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No wonder radio corporations, led by Clear Channel, uses syndicated programs to cut cost and increase profits
BIA/Kelsey reports that Clear Channel’s top-rated Top 40 KIIS-FM/Los Angeles was the leading biller in U.S. radio in 2009, with $55 million in revenues. Bonneville’s WTOP/Washington is in second place, with $51 million, and CBS Radio News WCBS-AM/New York takes third, with $43.6 million.
The star attraction at the CHR music format on 102.7 FM KIIS is the “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” radio program which dominates the Los Angeles airwaves. In D.C. WTOP feeds the news/political junkies inside and outside the Beltway on the FM dial. No doubt the New York Yankees’ run to a World Series championship helped to boost the revenue for the NYC news station. WCBS has announced by the way that they have signed a multi-year deal with Univision Radio’s 1260 WADO to broadcast Spanish language broadcasts of the Yankees. WCBS produces both the English and Spanish broadcast.
Formats come and go as witnessed by the unique history of WADO itself. It’s a news/information station serving the Hispanic community, but it served at one time as one of the many radio homes to the legendary New York and Philadelphia radio personality Jocko Henderson, whom many consider as one of the founding fathers of the rap and hip hop music in NYC. Here’s an audio clip of Jocko from way back in the day. Click here for more info and audio clips of Douglas “Jocko” Henderson. Before the days of radio syndication Jocko traveled by train from Philly to New York and back to do two shows a day in both cities.