For our second day of the BSM Top 20 of 2019, we shift our attention to the local scene, most notably the morning shows. Before you look ahead at the results and save the photos to promote your favorite hosts and programs on social media, there are a few things I want you to be aware of.
First, the voting for our Top 20 series this year involved forty seven radio professionals from thirty cities and eighteen companies. Yours truly (Jason Barrett) does not vote on the awards, I simply collect the information, add up the votes, design the images, and present and promote the results.
Secondly, our voters are asked to consider the criteria below to judge the format’s best programs. However, each contributor values certain things more than others. Due to that fact, we understand this is an imperfect science. Nonetheless, the Top 20 series offers a collective snapshot of what radio industry executives consider to be the format’s best shows.
- Strong ratings in 2019
- Industry track record
- Reputation and influence
- Finished 2019 with the network/station
- Ability to entertain and inform consistently
- Points are given for each spot (EX: 20 for 1st, 1 for 20th)
That now brings us to the rankings for the Major Market Local Sports Radio Morning Shows of 2019. After finishing 2nd in 2018, WFAN’s ‘Boomer & Gio‘ have overtaken ‘Toucher & Rich‘ to earn this year’s top honor. 98.5 The Sports Hub’s morning show placed 2nd, trailing by just 4 points.
Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti have consistently produced great entertainment and strong ratings for WFAN, rebuilding the station’s image in mornings following the highly publicized arrest of Craig Carton. This is Giannotti’s first time atop the morning show charts. Boomer last won the category in 2016 while paired with Carton.
BSM congratulates Gregg, Boomer, Al Dukes, Eddie Scozzare, Mark Chernoff and the entire WFAN crew on earning this year’s top spot. Now without further delay, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Local Sports Radio Morning Shows of 2019!”
Additional Notes:
- Toucher & Rich earned the most 1st place votes with eleven (11), Boomer & Gio were second with ten (10)
- Spots 21-25 belonged to The Front Row, Joe Rose, Chuck & Buck, Payne & Pendergast and Moser, Lombardi & Kane.
- Of the 30 shows eligible for consideration this year, 10 received at least one (1) 1st place vote
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 of 2019.
- Wednesday January 29 = The 2019 Top 20 Local Sports Radio Midday Shows
- Thursday January 30 = The 2019 Top 20 Local Sports Radio Afternoon Shows
- Friday January 31 = The 2019 Top 20 Sports Radio Program Directors
- Monday February 3 = The 2019 Top 20 Major and Mid-Market Local Sports Radio Sports Stations
- Tuesday February 4 = The 2019 Top 20 Original Sports Podcasts
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.
