WLTW/New York Remains America's Top Biller

Adam Jacobson-Radio and Records 5/19/05

BIA Financial Network has released its listing of America's Top 10 revenue-generating stations, and in a "disappointing year for radio in terms of growth," Clear Channel AC WLTW (106.7 Lite FM)/New York comes in as the nation's No. 1 biller in 2004, with revenue of $70.2 million. Lite FM repeats in the top spot after climbing from No. 4 in 2002.
Repeating at No. 2 is Infinity's News WINS/New York, with $60.6 million in revenue during 2004. Rounding out the top 5 are Infinity Alternative KROQ/Los Angeles ($60.3 million), climbing from No. 4; Clear Channel News/Talker KFI/Los Angeles ($60.1 million), which leaps from No. 8 after finishing at No. 34 in 2000; and Emmis CHR/Rhythmic KPWR (Power 106)/L.A. ($58 million), up from No. 6 — KPWR was ranked No. 11 in 2000.
The five-year trend for some stations is striking. At No. 6 for the second-straight year is Infinity News WCBS-AM/New York, with $55.7 million. The seventh-biggest biller in 2004 is Clear Channel CHR/Pop KIIS/Los Angeles, with $54.3 million. KIIS finished at No. 3 in 2003 and was No. 1 in 2000.
Meanwhile at No. 8 is Infinity's Sports WFAN/New York, with $52.5 million. WFAN dips from No. 7 in 2003 and was ranked No. 2 in 2000. The No. 9 and No. 10 slots see no change, with Infinity Rocker WXRK/New York and Clear Channel AC KOST/Los Angeles once again in those positions, respectively.
"It is not surprising to see little change in the top revenue stations given the lackluster year radio experienced in 2004," BIAfn VP Mark Fratrik said. "It is also striking to see how little the list of the top stations has changed over the last several years, with only three stations moving into the top 10 since 2000. With the total industry revenues increasing at below 3% in 2004, it is difficult for a station to make enough of a big leap to overtake the top stations in the industry." On average, the top 10 stations saw a 1.6% increase in their revenue in 2004.
BIAfn recently released these revenue estimates in their Investing in Radio Ownership Report, and the company will release updated figures later this month in its second edition of the 2005 Investing in Radio Market Report publication series.