DC Radio: WTOP Again Tops Radio Billing Nationwide

Hubbard Radio's WTOP has once again taken in the most revenue among radio stations nationwide. The Washington area's top-rated all-news station collected $64.6 million in 2012, up from $64 million in 2011, according to a story at bizjournals.com.

Los Angeles station KIIS, home to Ryan Seacrest, ranked second again this year. The station, owned Clear Channel Communications Inc., recorded $56.8 million in 2012 revenue, down from $57 million in 2011. New York's WHTZ, also owned by Clear Channel, was third with $48.2 million, up from $48.1 million.

Eight of the top 10 billing radio stations are in Los Angeles or New York. Besides WTOP, the only other top 10 biller outside of the nation's two biggest markets is WBBM in Chicago, an all-news station owned by CBS Radio Inc. It had $45.7 million in 2012 revenue, ranking sixth.

WTOP is the only top 10 biller not owned by CBS or Clear Channel, reports Jeff Claybaugh at the Washington Business Journal.

Chantilly-based media consulting company BIA/Kelsey Advisory Services said overall radio industry over-the-air revenues rose 1.5 percent last year to $14.3 billion. It forecasts a 2.3 percent increase in on-air revenue this year to $14.7 billion.

Top 10 billing radio stations in 2012, according to BIA/Kelsey:

• $64.6 million, WTOP, D.C.
• $56.8 million, KIIS, Los Angeles.
• $48.2 million, WHTZ, New York.
• $47.2 million, WCBS, New York.
• $46.0 million, KFI, Los Angeles.
• $45.7 million, WBBM, Chicago.
• $43.0 million, WLTW, New York.
• $41.5 million, WINS, New York.
• $41.0 million, WFAN, New York.
• $39.3 million, KROQ, Los Angeles.