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BSM Top 20

The Top 20 Mid-Market Morning Shows of 2016 Are…

Jason Barrett

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The wait is over. It’s time to reveal the sports radio format’s best of 2016. Before we get started though, if you’re wondering what the term mid-market represents, it simply means all radio markets ranked 21 and higher.

One big difference this year compared to the 2015 results, we’re separating the larger and medium sized markets and doing an even deeper dive to showcase the best from all regions. When smaller cities get lumped in with larger ones they almost always get ignored and many don’t deserve to.

As far as the process is concerned, here’s a few things to be aware of.

First, this is an inexact science. We involve 53 radio industry members in our panel, and they each have different insights and preferences, and may or may not favor members of their own company or programs they’re most familiar with. We aim to keep things fair and balanced by involving executives from multiple companies and different cities across the United States, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

You should know that I do not vote on the awards. My role is to present the findings of the sports radio industry, and present them from a neutral point of view. Once the project is completed, I will write a column and offer my analysis and takeaways on what stood out.

There is also discretion promised to our executive panel. That’s necessary in gathering honest feedback and receiving strong participation. Revealing their identities would harm my relationships in the business and risk future participation, so please understand that this is non-negotiable.

In order to measure the collective view of the sports radio industry, we use a point system. Each 1st place vote is worth 20 points, and we deduct a point for each lower position, with a 20th place vote being the lowest at 1 point. Each voter uses their own judgment in determining where to rank each show but operates by considering the following criteria.

  • Strong local ratings success in 2016
  • An established track record in the format
  • Quality content delivered on a consistent basis
  • Finished 2016 employed at the station
  • Spent more than six months with the radio station

*** If a host or show was changed or cancelled in January 2017, it has no effect on our voting. These results are based solely on 2016.

We place an emphasis on ratings, stability and impact when determining the initial list of 25-35 shows. If a show didn’t generate ratings or spend the majority of the year on the air, they probably didn’t make the final cut. In some cases, a show may have done both, but didn’t perform as high as the others. The goal is to feature the best performing shows of 2016, not who we’d hire if they were available.

For example, Braden and Fitz occupy mornings on 102.5 The Game in Nashville, but because they didn’t hit the air until late August they weren’t eligible. If this project continues in 2018, and they remain in their current timeslot and perform strongly in 2017, they’d be up for consideration then.

There will be plenty of debate over these selections, but I hope that you remember that the purpose of this project is to highlight those in our format who perform at a high level. Each of these shows are deserving of the recognition they’ve been given, and I congratulate each of them on earning a place on our Top 20.

Now that we’ve taken care of that business, let’s reveal the Barrett Sports Media Top 20 Mid-Market Sports Radio Morning Shows of 2016!

BernieMiklasz
FanMorningShow
WakeUpZone
KenCarman
MorningAnimals
BobFescoe
OpeningDrive
HowardSimon
NorrisLong
BorderPatrol
SharpBenning
DustyCam
MorningAfter
DJPK
MikeTaylor
TheDrill
BuckyErin
EricZane
BillRookie

Additional Notes:

  • Bernie Miklasz finished 15 points ahead of The Fan Morning Show. Both were tied for the most 1st place votes (4)
  • The Fan Morning Show finished 2 points ahead of the Wake Up Zone, and 3 points ahead of Carman & Lima
  • Sacramento’s Dave, Kayte & Nate finished 21st, seven points out of 20th place
  • The Morning Rush, The Show with No Name, Cole Cubelic & The Deener Show finished 22-25
  • Eight of the 30 shows that were eligible for consideration received at least one (1) 1st place vote

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BSM Top 20

Barrett Sports Media’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Stations of 2023

“A total of 37 sports radio stations were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Sports Radio Stations category.”

Jason Barrett

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The final day of our annual BSM Top 20 series has arrived. Thanks to everyone who has followed along and shared the content on social media. We greatly appreciate the support. Today, we recognize the Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Stations of 2023. If you missed any of our prior local and national results, click here to get caught up.

