Terrific survey for Audacy properties For the first time in its storied history, Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) WXRT-FM took the top spot in Nielsen’s monthly PPM rankings. The Audacy-owned station finished first ahead of competitors The Drive (WDRV-FM) and WLIT-FM, ahead of sister station WBBM Newsradio, which finished second. WXRT also finished second in the key adult 25-54 […]
This time, the filing is different Atlanta-based Cumulus Radio announced it’s filing for bankruptcy again – but this time, with a different twist. The owner of WLS-AM/FM and Q101 in Chicago has reached a restructuring agreement with a group of lenders that will eliminate the remaining $600 million in debt and balance its books. To do so, the company plans […]
Sister station 103.5 KissFM remains on top in demos As iHeartMedia’s AC 93.9 The Lite (WLIT) kicked off its 25th annual Christmas Music format Tuesday, the station has already perched itself on top of the overall PPM ratings for October and won’t be budging from that position anytime soon. WLIT topped all comers with a 4.9 rating, and for the third […]
Respondents have varying opinions on AI as younger people leave legacy media behind Last month, the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University released its second annual study on how viewers in the Chicago area consume and receive local news. The study provided valuable insights into trust, how viewers consume local news, and a significant issue: artificial intelligence (AI). Surveyed across […]
The Drive tops overall ratings while Kiss 103.5 FM is first in 25-54s With the continuing ICE enforcement and National Guard drama in Chicago, listeners tuned in to the city’s news, talk, and information stations in increasing numbers during the month of September in PPMs released earlier this week. Operation Midway Blitz was fanned across the nation’s third-largest radio and […]
WLIT tops overall numbers The August PPMs were an awesome one for iHeartMedia Chicago, with Rock 95.5 (WCHI-FM) surging, Kiss 103.5 FM sweeping the demo races, and WLIT topping the overall numbers. Rock 95.5 moved from — to thirteenth with a 3.2, the highest share number in the station’s five-year history, and the highest for the frequency since the WNUA […]
Agrees to stream on archrival’s platform Starting today, Audacy’s 200+ radio stations will be available on the iHeartRadio app. Joining iHeartMedia’s local stations on the platform in Chicago are sports talker 670 The Score (WSCR-AM), Newsradio 105.9 FM (WBBM-AM 780/WCFS-FM 105.9), Adult Album Alternative 93XRT (WXRT-FM), Top 40/CHR B96 (WBBM-FM), Country US99 (WUSN-FM), and Classic R&B/Hip-Hop 104.3 Jams (WBMX-FM). Other […]
WBBM-AM, WBEZ are up from Holiday survey; increasing number of streams showing up in ratings With the Christmas music season over and audience patterns returning to normal, two trends have emerged in Nielsen’s January PPM numbers. The change in Presidential administrations and the Los Angeles wildfires has sent ratings for all-news and news/talk stations upward, with WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM (Newsradio 105.9) […]
Also: Ramblin’ Ray gives up KCMO gig to focus on WLS-AM; Moffett Nathanson gives mixed reviews of upcoming NBCU cable spinoff Unlike other Chicago Sports embarrassments this year, this one was shown live in front of the largest audience of the season. The Bears’ major meltdown against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving drew a record of 37.5 million viewers for CBS […]
Plus, Chicago radio ratings, Comcast considering the sale or spinoff of cable channels, and the CW returns to a Cleveland station after Nexstar buys it Elon Musk has finally expressed his thoughts on television, and he is not a fan. The South African billionaire who bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 blasted the major networks on his platform recently, […]
Cumulus station goes all in on syndicated programming As first reported by Axios Chicago Friday, Cumulus’ conservative talk WLS-AM has decided not to renew Steve Cochran’s contract. Replacing Cochran in the 5:30 a.m.-9 a.m. slot is Ramblin’ Ray Stevens, formerly of US99 (WUSN-FM.) The decision to cancel the longtime radio personality’s show is part of budget cuts at the low-rated […]
Also: The Drive reclaims the top spot in Chicago radio ratings; Young Sheldon redeems himself [Editor’s Note: The second item of this piece was updated on May 21.] Wrapping up the upfronts: ABC released its fall schedule last week as part of a Disney upfront presentation that hardly mentioned the network. And little wonder – there isn’t much to talk […]
Also: Judge Judy and Hot Bench renewed through 2026; Bulls’ regular-season ratings fall; WLS-AM host falls for phishing scam Digital subchannel Bounce could soon have a new owner, according to CNBC. Cincinnati-based Scripps has hired a financial firm to evaluate potential offers. Bounce was founded by Katz Communications and launched in 2011, offering various dramas, sitcoms, and sporting events targeted […]
Also: Alyssa Donovan promoted to full-time to WGN-TV’s Weather Team; WBEZ continues its ratings freefall; Indianapolis station to air Fever games As hinted by Politico’s Shia Kapos last week, it was made official Tuesday: Paris Schutz is headed to Fox-owned WFLD (Fox 32) where he’ll be the chief political reporter and anchor his own half-hour weekly political show, essentially replacing […]
Also: The Talk to end after 15 years; NCAA Women’s Championship draws record high; NHL team headed to Utah With the future of Paramount Global all the chatter, there could be some radio merger and acquisition action, too. A report in Radio Insight suggests Audacy – soon to be controlled by Soros Fund Management after coming out of bankruptcy – […]
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