iParticipate 4

WIKY-104.1 FM is a full-service Adult Contemporary music radio station serving the Evansville, Indiana radio market. In the most recent Arbitron ratings report, WIKY is the most listened to radio station in the Evansville metro survey area. It is owned by Duey Wright.

WSTO (96.1 FM, "Hot 96")- is a heritage Top 40 Radio Station that serves the Evansville,Indiana, Owensboro, Kentucky, and Henderson, Kentucky markets.  It is a sister station to WIKY and is owned by Duey Wright. 

WKDQ- WKDQ is a country music formatted radio station in Henderson, Kentucky radio market, broadcasting to Evansville, Indiana. The owner is Townsquare Media. This radio station is the most listened to country station in the tri state area.

These three featured stations attract majority of the markets ratings. Each of these stations features a well rounded variety of songs and shows. Because Evansville is not the biggest, many of stations are not serving the same formats. Evansville features stations that attract majority of listeners. Although Evansville does have more than these three stations, majority of listeners continue to pick these three over others. There doesn't seem to be formats missing, rather they are not as popular as other formats. Some less popular formats featured in Evansville would be classical music, punk rock, and Oldies. Each of these formats are represented but do no receive the same attention as the three listed. 

The three listed stations show there is not much diversity in ownership and station formats. Both Hot 96 and WIKY are owned by the same owner. This may be due to Evansville not being a large city, therefore the market does not require a large range of diverse owners. Evansville may also not have enough listeners to have a diverse group of formats. I don't think there are people in my community who are undeserved by the on air options. I think Evansville does a good job at representing all types of music and programs for all sorts of listeners. It is evident that these less popular formats are still receiving listeners, they may just not have as many as the others. 

Local stations in my community receive a lot of attention for their programs. They are high quality and do a great job at serving the public with music and entertainment. If people didn't agree with that, they wouldn't be on air. I think Evansville radios are a part of the community, and are highly valued by Evansville residents. I don't think newer developments are poor substitutes or offer better alternatives. I think they offer good quality but I do not think they offer the same relationship as local radio does. With local radio, listeners become more familiar with the host simply because they are from the same community. I think as long local radios continue to uphold those relationships with their communities, newer alternatives will not replace them.