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BSM Top 20

The BSM Top 20 Major Market Sports Stations of 2018

“Radio executives voted to determine the Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Stations of 2018.”

Jason Barrett

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The day after the Super Bowl is when we roll out our final awards each year, recognizing the top sports stations in America for the previous calendar year. One difference this year though, we’re also including the Top 5 Original Sports Podcasts, so keep an eye out for that list too.

Before you scroll down to see who cracked the list, remember that voting for this series is done by fifty one radio executives from thirty cities and thirteen companies. BSM president Jason Barrett does not vote. He simply assembles the panel and presents their collective opinions.

We ask our committee to consider the criteria below when judging programs. That said, each voter has different tastes, which makes this a subjective process. No list is going to please everyone, but the BSM Top 20 is unique because it offers a collective snapshot of the sports format’s best shows as decided on by industry executives.

  • Strong ratings in 2018
  • Important shows/brand connection with local listeners
  • Exceptional talent and content provided on a consistent basis
  • Makes a major difference for its local community
  • Points are given for each spot (EX: 20 for 1st, 1 for 20th)

Moving on to the rankings, standing on top this year is 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston. This is the 3rd time in 4 years The Hub was voted the sports format’s top station. It regains the top spot after giving it up last year to WFAN in New York.

We extend our congratulations to Mike Thomas and his staff, and now present to you The BSM Top 20 Major Market Sports Stations of 2018.

Additional Notes:

  • 98.5 The Sports Hub finished forty six (46) points ahead of Sports Radio 1310/96.7 The Ticket. The Hub also recorded the most 1st place votes with sixteen (16).
  • The tightest races saw KFAN hold a 3 point advantage over 97.1 The Ticket, and ESPN LA 710 nip 92.9 The Game by one (1) point.
  • AM 570 LA Sports finished 21st, 9 points behind 97.5 The Fanatic. 22-25 was occupied by Sports Radio 950 KJR, WQAM, WDAE, and Xtra Sports 1360.
  • 10 of the 33 stations eligible for consideration received a 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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on

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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on

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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on

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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