BSM Top 20
The Top 20 Major Market Program Directors of 2016 Are…
For the past four days, the on-air talent have been the focus of conversation. But now it’s time to recognize the brand leaders who guide and design some of America’s top sports radio stations. They may not be known beyond an email address or social media account, but make no mistake about it, these folks play a vital role in developing top notch programming, identifying talent, and making sure the audience and the station’s advertisers and business partners have reasons to remain loyal to their brands.
In order to determine the Top 20 Sports Radio Program Directors, our panel uses the criteria below. I do not vote in this process. I simply present the group’s findings so that people inside and outside of the industry have a better idea of how the format views its top people.
- Ratings success in their local market
- An established track record of success in the format
- Spent more than six months managing a Top 20 market sports radio station
- Finished 2016 employed and in the same executive role at the same radio station
- Points are given for each ranking (EX: 20 points for 1st place, 1 point for 20th place)
Due to that criteria, someone for example like Joe Zarbano who took over as PD for WEEI on December 1st, isn’t eligible for consideration. If we do this again in 2018, and Joe remains in his current position and his brand continues to performs strongly, the committee would have an opportunity to vote for him then.
These results are a reflection of the group’s collective opinions, and I remind you that they are subjective. That said, few can argue that each of these individuals have earned the industry’s respect, and are known for having done excellent work on a consistent basis.
I extend my congratulations to each person who made this list, and am now proud to present “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2016”!
Additional Notes:
- Mike Thomas edged Mark Chernoff by 2 points to take the top spot
- Chernoff had the most 1st place votes (11), Thomas produced the second most (9)
- Armen Williams finished in 21st place, only 6 points behind Mike Salk for 20th
- 22-25 belonged to Terry Foxx, Len Weiner, Mike Shepard and Brad Lane
- 12 of the 30 Program Directors eligible for consideration received a 1st place vote
Jason Barrett is the owner and operator of Barrett Sports Media. Prior to launching BSM he served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He has also produced national shows for ESPN Radio including GameNight and the Dan Patrick Show. You can find him on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or reach him by email at [email protected].
Barrett Blogs
Barrett Sports Media’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Stations of 2022
“A total of 37 sports stations were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Sports Radio Stations category.”
We’ve reached the final day of our 8th annual BSM Top 20 series. The Monday following the Super Bowl has always been reserved for the Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Stations and as you review this year’s list, please remember that the results are a collective snapshot of how forty-six (46) industry executives view the best in this category. A special thanks to Alex Reynolds, Stephanie Eads, and Dylan Barrett for their help with the Top 20 process, and Steve Kamer Voiceovers for being our exclusive sponsor for this year’s Top 20 series. Steve’s voice is heard across the nation on many top shows, stations, and networks, and if you’re not familiar with his work, take a second to learn what makes him stellar at his craft by clicking here.
As it pertains to the voting, here are a few key things to be aware of.
– These results are based on 2022’s performance. 2023 changes have no effect on the voting.
– Our executive panel consists of forty-six (46) 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 independently owned and operated radio stations. We involve a large number of people 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 stations were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Sports Radio Stations category.
– Voters choose their Top 20 in this category based on a few key factor’s including ratings performance, brand awareness, on-air talent, multiplatform impact, etc.. Keep in mind that voters live in different cities, have different tastes, and value certain qualities more than others. This isn’t a perfect science, but it’s the best system we’ve been able to 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 top Major Market Sports Stations. The winner in this category for the fifth straight year and sixth time in seven years is 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston. The Hub finished seventeen points in front of runner up WFAN. BSM congratulates Mary Menna, Rick Radzik and the entire Sports Hub staff on a well deserved honor, as well as every other station that earned a spot on this year’s list.
Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Stations of 2022!”
Additional Notes:
- 98.5 The Sports Hub earned the most 1st place votes with seven (7). Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket and 94WIP tied for second most first place votes with three (3).
- Spots 21-25 belonged to Sports Radio 610 in Houston, Sports Radio 950 KJR in Seattle, Seattle Sports 710 in Seattle, AM 570 LA Sports in Los Angeles, and WQAM in Miami.
- The tightest race saw Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan nip 98.7 ESPN NY by one (1) point.
- Of the 37 sports stations eligible for voting consideration, seven (7) received at least one (1) first place vote.
Jason Barrett is the owner and operator of Barrett Sports Media. Prior to launching BSM he served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He has also produced national shows for ESPN Radio including GameNight and the Dan Patrick Show. You can find him on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or reach him by email at [email protected].
Barrett Blogs
Barrett Sports Media’s Top 20 Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2022
“A total of 63 sports stations were eligible for voting consideration in the Mid Market Sports Radio Stations category.”