As you review these selections, please remember that the results represent the collective opinions of fifty eight (58) industry executives. I do not vote. My thanks to Alex Reynolds and Stephanie Eads for their help with the Top 20 creative process. A special thank you to Steve Stone Voiceovers for being our exclusive sponsor of the Top 20 series. If you’re unfamiliar with Steve’s work, be sure to click here to listen.

Regarding the voting, here are a few things to be aware of.

– These results are based on 2023’s performance. 2024 changes have no effect on the voting. Some shows went through change in 2023. We promote them based on how they ended the year, not how they started it.

– Our executive panel consists of fifty eight (58) program directors and corporate executives from a number of top broadcasting companies including Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Hubbard, Good Karma Brands, ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio, SiriusXM, Spotify, and a number of independently owned and operated radio stations. We involve a large group in this process in order to include feedback from all parts of the country, as well as to prevent the results from heavily favoring one company.

 A total of 37 sports radio stations were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Sports Radio Stations category. Major markets consist of cities inside of the top 20 markets.

– Voters are asked to consider a bunch of factors when making their selections. Among the criteria taken into account includes originality, multi-platform impact, ratings and revenue success, and more. Keep in mind that our voters live in different cities, work for different companies, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect science, but it’s the best system we’ve come up with to showcase how sports radio’s brain trust view the best in the format.

And that brings us to the rankings for this year’s Major Market Sports Radio Stations. Our 2023 winner has now won this award six straight times, and seven out of the past eight, 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston. The sports format’s top revenue and ratings producer claimed the top prize by thirty nine (39) points over WFAN. BSM congratulates Rick Radzik, Mary Menna and the entire Sports Hub staff on the well deserved honor, as well as every other sports station that earned a spot on this year’s Top 20 list.

Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Stations of 2023

Additional Notes:

  • 98.5 The Sports Hub earned the most 1st place votes with nine (9). WFAN finished with the second most first place votes, seven (7).
  • Spots 21-25 belonged to 97.3 The Fan in San Diego, Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan in Denver, 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia, Sports Talk 790 in Houston, and Sports Radio 93.3 KJR in Seattle.
  • The tightest races saw 105.3 The Fan edge 106.7 The Fan by one (1) point, and WFAN slip by Sports Radio WIP by two (2) points.
  • Of the 37 sports stations eligible for voting consideration, eleven (11) received at least one (1) first place vote.

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BSM Top 20

Barrett Sports Media’s Top 20 Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2023

“A total of 64 sports radio stations were eligible for voting consideration in the Mid Market Sports Radio Stations category.”

Jason Barrett

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The final day of our annual BSM Top 20 series has arrived. Thanks to everyone who has followed along and shared the content on social media. We greatly appreciate the support. Today, we recognize the Top 20 Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2023. If you missed any of our prior local and national results, click here to get caught up.

As you review these selections, please remember that the results represent the collective opinions of fifty eight (58) industry executives. I do not vote. My thanks to Alex Reynolds and Stephanie Eads for their help with the Top 20 creative process. A special thank you to Steve Stone Voiceovers for being our exclusive sponsor of the Top 20 series. If you’re unfamiliar with Steve’s work, be sure to click here to listen.

Regarding the voting, here are a few things to be aware of.

– These results are based on 2023’s performance. 2024 changes have no effect on the voting. Some shows went through change in 2023. We promote them based on how they ended the year, not how they started it.

– Our executive panel consists of fifty eight (58) program directors and corporate executives from a number of top broadcasting companies including Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Hubbard, Good Karma Brands, ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio, SiriusXM, Spotify, and a number of independently owned and operated radio stations. We involve a large group in this process in order to include feedback from all parts of the country, as well as to prevent the results from heavily favoring one company.

 A total of 64 sports radio stations were eligible for voting consideration in the Mid Market Sports Radio Stations category. Mid markets consist of cities outside of the top 20 markets.

