one-tenth (.8, flat at #17, 6+).
• Including December’s loss of two-tenths, Curtis Media Group Greensboro’s WSJS “The Sports Hub” is in an alternative up/down pattern: .6 – .7 – .5 – .6 – .4 (6+) and remains at #15.
• After being -.9 in September/October (2.5 – 2.0 – 1.6, 6+), Entercom Memphis’ WMFS “ESPN Sports Radio” is +.9 in November/December (1.6 – 1.9 – 2.5, #14 to #13, 6+).
• In three straight reports without an increase, the internet stream of Entercom Memphis’ WMFS “ESPN Sports Radio” has lost four-tenths (.7 – .5 – .5 – .3, #17 to #18, 6+).
• Unchanged at #19 in Memphis, Entercom-owned WMC-AM “680 AM ESPN Sports Radio” has recorded a .2 (6+) in six of the last eleven reports and a .3 (6+) in the other five (.3 – .3 – .2 – .3 – .2 – .2 – .2 – .3 – .3 – .2 – .2, 6+).
• Having improved by one-half share in October/November (.7 – 1.0 – 1.2, 6+), iHeartMedia’s WUCS “97.9 ESPN Hartford” drops one-tenth to 1.1 (flat at #13, 6+).

PUBLIC RADIO NEWS/TALK

• Three improvements in a row by KUT yielded a +2.9 (7.3 – 8.2 – 10.1 – 10.2, 6+), but the University of Texas at Austin-owned facility is -.9 in November/December (10.2 – 9.6 – 9.3, flat at #2, 6+).
• Supplementing November’s +1.3 with a December +1.1 (7.0 – 8.3 – 9.4, 6+), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s WUNC “91.5 North Carolina Public Radio” zooms from third in Raleigh to first.
• Nearly duplicating November’s +.8 with a December +.7 (3.4 – 4.2 – 4.9, 6+), Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting’s WFYI advances from eighth to seventh.
• In addition to progressing from eighth in Milwaukee to sixth , University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM is a collective +1.2 in three straight gains (4 – 3.7 – 3.8 – 4.6, 6+).
• Unchanged at #11, Wisconsin Public Radio’s WHAD, Milwaukee has an August 2020 through December 2020 topline of: 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.3 – 1.4 – 1.4 (6+).
• Pushing up from sixth to fifth, Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM “NPR News and Classical Music” notches its fifth consecutive up or flat trend for an overall +2.0 (3.8 – 4.2 – 4.3 – 4.8 – 5.8 – 5.8, 6+).
• Having nearly doubled (+1.7) its 6+ AQH share in four straight Providence improvements (1.9 – 2.5 – 2.6 – 2.9 – 3.6, 6+), WGBH Educational Foundation Boston’s WGBH relinquishes one-half share (3.1, flat at #8, 6+).
• Off a total of three-tenths in September/October (2.1 – 2.0 – 1.8, 6+), Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN logs a gain of two-tenths in back-to-back Providence reports (1.8 – 2.0 – 2.2, steady at #10, 6+).
• Progressing from eighth to seventh, Jacksonville’s WJCT is +.8 in November/December (3.9 – 4.6 – 4.7, 6+).
• Adding nine-tenths to November’s +.7 (3.2 – 3.9 – 4.8, 6+), Dade County School Board’s WLRN carries on in fifth-place in West Palm Beach.
• Despite being up four-tenths in November/December (3.6 – 3.9 – 4.0, 6+), Wake Forest University’s WFDD backslides from ninth in Greensboro to tenth.
• Steady at #13 in Greensboro, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s WUNC has an August 2020 through December 2020 topline of: 1.7 – 1.7 – 1.8 – 1.7 – 1.9 (6+).
• Up six-tenths in November/December (2.2 – 2.7 – 2.8, 6+), Mid-South Public Communications Foundation-owned WKNO “91.1 NPR For The Mid-South” carries on at #12 in Memphis.
• Winning ways continue for Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network-owned WNPR “Connecticut’s Public Media Source for News & Ideas,” which is +3.8 via six successive spikes (2.6 – 2.9 – 3.0 – 3.6 – 4.8 – 5.1 – 6.4, 6+), leaping from eighth in Hartford to fifth.
• After gaining two-tenths in Hartford this time last month, University of Massachusetts-owned WFCR “New England Public Radio repeats November’s .4 (#16 to #15, 6+).

Category: Ratings Takeaways