The first full year of ratings is out, and it appears WTOP-FM (103.5) is the winner
in the battle of Washington-area radio stations with an all-news format. Coming in
a distant second is the newcomer, WNEW-FM (99.1), which started broadcasting all-news
on January 22, 2012. Ranked in between them is WMAL-FM (105.9), but it is more talk
than news. The station at the top of the heap, according to the XTrends PPM Overview
Report, is WAMU-FM (88.5), the National Public Radio outlet that plays a mix of talk,
news and music.
Overall, between WTOP and WAMU, first place shifts back and forth but mostly goes
to WAMU—for seven of the 12 months tracked. WNEW finished last for each month.
Our tipster, WTOP vice president of news and programming Jim Farley, said, “I am not gloating. I have scars on my body from Washington Post Radio. We
could not make that the number-three news station in DC, either.” Nonetheless, to
the victors go the spoils.
WTOP Is Number One in All-News Radio Ratings
The newcomer, WNEW, hangs in, but distantly.
The first full year of ratings is out, and it appears WTOP-FM (103.5) is the winner
in the battle of Washington-area radio stations with an all-news format. Coming in
a distant second is the newcomer, WNEW-FM (99.1), which started broadcasting all-news
on January 22, 2012. Ranked in between them is WMAL-FM (105.9), but it is more talk
than news. The station at the top of the heap, according to the XTrends PPM Overview
Report, is WAMU-FM (88.5), the National Public Radio outlet that plays a mix of talk,
news and music.
Overall, between WTOP and WAMU, first place shifts back and forth but mostly goes
to WAMU—for seven of the 12 months tracked. WNEW finished last for each month.
Our tipster, WTOP vice president of news and programming
Jim Farley, said, “I am not gloating. I have scars on my body from Washington Post Radio. We
could not make that the number-three news station in DC, either.” Nonetheless, to
the victors go the spoils.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Best of Washington 2023: Things to Eat, Drink, Do, and Know Right Now
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2024: Great Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
Are Friends More Important Than Romantic Partners?
The Local Girls Who Inspired the Hollywood Classic “Mean Girls”
These Volunteers Wake Up at Dawn to Collect DC’s Dead—and Injured—Birds
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This May
Democrats and Republicans Pass Balls, Not Bills, at Congressional Soccer Game
3 New Memoirs by Prominent Women
Everything You Wanted to Know About Urban Bear Sightings but Were Afraid to Ask, Because Who Wants to Get That Close to a Bear?
Rockville Police Are Searching for Culprits of a $4,500 Pickleball Paddle Heist