Media in Dayton, Ohio

Introduction

Dayton, Ohio is home to a vibrant media landscape that includes television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and online media. As the sixth largest city in Ohio, Dayton has been an important center for news, information, and entertainment for the surrounding region for over a century.

This guide provides an overview of the major media outlets based in Dayton, highlighting local television stations, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and digital media. It explores the history and evolution of Dayton’s media, as well as the role these outlets play in the community today.

Television

Television broadcasting in Dayton dates back to the 1940s when the first TV station, WHIO-TV, went on air. Today, the Dayton TV market includes several local stations that provide local news, weather, and programming.

WHIO-TV (CBS)

WHIO-TV is the oldest TV station in Dayton, having started broadcasts in 1949. Owned by Cox Media Group, WHIO-TV is an affiliate of the CBS television network. Its local news programming includes the WHIO-TV News at 6, 7 and 11.

The station also produces high school sports coverage and community affairs shows. WHIO-TV transmits from north Dayton on digital channel 13.

WDTN (NBC)

WDTN, Dayton’s NBC affiliate, started broadcasting in 1953 as WLWD before changing to the current call sign in the 1980s. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, WDTN broadcasts local news at 5, 6, and 11pm on weeknights.

The station also airs syndicated programs, NBC sports, and various locally produced shows. WDTN transmits over-the-air on digital channel 2.

WKEF (ABC)

WKEF, Dayton’s ABC affiliate, hit the airwaves in 1970. The station is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and its studio is located in suburban Kettering.

WKEF airs the ABC primetime lineup along with local programs Dayton’s CW and ABC 22 News at 10. The station broadcasts over-the-air on digital channel 51.

WPTD (PBS)

WPTD is the Dayton area’s flagship PBS member station, operating since 1967. Owned by Greater Dayton Public Television, WPTD airs beloved PBS shows like Sesame Street, Nova, and Masterpiece Theater along with local productions. The station broadcasts PBS and other public television programming over-the-air on digital channel 16.

Radio

With over 30 stations on the FM and AM dials, radio continues to be an important media source in Dayton. The market features a variety of music, news, talk, and sports radio choices.

WING 1410 AM

One of Dayton’s heritage radio stations, WING has been on the air since 1925. With a talk radio format, WING 1410 AM has local hosts discussing news, politics, and sports. Owned by iHeartMedia, the 5,000-watt station transmits from studios near the Dayton International Airport.

WIZE 1340 AM

WIZE 1340 AM broadcasts with an urban adult contemporary music format focused on R&B and classic soul. Owned by Urban One, WIZE features local DJs along with nationally syndicated Tom Joyner in the mornings. The station has been broadcasting in Dayton since 1947.

WROU 92.1 FM

WROU 92.1 FM plays adult contemporary and soft rock tunes. Owned by Cox Media Group, WROU has been serving Dayton on the FM dial since 1947 under various call signs and formats. The station features local DJs and frequently plays hits from the 80s, 90s, and today.

WDHT 102.9 FM

With the brand name “Hot 102.9”, WDHT specializes in rhythmic contemporary hits and hip hop. Owned by iHeartMedia, WDHT has local shows along with the nationally syndicated The Breakfast Club morning show. The station’s city of license is nearby Springboro.

WYDB 96.5 FM

WYDB 96.5 FM broadcasts a country music format to the Dayton region. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station plays today’s top country hits blended with classic country tunes. WYDB features local on-air personalities along with nationally syndicated shows like The Bobby Bones Show.

Newspapers

Dayton has one major daily newspaper along with several weekly community papers that cover neighborhood news.

Dayton Daily News

Published since 1898, the Dayton Daily News is the region’s newspaper of record with the largest circulation. Now owned by Cox Media Group, the paper was family-run for over 100 years by the Cox family.

The Daily News provides coverage of news, sports, business, and entertainment in Dayton and the surrounding area.

Dayton City Paper

Focused on arts, culture, and independent music, the free weekly Dayton City Paper has been published since 2001. In addition to entertainment features, the paper also covers dining, events, and local issues. The Dayton City Paper is owned by Dayton Weekly Media LLC.

Dayton Weekly News

Geared towards Dayton’s African American community, the Dayton Weekly News publishes every Thursday. The paper provides news, opinion columns, church listings, classifieds, and advertisements tailored to Black residents of greater Dayton. Dayton Weekly News is published by Community Media Holdings.

Oakwood Register

Covering the nearby suburb of Oakwood, the Oakwood Register is a free weekly published on Thursdays. Focusing on hyperlocal community news, the Register has been published continuously since 1978. The paper is published by Brown Publishing Company.

Englewood Independent

Another free weekly community paper, the Englewood Independent covers news in the northern Montgomery County city of Englewood. Published on Wednesdays, the Independent has served the suburb since 2001. The paper is published by Civitas Media.

Magazines

Several print magazines are based in Dayton, providing coverage of topics like business, arts, lifestyle, and more.

Dayton Magazine

Published 10 times per year, Dayton Magazine focuses on arts, dining, events, and philanthropic activities in the city. The glossy magazine also profiles prominent residents and covers topics of interest to Dayton area professionals. Dayton Magazine has been published since 2003.

Dayton Business Journal

As the name implies, the Dayton Business Journal delivers business news and analysis with a focus on the Dayton region.

The weekly publication covers local companies, executives, and business trends across multiple industries. The Business Journal is part of the American City Business Journals chain.

Dayton Parent Magazine

Geared towards families, Dayton Parent Magazine offers locally focused parenting advice, education coverage, and children’s activity listings. The free monthly magazine launched in 2006 and is published by Wick Communications.

The Human Path

With the tagline “The People, Places, and Events that Shape Your Journey”, The Human Path is a quarterly magazine providing literary content, meditations, local interest stories, and interviews. Published since 2013, The Human Path is based in Yellow Springs.

Dysart Outlook

Published for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dysart Outlook is a civilian enterprise magazine focused on the base community. With a circulation around 15,000, the monthly magazine covers military news, events, sports, and more.

Digital Media

In addition to traditional print, television, and radio, Dayton also has a growing digital media presence.

Dayton.com

Dayton.com is the online home for the Dayton Daily News, providing local breaking news, sports, entertainment, business, and opinion content. The site also includes TV listings, classifieds, obituaries, and more. Dayton.com is operated by Cox Media Group.

WHIO.com

WHIO.com is the website for Dayton’s CBS affiliate WHIO-TV 7. The site features news articles, weather forecasts, live streaming of newscasts, and online-only WHIO Reports investigative segments. Streaming apps allow viewing of WHIO-TV 7 on mobile devices.

Dayton Local

Launched in 2015, DaytonLocal.com focuses on showcasing positive news and promoting local businesses and organizations. With the tagline “Good News for Dayton”, the site publishes stories highlighting community assets and advancements.

DatelineDayton.com

DatelineDayton.com describes itself as “Dayton’s online newspaper”. The site, which dates back to the early 2000s, publishes a mixture of news articles, event listings, opinion columns, and other local content. Posts come from various contributing writers.

The Dayton Scene

The Dayton Scene provides entertainment and event coverage with an alternative weekly paper feel. Focusing on the local music, arts, restaurant, and bar scene, the site features music reviews, show guides, and more.

Conclusion

From the first radio stations in the 1920s to today’s websites and streaming services, media in Dayton has continuously evolved with the times while maintaining localism.

The diversity of outlets detailed in this guide are both shaped by and help shape the identity and culture of the greater Dayton region. Residents stay informed, connected, and entertained.