It’s Day 2 of our BSM 2016 Top 20 in Sports Radio, and we turn our attention today to the best midday programs airing across the nation. Before you skip ahead to see the rankings, let me remind you of a few things.
First, this process is an inexact science. Each member of our executive committee has different insights and preferences, and may or may not favor members of their own company or programs they’re most familiar with. We do our best to keep the process fair and balanced by having 53 members from multiple companies and different cities contribute, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
In order to eliminate any confusion, let me be clear that I do not vote on the awards. My role is to present the findings of the sports radio industry from a neutral point of view, and once the project is completed I will write a column afterwards analyzing the results and offering my perspective on a few key takeaways.
If you’re expecting the identities of our voters to be revealed, prepare to be disappointed. Discretion is provided to all who participate. To violate their trust would affect future participation, and damage my relationships in the industry. That’s not something I’m willing to do.
As it applies to each category, the following criteria is considered by our executive panel.
- Strong local ratings success in 2016
- An established track record in the format
- Quality content delivered on a consistent basis
- Finished 2016 employed at the station
- Spent more than six months with the radio station
*** If a host or show was changed or cancelled in January 2017, it has no effect on our voting. These results are based solely on 2016.
We place an emphasis on ratings, stability and impact when deciding who belongs on the initial list of 25-35. If a show didn’t generate ratings or spend the majority of the year on the air, they’re not likely to appear on the list. We’re aiming to highlight the best performers of 2016, not who we feel possesses the most talent.
For example, John Martin and Jason Smith took over middays from Chris Vernon on 92.9 ESPN in Memphis, but because they didn’t start their show until late September, they weren’t eligible for consideration. If we do this again in 2018, and the show remains in its current timeslot and performs strongly, they’d be up for consideration then.
There will be plenty of debate over the selections, but I hope that you remember that the purpose of this project is to recognize those in the sports radio industry who performed at a high level in 2016. Each of these shows and hosts are worthy of industry recognition, and I extend my congratulations to each of them.
Now without further adieu, I present to you the Barrett Sports Media Top 20 Mid-Market Sports Radio Midday Shows of 2016!
Additional Notes:
- Dan Dakich finished with the most 1st place votes (7), and led Cook & Poni by 9 points
- Bob Valvano came in 21st, just 3 points behind Nick Bahe who occupied 20th place
- Positions 22-25 belonged to Eric Hasseltine, Dirt & Sprague, Bustin Loose & The Hardline
- Kevin Wheeler and Baskin and Phelps, and The Turn and Tony Rizzo were separated by 1 point
- 10 of the 35 shows which were eligible for consideration received at least one 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.
