Washington Radio Stations Directory

Comprehensive guide to AM and FM radio stations across Washington State

397

Total Licensed Stations

Including translators

250+

Full-Power Stations

AM and FM combined

#12

Seattle Market Rank

Nationally by Nielsen Audio

50+

Low-Power FM Stations

Community radio

Table of Contents

Major Radio Markets in Washington

Seattle-Tacoma Market

Market Rank: #12 nationally by Nielsen Audio

Population: 4,137,900 metro area

Total Stations: Over 108 stations (65 FM, 43 AM in core area)

The Seattle-Tacoma market is the largest in the Pacific Northwest and one of the most competitive radio markets in the United States. The market features diverse programming including news, sports, alternative rock, country, jazz, and extensive public radio presence.

Top-Rated Stations: KUOW (NPR), KKWF (100.7 The Wolf - Country), KZOK (Classic Rock), KISW (Active Rock), KIRO (Sports)

Spokane Market

Market Rank: #88 nationally

Total Stations: Over 54 stations (37 FM, 17 AM)

Spokane serves as the major broadcast hub for Eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest. The market features strong country music presence, sports coverage for Washington State Cougars and Eastern Washington Eagles, and community-focused programming.

Notable Stations: KXLY (Country/News), Rock 94.5 (Active Rock), KPBX (Spokane Public Radio)

Other Markets

  • Yakima: Approximately 15 stations, Market Rank ~#145
  • Tri-Cities (Kennewick-Pasco-Richland): Regional hub for Central Washington
  • Bellingham: Serves Northwest Washington near Canadian border
  • Wenatchee: Central Washington coverage

Top Seattle-Tacoma Radio Stations

KUOW 94.9 FM - NPR News/Talk

Format: NPR News and Information

Owner: KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio (University of Washington)

Website: kuow.org

Seattle's largest NPR station and charter NPR member since 1970. Recently ranked #1 in market share with 7.6% audience. One of the most successful NPR News/Talk stations in the nation.

KEXP 90.3 FM - Alternative/Indie

Format: Indie, Alternative Rock, Eclectic

Owner: Friends of KEXP (Non-commercial)

Website: kexp.org

Originally KCMU (founded 1972 at UW), KEXP is internationally influential in indie music. Played pivotal role in Seattle's grunge scene, providing first airplay for Nirvana (1988) and Soundgarden. Power: 720 watts.

KKWF 100.7 FM - The Wolf

Format: Country Music

Website: Audacy.com/seattlewolf

Consistently among top-rated commercial stations in Seattle. Recently held #1 spot with 7.1% share. Features today's country hits and community engagement events.

KZOK 102.5 FM - Classic Rock

Format: Classic Rock

Website: kzok.iheart.com

Seattle's Classic Rock powerhouse, consistently ranked in top 3 stations. Features classic rock hits from 70s, 80s, and 90s. Recent 5.9% market share.

KISW 99.9 FM - The Rock

Format: Active Rock

Website: audacy.com/kisw

Seattle's active rock station featuring modern and classic hard rock. Recent surge to #4 ranking with 5.5% share. Home of BJ Shea Morning Experience.

KNKX 88.5 FM - Jazz & NPR

Format: Jazz, Blues, NPR News

Owner: Pacific Public Media (Community-based)

Website: knkx.org

Originally KPLU, became community licensee in 2016. Studios in Seattle and Tacoma. Unique jazz/news format with strong listener support.

Washington Sports Radio

🏈 Seattle Sports: Home to all major Seattle professional and college teams with comprehensive sports talk programming.

Seattle Sports 710 AM (KIRO)

Frequency: 710 AM (50,000 watts clear channel)

Format: Sports Talk, ESPN Radio affiliate

Website: sports.mynorthwest.com

Flagship Teams:

  • Seattle Seahawks (NFL) - since 1976
  • Seattle Mariners (MLB) - 1985-2002, 2009-present

Hosts: Brock Huard, Mike Salk, Michael Bumpus, Stacy Rost, Bob Stelton, Dave Wyman

Rebranded as "Seattle Sports" in March 2022. One of top-rated sports stations nationally with 4.3% market share.

Sports Radio 950 KJR / 93.3 KJR FM

Frequency: 950 AM and 93.3 FM (simulcast)

Owner: iHeartMedia, Inc.

Website: 950kjr.iheart.com

Team Coverage:

  • Seattle Kraken (NHL)
  • Washington Huskies (all sports)
  • Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)

Programming: Chuck and Buck in the Morning, Seattle's Best NFL Draft Coverage, March Madness, Final Four coverage

KJR moved programming to FM 93.3 (former KUBE) to complement AM signal, serving as Seattle's Sports Leader.

