The Most Popular Radio Station in New York City, Ranked

Choose the radio station you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 4, 2024 06:46
Finding the right radio station in New York City can be a challenging task given the sheer number of options available. Each station offers its own unique blend of music, news, and entertainment, catering to diverse audiences. A well-organized ranking of these stations not only simplifies this choice but also highlights stations based on listener preferences and current trends. By participating in the live ranking, users have the opportunity to influence which stations are most visible and celebrated. This voting mechanism ensures that the list remains current and reflective of true listener enjoyment and preference. It’s an engaging way for individuals to show support for their favorite stations and discover new ones driven by the tastes of fellow listeners.

What Is the Most Popular Radio Station in New York City?

  1. 1
    74
    votes

    WLTW 106.7 Lite FM

    iHeartMedia
    This station plays a mix of contemporary hits and classic songs, making it a go-to for many New Yorkers.
    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
    34
    votes
    This Spanish-language station is popular among the city's large Latinx population, playing a mix of reggaeton, salsa, and bachata.
    WSKQ-FM 97.9 La Mega is a popular Spanish-language radio station in New York City. It caters to the Latino community with a diverse range of music genres including salsa, reggaeton, bachata, and merengue. La Mega is known for its lively on-air personalities, engaging content, and exciting promotions.
    • Frequency: 97.9 FM
    • Language: Spanish
    • Genre: Latin music
    • Target Audience: Latino community
    • Format: Commercial
  3. 3
    30
    votes

    WNYC 93.9 FM

    New York Public Radio
    A public radio station that offers news, talk, and cultural programming, WNYC is a favorite among those who want to stay informed about local and national issues.
    WNYC 93.9 FM is a public radio station based in New York City. It is known for its diverse programming that includes news, talk shows, and music. The station aims to provide high-quality content that educates, informs, and entertains its audience. With a strong focus on local news and issues, WNYC 93.9 FM has become one of the most trusted sources of information in the city.
    • Frequency: 93.9 FM
    • Format: Public radio
    • Broadcast area: New York City
    • Primary language: English
    • Ownership: Non-profit
  4. 4
    19
    votes

    WCBS 880

    CBS Radio
    This all-news radio station provides up-to-the-minute updates on local, national, and international news stories.
    WCBS 880 is a popular radio station in New York City that is known for its news and talk programming. It has a wide audience base and covers a range of topics including local news, traffic updates, weather forecasts, politics, and sports. The station focuses on delivering timely and accurate information to its listeners.
    • Frequency: 880 AM
    • Format: News/Talk
    • Language: English
    • Broadcast Area: New York metropolitan area
    • Target Audience: Adults, primarily aged 35 and above
  5. 5
    24
    votes

    WABC 770

    WABC, Inc.
    A talk radio station that features a mix of political commentary, sports talk, and lifestyle programming.
    WABC 770 is a popular radio station in New York City that has been serving the community since 1921. It is one of the oldest radio stations in the United States and has a rich history of delivering quality programming to its listeners. WABC 770 features a mix of news, talk shows, and sports coverage, making it a go-to destination for those seeking up-to-date information and engaging discussions. With its powerful AM signal, WABC 770 reaches a wide audience across the New York metropolitan area.
    • Frequency: 770 AM
    • Launch Year: 1921
    • Format: News/Talk/Sports
    • Coverage Area: New York metropolitan area
    • Signal Type: AM
  6. 6
    13
    votes

    1010 WINS

    WINS Radio
    Another all-news station, 1010 WINS is known for its catchy jingle and quick updates on breaking news stories.
    1010 WINS is a popular all-news radio station in New York City. It provides up-to-the-minute news, weather, traffic reports, and sports updates. Known as 'New York's one and only all-news station,' 1010 WINS has been on the air since 1965.
    • Format: All-news radio
    • Frequency: 1010 AM
    • City: New York City
    • Coverage Area: Tri-State area
    • Language: English
  7. 7
    14
    votes
    This pop music station plays the latest hits and often hosts concerts and events featuring popular artists.
    Z100 is a popular radio station in New York City, known for its contemporary hit music and entertaining programming. It has a wide listener base and is recognized for its lively morning show and engaging personalities. The station primarily targets young adults and teenagers, offering a mix of current popular songs across various genres.
    • Genre: Contemporary hit music
    • Target Audience: Young adults and teenagers
    • Broadcast Area: New York City
    • Frequencies: 100.3 FM, 100.7 FM
    • Motto: New York's Hit Music Station
  8. 8
    10
    votes

