Alex Jones Greatly Exaggerates How Many Radio Stations He's On

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One of the great mysteries of studying Alex Jones is wrestling with the idea that anyone would want to listen to his show. It is full of completely inaccurate information and ludicrous analysis, it is littered with very seriously racist sentiment, he very regularly borders on language that would qualify as inciting violence, and it only rarely comes near what you might call entertaining.

To make matters more confusing, Alex has a habit of greatly exaggerating the size of his audience, making it seem like I must be insane to think people wouldn't want to listen to this shit. He recently suggested that his audience is 10% of the country and "conservatively" 10% of the world:

It's almost impossible to imagine a reality where 760,000,000 people listen to Alex, but somehow the livestreams of his show every day have just about 3,000 people watching. To bring this back to Earth a little bit, looking at the statistics available on Quantcast, you see that the highest day of traffic to his website since late December 2017 has been approximately 480,000 unique visitors (representing a very large peak compared to normal traffic) That isn't even "conservatively" 10% of the population of New York City, let alone the country or the world.

One of the ways Alex gets around these numbers and explains that he has a much bigger reach than statistics would lead us to believe is to say that he is on tons of radio stations around the country. This is a claim that is incredibly hard to verify because his website does not list radio affiliates where he airs, claiming that he doesn't want his affiliates to get harassed, which is really just code for "I know that this is a way that people could apply pressure on me and I don't want to make it easy for them."

Unfortunately for him, I don't really believe in dead ends. I wanted to know what radio stations Alex Jones broadcasts on, and if he isn't going to provide that list, that is only going to motivate me to investigate the matter and create just such a list.

In order to look into the question of Alex's radio stations, I consulted a database of radio stations, listed by market. I went through the list station by station, finding their broadcast schedules and seeing if Alex was on them. It was exhausting.

As I got started, I realized that I needed to begin with my feet on solid ground. Genesis Communications Network (GCN) has posted a list of Alex Jones' affiliates online in the past. Alex claims that this list is not up to date, and that is probably true; in my research, it appears that the list has not been updated since at least October 2014.

But this was still a starting point. This would at least tell me what Alex's radio base was in 2014, and from there I could see how many of these networks still aired his show.

What I found was that of the 83 radio stations listed as broadcasting Alex Jones Monday-Friday in 2014, at least 42 of them had since dropped him, and there are a couple more that are inconclusive, as the listed stations don't even have websites. In case anyone thinks I'm just making this up, here is a list of all the stations I can confidently say have dropped Alex:

  1. AM 1430 KWAP in Wasilla, AK: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  2. AM 880 KLRG in Little Rock, AR: This has changed to a Gospel music format
  3. AM 1480 KGOE in Eureka, CA: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  4. AM 1490 KOWL in Lake Tahoe, CA: This is still a talk station, and they dropped Rush Limbaugh in 2015 because he was toxic to advertisers, which heavily implies Alex is gone too.
  5. AM 1050 KCAA in Riverside, CA: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  6. AM 1400 in Fort Walton Beach, FL: They switched to a Spanish station
  7. 94.5 FM in Fort Walton Beach, FL: Spanish station, simulcast of AM 1400 above
  8. AM 1340 in Tampa, FL: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  9. AM 1350 in Zephyr Hills, FL: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  10. AM 1300 WIMO in Monroe, GA: Switched to a local sports talk station
  11. AM 810 WTHV in Valdosta, GA: Changed call letters to WZYN and became a Gospel network
  12. AM 580 KIDO in Boise, ID: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  13. AM 1150 WGGH in Marion, IL: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  14. AM 750 WRIK in Paducah, KY: Changed to a country music format
  15. AM 1310 KMBS in Monroe, LA: Changed to an oldies station
  16. AM 1450 WTHU in Thurmont, MD: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  17. 106.3 FM in Omaway, MI: This station is a simulcast of a talk network called Patriot Voice that bizarrely does not air Alex's show
  18. AM 1130 in Minneapolis, MN: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  19. 103.5 FM in Minneapolis, MN: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  20. AM 1240 WPBQ in Jackson, MS: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  21. AM 1060 WKMQ in Tupelo, MS: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  22. AM 1350 WZGM in Asheville, NC: Switched to a CBS Sports affiliate
  23. AM 1410 KDKT in Bismark, ND: Switched to a FOX Sports affiliate
  24. 96.7 WVTT in Olean, NY: Switched to an oldies country format
  25. AM 1320 WLOH in Lancaster, OH: Switched to a country music format
  26. 104.5 FM in Lancaster, OH: Switched to a country music format
  27. 99.3 FM in Logan, OH: This is a simulcast of the Lancaster stations
  28. AM 1240 KBEL in Idabel, OK: Switched to a country music format
  29. AM 1440 KMED in Medford, OR: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  30. AM 1600 KOHI in St. Helens, OR: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  31. AM 1100 WGPA in Allentown, PA: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  32. 99.1 FM in Kane, PA: This is now a Top 40 format station
  33. 106.3 FM in Kane, PA: This is now a Top 40 format station
  34. 95.3 FM in Smethport, PA: Switched to a sports talk format
  35. AM 1230 WOIC in Columbia, SC: Switched to a sports talk format
  36. AM 1490 WJOC in Chattanooga, TN: This is still a talk station, but does not air Alex
  37. AM 1600 WMQM in Memphis, TN: Switched to a Christian format
  38. AM 1300 KSET in Beaumont, TX: This station is currently radio silent
  39. AM 1590 KDAV in Lubbock, TX: Switched to a sports talk format
  40. AM 790 WSVG in Mount Jackson, VA: Switched to a music format
  41. AM 940 WKGM in Norfolk, VA: Switched to a Christian format
  42. AM 1030 KMAS in Shelton, WA: This is still a talk station but they do not air Alex

