Washington D.C.-based WTOP-FM was the leading radio station in the United States in 2022, with estimated revenues of around 69 million U.S. dollars. WTOP has remained at the top of the list for four consecutive years and brings in around 17 million dollars more than its nearest competitor: KIIS-FM. Eight of the stations that make up the top ten are based in either New York or Los Angeles, which are the biggest radio markets in the United States.
Radio stations
As of 2018, the U.S. was home to over 15 thousand commercial radio stations. These stations broadcast music, news, and live coverage of sports to audiences around the country. Despite competition from television, internet, and various streaming services, radio continues to reach over 90 percent of all adults in the U.S. on a weekly basis. Country music ranked as the largest radio format in terms of the number of total stations that operate within the genre, while the news/talk category ranks second. Radio offers companies the ability to advertise to a local or regional audience, which makes the platform well suited for small to medium sized retail brands and businesses. As a whole, the U.S. radio industry consistently generates well over 15 billion dollars in annual advertising revenue.
