Study: Women As Radio GMs Trending Upward

According to the latest MIW Gender Analysis Study, released by the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) Group, out of 11,301 AM and FM radio stations some 1,974 stations, or 18.1%, have women holding the General Manager position in 2017.

This is an increase from 2016 which was 17.8% and continues to show growth from 2004, when the percentage was only 14.9%. The annual study is compiled, analyzed and released by the MIW Group from information provided by PrecisionTrak.

In the top 100 radio markets, the number of female General Managers is slightly higher than the national average and is, most importantly, showing growth year-over-year. In 2017, 18.5% of stations in these markets were managed by women, which compares to 17.7% in 2016.

Overall, the best management opportunities for women in radio continue to be in sales management. In 2017, 31.9% of all stations have a female Sales Manager, which is up almost a half-point from last year. And in the top 100 radio markets, 32.7% of the stations have female Sales Managers, which is an increase of more than a full share point from 2016.

The greatest challenge for women in radio management continues to be as Program Directors. Women currently program only 10.5% of all radio stations and that percentage has basically remained flat for the last eleven years. The news is better in the top 100 radio markets where women programmers represent 11.7%. However, that number is unfortunately down slightly from last year. In an effort to further support that particular segment of the industry, the MIW Group announced a new mentoring opportunity in 2017, the MIW-Nielsen Music Mentoring Program.

"Compiling this data is one of the most significant projects we undertake each year," said MIW Group Spokeswoman Denyse Mesnik. "Our hope is that the MIW Gender Analysis sparks conversation within each company, and at each radio station, about ways to develop internal efforts that encourage the advancement of female leadership."