With so many radio stations broadcasting across the United States, it's easy to wonder which
are the best.
For a while there, radio took a backseat in popularity to television.
But, with the dawning of broadband internet, radio is seeing a bit of a resurgence.
Radio is no longer subject to only short distances but can broadcast worldwide across the internet.
People can now listen to their favorite radio stations on several smartphone apps as well.
Clearly, we have more options now than ever, making it tough to decide the best station.
We're here to help you out.
So, don't touch that dial, cause I'm Mike with List25 and here are 25 best radio stations
in the US.
25.
KUOM 770 AM - Radio K Broadcasting on both AM and FM, Radio K out
of Minneapolis, Minnesota is a college radio station and one of the oldest radio stations
in the state, first stating in 1912.
They play a wide variety of old and new music, many of which are local and unknown bands.
24.
ALT 98.7 FM If you're more into alternative music, this
Los Angeles based radio station will give it to you.
Part of the iHeart Radio network, not only does it play alternative but has their daily
talk show called The Woody Show.
23.
WHUR 96.3 FM Broadcasting out of Washington D.C. and owned
by Howard University, this station won the NAB Crystal Radio Award for excellence in
community service.
Jazz fans love the station and it even has its own "Original Quiet Storm" nightly station
that plays relaxing music.
22.
WERS 88.9 FM Fresh out of Emerson College in Boston, this
radio station is commercial free and supported by listeners.
It's student-run with the guidance of professional staff and has been critically acclaimed for
its programming.
They play an eclectic set of music from R&B to Indie Rock.
21.
WXPN 88.5 FM A non-commercial radio service of the University
of Pennsylvania, this station serves a wide part of the Pennsylvania area and focuses
on connecting new artists and audiences together.
They produce a solid mix of programming, including a morning show, blues show, and a show called
"Sleepy Hollow" which is full of quiet sounds.
20.
WRHU 88.7 FM A radio station out of Hofstra University,
they specifically shine with news reports, winning several awards from press organizations.
They also play a wide variety of music, from jazz to classical to hip-hop.
19.
Radio Free Brooklyn The only primarily internet radio station
on this list, Radio Free Brooklyn is a young station but showcases some unique programming.
Their hosts have complete freedom to organize their shows so you'll find a wide variety
of music and topics discussed.
18.
KXUA 88.3 FM Started in 1973 and broadcasting out of the
Ozarks, this radio station had a long-fought battle to stay student-run at the University
of Arkansas.
The battle was won in 2000, and since then they've gone from being mostly talk radio
to blasting a wide variety of music, from golden oldies to rap.
17.
WSIX 97.9 FM - The Big 98 Also part of the iHeart Radio network, this
Nashville based station considers itself the #1 station for new Country music.
It features the Bobby Bones talk show and also does a Country Top 30 list.
Country fans would be remiss if they didn't check this one out.
16.
KRRL 92.3 Called LA's new home for Hip Hop, this radio
station will please fans eager to hear non-stop R&B and Hip Hop.
It also features the talk show Big Boy's Neighborhood and is part of the iHeart Radio network.
15.
WORT 89.9 FM Broadcasting out of Madison, Wisconsin, this
station is non-commercial and listener supported.
It plays a variety of music from jazz to world to bluegrass and metal.
There's probably not a style of music it doesn't play.
(I bet Halo fans love this stations call letters...wort wort wort)
14.
WLTW 106.7 FM In terms of numbers, popularity, and revenue,
this New York variety station is one of the best in the United States.
Also part of the iHeart Radio network, they play the best new music and feature The Bob
& Christine Morning Show.
13.
KRCC 91.5 FM Broadcasting out of Colorado Springs, this
Colorado College station is also connected to NPR.
Along with the standard NPR shows, it also plays unique programming, like the KRCC Air
Check show on the first Saturday of the month and their Reggae show.
12.
WFAN 660 Sports radio fans will love this NYC station.
With a slew of popular sports programming along with podcasts and blogs, it'll be pretty
easy to keep up to date on the latest sports talk and news.
11.
WKIT 100.3 FM As the #1 station for rock and roll in Bangor,
Maine, they also have something else to brag about - they're owned by famed novelist Stephen
King.
You can listen to all the greatest rock jams while keeping up with Stephen King news.
10.
WBEZ 91.5 FM Best known for producing the show This American
Life, fans of talk radio will love this station.
They play Car Talk, All Things Considered, Prairie Home Companion, among many other popular
shows.
9.
WFCC 107.5 FM If you have more of a classical ear, this
station plays classical music 24/7 out of Hyannis, MA.
Of course, you can listen to the finest selections live from the internet or their smartphone
app.
8.
KXRY 107.1 FM Broadcasting out of Portland, OR, this station,
also known as XRAY FM, has a blend of talk and music programming and is on a mission
to promote the best and most distinctive of Portland.
Their music is hand selected by curators and DJs, creating a diverse and eclectic variety
that everyone can get behind.
7.
Air1 If you're looking for positive and encouraging
music, Air1 is a Christian music station with syndications in select areas, online streaming,
and the ability to listen through their smartphone app.
Aside from Praise, they play a variety of sounds, including pop, rock, and R&B.
6.
WWOZ 90.7 FM Coming out of the Big Easy, this station is
presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Inc. and plays some of the best
jazz, blues, and rock that'll keep you grooving through mardi gras and the rest of the year.
5.
KEXP 90.3 A listener-supported station out of Seattle,
they strive to enrich lives through the discovery of music.
They play a wide variety of music but focus on lots of unknown and independent music.
Along with their station, they produce podcasts and have their own YouTube channel.
4.
WFMU 91.1 FM Based out of New Jersey, this freeform and
listener-supported station is currently one of the longest running in the United States.
From bizarre rock and roll to cooking instructions, the station plays all kinds of music and programming.
Rolling Stone magazine called it "The best radio station in the country."
3.
KUSF Starting out as a syndicated radio channel
out of the University of San Francisco, this station eventually sold their frequency and
became an online-only station.
KUSF is notable, however, for being the first radio station to play punk rock and helped
acts like The B-52s and Metallica gain exposure when they were first starting out.
2.
103.5 KISS FM As one of the most well-known and popular
radio stations out Chicago, they play Top 40 hits and reach millions of listeners.
They're part of the iHeart Radio network and feature the show Fred + Angi Mornings.
1.
KCMP 89.3 FM - The Current Broadcasting out of Minnesota and part of
Minnesota Public Radio, The Current is a member-supported station that plays local and national music.
Known for their eclectic taste and penchant for picking up-and-coming artists, they're
both a beloved part of the Minneapolis-St.Paul community and the world at large with a broad
base of listeners and members.
People wanting to hear something new will likely find it here.
So, what's your favorite radio station?
Let us know in the comments below, or tweet your answer to us @List25.
Being from the Tampa Bay area myself, I gotta go with 93.3 FLZ.
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