Chicago radio ratings: WXRT takes the top spot in March
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Illinois' midterm primary election drew voter attention, but Chicago-area radio listeners mostly tuned out.
The latest: March radio ratings show news and talk stations — which leaned heavily into election coverage — lost listeners.
Zoom in: WXRT now reigns as our top station, posting the biggest gain from February to March.
- WGN-AM and WBEZ lost ground, despite showing growth at the beginning of 2026.
- The Score — now simulcasting on 670-AM and 104.3-FM — also jumped with the new baseball season, but remains just outside the top 10.
Yes, but: WBBM dropped from the top spot in February, but still outperforms other news/talk stations with its all-news format,
State of play: More broadly, podcast listening has now eclipsed radio, according to a new study.
What they're saying: "It is natural evolution that podcasts would eclipse broadcast," former WGN-AM program director Todd Manley tells Axios. Manley now produces various podcasts.
- "Audio is still the most intimate social media, especially when voices are driving it," he adds. "On-demand producers are serving up fresh voices and incubating new talent."
Caveat: These ratings don't show when people are tuning in or detailed listener demographics.
Disclosure: Justin Kaufmann has worked for a number of these stations.