The United States of radio: Popular US radio stations

Americans love their radio

Over the years, as new forms of entertainment have appeared online, you might have thought that passion for US radio would have dwindled.

After all, these days you don’t need a DJ to introduce you to your new favorite tunes. You can always track down the music you love online instead.

Despite the arrival of streaming and podcasts, radio remains the number 1 way to find new music in America, and it’s the furthest reaching media in the country too! According to stations on #USRadio, the percentage of people listening to radio broadcasts has remained steady since the 70s!

So, what are the most popular radio stations in the US?

With so many options to choose from, are there any channels that stand out above the crowd?

Let’s find out.

Ranking US radio stations

According to #RadioShow statistics, 90% of Americans tune into a broadcast each week.

However, while companies like Nielsen and Deloitte can track the overall number of listeners, it’s much more challenging to define the top channels on the radio market. After all, there are thousands to choose from, and each has their own specialist format to consider.

You might be able to find the most popular talk radio station in the US or the best country music station. However, finding the number 1 highest-ranked station is a different matter.

One option is to look at the programs with the highest listener count. However, most of these shows have their own channels and internet streams, rather than having any specific connection to a single radio channel. The most popular American radio show in the country, the Rush Limbaugh Show, has appeared on the KFBK, WABC, and WOR.

Some of the top shows by listener include:

• The Rush Limbaugh Show: 15.5 million listeners.
• The Sean Hannity Show: 15 million listeners.
• Marketplace Financial News: 14.8 million listeners.
• All Things Considered: 14.7 million listeners.
• The Dave Ramsey Show: 14 million listeners.

What kinds of radio station do Americans like best?

Another way to rank the #BestUSRadio stations is to look at the kinds of radio channels Americans like to listen to. For instance, Nielsen reports show that talk/news radio is the most popular kind of broadcast overall, accounting for 10% of market share.

Additionally, adult contemporary channels are very popular too, appealing to 8% of all listeners. However, these numbers can vary according to the kind of generation you’re looking at. For instance, pop radio channels are the most popular among people aged 18 to 34.

When it comes down to it, it’s hard to define a one-size-fits-all list of the #RadioStations with the most power in the United States. It all depends on what kind of music you like to listen to, whether you’re looking for political commentary, and whether you have a favorite shock jockey.

The good news? There are plenty of choices to consider.

Some of the highest-rated options include:

• WBEZ — 91.5 FM: A Chicago talk and news station known for shows like “This American Life” and “All Things Considered.” This station has been running since 1943, with millions of listeners across Chicago.
• WFCC — 107.5 FM: Probably the best-known classical station in the country. With some of the most memorable presenters of all time, including Larry King and Don Spencer, WFCC plays classic songs to Massachusetts.
• WKTU — 103.5 FM: Owned by the iHeartMedia brand — one of the biggest networks in America, WKTU delivers rhythmic hot AC music to New York City. The channel is also responsible for the annual Beatstock festival, featuring acts like Calvin Harris and Ariana Grande.
• KUSF — 90.3 (now online): Though perhaps less well known than some of the stations on this list, KUSF is one of the most notable channels around. It was one of the first American stations to play Punk Rock and helped bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden get their start.
• WKSC-FM 103.5 FM: Otherwise known as Kiss FM, this channel in Chicago plays music from a top 40 playlist and reaches millions of listeners every week. The station also hosts a range of great breakfast shows too.

Are the top US stations still going strong?

Plenty of people assume that the rise of digital streaming and podcasts means the end of radio as we know it. However, that’s far from the case in the US.

Evidence from Edison research suggests that 84% of people polled for a study in 2018 listen to radio as their primary source of entertainment when in the car. That’s the same percentage that Edison got when it ran its poll in 2011 too.

Deloitte, one of the leading analytics companies in the world, also believes that adults will be listening to approximately 90 minutes of radio each day this year. On top of that, the group also thinks that more people will be listening to #RadioChannels for entertainment by 2025 than watching television.

Radio in the US is still going strong, with countless new stations emerging in local towns and cities all of the time. To learn more about the top radio stations in the US, and how radio has evolved over the years, visit our latest blog here. On the other hand, if you want to stay up to date with the latest insights from the radio world, subscribe to us at RadioFidelity.com

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