Women holding the General Manager position in 2023 increased from last year, showing healthy gains from 2004. However, lingering industry challenges point to the need for continued growth in gender equity, new data released Thursday by Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc., show.
MIW annually compiles and analyzes the number of women in radio broadcasting who are rising to the ranks of management. Data gathered for an annual MIW Gender Analysis Study specifically tracks the progress of female professionals holding General Manager, Sales Manager, and Program Director/Brand Manager positions.
The latest data show 22.17% (2,356 stations) had women holding the General Manager position in 2023. This is almost 2 share points of growth from last year. But, MIW says, this continues to show growth from 2004, when the percentage of female General Managers was 14.9%.
In the Top 100 markets, 23.96% (828 stations) were managed by women. This, MIW says, is also more than a full percentage point up from 2022 and still continues to run a bit higher than the national average.
SALES PROWESS
Overall, the best management opportunities for women in radio continues to be in sales management. Some 34.37% or 3,476 stations had a female Sales Manager in 2023.
Yet, that number is basically flat from 33.45% in 2022.
In the Top 100 markets, although the numbers run slightly higher than the national average, the story showed a 3-point percentage drop for 2023. Some 35.16% or 1,379 stations had women serving as Sales Managers in 2023, versus 38.05% in 2022.
The greatest challenge for women in radio management continues to be in the area of Program Directors/Brand Managers. Women currently program 11.50% AMs/FMs (1,173 stations). This, too, is flat from 2022.
In the Top 100 markets, the news was even more grim as female programmers now represent only 10.14% of the total number of Program Directors/Brand Managers.
This, MIW says, reflects a drop of over 3 share points from 2022.
MIW Board President Ruth Presslaff commented, “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.”
