The Most Popular FM Radio Station, Ranked

Choose the station you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 10, 2024 06:38
Choosing the right FM radio station for your daily commute or leisure time often hinges on finding a station that fits your personal taste in music, news, and talk shows. With a myriad of options available, it can be challenging to sift through each station to decide which truly resonates with your preferences. This is where a dynamic ranking of radio stations, based on listener votes, proves beneficial. It helps clarify which stations are hitting the right notes with the audience. By participating in the voting process, you contribute to a broader initiative to gauge listener satisfaction and preferences across various demographics. This not only assists other listeners in discovering stations that might align with their tastes but also provides radio stations with valuable feedback on their programming. This live ranking is continually updated, reflecting real-time changes and trends in listening habits, which adds to the excitement and relevance of finding your perfect station.

What Is the Most Popular FM Radio Station?

  1. 1
    44
    votes

    WLTW 106.7 Lite FM

    iHeartMedia
    This New York-based station is known for its adult contemporary format and consistently ranks as one of the most popular FM stations in the country.
    WLTW 106.7 Lite FM is a popular FM radio station based in New York City. It is known for its contemporary adult hits format, playing a variety of music from the 1980s through today. The station appeals to a wide audience with its mix of familiar songs and current hits, offering a pleasant and soothing listening experience.
    • Frequency: 106.7 FM
    • Location: New York City
    • Format: Contemporary Adult Hits
    • Music Era: 1980s to present
    • Target Audience: Wide demographic
    WLTW 106.7 Lite FM in other rankings
  2. 2
    45
    votes

    KIIS-FM 102.7

    Lew Dickey
    Based in Los Angeles, KIIS-FM is a Top 40 station that has been a staple in the market for decades. Its popularity has only grown with the rise of pop music and the station's star-studded lineup of DJs.
    KIIS-FM 102.7 is a popular FM radio station based in Los Angeles, California. It is known for its contemporary hit radio (CHR) format, playing a mix of top 40 hits, pop, and R&B music. The station caters to a wide audience, primarily targeting young adults and teenagers.
    • Frequency: 102.7 FM
    • Location: Los Angeles, California
    • Format: Contemporary Hit Radio
    • Genre: Top 40, Pop, R&B
    • Target Audience: Young adults, teenagers
    KIIS-FM 102.7 in other rankings
  3. 3
    40
    votes
    This Detroit-based sports talk station has become a must-listen for fans of the Lions, Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings. Its mix of lively debate, insider information, and entertaining personalities has made it a favorite in the Motor City.
    WXYT-FM 97.1 The Ticket is a popular FM radio station based in Detroit, Michigan. It is a sports talk radio station that primarily focuses on covering sports teams in the Detroit metropolitan area. The station provides insightful analysis, live game broadcasts, and engaging sports discussions.
    • Frequency: 97.1 FM
    • Location: Detroit, Michigan
    • Format: Sports talk radio
    • Coverage Area: Detroit metropolitan area
    • Sports Coverage: Detroit teams and national sports
  4. 4
    12
    votes
    This Washington D.C. station is a leading source of hip-hop and R&B music in the region. It features nationally syndicated shows as well as local personalities who keep listeners engaged and informed about the latest trends in urban culture.
  5. 5
    20
    votes

    KROQ-FM 106.7

    Infinity Broadcasting
    This Los Angeles-based alternative rock station has been a cultural institution since the 1980s. Its influence on the music scene, both locally and nationally, cannot be overstated.
    KROQ-FM 106.7 is a popular FM radio station based in Los Angeles, California. It is known for its alternative rock format and has a wide listenership across the region.
    • Frequency: 106.7 FM
    • Location: Los Angeles, California
    • Format: Alternative Rock
    • Target Audience: Youth and Young Adults
    • Broadcast Range: Approximately 40 miles
    KROQ-FM 106.7 in other rankings
  6. 6
    10
    votes
    This New York-based station is a leading source of R&B, soul, and hip-hop music. It has a loyal following among African American listeners and has been a key player in the city's music scene for decades.
    WBLS-FM 107.5 is a popular FM radio station in New York City. It is known for its diverse music programming, including R&B, soul, hip hop, and gospel. The station has been a leading force in urban radio for over four decades, catering to a wide audience of listeners in the Tri-state area.
    • Frequency: 107.5 FM
    • Location: New York City
    • Genre: Urban, R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, Gospel
    • Format: Adult contemporary
    • Broadcast Language: English
  7. 7
    4
    votes

