The Most Popular Radio Station in the USA, Ranked

Choose the radio station you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:48
With the vast landscape of media choices, pinpointing which radio station resonates best with listeners across the USA is not just intriguing but essential. Rankings offer a clear snapshot of listener preferences and trends, helping people find stations that align with their musical tastes or informational needs. By participating in the voting process, users contribute to a more accurate and democratic ranking. This not only enhances the relevance of the results but also ensures that a diverse array of stations is considered, reflecting the true variety and richness of American radio broadcasting.

What Is the Most Popular Radio Station in the USA?

  1. 1
    84
    votes
    This New York-based station is the most listened to station in the country, with over 5 million weekly listeners.
    WLTW - 106.7 Lite FM is a popular radio station in the USA that focuses on playing adult contemporary music. It is widely known for its soft rock and pop music selections that appeal to a broad audience. The station offers a mix of popular hits from the past and present, creating a pleasant and relaxing listening experience.
    • Frequency: 106.7 FM
    • Format: Adult Contemporary
    • Target Audience: Adults aged 25-54
    • Broadcasting Area: New York City metropolitan area
    • Streaming Available: Yes
  2. 2
    37
    votes
    This Los Angeles-based station is known for its upbeat music and popular morning show, hosted by Ryan Seacrest.
    KIIS FM - 102.7 KIIS FM is a popular radio station in the USA, known for its contemporary hit radio (CHR) format. It is primarily based in Los Angeles, California and has been on air since 1948.
    • Format: Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR)
    • Location: Los Angeles, California
    • Frequency: 102.7 FM
    • Launch Year: 1948
    • Owner: iHeartMedia, Inc.
  3. 3
    42
    votes

    WHTZ - Z100

    iHeartMedia
    This New York-based station is known for playing the latest pop hits and hosting celebrity interviews.
    WHTZ - Z100 is a commercial radio station based in New York City, known for being one of the most popular Top 40 stations in the United States. It broadcasts on the FM frequency of 100.3 MHz and is owned by iHeartMedia.
    • Station Name: WHTZ - Z100
    • Frequency: 100.3 MHz
    • Format: Top 40
    • Location: New York City
    • Ownership: iHeartMedia
  4. 4
    26
    votes

    WTOP - 103.5 FM

    Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc.
    This Washington D.C.-based station is known for its news and traffic updates, making it a popular choice for commuters in the area.
    WTOP - 103.5 FM is a popular all-news radio station located in Washington, D.C. It provides up-to-the-minute news, traffic, weather, and sports updates to its listeners. WTOP is known for its comprehensive coverage of local and national news, including politics, business, and entertainment.
    • Frequency: 103.5 FM
    • Format: All-news
    • Location: Washington, D.C.
    • Broadcast Area: Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
    • Language: English
  5. 5
    12
    votes
    This Los Angeles-based station plays a mix of contemporary and classic hits, making it a popular choice among all age groups.
    KOST - 103.5 KOST is a popular radio station in the USA that primarily airs Adult Contemporary music and serves the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
    • Frequency: 103.5 FM
    • Genre: Adult Contemporary
    • Broadcast Area: Los Angeles metropolitan area
    • Language: English
    • First Air Date: 1959
  6. 6
    9
    votes

    KFOG - 104.5 KFOG

    KCBS-FM Radio Corporation
    This San Francisco-based station is known for playing a variety of music genres, including rock, alternative, and indie.
    KFOG - 104.5 KFOG is a popular radio station in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA. It is known for its eclectic mix of rock, alternative, and acoustic music, as well as its engaging on-air personalities and community-driven initiatives.
    • Frequency: 104.5 FM
    • Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California
    • Format: Rock, Alternative, Acoustic
    • Language: English
    • Broadcast Area: San Francisco Bay Area
  7. 7
    12
    votes

