Atlanta Radio Market Guide: Stations, Formats, and Jobs
Atlanta Radio Market Guide: Stations, Formats, and Jobs
Atlanta is the ninth-largest radio market in the United States and one of the most culturally influential. The Atlanta DMA encompasses a sprawling metropolitan area of more than 6 million people across North Georgia, and the market's radio landscape reflects the city's identity as the capital of the American South — a dial shaped by country music, urban formats, and a robust news-talk tradition, with a growing Spanish-language segment that mirrors the region's demographic evolution. For radio professionals, Atlanta is a market that punches above its Nielsen ranking in terms of career opportunity and industry visibility.
The Market at a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Nielsen DMA Rank | #9 |
| Total FCC-Licensed Stations | 40+ |
| Primary Coverage Area | Atlanta metro, North Georgia, portions of Alabama |
| Major Ownership Groups | Cox Media Group, Audacy, Cumulus Media, iHeartMedia |
Atlanta is one of the few major markets where Cox Media Group, a privately held company, maintains a dominant presence. Cox's roots in Atlanta run deep — the company traces its media history in the city back to its founding, and its radio cluster in Atlanta is one of the most strategically important in its portfolio.
Key Stations and Formats
WSB (750 AM / 95.5 FM) is the flagship of Cox Media Group's Atlanta cluster and one of the most recognized news-talk brands in the Southeast. The station simulcasts on both AM and FM, with the 95.5 FM frequency added in 2019 to extend the station's reach to younger news-talk listeners. WSB-FM (98.5 FM) is a separate Cox station carrying a hot adult contemporary format, branded as B98.5. WALR-FM (104.1 FM), branded as Kiss 104.1, is Cox's Urban AC station in Atlanta, carrying a format focused on R&B and soul music.
Cumulus Media, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2026 while continuing operations, operates a significant Atlanta cluster. WKHX (101.5 FM), branded as New Country 101.5, is a country station serving Metro Atlanta and the flagship of the syndicated Kincaid and Dallas morning show. Cumulus also operates WNNX (100.5 FM), which carries the Rock 100.5 format, and WZGC (92.9 FM), branded as 92.9 The Game, a sports radio station that holds the broadcast rights to the Atlanta Hawks. The Cumulus bankruptcy is a debt restructuring and stations continue to operate normally.
Audacy's Atlanta cluster is anchored by WVEE (103.3 FM), branded as V-103, one of the most storied urban radio brands in the country. V-103 has been a cultural institution in Atlanta's Black community for decades and remains one of the most-listened-to urban stations in the market. Audacy also operates WSTR (94.1 FM), branded as Star 94, a rhythmic AC station, and WAOK (1380 AM), a talk station.
iHeartMedia operates a cluster in Atlanta that includes multiple format positions. The company's Atlanta stations span CHR, classic rock, and other formats serving the metropolitan area.
Ownership Landscape
Cox Media Group is the dominant locally-rooted owner in Atlanta, with a cluster that includes the market's most-listened-to news-talk brand (WSB), a hot AC station (B98.5), and an Urban AC station (Kiss 104.1). Cox's Atlanta presence is a legacy of the company's founding in the city, and the stations operate with a level of local investment that distinguishes them from purely national-group operations.
Audacy's Atlanta portfolio is anchored by V-103, which has been a top-rated station in the market for decades and holds a cultural significance that extends well beyond its ratings. Cumulus Media operates country (New Country 101.5), rock (Rock 100.5), and sports (92.9 The Game) stations in the market.
Public radio in Atlanta is anchored by WABE (90.1 FM), operated by Atlanta Public Media, which serves as the market's NPR affiliate. WABE is one of the most-listened-to public radio stations in the Southeast and has a strong local news operation that covers Georgia politics, business, and culture.
Working in the Atlanta Radio Market
Atlanta is a market where radio professionals can build careers with genuine upward mobility. The city's growth trajectory — it has been one of the fastest-growing major metros in the country for the past decade — means that the advertising market is expanding, and the radio industry has benefited from that growth. The market's cultural significance in urban and country formats also means that success in Atlanta is noticed nationally.
On-Air: Atlanta's urban radio tradition is one of the deepest in the country. V-103 has launched careers that went on to national syndication, and the market's Hip-Hop and R&B audience is among the most engaged in the country. Country radio is also a significant opportunity in Atlanta, with New Country 101.5 serving a large and loyal country audience across North Georgia. News-talk talent at WSB operates in one of the most competitive news environments in the Southeast, covering Georgia's outsized political importance.
Sales: Atlanta is a major advertising market with a client base that spans the Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the city — Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Home Depot, and UPS all have significant Atlanta presences — as well as a growing technology sector and a robust healthcare industry. Radio sales professionals in Atlanta work with both local direct clients and national agencies, and the market's growth means that new business opportunities are consistently emerging.
Programming and Management: Program directors in Atlanta typically have 6 to 10 years of experience in progressively larger markets. The market's strength in urban and country formats means that programmers with expertise in those genres are in particular demand. Cox Media Group's Atlanta cluster is known for investing in programming talent, and Audacy's V-103 is one of the most prestigious urban programming positions in the country.
Engineering: Atlanta's geography — a large, sprawling metro with significant terrain variation — creates a distinctive engineering environment. FM stations serving the full metropolitan area require careful transmitter site selection, and the market's growth has pushed the coverage footprint further into the suburbs and exurbs.
Finding Radio Jobs in Atlanta
RadioJobs.org tracks active job listings from radio stations and ownership groups across the Atlanta DMA. Browse current openings on the Atlanta market page, which aggregates listings from Cox Media Group, Audacy, Cumulus, iHeartMedia, and other employers in the market. A job alert for Atlanta will notify you as soon as new positions are posted.
The Georgia Association of Broadcasters provides resources and networking opportunities for radio professionals working in or seeking to enter the Georgia market.
Ownership and format information verified March 2026. Radio ownership changes frequently; if you spot an error, contact us.
Last verified: March 2026. Radio station ownership and formats change frequently. If you spot an error, contact us.