    KEXP-FM 90.3

    Paul Allen
    This Seattle-based station is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting independent music and artists. Its eclectic mix of genres and commitment to supporting emerging talent has earned it a loyal following around the world.
    KEXP-FM 90.3 is a popular FM radio station based in Seattle, Washington. It is known for its diverse music programming, spanning a wide range of genres including alternative rock, indie, electronic, hip-hop, and more. KEXP is renowned for its commitment to independent and local artists, providing a platform for their music to reach a wider audience.
    • Frequency: 90.3 FM
    • Location: Seattle, Washington
    • Genre: Alternative rock, indie, electronic, hip-hop, and more
    • Programming: Diverse and eclectic music
    • Support for Independent and Local Artists: Promotes and features independent and local musicians
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    This Austin-based station is a leading source of indie rock, alternative, and Americana music. Its focus on local music and artists has made it a key player in the city's vibrant music scene.
    KUTX-FM 98.9 is a popular FM radio station based in Austin, Texas. It is known for its diverse music programming, featuring a mix of genres including rock, indie, blues, soul, and more. The station is dedicated to showcasing local and emerging artists alongside established musicians from around the world.
    • Frequency: 98.9 FM
    • Location: Austin, Texas
    • Genre: Eclectic mix of rock, indie, blues, soul, etc.
    • Audience: Music enthusiasts, local community
    • Broadcast Coverage: Greater Austin area
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    This New York-based station is a leading source of classical music in the region. Its commitment to promoting the arts and culture has made it a beloved institution among fans of classical music.
    WQXR-FM 105.9 is a classical music radio station based in New York City. It is one of the most popular FM radio stations in the area, offering a wide range of classical music programming. The station was created by a joint venture between The New York Times Company and WQXR Radio, Inc.
    • Frequency: 105.9 FM
    • Genre: Classical music
    • Location: New York City
    • Broadcast Range: Greater New York metropolitan area
    • Language: English
  10. 10
    2
    votes

    WTOP-FM 103.5

    Bonnie Squires
    This Washington D.C. station is a leading source of news, traffic, and weather in the region. Its commitment to providing timely and accurate information has made it a must-listen for commuters and residents alike.
    WTOP-FM 103.5 is a popular FM radio station based in Washington, D.C. It provides comprehensive news, traffic, weather updates, and talk shows to its listeners.
    • Frequency: 103.5 FM
    • Location: Washington, D.C.
    • Broadcasting Format: FM
    • Genre: News/Talk
    • Language: English

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Ranking factors for popular station

  1. Audience size
    One of the crucial factors is the number of people tuning into the radio station. Stations with larger audiences are considered more popular.
  2. Market share
    The percentage of listeners that a radio station holds within its target demographic is essential to determine its popularity in comparison to other stations in the same market.
  3. Time spent listening (TSL)
    The average amount of time individual listeners spend tuned into the station is significant for measuring engagement and popularity.
  4. Format
    The type of music or content the station provides is vital in determining its target audience, and popularity within those groups. Popular formats may include pop, rock, country, news/talk, or sports programming.
  5. Coverage area
    A radio station with a broader coverage area can reach more listeners; thus, larger coverage can be considered one factor in determining popularity.
  6. Listener engagement
    If a station has a high level of interaction with its audience, such as calls, texts, emails, and social media interactions, it's likely more popular.
  7. Brand recognition
    Radio stations that are well-known and have a strong brand presence in the market can also be considered more popular.
  8. On-air talent
    The quality of the station's personalities, such as DJs, hosts, and interviewers, can have a significant impact on the station's popularity.
  9. Station awards and honors
    Stations that have received awards for their programming and on-air talent often have an added level of credibility and popularity.
  10. Online presence
    A radio station's digital presence, such as website traffic and social media following, can also be an indicator of popularity.
  11. Advertiser support
    Popular radio stations often have a larger number of advertisers willing to invest in ad space, indirectly showing the station's popularity and reach.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular FM radio station. 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

  • 1336 views
  • 185 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 fm radio station

FM radio has been a staple in the world of broadcasting for decades, providing listeners with a diverse range of music, news, and entertainment. With so many stations to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most popular. However, through the power of polling, we can gain insight into the listening habits of people from all over the world. From the top hits of mainstream stations to the niche programming of independent stations, there is something for everyone on FM radio. So, what is the most popular FM radio station? Let's take a closer look at the results of our polls and find out.

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