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BSM Top 20

The Top 20 Major Market Sports Stations of 2016 Are…

Jason Barrett

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The morning after the New England Patriots pulled off an improbable comeback to become Super Bowl champions, the city of Boston celebrates yet again by owning prime real estate among sports radio’s elite radio stations. Over the past twelve months, the battle between 98.5 The Sports Hub and WEEI has been intense, resulting in dominant ratings for both brands. Their collective performance was recognized, respected and supported by our executive panel.

This is our final category of our BSM 2016 Top 20 series. I was conflicted on whether or not to continue with this project but I’m glad I stuck with it because the traffic and feedback have been largely supportive, and I think it’s better to have the radio industry tell its story and weigh in on its own performance rather than leaving it to be decided by others who aren’t as informed about the successes of each brand.

If you haven’t read any of the previous Top 20 pieces, let me bring you up to speed on the way the voting works. Our executive panel uses the criteria below, and BSM does not vote. We 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 stations.

  • Station has a great reputation both locally and nationally
  • Station must have delivered strong ratings success in their local market
  • Station employs dynamic talent and presents compelling content and a unique sound
  • Points are to be given to each brand for a ranking (EX: 20 points for 1st place, 1 point for 20th place)

Be advised that these results are a reflection of the group’s collective opinions, and they are subjective. That said, few can argue that each of these brands have produced strong results during the past year. I want to extend my appreciation to everyone who took part in the voting process, and now for the final time, Barrett Sports Media presents “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Stations of 2016”!

Additional Notes:

  • 98.5 The Sports Hub received the most 1st place votes (14), WFAN and 1310 The Ticket tied for 2nd with (5)
  • 6 of the Top 20 stations received at least one (1) 1st place vote
  • WEEI edged WFAN for 2nd place by three (3) points, 97.1 The Ticket had the same advantage over KFAN
  • ESPN LA 710 finished in 21st place, 2 points behind 104.3 The Fan
  • 22-25 belonged to LA Sports AM 570, 92.9 The Game, 790 The Ticket and WQAM

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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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