Most successful AM stations in 2012

[cd637299]

What AM stations still have success in 2012, or at least, influence? I know about WLW, KMOX, WHAS, KFI.....

And, are there any AM stations that still play music that are in top 20 in major cities, besides WDIA (if indeed they still are in top 20)?

How many AM stations today feel no need to scramble (yet) for an FM station or translator?

Simple question, I know....not buying by any means, but just wonder how many AM's would command a pretty penny if sold.

cd

 

[davideduardo]

What AM stations still have success in 2012, or at least, influence? I know about WLW, KMOX, WHAS, KFI.....

There are 5 AMs among the top 5 billing stations in the US: KFI, WBBM, WCBS, WINS and WFAN. The next highest billers among AMs are WGN, KNX, WBZ, WsB, KCBS, KYW, WEEI and WBAP and KOA. All those are in the top 40 billers out of around 15,000 stations in the US.

KMOX is the top biller in St Louis, as are WLW and WHAS in their markets.

And, are there any AM stations that still play music that are in top 20 in major cities, besides WDIA (if indeed they still are in top 20)?

WDIA averages about 8th 12+ in Memphis, and is 8th or 9th in billing. I don't know how much music they play, though.

How many AM stations today feel no need to scramble (yet) for an FM station or translator?

None of them. All AMs have aging audiences, and if they could rationalize the economics of adding an FM, they would all do it.

Simple question, I know....not buying by any means, but just wonder how many AM's would command a pretty penny if sold.

WOR just went for $30 million. That's the price paid for a suburban X-Band AM in LA 12 years ago... so WOR could have been worth $100 million to $120 million in the frenzied days of post-consolidation between 1996 and 2000.

WOR will be worth less with every year that passes. But at the current price, they can make a profit and recover the capital before it becomes valueless.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

AM radio is suddenly an interesting topic for the Border Stations.
On the Canadian side, FM rules have changed recently to allow more oldies on FM.
How that changes "Most successful" on the American side may be something worth discussing...

 

[LKellerIII]

KNBR 680 ("THE Sports Leader") does very well in the San Francisco market. Of course, it doesn't hurt they broadcast SF Giants play by play. But even if the off season, the station is in the top ten.

KCBS (740) is also top rated, though they are now simulcasting on FM.

 

[Tom Wells]

What means sucessful?

 

[davideduardo]

What means sucessful?

Since radio is a business, "successful" would seem to mean "profitable" or "a productive investment for the owners".

As profitability usually means attracting a large audience that advertisers would want to reach, "successful" can also mean "reaching a significant audience group and pleasing them".

Of course, lots of bottom-line successful AMs are those marginal technical facilities that do ultra-niche ethnic and religious programming operate by serving small audiences, controlling costs, and offering something otherwise not available.

So, success is paying the bills and having something left over. Stations that don't do that get sold or go silent.