    Hot 97

    Emmis Communications
    A hip-hop and R&B station that features popular DJs and hosts, Hot 97 is a favorite among fans of the genre.
    Hot 97 is a popular radio station based in New York City known for its focus on hip hop and R&B music. It has been a staple in the city's music scene since its launch in 1992, attracting a diverse audience of urban music lovers. The station is well-regarded for its influential on-air personalities, engaging talk shows, and live events.
    • Frequency: 97.1 FM
    • Format: Hip Hop, R&B, Urban
    • First Air Date: March 11, 1992
    • Broadcast Area: New York City metropolitan area
    • Language: English
  9. 9
    11
    votes

    WFAN 660

    Emmis Communications
    A sports talk radio station that covers New York's professional teams and hosts popular shows like "Boomer and Gio" and "Mike's On."
    WFAN 660 is a popular sports radio station based in New York City. It is known for its extensive coverage of local sports teams, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, New York Knicks, New York Giants, New York Jets, and more. The station provides a platform for sports enthusiasts to stay updated on the latest news, interviews, and game analysis.
    • Frequency: 660 kHz
    • Format: Sports
    • Language: English
    • Broadcast Area: New York City metropolitan area
    • Broadcast Hours: 24/7
  10. 10
    0
    votes
    This urban adult contemporary station plays a mix of R&B, soul, and hip-hop, and is a popular choice for listeners looking for a smooth and relaxing vibe.
    WBLS 107.5 is a popular radio station in New York City that specializes in urban contemporary music and entertainment. It has been serving the community for decades with its diverse range of programming, including R&B, soul, hip-hop, gospel, and jazz.
    • Frequency: 107.5 FM
    • Format: Urban Contemporary
    • Broadcast Area: New York City
    • Target Audience: Urban and African-American community
    • Launch Date: August 11, 1972

Missing your favorite radio station?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular radio station

  1. Audience Reach
    The number of unique listeners the radio station has within a specific time frame (usually measured in weekly or monthly periods). This demonstrates the extent of the radio station's popularity and influence in the market.
  2. Market Share
    The proportion of the total radio listenership that the station captures. This indicates the radio station's competitiveness and standing among other stations in New York City.
  3. Time Spent Listening (TSL)
    The average amount of time listeners spend tuned into the radio station. High TSL indicates strong listener engagement and loyalty to the station's programming.
  4. Demographics
    The age, gender, ethnicity, and other demographic profiles of the radio station's audience. This helps to determine which stations cater to specific target audiences, such as younger or older listeners, or different ethnic groups.
  5. Format
    The type of programming offered by the radio station, such as talk radio, music, news, or sports. Popular formats are likely to attract more listeners and subsequently higher rankings.
  6. Quality of Content
    The quality, variety, and relevance of the programming content offered by the radio station. Content that resonates with the audience will result in increased popularity and higher rankings.
  7. On-Air Talent
    The popularity and recognition of the radio station's on-air personalities, such as hosts, DJs, and interview guests. Well-known and charismatic talent can command larger audiences and contribute to a station's overall popularity.
  8. Brand Reputation
    The overall image and perception of the radio station in the market. A strong and positive brand reputation can help attract and retain listeners, leading to higher rankings.
  9. Listener Engagement
    The level of interaction the radio station has with its audience, such as through social media, contests, promotions, and listener feedback channels. High engagement is indicative of a loyal and involved listener base.
  10. Advertising Revenue
    The amount of advertising dollars the radio station captures from local and national advertisers. Higher revenue can be a sign of popularity and indicates that advertisers find value in reaching the station's audience.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular radio station in New York City. 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

  • 3972 views
  • 216 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 new york city

New York City is known for its vibrant music scene, and radio plays a significant role in shaping the city's musical landscape. With over 20 million residents and millions of visitors, the city has a diverse range of radio stations catering to different tastes and preferences. From the latest pop hits to classic rock, jazz, hip-hop, and more, there is a station for everyone in the Big Apple. According to recent surveys and listener ratings, some of the most popular radio stations in New York City include Z100, Hot97, WQHT, and Power 105.1. These stations are known for their top-notch DJs, diverse music selection, and engaging programming that keeps listeners hooked for hours. However, the most popular radio station in New York City can vary depending on who you ask. Some listeners prefer the upbeat energy of pop stations like Z100 and KISS FM, while others may lean towards hip-hop and R&B stations like Hot97 and Power 105.1. It all comes down to personal taste and what you're in the mood for. Regardless of which station you listen to, one thing is for sure: radio is a vital part of New York City's culture and music scene. Whether you're cruising down the streets in your car or tuning in from your office, there's always a radio station playing in the background.

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