So, you can see here, since 2014 Alex has seen an over 50% decrease in radio affiliates, according to the list provided by GCN. But, of course, this is not a complete picture. This just provides an update of where things are now based on where they were about three and a half years ago.

But it gets worse. I found an additional list of affiliates that Alex posted on the Prison Planet website, and this makes the picture look even sadder. These were different stations, and 39 out of the 42 referenced on that site do not broadcast Alex's shows anymore. That is a total of 81 affiliates that are referenced in Alex's own or GCN's promotional material that he has does not broadcast on anymore. That is a grim picture.

Moving forward with the analysis, I had to look at what stations may have been gained.

My next step was to check all of the talk stations owned by the three largest radio networks in the country: Cumulus, Entercom Communications, and iHeartRadio. These three companies represent a gigantic portion of the local radio markets in the US, and Alex Jones is not carried on any of their stations (actually, he's kind of on one iHeartRadio station, but more on that in a minute).

Almost universally, on these stations run by these networks, you see a very similar lineup of shows. You see Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Mark Levin, Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Prager, and Coast to Coast AM on pretty much all of them. One of the main reasons for this is that these shows are distributed by content networks like Salem Radio Network (servicing approximately 2,000 radio stations) or Premiere Networks (servicing approximately 5,500 stations) and neither of them work with Alex Jones.

Alex has no access to the means by which most radio shows get distribution, and as such, he has no access to the thousands of stations they syndicate to. Even if these stations were willing to put up with Alex's hateful rhetoric, there is the other problem that there is no room for him. His show broadcasts at the same time as Rush and Hannity, and there's no way a station would choose him over them, if that option is on the table. And thus, Alex is forced to settle for scraps.

Going over the list of GCN's listed affiliates, and pouring over every radio station in the Top 40 markets, including radio stations emanating from up to 70 miles outside each market, I was able to find 42 radio stations that broadcast Alex Jones' programming. Three of them also broadcast David Knight, and only one of them also airs Owen Shroyer's show.

And now, without further ado, here is the list of radio stations that broadcast Alex Jones:

New York: AM 1160 WVNJ- This is clearly a station that has an arrangement with GCN, as they provide WVNJ with overnight weekend content coverage. This is not really a New York station, as it is broadcast out of New Jersey. It can be picked up in some parts of New York City, but not all of it. Alex does not air live, but is on Monday-Friday from 6 PM-9 PM.

Los Angeles: AM 1150 KEIB- This station goes by the name "The Patriot," so it's not too surprising to see Alex on here. This is the only iHeartRadio station that broadcasts Alex's content. Alex does not air live, but is on Monday-Friday at midnight.

