DC Radio is WTOP

I interviewed Doug Sutherland, who blogged about the history of radio in Washington D.C.  When you think of DC radio, you think of the news station WTOP, which first aired on September 25, 1926.  WTOP was one of the earliest stations in DC, and quickly became the region's primary news station.  WTOP has been there through the technological advancements and social changes which have made radio so popular.  WTOP is the most profitable radio station in the United States, generating $57.225 million in revenue in 2010, and is the highest rated radio station in Washington D.C.  Part of WTOP's success comes from the size of the radio markets where WTOP broadcasts can be heard.  Washington D.C. is the 8th largest market in the nation with a population of 4,479,400 people over 12 years old.  WTOP can also taps into another large market in Baltimore, which is the 21st largest radio market in the country, with a population of 2,308,900 listeners (source).  WTOP is able to reach many people because of the strong signal provided by broadcasting on 103.5 FM.  Up until 2006, WTOP had broadcast on AM, which is a weaker signal.  WTOP's quality of programming is another major reason for its success.  Over the past decade, the station has won numerous Edward R. Murrow Awards in such categories as, Best Radio Large Market Feature Reporting, Best Radio Large Market Feature Hard News, and Large Market Radio News Overall Excellence.  The station also won the  National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for Major Market Station of the Year in 2010.  My interviewee Doug Sutherland pointed out a few other reasons for the success of WTOP and another station in the area, WHFS.

listen to ‘DC Radio market and WTOP’ on Audioboo

The Washington D.C. is a very large and important market, as it is home to the Federal Government, where news is always developing and there is a large audience that wants to be informed.  If WTOP continues its high quality broadcasting, the DC radio market is in good hands.