The Washington D.C. Public radio market thrives mainly because of its geography. “As of 2008, the Washington Metropolitan Area was the 9th largest radio market in the United States with a Metro 12+ Population of 4,238,100.[6] “ The D.C. area provides a great radio market for many reasons. As the previous quote states the metro population is 4,238,100 and growing. Aside from its large local fan base, D.C. has a distinct advantage when compared to other radio markets. D.C. stations are able to best outside markets on the national level because of their proximity to the nation’s capital city.
News stations thrive off of this advantage more so than any other programming type. Stations like WTOP maintain a large following in the D.C. area from locals as well as on the national level. WTOP, owned by CBS plays their own news reports. The station reports CBS national and local news at the hour and half hour. WTOP also includes local traffic and weather and sports. “ The news station thrives on its proximity to the capital city, enabling them to keep their national news most up to date. In fact, the station has earned many awards in recognition. WTOP has won multiple RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards (National), as well as a National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for Major Market Station of the Year in 2010.[13] These awards demonstrate their national credibility as a news station. WTOP is a perfect example of a station thriving on the national level, largely due to its proximity to the D.C. area.
WTOP also thrives locally in the D.C. area. “As of July 2009, WTOP is ranked #1 in the Arbitron ratings among radio stations in the Washington area.” Because it is primarily a news station, WTOP airs news every half hour. 103.5 broadcasts local and national news at each time. The D.C. metropolitan area was rated the 9th largest radio market in the United States. Due to the high population density, WTOP has a larger audience locally than most radio markets. The importance of WTOP’s local news was demonstrated in a snowfall during 2010. Snow fell for a week, with 103.5 as the only local station covering the storm all day and night. According to estimates, “WTOP had a 16.9% share of the area’s radio audience, far exceeding its weekly average of around 10%.”
Washington D.C. public radio thrives mainly due to the area’s population density and proximity to the nation’s capital. The D.C. metropolitan area is so large and densely populated that the area’s stations cover a much broader audience than most radio markets. The public radio stations can compete on a national level specifically because of the second reason. News reporters in the area are able to break national news quicker than others because they are closer to the National Government’s headquarters. With advances in technology such as iPhones and iPads, reporters are able to broadcast nationally from sites of incidence, getting news to the public quicker than ever. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTOP-FM)