Chicago: AM 1530 and 102.3 FM- This is a station that broadcasts from Elmhurst but can be heard in parts of Chicago. This station is owned by Matt Dubiel, who Alex has had host the 4th hour of The Alex Jones Show in the past, so it should be no surprise that this is the only station that broadcasts Alex, David Knight, and Owen Shroyer live Monday-Friday.

San Francisco: AM 1080 KSCO- This station broadcasts out of Santa Cruz, but can be heard in San Francisco. Alex does not air live, but is replayed at 8 PM Mon-Weds and 9 PM Thurs-Fri.

Atlanta: AM 920 WGKA- Alex does not air on weekdays, only on Sundays at 6 PM.

Detroit: AM 1600 WAAM- This station broadcasts out of Ann Arbor, but can be heard some in Detroit. Alex does not air live, but is on Monday-Friday from 11 PM-1 AM.

Phoenix: AM 1100 KFNX- This station broadcasts out of Cave Creek, 20 miles outside of Phoenix, so is audible in some parts of Phoenix. Alex is broadcast live from 11 AM-3 PM Monday-Friday.

Denver: AM 1360 KHNC- This station makes no sense. It is broadcast out of Jonestown, CO, 45 miles away from Denver, so it probably barely reaches Denver city limits.Beyond that, the schedule of when they air Alex's show is baffling. On Monday-Friday, he airs at 11 AM-noon, 7 PM-8 PM and 1 AM-2 AM, then on Sundays he airs from 9 AM-10 AM (before he could have even recorded his Sunday show) and from 10 PM-11 PM. This is a terrible schedule, and no broadcaster with any clout would choose to be aired this way.

These are the only stations I can find that broadcast Alex Jones' shows in the Top 20 radio markets in the country. Eight stations, almost all of them broadcast from other cities or suburbs, and only two of them even air his show live.

Here are the rest of the stations I can find that air Alex's shows:

Fairbanks, AK: 660 AM KFAR- Alex is on Monday-Friday from midnight-3 AM.

Soldotna, AK (population 4,163): AM 920 KSRM- Alex is on Monday-Friday, 11 PM-midnight.

Geneva, AL (population 4,424) AM 1150 WGEA- Alex is on Sundays from 4 PM-6 PM.

Fayetteville, AR: AM 1390 KFFK- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 5 PM-8 PM.

Fordyce, AR (pop. 4,300): AM 1590 KBJT- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 11 AM-1 PM.

Mountain Home, AR: 97.1 FM KJMT- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 1 PM-5 PM.

Needles CA (pop. 4,844): AM 1340 KTOX- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 9 AM-noon. David Knight also airs, but Owen Shroyer does not.

Pine Top, AZ (pop. 4,282): 106.7 FM KNKI- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 10 PM-11 PM

Victor Valley, CA: AM 960 KIXW- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 6 PM-10 PM.

Pensacola, FL: AM 790 WPNN- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 9 PM-midnight.

Hagatna, Guam (pop. 1,051): AM 567 KGUM- Alex is on Monday-Friday at 3 AM.

Bloomington, IL: 92.9 FM WRPW- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 11 PM-2 AM.

Burley, ID: AM 1230 KBAR- Alex is on Monday-Friday at 11 PM.

Ramsey, IL (pop. 1,037): 93.3 FM WTRH- Alex is on Monday-Friday at 1 AM.

Lexington, KY: AM 1280 WZXI- Alex is on Monday-Friday 12 PM-3 PM

New Orleans, LA: AM 990 WGSO- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 1 PM-2 PM.

Liberty, MO: AM 1140 KCXL- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 11 AM-noon.

Missoula, MT: AM 930 KMPT- Alex is on Monday-Friday at 10 AM

Fargo, ND: AM 1100 KZFG- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 11 PM-2 AM.

Tioga, ND (pop. 1,230): 1090 AM KTGO- Alex is on Monday-Friday 11 PM-2 AM.

Laconia, NH: AM 1350 WEZS- Alex is on Sundays from 5 PM-7 PM.

Albuquerque, NM: AM 1550 KIVA- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 8 PM-11 PM.

Las Vegas, NV: AM 790 KBET- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 3 AM-6 AM.

Watertown, NY: AM 790 WTNY- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 7 PM-10 PM.

Eugene, OR: AM 1120 KPNW- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 8 PM-10 PM.

Medford, OR: AM 880 KCMX- Alex is on Monday-Friday at 10 PM.

