Who owns my ears?

Atlanta is one of the largest music hubs in the country, therefore, it unsurprisingly has a ridiculous number of radio stations, as listed below:

8.5 WRAS GPB news/talk Georgia State University
89.3 WRFG Jazz, blues, Afro-pop, bluegrass, folk, Latin, Indian, talk
90.1 WABE NPR news/classical
91.1 WREK Diversified Georgia Tech
91.5 WWEV Christian
91.9 WCLK Jazz/soul Clark Atlanta University
92.1 WJGA Contemporary/oldies
92.3 DEPO Hispanic sports talk
92.5 WEKS The Bear Country,
92.9 WZGC The Game: sports talk
93.3 WVFJ Joy 93.3, Contemporary Christian
93.5 WRSM South 93.5, country
93.7 W229AG Simulcast of sports/talk 680/The Fan
94.1 WSTR Star 94 Hot AC
94.5 WSTR-HD3 Streetz 94.5, hip hop
94.9 WUBL The Bull Country
95.5 WBTS news/talk, simulcasts with 750/WSB-AM
96.1 WKLS Power 9-6-1 Top 40
97.1 WSRV The River Classic Hits
97.5 WAMJ Majic simulcast R&B 107.5 at
98.5 WSB B98.5. Soft rock from the 80s, 90s and today.
98.9 WWWQ-HD2  Nash Icon (a mix of current country with country from the 1980s, 90s and 2000s)

99.3 WTZA-HD2 Old School R&B (with a little bit of hip hop, too)
99.7 WWWQ Q100 Top 40
100.1 WNSY in Jasper. Mexican pop, simulcasting La Raza
100.5 WNNX Rock 100.5 Rock
101.1 WLJA Southern Gospel, bluegrass, and classic country
101.5 WKHX Kicks Country
102.3 WLKQ La Raza – Spanish
102.5 WPZE Gospel
102.9 WMJE News/talk simulcast of
103.3 WVEE V-103 R&B/hip-hop  

103.7 WXKT Chuck from North Georgia  pop-rock mix from the 1970s to today
104.1 WALR Kiss 104.1 R&B  from the 1970s until today
104.7 WFSH Fish Contemporary Christian
105.3 WBZY El Patron Regional Mexican
105.7 WWVA Alternative rock Radio 105.7 

106.1 WNGC Country
106.7 WYAY newsradio
107.1 WTSH X107.1 in Rome and Atlanta, alternative rock
107.9 WHTA Hot R&B/hip-hop 

(list found at http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/atlanta-radio-station-links/?__federated=1)

…and those are just the FM stations. With this long of a list and with so much variety, I’d say most formats are covered; many of the formats are even offered on more than one station. There’s country, rock, soft rock, alternative, R&B, pop/Top 40, news/talk, latin, Christian, classical, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, jazz, blues, sports, and the list goes on. Unless you solely listen to polka music, you should be able to find a channel you like. Even with all the diversity that’s offered, it’s no surprise that the top ranked stations in the city are 2 R&B stations, followed by a multitude of pop stations.

But who owns all these stations? Apparently there is not one super mogul company in charge of all Atlanta radio. The larger companies with broadcasts in the area are Cox Media, Clear Channel, Radio, ABC Radio, and Lincoln Financial Group. But there are many other smaller companies or even individuals, who own stations in the area. Local colleges each have their own radio stations as well. There doesn’t seem to be as much of a problem with diversity of ownership and I think that’s perhaps why we have such variety in the stations that are offered. 

Internet Radio and Satellite Radio opened a whole knew door. They allowed people to listen to radio stations that aren’t broadcasted from their local area. Especially with these forms of radio now being featured in newer car models, I think it does hurt the FM/AM stations. However, I know that many cars do not offer that option, and even if they do, some people may not want to pay for satellite radio option. Unless you absolutely love a particular local station, I think satellite an internet radio are a greater alternative. There are hundreds of options to choose from and they can cater to a more unique crowd. For example, there are satellite radio stations just for 40’s music, Elvis, and Tom Petty. It gives the listener more power and choices. (Not having commercials isn’t so bad, either.) In the future I think there will still be plenty of local stations, but more people will move towards the satellite and internet options.