For the first time since we began doing the BSM Top 20 in 2015, we’ve created a category to recognize the top original sports podcasts. It’s way overdue and gives you a chance to see which programs strike a chord with industry leaders.
Before you scroll down to see who cracked the Top 5, let me remind you that the voting for this category 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.
Because podcasts are measured, sold, promoted, and received differently than sports radio programs, we gave our voters freedom to pick their Top 5 based on their personal preferences. Each voter has different tastes, so this very much a subjective process. That said, the goal of this project is to offer a collective snapshot of what industry executives value most.
Moving on to the rankings, the inaugural recipient of the top prize in this category is Pardon My Take from Barstool Sports. It’s been well known that the show has been a hit with fans, but radio executives have a high opinion of the podcast as well.
BSM congratulates Big Cat and PFT on being recognized for their tremendous show, and we now present the full results of The BSM Top 5 Original Sports Podcasts of 2018.
Additional Notes:
- Pardon My Take finished twelve (12) points ahead of the Bill Simmons Podcast to earn the top spot. PMT also secured the most 1st place votes with thirteen (13).
- Marty Smith’s America The Podcast finished 6th, three (3) points behind the Pat McAfee Show.
- A total of eighty nine (89) podcasts were eligible for voting. Thirty three (33) of them did not register a single vote.
- Eighteen (18) of the eighty nine podcasts up for consideration received at least one (1) 1st place vote.
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
