We’ve reached Day #4 of our awards series “The 2015 Best In Sports Radio” and today we’re going to depart from the local scene to find out which National Sports Talk shows cracked our Top 20 list. These shows broadcast on hundreds of stations per day, reaching thousands of people across the country, and many in the radio business view these personalities as the best the industry has to offer.
A reminder, the results have been created by 35 radio executives from 23 U.S cities, and 15 broadcast companies. I did not cast a vote but will share my opinions on the entire process in a column later next week.
Each of our voters was given 35 shows to choose from and asked to pick their Top 20 in exact order. The criteria laid out below is a little different than what was used to measure local programs. That’s because the ratings are different from market to market and some shows changed networks and timeslots during the past year.
- An established track record in the format
- Quality content delivered on a consistent basis
- Spent more than 2/3 of the year hosting a sports radio network show
- Points are to be given for each ranking (EX: 20 points for 1st place, 1 point for 20th place)
Although these selections are subjective and likely to stir debate, I remind you that the goal was to highlight those in the industry who delivered outstanding national programming in 2015. In doing so, you’re provided with a look behind the curtain to how the sports format’s brightest minds view the best national talk shows.
I want to extend my appreciation to the executive committee who voted to help us create these results. And now, Barrett Sports Media proudly presents “America’s Top 20 National Sports Talk Shows” as part of “The 2015 Best in Sports Radio Awards“!
Additional Notes:
- Colin Cowherd finished 2 points ahead of Mike & Mike and received 18 1st place votes
- Mike & Mike were 2 points ahead of Dan Patrick, both shows gained 7 1st place votes
- Dan Le Batard (2) and Doug Gottlieb (1) were the only others to earn 1st place votes
- There was a dropoff of almost 200 points going from 3rd to 4th
- Doug Gottlieb was only 1 point ahead of Steve Czaban
- Jason Smith finished 21st, 13 points away from D.A
- Jim Rome surprisingly didn’t earn a 1st place vote
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
