The Most Popular Radio Station in the USA: A Ranking of the Nation's Favorites
Voting rules: Choose the station you think is the most popular!
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 4, 2023 08:57)
Are you ready to make your voice heard and crown the ultimate radio champion? Welcome to StrawPoll's ranking for the most popular radio station in the USA! With thousands of stations broadcasting a wide variety of music, news, and entertainment, we understand the excitement and passion you have for your favorite frequency. But now it's time to crank up the volume and let the world know which station truly rocks the airwaves. Cast your vote now or suggest a missing option to ensure your beloved station climbs the charts! Join in today, and let's create the ultimate playlist of America's top radio stations, brought to you by the people who know best – the listeners. So, tune in, turn it up, and let the radio battles begin!
What Is the Most Popular Radio Station in the USA?
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166votesThis New York-based station is the most listened to station in the country, with over 5 million weekly listeners.DescriptionWLTW - 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
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227votesThis Los Angeles-based station is known for its upbeat music and popular morning show, hosted by Ryan Seacrest.DescriptionKIIS 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.
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337votes
WHTZ - Z100
iHeartMediaThis New York-based station is known for playing the latest pop hits and hosting celebrity interviews.DescriptionWHTZ - 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
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426votes
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.DescriptionWTOP - 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
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512votesThis Los Angeles-based station plays a mix of contemporary and classic hits, making it a popular choice among all age groups.DescriptionKOST - 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
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610votes
KFOG - 104.5 KFOG
KCBS-FM Radio CorporationThis San Francisco-based station is known for playing a variety of music genres, including rock, alternative, and indie.DescriptionKFOG - 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
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713votes
KQED - 88.5 KQED
KQED Public MediaThis San Francisco-based station is known for its programming of news, culture, and educational content.DescriptionKQED - 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
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810votesThis New York-based station is known for playing R&B and soul music, making it a popular choice among urban listeners.DescriptionWBLS - 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
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915votes
KEXP - 90.3 KEXP
KEXPThis Seattle-based station is known for its alternative and indie music programming, as well as its live performances and interviews.DescriptionKEXP - 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
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104votes
WFAN - 101.9 FM
Emmis CommunicationsThis New York-based station is known for its sports programming, including coverage of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants.DescriptionWFAN - 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
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Audience SizeThe 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.
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Market ShareThe 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.
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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.
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DemographicsThe station's popularity among various age groups, ethnicities, and genders, to ascertain its appeal to different segments of the population.
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Genre or FormatThe 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.
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Geographic ReachThe coverage area of the radio station, including the number of cities, states, or regions where the station's signal can be received.
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Digital PresenceThe radio station's online presence, including its website, mobile app, and social media following, which attracts and engages additional listeners.
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Advertising RevenueThe revenue generated by the station through advertisements, indicating its commercial success and popularity among businesses targeting its audience.
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Awards and AccoladesRecognition received by the radio station from industry bodies, media watchdogs, or critiques, reflecting its quality and success in capturing the audience's interest.
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Listener LoyaltyThe 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
- 2478 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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