    KQED - 88.5 KQED

    KQED Public Media
    This San Francisco-based station is known for its programming of news, culture, and educational content.
    KQED - 88.5 KQED is a public radio station based in San Francisco, California. It is one of the most popular radio stations in the USA, known for its diverse programming and commitment to serving the local community. With a focus on news, arts, and culture, KQED offers a wide range of shows and podcasts that inform and entertain listeners.
    • Frequency: 88.5 FM
    • Location: San Francisco, California
    • Format: Public radio
    • Broadcast Area: Extended Bay Area
    • Programming: News, arts, and culture
  8. 8
    14
    votes
    This New York-based station is known for playing R&B and soul music, making it a popular choice among urban listeners.
    WBLS - 107.5 WBLS is a popular urban contemporary radio station in the United States. It primarily serves the New York City metropolitan area and is known for its diverse and high-quality programming.
    • Format: Urban contemporary
    • Broadcast Area: New York City metropolitan area
    • Frequency: 107.5 FM
    • Launch Year: 1972
    • Slogan: Your #1 Source for R&B
  9. 9
    16
    votes
    This Seattle-based station is known for its alternative and indie music programming, as well as its live performances and interviews.
    KEXP - 90.3 KEXP is a non-commercial radio station based in Seattle, Washington. It is known for its eclectic and diverse music programming, featuring a wide range of genres including alternative rock, indie pop, underground hip hop, and electronic music. KEXP is highly regarded for its commitment to supporting independent and local artists, as well as its engaging interviews, live performances, and exclusive in-studio sessions.
    • Frequency: 90.3 FM
    • Location: Seattle, Washington
    • Format: Eclectic
    • Genres: Alternative rock, indie pop, underground hip hop, electronic music
    • Ownership: Non-commercial
  10. 10
    6
    votes

    WFAN - 101.9 FM

    Emmis Communications
    This New York-based station is known for its sports programming, including coverage of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants.
    WFAN - 101.9 FM is a popular sports radio station in the United States. It is known for its extensive coverage of professional sports and is the flagship station of the CBS Sports Radio network. With a focus on New York sports teams, WFAN provides live game broadcasts, sports talk shows, and analysis to its listeners. The station has a dedicated fan base and has been a staple in the American sports radio scene for many years.
    • Frequency: 101.9 FM
    • Format: Sports
    • Coverage Area: New York Metropolitan Area
    • Language: English
    • Launch Year: 1987

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Ranking factors for popular radio station

  1. Audience Size
    The number of listeners who consistently tune in to the radio station, measured by the average quarter-hour audience or total weekly listeners. This determines the reach of the station among the US population.
  2. Market Share
    The percentage of total radio listeners in a specific region or demographic group tuning into the station, against the share of other radio stations. A higher market share indicates greater popularity.
  3. Time Spent Listening (TSL)
    The average time listeners spend listening to a radio station each day or week. A longer TSL suggests that the station's content is engaging and captivating.
  4. Demographics
    The station's popularity among various age groups, ethnicities, and genders, to ascertain its appeal to different segments of the population.
  5. Genre or Format
    The type of music (e.g., pop, rock, country, etc.) or content (e.g., talk shows, news, commentary) offered by the station. Popularity can vary depending on the preferences of listeners in a specific region or demographic group.
  6. Geographic Reach
    The coverage area of the radio station, including the number of cities, states, or regions where the station's signal can be received.
  7. Digital Presence
    The radio station's online presence, including its website, mobile app, and social media following, which attracts and engages additional listeners.
  8. Advertising Revenue
    The revenue generated by the station through advertisements, indicating its commercial success and popularity among businesses targeting its audience.
  9. Awards and Accolades
    Recognition received by the radio station from industry bodies, media watchdogs, or critiques, reflecting its quality and success in capturing the audience's interest.
  10. Listener Loyalty
    The extent to which listeners return to the radio station time and again, which is an indicator of the station's ability to attract and retain regular listeners.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular radio station in the USA. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or station is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 13328 views
  • 220 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each station once every 24 hours. The rank of each station is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular radio station in the usa

Radio has been a staple of American culture for over a century, providing entertainment, news, and music to millions of listeners across the country. With so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which radio station is the most popular in the USA. From Top 40 hits to talk radio, there are a multitude of genres and formats to choose from. However, thanks to the power of data and analytics, we can now determine which stations are truly the most popular based on listener preferences and ratings. So, if you're curious about which radio station reigns supreme in the USA, read on to find out!

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