The news format has been good to Bonneville and CBS.
In the list of the top 10 earning U.S. radio stations for 2009, BIA/Kelsey reports that three of the top four air news formats; six of the top 10 have some combo of news and talk.
The top earning station again was KIIS(FM), the Clear Channel CHR giant in L.A., which brought in an estimated $55 million, according to BIA/Kelsey.
But at number 2 was Bonneville’s news station WTOP(FM) at $51 million, up from No. 6 last year (its accomplishment even more notable given that WTOP is the only station in this list not located in one of the three biggest markets; Washington is Market 9).
In third place came news station WCBS(AM) in New York at $43.6 million, and fourth was its sister CBS station, news formatted WINS(AM) at $42.9 million. Fifth was CBS alternative station KROQ(FM) at $42.2 million.
The rest of the top 10 are Clear Channel’s “lite AC” station WLTW(FM) in New York, Clear Channel’s news/talk outlet KFI(AM) in L.A., CBS news station WBBM(AM) in Chicago, Clear Channel’s CHR station WHTZ(FM) in New York and Tribune’s news/talk/sports outlet WGN(AM) in Chicago.
Last year, the top five were KIIS, KROQ, KFI, WLTW and WINS. Last year’s list is here.
