WHYY Press Room

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WHYY-FM AUDIENCE HITS RECORD LEVELS

More people tuned their radios to WHYY-FM in the spring of 2003 than ever before. Some 416,500* people listened to 91FM in an average week, up from 339,800 in the spring of 2002. The 23% growth represents one of the largest annual increases in the last 15 years, and makes WHYY the most-listened-to public radio station in Philadelphia.

Christine Dempsey, Director of Radio Programming said, “The news and information service we provide has long been an essential resource for our listeners. It’s reassuring to see that so many more people are turning to WHYY to keep up with local and national events.”

WHYY experienced audience growth in all time slots Monday through Friday from 5 am to 10 pm. (Average Quarter Hour figures). The 6-7 am audience jumped 44 percent, while the audience for RADIO TIMES, 10 am-noon, grew by 30 percent. Three WHYY-produced programs that air on Saturdays each gained listeners: YOU BET YOUR GARDEN was up 28 percent, A CHEF’S TABLE was up 79 percent and BEEN THERE/DONE THAT grew 34 percent.

WHYY’s most popular programs include the news magazines MORNING EDITION with host Brenda Jorett (Monday-Friday 6-10 am), ALL THINGS CONSIDERED (Monday-Friday 4-6:30 pm and weekends from 5-6 pm) and FRESH AIR WITH TERRY GROSS (Monday-Friday at 3 and 7 pm and Sundays at 11 am).

WHYY, the region’s leading public broadcasting station, broadcasts news and information programs serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. WHYY is also the producer of the nationally distributed programs FRESH AIR WITH TERRY GROSS, BEEN THERE/DONE THAT, YOU BET YOUR GARDEN and A CHEF’S TABLE. WHYY-FM will mark its 50 th anniversary in 2004.

Program schedules and information are available at www.whyy.org.

*Monday-Sunday, 6a-12M, persons 12+, Total Survey Area, March 27 - June 18, 2003.