Spokane Sports Radio

700 ESPN 105.3 FM (KXLX-AM) - Sports talk featuring Eastern Washington University Eagles and Greater Spokane League high school sports

103.5 The Game (KGA) - Sports and Hip-Hop format

920 News Now (KXLY) - Official home of Washington State Cougars

Rock 94½ (KHTQ-FM) - Inland Northwest's home of Seattle Seahawks

NPR and Public Radio Stations

Washington State has one of the strongest public radio presences in the United States, with multiple full-power NPR member stations and extensive statewide coverage.

KUOW 94.9 FM - Seattle

Owner: KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio / University of Washington

Founded: Charter NPR member (1970)

Largest NPR station in Puget Sound, serving Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area with comprehensive news coverage and NPR programming.

KNKX 88.5 FM - Tacoma/Seattle

Owner: Pacific Public Media (community-based)

Originally: KPLU (Pacific Lutheran University, 1966)

Unique jazz, blues, and NPR news format. Became community licensee in 2016 after listener opposition to university sale.

KPBX 91.1 FM - Spokane

Owner: Spokane Public Radio

Rebranded: "SPR News" (August 4, 2025)

News, talk, and information on weekday drive times with mix of classical, jazz, blues, and folk music. Sister stations: KSFC 91.9, KPBZ 90.3.

Northwest Public Broadcasting (NWPB)

Owner: Washington State University

Coverage: 19 radio stations, 13 translators across WA, OR, ID

Affiliates: NPR, PRX, American Public Media. Extensive coverage across rural Washington and neighboring states.

KSER 90.7 FM - Everett

Community radio serving Snohomish County and North Puget Sound with diverse programming including NPR news.

KAOS 89.3 FM - Olympia

Owner: The Evergreen State College

Community-focused alternative programming and eclectic music formats.

Low-Power FM Community Stations: Washington has approximately 50 LPFM stations including KGTC-LP 93.3 (Tacoma community arts), KAVZ-LP 99.9 (Seattle multicultural), and KIEV-LP 93.5 (Richland educational).

Spokane Radio Stations

Country Stations

  • 99.9 Coyote Country (KXLY-FM) - Today's country with The Jay and Kevin Show mornings. Artists: Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood
  • KIX 99.3 (KZFS) - Today's Hit Country
  • 104.5 HANK FM (KNHK) - The Legends of Country (Classic Country)

Rock Stations

  • Rock 94½ (KHTQ-FM) - Spokane's Best Rock. Active rock: Metallica, Shinedown, Disturbed, Godsmack, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains. Seahawks radio home
  • 98.9 KKZX - The Classic Rock Station
  • THE BEAR 94.1 FM (KJRB) - The Rock You Know (Classic Rock)
  • ALT 96.1 (KFOO) - The New Alternative

News & Talk Stations

  • 920 News Now (KXLY 920 AM) - Conservative talk: Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh Show, Lars Larson. Official home of Washington State Cougars
  • NEWS RADIO 590 AM (KQNT) - Spokane's News Radio
  • 100.7 FM (KXLY) - News/Talk

Public Radio

  • KPBX 91.1 FM - Spokane Public Radio (NPR member)
  • KYRS Thin Air Community Radio - Community programming

Washington Radio Stations by Format

  • KEXP 90.3 FM - Seattle - Indie, Alternative, Eclectic
  • ALT 96.1 (KFOO) - Spokane - The New Alternative
  • KNHC 89.5 FM (C89.5) - Seattle - Nathan Hale High School community station

  • KKWF 100.7 FM - Seattle - The Wolf (Today's Country)
  • KMPS 94.1 FM - Seattle - Country
  • KXLY-FM 99.9 - Spokane - Coyote Country
  • KIX 99.3 (KZFS) - Spokane - Today's Hit Country
  • HANK FM 104.5 (KNHK) - Spokane - Legends of Country
  • KATS 94.5 FM - Yakima - Country
  • KIOK 94.9 FM - Richland - Thunder Country

Classic Rock:

  • KZOK 102.5 FM - Seattle - Classic Rock
  • KJEB 95.7 FM - Seattle - The Jet (Classic Hits)
  • KKZX 98.9 FM - Spokane - Classic Rock
  • THE BEAR 94.1 FM (KJRB) - Spokane - The Rock You Know

Active / Modern Rock:

  • KISW 99.9 FM - Seattle - The Rock (Active Rock)
  • Rock 94½ (KHTQ-FM) - Spokane - Spokane's Best Rock

  • KUBE 93.3 FM - Seattle - Hip Hop/Top 40
  • KBKS 106.1 FM - Tacoma - Mix

  • KUOW 94.9 FM - Seattle - NPR News/Talk (#1 rated)
  • KPBX 91.1 FM - Spokane - SPR News (NPR)
  • KXLY 920 AM - Spokane - 920 News Now (Conservative Talk)
  • KQNT 590 AM - Spokane - News Radio

  • KNKX 88.5 FM - Tacoma/Seattle - Jazz, Blues & NPR News
  • KWJZ 98.9 FM - Seattle - Smooth Jazz

Complete Washington Radio Station List

Washington FM Radio Stations

Washington AM Radio Stations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Washington State has approximately 397 licensed radio stations total, including about 250 full-power AM and FM stations, around 50 low-power FM (LPFM) community stations, and over 100 translators that rebroadcast signals to remote areas. The Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area alone has 108 stations (65 FM, 43 AM), while Spokane has 54 stations (37 FM, 17 AM). This extensive coverage serves Washington's 8.1 million residents across urban and rural communities.

