Female Leadership Ticks Up In Radio, Says MIW Report.

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio has released the results of its 25th Annual Gender Analysis Study, offering one of the industry’s longest-running benchmarks of female leadership in radio. The study tracks women serving as General Managers, Sales Managers and Program Directors/Brand Managers at U.S.-based commercial stations.

Based on raw data compiled by PrecisionTrak, the 2025 report reflects 11,215 AM and FM stations operating as of Dec. 31, 2025.

General Managers: Women held 22.07% of General Manager positions in 2025, representing 2,366 stations. That marks a modest increase from 21.67% in 2024 and a notable gain compared to 14.9% in 2023. In the Top 100 markets, female representation reached 24.09% (784 stations), nearly five percentage points higher than 2024 and continuing to outpace the national average.

Sales Managers: Sales continues to present the strongest management opportunity for women. In 2025, 35.31% of stations (3,561) had a woman serving as Sales Manager, essentially flat compared to 35.67% in 2024. In the Top 100 markets, women accounted for 37.61% (1,156 stations), though that figure declined from 42.94% the previous year.

Program Directors/Brand Managers: Programming remains the most challenging management lane for women. Nationally, women programmed 13.02% of stations (289) in 2025, up slightly from 12.38% in 2024. In the Top 100 markets, however, female representation climbed to 15.25%, a significant increase from 11.23% a year earlier.

“Twenty-five years of data give us clarity,” MIW Board President Sheila Kirby said. “We are encouraged to see movement in General Manager and Programming roles, particularly within the Top 100 markets. At the same time, flat growth in sales leadership and the continued underrepresentation of women in programming nationally remind us that progress is not automatic. Sustainable advancement requires intention.”

MIW said it will continue its focus on mentoring, advocacy and leadership development initiatives aimed at expanding pathways for women at every level of radio management.

The organization noted that all data is subject to the accuracy and completeness of information provided by station companies to PrecisionTrak as of Dec. 31, 2025.