The 8 Best Radio Stations in Columbus

From national news and sports to contemporary music hits, here are eight of the best radio stations in the Columbus, Ohio area.
Written by Holden Easterbrook
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you’re looking for something to listen to on your morning commute, these eight Columbus radio stations have the latest sports updates, breaking national news segments, and the hottest songs from this and previous decades.
When podcasts and playlists aren’t cutting it anymore, tune your car radio to one of Columbus’s regional radio stations for a local take on national trends. There’s something for everyone on the AM and FM bands, from sports talk and community education segments to R&B and alternative rock.
If you don’t already have a favorite local radio station, no need to worry. We've scoured the airwaves for some of the best radio programs that Columbus, Ohio has to offer.

The best news and talk radio stations in Columbus

When you want talk radio—whether it’s sports or news—these are the best Columbus stations for scratching that itch.

Columbus’ BIN 1230: the Black Information Network

Call sign: WYTS
Frequency: 1230 AM
The
Black Information Network
is the premier news service for the Black community in Columbus. BIN offers 24/7 coverage with objective and comprehensive reporting of the day’s top news stories from a unique Black perspective.

89.7 FM NPR News: public radio programs for everyone

Call sign: WOSU
Frequency: 89.7 FM
For regional, national, and global news, there’s no better station to tune into than
89.7 FM NPR News
. Between well-loved programs like Fresh Air with Terry Gross and All Sides with Ann Fisher in conjunction with world-renowned journalism, you won’t find in-depth reporting of this quality anywhere else.

90.5 WCBE: Columbus community radio

Call sign: WCBE
Frequency: 90.5 FM
When you want to catch up on everything happening in the Columbus area, turn to
90.5 WCBE
. This station offers independent and original programming with the intent of educating residents and helping the local culture flourish.

97.1 The Fan: the best local sports coverage

Call sign:WBNS
Frequency: 97.1 FM
From the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Cleveland Browns,
97.1 The Fan
is your place for local sports scores and commentary. Catch popular programs like Morning Juiceon your way to work or Common Man & T-Bone on your way back home.
icon
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now

The best music radio stations in Columbus

Whether you’re on the hunt for new tunes to add to your favorite playlist or just want to jam out to the classics, these next radio stations have the best music Columbus has to offer.

WNCI 97.9: Columbus’ #1 hit music station

Call sign: WNCI
Frequency: 97.9 FM
When you’re sick of listening to the same classics over and over again, check out
WNCI 97.9
for the latest in pop music. This station specializes in the newest hits and trending tracks, so there’s always something fresh to jam out to while you’re stuck in rush-hour traffic.

93.3 The Bus Columbus: the Play Anything Station

Call sign: WODC
Frequency: 93.3 FM
If you love music of any genre or decade, then
93.3 The Bus Columbus
is the station for you. Catch the major hits of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s for a trip down memory lane and a little variety in your day-to-day commute.

106.7 The Beat: REAL Hip Hop & R&B

Call sign: WZCB
Frequency: 106.7 FM 
For music with more than just a catchy tune or feel-good lyrics,
106.7 The Beat
has you covered. Along with the very best of Hip Hop and R&B, you can catch The Breakfast Club for a mix of talk radio with your beats.

Columbus Alternative 105.7: Everything Alternative

Call sign: WXZX
Frequency: 105.7 FM 
Does pop music just not do it for you? Is classic rock a little too overdone? If so, then you need to tune into
Columbus Alternative 105.7
. This station offers a wide selection of alternative rock tunes day and night to help you get out of your rut.

How to save money on car insurance in Columbus

While radio station preferences differ from person to person, everyone would like to pay less for their car insurance. Luckily, that dream is now a reality thanks to the amazing work done by
Jerry
, the
trustworthy super app
.
As a licensed insurance broker, Jerry has access to the best quotes from a selection of more than 50 insurance providers. To tap into these potential savings, all you need to do is download the app, answer a few questions about yourself, and wait for fewer than two minutes for the cream of the car insurance quote crop.
The average Jerry user saves $887 on their annual insurance expenses, so get Jerry today and stop wasting your hard-earned money!
Jerry
helped me change to Progressive after being with my previous insurer for 25 years. The app is amazing! It grabs your information and finds you a huge variety of choices between carriers and coverage levels.”—Leila S.
rating reverse-full
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”

FAQs

92.3 WCOL is a great commercial country music radio station that can be found on 92.3 FM.
Jazz 98.5 FM is one of the top jazz-specific radio stations in the Columbus area.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings