In Argentina, Mitre 790 AM, a Pro-Market and Overall Radio Leader, Soundly Outperforms Both AM and FM Stations

Wild Dominance

Mitre’s dominance on the AM band is an exception in a global landscape where AM has been systematically eroded by both technical and cultural shifts. Expecting that leadership to remain intact for another decade is unrealistic, not because the station will falter in quality or abandon its proven style, but because every winning formula eventually finds its reflection on FM. When that happens, a competitor, possibly even from Clarín Group itself, will leverage FM’s superior reach in Buenos Aires to challenge Mitre’s amplitude-modulated stronghold.

Mitre is powerful, well-established, and still has a comfortable five-year window to strategically build its FM counterpart. The challenge is not whether it can make the move, but whether it will do so in time. In an upcoming post, I will present a practical digital transition framework tailored for Argentina, one that could spare the country from the kind of costly, drawn-out indecision that crippled Brazil’s AM future.

Program: "Alguien Tiene que Decirlo"

The long-running hit program "Alguien Tiene que Decirlo", broadcast by Radio Mitre AM 790 in Buenos Aires and hosted by Eduardo Feinmann, reaches impressive figures, with more than a 40% share (the proportional share of the audience among all radio stations). Mitre’s own average hovers around 36%, according to data published even by competing outlets such as La Nación. This gives the station a substantial lead over the runner-up in the overall rankings, La 100 FM 99.9, which records a 21.79% share. Among AM stations, Mitre has more than double the audience of the second place, Radio 10, which holds around 16%.

Eduardo Feinmann

The Engine of the Programming

Feinmann’s show comfortably outperforms its competitors in the same time slot. Described as “well ahead” of the competition, Alguien Tiene que Decirlo is one of the greatest audience phenomena in Argentine radio. Mitre is the most-listened-to station in the country, and Feinmann’s program is its flagship, especially in the morning, the most competitive time in radio broadcasting.Its strength comes from a direct approach, focusing on political and current affairs topics that build loyalty among a broad and engaged audience. Eduardo Feinmann is a central figure in Argentine journalism, which amplifies the impact of his positions. Mitre also stands out on social media, with more than 2.1 million followers on Facebook, and its 100-year tradition further reinforces its authority.

Eduardo Feinmann’s Profile

Feinmann does not hide, in fact, he highlights — the traits that shape his style and connect him with a predominantly male and pro-market audience. In his public statements and in the program’s editorial line, he defines himself as:

• A defender of free trade, which puts him in opposition to the historically strong protectionism in Argentina.

• A staunch critic of Kirchnerism, using tough and unfiltered language — including profanity, which is much more common and accepted in Argentine media than in Brazil.

• An advocate for reducing the size of the state, supporting privatizations, tax cuts, and greater economic freedom.

In the Argentine context, openly expressing an ideological stance is not seen as losing journalistic neutrality, but rather as a sign of intellectual honesty with the audience. It is worth noting that ideology should not be confused with partisanship: a journalist can coherently condemn a party they once supported if that party betrays their principles.

Feinmann is also a critic of the leniency of the justice system, particularly in relation to crimes with light sentences.

Feinmann and Javier Milei

During Javier Milei’s rise to the presidency, Feinmann has largely supported his proposals — although he does not shy away from criticism, especially regarding the president’s episodes of aggressiveness toward journalists. The ideological alignment between them is natural, but Feinmann demonstrates independence by pointing out flaws when necessary.

Uncomfortable (but Honest) Questions

Is Alguien Tiene que Decirlo a right-wing program?

Yes. The program’s political profile is clear. Its agenda revolves around pro-market positions, opposition to state interventionism, privatizations, tax cuts, economic freedom, and tougher stances against crime.

Is Radio Mitre right-wing?

Mitre belongs to the influential Grupo Clarín, traditionally identified with pro-market positions. This editorial line has been reinforced by the various attempts by populist governments to exert state control over the media. In the Argentine context, a free media environment that supports private enterprise is also a matter of survival.

Between a pro-market and a pro-state program, which draws a larger audience?

The numbers in Buenos Aires speak for themselves: Alguien Tiene que Decirlo led with a 41.3% share (May 2023), while its main ideological rival, Radio 10, had around 16%. The gap is striking.

Is this an exclusively Argentine phenomenon?

Definitely not. The high ratings of right-wing journalistic programs with a predominantly male audience are not unique to Argentina. I have observed the same, for instance, in Natal (RN), when analyzing YouTube audiences. The pattern repeats itself: more neutral or left-leaning programs attract fewer views, while those more aligned to the right stand out.

Fox News Formula?

In the United States, the classic example is Fox News, the ratings leader since 2017. According to a Gallup survey (2013), 94% of its viewers identify, or tend to identify, as Republican. The contrast with channels such as CNN, MSNBC, and ABC is evident.

The paradox: journalism tends to lean more to the left, with a strong female presence, but the majority of male audiences are right-wing and consume debate, opinion, and political analysis content more intensely.

Does journalism attract one gender more than the other? One side more than the other? Journalism, according to several studies, tends to present a left-leaning bias in much of the free world, including Brazil, the United States, and Europe. This pattern is observed in newsrooms and in the coverage of political and social issues. Interestingly, although women have a significant and prominent presence in journalism, female audiences, on average, show less interest in political debate programs, especially those with a more combative tone. This observation, based on empirical findings, can be verified by analyzing media consumption behavior among acquaintances or audience data.

For example, over the course of a year, I specifically monitored the metrics of a political debate program streamed on YouTube in Natal and found that the average male audience accounted for 83% of viewers. This proportion does not appear to be an isolated case, as male predominance is often seen in similar programs in different regions of Brazil, especially in live chat interactions. One possible explanation lies in thematic affinity: debates with harsher, more confrontational tones, often centered on politics, economics, or security, tend to attract more male viewers. In contrast, lighter formats with softer approaches or topics related to culture, well-being, or society tend to engage more female audiences — without implying any lack of interest in the world or lesser analytical capacity.

Another relevant point is the difference in political leanings between genders. Data suggests that men, on average, tend to identify more with right-wing ideas, while women show a greater inclination toward the left. This divergence can influence preferences for journalistic content and even the balance of power in electoral disputes, where ideological polarization becomes more evident.

This dynamic is not exclusive to Brazil. Audience analysis in other countries reveals similar patterns, with men predominating in more intense political debate spaces. To confirm these trends, one only needs to watch live broadcasts of journalistic programs in different Brazilian states and observe the proportion of male and female names in comments or interactions. While these observations are not definitive, they point to a segmentation of interests that deserves further investigation, considering factors such as format, tone, and topics covered by the programs.

AM Radio in Argentina

It is important to note: Mitre is an AM station, a band that in Brazil has been hollowed out by the dominance of FM and the loss of commercial relevance. In Argentina, however, AM stations remain alive, largely thanks to their strong emphasis on political and economic analysis and critical journalism. (Mitre 790 website and streaming: https://radiomitre.cienradios.com/)

The Key to the Audience

Mitre’s distinctive edge lies in the strong presence of analysts — more than just journalists — and in the use of intelligent humor that weaves through dense and complex discussions. It is essentially a talk-oriented station: nearly all of its programming is based on fact analysis rather than mere journalistic description. The focus is on Mitre’s exclusive content, with well-founded opinions from figures with solid careers and the authority to form them, and with forecasts that tend to closely match reality, further reinforcing its credibility.One cannot dismiss a certain philosophical alignment with the bulk of its listeners as a key factor in achieving audience resonance and loyalty.

From RN, This Is How I Follow Argentina and Mitre’s Success

I have been following Radio Mitre via streaming since late 2023, as I mentioned in another post. I usually do so during my trips between cities in Rio Grande do Norte, and I have listened to various programs at different times of the day. One of the station’s great names, Jorge Lanata, passed away in late 2024. His program, Lanata Sin Filtro, was a benchmark for investigative and balanced journalism.Lanata was not a right-wing journalist, but his independence led him to sharply criticize the abuses of Kirchnerism. He was incisive in exposing the economic maneuvers that benefited government “friendly” companies with privileged access to subsidized dollars.

I decided to closely follow Argentina’s reality without relying on intermediaries who distort the news, as so often happens with information reaching Brazil. My interest was to observe the libertarian experiment led by Javier Milei, with his proposal to implement a model of greater economic freedom, similar to that of countries like New Zealand. In Brazil, such a discussion seems almost taboo, but Milei — an intriguing president — has pressed ahead with unpopular early measures that, despite being controversial, are often necessary to avoid the economic poison of populist policies.

By following Argentine sources directly — such as Radio Mitre and the channels La Nación+, A24, TN, and the ridiculous C5N (worth watching as an example of how not to do journalism) — I felt far more confident in obtaining information close to the local reality. Contrary to the pessimistic predictions of top economic analysts in Argentina and abroad, who bet on failure, I chose to trust the project and even invested in the country. Many of these experts, in my view, lack practical economic understanding, treating it as academic literature while ignoring the real mechanics of how economies work.

The recent lifting of currency controls (cepo cambiario), for instance, was a sophisticated move — worthy of a high-level economics lesson — that demonstrated precise and strategic calculation.

I intend to explore this topic in more detail in a future post, but for now, I emphasize that the Argentine experience deserves close attention, without the filters that too often distort our perception.

Mathematizing

Below is a collection of information about radio audiences in the Buenos Aires Region, presenting a detailed overview based on available data up to April 2025, including the main stations, their performance, audience characteristics, and recent trends. The data comes from multiple redundant sources such as La Nación, Clarín, and others, and can be revisited.

General Overview of Radio Audience in Buenos Aires

1. Reach and Listening Habits

• 90% of Argentina’s population listens to the radio weekly, with Buenos Aires as one of the main listening hubs. The average daily listening time in the city is 5 hours and 14 minutes, slightly lower than Córdoba (6h16) but higher than Mendoza (5h11) and Tucumán (5h02).

• According to Kantar IBOPE Media, over 12 million people in the AMBA region listen to radio weekly, with 47% tuning in for information, followed by entertainment and companionship.

• Listening platforms: Traditional radio (AM/FM) leads, followed by car radio, mobile phones, internet streaming, and other platforms like YouTube and computers. Online listening accounts for around 14% of the audience and is steadily growing.

2. Demographics

• Gender: In Buenos Aires, 53–54% of the audience is male, with a more balanced split in other regions like Tucumán (50/50).

• Age groups: Listeners aged 35–49 and 50–64 are the most engaged, reflecting a mature audience that values information and nostalgic music.

• Listening locations: Home, car, and workplace are the primary places for radio consumption, keeping radio embedded in daily life.

3. Growth of Digital Radio

• Almost 4 in 10 Argentines listen to digital radio (streaming or on-demand), driven by connectivity and the availability of online content.

• Podcast listening is also growing, though less significant, with 17% of the population engaging in it.

Main Stations and Audience (AM & FM)

AM Radios

AM stations in Buenos Aires are dominated by news, political, and informational content, attracting an audience focused on current affairs.

1. Radio Mitre AM 790

• Absolute leader: The most-listened-to station in AMBA, with 38.1% share in Jan 2024 and 36.2% in May 2023, maintaining the lead in 2024. In Aug 2024, Mitre reached 32.9% share, with over 1 million listeners in Greater Buenos Aires.

• Flagship programs:

  • Alguien Tiene que Decirlo (Eduardo Feinmann), 6–10 a.m., leads the morning slot with 41.3% share (May 2023), the highest in that time frame.

  • Lanata Sin Filtro (Jorge Lanata), 10 a.m.–2 p.m., also leads late mornings, though it saw declines in 2024 due to Lanata’s temporary absence.

• Strength: A mix of critical journalism, political analysis, and strong digital presence (2.1M Facebook followers) amplifies its reach.

2. Radio 10 AM 710

• Runner-up: The second-most-listened-to AM station, with 15.8% share in Jan 2024 and 14.87% in June–Aug 2024. In 2023, it grew by 25%, from 13.25% to 16.46%.

• Notable programs:

  • Mañana Sylvestre (Gustavo Sylvestre) holds strong in early mornings, competing with Feinmann.

  • Argenzuela (Jorge Rial) and El Amor Es Más Fuerte (Nancy Pazos) are second in their slots.

  • Weekend shows like those by Juan Amorín and Darío Villarroel surpass 20 share points.

• Expansion: Over 35 repeaters nationwide, covering cities like Mar del Plata and Junín, making it one of the most federal networks.

3. La Red AM 910

• Third place, with 13.8% share in Jan 2024, close to a virtual tie with Radio Rivadavia by Mar 2024.

• Sports and news focus, with strong weekend sports coverage.

4. Radio Rivadavia AM 630

• Fourth place, with 10.3% share in Jan 2024.

• Programs like La Oral Deportiva (10 p.m.–midnight) are historic, with 90 years on air — the world’s longest-running radio show.

• 2024 saw weekend schedule changes and the departure of figures like Manuel Adorni.

5. Radio Continental AM 590

• Fifth place, with 6% share in Jan 2024.

• Notable shows include Santo Continental (Santo Biasatti) in early mornings and Bravo Continental (Fernando Bravo) in the afternoons.

FM Radios

FM stations are more music- and entertainment-oriented, appealing to a younger, more diverse audience.

1. La 100 FM 99.9

• Absolute leader: Holds the top FM spot with 21.79% share in Aug 2024 (slight drop from 22.57%) and 21.1% in June 2024.

• Highlights:

  • El Club del Moro (Santiago del Moro), 5:30–10 a.m., leads mornings, adding Eliana Guercio and Edith Hermida in 2024.

  • No Está Todo Dicho (Guido Kaczka) and Sarasa (Mariano Peluffo & Julieta Prandi) also perform strongly.

• Strength: Stable programming with pop music and entertainment focus.

2. Aspen FM 102.3

• Second place, with 15.96% share in Aug 2024 (down from 16.71%) and 13.6% in Jan 2024.

• Anglo music and oldies, 36 years of history, and record-breaking audience in 2024.

3. Radio Disney FM 94.3

• Third place, with 8.9% share in Aug 2024 (up from 8.48%).

• Pop music targeting young listeners.

4. Urbana Play FM 104.3

• Fourth place, with 7.82% share in Aug 2024 (up from 6.85%).

• Modern, digital-driven content for younger audiences.

5. Rock & Pop FM 95.1

• Fifth place, with 5.69% share in Aug 2024 (up from 5.29%).

• Rock and alternative music, with a loyal base.

Trends and Observations

1. Dominance of Radio Mitre & La 100:

   • Mitre (AM) and La 100 (FM) lead their categories, backed by flagship hosts like Feinmann, Lanata, Del Moro, and Kaczka.

   • Mitre thrives on news and politics, La 100 on light, music-based programming.

2. Growth of Radio 10:

   • Strong gains in 2023–2024, nationwide expansion, and competitive shows solidify its runner-up position.

3. Programming Changes:

   • 2024 saw reshuffles across stations, with some losses (Lanata’s absence, Bertotti’s exit from Aspen) but no major shifts in leadership.

4. Streaming Integration:

   • Social media and streaming strategies are boosting reach.

   • Streaming audience measurement, started in some markets in 2024, is expected in Argentina for more precise online listening data.

5. Challenges:

   • Financial crises have sidelined stations like Radio Del Plata.

   • Competition from podcasts and streaming platforms pressures traditional radio to innovate, especially to attract younger listeners.

El editorial de Luis Majul - (Majul na LN+ ) - As FOX?