Chicago radio ratings: WBBM Newsradio, Lite FM tie for first-place bragging rights

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WBBM Newsradio and 93.9 Lite FM

WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM, the Audacy all-news combo, and WLIT 93.9-FM, the iHeartMedia adult contemporary station, tied for first place in the latest Chicago radio ratings released Wednesday.

The monthlong Nielsen Audio survey period included the first week of nonstop Christmas music on Lite FM, which began November 3.

Chicago Public Media news/talk WBEZ 91.5-FM topped all others in mornings with NPR's “Morning Edition” and “BBC Newshour.” Mary Dixon anchors local news cut-ins during morning drive.

Lite FM led in middays with Robin Rock and afternoons with Mick Lee. WBBM Newsradio won evenings with Bob Conway and Andy Dahn.

Falling to an all-time low, Cumulus Media news/talk WLS 890-AM tied for 29th place overall with a 0.8 percent audience share.

For the 10th straight month Univision Spanish-language regional Mexican WOJO 105.1-FM was No. 1 among listeners between 25 and 54. WOJO also finished first in the key adult demographic in mornings with Raúl Molinar, Carla Medrano and Andrés Maldonado, middays with Rafael “El Primo Rafa” Bautista and afternoons with Sylvia del Valle.

Hispanic listeners comprise 21.5 percent of the Chicago radio market and Black listeners comprise 16.6 percent of the market, according to Nielsen.

Here are Chicago’s top 30 radio stations from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Sunday, as measured by Nielsen Audio from October 14 to November 10, followed by format and average quarter-hour share of listeners age 6 and older (with previous month’s share in parentheses):

1. (tie) WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 5.7 (6.7); WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 5.7 (4.6)
3. WVAZ 102.7-FM R&B, 5.0 (5.8)
4. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 4.8 (4.3)
5. WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 4.7 (4.9)
6. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 4.4 (3.5)
7. WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 4.3 (4.5)
8. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 4.1 (3.8)
9. (tie) WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.7 (4.0); WGN 720-AM news talk, 3.7 (3.5)
11. WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 2.9 (2.9)
12. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 2.8 (2.8)
13. WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 2.7 (2.7)
14. (tie) WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip-hop, 2.6 (2.5); WGCI 107.5-FM hip-hop, 2.6 (2.5)
16. (tie) WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.4 (2.3); WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 2.4 (2.4); WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.4 (2.4)
19. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 2.1 (2.5)
20. WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.0 (2.0)
21. WFMT 98.7-FM classical, 1.9 (2.3)
22. (tie) WCHI 95.5-FM rock, 1.8 (1.7); WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 1.8 (1.8)
24. WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.6 (2.0)
25. (tie) WPWX 92.3-FM hip-hop, 1.2 (1.3); WZSR 105.5-FM hot adult contemporary, 1.2 (1.1)
27. WGRB 1390-AM gospel, 1.0 (0.6)
28. WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 0.9 (1.1)
29. (tie) WLS 890-AM news talk, 0.8 (1.1); WSRB 106.3-FM R&B, 0.8 (0.7)

Here are Chicago radio’s top 10 morning shows from 6 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, as measured by Nielsen:

1. WBEZ 91.5-FM “Morning Edition”; “BBC Newshour”
2. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM Pat Cassidy
3. WGN 720-AM Bob Sirott
4. (tie) WOJO 105.1-FM Raúl Molinar, Carla Medrano and Andrés Maldonado; WVAZ 102.7-FM Steve Harvey
6. (tie) WLIT 93.9-FM Melissa Forman; WTMX 101.9-FM Nikki Chuminatto, Brian Paruch and Violeta Podrumedic
8. WKSC 103.5-FM Christopher “Fred” Frederick and Kristie Graybill
9. WLS 94.7-FM Dave Fogel and Kim Berk
10. WDRV 97.1-FM Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle

Here are Chicago radio’s top 10 midday shows from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, as measured by Nielsen:

1. WLIT 93.9-FM Robin Rock
2. WDRV 97.1-FM Bob Stroud
3. WLS 94.7-FM Erin Carman
4. WOJO 105.1-FM Rafael “El Primo Rafa” Bautista
5. WGN 720-AM John Williams; Anna Davlantes
6. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM Cisco Cotto
7. WXRT 93.1-FM Lin Brehmer
8. WVAZ 102.7-FM Bioncé Foxx
9. WBEZ 91.5-FM “1A”; “Reset”; “Fresh Air”
10. WRME 87.7-FM

Here are Chicago radio’s top 10 afternoon shows from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, as measured by Nielsen:

1. WLIT 93.9-FM Mick Lee
2. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM Keith Johnson and Lisa Fielding
3. WVAZ 102.7-FM Joe Soto
4. WBEZ 91.5-FM “All Things Considered”; “Marketplace”
5. WTMX 101.9-FM Chris Petlak and Lisa Allen
6. WDRV 97.1-FM Steve Seaver and Janda Lane
7. WOJO 105.1-FM Sylvia del Valle
8. WXRT 93.1-FM Marty Lennartz
9. WLS 94.7-FM Tim Virgin
10. (tie) WGCI 107.5-FM Tone Kapone; WPPN 106.7-FM Maria Esther “La Chula” Mendez and Poncho “La Bestia” Mercado

Here are Chicago radio’s top 10 evening shows from 7 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, as measured by Nielsen:

1. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM Bob Conway; Andy Dahn
2. WTMX 101.9-FM Jordan “Dash” Orman-Weiss
3. WVAZ 102.7-FM Keith Sweat
4. WBEZ 91.5-FM “Marketplace”; “The Daily”; “Fresh Air”; “1A”; “BBC World Service”
5. (tie) WFMT 98.7-FM Kerry Frumkin; WLIT 93.9-FM Delilah Rene
7. WGCI 107.5-FM Zach Boog
8. (tie) WLS 94.7-FM Kid Kelly; WZSR 105.5-FM Dave Delort
10. WGN 720-AM John Records Landecker; Dave Plier; Chicago Blackhawks hockey

(Copyright © 2021 The Nielsen Company.)

Julie Mann

Wednesday's comment of the day: Bob Roberts: Whether overseeing coverage of a breaking crisis, or finding potential stories on the slowest of news days, Julie Mann has always been in control. Ten- and 12-hour days have not been uncommon for her. She could pop on the air and ad-lib breaking news cleanly and concisely, anchor on a moment's notice, and knew when to light a fire beneath reporters when needed. No exceptions. The results have been obvious to anyone who listens to WBBM, and have kept Newsradio at the top of the ratings. Her successor will truly have big shoes to fill. Julie, you won't have to wonder why I didn't pick up the phone again. Best of luck at your next stop. You're bound to be a success. Again.