KUOW 94.9 FM (NPR News/Talk) recently topped Seattle ratings with a 7.6% market share, ending the multi-year streak of KKWF 100.7 The Wolf (Country), which held #2 with 7.1%. KZOK 102.5 FM (Classic Rock) ranks #3 with 5.9%, followed by KISW 99.9 FM The Rock (Active Rock) at #4 with 5.5%. KUOW is one of the most successful NPR stations nationally and competes closely with commercial stations for listeners. The Seattle market is highly competitive with diverse formats attracting different demographics.

The Seattle Seahawks flagship radio station is Seattle Sports 710 AM (KIRO), which has broadcast Seahawks games since the team's inception in 1976. KIRO is a 50,000-watt clear channel AM station with powerful signal coverage across the Pacific Northwest. In Spokane, Rock 94½ (KHTQ-FM) serves as the Inland Northwest's home for Seahawks broadcasts. The Seahawks Radio Network includes dozens of affiliate stations throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska, ensuring comprehensive regional coverage for all games.

KEXP 90.3 FM is a non-commercial radio station specializing in indie and alternative music, operated by Friends of KEXP from studios at Seattle Center. Founded as KCMU in 1972 by University of Washington students, KEXP played a pivotal role in Seattle's grunge movement by providing first radio airplay for Nirvana (1988) and Soundgarden in the late 1980s. Sub Pop Records founders Jonathan Poneman and Bruce Pavitt met as KCMU DJs. KEXP operates one of the most influential listener-supported music stations in the country, serving as an international tastemaker for indie genres through curated programming by knowledgeable DJs rather than algorithms. The station pioneered uncompressed CD-quality internet streaming in 2000.

Washington has extensive NPR coverage through multiple stations. In Seattle-Tacoma, listen to KUOW 94.9 FM (University of Washington, charter NPR member since 1970), KNKX 88.5 FM (Tacoma, jazz/news format), and KUPS 90.1 FM (University of Puget Sound). Spokane Public Radio operates KPBX 91.1 FM (rebranded SPR News in August 2025) along with sister stations KSFC 91.9 and KPBZ 90.3. Northwest Public Broadcasting (NWPB), operated by Washington State University, runs 19 radio stations and 13 translators across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, providing comprehensive NPR coverage to rural areas. Other public stations include KSER 90.7 FM (Everett) and KAOS 89.3 FM (Olympia, The Evergreen State College).

Seattle Sports 710 AM (KIRO) broadcasts Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and Seattle Mariners (MLB) games. Sports Radio 950 KJR and 93.3 KJR FM carry Seattle Kraken (NHL), Washington Huskies (all sports), and Seattle Sounders FC (MLS). In Spokane, 700 ESPN 105.3 FM broadcasts Eastern Washington University Eagles and Greater Spokane League high school sports, while KXLY 920 AM is the official home of Washington State Cougars athletics. Rock 94½ in Spokane also carries Seahawks games for Eastern Washington listeners. Both Seattle sports stations feature extensive sports talk programming throughout the day with local and national hosts.

The Seattle-Tacoma radio market ranks #12 nationally by Nielsen Audio, serving a metropolitan population of 4,137,900. This makes Seattle the largest radio market in the Pacific Northwest and one of the most competitive in the United States. The market features over 108 stations with diverse formats including news, sports, alternative rock, country, jazz, and strong public radio presence. Spokane ranks as the #88 market nationally with 54 stations. Washington's radio markets benefit from the state's large population (8.1+ million), diverse demographics, and strong economies in major cities, supporting robust advertising revenue and programming variety.

KIRO 710 AM rebranded as "Seattle Sports" on March 7, 2022, coinciding with rival KJR moving its programming to FM station 93.3 (former KUBE). The rebrand reflected the station's evolution from general news/talk format to dedicated sports programming. KIRO remains a 50,000-watt clear channel AM station owned by Bonneville International and serves as the flagship for Seattle Seahawks (since 1976) and Seattle Mariners (1985-2002, 2009-present). Despite being AM-only, KIRO maintains competitive ratings (4.3% share) through strong sports programming, exclusive play-by-play rights, and expert local hosts including Brock Huard, Mike Salk, and former players. The station is an ESPN Radio Network affiliate.

Last updated on November 27, 2025