March 2. WDAV Classical Public Radio made history last week when Nielsen Media Research released the January 2022 audience estimates for the Charlotte Metro market.

The Davidson station, with a 6.4 share of audience, was No. 1 in the market.

According to independent ratings historian Chris Huff, this marks the first time in the history of Nielsen PPM audience measurement era that a classical music station has finished first in any US market.

Ha ha hip hop

This puts Davidson-based WDAV-89.9 ahead of Beasley Hip Hop “Power 98” and iHeartMedia Variety Hits “102.9 The Lake.”

WDAV topped the overall rankings by averaging 6,100 listeners per quarter hour, besting the second-place finisher by 500 listeners. WDAV also placed first in the Morning Drive, Evening, and Weekend rankings.

Public media like WDAV isn’t traditionally driven by ratings, but this is a landmark occasion nonetheless.

WDAV-FM transformed from a student station to a public radio station in 1978. With the exception of a handful of national programs, WDAV is primarily locally programmed and hosted, including producing its own overnights.