– Voters are asked to consider a bunch of factors when making their selections. Among the criteria taken into account includes originality, multi-platform impact, ratings and revenue success, and more. Keep in mind that our voters live in different cities, work for different companies, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect science, but it’s the best system we’ve come up with to showcase how sports radio’s brain trust view the best in the format.

And that brings us to the rankings for this year’s Mid Market Sports Radio Stations. Our 2023 winner resides in Ohio just like last year’s winner, although operating out of a larger city. The top prize this year goes to 92.3 The Fan. This is the Cleveland sports station’s second trip to the winner’s circle. They claimed the top spot by finishing one hundred and twenty five points higher than runner up WGR in Buffalo. BSM congratulates Andy Roth, Tom Herschel, and the entire 92.3 The Fan staff on the well deserved honor, as well as every other sports station that earned a spot on this year’s Top 20 list.

Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2023

Additional Notes:

  • 92.3 The Fan won the category by dominating in top five finishes. However, The Fan didn’t record the most first place votes. 97.1 The Fan and WGR took that honor, each tying with four (4).
  • Spots 21-25 belonged to ESPN 700 in Salt Lake City, 107.5 The Fan in Green Bay, Sports Radio KFH in Wichita, 590 The Fan in St. Louis, and 1620 The Zone in Omaha.
  • The tightest races saw 97.1 The Fan and WFNZ hold off 101 ESPN and 93.7 The Fan by one (1) point.
  • Of the 64 sports stations eligible for voting consideration, twelve (12) received at least one (1) first place vote.

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BSM Top 20

Barrett Sports Media’s Top 20 Major Market Program Directors of 2023

“A total of 27 programmers were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Program Directors category.”

Jason Barrett

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The fifth day of our annual BSM Top 20 series recognizes the Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2023. If you missed any of our local and national shows results, click here to get caught up.

As you review the selections, please remember that the results represent the collective opinions of fifty eight (58) industry executives. I’d like to thank Alex Reynolds and Stephanie Eads for helping with the Top 20 creative process. A special thank you to Steve Stone Voiceovers for being our exclusive sponsor of the Top 20 series. If you’re unfamiliar with Steve’s work, be sure to click here to listen.

Regarding the voting, here are the key things to be aware of.

– These results are based on 2023’s performance. 2024 changes have no effect on the voting. Some shows went through change in 2023. We promote them based on how they ended the year, not how they started it.

– Our executive panel consists of fifty eight (58) program directors and corporate executives from a number of top broadcasting companies including Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Hubbard, Good Karma Brands, ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio, SiriusXM, Spotify, and a number of independently owned and operated radio stations. We involve a large group in this process in order to include feedback from all parts of the country, as well as to prevent the results from heavily favoring one company.

 A total of 27 programmers were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Program Directors category. Major markets consist of cities in the top 20 markets.

– Voters are asked to consider a bunch of factors when making their selections. Among the criteria taken into account includes originality, multi-platform impact, ratings and revenue success, and more. Keep in mind that our voters live in different cities, work for different companies, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect science, but it’s the best system we’ve come up with to showcase how sports radio’s brain trust view the best in the format.

And that brings us to the rankings for this year’s Major Market Program Directors. The 2023 winner, and going out on top is Spike Eskin of WFAN. Eskin announced in early January he’ll be returning to Philadelphia to join Sports Radio WIP’s afternoon show. The WFAN PD has now won this category two years in a row, and three times total. BSM congratulates Spike and his team at WFAN on the well earned honor, and every other PD who gained a Top 20 spot.

Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Program Directors of 2023

Additional Notes:

  • Spike Eskin finished first with a twenty six (26) point victory over The Score’s Mitch Rosen. Eskin also earned the most first place votes, ten (10).
  • Spots 21-25 belonged to Len Weiner, Phil Mackey, Kyle BrownBryan Erickson and Rich Moore.
  • The closest contest saw Rick Radzik hold off Rod Lakin by four (4) points. 
  • Of the 27 eligible programmers, ten (10) received at least one 1st place vote.

Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 of 2023.

  • Monday February 12 = Top 20 Local Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2023

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