MIW Releases New Gender Study

• Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. annually compiles and analyzes the number of women in radio broadcasting who are rising to the ranks of management. Data gathered for their annual MIW Gender Analysis Study specifically tracks the progress of female professionals holding General Manager, Sales Manager, and Program Director/Brand Manager positions.

The MIW Gender Analysis Study, based on raw data collected by PrecisionTrak from all US-based commercial radio stations, has been released every year since the organization’s start in 2000. The figures and percentages shown below represent the calendar year 2023 and are reflective of 11,215 AM and FM radio stations across America, as accounted for by PrecisionTrak as of December 31, 2023.

• General Managers: 22.17% (2356 stations) had women holding the GM position in 2023 — almost two share points of growth from last year but continues to show growth from 2004 when the percentage of female GMs was only 14.9%. In the Top 100 markets, 23.96% (828 stations) were managed by women, also more than a full percentage point up from 2022 and continues to run a bit higher than the national average.

• Sales Managers: Overall, the best management opportunities for women in radio continue to be in sales management — 34.37% (3476 stations) had a woman Sales Manager in 2023, basically flat from 2022. In the Top 100 markets, the story showed a three-point percentage drop for 2023 — 35.16% (1379 stations) had women Sales Managers in 2023, down from 38.05% in 2022.

• Program Directors/Brand Managers: The greatest challenge for women in radio management continues to be in the area of Program Directors/Brand Managers. Women currently program 11.50% (1173 stations), again, flat from 2022. In the Top 100 markets, the news was even worse — female programmers now represent only 10.14% of the total number of Program Directors/Brand Managers, another drop of over three share points from 2022.

MIW Board President Ruth Presslaff said, “Navigating today’s landscape poses unique challenges for both the industry at large and women in particular. Our commitment to fostering change remains unwavering. Through MIW’s array of mentoring initiatives, we not only recognize but also amplify the voices of women. We are beyond grateful to the companies and individuals who champion our mission. As we press forward, we eagerly anticipate seizing new opportunities to empower even more women in the year ahead.”