We’ve reached the final day of our 8th annual BSM Top 20 series. The Monday following the Super Bowl has always been reserved for the Top 20 Sports Radio Stations in both Major and Mid Market categories. As you review this year’s list, please remember that the results are a collective snapshot of how forty-six (46) industry executives view the best in this category. A special thanks to Alex Reynolds, Stephanie Eads, and Dylan Barrett for their help with the Top 20 process, and Steve Kamer Voiceovers for being our exclusive sponsor for this year’s Top 20 series. Steve’s voice is heard across the nation on many top shows, stations, and networks, and if you’re not familiar with his work, take a second to learn what makes him stellar at his craft by clicking here.
As it pertains to the voting, here are a few key things to be aware of.
– These results are based on 2022’s performance. 2023 changes have no effect on the voting.
– Our executive panel consists of forty-six (46) 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 independently owned and operated radio stations. We involve a large number of people 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 63 sports stations were eligible for voting consideration in the Mid Market Sports Radio Stations category.
– Voters choose their Top 20 in this category based on a few key factor’s including ratings performance, brand awareness, on-air talent, multiplatform impact, etc.. Keep in mind that voters live in different cities, have different tastes, and value certain qualities more than others. This isn’t a perfect science, but it’s the best system we’ve been able to 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 top Mid Market Sports Stations. The winner in this category for the first time is Columbus’ 97.1 The Fan. The Fan received fourteen (14) points more than runner up WGR in Buffalo, and eighteen (1) more than third place finisher 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh. BSM congratulates Todd Markiewicz, Mike Ricordati, Matt Erhard, and the entire 97.1 The Fan staff on their victory, as well as every other station that appeared on this year’s list.
Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Mid Market Sports Stations of 2022!”
Additional Notes:
- 97.1 The Fan, WJOX and WGR tied for the most 1st place votes with three (3).
- Spots 21-25 were occupied by ESPN 1100/100.9 in Las Vegas, Sactown Sports 1140 in Sacramento, 102.5 The Game in Nashville, Sports Radio WNML in Knoxille, and 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh.
- The tightest race saw 101 ESPN edge 98.1 The Sports Animal WWLS by one (1) point.
- Of the 63 sports stations eligible for voting consideration, twelve (12) received at least one (1) first place vote.
Jason Barrett is the owner and operator of Barrett Sports Media. Prior to launching BSM he served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He has also produced national shows for ESPN Radio including GameNight and the Dan Patrick Show. You can find him on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or reach him by email at [email protected].
Barrett Blogs
Barrett Sports Media’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2022
“A total of 29 programmers were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Sports Radio Program Directors category.”
We’ve reached the end of the first week of our 8th annual BSM Top 20 series. Today we place the spotlight on the Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2022. As you review this year’s list, please remember that the results are a collective snapshot of how forty-six (46) industry executives view the best in this category. My thanks to Alex Reynolds, Stephanie Eads, and Dylan Barrett for their help with the Top 20 process, and Steve Kamer Voiceovers for being our exclusive sponsor for this year’s Top 20 series. Steve’s voice is heard across the nation on many top shows, stations, and networks, and if you’re not familiar with his work, take a second to learn what makes him stellar at his craft by clicking here.
As it pertains to the voting, here are a few key things to be aware of.
– These results are based on 2022’s performance. 2023 changes have no effect on the voting.
– Our executive panel consists of forty-six (46) 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 independently owned and operated radio stations. We involve a large number of people 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 29 programmers were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Sports Radio Program Directors category.
– Voters choose their Top 20 in this category based on a few key factor’s including leadership, brand success, ratings, multiplatform impact, etc.. Keep in mind that voters live in different cities, have different tastes, and value certain qualities more than others. This isn’t a perfect science, but it’s the best system we’ve been able to 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 Program Directors. Spike Eskin of WFAN is your category winner for 2022. This is Spike’s second category win, and his first since taking over at WFAN. He prevailed by thirty (30) points over runner up Jimmy Powers. BSM congratulates Spike and the WFAN team on earning this year’s top honor, as well as every programmer who gained a spot on this year’s list.
Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2022!”
Additional Notes:
- Rick Radzik received a category best five (5) first place votes. Jimmy Powers was second with four (4).
- 21-25 belonged to Brian Long, Len Weiner, Adam Klug, Parker Hillis, and Mike Conti.
- The closest contest saw Rick Radzik finish ahead of Mitch Rosen by 3 points.
- Of the 29 programmers eligible for consideration this year, 10 received at least one 1st place vote.
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 of 2022.
- Monday February 13 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2022
To view prior years of BSM’s Top 20 results, click here.
Jason Barrett is the owner and operator of Barrett Sports Media. Prior to launching BSM he served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He has also produced national shows for ESPN Radio including GameNight and the Dan Patrick Show. You can find him on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or reach him by email at [email protected].
