Radio in Dallas is far from background noise. It still sets the tone for morning commutes, workdays, road trips, and weekend rituals. In a market as large as DFW, stations survive by earning loyalty, not just signal strength.
This list looks at reach, consistency, local relevance, and staying power. Formats vary. Audiences vary. What these stations share is influence.
Sortable Comparison Table: DFW Radio Stations
This table is structured so it can be sorted by your site or plugin. Columns include frequency, band, format, and ownership. Ratings vary by book and time slot, so the rating column is included as a placeholder for your preferred data source.
| Station | Frequency | Band | Brand Name | Format | Owner | Rating (Source/Book) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KRLD-FM | 105.3 | FM | 105.3 The Fan | Sports Talk | Audacy | — |
| KERA | 90.1 | FM | KERA | Public Radio / News | North Texas Public Broadcasting | — |
| KHKS | 106.1 | FM | 106.1 KISS FM | Top 40 / Pop | iHeartMedia | — |
| KTCK | 96.7 / 1310 | FM / AM | The Ticket | Sports Talk | Cumulus Media | — |
| KXT | 91.7 | FM | KXT | Adult Alternative | North Texas Public Broadcasting | — |
| KZPS | 92.5 | FM | Lone Star 92.5 | Classic Rock | Cumulus Media | — |
| KSCS | 96.3 | FM | 96.3 KSCS | Country | Cumulus Media | — |
| KLIF | 570 | AM | NewsTalk 570 KLIF | Talk Radio | Cumulus Media | — |
| KDMX | 102.9 | FM | 102.9 NOW | Adult Contemporary | Cumulus Media | — |
| KBFB | 97.9 | FM | 97.9 The Beat | Hip-Hop / R&B | Service Broadcasting | — |
Top 10 Dallas Radio Stations (Ranked)
| Rank | Station | Format | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan | Sports Talk | The go-to station for Dallas sports coverage, live games, and local voices. |
| 2 | KERA 90.1 FM | Public Radio / News | Trusted reporting, national NPR programming, and strong local journalism. |
| 3 | KHKS 106.1 KISS FM | Top 40 / Pop | Mainstream hits with massive reach across younger audiences. |
| 4 | KTCK 96.7 / 1310 The Ticket | Sports Talk | Iconic personalities and long-running shows that shaped Dallas sports radio. |
| 5 | KXT 91.7 | Adult Alternative | Independent music focus with strong local artist support. |
| 6 | KZPS 92.5 Lone Star | Classic Rock | A staple for rock fans who grew up with the format. |
| 7 | KSCS 96.3 | Country | One of the longest-running and most recognizable country stations in DFW. |
| 8 | KLIF 570 AM | Talk Radio | Longtime talk station with a loyal listener base. |
| 9 | KDMX 102.9 NOW | Adult Contemporary | Office-friendly playlists with wide demographic appeal. |
| 10 | KBFB 97.9 The Beat | Hip-Hop / R&B | A dominant voice in Dallas urban radio. |
Separate Lists by Format
Sports Radio in DFW
- KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan (Sports Talk): Daily Dallas sports coverage, live broadcasts, and strong local lineup.
- KTCK 96.7 / 1310 The Ticket (Sports Talk): Long-running shows, deep local roots, and an unmistakable DFW sports-radio identity.
Music Stations in DFW
- KHKS 106.1 KISS FM (Top 40 / Pop): Current hits with broad reach across the metroplex.
- KXT 91.7 (Adult Alternative): Curated playlists with strong support for independent and local artists.
- KZPS 92.5 Lone Star (Classic Rock): Classic rock staples with consistent programming.
- KSCS 96.3 (Country): A legacy country station with decades of recognition.
- KDMX 102.9 NOW (Adult Contemporary): A safe all-day mix that works for commutes and offices.
- KBFB 97.9 The Beat (Hip-Hop / R&B): A major voice in Dallas hip-hop and R&B radio.
Talk and News Stations in DFW
- KERA 90.1 FM (Public Radio / News): News and public affairs programming with strong local reporting.
- KLIF 570 AM (Talk Radio): Talk programming with a long-time presence in the Dallas market.
Station Snapshots
KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan
Sports talk in Dallas lives here. It covers the teams, the trades, the games, and the arguments your group chat is already having. It works because it feels local and current.
KERA 90.1 FM
KERA serves listeners who want facts, context, and reporting without theatrics. It has become a daily habit for many professionals across North Texas.
KHKS 106.1 KISS FM
If you want the big pop hits, this station stays in the middle of that conversation. It has held a strong position in the market for years.
KTCK 96.7 / 1310 The Ticket
The Ticket is part of Dallas sports culture. Fans tune in for personalities as much as for sports. The tone is serious one minute and comedic the next, which is why it sticks.
KXT 91.7
KXT stands out by being a station that feels curated rather than automated. It supports local music and gives listeners a break from the same recycled playlists.
KZPS 92.5 Lone Star
Classic rock stations live or die by consistency. Lone Star has kept its lane and kept its audience.
KSCS 96.3
Country has deep roots in North Texas. KSCS has been part of that story for decades, and it remains a go-to signal for the format.
KLIF 570 AM
Talk radio still has a dedicated audience in Dallas. KLIF has stayed relevant by keeping programming focused on opinion, conversation, and local interest.
KDMX 102.9 NOW
This is the station many people keep on without thinking about it. That is not an insult. That is the point. It fits the workday and the commute without demanding attention.
KBFB 97.9 The Beat
97.9 The Beat remains one of the most influential urban stations in the region. It has cultural weight in Dallas, and its audience shows up.
Radio in DFW continues to evolve, yet these stations prove the medium still holds ground. The formats change, the playlists shift, and the voices rotate. The stations that last do so because listeners keep coming back.