BSM Top 20
The BSM Top 20 Mid Market Midday Shows of 2018
“Radio executives voted to determine the Top 20 Mid Market Sports Radio Midday Shows of 2018.”
Our 2nd day of recognizing the best in the sports radio format during Super Bowl week continues with a look at the nation’s top midday shows. For those who have asked what separates Major Markets and Mid Markets, the majors focus on markets ranked 1-20, and the mid markets focus on 21-100.
Before you scroll down to see who made the list, there are a few things to be aware of. First, the voting for these awards is done by a large panel of radio executives. We involved fifty one executives from thirty cities and thirteen companies this year in our voting process. BSM president Jason Barrett does not vote.
Secondly, it should be understood that if a show completed 2018 but has since ended or undergone changes in 2019, that doesn’t prohibit them from making the list. Case in point, Michael Grady signed off at 107.5/1070 The Fan in Indianapolis last week, and Chris Duncan officially left 101 ESPN in St. Louis a few weeks earlier.
Third, in order to create these results, we ask our voters to consider the following criteria when judging the format’s best shows. That said, each voter values certain things more than others, so we try to gather everyone’s feedback, add it all up, and present a collective snapshot of what industry executives think.
- Strong ratings in 2018
- Important show/brand connection with local listeners
- Exceptional talent and content provided on a consistent basis
- Finished 2018 with the station and in the morning drive timeslot
- Points are given for each spot (EX: 20 for 1st, 1 for 20th)
Moving on to the rankings, the panel this year came out in strong fashion for Dan Dakich of 107.5/1070 The Fan in Indianapolis. Dakich won this award in 2016 too, before being passed last year by Midday 180 in Nashville.
The ability to stir the sports conversation in Indianapolis with strong opinions, big guests, and unwavering passion is what sets Dakich apart. His program has been a staple of The Fan’s lineup, and a key part of the station’s overall success. Our executive panel took note of Dan’s production, giving him the most 1st place votes in the category and a comfortable 22 point win.
We congratulate Dan and his crew on earning top billing as the best in the midday category, as well as every other show which gained a spot on this year’s list. With that in mind, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Mid Market Midday Shows of 2018”!
Additional Notes:
- Dan Dakich received the most 1st place votes (12) and earned 22 points more than runner up Midday 180 in this year’s voting
- The tightest races included Nick Bahe besting Grady & Big Joe by 2 points, and Rothman & Carpenter edging 3-Man Front by 1 point
- David Glenn finished 21st, 6 points behind Wilson & Parcell
- Spots 22-25 went to Show/Vern, Erik Ainge, Geoff Calkins, and Bob Valvano
- 11 of the 45 midday shows eligible for consideration received a 1st place vote
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 of 2018.
- Wednesday January 30 = The 2018 Top 20 Major and Mid-Market Local Sports Radio Afternoon Shows
- Thursday January 31 = The 2018 Top 20 National Sports Radio Shows
- Friday February 1 = The 2018 Top 20 Major and Mid-Market Local Sports Radio Program Directors
- Monday February 4 = The 2018 Top 20 Major and Mid-Market Local Sports Radio Stations
- Tuesday February 5 = The 2018 Top 5 Original Sports Podcasts
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].
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.”
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.
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].
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.”
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.
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].
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.”
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 Brown, Bryan 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
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].
