Ownership, Operating, Staffing and Content Characteristics of “News Radio” Stations

A total of 146 radio stations (a 61% response rate) listed as “all-news” in a broadcasting yearbook responded to a mail survey, and demonstrated that larger market stations, stations with a local affiliate, and stations with a group affiliation regularly broadcast more news. Despite the yearbook listing, only 27% of these stations — representing 38 states — reported that they in fact presented news all the time, while 59% reported they broadcast editorials. A higher level of news programming was also associated with emphasis on soft news.