Chicago has long been known as a strong radio city thanks to its surplus of spoken word outlets. Between WBBM, WGN, WLS, and AM 560 The Answer, listeners have no shortage of options, but for the winter book, there was a distinct leader according to the latest Nielsen numbers.
Starting in weekday prime (M-F, 6a-7p CST), WBBM delivered an impressive 5.6 share to rank third among Persons 35-64. The Chicago news radio outlet was also tied for 9th with Persons 25-54 with a 3.5 share. it added a 0.1 share with its stream for a total line reporting of a 3.6 share in the 25-54 demographic. Meanwhile, WGN and WLS each recorded a 1.1 share with Persons 25-54. WGN enjoyed stronger results with Persons 35-64, earning a 2.3 share. WLS, on the other hand, produced a 1.0 share in the 35-64 demo.
For the full week (M-SU 6a-Mid), WBBM popped a 5.7 share to rank 4th among Persons 35-64. The station ranked 13th with a 3.3 share among Persons 25-54. Similarly, WGN saw a lower number with Persons 25-54, turning in a 1.0 share. They jumped to a 2.2 share with Persons -64. Conversely, WLS had a 0.8 share with Persons 25-54 and a 0.7 share with Persons 35-64.
Among the weekday dayparts, WBBM ranked third in mornings (6a-10a CST) among Persons 35-64 with a 6.1 share. That total line reporting grows to a 6.3 share when the station’s streaming figures are included. Among Persons 25-54, the station was tied for 12th with a 3.4 share. Its stream also featured a 0.3 share in that demographic. WGN, which features Bob Sirott in mornings, registered a 2.5 share in the P35-64 demo. The number was lower (0.7 share) among Persons 25-54.
WLS splits their morning slot between Steve Cochran (5:30a-9a CST) and the first hour of The Chris Plante Show (9a-10a CST). The morning slot was further back with a 0.6 share among Persons 35-64, and a 0.8 with Persons 25-54.
In middays (10a-3p CST), WBBM recorded a 5.1 to rank 5th with Persons 35-64. Among Persons 25-54, the station scored a 3.3 share to finish tied for 11th. WGN splits its midday slot between John Williams (10a-2p), while adding in the Wintrust Business Lunch from Noon-1p, and the first hour of Lisa Dent’s afternoon program. The combined programming turned in a 1.2 share with Persons 25-54, and a 2.1 share among Persons 35-64.
WLS middays features the final hour of Plante’s program, The Dan Bongino Show, and the first hour of The Ben Shapiro Show. The daypart delivered the largest share for the Cumulus-owned station, earning a 2.1 share (tie for 18th) with Persons 25-54 demo, and a 1.8 share (tie for 18th) with Persons 35-64.
Afternoon drive saw similar results. WBBM finished third with a 6.0 share among Persons 35-64. The share dipped to a 3.8 share with Persons 25-54, still good for 8th. WGN airs Lisa Dent’s show plus a series of financial programs in the 6p-7p hour. The station earned a 2.4 share with Persons 35-64, and a 1.3 share with Persons 25-54 during afternoons (3p-7p CST). WLS hosts a one-hour business news program to start the daypart, followed by a one-hour afternoon news block and The Mark Levin Show. The station recorded a 0.2 share in both the Persons 25-54 and 35-64 demographics.
Ratings information for AM 560 The Answer was not available.
Ratings reports and analysis are written by BNM and sponsored by Crowd React Media, a division of Harker Bos Group. Learn more about the different ways media research can benefit your station and cut through the noise by clicking here.