Salem, OR: AM 1220 KSLM- Alex is on Monday-Friday at 9 AM.

Erie, PA: AM 1400 KJET- Alex is on Monday-Friday at 10 PM.

Loris, SC (pop. 2,396): AM 1240 WLSC- I cannot confirm when Alex is on, but the station is associated with GCN, so it is a good bet that he is on somewhere.

Knoxville, TN: AM 1470 WBCR- Alex is on Monday-Friday noon-4 PM and Sunday 5 PM-7 PM. Their website is full of scary posts about fluoride, so I assume this station is full of insanity by design.

Amarillo, TX: AM 940 KIXZ- Alex is on Monday-Friday at midnight.

Corpus Christi, TX: AM 1440 KEYS- Alex is on Monday-Friday 8 PM-10 PM.

Delta, UT (pop. 3,436): AM 540 KYAH- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 10 AM-2 PM and Sunday from 3 PM-5 PM. David Knight is also on this station. Their own coverage map shows that their range barely reaches any larger cities.

Salt Lake City, UT: AM 660 KTKK- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 2 AM-5 AM

Richmond, VA: AM 820 WTNM- Alex is on Monday-Friday from 12 AM-1 AM.

And that's it. I am reasonably confident that this actually does reflect a fairly complete listing of the stations that Alex Jones is broadcast on. There may be a couple that have been missed, but I guarantee they would have to be in very small markets with an almost non-existent listener base, and Alex very well may be on at 3 AM. Alex can claim he's keeping his affiliates secret to avoid them being harassed, but based on my analysis of literally all the radio stations in so many markets, I have to say that this appears to be a massive bluff.

What we have here is 42 radio stations in the country that air Alex Jones, and only 11 of them actually broadcast his show live. 17 stations air him after 9 PM, three of them only play the shows Sundays, and 10 of them emanate from cities with populations lower than 5,000.

Consider this: As far as I can tell, Alex Jones is not on the radio in Austin, his hometown. He always says that he is on AM 590 KLBJ, but if you check their website out, you will find a complete radio schedule, and it does not include Alex. This is an insane revelation.

In the interest of complete fairness, it should be noted that Alex Jones does broadcast over shortwave radio, but due to the equipment needed to pick those broadcasts up, and the relative unpopularity of shortwave listening in the US, this cannot possibly represent a large audience. A weird, pretty scary audience? Sure, but not huge.

This has all been very exhausting, and reveals just about what I thought it might. Unless Alex Jones decides to reveal all these secret radio affiliates, the information we have in front of us paints a pretty clear picture that Alex Jones has a smaller radio audience than The Cigar Dave Show, whatever that is.

Conclusion

After compiling this data and having a moment to reflect on it, I think it is impossible to look at this and not realize that Alex Jones' audience is substantially smaller than he presents it to be. His shows will end up being viewed 10-20,000 times on YouTube, but there is no way all of these people watch the whole video or even most of it. These numbers could also be artificially inflated by automated traffic.

All in all, what I am realizing is that, taken as a radio show, The Alex Jones Show appears to be a complete failure, dropping from 83 daily stations in 2014 to 40 who broadcast him daily today, and many of them in deep overnight hours. Don't get me wrong, being on any stations at all is a cool thing, but people like Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck are easily on 500 radio stations around the country each.

Whereas he projects an image that his stock is on the rise and that things are going great, the available facts really make it appear that his business has been in a free fall for years.

I can really only see two elements that are not being considered here:

  1. Alex could be heavily broadcast on Tejano stations, and that is how he is flying under the radar.
  2. He could claim to be heavily listened to on satellite radio, but this seems unlikely since he is not on Sirius/XM, and other commercially viable satellite radio does not exist because...well, it requires a satellite. He could have some Digital Radio-TV affiliates hiding somewhere, but they'd have to be really small potatoes and realistically couldn't account for much, since a 2014 study showed that only 5.2% of audio listening is done on DTV, and the biggest suppliers of it are Sirius/XM (which he is not on) and DirecTV (which is a subsidiary of AT&T and most certainly doesn't carry Alex's shows).

If all this is true, and that Alex Jones is really only on 42 radio stations in the country, one really needs to ask the question: where is all that money coming from? It damn sure isn't coming from millions of radio listeners buying his dumb pills.