Based on delivery of persons 6+ in Nielsen’s PPM markets during its winter and spring 2025 waves, eight of Inside Radio’s TOP 10 news/talk stations — including four of the top five — are non-commercial listener-supported entities, featuring weekday and weekend programming from National Public Radio along with local news and locally-originated shows.

Topping the list is San Francisco’s KQED (88.5), which has led all stations in the market for the past eight Nielsen surveys, and has ranked first or second in every book since November 2023. Started in 1969 under the direction of Bernard Mayes, who went on to become NPR’s co-founder and chairman, KQED aired the first edition of NPR’s afternoon drive mainstay “All Things Considered.” In addition to its frequent local and California news updates, KQED produces several syndicated programs, including the issues-based talk show “Forum” along with “Tech Nation” and “The California Report.”

KQED continues to perform at a high-level in the area and is the #1 rated station in SF DMA for A18+, A25-49, A25-54, A35-64, A50+.

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