For over 35 years, 98.9 The Bear has proudly served as the premier rock station in Fort Wayne. With a commanding 50,000-watt signal, The Bear effortlessly connects with over 96,000 dedicated listeners across Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio each week. Its diverse playlist spans rock classics from the 70s to the cutting-edge tracks of today, catering to a devoted fan base known for their unwavering loyalty to the brands they cherish. Whether it’s their preferred shopping destinations, choice of vehicles, or beverage preferences, Bear listeners stay true to what they love. Advertisers partnering with The Bear understand that winning over a loyal listener means securing a customer for life.

Phone: 260-471-5100

2915 Maples Rd
Fort Wayne, IN
46816

Source(s): Nielsen FA23; TSA: M–Su 6a-12m; P 12+

Social Statistics

Text / Email Club Influence

Weekly Retail Spending Power

Building Materials & Garden Equipment & Supplies Dealers – $1,281,000
Clothing & Clothing Accessories Stores – $458,000
Electronics & Appliance Stores – $155,000
Food & Beverage Stores – $2,593,000
Food Services & Drinking Places – $1,816,000
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores – $393,000
Health & Personal Care Stores – $685,000
Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealer Sales – $4,768,000
Sporting Goods Hobby Book & Music Stores – $320,000
Services – $20,061,000

Source: The Nielson Company 2022

Segmented Audience Stats

Contest/Promotions – 23,439
Concerts/Events – 19,227
Pets – 10,327
Charity – 8,402
Homeowners – 9.024
Health – 9,106
Family – 2,153
Outdoors – 3,852
Fitness – 7,865
Food – 7,064
Beer – 3,108

Source: The Nielson Company 2024

Demographic Reach

Description of our P1

98.9 THE BEAR / ROCK

• 35+ year-old heritage rock
• Format characteristics: 69% earn 50K +HHI, 55% some college or advance degree. Occupations: Manufacturing; medical; retail trade; insurance industry.
• WBYR is blend of classic/grunge/current rock

Source(s):  Station, Wikipeda, MRI Dlbase

Fort Wayne

• Market 116 Rank-464,000 +
  • 9% Black
  • 6% Hispanic
  • Manufacturing city. GM plant, Raytheon, Medical.
  • Indiana ranks 1st in Manufacturing jobs in USA.
  • Ft. Wayne is 2nd largest city in Indiana.

Source(s):  Station, Wikipeda, All Access, Chamber of Commerce

50,000 WATTS

• Coverage Map-85 Mile radius of FW reach! Signal measured in 3 markets, Fort Wayne, Muncie, and Lima, Ohio
• Strongest DMA coverage in market

Source(s):  Station, Precision Trak, Radio Locator, FCC, Advertiser website

Top 5 Core Artists

Metallica, Shinedown, Foo Fighters, Godsmack, Red Hot Chili Peppers

On air personalities who influence through endorsements

Annual Events & Station Awards

• IBA Cardinal Community Award, 2017, 2018, 2019.
• Rock n Brew Downtown FW
• Rock Listener of the Day!
• Hero’s Holiday for Vets

Source(s):  IBA, WBYR Station

Community Involvement

• IBA Cardinal Community Award, 2017, 2018, 2019.

Source(s):  IBA, WBYR Station