Chicago Radio: Newser WBBM-AM Again Tops In Billing

In another year of declining revenue for Chicago radio, CBS Radio’s all-news simulcast of WBBM AM 780 and WCFS FM 105.9 retained its crown as Chicago’s top-billing station, according to Chicago Media blogger Robert Feder.

Though down more than 8 percent from last year, the Newsradio combo produced $41.9 million in advertising income — leading the way for CBS Radio, which had four of the top seven revenue-generating stations in the market.

Overall Chicago radio revenue dropped about 2.5 percent from $430,911,000 in 2012 to $419,715,000 in 2013, according to figures compiled by the accounting firm of Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co. (based on revenue reports submitted by station groups). The only year-to-year growth was in digital advertising — up 10 percent to $28,175,000 in 2013.

Here is a ranking of the Top 5 Chicago radio stations based on total revenue for 2013 (with 2012 revenue figures in parentheses):

1. WBBM/WCFS CBS $41,969,000 ($45,725,000)
2. WTMX Hubbard $37,459,000 ($34,053,000)
3. WGN Tribune $29,212,000 ($30,176,000)
4. WBBM-FM CBS $25,269,000 ($25,830,000)
5. WSCR CBS $24,823,000 ($22,900,000)

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